I received a nice little cajoling Astros congratulatory e-mail from my friend Father Gerald Beirne of Narragansett, Rhode Island today. Father Beirne is an also devout member of SABR and he functions as the unofficial chaplain of SABR national conventions by making sure that Catholic members have a place to attend Sunday Mass on the last day at their convention hotel. That’s how many of us came to know him.
At any rate, the exchange between Father Gerald and your truly is self-explanatory. I’m just hoping this column will suffice as my “confession” because I seriously doubt that I will be in Narragansett this Memorial Day weekend.
Here’s the exchange:
____________________
Father Gerald Beirne (SABR, Rhode Island) to Bill McCurdy, 5/22/15 …
Congratulations on how well your team is doing today. And please tell me your role in that success.
– Father Gerald Beirne
____________________
Bill McCurdy to Father Gerald Beirne, 5/22/15 …
Dear Father Beirne:
Other than personally scouting and signing Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, George Springer, Luis Valbuena, Jason Castro, Chris Carter, Colin McHugh, Colby Rasmus, Luke Gregerson, Scott Feldman, Jake Marisnick, and a 20-year old shortstop named “Correa” who is still tearing it up at AAA Fresno – I haven’t done much to help the 2015 Astros at all.
In an unrelated matter, Father Beirne, what time are you hearing confessions this Saturday?
Peace, Love, Regards, and Play Ball – Bill
____________________
If you perceive the above holiday totem correctly, it reads as the whole thought: “I THANK YOU!” And that’s exactly what The Pecan Park Eagle hopes we will express on Monday, and everyday, really, to the memory of all who gave their lives so that we could live free!
And that is our Memorial Day wish, friends. Have fun. Stay safe. And remain true to what the spirit of this special holiday is supposed to be all about.




