April 2, 1964- My Daughter’s Birth Day

 

Until you read this poem,
I doubt you’ve heard of Pete Incaviglia before
What ties the two of you together
Is that you were both born on April 2, 1964

Pete was a baseball player
Outstanding at both the college and professional level
Several times he led his team to the college world series
And in 1985 he hit 48 home runs, the highest college total ever

In one college game his hitting prowess was so feared
That he was deliberately walked five times, adding an additional event to his fame
In 1986 he was signed to a professional contract
And was one of the few professional players who never played a minor league game

Pete went on to play for 10 teams during his professional career, beginning with Texas
Pete was a Texas ace
After he joined them Texas would go on to win their Division
One year after finishing in last place

I can find no record of Pete’s active participation in any sport but baseball
You, on the other hand, have been an active and skilled participant
In many sports over the years
In a list to which you often make an addition

Your athletic career started quite early
When your mother enrolled you in a swim class for tots at two years of age
Since you’ve been swimming skillfully ever since, including stints as a lifeguard
Her decision proved to be quite sage

I don’t recall precisely when you started running, but one race clearly stands out
Running a 20 mile race on rough trails, going uphill from 5,000 to 13,000 feet at the start
And then reversing direction for the last ten miles
And running downhill for the latter part

You have been involved in dance aerobics for many years
A strenuous sport requiring much endurance
It even got you to a Bronco’s game at Mile High Stadium
As part a half-time performance

You have recently taken several classes in performing on a trapeze
And plan more lessons this coming summer, to improve your technique
Also added ballet instruction, reflecting your continuous willingness to experiment
Which reflects an adaptability that is quite unique 

I can’t say that you and Pete Incaviglia profited in sports
From some weird cosmological contortion on your birth date
Which made April 2, 1964 a good time for future athletes
But, such fanciful speculation aside, both your sports careers were first rate