Who Would You Say has had the most impact on you?

[Classicblast]

I would say my oldest brother first.

When I was 3 the Yankees and the Dodgers were playing for the World Series and my family was watching that.

I am not sure I really understood what the Yankees and Dodgers were at the time but it seemed cool. My brother was about 8 at the time rolled socks together and gave me a stick. He said we were the Yankees and the Dodgers and pitched to me.

Ever since then baseball became my passion. I would take rolled socks and when I was unable to sleep I would toss them up and catch them sometimes for a long time. I would get scolded by my parents for not being asleep if I got caught. Eventually I realized that if I caught the socks "Ball" It didn't make noise. But once in a while they would hit the floor and my mother would know I wasn't really sleeping.

From then on I had always loved baseball more than anything else. At the age 11 I often played on 14-16 year old teams. After high school and some college I got onto a rookie league team. I went to tryouts with my old 1974 F150 that was on its last leg. I took it far and wide because that's all I had.

My brothers knew that if I was serious about pursuing a career I would need something dependable to drive to tryouts. So in 1995 they chipped in and bought me a 1988 Thunderbird so I wasn't relying on some old beat up truck to get to what could be a career deciding tryout.

After bouncing to a couple rookie league teams I got placed on a team that I played 10 seasons for.

Once I got there there was Carlos. When I was 20 Carlos was about 29 and approaching the end of his AA career. But he really befriended me and trained me to play at a professional level. Carlos came from the Dominican Republics. His family was sharecroppers he has about 14 brothers and sisters. They are culturally poor. Once he got into a baseball team and it was clear he wasn't going any higher he polished his English and took courses in electronics.

When the team released him when he was 33 years old he had prepared himself for a career change. He opened a store that sells and repairs tv, computers, cd players and whatever other electronic needs there are. Games everything.

When he got to America he decided no matter what happened with him and baseball he wasn't going back to the life what would await him in the Dominican Republics.

I have come to really respect Carlos as a person as well as a friend and former teammate.

So I'd say my oldest brother and Carlos are the 2 people who have had the most impact on me.

[Phil]

That's a good 1.

I'd go with my supervisor from work he retired 2 years ago but he always had good advice at the right time so I'd say him.

Classic, when you tell us about some of the teammembers you have known from some of the 3rd world countries we really see how much better we have it and that they don't seem to ever want to go back home so to speak.

[Classicblast]

My oldest brother has and had always been the most supportive person for me when other people would say things like "Get a real job and stop chacing a silly dream."

Others said "Your dad owns one of the biggest business in the area you could work a secure job there for the rest of your life put the bat down and grab a hammer."

It was my brother who always said "Keep swinging that bat, reach for the stars. And if the stars fall come on back here and we'll put you to work. But until the stars fall keep aiming for them."

[dannyboy]

My dad.

[Kimm]

My grade 3 teacher MrsGallighar use to try to encourage kids to improve themselves with constructive advice. She is probably the reason I am going to be a teacher.

[Jersey]

My parents, no doubt. They taught me from a very early age how to become a respectable human being, and I have to say I cant express how much I appreciate it. They were always there for me, and I will make sure Im there for my children.

[Classicblast]

In this day of hostile home situations I am glad to see that from Jersey that your parents kept a positive home.

I couldn't agree with you more about the importance of the home.

[Phil]

Absolutely it starts at home.

[Blastgirl]

There's some bad lessons learned that way too.

I know someone who tells stories about her Parents teaching her how to jip people.

She thinks it's the most cleaver thing but I think it's aweful.

[_glitch_]

One of the people who's impacted me most is probably our good friend Sizzlepop. I always admired his ability to lead this site when he was in charge and his unique way of handling problems and his question-everything-but-don't-be-a-jerk-about-it attitude. I miss him a lot. He has really impacted the way I act online a lot.

_glitch_

[Classicblast]

Sizzle is a good choice.

I'd be willing to say that he was the best discussion board moderator I have ever seen. He knows how to zero in on things more objectively than anybldy else and he is knowledgeable enough about all of the moderated topics that he can see the whole of the situation.

So I'd say he is about the best moderator I've known.

[Phil]

Sizzlepop did a great job. What's more is when he decided that he did not want the position any longer he set it up so Classicblast could take the admin spot over smoothly, and Sizzley stayed around to make sure the torch has been passed with ease.

This way Lewasite continues and there's an admin with the needed capability to solve any problems that could come about.

[Sizzlepop]

Thanks everybody. The members of lewasite definitely influenced me to a great degree. By no means was I ever a perfect administrator, but you guys always helped me out. Thanks.

[scooterboo]

the title got cut off by the Re:.

I think I have Influenced myself the most; I mean, I just always there when I needed help.

[Classicblast]

scooterboo2 said:

the title got cut off by the Re:.

I think I have Influenced myself the most; I mean, I just always there when I needed help.

It's great that you have been such a good friend to yourself.

[Blastgirl]

scooterboo2 said:

the title got cut off by the Re:.

I think I have Influenced myself the most; I mean, I just always there when I needed help.

That's creative. I have to say I hadn't thought of that answer. Well done Scooterboo2. ;D

Sizzlepop came to visit us.

Hi Sizzle. Take off your coat and stay a while. ;D

[dannyboy]

Believe it or not some people have had a positive impact on my by being a negative example. I posted about Larry but there have been other people I wouldn't want people to think I am like that person so I'd become motovated to do a better job at things.

[Classicblast]

That's a good point, Dan someone could influence you by showing you how not to be.