[To listen to the audio, which I recommend for this story, just click here: Coach Mac 2014]
The summer before Mac McKenzie became our little league baseball coach, I spent the season picking dandelions in right field, and batting last. But just weeks after Coach Mac took over, I rose to starting catcher, lead-off hitter, and team captain. Trust me, I was no bigger, faster or stronger than I was the previous season. But I had one thing I didn’t have the year before: confidence. Instead of playing back on my heels, I was up on my toes, and swinging for the fences.
I’m sure Coach Mac’s influence planted my desire to become a coach myself – and later, a teacher, too.
Last summer, when I wrote about Coach Mac (https://johnubacon.com/2013/08/the-difference-coach-mack-made/) I admitted I had no idea where he ended up after his family moved to California the next year, or even if he was still alive. Well, a couple days later, I got a thank you letter from Coach Mac himself.
Just getting it thrilled me, but his message was even better. It was direct, honest and funny – just like the man himself. He told me about his family, about moving to Scottsdale, about his two bypass surgeries. In 1990, he received a heart transplant. He said he’d read my books and had every intention of writing years ago, but never followed through. But that day, when his wife found my story on line, this is what he wrote:
“I was blown away to see my name and the wonderful things that you had to say about me and my influence on you. I have had a very good and successful life with a few plaques, awards and complimentary speeches given to me, but none compare to what you said and how you have honored me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
I don’t know if Coach Mac got choked up writing it, but I got choked up reading it. I promised him I’d write him a longer letter soon, and fully intended to. But my fall filled up with travel and speeches, deadlines and classes. I kept waiting to find enough time to write The Perfect Letter – and kept waiting. I wrote down Coach Mac’s name on my to-do list month after month.
Three nights ago, I was teaching my sports writing students at Northwestern University how to write a profile. I told them their subject doesn’t have to be famous. It could even be one of their former coaches. Then I spontaneously launched into my story of Coach Mac, right down to the sweat dripping off the tip of his nose while he smashed grounder after grounder during practice. I couldn’t resist telling my students how great it was to hear from Coach Mac – which provided just another reminder I still needed to write him. I scribbled his name down yet again.
I got my final reminder the very next day, when I received an email from a friend of Coach Mac’s I’d never met before. His message was as simple and direct as Coach Mac himself. “We lost Mac yesterday.”
This hit me harder than I expected. After all, I couldn’t have believed he’d live forever. I felt grateful I’d written the story about him – and even more fortunate that Coach Mac had read it, and responded. But when I went back to read our correspondence, I was chagrined to realize I had never written him the longer letter I’d promised. I felt worse when I saw he lived in Scottsdale. A couple months after he sent me his first letter, I was invited to give a speech in Scottsdale – and if I had kept in better touch, I would have put it together, and Coach Mac and I would have gone out for a beer I would never have forgotten.
Still, we can’t do everything. I realize that. And I’m lucky. I know that, too.
After I drove back to Ann Arbor that night, about game time, I swung by Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, where Coach Mac smacked all those grounders years ago. I was surprised to find the ball field has been replaced by a garden, with a shed in the middle of it. But when I crouched down into my old position, where home plate used to be, I could see it all – right down to Coach Mac, sweat dripping off his nose, tapping me another bunt to throw to first base.
Thanks, Coach. Sorry it took me so long to write.
* * * * *
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John- I mourn your loss. Every man should be so fortunate to have a Coach Mac influencing their development. I would encourage you to write the letter and send it to one of his surviving family members. It may give you a sense of closure and peace.
I enjoy reading your writings. I have written a little myself and enjoy the conversation and feedback that is received. I hope we can one day meet.
Sincerely,
Jeff Loveland
Woodstock, VA
Good one John…very touching. Nice you work in a medium that allowed your to have your original thank you to Coach Mac heard. I’ve been trying to contact an old mentor for years from my Huron days, Mr. William “Sweet Willy” Hunter, but apparently he doesn’t want to be found. Glad you found him.
Thank you, John, for telling this story. We all have experiences of being led by less than competent leaders, but you gave us some lessons about how to effectively motivate people. I met a few good leaders, but none as good as Coach Mac.
Actually, in retrospect this is an awesome eulogy. This is why I have always believed in the written word. It is so powerful in bringing memories to life once again. I am so sorry life got so busy you didn’t get a chance to write that long letter to Coach Mack. He knows you meant well.
He read all your books. He knows how much he inspired you to become more than just a “sports writer.” You have become the sports writer that so many of us can hardly wait for the next book because we look forward to your perspective on that piece of history and how you will present it to your audience.
John, just sharing this beautiful and strong force in your life makes us all a little better for knowing you. Thank you for everything you offer your fans. It makes our days a little brighter, and it makes us better people for focusing on what is positive in our lives.
Sincerely yours,
Carol Barbier Rutherford
GO BLUE!
John, I feel your pain. You have honored coach Mac, in the best way possible. By writing the story and sharing a part of your life and the influence coach Mac had on it.
You have also shared the lesson of discipline, which was for my childhood idol, very high on his list of important qualities for an individual to strive for. My idol was “Bo”. Attending the 1969 U of M vs. Ohio Stae game at the age of 14, I became a believer and admirer of Bo and everything he stood for. Bo taught me much about life, as he was as much a teacher as he was a coach.
I had a successful business for 32 years, which had principles and a philosophy base on what I had learned from “Bo” . I modeled my company on the principle of “The team. The team. The team.” That myself as owner, my employees, subcontractors were not above the Team. The Team was the most important part of the company.
Jim Rohn, has said; there are two things that you can live life with. Discipline or regrett. The difference is that discipline weighs ounces, while regrets weighs tons. As much as I try to be disciplined, I still have and live with a number of regrets. Running a business, striving to be a leader and best in your profession, led me to lose focus on some of the most important things in life. To me, the most important thing in life is, sharing yourself with family and friends, and experiencing life together. The true lasting memories.
One of my regrets in life is not introducing myself to “Bo” prior to the 1997 Michigan vs Penn State football game. I had the honor of being on the sidelines with the Team, during that game, and it was one of my most memorable of experiences watching Michigan football.
Prior to the game, I stood under the stands at the stadium, and watched “Bo” wrap up his pre game program with Don Chaney. I did take the opportunity to chat with his wife Cathy, and talk about how wet and cold it was going to be for the game. I said to her, “At least Bo and you will be in the comfort of the press box.” She said, No, that’s not true, as “Bo” has to have the window open so he can hear and feel the game.” I regret not introducing myself to “Bo” when after finishing thw pre-game program came over to his wife. I so much wanted to tell him how much he meant to me and how much he taught me, but at that moment of time, I felt out of respect to him, that maybe it would be an intrusion on his space and time with Cathy. That opportunity slipped away and I never did get another opportunity to meet him, shake his hand, and thank him for the influence he had on my life. I still miss “Bo” very much and think about him often.
Keep sharing the memories and experiences, John. It helps all of us Michigan fans feel a part of the “Team.”
Sincerely,
Paul
Well done Paul!
Unfortunately, I always used to think that I’d have tomorrow to express love and gratitude to others whose presence has made me a better person. Time and loss has taught me otherwise. Tomorrow is promised to no man. I now try to live such that if I were to be taken today, my friends and family will remember me expressing that love and gratitude. I can more easily live with regret for things that I have done than live with regret for things I should have done.
Many of us middle aged members of the Ann Arbor community who were raised here remember public school P.E. teacher Irving “Pro” Boim. For so many of us John, who attended Burns Park, Angell or Dicken he was our “Mac”. His stories were of the “Greatest Generation” as Tom Brokaw so eloquently wrote about in his best selling book. Raised in Chicago, graduated from Michigan while pitching the Wolverines to the 1942 Big Ten Championships, served in the Navy in WWII, and was talented enough to play professional baseball. At a service game in Florida while still at U-M he struck out Ted Williams twice in one game. But his 40 plus years as a teacher, mentor and friend to countless elementary school kids is what he will most be remembered for far beyond his earlier accomplishments. They only added to his legend as a great coach. When we are reminded in the news of another crime,arrest or death from the juvenile unrest so prevalent in our inner cities, I think of the absences these kids likely had in their lives. No elders, mentors, or some every day hero who could have influenced and transformed their lives away from the degradation so present around them and into the ascent of success we all hope happens. In this age where activities seem to be more on a screen than on a playground, every kid growing up deserves to have the likes of a “Mac” or a “Pro” in their lives. Coach Boim passed away at the age of 92 this past Fall and my regret is that I never saw him again after my school days at Angell He was always in the back of my mind but I never followed up on it. My second regret, is in researching this piece for your readers, I discovered a reunion that took place a few weeks back that honored him. I trust a good number of forty and fifty something “kids” came out in force to share their favorite story about him. That thought alone is enough to let me live well without too many regrets. I’ve included a few websites others might be interested in on our Coach Boim.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/rip-former-u-m-pitching-ace-irving-pro-boim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8nFyBhsKBQ
http://blog.mlive.com/geoff_larcom/2008/05/former_students_to_celebrate_p.html
John.
That is a story we all have. Every time I see my wife or leave the house or finish a phone call, I tell her I love her. It’s good practice.
bomberjohn5
John, Thank you for remembering Mac. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a positive influence on so many and spent much of his life helping others. Even though he was a Purdue graduate he always loved Michigan.
Virgene (aka Mrs. Mac)
Thank you so much for writing. It means everything.
-John
John
It’s not about the long letter you COULD have written – it’s about the warm story you SHOULD have shared.
You DID SHARE that story – and Coach Mac acknowledged it showing you how much you had come to mean to him.
He was grateful – you have reason to be proud – and others would do well to learn from the example you have both set!
….somewhere it is – and will be – said, “..well done good and faithful servant.”
Albest
KM
JUB
Great article!
A true “verklemp-tor” we can all relate to in one shape or form.
Thanks!
YVD