not a trade, so didn't want to post this over there...

The back story, if there even is one, seems to be that in recent times he and I have gradually become friendlier, closer, a little more involved with some of the stuff of our lives outside of this place.

I never RAOKed him, we've not met in person though we have facetimed and texted, like many here do as well.

For one reason or another (Readers Digest version) I thought he was planning to send me a t-shirt...but the box was far larger than that would have required.

Inside was a vintage/throwback/old school phenomenal real deal top quality wool with leather sleeves baseball jacket, with the words RED SOX emblazoned across the chest. This is Hall Of Fame worthy attire...seriously.

I did not ask for the history of the jacket, hoping Russ might share that here...but if I were to venture a guess it would be that this was originally acquired as a personal keepsake. I recall Russ writing of randomly going to Boston on his honeymoon and attending a game at historic, beloved Fenway park, after which he and Mrs. Russ adopted the "Sawks" as their team.
All he really revealed was that he was "glad it was going to a good home...". He won't have to worry about that.

He's a good man for reasons other than this act of generosity, and I want that in print on the record here in case anyone was unaware.

Thank you again, Brother Russ.

Yeah. He's ayite, I guess...

I'd prolly hang out wif him if he lived closer, and stuff...

AWESOME!

CHEEZUS!


I would be remiss if I didn't add the lil' exchange we had in Orlando.

Oh my...made some of the best grilled sammiches I ever had.

Always nice to put a face with a name from here.

Had the pleasure to herf with Russ at my place something like 15 years ago. Yup ... he is dreamy!

First class effort for sure.

I did hear that is the jacket Cros was wearing when last seen.

maybe, maybe...but why would Cros need the leather sleeves?

Theodore knows nothing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISD86-oM4Ow

would it help if I said "Go Mookie!"?

I'm still hurt over that trade.............but I still love Mookie

Sounds like an awesome jacket any Red Sox fan would love to own..............I am in your will right dad

Red Sox fandom began during the Red Sox vs Reds 1975 WS.
My grandmother was a Detroit Tiger and Cincinnati Reds fan.
She sat me down to watch game 5, telling me that “we” were Reds fans. Ok.
Reds won the game, she was happy, I was happy.

Game 6 was in Fenway. Pregame, the camera scanned Fenway park. The odd nooks and crannies of the stadium, the Monster. Then looked at those red, home white, and blue uniforms. Told grandma I was a Red Sox fans.

She tried correcting me, saying I was a Reds fan. When I rebelled (shocker) she told me that would change. Nope.

As for the jacket to Frank1.
1: It is too big for me now that 20 pounds of Anger Laced Corporate Fat is off of me.
2: Wanted it to go to a good room. When I was sexting … texting Frank, learned the jacket would better fit him than me.
3: He’s a legit fan.
4: I aspire to be a better man. Directionally, Frank is better man than I am. I aspire to do better. He is more who I want to be. (Although I’m not switching from Sequel to Prequel).

Peace be with you, Frank.

wasn't sure how to respond, and simultaneously took another mini hiatus from posting, though I have been kinda up to date reading and stuff...

just wanna say I will nevah forget this, simply an amazing gift. It will be taken care of properly.
As for being like me...no one wants to go through life fat drunk and stoopid.

Maybe even better!...I was at Game 6 of the '75 World Series, sat in the front of the right field bleachers. Fred Lynn's 3 run blast in the bottom of the first sailed over the bullpen and just over my fingertips.

Went with two friends, we thought we were hysterically funny when we made a sign out of a sheet and hung it over the little fence between us and the bullpen that read: HI HOWARD...FRANK...and DANDY DON!!!

an inning later a couple hairy knuckle types came by with a couple network guys and took our sign away...theoretically due to "advertising" for a network not carrying the game.

Can't imagine a better baseball game.