Comments on: Matthew Levine andRobert Haydon Jones

By: Jeff Miller

Jeff Miller — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:24:51 +0000

RHJ writes about the things I love to read about.As a fellow ump who has been lucky enough to help Bob pull his Jacket down over his gear,I look forward to more stories about the characters he creates who are out of the mainstream. Real everyday people. Keep writing RHJ.

Jeff Miller
Norwalk CT

By: Kenneth Kolb

Kenneth Kolb — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:28:39 +0000

We are “friggin lucky”, to have a writer of RHJ’s talent to help us feel like we are part of the game on the field and off.

Keep em comming.

Kenneth D. Kolb
Old Greenwich, CT

By: Jack Orth

Jack Orth — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:22:57 +0000

R.H.J strikes again, and it’s his usual home run. “Old Blue”,Terry Moran calls the game from behind the plate, but draws you into the action as if you were at the game–both the game of life, and baseball.Many years ago, in the late 40’s, with Ted Williams at the plate for The Boston Red Sox, and Cal Hubbard behind the plate, Big Ted questioned a called strike, which he very seldom ever did. Ted said, “Ya missed that one Cal!” Cals answer was exactly what “Old Blue” would have said–“If I had a bat I wouldn’t have, Ted!” Well, R.H.J has a bat, and he never strikes out–the man can sure write!

By: rICH MARAZZI

rICH MARAZZI — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:57:54 +0000

THIS WELL WRITTEN, FAST MOVING PIECE CAPTURES THE INNER SOUL OF A MAN WHO IS GRAPPLIING WITH THE HAZARDS OF UMPIRING VS. HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME. BUT HIS PASSION FOR THE GAME CONQUERS AND HIS BOTH HIS HEART AND SOUL ARE LIBERATED FROM THE BOORISH CROWD WHO HAVE ALWAYS STAINED OUR NATIONAL PASTIME. YOUTHFUL UMPS AS WELL AS THE AARP MEN IN BLUE SHOULD ALL GAIN FROM THIS. BRAVO!

By: Paul Bortnick

Paul Bortnick — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:07:23 +0000

Captivating! Speaks to the inner thoughts of an Old Blue who has a lifelong affection for the game of baseball. Excellent job of putting you in the moment. When I was done reading it, I wanted to go back and read it again. If you love the game of baseball, you always want to be a part of it. Old Blue found that way, and it is sad to see him go. You will be missed! Awesome!

By: Perry Montrose

Perry Montrose — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 02:31:11 +0000

Some of that imagery brings back memories and takes me to the heart of the game “on the field.” How perfect to be the luckiest man in the world to go through the most bitter pain of the end of something so vital to the emotional well-being of a life, to be able to feel the moment. I can picture Terry years later hearing the barrio blues and reliving it, the music always connected to the smells and feelings of walking off the field for the last time again. Not maudlin, but as real as it gets. Thanks for sharing.

By: Frank Hall

Frank Hall — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:36:47 +0000

Frank Hall
Posted February 21, 2011 at 6:35 pm | #
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

The legend says that when the Buddha turned 80 he was confronted by Mara, the evil one, who tried to entice the Buddha to enter Nirvana, now! But the Buddha wasn’t quite ready to ‘give it up.’ He had one more ‘game’ in him. He wanted it to be ‘on his own terms, in his own time.’ Like Terry!

By: John Maynard

John Maynard — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:28:43 +0000

I found this story moving and touching, a powerful evocation of the anxieties of an aging person who is “still in the game”; it is not sentimental and not simplistic–rare in writing about aging.

By: dan shulman

dan shulman — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:32:14 +0000

What really comes through is his love for the game and his love for the people who love the game; and he makes us understand why they love the game. This is really fine stuff.

By: jeremy levine

jeremy levine — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:21:34 +0000

Great piece… wonderfully expresses what the game has meant and still means to old blue; that is, it’s way more than just a game. Very enjoyable read.