Barb Caffrey's Blog

There’s a lot wrong with the world right now, especially in the United States. It can be tough to remember that there is still good in the world, along with good people who will do their best to make the world the best place it can be.

I mention this because of two things. One, jazz flugelhornist Chuck Mangione passed away at age 84 earlier this week. His signature song was called “Feels So Good,” and it came out in 1978. (I know some of you were not born yet.) 1978 was a time of distress for many. There was “stagflation” going on — both inflation and stagnancy, which is kind of the worst of both worlds when it comes to economics. Many people were struggling, as the work they had didn’t pay enough to live, or maybe they’d just lost their job.

So, why did Mangione come up with “Feels So Good” at that particular time?

No one knows the answer to that but him (and he can’t tell us anymore). The best I ever garnered from various interviews and such was that he felt life was a gift. He wanted to showcase something fun, something upbeat, and something memorable.

He certainly did that, and in spades.

I recently found out that Mangione was not only a trained jazz musician (that was obvious), but had worked with Art Blakely’s Jazz Messengers group before breaking out with “Feels So Good” and leading his own group. The Jazz Messengers are a hard-swinging group playing traditional jazz (mostly bebop, with some late 1950s into the early 1960s expressionism if it made sense to them). This was quite a surprise to me, as you’d never think anyone who’d worked with them (as Mangione did) would’ve come up with “Feels So Good.”

Anyway, I have a second reason that reminded me it’s important to have fun, and here it is: The Milwaukee Brewers 25th Anniversary of their home field (now called American Family Field; originally called Miller Park) included one of the most fun events I could possibly conceive of as a Brewers fan, that being an Alumni Home Run Derby.

The Brewers had many wonderful players in the last twenty-five years, and the Derby brought back ten of them. Eric Thames hit massive homers and was — and still is — built like a bodybuilder. Nyjer Morgan was a speedster, but did credibly in the Derby, hitting a couple of homers. Corey Hart, one of my favorite all-time Brewers, hit five homers in the limited time given to each player, and actually made the two-person finals. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, Brewers icons, of course were there, and so was Carlos Gomez with his elegant swing and happy-go-lucky attitude. Bill Hall, one of the best all-around infielders the Brewers have ever had, did credibly also. Casey McGehee was an entrant, but wasn’t able to hit a homer (that was OK with the fans, I read; they were just glad he tried). Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo, who won a Silver Slugger award for the best-hitting pitcher when pitchers still hit, looked good and hit well. And, finally, Keon Broxton, a very speedy outfielder and mostly a defensive specialist when he was with the Brewers for a few years, hit five homers to match Hart and gain the final round.

Now, I have to mention something about both Broxton and Hart. Broxton is only thirty-five and never had a major injury to his feet, legs, or knees as far as I’m aware. Hart is forty-three and suffered major injuries to his knees which required surgery. Broxton looks like he could still play, similar to Ryan Braun, whereas Hart looks more like what he is now: a proud father and a decidedly retired player. (Note that I do not mean “out of shape” here. Every Brewers alumni player who went up to bat showed they’re still in exceptionally good shape. Broxton was notable because he almost looked like a triathlete, if that makes any sense, and none of the rest of them did.)

But Hart’s swing is still the same, a long, looping, easy swing, and that’s why despite a torn muscle, he not only attended the Derby but was its runner-up.

Mind you, both Hart and Broxton were not the players thought of to be in the playoffs. Most thought it would be Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and/or Carlos Gomez (as I don’t think most fans realized it was only going to be a two-person final; I know I didn’t). Hart was probably picked more often than Broxton, though, because Hart was known to be a power-hitter (Hart, like Broxton, was also excellent defensively and quite speedy before knee injuries robbed him of his speed and flexibility).

But it was Broxton’s day. He won the Derby, he took a celebratory trot around the basepaths, and when he got to home plate, all the Brewers alumni who’d participated fell down (as they did once for Prince Fielder after a booming homerun).

See, the Derby was just plain fun. Lots of good things came out of it, and fans went away smiling even though the game beforehand wasn’t the best (as the Brewers lost to the Miami Marlins, 5-1).

The reason I talked of both things — Mangione’s passing, along with his huge hit “Feels So Good,” along with the Brewers Alumni Home Run Derby — is because they both promoted happiness and well-being. The song is a bit playful (if you ever listen to the whole thing; it’s often sampled now in commercials, which to me waters down its impact), while the Derby sparkled with former Brewers still showcasing their God-given abilities.

Of the alumni, Hart and Fielder both suffered injuries that ended their careers far earlier than they would’ve liked, but on this day it did not matter…they gave joy to the fans, who gave joy to them, and it was almost a picture-perfect version of a positive feedback loop.

At any rate, the fact remains that we have to look for reasons for hope sometimes. We need that. We need to know that it’s not only OK to have fun, it’s necessary.

Chuck Mangione knew that. The Brewers alumni knew that (and still know that), too.

Somehow, I need to remember that in my own life.

I will work on it, as my life continues its major upheaval (as I will be moving soon, destination still unknown).