One of the many thousands of people made refugees by Hurricane Katrina is the Fields family. This couple has seven kids, and they were staying at an Atlanta hotel until a web site set up to help families find temporary homes put them in touch with an anonymous benefactor who offered to put them up in a Boston hotel for up to a year, if necessary.
No fools, the Fields jumped at the chance. They arrived in Beantown over the weekend, and met their benefactors at the hotel. A youngish couple, soft-spoken and rather devout, fulfilling what they viewed as their Christian duty and sharing the blessings they have been given in life.
But the couple's name struck Mr. Fields as unusual. It seemed vaguely familiar. He could only recall ever hearing it once before, but he couldn't quite place it...
And then it came to him: sports. More specifically, a Boston Red Sox pitcher. One who had been the hero of the World Series, nearly literally crippling himself to bring home the championship after 86 years.
It was no coincidence -- the Fields' benefactors were indeed Curt and Shonda Schilling.
They'd hoped for anonymity, but it didn't work out. And so while Schilling is having a mediocre season on the Red Sox, most likely to tearing the hell out of his ankle and foot last year (he finished one game with his sock soaked in blood), even those of us who don't give a damn about sports have good reason to think of him as a hero.
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Hurricane Katrina, Sports
Tags: hurricane, katrina, sports
Comments (9)
Does the lucky family get a... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Tom | September 6, 2005 10:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Does the lucky family get a year's supply of ketchup packets, too?
No, really, that's really excellent of Schilling, even though I can't stand him as a Yankee fan.
1. Posted by Tom | September 6, 2005 10:09 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 6, 2005 22:09
2. Posted by Brandon | September 6, 2005 10:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Likewise, Steinbrenner's $1 million donation was excellent. Even though I can't stand him as a Red Sox fan.
2. Posted by Brandon | September 6, 2005 10:15 PM |
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Posted on September 6, 2005 22:15
3. Posted by Jay | September 6, 2005 10:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Heh. I was reading a stray Glob today and saw the story and thought "I should find it online and blog it." Then I thought "Jay Tea certainly will."
How does it feel to be predictable? :>
I am impressed. I mean, not just taking in a family, but a family of nine...
3. Posted by Jay | September 6, 2005 10:51 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 6, 2005 22:51
4. Posted by Francis W. Porretto | September 7, 2005 5:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Schilling has always presented the public with an image of high character enhanced by a very attractive modesty. It's wonderful to know that the image accurately depicts the reality.
4. Posted by Francis W. Porretto | September 7, 2005 5:03 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 7, 2005 05:03
5. Posted by wavemaker | September 7, 2005 6:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The man walks the walk like few (if any) in the business.
5. Posted by wavemaker | September 7, 2005 6:29 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 7, 2005 06:29
6. Posted by Jay Tea | September 7, 2005 7:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
OK, Mr. Solo, if I'm so damned predictable, how about the next time I get stuck for a topic, I just e-mail you and see what you think I'm gonna do next?
J.
6. Posted by Jay Tea | September 7, 2005 7:06 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 7, 2005 07:06
7. Posted by Just Me | September 7, 2005 7:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Got to say one thing about Schilling, he really is the type of athlete you want your kids to look up to.
I also think adopting a family, and giving them a home for a year, is far more worthwhile than getting a boat, and saving a few people from the water in order to have a photo op.
7. Posted by Just Me | September 7, 2005 7:38 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 7, 2005 07:38
8. Posted by Jay | September 7, 2005 12:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey, next you'll probably be writing about silly things that happen in Massachusetts! Something like:
Mumbles Menino tours Lawrence in an oversized vehicle, has near misses with several lousy, irate drivers along the way, then gets shot at by a retired military guy using a horrible legal weapon, but the bullet goes astray and hits Mr. Duckie instead, mortally unstuffing him. Poor duck. And he talked better than the mayor!
8. Posted by Jay | September 7, 2005 12:08 PM |
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Posted on September 7, 2005 12:08
9. Posted by Jay | September 7, 2005 12:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh, and the bad drivers were illegal aliens, so the police couldn't touch them. Can't forget that little detail...
9. Posted by Jay | September 7, 2005 12:09 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 7, 2005 12:09