Bill Lyon Throws Out First Pitch at Phillies Game

Tommy Rowan, writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Bill Lyon took a few steps off the pitcher’s mound at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday night, wound up his left arm, and tossed the ceremonial first pitch before the Phillies squared off against the the San Francisco Giants.

Lyon threw a strike to the Phillie Phanatic, and nary a boo was heard throughout the stadium.

It didn’t matter where the ball landed on this night — Alzheimer’s Association Night at the South Philadelphia ballpark — in which the city paid tribute to the 78-year-old former Inquirer sports columnist.

I read Lyon’s column in The Inquirer religiously. I wanted to do what he did. He wrote with style, and a distinctive voice. He held no punches. Actually, scratch that past tense. He still writes with style and a distinctive voice, and holds no punches. Now, though, instead of sports, he’s documenting his own battle with Alzheimer’s.

★ Thursday, 4 August 2016