Category Archives: Stickball
20 years after graduating…
Original author: Maribel Cardez [e-mail]
20 years after graduating high school, a lot of us rekindled our friendships in anticipation of our 20 year high school reunion. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the reunion and did not get to see him. Steve and I corresponded via email where he shared his love and passion for stickball with those of us on his email list. I thank you for the email which has led me to this website where I now finally have to accept that it is true. Steve was a wonderful friend in high school. I pray for his family and may God bless them and give them the strength they need to get through this. God bless us all, may Steve’s memory live on forever.
I did not personally know…
Original author: Carmen Calderon [e-mail]
I did not personally know Steve, but my brother did. He also plays stickball, his name is Carlos Calderon. I got to see them play when they came to Washington, DC to play at the Smithsonian 2001 Folk Festival. I was deeply saddened by his death as well as all the other Americans who died. As a New Yorker, born and raise and I am very sad at what happened to our beautiful city. GOD BLESS US ALL !!! QUE DIOS BENDIGA ESTA NACIóN AHORA Y SIEMPRE !!! My thoughts and prayers go out to Steve’s family as well as all those who perished in this horrible tragedy. Carmen Calderon
I never appreciated firefighters…
Original author: Jennifer Lippold
I never appreciated firefighters and always overlooked their dedication. Steve Mercado is a true hero, wonderful father dedicated husband, and outstanding leader. Without him the stickball community will struggle but needs to carry on , I promise to keep Steve’s dream alive. I already miss you Steve and your comments to me at the BLVD and in the meetings. You were a true friend and in my heart had became family. To Mic, you have truly captured Steve at his best with your tribute, Thank You. J-LOUD
The Florida Panthers Stickball…
Original author: Robert Medina Jr. [e-mail]
The Florida Panthers Stickball Team and all of our fellow brothers in the sport join Steve’s friends and family in mourning of this beautiful human being.We have all been touched by this tragedy but, those of us that had the privilege to know Steve even briefly, know what a great loss this is to the youngsters of his community and the “Stickball Family”…We have all lost a brother, a friend and a great human being…There aren’t enough words to express the great sorrow in our hearts… God Bless you Steve…’til we meet again my friend… Robert Medina Jr. Florida Panthers Stickball
There is no social function…
Original author: QUEENSMARIO [e-mail]
There is no social function in life that was more profound or important than hangin out on da stoop! My stoop on 113th St. in Richmond Hill Queens was the epicenter of the universe from the 60’s to the 80’s, it was a family tradition. My mom’s theroy was she always knew where we were. She was also the self appointed guardian and disciplinarian to every kid on the block. Also my grandmother kept them all fed! Now I live in Florida as does my entire family that moved from Queens. So now we teach our kids about hangin out. Only here we don’t have stoops, so we break out our beach chairs and hang out in the driveway. We call it “Trash Nite”, the Floridians in the neighbor still can’t figure us out, but there kids love learning to play kick the can, I Declare War,skelly, and much more. I’m proud to say at 45 I can still whip some butt in skelly!! I’m also teaching the unenlightened down here about stickball, fast pitch against the wall of coarse.
A-h-h !! Growin up in Richmond…
Original author: QUEENSMARIO
A-h-h !! Growin up in Richmond Hill,Queens..where does one begin!!! Skelly in the streets, stoop baseball (my house was “the stoop”), slapball, wiffleball, and everyones favorite S&M game Hot Beans & Butter!! Roller hockey in the steets, the rivalries..113th St. -vs- The World!!! Naturally any playground as part of a school was called “the schoolyard” and you never used P.S. you just said you were going to 62 to play stickball. There was the progressive growth of where you hung out and played ball. For us it was 62, Hill (H.S.),108,Smokey Park, 88th St. Park (on Atlantic Ave.), and of coarse as was stated before …”Mecca”- Victory Field !!! The playing fields where we left patches of our dungarees and flesh from sliding on the asphalt! Inner city fast pitch Softball on asphalt, there was nothing like it in the world!! Fast and furious!! “..those memories come back to haunt me…” So much fun so little time!!!!
I have had the wonderful…
Original author: Brian Goldberg
I have had the wonderful experience of playing stickball with Steve in San Diego. I am a San Diego Police Officer from Bergen County, NJ. Steve and I immediately “hit if off” like two home boys should. I was five feet from Steve when he slid full speed into home on cement. As he was comming home I was shocked when he sped up and then hit the ground as if he was running on grass. I didnt realize it at the time that I just saw a true hero in action. Although I didnt know him like his family and friends, I would imagine he worked as hard as he played. No excuses just superior effort at all times. For Steves familiy and friends I share in your loss of a beautiful person. Steve Mercado, you will always be remembered as a American hero who laid it on the line for people who he did not know. You made the ultimate sacrifice beacuse you knew that when you took the oath, it was not just spoken words but it was about actions. From one public safety officer to another, you and your fallen bothers and sisters will always be an inspiration in my life. Your Friend, Brian :>
I didn’t know Steve except…
Original author: Jamie Marsh
I didn’t know Steve except for a brief meeting at this year’s Stickball Tournament in San Diego (only one week before the terror struck). The first time we met, Steve had just slid into home base to lay it all out for his team and try to score that very important run that would have made it 11-2. That’s what I thought was a true TEAM player, someone who would give the skin off of his leg for his team. It seems Steve gave more than that for his “team” that next week. I can’t help thinking of Steve talking to his son during the tournament and teaching him the lessons of Stickball. I feel for that little boy now, as I know his world (as has countless others) has been changed forever. I pray for Steve’s family and the families of those who lost someone in that terrible disaster. I know that in some way, there will have a higher calling for Steve and the members of his firefighting unit. Their bravery and heroism was not for nothing, as I know that in some way, they had a hand in helping those who were able to escape the World Trade Center buildings. Rest in Peace, Steve.
All donations my friends…
Original author: Rich [e-mail]
All donations my friends and I make to the cause from now on will be made in Steve’s name. I didn’t know the man but he truly fits the definition of greatness. It would be a fitting tribute at some point to hold a memorial stickball tournament in his name with all proceeds going to support whatever NYFD-related cause streetplay.com decides. Please let me know if this happens so I can help underwrite it.