"Mr. October 27." Why that name you ask? October 27th is an importand day for me, yes, my birthday, almost a half-century ago to be exact.
Among the many unique things in reference to my date of birth, it came on the 300th day of the calender year, 103 years to the date of birth of U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt.
I was born in Seattle, a city that has about as many rainy days each year as I now have sunshine days here in the Phoenix area. What a change for the better as I spent a few years in Albuquerque, New Mexico and love the American Southwest.
I've also always loved the game of baseball and "Mr. October" was the nickname of one of my favorite major leaguers while I was growing up. That players name was Reggie Jackson and he earned his nickname in the game by having a reputation for peak performance in the late season and postseason.
My father's name was also "Reggie." Dad and I spent many good years sharing our love for our "national pastime" and even though he left this life before he had a chance to see his Boston Red Sox win the World Series I consider it a blessing that I got to see the Sox's triumphs in the Fall Classics on my 43rd birthday as well as the day after my 46th birthday.
Who knows, maybe Dad is up there, watching our game and our team from the best seat in the house. Perhaps there's a trend of three year intervals going and I'll get another Red Sox World Series title for my 49th birthday this coming October. It's all in the hands of God. I'll just wait and hope for the best.
