Mayday Malone Day
Chapter 2
June 1993
"Sammy, why didn't you tell us about this?" said Carla as she held up the newspaper, The Boston Globe. "This is the greatest thing to happen in twenty years. Mayday Malone Day. It's about time."
The article was a small article that mentioned the yearly award, Sam's name and the date of Mayday Malone Day, August 13, two months away.
"Relax Carla, I just found out about it on Saturday and I wasn't in yesterday."
"Sam, this is great news what did Diane think about it?" said Norm.
"She was really happy about it. She's already making plans about having a party or something. She's even planning what everyone should wear. You know Diane."
Carla chimed in, "Sam, I think we should all wear Mayday Malone t-shirts with your picture and the date on them."
"Funny Carla, that's exactly what Diane wants to do. Are you turning into a Diane?" Sam laughed.
"Bite or lose your tongue Sam."
August 13 1995
Televised Pre-game Red Sox Program
"Good afternoon Red Sox fans. It's a beautiful sunny day here in Boston and we're looking forward to a great game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox. The game starts in one half hour but do we have an exciting pregame show and some predictions before the game to give you today."
"Thanks Dave. Should be a good game. I hope everyone out there knows that today is Mayday Malone Day in honor of that great relief pitcher, Sam 'Mayday' Malone who led the Red Sox to the Eastern Division title and pennant twenty years ago, 1975. The Sox hadn't won the title or the pennant since '67, so it was pretty exciting at the time."
"Carl, Sam never left Boston after he left baseball either. He has become an integral part of the Boston business world. He owns a bar called Cheers, a catering company with two of his chef friends, and has invested heavily in properties in and around Boston. Quite a success story there, I'd say. They're doing well to honor him."
"You've got that right Dave. Hey- there is now sitting right next to the Red Sox dugout with his wife and kids. Looks like a lot of friends came along for the celebration too."
"You know Carl, I've known Sam since my early playing days. I used to hang out at Cheers. Still do, and got to know his then girlfriend Diane. A funnier couple I've never met. Diane worked for Sam while she was in Graduate School back in the 80's. Those two fought like cats and dogs. It was hilarious to watch. She always seemed to get the better of him too. It was obvious to everyone but them how much they dug each other. They got married just a few years ago and have twins now."
"They don't look like they're fighting anymore do they?"
"No they sure aren't fighting. What a great looking couple."
" Diane, where's Maura?"
" Carla and Margaret have her right over there and are spoiling her to death, as usual."
" When the award ceremony starts the Sox want the whole family to be on the platform. Photo op I guess."
" Oh Sam, I don't know. You know what a stinker Maura can be especially when she knows she has an audience."
" She'll be fine. Besides I've always liked feisty blonde chicks. I'll hold her."
Sam and Diane, carrying the children, walked to the center of the field and onto the low platform amidst applause from the Red Sox fans. Diane giggled at the sight of Maura enjoying the applause and smiling as though the fans were applauding her. The General Manager of the team introduced Sam to the crowd and gave a short history of his achievements before presenting the award to him along with a ten thousand dollar check that is bestowed upon each yearly recipient. After receiving the award and the check, Sam put Maura down on the low platform and walked to the microphone to begin the obligatory speech that followed.
" Boston Red Sox organization and fans, I cannot put into words how much meaning this award has to me. I have always loved the Boston Red Sox even after I left baseball. Many of you know the reason behind my leaving baseball and those of you who don't, consider yourselves lucky."
The crowd laughed both at Sam's joke and at his little daughter jumping off the platform, climbing back on and jumping off again. Joey enjoyed watching his sister and decided to join her in the fun, oblivious to the crowd watching him. Sam turned to them and smiled, then to Diane and smiled. He went on with his speech;
" When I left baseball I felt as though my life had no direction and that I had failed the team and myself. It took me many years to come to terms with being a " former" player and if not for the love of friends, specifically Ernie Pantuso, you may remember him as Coach, and my friends at Cheers I might have continued to lose myself . I thank them too. And then, I met someone else in1982 who has changed me in ways I thought I would never know. I thank her too and at this point want to introduce to you my wife, Diane Chambers-Malone."
Sam turned toward Diane and held out his hand for her to join him at the microphone.
" Diane and I would like the Red Sox fans to know that we appreciate the generous cash gift that follows this award. We have discussed it and have made a decision to donate the ten-thousand dollar gift to be divided in equal amounts to the greater Boston area Boys and Girls Clubs. This city has been so good to us. The Red Sox organization has asked me to let you know too that the profits on the sale of the Mayday Malone t-shirts have been astounding. They are donating all of the profits to the Boys and Girls Clubs as well. Now, if you'll excuse me , I think there's a game that's about to begin. Play ball gentlemen."
As the crowd stood clapping and yelling Sam turned from the microphone and walked away but Diane remained standing at it. She had a secret that she had kept from Sam. An announcer walked over the microphone and said,
"And now ladies and gentlemen leading us in the National Anthem today will be Diane Malone, wife of Sam Mayday Malone."
Diane stood looking beautiful as she began singing the National Anthem in her melodious, angelic voice. Maura and Joey stopped jumping when they heard her familiar voice. Sam beamed at her. She's the most important award I will ever receive he thought to himself.