4/10/2010
Lakota Hobbs, 2000 - 2010
An integral piece of the Roy Hobbs World Series is missing … Hobbs.
Hobbs, Ellen and Tom’s Golden Retriever … Roy Hobbs mascot, World Series greeter and Teammate to all who entered … died suddenly October 8.
A fixture of the World Series since 2001, Hobbs leaves a legacy of being the consummate teammate. He was Tom’s constant companion, on the road and off, and over the last 10 years rarely have they been separated (the longest was his missing the 2000 RHWS to attend ‘Doggie Boot Camp’).
Roy Hobbs Baseball talks a lot about what it means to be a teammate and about the importance of the dugout. Hobbs did not speak English, but he understood both concepts and left a living impression on everyone he met. There really was no middle ground with him. If he liked someone (and that was just about everyone), it was unconditional; if he didn’t, he said so.
So, thank you to all who accepted Hobbs as a member of our extended baseball community. We should all be able to love as he did!
Albeit an inveterate beggar, Hobbs was at least polite about it, sitting at anyone’s feet, his big brown eyes focused on the food in their hand, just waiting for a contribution. Annoying, yes, overbearing, no … simply waiting his turn.
A number of visitors would come with dog treats in their pockets. He could spot them a mile away and knew exactly which pocket to stick his nose in.
Hobbs was not much of a music dog, but certain sounds, such as the dinner bell, would bring him running: rattle a bag of chips, bread or carrots be prepared for the ‘stare’; the ding of the microwave, the gentle chunck of the refrigerator door, the gravelly sound of a cup in his dog food, … and then the jingle of keys being picked up and he was on his way to the car – his attitude was simple: it was his car, he just allowed Tom to drive!
He also considered the golf carts at Lee County to be his alone and would lounge in them, and while awaiting his driver, he would greet folks as they came by (checking for food for sure) and pose for photo after photo as Roy Hobbs Baseball’s official ambassador to players and families.
Hobbs wasn’t much of a barker until the last year or so. If he needed to go out, he’d come and whine, if he wanted to be ‘loved on’, he would nudge your forearm with his cold nose, if his metal water dish was empty, he’d pick it up in his teeth and bounce it off the floor – there was no mistaking that sound. Not sure what his favorite activity was – riding in a car or golf cart, chasing whatever was thrown, a ball, a snowball, a rock, a dirt clod, food or just people? When we could not find him at Lee County, there were 2 places to look: the golf carts in the stadium tunnel or near the concourse concession stand.
His trainer Bill Oliver told us 10 years ago that Hobbs was the most food-motivated dog he had ever worked with.
Photographer Greg Wagner continually referred to Hobbs as the ‘almost human dog’.
Yes, Hobbs was a dog, but almost everyone we know called him a friend … and he felt the same – he was not only an ambassador for Roy Hobbs but also for the animal kingdom.
Hobbs is buried on the hill overlooking Old Forge Field in Akron, a green place he considered his personal playground. He was respectful and did not interfere with the play on the field, but the dugouts were his domain, foul balls were his to chase and he never found a pile of goose crap that he did not want to clean up by rolling in it!
-- Tom Giffen
Hawk Welsh and Al Yahner
The NEORH baseball family lost two of its members Sunday (August 1): Tom Hawk Welsh and Al Yahner. Both are connected to the Blues.
Hawk, who managed and played on a half-dozen NEO teams since 1990, lost his 15-month battle with cancer in Dallas. Services are set for Monday, 10 a.m. at St. Francis in Manchester … more data below.
Tom Welsh started with the Cardinals in 1990, then played with the Giants, Orioles, Blues, Ohio Buckeyes and Ohio Classics among others. Along with way he also managed and served as a conscience for NEORH.
As Tom’s health declined in the last couple of weeks, his son Matthew has been communicating with us. Here are several of his comments:
“As you are aware, my Dad has been fighting different forms of cancer since September 2001. Like the Champion he has always been, he was victorious against colon cancer and many different types of skin cancer. 15 months ago, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that metastasized to his bones and bladder. His bone cancer spread quickly. …"
“On behalf of my sisters, Megan, Lauren, Caity, my wife Nikki and our children Kennedy and Abbie, I would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. More importantly, I would like to thank you for being my Dad's friend. He truly had wonderful memories and wonderful friendships.”
Following the Mass at St. Francis, there will be a short service at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Akron. Afterward, family and friends are invited to gather at the Akron Hibernian Club (2000 Brown St., off E. Waterloo Rd. near Holy Cross Cemetary) to celebrate Hawk’s life and share memories. Matt writes … “And I truly look forward to hearing wonderful stories that you may have to share.”
As the father of Jeanie Rakich (the brains and logic coordinator behind the management team of the Akron Blues), Al was a constant presence at Blues games both in Akron and in Fort Myers.
A Memorial Mass for Al Yahner will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday (August 10) at St. Eugene's Catholic Church, 1821 Munroe Falls Avenue (next to Waterworks Park in the Falls). The Mass will be followed by a gathering for family and friends at the church hall.
We have setup a blog posting if you wish to send a message to the Welsh family or Rakich/Yahner family.click here to send a message.
