Gary Kashak (L) & Tom Tunison (R)
Tom Tunison was born with a rare hip disease, undetected till age six, and thus was forced to face years of bed rest wheelchairs and crutches. The once active boy began watching New York Yankees' telecasts, forming an unlikely bond with Yankees rookie catcher, Canton's own Thurman Munson. Tom began a life-long commitment and study of Munson's career, which was sidelined upon Thurman's untimely death. This tragedy propelled Tom onto a course of action full of heart-breaking tragedy, heart-warming triumph, and personal discovery. Tom and author, Gary Karschak, then wrote a book about Tom's journey, "Go the Distance".
Tom Tunison:
Tom Tunison is a baseball historian/statistician and member of the Thurman Munson Hall Of Fame Committee where he served in both capacities. As a first year member of the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, his research and subsequent nominations of John Morris, Billy Blitzer and Mickey Watts Stapleton led to their inductions, with Watts Stapleton becoming the first woman inductee into its Hall of Fame. He’s coached youth baseball for a quarter century and co-authored (with Christopher Hahn) Thurman Munson’s Decade of Unmatched Excellence.
Gary Kaschak:
Gary Kaschak has served as sports writer and/or columnist for The Vestal News (upper New York State), The Green Bay Press Gazette (Wisconsin) and The Burlington County Times (New Jersey). He served the Montrose Independent (Pennsylvania) as its Sports Editor. He was Statistician for the 1981 Washington Federals (a team in the now-defunct United States Football League); and he’s served as sports reporter for WKOP radio, out of Binghamton, New York. He’s covered Major League Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for the Cooperstown Crier and the Oneonta Daily Star. He’s served as head-writer for two baseball committees; The Dummy Hoy Hall of Fame Committee and The Thurman Munson Hall of Fame Committee and is Editor for The New York State Baseball Hall of Fame’s, Extra Innings. He’s written five books: Hands That Break... Hands That Heal, and, The Hole To China, both well-received teen sports/inspirational novels, and, Lifestone, a murder mystery set during America’s Civil War. My Name Was Mickey Mantle, and, Coming Home. My Amazin’ life as a New York Met (The Cleon Jones story).
(Please note: the authors will have some copies of the book which can be purchased at the meeting. Or go to this link for more info or to buy: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/biographymemoir/gothedistance)
