Game Day! Team Khaki: Reds Firstar First Pitch

After XU graduation I was hired by Firstar Bank as a marketing specialist and soon thereafter Firstar became the official bank of the Cincinnati Reds. One of my responsibilities of the Reds sponsorship was to conduct the contests in all the branches for the aptly titled "Firstar First Pitch." Basically for every home game I was to find branch winners to throw the first pitch out at all the Reds' home games. Four people were allowed onto the field, one to pitch, one to throw from the mound, and two to stand and stare. Everybody got a Reds baseball cap and the winner got to keep the ball as a memento. And if you had $35 they'd tape it and give you the tape later. The whole event was on the jumbo-tron too. One problem... nobody believed they won a first pitch at a Reds game and people weren't showing up at the game as instructed! After about four games with no winners showing up to claim their prize, my boss really got on my case so I did the next logical thing - I stacked the contest and selected all my friends and family to throw first pitches for the complete season!

I often wondered if my contact at the Reds thought it strange that all the winners were about my age. And even stranger that they saw a few repeat winners like Brian who was on the field twice.

Attached is a classic picture of Brian, Adam, Adam's brother, and I after the first pitch at the Reds vs Indians game. What you can't tell from the picture is that Adam was drunk as a skunk. Homeboy threw the pitch in the dirt and the ball jumped passed his brother who was catching and hit some poor little kid standing by his classmates on the field! Brian and I laughed ourselves to tears.

Brian always wanted to make a movie about the cool, random, and outright crazy things that always happened to us and he swore this first pitch would be in a dream sequence. We were going to call the movie Team Khaki because of our preppy khaki pants. Look at the picture and see that Team Khaki was in full effect.

Miss you bro.

"In order to make an impact on society, one must be educated"

FYI, Xavier students send the “thank you” letter to my attention after they received an award. When you see my name or “you” please think of my parents and other generous souls like you who helped the “Brian McCormick Memorial Fund” become such a huge success. This could not happen without your help. God Bless, MM

Dear Matthew McCormick:

I am very grateful for your generous contribution. Your donation has helped me out tremendously. You helped me overcome a financial burden that was getting in the way of my education.

I am person who greatly values education. I believe that an education is an opportunity. An education is something that can never be taken away from you once you receive it. I do not believe that there was one great person of the past who did not have some form of education. All of the great inventors, scientists, politicians, and other revolutionary people of the past had an education. In order to make an impact on society, one must be educated.

I will never forget your generosity. You helped me at a time when I was having financial troubles that were interfering with my education. I am eternally grateful for your generosity.

Thank you,

Name withheld

Iron Chef

Can anyone please explain Brians' fascination with Iron Chef and this man?





I watched a little bit the other night and I just don't get it.

Swimming Pool Paaattyy

When I saw this, it reminded me of something Brian would forward me without any sort of explanation. And it would of course be hilarious. And disturbing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttgg1OaOuQA

and Brother Franklin feeling it at church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lmCju71Lcg

Lloyd Dobbler...

One of Brian's favorite all-time songs was The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" and I know for a fact he'd have wanted me to hold up a boombox playing this song like Lloyd Dobbler in the movie "Say Anything" at the funeral, but I completely chickened out. I'm sorry bro.

Another Pic

A picture of Brian and some of the Gunnoes from a night at the Fox & Hound.

Another email from Brian

After reading Matt's post, I was reminded of how thoughtful and caring Brian could come across while exchanging emails. This is an excerpt from one of Brian's emails concerning a funny forward I had sent him.

I just got this from your sister you doucheb$*.......

Thinking of going to iceland and amsterdam in august

Yours in christ

Brian

Brian, U2, and being Irish.

Like most children of the ‘80’s, Brian and I felt it was our patriotic duty to watch as much MTV as possible. Given our Irish heritage – and the fact they were (are) an excellent band – U2 quickly became one of our favorites.

Brain and l would often discuss how “old U2” was the best and their newer stuff was "just OK."

These are his exact words because he repeated them often:

"I liked them better when they were young punks who were pissed off at the British."

What a typical “Brian” quote! It also personified him: brash, off the wall, politically incorrect, and amazingly accurate.

This story reminded me of an email Brian sent to us in 2007. I found it a few months ago and sent it to Susan and my parents. It was titled “gotta love the Irish!” and it brought a smile to my face.

“Bono is at a U2 concert in Ireland when he asks the audience for some quiet. Then in the silence, he starts to slowly clap his hands.

Holding the audience in total silence, he says into the microphone...."Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies."

A voice from near the front of the audience pierces the silence and says for all to hear...."Fookin’ stop doing it then!"

Gotta love the Irish!

Brian helps a future teacher stay in school

June 30, 2009

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I am a Xavier University junior education major who made the dean’s list for the spring term (2009). I was the victim of a crime, and as a result had an emergency situation arise that would have made it impossible for me to remain in my classes during the summer term. The kindness and generosity that your family has shown me helped further my education. I will never forget your kindness. I wanted to write you this letter to let you know that what you are doing is important; I feel privileged to have been a recipient. Also, I am proud to be part of the Xavier family.

Thank you very much,

Name withheld

Happy July Fourth!

Happy birthday to our great nation!

Brian enjoyed every holiday. But, he especially loved July Fourth because he was a patriot and loved shooting off fireworks. Brian and I always thought my dad's coolest line was B.J. Allan. This is a fireworks company that sells Phantom Fireworks. We would always wait in gleeful anticipation for the delivery of a big box marked "CAUTION: CLASS "C" FIREWORKS DANGER!" Oh, we were in Heaven and practically started shooting them off as soon as we got them delivered by UPS.

One July 4th we started around 8:45 PM as it just got dark. Our next door neighbor was 132. She normally went to bed around 4:05 PM every day. We thought she might stay up a little later for obvious reasons. Brian and I started with something subtle called "thunder sticks." The booms in our neighborhood were massive and seemed to echo. Brian and I loved it. We were done for two seconds and quickly looking for our next thing to launch. It was quiet. All of a sudden, we heard Mrs. Davis say clearly "OH, MY GGGOOODDD!" We stopped what we were doing, started laughing, grabbed our stuff and ran like little girls. It was glorious. Then, I think, we went up to St. Charles and blew up the rest of our loot in the field in front of the church (not sacrilegious at all!) What a great memory.

I will think of you tonight Brian (and Mrs. Davis) when we launch the massive display of pyrotechnics from Phantom Fireworks.