When Sunsets Fade to Black, Does Sports Really Matter?

The caller was polite, even apologetic. Could I, she wondered, be persuaded to do a column on a thoroughly worthwhile topic, the dinner for retinitis pigmentosa?

I was patient, cautious. She had to remember, I assured her, that there were thousands of worthwhile causes out there and I couldn’t do a piece on each and every one of them. Three hundred a year and I would be out of readers. I had to restrict my generous impulses. The readers wanted to read about second basemen, fist-fighters.

And, then, I got the letter . . .

“Dear Mr. Murray,” it began.

“This is the third time I’ve placed this piece of paper in the typewriter and each time I find after the letter is done that my fingers were on the wrong keys. God, what a pain!

“I can write this to you because you know the frustration of not being able to read your own words. . . . RP has taken most of (my sight) and it’s a little like typing with invisible ink. . . . It seems to be there and then it is gone.

“We are honoring Dr. Jerry Buss and Pacific Bell President Ted Saenger for their contributions to RP at the Century Plaza on July 9. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will present the award to Dr. Buss and Angie Dickinson will present to Ted Saenger. Rafer Johnson and Chick Hearn will be part of the program as well. Kareem has a special job at this dinner. I’ve sent him a pair of glasses just like the ones I’ve enclosed . . . and asked him to help me make the public more aware of their availability and the fact they protect the retina while we search for a cure. Kareem has graciously consented to do this special evening and we are very grateful to him.

“When my two sons were diagnosed as going blind from RP just like me . . . well, it seemed as if my world fell in . . . you know the fright. Somehow, though, because it was Jim and Richard and they seemed so small and defenseless, it was different. It was even more unbearable than my own situation, if that could be possible. I was a painter and spent every waking hour dreaming of my next painting and the colors that would leave my brush and enter the canvas, creating a world of discovery every inch of the way. I truly loved painting and miss it so very much.

“Over the years, people are reaching out to recognize the need for RP research. There is so much to be grateful for, so much yet to do. One never knows where research will lead. So, we go on.

“Can you help? The dinner needs more people to attend and your article could make a great difference . . . the silent auction, if it is possible to write about it, needs items, too. Whatever you do, we will be happy.

Sincerely,

Helen Harris

President RP International

Well, of course, I don’t know, Helen. You see, there are so many more important things going on in the world. I mean, the Dodgers are in a slump. What’s that you say? How can 25 guys who can see 20/20 be described as “in a slump”? You say a “slump” is sitting five feet in front of a TV set and not being able to see it? A “slump” is not missing a fastball on a 3-and-2 count, a “slump” is when the whole world is reduced to looking like something viewed through the small end of a dark telescope, getting darker.

Then, there is, of course, the terrible drug stories to be called attention to. I’m sure you agree. What? You say it is terrible what those magnificent young specimens do to themselves. But, what about kids who are doomed to a life in a black box through no fault of their own? What about kids who don’t want to see a curveball, just a sunset? What about little Michelle Burke who told sportscaster Vin Scully, “I am not a poster child, I am a little girl.”?

Well, I’m sorry, Helen, I wish I could help, I really do. But you know how it is. They’re breaking world records over in Oslo and Moscow. People are wondering if Wade Boggs can hit .400. People are really concerned over the condition of the Dodger pitching staff. It’s all they talk about.

I really wish we could fit in something about little kids whose sight is leaving forever. I wish you would get a huge crowd at the Century Plaza banquet Wednesday night.

I really wish I could find a way to fit it in. But, you understand.

Maybe, next year.