Dear Son

(Editor’s note by: Kelly Byrnes) I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan yet (it will happen though). I got to know him through the blog, he has written two posts for us so far including a What Baseball Means to Me post. In June he took his son to his first baseball game and I had a great idea for a post he could write. I asked him if he had any interest in writing a “Dear Son” post and he jumped at the idea. I usually will ask people two or three times before giving up, I hate being pushy. I wasn’t giving up this easy this time. I knew Jonathan wanted to write but I also knew how busy he was with work, school and being a new dad.

So, I bugged him every couple of weeks until he sent me the post. It was exactly what I hoped it would be. Like I said I haven’t had a chance to meet Jonathan yet and this might not mean much to him, but I am proud of him for everything he has accomplished in the last year. This letter is just frosting on top of his cake. This is something he will be able to show his son and he will always have it. I appreciate that I have Jonathan as a friend and as we say at 9 Inning Know It All, “baseball friends are forever”.

By: Jonathan Moore

It has been 45 days, 1,080 hours, 64,800 minutes, and 3,888,000 seconds since Yan Gomes squeezed that final strike and the Nationals made history. To say I am going through baseball withdrawals in an understatement. Kelly knows since the last time I wrote, I have been a busy man, between work, nursing program, being a husband, and now a father. Yes, a father. I want to dedicate this one to my son, Carter, also known to the Facebook world as “Champ” or C.J.

Dear Son,

The day I found out I was going to be a father, my knees buckled, and heart pounded like a batter in the bottom of the ninth, on a full count, and being thrown a curveball with the bases loaded. I was scared, nervous, and excited all at the same time. I’ll be the first to admit it. The day your mom and I found out you were a boy I was over the moon. I would finally have someone to play catch with. Just like hanging up my cleats for the last inning, I was an emotional roller coaster that day. I laid awake that night questioning myself if I was going to be a good dad. I got out of bed and went into the office and found a baseball. I sat in the office tracing the seams, admiring the scuffs and tears from the constant throws in the backyard at an old piece of plywood. This was my escape. Then it dawned on me, your dad is like this old baseball. Torn with scars some to be admired, some to remind me of the decisions I made in the past. But I was still held together by seams of dedication, faith, and learning from my past mistakes.

Whether you read this as a teenager or when you get my age, I want to leave you with something I have learned over the years through my passion for the game of baseball. You’ll have enemies, I’ll call those rivals or umpires. You’ll have your friends, those are the ones that will run out onto the field with you and ultimately, “go to bat for you.” The ones that love you the most will be your biggest fans and that is your mom and me. There will be times when your batting below the Mendoza line and times where you’ll pitch an immaculate inning. Don’t ever let anyone tell you no, unless it is your mom or me, then it is for good reason. I want you to have fun in whatever you decide Champ. You get one life to make it great. Don’t settle. Never not take a chance. Always hustle because the ball player on the bench is next in line to take your position.

You will struggle. You will fail. You will quit. You will also learn, grow, and overcome any obstacle that is standing in your way. Life isn’t as straight as the foul line on the field. Sometimes bad hops make it into your glove or, you take one to the chest or face. Whatever life throws your way, dig in and battle. I will always have your back. Remember your roots, play for the team on the front of your jersey, and represent the name on the back.
Sometimes you’ll witness the biggest moments in the game like witnessing the 2010-11 Texas Rangers playoff run or being at the ballpark when Adrian Beltre grounded out to third just shy of 3,000 hits. Those are just a few of the bedtime stories I have in store for you. You’ll see me frustrated with after a disappointing season, but you’ll never see me give up on my Rangers and if you think I cheer them on hard that’s nothing compared to how hard I will cheer for you.

It’s taking in the moment Champ, seeing things unfold out there on the field, whether you’re playing or watching. There is always something to take away from this great game. I take away the memories, the sunburn, leftover sunflower seeds, the edge of the seat, nail-biting moments. Those are the moments you will yearn for.

These past 11 months, you already have taught me patience, love, and a bond that I pray will never be broken. I remember your first kick it was Game 1 of the 2018 World Series. How could I forget?! Your first game at Globe Life Park, all 9 innings without the slightest cry. You’ll be too young to remember those chapters in your life but, someday you’ll look back and realize just how crazy your daddy is about baseball. No, you aren’t named after anyone from baseball. Your mama wouldn’t let me. That’s the entire reason, I nicknamed you “Champ”. I love you to the foul poles and back son. Someday, I’ll tell you about the time I went 1 for 17 in this game called, life.

Love, Daddy