Not Quite Cooperstown

Last night was the North Shore Baseball League banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Yours truly was inducted.

Quite a humbling thing - to be recognized by your peers/competition/teammates/friends like that. I really didn't feel 'worthy' of the induction so my speech focused more on the guys who I had played with who made me a better player and gave me a place to play all of those summers. My teammate (manager/friend) gave a really teriffic introduction speech and talked about a lot of things that I had either forgotten or just didn't think made that much of a difference.

I have never been a glory seeker and prefer to be part of the pack, rowing in unison with the rest of the crew, but I have to say, it was really great to get the pat on the back from so many people. They were so sincere talking about past games, situations and were very complimentary.

Here's the introduction that was in the banquet booklet:

"Dan Sweet, who starred for the Kingston, NH Night Owls from 1996 through 2007, is considered by many as one of the NSBL's best "three way players" in recent memory. Dan joined the Night Owls after playing for Seabrook in the Northeast League and became one of the NSBL's premier pitchers. A righthander who possessed the entire package on the mound, Dan helped Kingston to nine playoff appearances in 10 seasons.

In addition to his outstanding pitching prowess, which included an overpowering fastball, devastating slider and pin-point control, Dan was also recognized as one of the most feared hitters in the Kingston batting order. Also an excellent left fielder, Dan is the Night Owls career leader in batting average, extra base hits and runs batted in."

We never kept stats so that's tough to back up.

Alright, my head has stopped swelling.

It just meant a lot to me.

In other news.....

I'm hoping to keep increasing my mileage a little here and there but it's going to be really tough this year....and frustrating I think. I'm (knock on wood) feeling pretty good right now - strong and eager to take on a training regimine. Work is really beating me down and will get worse. A one hour commute (each way), shortened work week and family are going to get tough in the long mile weeks.

I went for an 8-miler today at the end of the day and had to hit the 'mill at the gym. It took way too long and DW was ripped at me when I finally got home. I'm seeing the writing on the wall that I have to get a 'mill at home.

And a new car.

And replace some windows at the house.

And hire an electrician.

ugh.

Last week was a 34-mile week and I have this week scheduled to be about the same or slightly more (37) with a 14-miler on Saturday (hopefully). My 12.5 miler this weekend was a great run even though it was broken up by 2 pit stops. I ran one of my favorite routes around the house that finishes with long and tough hill and felt great through the whole run. I actually wrote my speech for the HOF induction between mile 4 and 5. I was hoping I wouldn't forget it by the time I got home. This weekend I think I'm gonna run the same route and run the other half of the hill that's even tougher and farther into the run. Maria knows the hill - she ran up the 'easy' side of it this summer.

Damn I need a running partner.

Derry is only 3 weeks away so it's time to get serious. Definitely the toughest race around - I think.

Now all I have to do is stop eating like an a$$hole.