Gasbagging With Andrew - Teachable moments, Taylor Swift, Star Wars, New York Liberty & More
Introducing a brand new weekly column
Welcome to the first edition of my new weekly column!
Gasbagging With Andrew is basically another platform in which I can empty out the myriad of random thoughts that amass in my head at any given moment.
I’m never really short on stuff to say. That won’t surprise anyone who knows me well.
The main premise of this column is to basically allow me to chat about a slew of different topics outside of Baseball. For all of my brilliant, loyal subscribers, you are well aware that Blogs Of Steele is a Baseball-driven site.
However, again, I do love to talk about anything and everything, so I thought it would be fun to empty out my thoughts into a column I’ll look to release every single week.
There is no nailed down formula for this column at the moment. I intend on opening each edition with a detailed train of thought on something that has really compelled me that week, before diving into a plethora of other thoughts in a quick blast. I’m sure there will be tweaks and additions to the column as we go along.
It is a work in progress.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the first-ever installment of this column!
September saw millions of kids embark on the latest leg of their education journey as the return to school got back into full swing.
Some are at the very beginning of their school life, others are nearing the end and edging ever closer to dreaded adulthood.
No matter whether they are at the beginning or at the end, all kids will come across, and then have to navigate, a slew of teachable moments over the course of the next year. Learning lessons that could shape their future.
And that got me thinking.
I’m 30-years-old (that felt scary typing that figure out). I’m ten plus years removed from the education system, and I’ve accumulated plenty of tread on my tires when it comes to life experience.
I’ve also racked up my fair share of teachable moments, but there are two keys ones I picked up while in school and just out of school that I want to share with you. Teachable moments from three very special people in my life that have helped shape me into the man I am today.
Here goes…
Teachable Moment 1
I had a bit of a slow start in life. I’m sure for some who follow me on social media and who read my articles, they would argue nothing has changed. That’s fair.
But, seriously, I didn’t utter a single word until I was maybe like five or six, instead relying on the art form of writing stories to express how I was feeling. That probably helps explain why I do what I do today.
Anyway, I eventually overcame those teething problems and once I opened my mouth, there wasn’t a single person on the planet who could shut it again. Not for the lack of trying, I promise you.
However, despite bouncing back to a point where my speech was absolutely fine, that slow start in life always followed me around like a bad smell. It was part of my narrative at that point. As a result, certain teachers at my secondary school (that’s what we call High School in the UK) were adamant to put the training wheels on me. Some tried their utmost to hold me back as much as possible. I’m pretty sure the option of pulling me out of exams was mentioned too, although my memory could be betraying me on that one.
That led to many, many, many trips to the school for my Dad and Step Mom, which probably wasn’t ideal for them given that they had five boys to raise. Yeah, it was a fun and chaotic house to grow up in.
And this is where my first really important teachable moment comes in. I didn’t really know it at the time - and I certainly didn’t understand it - but my Step Mom gave me a gift that is worth more than any amount of gold on this planet.
She fought for me. She had my back. She argued as hard as she could with those teachers to make sure I was given the same opportunity as every other kid. The same opportunities as my brothers. Then she made sure I worked as hard as I could to make the most of those chances.
Sure, at the time I think I was probably a little pissed that I was being made to study and revise so hard, rather than being allowed to waste away my days on the PlayStation or by watching TV.
But, looking back now, what my Step Mom was telling me, teaching me, was never, ever to give up and never let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. And, if you have a dream and a goal, you go all out and work your absolute ass off until you achieve that dream. Until you achieve that goal.
That’s where I get my innate stubborn streak from. Thanks to my Step Mom, I discovered the most important lesson of them all. Always love yourself, always respect yourself, always back yourself and always strive to be the best possible version of yourself.
No matter what.
I wasn’t a confident kid at all but, with those lessons ingrained deep in my very being, I grew up striving to be the best possible version of myself at all times. I grew up reaching for the stars, refusing to listen to anyone who told me that aspiring to be one of the best sports writers in America was fools gold.
I laughed at those people.
I will never, ever sell myself short or set lesser goals for myself based on other people’s expectations. I just won’t. It isn’t in my DNA. I aim for the stars every single time and I’m going to go out there and kick ass and shut up all those who doubted me in the process.
As my Step Mom once taught me, there isn’t anything on this planet that you can’t do if you put your mind to it. You just have to believe in yourself, fight for yourself and work incredibly hard. If you get those three ingredients right, you’ll discover the secret sauce for a successful, fulfilling, happy life.
Teachable Moment 2
Fast forward a few years after school and I secured what was, at that time in my life anyway, my dream job. I was the Head of Media for my local professional soccer team. I was winning at life.
However, I was way out of my depth early on, and probably for the duration of that first year. I made a plethora of mistakes, some painstakingly costly, but I was beyond blessed to be surrounded by a group of people who cared and who had my back. And who have since become lifelong friends.
One of those people was a guy who has become one of my best friends. He’s more like family in every sense of the word. He’s everything to me, and probably more than he will ever know.
Now, I’m not going to expose him by revealing his name but I’ll just call him ‘The Boss,’ because that’s how I refer to him every time I talk to him anyway. Plus, he is cooler than the original ‘Boss’ in Bruce Springsteen in my opinion, so he deserves that title.
Hey, I love Bruce, but my Boss beats him out every time.
The Boss is a very, very, very intelligent guy. Very clever, very intuitive, very compassionate, very instinctive and that’s why he’s truly the best at what he does. You have him as part of your club, then you’ve won the jackpot.
So, in about February or March of 2016, The Boss worked out that I was not destined for a future in soccer. In fact, he very quickly figured out I hated it and was only pursuing that career because I thought that was what was expected of me from my family. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew that from Day One.
See, The Boss knows me better than pretty much everyone, except for maybe my brother. He can read me cover-to-cover like a Stephen King Novel. He understood that I was living in hell but couldn’t admit that to anyone because, at that time, I spent every waking day in crippling fear of letting people down. I thought by not living the life I wanted, by not showing an interest in the things I was actually interested in but rather faking a likeness in what united my family - soccer - that I would make them happy and not be a failure. I was committed to living in a figurative prison for the rest of my life so that I didn’t disappoint anyone. Stupid, I know.
Understanding that I was in a very fragile place and I spent my entire life up until that point living for others, and not living for me, The Boss, despite being in the midst of one of the toughest fights of his life, set about working with me to help me live for me.
He helped me see the light and gave me the confidence I needed to take a stand, stop living other people’s dreams and instead start aggressively and passionately pursuing my own.
What The Boss did was support me, guide me, encourage me and he and his incredible partner gifted me a second home. A safe haven. A happy, comfortable place I could be the true version of myself, where I could unload my deepest, darkest fears, where I could build up the confidence to start discovering who I really was, where I could find the courage to determine who I wanted to be and what I wanted in life.
And, for someone who in his early 20’s who was well and truly lost, that meant the world. It meant a whole lot more than that, to be honest.
One quick little story. Hours before a game he had to win - or else relegation would be confirmed - The Boss saw me early in the morning and instantly and instinctively knew something was bothering me. I was dealt a relationship blow - which sure as hell sounds stupid saying out loud now - but to me back then it meant a big deal and it wasn’t something I knew how to deal with. What did The Boss do? He took me in his office and talked it out with me, totally putting aside his own feelings about what was to come that day. This was a guy who was fighting for his very career, yet he put all of that aside because he cared about me and that came first. It taught me that you fight for your people at all times. No matter what. That is the true measure of the man. He is an absolute giant in my eyes and I was blessed the day he was put into my life.
I could write an entire book series on what he means to me and the immeasurable impact he’s had on my life. And continues to have.
The Boss’ partner - we’ll call her Super Woman because that’s what she is - is a freaking rock star and she has played a huge role in where I am today too. She opened up her home, which is an incredibly big deal by the way, invited me in and gave her time, her support, her understanding and her love and compassion to someone who was a complete stranger just months before.
She taught me the very meaning of how to be strong, of how to be a warrior.
She also cooked the best dinners and always came up clutch with the most awesome post dinner snacks. We’re talking all the chocolate you could dream of. And I remember after getting back from a trip to the States once, she cooked all this Southern Fried Chicken and fries, basically a huge feast, as a homecoming meal. That’s how amazing Super Woman is. I freaking loved all the nights the three of us - with a very, very special Cat - would just kick back and chill and enjoy each other’s company and laughter.
What The Boss and Super Woman gave me was the gift to love myself and not be afraid to be the true authentic version of myself at all times. They made me understand that not everyone will like you - a hard truth I discovered in an early relationship that I would not have recovered from were it not for the Dream Team - but that’s okay.
They gave me the platform to work out who I was, and their passion, their encouragement, their enthusiasm and their sheer love provided me with the green light I needed to stop the charade, stop living a life that made me miserable and, instead, pour everything I had into going after the life I did want. The life I craved and the life I had secretly dreamt about for years without telling anyone for fear of feeling shame.
They helped me shed that. They are the reason I am where I am today. Along with my incredible Step Mom.
I wouldn’t be writing this if it wasn’t for those three special people in my life. I also wouldn’t be pursuing my dream of becoming the best damn sports writer in America if it wasn’t for that trio, and the crucial, invaluable teachable moments they gifted to me.
I wouldn’t be who I am today without those teachable moments. They’ve shaped me into the man I am today, and I hope they continue to aid me and to guide me as I continue to evolve over the coming years.
I don’t know if the three amazing people I’ve mentioned in this column think much about the passages in time I’ve recounted. I know I sure do. Often. They mean so, so much to me.
So, for the millions of kids currently embarking on the next chapter of their school journey, I hope you encounter some amazing people that impact your lives in a wonderfully, awe-inspiring positive way.
On to the rest of the column…
Unpacking My Random Musings
This is going to be a staple of the column every single week. This space is where I’m going to unload all the many, many random thoughts that swim around in my head at any given moment.
There’s no filter, no restrictions and no subject is off limits. What you read here is truly what I’ve been musing about. A lot.
And, yes, this section has been inspired by my idol, Peter King, who has had me hooked with his ‘Ten Things I Think I Think’ in his legendary column every single Monday for well over a decade now. This first one is for you, Peter…
🔘 I’ll lead off with some thoughts I’ve been storing for a while. To be totally transparent, I was fully intending to launch this column weeks ago but, alas, other stuff got in the way. So the first few musings will seem out of date, but I still wanted to give them the light of day. I’ll give them a different bullet point so you can pinpoint them.
🔴 I found myself full of anger and sorrow on 9/11. That tragic, devastating day that should never be forgotten. Only, 22 years later, I fear that many are doing exactly that. There’s now a whole generation born after that day, blissfully unaware of the horrors that changed a city, a country, an entire world forever. Then the President Of The United States couldn’t even be bothered to show up for the annual Memorial Service at Ground Zero, which is a major slap in the face to every single victim and their families. We can never forget the events of that horrible, heartbreaking and seismic-changing day 22 years ago. We can’t forget because it is a tragedy still taking lives to this day. A total of 343 members of the FDNY died on 9/11. They have now lost 343 members since that day due to 9/11-related illnesses. So, if you missed that, the same number of firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11 have died in the years since due to the toxic fumes they inhaled while trying to save others. That is difficult to wrap the head around, as is the fact that more than 1,000 victims have still never been identified. The abject horrors of 9/11 may be a distant memory to some, but we can’t allow it to be like that. We need to make sure the events of that day, and the memories of those we lost and are still losing to this day, are never, ever forgotten and are always at the forefront of our minds. Always.
🔵 RIP, Jimmy Buffett. Again, I wanted to write about this weeks ago. I’m a weird case in that although I’m only 30, I have a very, very vintage taste in music. I’ll thank my Dad for that who brought me up on a wide-range of genres from different eras. Scroll through my playlists and you will find a mish-mash of artists from ABBA to Bruce Springsteen to Michael Jackson to Frank Sinatra to Mandy Moore to Donny Osmond to Diana Ross to The Supremes to Ozzy Osbourne to Carrie Underwood to Def Leppard to The Gaslight Anthem to The Roots. Okay, okay, you get the picture. Jimmy Buffett also features heavily throughout that playlist too. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it, but the unmistakable first few notes of Margaritaville never fails to put the biggest smile on my face. What a song, what a career. I think Jimmy was the envy of many of us because who wouldn’t want to escape and head off to sunny paradise with a cold, delicious margarita in hand? He was also an everyman, which is why I think he was so relatable. And why I think we can all relate to any one of his songs. I hope Jimmy is up there somewhere, sunglasses on, sipping an ice cold margarita and taking pride in the joy he gave to so many of us.
🟢 What a story Coco Gauff is. Her victory at the US Open was just breathtaking in every sense of the word. I know sports writers are prone to being prisoner of the moment and we love comps, but I really do think Gauff is as close to the next Serena Williams as there is. Watching Gauff dominate the field was like an out-of-body experience. She combines power, speed, grace, finesse and brute force with the kind of technical brilliance we don’t often see on a tennis court. And the viral video of Gauff watching the US Open as a child was just fantastic. She is truly brilliant and she is leading the next generation of tennis stars in America.
🔘 Okay, now let’s get to some more current topics. I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to talking about there being a mythical, mighty curse on New York Sports right now. We have to stop with that. And we have to stop omitting Women’s Sports from the wider conversation. Case in point; the New York Liberty are currently in the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces. Both teams are absolute wagons and it should be a truly compelling Finals for the ages. And the Liberty need to be brought into the wider conversation a hell of a lot more when it comes to New York sports. Sabrina Ionescu, one of the Liberty’s many stars, was bang on when she said the Liberty are playing the best basketball New York has seen in a very, very long time. They are, and the likes of Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones are now on the cusp of delivering a championship to The Big Apple. And that hasn’t happened a hell of a lot over the past couple of decades. The New York Liberty need to be celebrated as the pride of New York City.
🔘 Okay, so this next musing may get me killed, and I’m half kidding on the square with that one, but I have had enough with this whole Travis Kelce - Taylor Swift love fest by the NFL. CAN WE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP WITH THIS CRAP RIGHT NOW! I want off the ride if this is what the world has come to. Look, I have nothing against Taylor Swift, I’m actually a huge fan of her music - Wildest Dreams, The 1 and Willow are essentials on my daily playlist - but this has all gotten a little too much now. The NFL is a sports league, not Page Six of the New York Post for God’s sake. We don’t need shots of Taylor and her dream team of A-list heavy hitters every five seconds. I just don’t, thank you very much. Okay, maybe I could do with a little of that on Thursday during the Bears at Commanders game. That is going to be brutal and I think we will all need saving from ourselves during that one. But, in all seriousness, the NFL needs to move on now and get back to what matters to everyone invested in the league - football. It was cute at first, but now it is just too in your face and it has become unberable and cringy. You would think the NFL and its social team have never seen a celebrity before. I liken it to a 15-year-old boy seeing a pair of boobs for the first time, they just don’t know how to contain themselves. It just needs to stop now. And, I mean, the NFL doesn’t need to be this desperate. Have they seen their viewing figures lately? The National Football League is an absolute behemoth that isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Although, I will say, it is great that a whole new audience has been exposed to football and we’re seeing more women becoming invested in the sport. That’s great and truly something we should celebrate. But, before I shut up, NFL, please, please, please get back to celebrating your players and your product, not a global superstar who may just be using this whole charade to promote her next album. Who knows. But let’s move on. Thank you.
🔘 I’ve found my sweet spot when it comes to my Starbucks order. A Venti Latte with Blonde Roast, an extra shot and extra hot. Let me tell you, ordering it extra hot makes all the difference. A tasty, warm, soothing mid-afternoon pick me-up.
🔘 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - especially the white chocolate ones - are the most elite snack on the entire planet. And I won’t be argued with.
🔘 I don’t think there is better segment on TV than ‘Angry Runs’ on Good Morning Football. Kyle Brandt is just exceptional, and I’m left feeling exhausted after watching him ooze literal blood, sweat and tears during that five or six-minute bit. It is side-splitting funny and I just love Kyle’s passion. If you haven’t seen it before, here’s a taster below. You won’t be disappointed. Also, I think GMFB is hitting its absolute peak right now. I know a lot of people miss Kay Adams - and she’s great - but I think the foursome currently leading the show are gold. And the proof is in the pudding when you look at their ratings right now. Jamie Erdahl has done an exceptional job stepping into Adams’ shoes and drives the show flawlessly, Jason McCourty brings his own insight as a former player and his own unique personality to the table, Peter Schrager is a meat-and-potatoes football guy who knows the game inside out, and you can always rely on Brandt for high-energy bits and a slew of pop culture references. They are taking the show to whole new levels right now.
🔘 Thank you, Dave Filoni. I admit, I’m not done with the brilliant Ahsoka yet, but I can safely say already that it’s the show true, hardcore Star Wars fans have long craved. Better than the dumpster fire that are the prequels. And, Anakin Skywalker appearing as a Force Ghost? Chef’s Kiss. Many, many Star Wars fans can now die happy thanks to Dave Filoni, and Hayden Christensen, who is finally getting the credit and the love he deserves for his portrayal as The Chosen One and the all-time, greatest-ever villain in film history. Thank you, both.
🔘 While we’re on the subject of TV, really enjoying Season 3 of The Morning Show on Apple TV. Jon Hamm is a really compelling, interesting addition to an already star-studded cast, and Billy Crudup continues to kill it as the irresistible, highly-complex, multi-faceted, brilliantly entertaining Corey Ellison.
🔘 Times flies. Can’t quite believe the NHL Regular Season begins on Tuesday. Preseason seems to have flown by. Really, really pumped for Connor Bedard’s regular season debut - if preseason is anything to go by, he’ll have no problem living up to the hype throughout his career. October is just the pinnacle for sports fans. The NFL, College Football, MLB Playoffs, the WNBA Playoffs, and the return of the NHL and NBA. It doesn’t get much better than that.
🔘 Finally got round to reading Prince Harry’s much maligned / talked about / slated / hated autobiography ‘Spare’ over the past couple of weeks. Look, I’m team Harry & Meghan Markle all the way, which surprises a lot of people because I’m British. But I dislike the Royal Family with a passion, always have done. They don’t stand for anything, and their incestuous relationship with the British press causes more harm than good. So I’m rooting for every inch of happiness for Prince Harry and his family. He got out and is trying to avoid the mistakes of the past. And, hey, I can relate a little to wanting out of the country I was born in! I’m only a handful of pages in but it is a really good and complex read. Although, I will say, I’m not a fan of the layout of the book. Some chapters are literally a few sentences long, and there can be a couple of chapters on each page at points. I much prefer my chapters to be 20-30 pages long, I find the book flows better that way. But, hey, that’s small potatoes and just me being pedantic. I’m enjoying it and excited to get to the Meghan portion of the book. There’s a lot of ground to cover before I get to that point, however.
🔘 RIP, Chris Snow. If you don’t know, Chris Snow was a former sports writer and high-ranking executive in the Calgary Flames. He has been fighting ALS for years but, in the midst of that brutal battle, he and his family showed us how you deal with adversity with dignity and with hope. Chris was a true inspiration and he will be missed. His wife, Kelsie, and their children Cohen and Willa, are also true inspirations. Chris and Kelsie reminded us everyday to do what brings us joy, even when times are tough, and I think it is fitting that that mantra will be Chris’ enduring legacy. My thoughts go out to the entire Snow family at this incredibly sad time. If you would like, you can donate to ALS research in honor of Chris by clicking HERE.
🔘 And RIP, Tim Wakefield. The Boston Red Sox legend and two-time World Series Champion sadly passed away at the ridiculously young age of 57-years-old following a battle with brain cancer. Wakefield was an absolute giant of the game, and his iconic knuckleballer struck fear into the hearts of some of the game’s greatest hitters. However, what I think has been most telling throughout the outpouring of grief is that Tim Wakefield was a giant of a man, who impacted the lives of every single person he came into contact with. He represented the very best of humanity. Now that’s an example we can all be proud to follow.
Extra Innings
I’m going to use this section to leave you with a quote that has resonated with me that particular week. It may be uplifting, it may be motivational, it may be stupid, or it may not mean anything at all.
But I hope you can take at least a little something from it every week.
“One thing with me, I’m very, very loyal - very loyal - but loyalty one way is stupidity.”
- Derek Jeter, all-time New York Yankees great.
See you next week.