I was Upstaged by Jared from Subway

I know I know, I am without a doubt the world's most unreliable blogger. I faithfully dedicate time and energy to writing blog posts for my family and friends and just when you start to get comfortable in the knowledge that I will update regularly WHAM! I leave you with months of silence. I apologize and send you many virtual hugs and kisses for whatever that's worth. And here I am, back to writing about weird and oddly touching moments in my life. Consider this my Christmas present to all of you (you're welcome).

To begin lets rewind back in time a good 6 months to that wonderful summer month of July. If you are here in Ohio right now you will probably have to think really hard, as the terrible weather does its best to wipe any type of happy joyful feelings out of our brains. In fact, rewind to the 3rd Saturday in July (approximately 6:30pm)This particular day was a little rainy with a slight chance of sun and awesomeness. It was at this time that I would be throwing out the first pitch at our local farm team's Saturday night baseball game.

I could explain WHY I was in this position but that's not nearly as interesting as WHAT HAPPENED when I took the field.

I can't lie, I was nervous when they called my name to the field. As I stepped out onto the grass I tried to walk as nonchalantly as I could manage to the mound. Standing there waiting to throw out the first pitch I realized just how lonely it was at the top. Even the cheers seemed far away and while I reveled in my new found glory I also realized that if I messed up this throw I was going to embarrass myself really badly. Holding my breath I took aim, and there it was! That elusive sister we call success reared her beautiful head! The catcher caught the ball- I was home free (pun intended). I could hold my head high and walk back to my family and friends with the sweet taste of accomplishment lingering in my mouth (or was that tobacco? You never can tell with true ball players)

I skipped off the field with the full knowledge that this was going to go down in history. Everyone would remember that I threw out the first pitch and it was glorious. As I got to the sidelines I realized I was not alone. In fact, someone else was nonchalantly walking to the mound and he looked awfully familiar. It was at that time that the loud speaker came on to announce that TONIGHT (and only tonight) there would be a 2nd "first pitch."

WHAT!! How can this be?!

"Annnnnd" the loud obnoxious voice continued...."lets welcome Jared from SUBWAY!!!". The crowd erupted in cheers as the slim and svelte Jared wound up at the mound and threw a perfect pitch right into the catcher's glove. I think I actually saw a tear fall from his eye it was so perfect.

There I stood on the sidelines as Jared walked by me. His posse of dedicated fans following trying to soak up the glow of the glory as it slowly seeped from my shadow onto his. Later that night at the bar the 10 o'clock news did a segment on the home team's game and the first pitch. The headlining news that night was that Jared made an appearance. A bitter pill to swallow? Yes. My big night was overshadowed by a man best known for losing weight eating cold cuts. Yet as the night progressed and my friends Jack and Jose helped me live down the humiliation I realized something. No matter how important I become, I will never be able to fill the pants that Jared left behind. And sometimes you just have to be okay with that.