I think about this question every once in a while. I like who I am, and I wouldn't change a whole lot, to be honest. I've got a couple of dudes who I'd love to be. They're doing what I'd always wanted to do -- play baseball, be a rock star, have money, be cool -- and while I love writing and working in the newspaper business, if you gave me the chance, I'd take any of those above options in a second.
But whose life do I want more than any other? There are the obvious: Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Nick Hexum (311), David Wright (King of the World). They're famous, good looking and rich. Women flock to them, and dudes do, too; some for the same reason -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- and others because, like me, they want to be them. But every time I ask myself the question, I come back to the same person: Scott Radinsky.
Yes, that Scott Radinsky. The left-handed reliever who made his career with the White Sox and Dodgers. He played 11 seasons in the majors, going 42-25 with a 3.44 ERA and 52 saves. He was 8-2 in 1993, the White Sox's year (before 2004). Without him, where is Roberto Hernandez? Where are the White Sox. Frank Thomas wasn't that near, and neither were Lance Johnson, Robin Ventura, Ron Karkovice or George Bell. Bo didn't know anything compared to Scott Radinsky.
But it's not just his pitching that makes this an easy choice. Scott Radinsky is also the front man for Pulley, a punk band. Pulley is pretty successful, not huge, not small. They're on the Epitaph label, which is one of -- if not the one with which to sign -- best record outfits in punk rock. He formed Pulley in 1996, and he doubled as a major-league pitcher and lead singer of a punk band for five years.
For five years, although I'm sure it was very stressful, Scott Radinsky was living what I think is the perfect life. And I really think I could have done it, too. All I needed was talent.
Your turn, people.
But whose life do I want more than any other? There are the obvious: Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Nick Hexum (311), David Wright (King of the World). They're famous, good looking and rich. Women flock to them, and dudes do, too; some for the same reason -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- and others because, like me, they want to be them. But every time I ask myself the question, I come back to the same person: Scott Radinsky.
Yes, that Scott Radinsky. The left-handed reliever who made his career with the White Sox and Dodgers. He played 11 seasons in the majors, going 42-25 with a 3.44 ERA and 52 saves. He was 8-2 in 1993, the White Sox's year (before 2004). Without him, where is Roberto Hernandez? Where are the White Sox. Frank Thomas wasn't that near, and neither were Lance Johnson, Robin Ventura, Ron Karkovice or George Bell. Bo didn't know anything compared to Scott Radinsky.
But it's not just his pitching that makes this an easy choice. Scott Radinsky is also the front man for Pulley, a punk band. Pulley is pretty successful, not huge, not small. They're on the Epitaph label, which is one of -- if not the one with which to sign -- best record outfits in punk rock. He formed Pulley in 1996, and he doubled as a major-league pitcher and lead singer of a punk band for five years.
For five years, although I'm sure it was very stressful, Scott Radinsky was living what I think is the perfect life. And I really think I could have done it, too. All I needed was talent.
Your turn, people.
