High Gear November 3, 2016

Posted by Rosalie McCloud on Nov 03, 2016
 

A Lion's Welcome for Burlingame Rotary

On a breathtakingly beautiful Thursday at high noon, we convened at the Lions Den, the Burlingame Lions Club that is.  They have their own house at Washington Park and there were Lions barbecuing on the deck and Erik Winkler tending bar, and Pete Garrison supervising.   We were warmly welcomed.
Someone named Peter Cleaveland, Burlingame Class of 1958, called the meeting to order. 
 

Pledge of Allegiance

Burlingame Lions President Nirmala Bandrapalli welcomed us Rotarians and spoke glowingly of our President Stan Moore.  Stan was asked to lead the Pledge and we all joined Erik Winkler in trying to sing as much of “Our Country ‘Tis of Thee” that we could remember.
There were Lions, there were Rotarians, then there were Panthers and Pantherettes in full uniform and accompanied by a marching band.  Be afraid, Bearcats.  Be very afraid!!!!
 
Program
Peter Cleaveland introduced our speaker Jerry Crasnick, said to be one of the most influential names in baseball.  Jerry was born in Saratoga, then moved to Hillsborough, attending Burlingame High School, then college at USC.  Jerry has an entrepreneurial soul and having fun along the way.  He went to work in the family business, but set his sights on being a sports agent.    He now lives in Danville, is married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and has twins six years old and a three-year-old.  Today, he says he would turn down a fabulous career for being able to tuck his children into bed each night.
 
He shared his story and talked about his addictive personality and for that reason he doesn't drink. With a large group in the audience under 20, he cautioned that as we get older, time speeds up. If you’re high, there are other things you’re not accomplishing.  Sadly, one of the kids we saw today won’t be alive ten years from now.  Life is not a given, even though at 17 years old one may feel invincible.  You are not. As regards baseball, he cited Cal Ripken as a notable.  Cal Ripken appeared in 100 games.  He was not the best performer, but he showed up every day.  Showing up every day and being present is important.  It’s a good analogy for life.
 
We need to take responsibility for what we do:  admit our mistakes, take responsibility for them, apologize. He mentioned the doping scandal that involved Barry Bonds (and the Burlingame lab) in 1996 and 1997.  These players have never admitted their errors, taken responsibility, or apologized.
Andy Pettit used drugs, admitted it, said he was sorry and has a respected place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pete Rose is not contrite, presents as smug, and in his view may not be worthy of Hall of Fame.  He mentioned that if he had to choose again he would have chosen a career more utilitarian. The Cubbies World Series win Jerry attributes to Epstein’s epic failure.  The Indians/Epstein had two opportunities to put away the Cubs and did not. A favorite memory of his career:  having his player tattooing Jerry’s  name on  the player’s arm.
NEXT MEETING - November 7  Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront Hilton
Program:  Dr. Ken Montgomery
New Rotarians get square-badged
 
CONGRATULATIONS, CUBBIES!!!!