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Big Six · 06-25-2007, 04:25 PM

Deerfield Academy
South Deerfield, Massachusetts

Miss Mary Catherine O'Farrell
12 Lowell Road
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

September 27, 1939

Dear Mary Kate,

Thanks for the phone call the other night. I'm sorry I couldn't talk longer, but I really needed to study more for that English test I had today. I think it went pretty well; most of the questions were fairly easy, and I guessed right about what the essay question was going to be.

I know we had just started to talk about the reasons why I'm not playing football this year. I've always enjoyed just about everything about playing football, but the one thing I don't enjoy became more of a problem, I suppose. You see, I'm a fairly good football player, but I'm not nearly as good as Mike was. When I first went out for the team I tried out as an end, because it wouldn't be possible for anybody to directly compare me to Mike. Last season, the coach moved me to tailback--Mike's position--the one I didn't want to play.

Then, to make matters that much worse, the Eagle printed the story about "another O'Farrell at tailback for the Green." And it wasn't enough to mention that I was playing the same position as my All-State brother; they had to remind everyone that Pat O'Farrell, class of ought-six, was a "crackerjack ballcarrier," too!

The guys are starting to come to terms with the fact that I'm not playing my senior season. I told a couple of them, the ones who are my closest friends, the reason why, and I think they've found a way to get the others to lay off without revealing my "secret."

Before you ask, I won't be playing baseball this year, either. If you think the comparisons are bad now, they're even worse during baseball season. Basketball, however, is another story. It's the sport I like best, and the one I'm best at. I'm a lot better basketball player than any of my brothers, maybe because I'm the tallest.

Now I'll have more time to write for the school paper. I honestly believe I enjoy writing about football and baseball more than I enjoy playing them, and the guys get a "kick" out of reading the stories I write about them. Perhaps that's truly my niche, my way to continue the O'Farrell athletic tradition.

I'm sorry that I've gone on and on about me, Sis. I'm really glad you're taking a year to decide what it is you really want to do, and you're lucky that Mom and Dad don't have a problem with that. They would rather see you make a good choice rather than a quick one.

And I was only teasing when I said I won two dollars off a guy who told me you really weren't seeing Nile Kinnick.

Write to me soon, ok?

Your brother,
Bill

Note: I haven't forgotten the O'Farrell's second son, John. He figures prominently in an upcoming storyline, too.

06-25-2007, 04:25 PM	#1160 (permalink)
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2,493 Thanks: 145 Thanked 100x in 79 posts	The long shadows of the O'Farrells Deerfield Academy South Deerfield, Massachusetts Miss Mary Catherine O'Farrell 12 Lowell Road Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts September 27, 1939 Dear Mary Kate, Thanks for the phone call the other night. I'm sorry I couldn't talk longer, but I really needed to study more for that English test I had today. I think it went pretty well; most of the questions were fairly easy, and I guessed right about what the essay question was going to be. I know we had just started to talk about the reasons why I'm not playing football this year. I've always enjoyed just about everything about playing football, but the one thing I don't enjoy became more of a problem, I suppose. You see, I'm a fairly good football player, but I'm not nearly as good as Mike was. When I first went out for the team I tried out as an end, because it wouldn't be possible for anybody to directly compare me to Mike. Last season, the coach moved me to tailback--Mike's position--the one I didn't want to play. Then, to make matters that much worse, the Eagle printed the story about "another O'Farrell at tailback for the Green." And it wasn't enough to mention that I was playing the same position as my All-State brother; they had to remind everyone that Pat O'Farrell, class of ought-six, was a "crackerjack ballcarrier," too! The guys are starting to come to terms with the fact that I'm not playing my senior season. I told a couple of them, the ones who are my closest friends, the reason why, and I think they've found a way to get the others to lay off without revealing my "secret." Before you ask, I won't be playing baseball this year, either. If you think the comparisons are bad now, they're even worse during baseball season. Basketball, however, is another story. It's the sport I like best, and the one I'm best at. I'm a lot better basketball player than any of my brothers, maybe because I'm the tallest. Now I'll have more time to write for the school paper. I honestly believe I enjoy writing about football and baseball more than I enjoy playing them, and the guys get a "kick" out of reading the stories I write about them. Perhaps that's truly my niche, my way to continue the O'Farrell athletic tradition. I'm sorry that I've gone on and on about me, Sis. I'm really glad you're taking a year to decide what it is you really want to do, and you're lucky that Mom and Dad don't have a problem with that. They would rather see you make a good choice rather than a quick one. And I was only teasing when I said I won two dollars off a guy who told me you really weren't seeing Nile Kinnick. Write to me soon, ok? Your brother, Bill Note: I haven't forgotten the O'Farrell's second son, John. He figures prominently in an upcoming storyline, too. __________________ My OOTP dynasties: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell: where it all began The Connecticut Shore League: a fictional league story Three Pals, a Base Ball Story: my newest fictional story Last edited by Big Six; 06-25-2007 at 04:30 PM.