As you likely know by now, we lost Lawr Michaels on Wednesday morning. After a literal lifetime of looking death in the eyes and blowing smoke in its face, he's moved onto a better place. Those of us here in his former place are so much better off for the all too short time we were blessed by his grace, warmth, sincerity and exuberance.
I've spent most of the past day pondering how to express my feelings, and love for my mate. Lawr used to tell me one of the things he liked about me was I could find a way to write 1200 words on anything. The problem is, it was anything baseball. Funny, I write words for a living and I can't come up with the right ones. Maybe because they don't exist. But, I'll try anyway.
I think the reason I'm struggling is I'm not very good at this sort of thing whereas Lawr was a natural. I'm introverted, especially in public. Lawr was as extroverted as they come, but in a good way. He was the life of the party, but was never looking to be the center of attention, it would just naturally happen. He could carry on conversations with both sides of the table without missing a beat. To his left, he'd quote lines from "The Simpsons", to his right talking about the time he saw the Kinks live, recanting their set song-by-song.
Lawr and I were polar opposites in other ways. He was tall, thin, had long flowing hair and did yoga. I'm short, have consumed far too much pizza, sport a thinning buzz cut and get winded jogging my memory. But yet, we cared for each other like brothers.
Lawr's favorite way of referring to us was as the artist and scientist. We called ourselves, "Zen and Now," and were forever talking about launching a podcast with that name.
Mainly because we were in business together, I saw a side of Lawr not many knew. Our differing approaches often clashed. However, we kept it in the family, always making up. I'd like to think we each taught the other something, Lawr picking up some science while I grew an appreciation for art.
That said, I owe Lawr a huge debt of gratitude for helping me get back on my fantasy feet, first housing Mastersball then graciously agreeing to give up his beloved Creative Sports brand when we merged, it's his friendship I cherish the most. I've never met a more genuine, caring, loving individual.
Family was always first. I had the pleasure of meeting his late wife Cathy and departed son Joey, both of which also left us too soon. Later, I got to know his wife Diane, who was lovingly by his side, comforting him to the end. Lawr took pride in telling people I was one of the few that met all three. While writing that sentence, I think I realized why. It was his way of expressing his fondness for me. Like I said, I'm not very good at this stuff. I should have figured that out a long time ago and figured out a way to reciprocate.
Lawr's influence on the fantasy industry and more importantly our lives has been expressed eloquently by a bevy of friends and colleagues much better at this than I. Below are the links. Plus, if you're on Twitter, grab a box of tissues and search @LawrMichaels.
Brian Walton: The Man and His Brand
Joe Sheehan: Lawr Michaels
Jason Grey, via Jeff Erickson's Twitter
Ron Shandler: Facebook Post
Steve Gardner: Remembering Lawr Michaels
Justin Mason: Unabashedly Lawr
You're not too old to rock but you're too young to roll.
Way, way, too young.
RIP mate.