Sunday, March 16, 2014

Remembering My Friend - Three Years Later

Kraig Koelsch
March is one of my favorite times of year, truly. I'm a huge college basketball fan, spring training is well under way and the NHL is making its late push towards postseason positioning. But more importantly, it's also a time of year that, however, makes me stop and remember a great man who was taken from us way too soon. That would be my dear friend, Harry Nelson Stiff.

I can't believe it has been three years already. The world lost a great man, a fantastic husband/father, a loving son/brother/family member and a special friend on March 17, 2011. Thus the St. Patrick's Day holiday will always hold special meaning in my heart and it's certainly not because of a leprechaun or the color green.

Kraig KoelschI wrote a blog that I'm very proud of when Harry passed and for those who haven't seen it, I would love for you to read it. You can find the blog post here: World of KK: Farewell to My Good Friend.

I only knew Harry for a few years but our bond was formed almost instantly and I truly think about him all the time, wondering what he would think about crazy news stories, gimmicky marketing campaigns, foodie-type stuff and of course, sports!

I'm extremely proud of Julynn and Kennedy for the adversity they've faced and the way they've dealt with it. I love them both dearly and am so glad our friendship has stayed strong.

So to Harry, I say, keep getting after it upstairs my friend. I know you're looking down on all of us and making heaven a better place each and every day. We all miss you, no doubt about it. But the impression you made on all of us will last our lifetime. I promise you that! Oh yeah, who do you got in fantasy NASCAR this week?

Kraig Koelsch

Friday, March 07, 2014

March Madness, More Weight Loss and Bucco Baseball

Kraig Koelsch
Mulligan's 2009 champions
Kraig KoelschThought I would check in with another blog as the year is rapidly rolling into one of my favorite times of year, March Madness. Though my favorite team (PITT) is tanking and could be left out of the tournament, it doesn't make it any less appealing and I think Thursday of the tournament is almost like a holiday. Game after game, potential upset after potential upset. And surely, there is nothing more exciting than (well, now if you have a decent cable package or stream them online you can see every game) when you're watching a game and they cut away to show you an upset, maybe it's a big upset.

Maybe it's no. 15 Hampton beating no. 2 Iowa State, regardless, it just seems right and it might not happen again if the teams played 100 times, but you saw it, and it was great. See Florida Gulf Coast from last year if you need a refresher. Been back on the softball diamond since I've been back in October and enjoying every minute of it. We've got a good team (but not as good as this team, above right) and we're competitive, record currently at 5-3. It's short-season winter league though so competition is way better, but such is life.

Weight loss has continued and I'm still making good progress Actually talked about my next goal this week which made me feel great. My first goal of 50 pounds is well within reach and I have currently lost 33.4 pounds as of Wednesday's weigh in. Pictures like the ones on the right of this blog are what is motivating me. I want to and will feel better, I've come too far already.

The picture of me in the Chicago shirt was taken by my dad in October in New Smyrna Beach. I am beyond excited to take my next picture at the weight loss clinic. Sounds like a crazy thing to say but I am serious, and really motivated.
Kraig Koelsch

The next picture was taken at Pitzer's restaurant in Jeannette, PA over the Christmas holiday with one of my best friends and fellow Buccos fan, Ted Kopas.

I remember stretching my neck when this picture was taken to avoid showing the many chins I had. Still have a few, just not as many.

The Pirates have been playing well thus far in spring training and while winning is always good, I think people are still a little too tolerant and accepting of the lousy off-season this team had following huge gate receipts, playoff revenue and additional MLB revenues. They signed nobody and two story lines that are going to happen are as follows:

Loved the Russell Martin story today in the Trib. The Pirates will never address that and won't even consider signing him, notice that you haven't seen the apologist bloggers and defenders mention much about it at all. The Tony Sanchez PR campaign will begin mid-season, you can already hear the quotes.

Kraig Koelsch
I like Sanchez and sooner or later he needs a shot as a highly-selected no. 1 pick, but he's no spring chicken and when the Pirates say they are looking for a younger player, remember the difference Russell Martin made with the pitching staff and throwing out runners.

Last, he's only 31 and the 'prospect' Sanchez turns 26 in two months.  Also, after two good games, look for the  'we knew what we had in Travis Snider all along' comments, they will be coming. He's out of options and since the Pirates foolishly tendered him, you'll get to enjoy him until Gregory Polanco makes his debut in June. I suppose it could be worse, like Edinson Volquez, who Bucs fans will get to enjoy for a lot longer that June.

Oh well, as opening day nears, I hope the winter finally turns dormant and brings you days like this, when I took my parents to Wrigley Field last year to watch the Buccos vs. the Cubs. The Pirates may have lost in extra innings, but memories like these in a mecca like that last a lifetime.

Onward and upward!