R.I.P. to my Mr. Destiny
A former friend and colleague passed away last week. We worked as part-time sports writers for the local newspaper back in the Midwest in Moline, Ill., and eventually graduated from the same college in the same class.
Our dream jobs were to remain on staff and eventually settle into a full-time position. At the same time, nothing was guaranteed as to if and when a position would open for either of us or both of us.
Steve had immense talent working in the media – with his background in radio, television and journalism. He decided to remain with the newspaper in a part-time capacity.
In the 1990 movie Mr. Destiny, Michael Caine plays a character who explains to an adult played by Jim Belushi how decisions he had made throughout his life affects the course of his future.
Seeking to put my sports writing career in motion in a full-time capacity, I was offered an opportunity to work as a sports editor for a weekly in a small town of Iowa. Get my feet wet so to speak.
This occurs shortly after college graduation. I could remain in my hometown and remain in a part-time capacity on my hometown newspaper not knowing if and when a full-time position would open up. It was a tough decision which could shape my future.
“One’s destiny is a very complicated thing,” Caine says to Belushi in the movie. “Every incident in a person’s life affects everything that follows it.”
Caine asks Belushi if he has ever been faced with a decision and wasn’t sure what to do.
“Then one thing makes you choose one direction over another – so that’s me,” Caine continues.
I made a choice. Interviewed then accepted the job in Iowa. Steve remained at the local newspaper; did very well for himself and became well-respected throughout the state of Illinois.
Health issues, unfortunately, caught up with Steve. In 2016 while covering the PGA John Deere Classic, his co-workers noticed he didn’t look well. Steve left the tournament and went home. According to an article remembering Steve and written by another good friend and colleague at that same newspaper, “three days later an incredible journey began that included multiple heart and brain procedures.
“Once his full-time duties ended, Steve picked up freelance gigs that included journalism, website writing and editing along with radio and TV work.”
On occasion, I wonder how different my life might have turned out had I stayed with the local paper. I don’t ponder too long because the experiences throughout my lifetime – whether personal or career-wise – have landed me here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. A location I’ve set my roots down for the past 20 years.
Had I not made the decision to leave Moline, Ill., as a college graduate how would my wife Ruth and I have ever met? Would we ever meet? Our dog, Cody, would be living with a lady in New York because Ruth and I weren’t together to claim him as the last puppy in the litter.
PNC Park, Myrtle Beach and Orlando, Fla. would be just a blip to us Midwesterners.
West Virginia and Ohio sports – loving every minute.
“Are you an angel?,” Belushi asks Caine.
Caine replies with “not exactly. I make the suggestions, and you make the choices. That’s how destiny works. Very subtly.”
Destiny did me a favor.
Rest in Peace, Steve Tappa.