My earliest recollection of watching sports was in 1960.
I was four years old.And it wasnt a bad year to start.
1960 was also Ted Williamsfinal year with the Red Sox.
He won eight in a row between ‘58 and ‘66.
The Bruins were 15-42-13, and the Celtics won another NBA title, no shocker there.
Yazs number 8 and Colcloughs number 81 instantly became my favorite numbers.
In 63, Yaz won his first batting title (.321) at age 23.
Yasrtrzemskiwas born and raised on a potato farm in Southampton, NY, and graduated from Bridgehampton High School.
His number 8 was retired in 1989.
Colcloughwas born in Medford, Massachusetts, and graduated from Quincy High School.
In his first season, the Warriors were NEFC co-champions with a 62 record (63 overall).
But it was better than nothing.
I never came close to meeting Jimmy Colclough.
He passed away in 2004 at age 68.
In 2009, Colclough was named to the Patriots’ 1960s All-Decade Team.
It said “Colclough.”
Are you guys related to Jimmy Colclough, the Patriots flanker from the ’60s?"
It turns out he was Jimmy’s brother, and everyone there was a Colclough.
I explained that Jimmy was my favorite player in the ’60s, and 81 became my favorite number.
They all knew I was a huge Patriots fan from the beginning.
I can’t remember having a better time in a hospital room than with the Colcloughs.
It came at a difficult time for both our families, and reminiscing about better times was uplifting.
By the time I left the room, the Colcloughs had made me feel like I was family.
That’s the kind of people they aregood people.
I immediately told my wife about meeting the Colcloughs, and she smiled, too.
In honor of the Colcloughs…
