Who are you? Steve Eighinger, 55
Tell us about yourself. I cover the “R’s” for The Herald Whig — racing, religion and reality TV. Oh, and a little business now, too. I’m married to the luckiest woman on the face of the earth, Kathy. Together we have four kids, all in their 20s — Geoff, Sarah, Kaysi and Melissa. We also have a couple of 3-year-old grandsons, Tommy and Grady. I’ve lived in Quincy since 1998 after spending my formative years in Ohio. I still root for The Ohio State University and the Cleveland Indians.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be … Rocky Colavito. He was one of my first favorite baseball players and the last to not wear a batting helmet. He had an exemption from the commissioner to wear a protective liner in his cap. I always thought that was cool.
What would you rather be doing right now? Watching a late model feature at Quincy Raceways. Every hair on the back of your neck stands up when those 20 cars take the green flag at the Broadway Bullring … a.k.a. Sheet Metal Shangri-La.
Shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone that … I can’t swim.
Other than your wedding day and/or the birth of your children, what was your proudest moment? October 1995, the Indians won their first pennant in my lifetime. I wept.
It really stinks when … fast food restaurants put cheese on my hamburger when I ask for it plain.
What word in the dictionary would your face be next to? I think I would need two words. Greek god.
I always laugh when … someone asks me a question about “art.”
Invite any three people, living or dead, to dinner. Who are they? Errol Flynn, Rod Stewart and my mom. Loved his movies, love his music and I never had the chance to say good-bye to her.
At the end of a really long day at work, I like to … go home and work on my fantasy baseball team, watch baseball, American Idol, Lie to Me. NASCAR, work on my blogs, research whatever sports statistic project I have going at the time and eat strawberry cheesecake ice cream.
People who knew me in high school thought I was … going to be a sports writer, which I was for about 25 years.
My most unforgettable brush with greatness was with … Pete Rose. I had lunch with him the season he was chasing the all-time hit record. He was a jerk. I also met Mickey Mantle once, who was a nice guy.
I would drop all my plans tonight if I had the chance to … go to another Rod Stewart concert. I’ve been to four, and each has been a life-changing experience.
If someone gave me a million dollars, there is STILL no way I would … ever want to live outside the United States.
America should be more concerned about … the disappearing middle class.
I’m OK if there’s ever a national shortage of … office supplies or baseball cards.
What place in the world would you most like to visit? The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., or Larry Fritsch’s famous baseball card store in Stevens Point, Wis.
What is the most useful piece of advice you have ever received? Take two and hit to right.
When I’m cruising down the road, I’m likely listening to … a Rod Stewart CD.
I always get sentimental when … baseball season rolls around. It is the most wonderful time of the year.
The older I get, the more I realize … it’s been a great life.
If I had one “do-over,” I would … have learned how to drive a manual transmission.
My favorite item of clothing is … anything with a Cleveland Indians logo or name on it. I always feel safe secure when wearing it, and it reminds me of “home.”
If I’ve learned anything at all … it’s the glass is always half full.
