Category Archives: Just because

Day 95: Teddy

Posted on April 6, 2015 | Leave a comment
A photo of Teddy that I captured at Opening Day 2014. He had a tremendous lead, but failed to cross the finish line first. Photo: Reed Sandridge

A photo of Teddy that I captured at Opening Day 2014. He had a tremendous lead, but failed to cross the finish line first. Photo: Reed Sandridge

I have become a huge Washington Nationals fan. I try to get to a few games each year and have somehow managed to make it to every home opener since the Nationals came to Washington a decade ago.

For those of you who haven’t been to a Nationals baseball game, during the fourth inning five 10-foot mascots dressed as former presidents race around the inside of the ballpark. Why do they race you ask? Who cares…it’s just fun to watch.

Teddy and some of Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

Teddy having a good belly laugh during a pre race meeting. Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

 

Teddy (T. Roosevelt) is joined by George (Washington), Abe (Lincoln), Tom (Jefferson) and newcomer Bill (Taft). I’m not sure why they added Bill back in 2013 – I liked that all four original commander in chiefs were featured of Mount Rushmore. Bill just seems like a 5th wheel.

Teddy was the best gimmick in baseball for nearly seven years. No matter how far of a lead he had in the race he would never win. That was until the last game of the regular season in 2012, which I was at, when Teddy finally won. In a way I thought it was hilarious that he never won and think they should have kept it going. There were social media campaigns to #LetTeddyWin. He was the talk of the town.

With all the attention on the Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer – who Washington picked up during the off-season for something like $1.3 billion – I thought I would drop Teddy a note so he wouldn’t feel left out of all the hype and excitement surrounding today.

See you at the game!

Day 95

Dear Teddy,

Opening Day – I imagine this is a big day for you. I’ve been to all 10 Nationals home openers and I’ll be there today. I come to watch you my friend. You’re a star, a legend, a nonconformist, even a bit of a rule-bender. I like that.

Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

Photo: M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico.com

I was at the game the 2012 game when you won your first race – frankly I was disappointed about that. Your inability to win a race was pure genius. But I still love you and remain your fan even though if it weren’t for the newcomer Taft you’d be in last place with your unflattering 6.82 win percentage.

I would love to come visit you some day – hang out, help you prepare for the race, lend a hand (literally) answering some fan mail, grab a post race beer…whatever. Would that be possible? I’ve got skills and am willing to do just about anything.

Your fan,
Reed

P.S. Stay focused today…don’t listen to the Scherzer hype…it’s all about you my man!

 

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Day 88: Tim Cook, Apple Inc.

Posted on March 30, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: apple.com

Photo: apple.com

Lately tempers have been flaring over the incendiary legislation being introduced into several state legislatures. They’re referred to as Religious Freedom Bills – something that would be hard not to support given the history of our our earliest immigrants. But if the very freedom that a bill provides establishes a lawful way to discriminate against a certain part of our population, then we fail in creating a society based upon the immortal declaration that Thomas Jefferson so carefully instilled into our history. We strip our history of the progress made in civil rights – we might as well be having this conversation 55 years ago at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, wrote an excellent opinion piece for the Washington Post where he offered a different lens in which to view this discussion. I encourage you to read it and trust that it will provoke you to “think different” about this situation – after all that is Apple’s motto.

Day 88

Dear Mr. Cook,

Your open letter to the Washington Post was outstanding. I was extremely impressed by the way you talked about the debate over “religious freedom” legislation. You did something brilliant in the letter – you changed the story from one about politics and religion to one about a more universal value about how we treat our brothers and sisters in our community. Skilled leaders do just that – change the narrative to one that allows a greater audience to see a subject more clearly.

Thank you for thinking differently,

Reed Sandridge
PO Box 53065
Washington, DC 20009

 P.S. Good luck with that watch!

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Day 87: Patricia

Posted on March 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

Today’s letter is to my friend Patricia who bought me my favorite set of personalized stationery. It’s made by Crane & Co. – for those of you who are not paper geeks like me, Crane is a legend in the paper business. They’ve been crafting fine paper products in New England since before we won our independence from Britain -yeah, a really long time.

Day 87-3A little over four years ago Patricia gave me this wonderful box of personalized stationery. As I mention in the letter, the beauty of such a gift is that it lasts a long time and you can celebrate your friendship with the person who gave you the gift every time you sit down to compose a letter. I like that about it. Every time I write a letter on this stationery I remember her and her generous and thoughtful gift.

Day 87-2

Dear Patricia,

I’m writing you this letter from Northside Social – half expecting to see you walk in the door any minute. I’m pretty sure that you introduced me to this spot – it’s exceptional. I just had a cappuccino and the egg and sausage sandwich – delicious!

Day 87I wanted you to know that I love this stationery that you gave me. I don’t use it often – just for special occasions. Times when I want to make an uncommon impression – the last time was on Jan. 2nd when I wrote our new mayor Muriel Bowser. Giving fine stationery is a thoughtful gift – it lasts a long time and allows the recipient to reflect on their friendship every time they sit down to write something important.

Let’s get together soon – I know that your scheduled is about to become unhinged and you’ll be sucked into the vortex for the next 8 months.

Reed

P.S. Glad to hear your ‘hood is getting a coffee shop – even if it isn’t as cool as Northside Social – it’s better than nothing.

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Day 79: Will Ferrell

Posted on March 20, 2015 | Leave a comment


I got a little behind on posting my letters…whose crazy idea was it anyways to write a letter every day of the year?

Last week my dad pointed out to me that Will Ferrell was playing in some pre-season baseball games. Sure enough, he was right. The actor and comedian set a record for playing for 10 different ball clubs in one day and even playing all ten positions. It was part of some sort of stunt (I know, you’re shocked right) for his Funny or Die website.

Ferrell running in to field a ball hit by Wellington Castillo. Photo: MLB

Ferrell running in to field a ball hit by Wellington Castillo. Photo: MLB

The 47-year-old self proclaimed journeyman was traded nine times on March 12. Here’s how it looked on the official record:

March 12, 2015: Signed by the Oakland A’s as an undrafted amateur free agent.
March 12, 2015: Traded to Seattle Mariners for Comedic Actor to be Named Later
March 12, 2015: Joined Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in unknown transaction.
March 12, 2015: Traded to Chicago Cubs for a washing machine.
March 12, 2015: Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks for a Churro Dog and D-Bat Dog.
March 12, 2015: Claimed off waivers by Cincinnati Reds, Norm MacDonald released.
March 12, 2015: Granted unconditional release by Cincinnati Reds.
March 12, 2015: Signed by Chicago White Sox as Free Agent.
March 12, 2015: Traded to San Francisco Giants for unknown compensation.
March 12, 2015: Traded to Los Angeles Dodgers for unknown compensation.
March 12, 2015: Traded to San Diego Padres for unknown compensation.

My favorite trade was the one to the Diamondbacks in exchange for a Churro Dog and D-Bat Dog.

Day 79

Hey Will,

Day 79-2

I embossed a baseball mitt on the front of the card.

Congratulations on your recent feat of playing all 10 positions for 10 teams in one day!

I saw you playing center field for the Angels (the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, not the California Angels that we grew up with). I think Mike Trout was getting nervous about keeping his spot on the team after you deftly fielded that rocket from Wellington Castillo – by the way I think that would be a great character name for you in a future film. I give you that idea free of charge. Anyway, it was absolute BS that they traded you to the Cubs for a washing machine – you’re better than that!

As Father Guido Sarducci used to say, “Way to Go!  Keep Up The Good Work!”
-Reed Sandridge

P.S. I met you years ago at President Bill Clinton’s office in Harlem. You looked scared when all of us staffers crowded around you. I’m sorry for that.

Day 79-3

Will Ferrell came to President Clinton’s office in 2009 when I was working for his foundation. The entire staff circled around the actor for a photo and he looked more uncomfortable than Ricky Bobby at a royal polo match with Prince William.

 

 

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Day 72: Anne

Posted on March 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

One of the people that has been faithfully following my blog is Anne from Mentor, Ohio. I’ve never met Anne in person but you start to get to know the people who follow your blogs even if you’ve never met them face to face. Words to describe the relationship you have with people you follow or who follow you on social media escape me right now. If anyone has a good narrative to explain this unique relationship, send it my way.

I dropped Anne a note in the mail this morning. I thought I would make a liner for her envelope too so I took some wrapping paper that I have had in my apartment for a long time – I don’t use it because it is quite floral, probably leftover from something an ex-girlfriend bought. Anyway, I thought it might make an appropriate liner and it turned out quite nice if I don’t say so myself!

Happy Friday everyone!

Day 72

I made a few blunders in the letter which thankfully I caught before sealing it. I corrected them (after I snapped this photo) before mailing it.

 

Dear Anne,

You are one of the most devoted followers of my Year of Letters. I’m touched by your interest in the project and am happy to be on this journey with you. I believe we both share a love for baseball. I’m very excited for the 2015 season although the media are saying that 2015 is their (Nationals) year to win it all – no pressure on them now! I’ve been thinking about having a baseball theme for the letters in the month of April to celebrate the start of the season – what do you think about that? Thanks again for joining me on this adventure – take care and stay in touch.

Warm regards,
Reed

P.S. Do any of your students write cursive?

 

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