On the Air with Tony Pasko

I have written about Tony Pasko a few times.  He is the pitcher and leadoff hitter on our softball team.  He works for Empire Carpet and hs been known to appear in ads for them.
I always enjoy seeing Tony appear in the tv ads.  I especially like seeing if Tony appears in new ads when they appear.  He also appears in short Empire videos online.
Tony is a great guy and a great friend.  He has covered for me too many times to remember when my defensive abilities come up short on the softball field and he never complains.  He does give me a good ribbing on occasion, but that's part of the fun.
The photo below is an odd photo in that it appears Tony is alone on the field.  In reality, this is an actual game photo.  I am the catcher (but not the photographer).  One of our fans must have taken this shot, but framed it in such a way as to eliminate any trace of any other player.

Seasons in the Sun

I am a bit of a scrapbooker. Well, really more of a photo-albumer. I always liked to get photos of anything in which I participated. Seriously, I think it comes from my need to feel I belong (somewhere). I have gotten several team photos of the various teams on with I played (even if only for a game).
Such is the case below with the vaunted Dogs of War softball squad. The Dogs have been together for about 20 years, although few original Dogs remain. I have been a member (of some sort) since 1997.
As players get older and lives get busier, the Dogs have expanded to about 25 players. At any given game, you might see any random 10 of us. Oh sure, it bends the roster rule a bit, but this isn't the major leagues.
As for me, I am happy to participate on any level. It's great fun. It's competitive, yet loose. It's intense, yet very calming. It's just a great summer tradition and a way to keep up (if even loosely) with some old friends.
There's long-time friend Jim Gekas in the black in the back row. Tony (from Empire Carpet ads fame), Ron (from last week's post) and Harry Comerford (one of the newer guys) round out that part of the back row. Frank Moy (long-time Dog), Pete Zundel and Jim Pellum (the rookie and nephew of Jim G.) are kneeling up front. Steve Stumpf (long-time Dog, slow-motion runner and avid Sox fan), me and OT Cano (Mr. Versatile) round out the right half of the back-ish row.
We don't have jerseys. We barely have bats. (Somewhere I found that hideous green hat, though.) Still, I am sure we all have smiles and good memories. I know I do!

The Dogs in Park Ridge, IL-Summer 2009.

Seasons in the Sun

Last week, I featured my first softball team photo. This week, I fast forwarded about 15 years to feature my Dogs of War softball team.
After several seasons on the field and several cutbacks in the office, it became too much of a challenge to field a team at Lerner Newspapers. Fortunately around the same time, Louie's team was suffering from attrition, too. I was occasionally asked to be a sub (when they were really desperate). Aside from being in a men's league, this team was definitely a step-up competitively from the Lerner teams.
The picture below is one of my favorite shots. It just screams 'softball'. I love the sun, mismatched shirts, 16 inch ball...all of it.
I also like the grit shown by Jim G. (standing far right). Jim hit a hard shot and had thoughts of going for 2nd base. The poorly manicured field of Park Ridge didn't fully cooperate, but Jim was not to be denied. A shirtful of dirt, sore shoulder and a great effort later, Jim was safe with another of his key hits.

The Dogs in Park Ridge, IL-mid 2000's.

From Park Ridge to Hollywood

One of my friends recently got an acting gig. I didn't even know he was an actor. He didn't even know he was an actor. Yet, there he is, Tony Pasko starring in an Empire Carpet commercial.
I have known Tony for about 15 years. We met on a softball field. Louie Atsaves asked me to substitute for one of their missing players. Since then, I have worked (or wormed) my way onto the team as the regular catcher.
Tony is a good athlete and has played several positions. I am not sure where he was playing that first night, but he has settled nicely into the role of our regular pitcher, leadoff hitter and a team leader. Tony is a great teammate and a great guy, never complaining and always giving it his best.
I knew he worked for Empire. I didn't know Empire used their own people for commercials. Yet, there he is on tv and on their website, starring in their commercials. Ironically, the Empire Carpet guy, Lynn Hauldren has never worked for Empire. He was an advertising copywriter working on the Empire commercials and he wound up playing the role of the spokesperson.
Maybe Tony will follow in Hauldren's footsteps. Maybe we will see a 3D Tony and a Tony bobblehead doll. If so, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Tony Pasko (back row, blue shirt) and the rest of the team in Park Ridge, IL-Summer 2007.