Coffee Cup Profile 1: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

Just about every "thing" has a story, and as I was getting my coffee this morning, it occurred to me that each of the four or five coffee cups in my weekly rotation has a story behind it. I thought I might share these coffee cups profiles with you, beginning first with one that is both very near "retirement," and my heart.

For a three year period, about three years ago, I was a professional mascot for my hometown's minor league baseball team. During my time with the organization, I had the opportunity to work with some wonderful folks, including those ladies and gentlemen who worked as ushers in the stadium. My locker was located in an area that doubled as the usher's pre-game meeting room. As they prepared for each game, I would be taping my legs, spreading Ben Gay and stretching for my two-to-four hour performance.

During these meetings, the usher's would go over any news and notes, and I would often participate and try to get them going before the games. They were an unimaginable help to me during the occasions when I needed assistance in stadium or on the field getting me food, making sure messages were delivered or just being an ear to bend during rain delays (of which there were quite a few).

After the 2001 season, my first as the team's full-time mascot, one of the ushers gave me the coffee cup pictured above to the left and right depicting one of the many benefits of the job. While the mascot for the team, my kids had many opportunities to be involved with the game, whether changing bases during the seventh inning stretch or watching the game in reserved seats behind the dugout. The image on the cup shows my son and daughter on one evening when they were on the field (I would guess during either the Pee-Wee Tequila dance or the YMCA dance--both timeless "classics").

This cup has been one of my most prized possession from my baseball days, and after five years of being washed and used, I guess it is almost time to retire it from use, as I fear the image soon will become too faded to see clearly. There is a place waiting on my desk for this coffee cup, as it is a favorite picture of my children, even more than a favorite coffee cup.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!