In gratitude to the sports world for its many blessings

[email protected]//November 24, 2025//

Listen to this article

Thirty-five years ago, I approached my editors at the Democrat and Chronicle about creating a new position focusing on the human side of sports. Fortunately for me, Jim Memmott and Ted Haider loved the idea, and my “More Than a Game” column was launched. Though that title eventually was dropped, the idea behind it lives on, continues to be my North Star.

All these decades later, I still enjoy scribing stories that transcend sports – off-the-beaten-path tales that celebrate the players, coaches, and volunteers who use sports as a vehicle to inspire others and give back to their communities.

One of my first “More Than a Game” columns in 1990 was about the then-new Challenger Little League Baseball program in Fairport, which offered young people facing physical, mental, and emotional challenges the same ball-playing opportunities afforded their brothers, sisters and friends. The idea, spawned by local Little League administrators Ken Kampff and Brendan O’Riordan, and nurtured by longtime sports marketer Tony Wells, was a marvelous example of good-hearted people giving youngsters with disabilities a chance to showcase their abilities, and experience the joys of putting on a uniform, hitting a ball with a bat, and taking trips around the bases, even if it meant negotiating those diamond treks in a wheel chair pushed by an able-bodied “buddy.”

Not long after my story appeared, Greece Little League followed Fairport’s lead, and a similar program sprouted in Rochester’s most populous suburb. Today, there are programs in a dozen local communities, with close to 1,000 kids and volunteers participating.

Each June, hundreds of them gather for the annual Challenger World Series at Innovative Field, where they get to play ball on the same field as the Rochester Red Wings. And each year a Hot Stove Luncheon is held to raise funds to pay for the field’s rental fees, T-shirts, and free food and beverages for the players and their families.

Wells was the mastermind behind the World Series and fund-raising luncheon, and at the latest get-together Saturday, he announced that roughly $400,000 had been raised through the years. Thanks to his efforts and the efforts of his family and friends, thousands of lives have been positively impacted. They are living proof that sports often are about more than the game.

As I write my annual Thanksgiving column, I doff my cap to Wells and the Challenger Baseball program and give a belated thanks to Jim and Ted for giving me the forum to write about athletes, coaches and volunteers who make a difference.

Without further ado, here are some other sports-related things for which I’m grateful:

Brighton’s Ernie Clement, whose baseball talents and perseverance were rewarded this fall with a post-season-record 30 hits for the Toronto Blues Jays.
The sounds of bats hitting balls, sneakers squeaking on hardwood courts, putts dropping into cups, and skate blades carving up ice.
The greatness of Josh Allen, who, despite recent struggles, continues to wow with improvisation and grit, and keeps slim Super Bowl hopes alive.
The heroism of Don Holleder, Bob Kalsu, Gary Scott, and Tom Way – four local athletes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
Major League-caliber announcers Josh Whetzel (Red Wings), Don Stevens (Amerks), and Craig Rybczynski (Knighthawks).
100-year-young Marv Levy, whose wisdom, sense of humor, and kind heart are in abundant supply each time we speak or correspond.
The Courage Bowl, a Gary Mervis-inspired idea, that among other things, provides kids with cancer an opportunity to be a part of a college football team and cheer squad.
The jaw-dropping brilliance of Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
Gone but never forgotten sporting friends Joe Altobelli, Johnny Antonelli, Carmen Basilio, Tom Batzold, George Beahon, Al Cervi, Larry Costello, Fiore DeCosty, Mike Fennell, Jerry Flynn, Jack Garner, Dan Guilfoyle, Kent Hull, Milo the Bat Dog, Tom Myslinski, Bob Parker, John Ricco, Bob Schwartz, Pat Stark, George Steitz, Nick and Sam Urzetta, Christine Wagner Welch, and Rick Woodson.
The loyalty and generosity of Bills Mafia, which has raised millions of dollars for worthy causes.
Birthday and Father’s Day games of catch with my kids, grandkids, and wife.
Regional fields and arenas of dreams, such as Innovative Field, Blue Cross Arena, the JMA Wireless Dome, Highmark Stadium, Oak Hill Country Club, Monroe Golf Club, and McAvoy Park.
Joshua Snyder, who has trained Red Wings bat dogs, Bruce and Milo, and who’s used their popularity to raise money for organizations such as Rochester’s Veterans Outreach Center and Honor Flight of Rochester.
Transcendent sports books, such as Roger Kahn’s “Boys of Summer,” which had a profound influence on my life and career.
Being there to witness Mickey Mantle muscle baseballs into the upper deck, Michael Jordan sink a buzzer-beating, game-winning jumper, Muhammad Ali light the Olympic cauldron, Frank Reich engineer a miraculous comeback, Syracuse upset top-ranked Nebraska in football, Abby Wambach score the gold-medal-winning soccer goal in Athens, Michael Phelps swim to a record eighth Olympic gold medal in Beijing, and Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods drain long and winding birdie putts at Oak Hill.
Butterflies that flutter in the stomach before a kickoff, first pitch, tipoff, opening faceoff, or tee shot.
Zambonis and Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Lou Gehrig’s “luckiest man on the face of the earth” and Jim Valvano’s “never, ever give up” speeches.
Trips to Syracuse football and basketball games in the Dome with my paisans
The reminder from the highly entertaining Savannah Bananas – aka the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball – that sports are supposed to be fun.
The humorous and wise malapropisms of late catcher/wordsmith Yogi Berra, and the lessons learned from his remarkable, underappreciated life.
Big-hearted athletes, such as John Wallace and Roosevelt Bouie, who continue to give back to their communities,
Timeless movies, such as “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “42,” “Hoosiers,” “The Pride of the Yankees,” “Slap Shot,” “The Express,” and “The Natural.”
Yankee pinstripes, UCLA powder blue and gold football uniforms, and the Rochester Americans red, white, and blue crest.
The riveting 2025 World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers – baseball at its dramatic best.
My friendship with longtime Voice of the Bills John Murphy, who continues his inspiring comeback from a stroke.
The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in bucolic Cooperstown.
Memories of my first ball game at Yankee Stadium with my dad, Andrew Pitoniak, on Sept. 17, 1966.
Mentors such as Frank Bilovsky, John Pitarresi, Vic Carucci, and Memmott, who each in their own way helped me become a better writer and person.
Editors and copy editors who gave me opportunities to develop my voice, but also saved me from myself when I needed saving, and gifted photographers and graphic artists who enhanced the stories I’ve told.
People who have read my stuff and shared it with others. This ink-stained wretch could not have taken this 53-year journey without you.