DC, He would be loving it, wouldn't he? My dear, sweet friend. There are days that I miss him so much, it's like a hand grabbed hold of my heart and gave it a big squeeze. But I am also so happy to have known him. He was such a unique person, so knowledgeable about seemingly everything, such a gentleman, yet he made everyone feel so comfortable.

So true, DC.

Fantasy baseball always makes me think of Plaw, but this season, just the sport itself reminds me of him. I can just imagine how excited he would already be about it. Like you said, we'd be getting the traditional posts about the upcoming games and how we needed to get set up.

I will miss his insight so much - every post he made taught me something, and I cherished those lessons about my favorite sport. He was a true lover of the game.

Paul would have started a fantasy baseball thread back in January.

Fantasy threads and Paul go hand in hand. Thinking of how he won't be there with his 5 paragraph posts makes it so sad. It's one reason why I can't bring myself to play anymore.

Understandable. But I know that if Paul could speak to you, he'd blow his top. He wouldn't hear of it!

I know that some feel the same. But think about it, if everyone decided not to play, then there would be no gangsterbb fantasy baseball at all! And to me, that would tarnish the memory that we have of the love that Paul had for playing gangsterbb fantasy baseball.

If anything Beth, you should play because that is what he would have wanted you to do. And you know it.


Don Cardi

You speak wise words DC. It's just the last good memories I have of Paul he called me everyday while he was in the hospital a few monts ago. He didn't have computer access and I would go online and we would work his roster together. He had the newspaper in front of him and he already knew who he wanted before he called. He would play mind games with me and say, "Ok Bethie..you know the pitchers I usually select so you know who to chose". I tried to tell him I never paid that much attention..haha. Who could forget he's the one who picked Johan before everyone else. Now seeing his name in line up will be sad.

We would really be into it, and before you know it Paul would say, "Shit..we've been talking for over an hour. Your phone bill's gonna be crazy". It was worth it though knowing it brought a little smile to his face during difficult times. Knowing I can't IM or call him with stuff isn't easy.

These are the days, aren't day...

All the fantasy games in the pipeline. March madness, the fantasy baseball games. Plaw really was the one that turned fantasy sports on the GBB from "set-it-and-forget-it" to the production that it is today.

Good and bad.

You know for a fact though, as he's looking down us playing these games, he's still giving himself the best odds at winning.

I miss him being around, especially now.

Yeah. Right around now, he'd be predicting me to come in 3rd behind you and him. Then when I'd get fired up, he'd email me and ask me to "put my money where my mouth is" and play for a few $$.

The other day I was driving on Rt 9 in Northfield, NJ (down South) and saw a business sign "Frank Vincent" (I forget the business), but I instantly thought of plaw and buddy.

No doubt he took away a huge chunk of these boards with him.

I wish I had insisted on asking him something we were discussing in PM instead of telling him to explain it only if you feel most comfortable. Oh well...

It was two years ago this past weekend that Paul was diagnosed with his cancer. The memory of that is now somewhat hazy. The memory of Paul will never fade.

I'll never forget. He was diagnosed on my daughter's birthday. Life is strange sometime.

I haven't even been able to enjoy watching spring training games. Maybe once the season starts, and the games are for real the excitement will come back. I can't help but think Paul still has his hands in the game some way.

I thought for sure Gil Hodges would've been elected to the Hall of Fame this year thanks to Paul's "pull" with the man upstairs. I know what you mean.

BTW - When is your daughter's birthday?

Her birthday was March 5. She's 22. Man, I'm old.

Tonight we had fried zucchini, which Plaw loved. He was supposed to come over for dinner last year, so we fried up his favorite for him, but he felt too ill to come, and had to cancel at the last minute. I thought of him tonight and missed him so very much.

I don't know if it's because his birthday is next week, but I've been thinking of him alot lately. It's a mixture of smiles and tears. Baseball season isn't the same without him, but I'm sure he'll provide us with some divine intervention.

I have pictures of the 2 BB weekends that I went to as my screensaver. It's nice to see his face pop up on my screen.

Yep. I really do miss our friend. Luckily we have some great memories of him.







We miss you buddy!

Today when I was replying in the thread about sex offenders, I thought that plaw might have agreed with me. I don't know that for sure, but I surely do miss his arguments...

SVSG -

I was also thinking about Plaw when I posted in that thread. I really miss debating with him.

Well, its the 28th now. This was Paul's birthday.

I looked back on last year's birthday thread for him and its hard to believe that a whole year has passed. I knew he wouldn't be around to celebrate this one but I STILL find myself wishing he would have some more of his birthdays with us.

I pray that his soul or spirit or whatever it is that remains of us after our bodies die is free of pain and at peace.

I miss him dearly.

Bless his soul. We hardly ever agreed on any subject here. But I was lucky enough to have the honor to meet him in person and to talk to him on the phone. When I found out how sick he was it really broke my heart.

Paul, your favorite redneck misses you.

Not sure what to say, but, Plaw - I know you're watching from above - we really miss you, buddy!
Psst! Please send me some signs during our live baseball draft later - please? Thanks!

I've been dreading this day for some reason. Although I know Paul wants us to remember him fondly, and raise a glass of wine in his honor. We shouldn't be sad, but remember the good times. My head knows this. I just wish someone would tell it to my heart.

I miss you Paul, and think about you everday. I can only imagine the awesome fantasy baseball team you have hooked up for yourself in heaven.

"If you came back from heaven" by Lorrie Morgan.

I wouldn't know what to say
I wouldn't know what to do
If you came back from heaven
And I could look at you
Would I fumble for the words?
Would I be a little shy?
Would I bust right out with laughter?
Or break right down and cry?

Oh,if you came back from heaven
Would it be like it was then?
Could we just pick up,where we left off
And try it all again?
Oh,if you came back from heaven
It would freeze me in my tracks
And I hope God knows,if he let you go
I'd never send you back

I know that we all wish that our friend was still here with us. I surely do. These past few weeks have been hard on many of us because of some of the reminders of Paul that we've encountered.

Reminders like the home stretch of the basketball season, the start of baseball season, and the forming of the fantasy baseball leagues.

Things that we all know that Paul loved to be involved in.

Usually at this time of year Paul and I would chat on the phone about our beloved New York Mets and what we felt they needed to do to achieve success, etc. I miss those conversations.

But today is even that much harder for us because it is our friend's birthday and he is no longer here with us to celebrate his special day. Knowing that undoubtely makes us all very sad.

But I believe that if Paul could speak to us once more, this is what he would tell us :

I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in heaven at last.

Did you wonder how I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And he came himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remains,
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!


Happy Birthday my friend!

That was beautiful DC.

"Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's will"

We love you dearly still too Paul. Happy Birthday!!!!

Are you looking down upon me?
Are you proud of who I am?
There's nothing I wouldn't do
To have just one more chance
To look into your eyes and see you looking back.

I remember the last time I held Paul's hand, and although he could hardly speak, I know that he was aware of who I was. These lyrics to Hurt always make me think of Paul, and what a wonderful friend he was. I do miss him so, and I was thinking of him and of his son today. As difficult as this day is for us, I can't imagine what it's like for him. Those "firsts" are always so painful when you've lost someone you love.

Happy Birthday, my prince! Your Babe loves you!!

DC,

Thank you for that beautiful poem. Reading those words are really comforting.

My thoughts are with his son and girlfriend and the rest of his family today.

I didn't remember that today would have been Paul's birthday, nor did I realize SC's and Paul's were only a day apart.

I wasn't fortunate enough to know him as well as Geoff, SC,DC and some of the others, but still do consider myself extremely fortunate to have known him.

Before our last BB meet, he e-mailed me and wanted to ride into NYC by bus, if he was up to going at all. I was so hoping to see him again, but knowing the circumstances, didn't get my hopes up. Even we we talked on the phone from the restaurant at the convention, as weak as he sounded, he truly sounded happy to hear from all of us. You could just tell from his voice he wanted to be with us.

As everyone knows, I go to the sports section next to never, but I think Paul is flattered and honored by the title "The House That PLAW Built." What an appropriate honor to someone who will always be remembered as a valued friend.


Yes, I too have recently thought about what some of his replies might have been to recent topics. I miss his intelligent, straightforward comments, especially in the political threads.

Paul, you will not be forgotten my friend.

TIS

I decided to wait until the fantasy baseball draft tonight to post. I do miss having all of my picks second guessed by Paul, and not so much second guessed as "what the hell is wrong with you?" type questions.

I don't remember if I had a chance to talk to him on his birthday last year, but like everyone else I do miss him, and like many others I still haven't signed on to yahoo since his passing

DMC, was it you or Don Sicilia (or both)that PLaw always teased, as far as the sports betting?? I mostly read remarks he'd make on general discussion, and know nothing about who usually "won", but it seems like I remember him teasing you two in particular. Ha ha, I got the impression that Paul won most of the time and when he didn't win, I sensed he'd jokingly get on your case.


TIS