Score one for Tom Borrelli

There are people just meant to be out there among us, to move and shake the world, to keep us on our toes.

Tom Borrelli is one of those people.

It's said in these situations that those who are fighters do the best. It's a cliche that slides off the tongue when you don't know what else to say to the wife of a man attached to machines, unable to move, to feel, to communicate. But having known Tom since our early days in journalism in the '80s at a paper far from here, that cliche could be the answer.

It has to be.

Tom is well liked here at The News, but his late hours and nose-to-the-grindstone attitude mean that much of the daytime staff whose names are more recognizable really don't know him. They know and love his father, George, a talented and popular political reporter who retired several years ago.

Among the sports staff and old friends like me, Tom is known not just for his hard work, but for his humor and his impatience with the world. We have always called him Ox. To my son, he's Uncle Ox.

Ox has rough edges, but they're the loveable kind. He's all Buffalo -- a no-nonsense, no pretense, jeans and sweatshirts and family and sports above all kind of guy.

Tom is a practical joker. In our early days, when we were in our 20s and life was really still just a game - Tom ordered more pizzas delivered to more people who weren't expecting them than I've eaten pizzas in my life. I won't even get into the military recruiters stories. And there is the "legend of the Buffalo News plants." Let's just say that some newsroom greenery died a slow, painful, hilarious death.

Mostly, though, Borrelli is a "sports guy." We all know them - they eat, live, and drink sports. But Tom's love for and attention to sports is more like a Rainman than a fan.

In the newsroom, he often has an earbud in his ear listing to a game, scoring it in an official score book.

I once walked into his bachelor apartment in Binghamton in the '80s to find stacks and stacks of baseball score books. The living room was just covered with them. Looking around, I noticed Tom had a VCR running with a baseball game on. On his other TV there was a live game. The radio was playing - another game. Three scorebooks were in front of him. He'd fully participate in conversations while in between marking down balls and strikes and hits and errors -- for three games at a time! Legend has it that five at a time wasn't unusual.

In every official scorebook, there is a line to fill in that asks for the scorer's name. To this day in the hundreds (maybe thousands) of scorebooks he has filled, and I know he still does because I recently asked him -- Ox has always written, "Scorer: Tom Borrelli."

Tom Borrelli is also more generous than he EVER lets on. He just wants everyone to think he's Ox - the tough guy. But Tom shows up in my office now and then when our work hours overlap by a few minutes. Almost every time it's to give me something.

At Halloween, he pulled a box of Parkside Candy from his bag and put it on my desk, "I just wanted to give you this for Halloween." Apparently, he hands out candy to many in the newsroom.

He always brings gifts for my son, Ben. Weeks and months will go by without seeing him, and then he'll pop in and say, "I thought Ben would like this official World Series program." Or, like he did just last week, "Think about what Ben might need, I want to get him something for the holidays."

And most of all, it's his love for his wife, Karen, who also works here at The News, that he wears on his sleeve. Most of us have never seen a couple so close, with so many shared interests, so obviously partners.

He can't talk now, but I know that Tom's thoughts today are mostly about Karen and how this will all play out for her. Well, Tommy, for now we've got your back. We are here for her and for you.

But the rest is very clear to me. In those scorebooks it will read like this from now on: "Scorer: Tom Borrelli's friends."

We're doing the scoring now, Tommy, and it's you who has to push hard to win the game. You can do it.

--- Liz Kahn

Comments

[Paul Abramowitz]

Hi Liz,
Great job describing Ox. My hopes and prayers are with him. He's a fighter!

[cmc]

You're in my prayers Tom! God Bless.

[Rob Centorani]

Hey Liz,

I'm not sure if you remember me, but I worked at the Binghamton and Buffalo papers with Ox in the late 1980s and early 90s (you've met me once or twice). I got a call from Kevin Stevens today and heard the news. I couldn't concentrate the rest of the night. Your piece was excellent. I was right by his side when many of those pizzas were ordered. Tough news, but Ox will make it.

[Ike Richman]

From l992 until 1998 I handled PR for the Philadelphia Wings. One of my favorite parts about traveling to Buffalo was getting to hear words of wisdom from Borrelli. When I entered the field of PR I had no experience, guys like Tom helped teach me the proper pointers and tips which I carry with me to this day. During those lacrosse years we would travel up to Buffalo for the playoffs and I never thought we’d beat the Bandits. We finally did and won the title. Borrelli came over and shook my hand and congratulated me. Those memories will always be with me. I was really saddened to hear about his unfortunate accident. I will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers. Please let him and his family know that he has friends thinking about him from Philadelphia. Get better, Tom. We miss you!

Ike Richman

Vice President,
Public Relations

Comcast-Spectacor
Philadelphia

[Jerry Sullivan]

My friendship with Ox also goes back to our days in Binghamton. I remember all the jokes he would play on people, and how it always seemed to be a fun atmosphere in the sports department back then. Oh, Ox would always have something to complain about. But no one had more passion for the work. Ox never lost his little boy's love for sports. It's what got us all into the business in the first place. Hearing about him keeping score of baseball games takes me back to my own childhood, scoring the college and NBA games in my living room. Ox and I have a lot in common that way. Maybe it's why we've been such passionate rivals in fantasy leagues over the years. It's also no surprise to hear about his soft spot for children. It's the people who never lose that child's soul who connect with kids best. We lost someone like that just awhile ago. Jay Bonfatti. When I think about it, there are great similarities between the two: Big, gruff, brawling souls who were soft teddy bears underneath. I went over to see Tom yesterday and brought USA Today with me. I figured the only thing I could do at that point was read him the NBA box scores. He smiled when I asked who had Kevin Durant in our league. He did. Ox started the league this year. He named it the Jay Bonfatti Memorial.

[Lori]

Thanks for letting us get to know Tom a little better, Liz. Outstanding work.

And good on you, too, Sully. Next time you stop in to see him, let him know there are a lot of people out here pulling for him, will you? Thanks.

[Jim Wojtanik]

It was very hard for me, when I visited the hospital for the first time Sunday, to see my best friend in the sports department in the condition he was in. I've been in a bit of a fog since then, wondering if it can all be real. But the updates on Tom's condition have been getting more positive by the day and that's been giving all of us in our department a big boost.
I didn't know Tom all that well in 1995. I knew his soon-to-be-wife Karen more since we worked together in Oneonta. But about two weeks before I was to start at the News, I received a call from him wishing me well in my new position and offering any advice he could offer once I got there. He constantly gave help and encouragement in my early weeks on the sports desk.
Liz is right about his generosity. Just a couple of weeks ago he made sure all of the sports clerks, the people that do the grunt work of the staff taking bowling scores and high school scores every night, got a bag of candy. That's in addition to treats he will give to other staff members and their children. He also makes sure the female clerks have a safe walk out to the parking lot with a personal escort.
Those who know Tom know he is a huge fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels (one of the rooms in his home is the Carolina Blue room), Toronto Maple Leafs (That's right, he was a fan before the Sabres even existed) and the Bills. His knowledge of high school, college and pro lacrosse is probably second to none. But perhaps his favorite sport is baseball, as evidenced by all those scorebooks Liz mentioned. He looks forward to the major league teams releasing their baseball schedules in November and December. He messaged me just a couple of weeks ago, "Reds coming back to Toronto in June." I think it helps him to get through the winter, a season he despises like some of us do around here.
Tom is a larger-than-life presence in the sports department, and tonight will be the first night since the accident that I was scheduled to work with him in the office. All of us miss him and hope and pray for a full recovery. Please keep Tom and Karen in your thoughts, as well as our photographer Jim McCoy, who recently lost his brother, and his family.

[Geoff Hobson]

Liz - Well-written and well-said about a true original when it comes to sports, journalism and pranks. I just wanted to put it in writing. Some day soon he'll walk to the 50-yard line at Orchard Park with Kevin Everett. Thanks again. Geoff Hobson from the Binghamton '80s.

[Michael Beebe]

For those wanting to send a card to Tom, the address is
Tom Borrelli
Trauma ICU
Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider St.
Buffalo, N.Y. 14215.

[Robb McMahon]

I remember first reading Tom's articles when I would travel to Buffalo with the many fans of the Philadelphia Wings. I always looked forward to waking up Sunday morning, and gtting a copy of the News, and read Tom's article on the previous nights game. My favorite as after the 1994 championship. In a city where the media could care less about lacrosse, you could tell how passionate he was about the sport. I sent Tom a congratulatory e mail when he was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame, and he was very kind to respond. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and entire family. Philadelphia is praying for him.

[Kris Wilde]

I’ve spent a week thinking of something to say or do since I heard the news. To live a 1,000 miles away and read that someone who made such an impact in your life is hurting has left my big mouth speechless. It’s been almost a decade since I left The News, but the five years I spent with Tom in the Sports Department came back like they were yesterday. I could not have asked for a better friend or co-worker. I remember the jokes, the fantasy football arguments, the instant messages sent from other people’s computers, the Bandits’ road trips where you tortured me by seeing if you could make me laugh at inappropriate moments – all of the reasons people love you. Maybe that’s all there is to say. The fact that everyone who has felt compelled to post a message or write a story about you had one thing in common – they all care about you. Get well soon, Ox.

[Casey Zaph]

Tom,

"Never Give Up"--> You played a big part in my recovery and I'm hoping that I can motivate you and help you maintain a positive outlook on your current situation!

Yours in lacrosse,
Casey Zaph #27
Rochester Knighthawks

[Andrew Lupton]

Even before I began covering the Toronto Rock for the National Post, I was always impressed by Tom's skill and passion writing about a sport so often overlooked by other journalists. I looked forward to speaking with Tom when he would cover the Bandits at the Air Canada Centre or when I would follow the Rock to HSBC Arena. It saddens me that he was hurt while covering s sports event. My thoughts are with you and your family, Tom.

[tom marechek]

Tom- You are a class act and I want to say get well soon. My thoughts are with you. Sincerely,
Tom Marechek

[Kurt Silcott]

Tom - I wish you all the best. Hang in there my friend. Thanks again for all you do and all you did all those years in Buffalo. I hope to see you in the press box, pen in hand, again soon.

Kurt

[Jac Coyne]

Tom, your coverage of the NLL has been the model for all of our coverage at Lacrosse Magazine and we all wish you a speedy recovery. We're all amateurs and we need the pro back.

[paulk]

I worked with Ox in the sports department in Binghamton from 1988 until he left for the News. What a gifted guy at the keyboard, and what an even better guy. We only worked together for a little more than a year, but enough "Ox stories" were generated to last a lifetime. The phantom pizza orders. The WWF match with Mickey C. The whips. Penning in the scorebook for countless baseball games. Saving hockey fight photos off the wire for me. Ox is an absolute jewel, a strong man in every sense of the word who will make it along with the unending love and support of his beloved Karen. Know that everyone is praying for you and thinking of you, Ox. Keep fighting. Paul "Jethro" Kelly

[Paul Krome]

Tom,

Echoing Jac's thoughts, I am praying for your full and speedy recovery. Our publication isn't the same without you.

Best,
Paul Krome
Lacrosse Magazine

[Mike Accursi]

Tom,
Tom you have been a huge supporter of lacrosse and Buffalo Bandits for a long time. You always make sure that the people of Buffalo and the surrounding area know about lacrosse at all levels. You are a great guy Tom and I can't imagine an article written by the Bandits that doesn't have your name attached to it. Get well soon. Keep fighting. My families thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Mike Accursi
Buffalo Bandits

[Vin from Albany]

Tom, when I was working in Buffalo and had season tickets with the Bandits, I tried to make a lot of new NLL and Bandit fans. I was pretty successful and, whether you realize it or not, the work you did in the Buffalo News helped me convince people to give it a shot. Before I left, I not only created about almost a dozen new NLL fans, but they're all Tom Borelli readers too. Thanks for legitimizating raving about the NLL. I could not have done it without you. Get well soon!

[Steve Rudnicki]

Tom, You will always be in our prayers. You did a great job to help raise the awareness of D-I lacrosse at Canisius when we were just getting things going down at the Demske. My prayers are with your family.

[Jim Keller]

I am so saddened today to hear of Tom Borrelli's death. Tom and I (and Bill Wippert) were journalism classmates and "Record" reporters at Buffalo State in the late 1970's. Ox was my offensive guard in intramural football and my adept opponent in debate class. His advice before graduation was probably the reason I landed a reporting job after college.
I visited him when he worked in Ohio with college buddies Jim Holleran and Leo Roth; and I ran a 5K road race with in the 80's after he had shed a bunch of weight. Most recently, I wrote to congratulate him on his induction to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Liz's blog is completely accurate: he was a tough-talking teddy bear... and he will be missed.