*an American named Pat Tillman was born in 1976
*I was able to watch a man named Walter Payton play football in his prime–“Sweetness” in all its splendor
*I was born to parents who greatly fostered my love for sports–and recognized it EARLY ON
*jumbo pretzels that are sold at various sporting events
*I was brought up in an era where trash-talking/showboating was minimal–and the concept of T-E-A-M was emphasized
*I was able to coach youngsters in the past who simply BOUGHT INTO a very disciplined approach–and it paid off for them
*having had some great coaches MYSELF as a kid
*the Phillie Phanatic
*I had a VERY good, healthy set of legs–for 40 years or so, that is
*having heard my Dad tell me stories about players that I NEVER saw play–such as Jim Brown, Bobby Layne, Whitey Ford, and Sandy Koufax
*comeback stories a la Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs
*having watched Usain Bolt run like no human being ever has–or ever WILL
*the fact that I’m not coaching vs. the Golden State Warriors anytime soon
*having been privy to the joy, camaraderie, competitiveness, and endorphins associated with long-distance running
*being able to watch the 1971 Baltimore Orioles pitching staff (FOUR 20-game winners)
*the fact that there aren’t any HOOTERS restaurants within a decent driving distance of my home
*the Harlem Globetrotters
*The Wiffle Ball, Inc.
*the Farrah Fawcett poster I had in my bedroom as a kid (didn’t EVERY teen boy have one?)
*not breaking EVERY bone in my body during my lifetime (just MOST of them)
*getting to see the 1976 “Big Red Machine” play in Cincinnati
*the fact that Thanksgiving–along with its COUNTLESS calories–occurs only once per year
*being able to witness a MLB no-hitter in person (Dave Righetti, 1983)
*being able to attend a World Series game (1978, LA/NY–the “Nettles” game)
*being able to attend Fordham University–and being exposed to ALL that NY sports had to offer (and NYC in general) during the 70’s/80’s
*I was privy to “Franco’s Italian Army” and “Gerela’s Gorillas” in Pittsburgh back in the 1970’s
*unlimited, free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream bars for media members covering the Travelers Championship each year
*the realization that the horrific traffic/gridlock/madness at the Yale/Harvard game in New Haven happens only ONCE every two years–and NOT yearly
*the ‘powers that be’ haven’t torn down Fenway Park or Wrigley Field yet
*seeing “Wild” Bill Hagy spell out O-R-I-O-L-E-S with his body during the 70’s/80’s in Baltimore
*Barry Bonds did NOT have a twin brother
*O.J. Simpson did NOT have a twin brother
*having copies of my Mom’s Italian sauce recipe
*I was able to watch “Dr. J.” play both in the ABA AND NBA
*having been able to watch Joe Namath release the football
*having great memories of stickball games as a kid
*NOT being given trophies for “just participating” in youth sports during the 60’s and 70’s
*NOT living inside the BEARD of NY Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
*having been able to hear Vin Scully call a baseball game
*having interviewed ex-football players like Rosey Grier, Lem Barney, and Warren Moon–and witnessing what greatness OFF the gridiron is all about
*seeing Roberto Duran fight in his prime
*the aroma of freshly-mowed turf during springtime
*the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders
*the N.Y. Jets “Flight Crew” cheerleaders
*hell–ALL NFL cheerleading squads
*having interviewed Denny McLain–MLB’s last 30-game winner–and experiencing his passion for the way the game USED to be played
*having experienced the wondrous nature of a small town called Cooperstown on numerous occasions
*having some great Italian aunts who NEVER left me hungry/desiring more food on a holiday like Thanksgiving
*NOT having tons of technology at my disposal as a kid; we had something called “OUTDOORS”
*being able to talk sports each week on the radio with 94.9 FM’s Lee Elci–the best in the “biz”
*having worked with radio/TV co-hosts like Tony DeAngelo, Chris Mascaro, Dave Rattigan, and Rich Marazzi–all SOLID individuals
*I was able to witness the pure, unmatched magic possessed by a man named “Pistol” Pete Maravich
*fat-free frozen yogurt
*having seen a Bert Blyleven curveball in person
*having seen a Ron Guidry and Steve Carlton slider in person
*I’m NOT Greg Hardy’s PR person
*being able to attend most NY Yankees games in the late 70’s/early 80’s and paying $1.50 for a ticket
*seeing guys like Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and the aforementioned Walter Payton score TD’s and NOT showboating
*collecting baseball cards as a kid
*not becoming violent when my Mom cleaned my room and DISCARDED all of my baseball cards as a kid
*seeing Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn handle baseball bats as if they were magic wands
*I was able to watch both Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux play in person
*having childhood friends/neighbors who were SO involved in backyard sports/pick-up games so many years ago–on a DAILY basis
*Finally, a terrific audience of readers for the past 15 years or so; a few more columns to come, folks.