Thank you Ray. I really appreciate your writing and how share a slice of your life for all of us. Good times and hard times. It is really refreshing to get to hear your origin story on how you were able to draw closer to the Knicks just in time before their last title. How it took some resilience and a hardened resolution. I am sure attributes that stuck with you growing up and helped lead you to a career you couldnt of imagined as a child.
My father in law is a long time Knicks fans since he moved to the city as a teenager around the time the Knicks won their last title. Knicks Fandom was always something we could bond over especially after my wife and I got married just as the 2012-13 season was beginning. Right before they had to move down south my wife and I got to see alot of them and there were many nights where my father in law and I would cheer on the "We Back" 22-23 Knicks. I have the unfortunate luck to have alot of fair weather Knicks fans in my life. So to be able to enjoy Knicks games live with another die hard while they were good was so refreshing. In alot of ways I am closer to my parents in law than my own parents. It is unfortunate but just a fact of life.
Nowadays, my parents in law are enjoying retirement in Alabama. They don't have the same capability to catch Knicks games so sjnce mid 2022-23 when they moved I've been keeping my father in law up on game recaps. I channel my inner Ray Marcano and Jon Macri and the day after each game I text a recap of the night before along with stats from the Knicks and the best players from the other side. I attach the NBA.com highlight reel from YouTube to give him a visual and every Monday I show him how they look in the standings and advanced stats. I also try to keep him up with transactions both in season and off season too. He was disappointed just like me when we lost I Hart over the summer but I think this KAT guy is growing on him.
Sometimes I wasn't sure in his advanced age that maybe I was giving him too much information and that just the highlight reel would be enough. To my surprise early in the season while on the phone with him. He told me he loves the writing and it helps him feel like he has a good grasp on how the team is doing without watching a game. Even my mother in law who isn't a Knicks fan will check out my recaps. During such a special time to be a Knicks fan since two seasons ago and to only wonder what is ahead. It feels so heart warming to be able to keep my father in law relevant to a really good Knicks team with possible championship aspirations.
Once again Ray, I really have to thank you and Jon again for giving me the inspiration indirectly. I was always interested in creative writing back in high school but those days are so far away. I had never attempted to sit down and write down anything that came off as story telling since my school days. Yet, somehow from reading both of your material daily I've been able to find something that has been buried deep inside me and use it to give my father in law the joy of still feeling like a Knicks fan while so far away from the team. Thank you both again and I hope everyone here has a wonderful day today with their families.
Dom that’s an amazing tale. Your father in law must be proud. As far as the writing goes you have a flair for it. Keep going. I find it cathartic. Merry Christmas!!
Im starting to see how it can be cathartic as well. Even if some days it takes a little longer and some extra multitasking through every day tasks just to get it done. I'm starting to think it's giving him the nostalgia of reading the morning paper lol. I'm just glad to be able to spread joy in some way and in doing so I found joy in the process. LGK, stay alive for win #5!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this Dom. You sound like a dream son in law for any parent. And I totally get where you're coming from about the closeness you feel with your in laws. I'm incredibly close to my mom's husband now. Funny how life works. Anyway, keep writing. If it's one thing I've learned it's that no one is going to come down from the heavens one day, tap you on the shoulder, and say "you, sir, are now a writer." You just have to believe in yourself, and most of all, keep doing it. As long as someone out there is reading it, it means you're doing something right.
Thank you for sharing what I’m sure are very bittersweet memories Ray.
That 1973 team was my first year as a passionate Knicks fan and I think that team addicted me to the Knicks. That addiction has only grown over the past 50 years. Today will be a great Chanukah if they win. If they lose, not so much. Hence, my addiction or passion or love, or whatever you want to call it, for my Knicks. To Ray, and my entire Knicks fam, Merry Christmas or Happy Chanukah, or both, whatever you celebrate. And LGK!
What a way to make a grown man tear up. Your writing is emblematic of this poignant quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, which ranks up in HoF territory:
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.
Have never seen this quote, which is particularly embarrassing because I grew up on a hill in Staten Island named after the author. Will be printing this out and taping it somewhere around my desk.
Well, I wasn't planning to cry today. Beautiful piece Ray. It brought me back to a different period of my life. Thank you. May you have a beautiful Christmas filled with joy and love.
Thank you Ray for sharing your childhood memories, as I'm sure reliving them was not a pleasant task for you! You stirred up many of my own memories of the 60's/70's, some good, some bad, but I'm sure as in your case, helped make me who I am today! Younger fans who today have total access to all games, have no idea the lengths we as fans went to to hear/see Knicks/Yankees/Giants/Rangers games in the 1960's/70's. As Ray pointed out, the transistor radio was our everything, for all sporting events to listening to our rock & roll music! Many Knicks games were either blacked out or tape delayed on TV, so many times the only alternative was the transistor radio. (Game 7 of the 1970 Championship vs the Lakers was delayed on ABC TV until 12:01 AM & I stayed away from friends, family, news broadcasts as to not find out the score ahead of time!). Thanks again Ray for your poignant story! Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all!
Thanks for sharing, Ray. What a great story of your resilience and dedication to our favorite basketball team. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and the KFS community.
Thanks for sharing. I am from Harlem and I share similar childhood memories of the Knicks. I was fortunate to go to Willis Reed's basketball camp in 1973 and he was just a great guy. To me, they all were. Anyway, you have had a great career and I would certainly be interested in reading about your life.
Thank you for sharing this story with us ray, I really enjoy everything you write. You have a great way of connecting with people through your words! Merry Christmas everybody!!!
I also recall listening to Marv Alpert call the Knicks games for the 73 Championship team of Clyde, Pearl, DeBusshere, Reed, and Bradley, with Jerry Lucas and Dean Meminger off the bench. If a player was fouled upon scoring, Marv would say: "Yes, and it counts!" Thank you Ray for the memories. Once a Knicks fanatic, always a Knicks fanatic.
Thank you Ray for sharing such a personal story with all of us. When you mentioned the cabinet radio I thought back to memories from my home and the cabinet radio we had. When I saw the picture, I got chills. We had that exact cabinet in our home. I believe it had a Grundig Radio which were incredible. Anyways I’ve been a diehard Knick fan since 1972 when I was 10 years old. Thank you again.
Thank you Ray. I really appreciate your writing and how share a slice of your life for all of us. Good times and hard times. It is really refreshing to get to hear your origin story on how you were able to draw closer to the Knicks just in time before their last title. How it took some resilience and a hardened resolution. I am sure attributes that stuck with you growing up and helped lead you to a career you couldnt of imagined as a child.
My father in law is a long time Knicks fans since he moved to the city as a teenager around the time the Knicks won their last title. Knicks Fandom was always something we could bond over especially after my wife and I got married just as the 2012-13 season was beginning. Right before they had to move down south my wife and I got to see alot of them and there were many nights where my father in law and I would cheer on the "We Back" 22-23 Knicks. I have the unfortunate luck to have alot of fair weather Knicks fans in my life. So to be able to enjoy Knicks games live with another die hard while they were good was so refreshing. In alot of ways I am closer to my parents in law than my own parents. It is unfortunate but just a fact of life.
Nowadays, my parents in law are enjoying retirement in Alabama. They don't have the same capability to catch Knicks games so sjnce mid 2022-23 when they moved I've been keeping my father in law up on game recaps. I channel my inner Ray Marcano and Jon Macri and the day after each game I text a recap of the night before along with stats from the Knicks and the best players from the other side. I attach the NBA.com highlight reel from YouTube to give him a visual and every Monday I show him how they look in the standings and advanced stats. I also try to keep him up with transactions both in season and off season too. He was disappointed just like me when we lost I Hart over the summer but I think this KAT guy is growing on him.
Sometimes I wasn't sure in his advanced age that maybe I was giving him too much information and that just the highlight reel would be enough. To my surprise early in the season while on the phone with him. He told me he loves the writing and it helps him feel like he has a good grasp on how the team is doing without watching a game. Even my mother in law who isn't a Knicks fan will check out my recaps. During such a special time to be a Knicks fan since two seasons ago and to only wonder what is ahead. It feels so heart warming to be able to keep my father in law relevant to a really good Knicks team with possible championship aspirations.
Once again Ray, I really have to thank you and Jon again for giving me the inspiration indirectly. I was always interested in creative writing back in high school but those days are so far away. I had never attempted to sit down and write down anything that came off as story telling since my school days. Yet, somehow from reading both of your material daily I've been able to find something that has been buried deep inside me and use it to give my father in law the joy of still feeling like a Knicks fan while so far away from the team. Thank you both again and I hope everyone here has a wonderful day today with their families.
You are an incredibly good son-in-law!
Thanks Dbn123
Dom that’s an amazing tale. Your father in law must be proud. As far as the writing goes you have a flair for it. Keep going. I find it cathartic. Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Ray and the same to you.
Im starting to see how it can be cathartic as well. Even if some days it takes a little longer and some extra multitasking through every day tasks just to get it done. I'm starting to think it's giving him the nostalgia of reading the morning paper lol. I'm just glad to be able to spread joy in some way and in doing so I found joy in the process. LGK, stay alive for win #5!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this Dom. You sound like a dream son in law for any parent. And I totally get where you're coming from about the closeness you feel with your in laws. I'm incredibly close to my mom's husband now. Funny how life works. Anyway, keep writing. If it's one thing I've learned it's that no one is going to come down from the heavens one day, tap you on the shoulder, and say "you, sir, are now a writer." You just have to believe in yourself, and most of all, keep doing it. As long as someone out there is reading it, it means you're doing something right.
Thank you for sharing what I’m sure are very bittersweet memories Ray.
That 1973 team was my first year as a passionate Knicks fan and I think that team addicted me to the Knicks. That addiction has only grown over the past 50 years. Today will be a great Chanukah if they win. If they lose, not so much. Hence, my addiction or passion or love, or whatever you want to call it, for my Knicks. To Ray, and my entire Knicks fam, Merry Christmas or Happy Chanukah, or both, whatever you celebrate. And LGK!
Merry Christmas and thanks for the kind words!!!!!!!
What a way to make a grown man tear up. Your writing is emblematic of this poignant quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, which ranks up in HoF territory:
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have never seen this quote, which is particularly embarrassing because I grew up on a hill in Staten Island named after the author. Will be printing this out and taping it somewhere around my desk.
The best compliment any journalist can get is that their work elicited emotion. Thank you and merry christmas
Merry Christmas Knicks Family!
Thank you for sharing . Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
This was so incredibly well-written. Thank you, Ray.
Wow Ray… amazing as always. Happy Holidays!
Hope you had a terrific holiday ... especially with the knicks win!
Well, I wasn't planning to cry today. Beautiful piece Ray. It brought me back to a different period of my life. Thank you. May you have a beautiful Christmas filled with joy and love.
Thanks Axel. Tears must mean good writing. I hope you had a great Christmas
Thank you Ray for sharing your childhood memories, as I'm sure reliving them was not a pleasant task for you! You stirred up many of my own memories of the 60's/70's, some good, some bad, but I'm sure as in your case, helped make me who I am today! Younger fans who today have total access to all games, have no idea the lengths we as fans went to to hear/see Knicks/Yankees/Giants/Rangers games in the 1960's/70's. As Ray pointed out, the transistor radio was our everything, for all sporting events to listening to our rock & roll music! Many Knicks games were either blacked out or tape delayed on TV, so many times the only alternative was the transistor radio. (Game 7 of the 1970 Championship vs the Lakers was delayed on ABC TV until 12:01 AM & I stayed away from friends, family, news broadcasts as to not find out the score ahead of time!). Thanks again Ray for your poignant story! Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all!
That's the thing about the Knicks. They stir up all sorts of emotions but I've learned that even the bad ones are good. At least we have them. Cheers
Thanks for sharing, Ray. What a great story of your resilience and dedication to our favorite basketball team. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and the KFS community.
Same to you and thank you
Ray,
Thanks for sharing. I am from Harlem and I share similar childhood memories of the Knicks. I was fortunate to go to Willis Reed's basketball camp in 1973 and he was just a great guy. To me, they all were. Anyway, you have had a great career and I would certainly be interested in reading about your life.
Thanks, Greg. I spent a lot of time in Harlem, playing (bad) hoops while attending playing for the Dance Theater of Harlem. Good times. Thanks
Thank you for sharing this story with us ray, I really enjoy everything you write. You have a great way of connecting with people through your words! Merry Christmas everybody!!!
That's a big compliment Dan. Thank you and happy holidays
Thank you Ray for sharing your story. It touched my heart and gave me a range of emotions . I’m sure it is difficult to tap into some memories.
I consider your pieces gifts ……….and today’s story was one of my favorite Christmas Gifts.
Wishing you the best of Holidays and I look forward to your next story.
What a kind and heartfelt note. It made me stop for a minute to appreciate the meaning even more. Thank you and happy new year
Wow. That hit me in the feels, Ray. Tell Jon to take more vacation time!!!
Merry Christmas to Ray and everyone.
That's hysterical. Trying to get Jon to take vacation time is like trying to clear New York snow with a toothpick. We should all keep trying
LOL
I also recall listening to Marv Alpert call the Knicks games for the 73 Championship team of Clyde, Pearl, DeBusshere, Reed, and Bradley, with Jerry Lucas and Dean Meminger off the bench. If a player was fouled upon scoring, Marv would say: "Yes, and it counts!" Thank you Ray for the memories. Once a Knicks fanatic, always a Knicks fanatic.
And Knick fanatics are the best and most knowledge kind. Cheers!!!!!
Thank you Ray for sharing such a personal story with all of us. When you mentioned the cabinet radio I thought back to memories from my home and the cabinet radio we had. When I saw the picture, I got chills. We had that exact cabinet in our home. I believe it had a Grundig Radio which were incredible. Anyways I’ve been a diehard Knick fan since 1972 when I was 10 years old. Thank you again.