When I was in first grade it was 1976.

The Bicentennial.

I had bifocals.

I had 19.76-inch hair.

Buckteeth.

But I could throw a baseball.

Hard.

And I'm a lefty.

I would just imitate Tug McGraw.

McGraw got the nickname "Tug" from his mother because of the particularly aggressive way he breast-fed.

I got my nickname "Plug" from the way my mom brushed my hair higher and higher (like I put my hand in an electric plug).

But my mom cheered me on.

I'm grateful for my mom watching me.

I'm grateful for my dad teaching me.

I'm even grateful for the hair.

The hair built my character.

And my height.