Exactly one year ago on Saturday, I wrote a blog titled, "Rich bowled a 298."
Last night, Rich Babcock managed to avoid leaving two pins in the 10th frame, as he did last year, and improved to his first perfect game.
I'm writing this now because the preceeding paragraph almost all I have to add to last year's tribute to a friend and a fellow bowler.
I already told you how Rich is a great Bay View guy who's interests include his daughter, his cabin and memorizing every line of "The Simpsons." And like last year, I asked Rich if this marked the best day of his life. Again, he said it did, after the birth of his daughter. The 298 game from last year, he said, now ranks third.
The only problem this time around was that I didn't know his perfect game was unfolding just four lanes to my right. Around the eighth frame, I walked over to talk to him, not realizing that everyone was leaving him alone, like a pitcher in the middle of a no-hitter. I only looked up again when half of Bay View Bowl erupted in cheers, and Rich started running across the lanes.
Crap, I thought immediately; I just missed Rich's perfect game. I felt a little bit redeemed when he jumped over and hugged me so hard I think I broke a rib.
Amazingly, another guy -- Jim -- bowled a perfect game last night, too, and he was actually bowling against us. The reception was exciting, too, but I don't know Jim very well. Rich, you see, was a member of my team for two years and he's one of my favorite guys in the league of 50 people.
Anyway, Rich, I'm sorry I didn't see you bury that 12th ball, but I hope this second tribute helps a little. Way to go, my friend. I hope I can write this blog again each and every year.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
