Mike Tussey: Homecomings — a return to the very pulse of our lives

My wife Jo and I moved from Ashland to Florence, Kentucky, in 1997. It was tough for both of us, having been born and raised in Ashland, to leave our roots of life. As the years passed, our family grew with our three sons, Mike, Chris, and Joe. Then as life dictates, there came the day we realized that all three were now living in three different cities – Naples, Lexington and Cincinnati.

Our beautiful home in Ashland without our complete family; suddenly looked empty.

Eventually, we moved to Florence and sometime later I accepted a position at Northern Kentucky University and subsequently returned to broadcasting once again.

The years were very kind to Jo and me back in Ashland having been blessed with so many wonderful friends and memories.

When you have three sons, you will likely spend tons of time around athletics and their respective teams from Little League, Junior League Football and all the way through High School Sports.

Those years zoomed by along with memories of the great teams and players we came to know.

When you leave your hometown and begin a new life, the impact is huge. You make new friends and do new things.

The hustle and bustle of everyday routines dominates your life. Thoughts and memories of your past life in your hometown are seemingly floating in a fog.

Then, three years ago, the news came. In 2021, I was very humbled and honored to have been elected into the very prestigious CP-1 ASHLAND BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. Of course, this meant I would be returning to Ashland for the CP-1 Inductions in late August for the inductions.

I had a plan. My trip to Ashland would have me arrive around 9 a.m. which would give me plenty of time to make my “memory tour” of my hometown. I was sure that I would see areas that had changed dramatically, and of course, those that had not changed at all. Nevertheless, they all would produce tremendous memories of my life.

First stop – 1333 Carter Avenue. This was where I was born and raised; sadly what I saw that day where once was my home, was nothing more than a mere vacant parking lot. Strong memories of the huge front porch where once our family gathered throughout my childhood, were now but mild echoes of once upon a time.

Then, I traveled down to the Port of Ashland riverfront. It was now a quite a showplace for the city.

Next up, I made a trip up to Market Street- the home of the Ashland Police Department where I served from 1970 – 1990. However, Market Street now had a new name of tribute – “Korean War Veterans Way.” Across the street I found out quickly that APD now had a new and beautiful home on 17th street.

Finally, I returned to where the famed Bluegrass Grille at 35th and Winchester once was located. There was good reason for my trip to the “Grass” because this is where I met my wife Jo one Saturday night in 1961. Despite the fact that the once bustling parking lot where Ashland met their friends – was now just an empty parking lot for a car dealership.

Ashland had really changed over the decades, but that’s natural for most cities.

My tour was over in about an hour, but two more stops had to be made. Those two visits were 2532 Hilton Avenue, and 2417 Lynnhaven Court. These were the addresses of our former homes. You’re right. I just sat there in the car and stared while remembering those wonderful years with our three sons and a Police K9 named “Mace.”

By now, the CP-1 Hall of Fame families were beginning to gather in Central Park. As I made my way down to the tent to shake hands and say hello to a fellow friend from years ago, Mark Maynard. Mark was the chairman of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee along with two Ashland Baseball icons – Bill and Bob Lynch. That memorable day of my induction was filled with so much emotion; I almost choked up giving my acceptance speech.

On the AA highway back to Florence, I cherished the day mile by mile with rich hometown memories. I wondered if I would ever return. Two years passed.

It was now time for another trip to Ashland for the annual CP-1 2023 inductions. This time the trip was for two wonderful reasons. It was induction day for our son, Chris.

Chris had excelled over his years from high school, to Campbellsville University to Marshall and with Ashland Stan Musial. Jo and I certainly made the trip as two very proud parents.

After the inductions, there were more festivities to attend. You’re right! It was all about more baseball. At 5 p.m., Ashland Stan Musial Baseball would hold our 41st Anniversary with a Homecoming celebration at Ashland’s Tomcat Bourbon and Brew. What a day that was to see so many wonderful men from our Decade of Excellence.

Earlier, Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins proclaimed at CP-1 inductions that Saturday, August 26, 2023 was “Ashland Stan Musial Baseball Day.”

However, after that wonderful proclamation, I was called to the podium where Mayor Perkins gave me the biggest surprise of my life. The Mayor presented me with the very distinctive high honor of “The Key to the City of Ashland.” I was nearly speechless. That’s saying something for me.

With the dawn of 2024 came the announcement that the CP-1 Hall of Fame Inductions of August 24 would be the final class. The final 10 inductees of August 24 would set the prestigious CP-1 Baseball Hall of Fame at an even 100. After reading of the inductees for the final class, I instantly knew I was compelled to return to Ashland – one final time.

Two of the new inductees were Tim Holbrook and Bob Trimble from our Ashland Stan Musial teams. Their induction would give Ashland Stan Musial Baseball – 16 CP-1 Hall of Famers.

When I saw Donnie Payne’s name, I couldn’t wait to see him. I was his coach when he was playing for me with our Elks team in Babe Ruth Baseball in the mid 1980’s. What a reunion it would be after nearly 40 years. Today, Donnie is now “Dr. Donnie Payne” who practices in Louisville.

Many others members of this class I certainly knew and had the privilege of coaching them decades ago as well. So, the day was set for my final trip home.

I arrived in Ashland that Saturday morning at 8:30 for a purpose. Over the last few years, I have been chatting on the phone with a former Ashland Police Officer I served with during my 20 year tour of duty. That Officer was Sam Hunter. He became not only a mentor, but also a wonderful lifetime friend. We met briefly that Saturday morning at his home remembering the years of our lives. Those years were spent together as not only “brothers’ in Law Enforcement, but very close lifetime friends.

This very special August 24, 2024 ended on two high notes. One of which was the posing for the group photo of the 37 Hall of Famers that had made the trip back home to CP-1. We were instructed to make our way to home plate on the CP-1 diamond. I was walking with a group chatting about what a special day it had been. When I stepped on the grass, I looked around at our group chatting and walking slowly on the diamond.

It hit me.

This was just like in the movie “Field of Dreams” when the White Sox came out of a cornfield.

I even thought, it’s almost like I could hear someone whispering:

“BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME HOME”

Earlier, the selection committee took Executive Action and proclaimed that our Chairman, Mark Maynard for the past 10 years, would now be inducted with the class of ‘24! What a fitting tribute to a fine man who had worked diligently for a decade to make it all happen.

So, CP-1’s Hallowed Hall will forever show “101” as its Grand Legacy fades into history.

Just like that, it was time to go home. I’m so very thankful I could return to my hometown of Ashland over all these years. You never forget where it all began.

After capturing so many memories over the span of just a few hours, another wonderful homecoming was fading away. Driving back to Florence, I was forever grateful to have spent those precious lifetime memories in my hometown.

That’s something I will never forget.

Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.

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