tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.comments2024-03-11T08:27:47.879-07:00Meschery's Musings on Sports, Literature and LifeTom Mescheryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08728515431034043832noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-54740709249105965522023-12-31T13:45:49.998-08:002023-12-31T13:45:49.998-08:00A perfect sports poem…whatever that is!A perfect sports poem…whatever that is!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-36399296308174051102023-12-26T14:15:09.052-08:002023-12-26T14:15:09.052-08:00Tom - I loved the feeling I had thinking of the &q...Tom - I loved the feeling I had thinking of the "Kid" and his Dad! Good stuff from you as always! John MartinMocohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14511734741692618160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-58226349864817133402023-11-10T08:51:09.990-08:002023-11-10T08:51:09.990-08:00Hello,
I am a French journalist, interested in you...Hello,<br />I am a French journalist, interested in your life and amazed by your blog and musings.<br />Could you contact me? It would be my pleasure.<br />Here's my email: ycasseville@basket-mag.com<br />Yann CassevilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-14168573623031374322023-10-28T17:39:12.746-07:002023-10-28T17:39:12.746-07:00I saw The Pearl play when Winston-Salem, coached ...I saw The Pearl play when Winston-Salem, coached by Clarence 'Big House' Gaines, won the National Small College Championship in Evansville, Indiana. He was toying with those players. Like the ball was a yo-yo babies in their cribs were trying to snatch while Earl was performing tricks with it. Walking the Dog. Rocking the Baby. Once, when he crossed half court, he bounced the ball hard and let it go on bouncing between him and the man guarding him until the defender could not resist. When the baby reached for his yo-yo, The Pearl batted it past the baby [I remember it as nutmegging him but that may be my imagination], and driving to the hoop for a basket or an assist. I have no memory of how he finished the play, I was too busy replaying what I had just witnessed. Like a diner with no memory of the meal because the wine was so good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-38953663428431942362023-10-27T19:32:46.004-07:002023-10-27T19:32:46.004-07:00Hi Tom, I grew up in Indiana, so basketball has be...Hi Tom, I grew up in Indiana, so basketball has been a huge part of my life. For many years I've made my living as a storyteller and educator based in Los Angeles.<br />Over the past 7 years, poetry has become a big part of my life. My 'poetry home' is the World Stage in the Leimert Park neighborhood of L.A. Next year, Mama's Kitchen Press, a small publisher founded by L.A. native Camari Hawkins, will publish an anthology of poems themed to sports and play. I'm editing the anthology. Camari and I are hoping you might contribute some of your wonderful work to the collection. The submission link is www.mamaskitchenpress.com/shootingstars. You can contact me at mikebonifer@gmail.com Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-77605126409843069352023-09-09T11:09:38.792-07:002023-09-09T11:09:38.792-07:00Dear Mr. Meschery, I just hit “pause” on the Bill ...Dear Mr. Meschery, I just hit “pause” on the Bill Walton series “The Luckiest Man in the World,” because I heard a voice that took me right back to my seat in AP English in R (?) Hall at Reno High School. Seeing and hearing you just now brought me tremendous joy. As I have just started my 19th year as a social studies teacher, a letter you wrote me hangs proudly on my classroom wall. In this letter, you decipher the true meaning of the word “defeat.” You gave me this letter after my team had just lost in the state championship my senior year. I reference the letter often with my students, and it has traveled across the country with me. After almost teaching for two decades, I know that words form former students mean so very much. Mr. Meschery, you will never know the impact you made on me personally and professionally! I can still recite the prologue to the Canterbury Tales in an old English accent; I recall “There is no Frigate like a Book.” And, I remember your yearning for students to wear formal attire to classes. My class period, late in our senior year, did just that! Thank you for your wisdom, your kindness, and your all-around awesomeness. Wishing you much health and happiness. Melissa Padgett (Reno High, ‘00) Melissa Padgetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03806326044554676167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-4742223699006263272023-07-03T20:33:03.494-07:002023-07-03T20:33:03.494-07:00Great poem about the architect of the Warriors dyn...Great poem about the architect of the Warriors dynasty!Brandonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-25796093160555190422023-07-03T20:31:59.987-07:002023-07-03T20:31:59.987-07:00Great poem about the architect of the Warriors dyn...Great poem about the architect of the Warriors dynasty!Brandonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-59234013064819776032023-06-27T11:15:00.809-07:002023-06-27T11:15:00.809-07:00As a long suffering Knicks fan, I so enjoyed this ...As a long suffering Knicks fan, I so enjoyed this poem. "Fall back, baby" Dick Barnett is sometimes forgotten when we recall the 69-70 team of Reed's stoicism, Debusschere's toughness, Clyde's brilliance, and Bradley's nonstop movement. Appreciate the territory you cover, Tom, and the way you recount your own journey with sensitivity and detail.Peter Bravhttp://www.peterbrav.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-50396311087031712832023-04-08T17:06:27.454-07:002023-04-08T17:06:27.454-07:00PS: I started your book yesterday, then put it do...PS: I started your book yesterday, then put it down to watch the Kings/Warriors game. This morning I was riding up Hickey Blvd. (SSF) when a car pulled off Junipero Serra just ahead of me on its way to 280.<br /><br />It was a 1961 black Chevy Impala couvertible (top-down) with white fletchings. Fitted out as a low-rider, but.... Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04176739699753121192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-75869299450850893362023-04-08T16:58:41.321-07:002023-04-08T16:58:41.321-07:00Tom - I've just finished "The Case of the...Tom - I've just finished "The Case of the '61 Chevy Impala" and loved it! Very impressive period-feel, and the character-management was superb. Haven't enjoyed a Bay Area crime-novel so much since Joe Gores - who taught me to skip-trace (and let me ride along on a repo in Sausalito).<br /><br />I arrived in this world nearly ten years after you, and in the Bay Area two dozen years subsequent to that moment (1972) to teach Javanese Classical Singing at Mills. After a bit of this and that I became the night-shift supervisor for Bank of California's SF data-center, where one of my people was Nancy Lee - married to your old teammate George Lee. My wife and I lost touch with them when I moved-on to do finance and lobbying for St. Luke's Hospital (from which I retired after nearly 40 years).<br /><br />I have to say I wasn't following sports much (didn't watch TV after the '69 moon-landing until I got married in 1978). You went off to Seattle five years before I arrived in SF, and the Dubs had moved across the Bay. But whenever I caught a game - or sent my boys to those 4 tickets/4 hotdogs/4 drinks promotions - I always saw your name hanging in the rafters. And I could tell the kids, "Yeah! folks that I know used to say Meschery was a hecka' good guy!"<br /><br />So - don't know if any of that background makes my praise for your book better or worse. I'd be glad to get more detailed if that's ever something you want. You got my email... Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04176739699753121192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-78011158179591988392022-11-23T19:45:56.561-08:002022-11-23T19:45:56.561-08:00Hi Tom! Longtime Philly resident here. Enjoy you...Hi Tom! Longtime Philly resident here. Enjoy your commentary and especially the poems. Wishing you happy holidays!! Chris Chris Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16058856323758355892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-32765443749774797192022-07-23T08:56:47.517-07:002022-07-23T08:56:47.517-07:00Having grown up near Seattle watching the Pac 8, t...Having grown up near Seattle watching the Pac 8, then 10, and 12, what USC and UCLA is sacrilege. UW is scrambling now to find their way. BTW, being a Sonics fan since 1967 when I was 13, you provided some very wonderful memories. Thank you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-21906669290208194142022-06-20T15:50:44.329-07:002022-06-20T15:50:44.329-07:00You were in the Warriors parade? I went today; I l...You were in the Warriors parade? I went today; I live in San Francisco. It’s been a long time, but you were my English teacher at Reno High!Christina Yorknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-31232946964110598032022-06-11T11:34:03.799-07:002022-06-11T11:34:03.799-07:00I'm a big fan of your poetry and looking forwa...I'm a big fan of your poetry and looking forward to your upcoming novel. I just had my first volume of poetry published and it includes a poem I wrote about you covering your playing and writing career. If you're interested here's the link to my book. Any updates on your novel?<br /><br />https://redhawkpublications.company.site/Drinking-With-Others-Poetry-by-the-Pint-p470423761Kincaid Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12267063062222965694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-5438461437122592702022-05-20T17:35:26.200-07:002022-05-20T17:35:26.200-07:00I am writing article related to golf on my website...I am writing article related to golf on my website. Visit <a href="https://oneplaygolf.com/" rel="nofollow">oneplaygolf</a> site and let me know about your thoughts.<br />David Gassandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719648594606797291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-53698320912603144342022-04-16T19:21:57.903-07:002022-04-16T19:21:57.903-07:00A poem for you...
The Mad Russian:
The Play of To...A poem for you...<br /><br />The Mad Russian:<br />The Play of Tom Meschery<br /><br />Young immigrant you journeyed<br />from the cold of internment<br />to the American dream<br />doing everything the hard way<br />as your ancestors had before you<br /><br />On the court you developed<br />first a shot falling then <br />the failing of your temper<br />as though your opponents<br />represented all ignorance endured<br /><br />A journeyman and homegrown Warrior<br />owning no records save fouls<br />becoming the first foreign All Star<br />having your hand in the 100 point game<br />your jersey a hanging reminder<br /><br />More than a player <br />you were always busy at reading<br />the words and the faces<br />pledging to memory the <br />moments you would write<br /><br />A renaissance man born<br />in your genes a living translation<br />between the Russian prose and <br />your poetry on and off the court<br />you having lived my dream twice<br /><br />Kincaid Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12267063062222965694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-10723125040390639332022-03-09T21:59:04.767-08:002022-03-09T21:59:04.767-08:00Were you a Russian citizen at birth? Just curious....Were you a Russian citizen at birth? Just curious.denniscabramshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17102188955309777697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-79747409118936895042022-03-02T12:17:32.063-08:002022-03-02T12:17:32.063-08:00I would agree that Kareem is the Soul of the NBA. ...I would agree that Kareem is the Soul of the NBA. A complicated man, but what a sage he is. Consider the 1968 Olympic boycott, his coaching experience on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and his views on vaccination.<br /><br />I just read the NY Times article about Wilt's 100 point game. Wonderful, insightful quotes from you. You'll always be the "poet laureate of the NBA," and in my opinion, an underutilized asset. When I was a junior high kid in Akron, I was fortunate enough to see Wilton get 66 against the Royals. I have written a screenplay about one of Frank McGuire's players at St. John's, Coach Al McGuire. I think we know where Frank's cuff links came from.Arizona Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079296513359271365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-61960145884427951432022-02-18T23:19:37.847-08:002022-02-18T23:19:37.847-08:00I'm publishing my first volume of poetry and I...I'm publishing my first volume of poetry and I have written a poem about you. I would like to get your approval and any thoughts or edits. Please respond if you get the chance. Thank you for everything you have and continue to write.Kincaid Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12267063062222965694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-18465870630372258912022-01-17T01:13:41.074-08:002022-01-17T01:13:41.074-08:00Dwight Howard was the biggest omission on the top ...Dwight Howard was the biggest omission on the top 75 list IMHO. He was an MVP candidate and head and shoulders above everyone as a defensive player in his prime. I believe his personality is the main reason he was left offAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-3807699403187557552022-01-17T01:08:54.780-08:002022-01-17T01:08:54.780-08:00I just found your blog and want to say thst I am r...I just found your blog and want to say thst I am really glad I found it. Lots of interesting nuggets and I'm surprised at how broad your interests are (but I should not have been)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-78286924847603983332022-01-07T13:44:14.173-08:002022-01-07T13:44:14.173-08:00Hi Mr Meschery, I just found your blog, and I love...Hi Mr Meschery, I just found your blog, and I love it. I'm not much of a basketball fan, but I do love my football! And, I never memorized Chaucer. <br />Your former AP English studentErzsie Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14274375733764524821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-46696229556014716782021-12-12T10:38:02.971-08:002021-12-12T10:38:02.971-08:00For me growing up in LA in the early ‘60’s, yours ...For me growing up in LA in the early ‘60’s, yours was always a name to conjure with. I was pointed here in a roundabout way. And I’m glad I found you. Such a dumb jock. Ahem.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10718044290109926535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188749836930008240.post-20181794151146296712021-11-26T02:36:58.403-08:002021-11-26T02:36:58.403-08:00I am thankful for this Content to gave me much awa...I am thankful for this <a href="https://maps.google.ru/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.todaynewscentre.com%2F" rel="nofollow">Content</a> to gave me much awareness regarding my area of work. 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