Well, let me tell ya ’bout this fella, John Flaherty. Don’t rightly know him personally, mind you, but I heard some things, read some stuff. Seems like a fella worth talkin’ about, ya know?
John Timothy Flaherty, that’s his full name, born way back in 1967, October 21st to be exact. Makes him…well, I ain’t good at countin’ but he’s been around a good long while. He played baseball, you see. A catcher, they call it. Wore all that gear, squattin’ down low, catchin’ them balls. Hard work, I reckon.
- Born October 21, 1967
- Played professional baseball, catcher position
- Played for teams like Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Started out with the Boston Red Sox, way back in 1988. That’s when they drafted him, or so I heard. Then he went on to play for other teams too, like the Detroit Tigers, and the San Diego Padres, even the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Lots of places, this fella went. He played for a good long time, too. Fourteen years, they say. That’s a lot of catchin’, if you ask me.
Now, they call him “Flash,” that’s his nickname. Funny story how he got it. Seems a fella named John Dolan, a pitcher, asked him if he was related to some Timmy Flynn fella they called “Flash.” He wasn’t, but the name stuck. And so, John Flaherty became “Flash” Flaherty. Still is, they say. These fellas and their nicknames, I tell ya.
He wasn’t just any catcher, see? They say he was a good one. Specially when he was with the Padres. Good behind the plate, and good with the bat too. Not just hittin’ the ball, but playin’ good defense, keepin’ them runners from stealin’ bases, that kinda thing. Important stuff, I guess, if you’re into that baseball thing.
But baseball ain’t all he done. After he stopped playin’, he started talkin’. Not just any talkin’, mind you. He’s what they call a motivational speaker. Talks about leadership, and teamwork, and stuff like that. Even talks about mental health, and how to get through tough times. Overcomin’ adversity, they call it. Sounds fancy, but I reckon it just means gettin’ through hard times like the rest of us.
And now, you can see him on TV. He’s a broadcaster, talks about baseball games. Works for the YES Network, they say. He tells folks what’s happenin’ in the game, who’s hittin’, who’s pitchin’, who’s winnin’. Been doin’ it for a while now, and seems like folks like listenin’ to him.
John Flaherty’s journey, they call it. From bein’ a nobody catcher to a big shot broadcaster. Folks say it’s inspirin’. Dedication, they call it. And baseball passion. Guess he really likes that game. And folks like him talkin’ about it. Makes sense, I reckon. He knows the game, see? Been there, done that. Wore the gear, caught the balls, swung the bat. He ain’t just talkin’ hot air.
They talk about his height, and his weight, and all that. Even when he was drafted. All that stuff matters in baseball, I guess. Not much use to me, mind you. I’m more interested in whether he’s a good fella, and it seems like he is. Hard-workin’, dedicated, and now he’s sharin’ what he’s learned with others. Can’t fault a fella for that.
So, that’s John Flaherty, or “Flash” as they call him. A baseball player, a speaker, a broadcaster. Seems like he’s done alright for himself. And from what I hear, he’s a good egg. That’s all that really matters, ain’t it?
