The Deep Green Field

The Deep Green Field

Ron Fairley died today. I never met him but I knew him well.

He played Right Field and First Base for the Dodgers when I was in college.

He was supremely competent, personable and approachable.

He gave 5 min lessons at the beginning of the broadcast on some aspect of baseball.

The one I remember was his class on catching a ball.

He was alone on a wide verdant green field.

Just a speck.

He narrated his moves, footwork and glove positioning as the ball approached.

Then the footwork, hand and eye coordination to pass the ball to the infield.

I always had that image imprinted for no discernible reason.

I sat in a C130 doing a nap of the earth flight for 45 minutes.

It was August at Ft Bragg and I was fully rigged.

I sweated, I breathed in halting anxious gulps.

I almost fainted.

I almost threw up.

I was going under.

Embarrassing for a 2Lt and a plane full of my troops.

I closed my eyes and saw that green field.

I transported myself to Right Field.

I did what he did.

Calm, controlled.

I was Ron Fairley.

I caught and threw the ball.

As he taught.

Later, in a deeper, far away green, I was being greatly tested.

I became Ron Fairley.

Several times.

It always worked.

Ron did far more than play baseball.

I know.

I was Ron Fairley.

I will miss Ron.

We were team mates.

chester curtis

Strategic Communications Specialist at Army

5 年

I have his baseball cards

Christopher Smith

Consulting Services

5 年

One of mine was Topher Schlatter. Older gent who was the rifle instructor at summer camp when I was 10. Supremely patient, careful and methodical, from safety to breath control and care of your .22. My first sanctioned marksman medal. Great remembrance, thank you Sir.

Robert Cursio

Defense Business Strategy & Operations

5 年

Sir...we are all baseball players...rules, actions, lines to stay within and plays that require judgement...we are measured by our actions though not by the rules we follow....baseball like life is about risk, inches, all measureable….those who won took all the risk and were not negligent with the game...

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Keith Nightingale的更多文章

  • TRADITIONS AND TRIALS

    TRADITIONS AND TRIALS

    The Ranger Battalion marching in the St Paddy's Day parade has been a tradition since our creation in 1974. It is a…

    26 条评论
  • GROUND TRUTH

    GROUND TRUTH

    It is very hard to explain combat and its effect on people that have not been there. It requires no explanation for…

    3 条评论
  • WERE YOU IN COMBAT?

    WERE YOU IN COMBAT?

    For some, the time of combat is just the length of the tour. For others, they are always at war.

    12 条评论
  • WINSTON CHURCHILL

    WINSTON CHURCHILL

    Today in 1965, Winston Churchill was buried. He was without doubt, the finest Englishman ever to lead that Nation.

    5 条评论
  • Building a Culture

    Building a Culture

    This month, 81 years ago, the 82d received its last troops from Sicily/Italy. It was a shell of its former self and had…

    15 条评论
  • THE BRIEFING

    THE BRIEFING

    President Carter died today. This is my remembrance.

    28 条评论
  • PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TO MEN

    PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TO MEN

    Anyone who has been a Grunt will recall some moment in Service that was particularly meaningful. This is certainly one…

    7 条评论
  • SELECTIVE DISOBEDIENCE

    SELECTIVE DISOBEDIENCE

    Sometimes, disobeying an order has a better outcome than following it. Commander's are expected exercise judgement.

    12 条评论
  • TODAY IN THE BULGE

    TODAY IN THE BULGE

    Today, 18 December, 1944, the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions rode in mostly open trucks to the Ardennes. The Germans…

    2 条评论
  • THE CRACKING ICE

    THE CRACKING ICE

    The dawn 16th of December was hardly discernible to the Engineer squad. It had been assigned to scout for suitable…

    4 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了