Thanks to and for Tommy Saggus

TO THE EDITOR:

I want to recognize and thank Tommy Saggus for being, what I consider, a hometown hero.

I grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey, and was actively involved in sports. The Police Athletic League (PAL) offered basketball and boxing. There was Pop Warner football, Little League, Pony League and Babe Ruth baseball. The Department of Parks & Recreation offered a multitude of sports leagues, even those for all ages.

I remember watching grown men play baseball, softball and "twohand touch" football. Although I didn't think about it at the time, sports are a great vehicle for real life lessons. Since the Bayonne Police force, as well as other adults, were actively involved in coaching, they got to know us kids and we got to know them.

Then there were those people behind the scenes, like Mr. Mike and Mr. Louie. They made everything come together including scheduling, making sure the gym floors were clean, baseball diamonds marked, etc. I never got to thank Mike and Louie, because I took it for granted that everything would be in order.

All I had to do was show up and play; which is why I want to thank Tommy Saggus. I really don't know Tommy and he would be another anonymous person that I passed by, usually Monday thru Friday. But I work with his wife Karen; therefore, that guy I see mowing, watering and grooming the three baseball fields (along with his sons) in the summer heat is now a "real person" to me. Seemingly every day, I witnessed the guy "behind the scenes" who made it possible for kids to play and I think he does it voluntarily, without compensation. The folks in Washington should be thankful for people like Tommy Saggus.

TOM URBAN

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