A few years into our endeavor on the worldwide web, I received an email from a fan who shared a story about he and his Dad – a story I’ll never forget because it has so many wonderful layers. I’ll allow you to peel them back. For those of you who have followed us for a while, this story might jog your memory.
When the franchise formerly known as the Cleveland Browns decided to move to Baltimore and then opened up their marketing campaign to sell tickets for the 1996 season, the Ravens inaugural campaign, this fan, an estranged son, decided to buy two PSL and accompanying season tickets – one for him, the other for his Dad.
The father and son had a falling out years prior over something that should never have spiraled out of control the way it did. Two stubborn men, entrenched in their positions, consumed by their own sense of right and wrong, would not budge. Compromise to both, at least in this situation, was not on the table. It was viewed as a sign of weakness.
The cold war between them was palpable. It split a family. Holiday gatherings were scarred by their great divide dampening spirits and undermining the essence of their hopeful assemblies. Enough was enough and the son made the first move to thaw this considerable freeze.
Once the tickets arrived, the son sent one set to his Dad and kept the second for himself. And then the day finally arrived, September 1, 1996. The Ravens were hosting the Raiders at Memorial Stadium.
The tickets were upper reserved. When the son arrived, there was no sign of his Dad. He wondered if the cold war would rage on. He hoped that it wouldn’t and that his Dad would eventually climb those stairs towards him. Finally, he spotted a familiar face in the crowd that traversed the steep incline. Their eyes met. The reunification was on.
After some small talk, the two bonded again, thanks to the common interests that had always been part of their relationship. War is over and a family was restored thanks in part to another of their shared passions – the NFL.
And really, isn’t what sports are supposed to do? To bring communities together; to rally the human spirit; to take on challenges together and in doing so, deepening relationships and strengthening the quality of life.
The ties that bind.
I’ve often said that if this thing, this website – the one now known as Russell Street Report, somehow falls apart due to some unavoidable external pressures, that all of the people I’ve met, all of the wonderful fans that I’ve had the honor to share a laugh, a beer or both with, it was all worth it. I’ve been blessed, now for over 20 years because I decided to take the advice I shared with my children.
And I have to thank all of YOU for that blessing.
In The Loop
In a prior chapter in this History of RSR, I mentioned my interview with Scott Garceau back in 2003, during which Scott suggested that I not be too quick to quit my day job. In other words, proceed with caution. Scott’s intentions were sincere. That’s who he is. A great guy with a wealth of knowledge and experience who over the course of these 20 years has become a friend. I miss him on 105.7 The Fan. I’m pretty sure many of you do too.
Another prominent local sports media member who broke the story of the Browns moving to Baltimore, has also become a friend — one who I can rely on for advice and guidance if needed.
Years ago, there was a bar/restaurant in Fed Hill that I frequented called Bandaloops. A bartender at Bandaloops who became a friend and could pour a great Guinness, shared a passion for sports with me. When I told this bartender, the great Danny Coker of my plans to build a website focused upon the Ravens, he suggested that I meet with another of his friends who might offer up some insight and suggestions. Danny’s friend was none other than WJZ’s Mark Viviano.
Viv and I met for dinner at Bandaloops and I shared my idea with him. And like Scott, he was encouraging but advised me to proceed with caution. He thought that the fan-centric angle was unique and one worth exploring.
To this day, if I needed some help or advice, both Scott and Viv are there to lend an ear, to offer words of wisdom that undoubtedly would provide a lift. Just two class acts, two iconic Baltimore-based journalists who I’m so fortunate to have crossed paths with.
Pre-EDC
Before he became commonly referred to as EDC, I had the pleasure of meeting Eric DeCosta when he was the Ravens’ Director of College Scouting. I can’t recall how I first connected with Eric. Having a lengthy sales background, I suppose that I learned a bit about resourcefulness as it relates to hunting down and connecting with decision makers. So, my guess is that I employed such spidey senses to seek out and connect with Eric.
I first had him on our show Gametime when it was parked over at ESPN 1300. I never met him personally until we migrated our show to WNST for all of 13 weeks before Nestor Aparicio used Chad Steele to unleash his inner Donald Trump to let me know that I was fired. But I do have Nestor to thank for the personal introduction to Eric.
Nestor hosted a live show at The Mt. Washington Tavern and Eric was the featured guest. To support Nestor and the new home for Gametime, I went to the show and brought a couple of friends. Before the show started, Nestor brought Eric over to meet me. Immediately after the introduction Eric smiled and said, “Tony Lombardi. I was on your show before.”
Eric then turned to Nestor and said, “This guy knows football!”
Nestor refused to acknowledge the compliment and said to Eric, “We need to get the show started.”
And off they went.
My friends and I sat on barstools not far from the top table where Nestor and Eric were positioned. During their first break while talking to my friends, I heard, “Tony! Tony!” It was Eric calling me over to the top table. He asked, “When is your next show?” I let him know that it was on the upcoming Sunday morning. He shared his number with me and said that he’d be happy to join the show.
And that was the start of a friendship.
Eric is a rare breed. He’s laser focused; possesses a prodigious work ethic; has an insatiable desire to improve; plus he’s an intelligent, strategic and cunning outside-the-box thinker. Add it all up and what you get is exactly the kind of DNA any franchise would desire for their General Manager. He’s also his own worst critic. I’ve written this before and I’ll do it again here – as great of a GM as Ozzie Newsome was, Eric DeCosta will be even better. I’m confident that time will prove this to be true.
Back during the early part of 2008, just after the firing of Brian Billick, I chatted with Eric about the ongoing search for Billick’s replacement. I asked why they were considering less than impactful candidates like Brian Shottenheimer and John Harbaugh. I wondered how such unproven candidates could fill the shoes of such a boisterous, brash, take-charge coach like Billick. Eric was quick to tell me not to sell Harbaugh short. That his interviews were going very well. Not long thereafter, the Ravens made it official. John Harbaugh would be named as the franchise’s 3rd head coach. I rationalized away any doubts I had about the Harbaugh hiring with Eric’s words and the business acumen of owner Steve Bisciotti.
Bisciotti is a self-made billionaire. There aren’t many people in the world who can say that. Steve possesses a unique mind. He thinks in uncommon ways. He’s a visionary. And let’s not forget that he made his billions in the personnel business – placing the right people in the right positions with the right skillset to succeed. Why would he not do the same for his NFL franchise?
Sixteen seasons later, Harbaugh is still a winning football coach.
These are the ties that bind.
(In Chapter 9 we will learn more about Steve Bisciotti as well as our expanding roster of writers at 24×7)
One Response
Rarely does anyone make it to the top alone! It’s a steep climb and, as this post describes, relationships are essential to the journey!