It's Time!
Thirty-one years ago, after being incarcerated for seven years, five months, and five days, I was the defendant and lawyer in a five-day trial, and on August 31, 1994, I had my conviction overturned, and I walked out of a courtroom after the judge ordered a Sheriff to “ Take…
Thirty-one years ago, after being incarcerated for seven years, five months, and five days, I was the defendant and lawyer in a five-day trial, and on August 31, 1994, I had my conviction overturned, and I walked out of a courtroom after the judge ordered a Sheriff to “Take that man’s handcuffs and shackles off.” I walked out and never looked back. I considered suing the government, but a wise attorney advised me that it would cost me another 10-15 years of my life, including appeals and the like. His advice was “Be successful, write a book, and make a movie.” I decided that they had taken enough of my life, and I focused on the future,
Money was never the motive, and I worked my ass off for 30 years and built (as friends tell me): a Goddamn Empire!
I recall being so broke that I couldn’t pay attention. My wife and I had utilities shut off (many times). We had cars repossessed, we were kicked out of houses, and many times, I went to the bank on Friday to find that the IRS had cleaned out my bank account. We weathered lawsuits, and one day, we put it all behind us. The harder we worked, the luckier we seemed to get! We paid every bill, and now I have more money than I ever imagined. I recently retired, and our company continues to grow like crazy under my youngest son’s leadership. It was never about money – it was about freedom.
This is my 72nd trip around the sun… and I don’t know how many more I have, but this story has to be told and I am going to tell it. There will also be a movie. It’s called “The Mountainmover.” I have hired a professor at Georgetown University to assist me, and from the end of July until May 2026, I will be fully engaged in this project. Consumed! So… I have to cut-out LAdodgerTalk.com. I’ve got to walk away. I’ll keep it open, and we will see how that goes. AVF, Bear, and others will be there… hopefully. I’ll let you know when the book comes out, and you can send me your address, and I will send you a free copy. Thanks for being here, and I consider all of you friends.
This is just the beginning of another chapter. Go Dodgers!
Thanks to my wife, Patty – I could not have done it without her!
Godspeed, Everyone!
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (36)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Thanks Mark, I remember meeting you in Vero with my wife and kids.
You gave us a business card for LADODGERTALK.com; been a reader and commenter ever since.
Looking forward to the book and movie but keep this site open, we need it!
Congrats,
Matt
Mark –
Thanks and congratulations for LADT; this forum has been an important part of my life in my 70’s. As I have done over the past 10 years, I have developed a perspective on my life too. It is a good feeling to look back on one’s life with a sense of accomplishment and pride. I don’t know what the 80’s have in store for me but I will continue to live by the mantra my Dad provided me long ago – “Life is a series of adjustments, the key to being happy is – make the adjustment!” I am hoping Bear and others can keep LADT moving forward and keep my “continuing education” on baseball – and life – moving forward too. Best wishes to you and your future endeavors!!
All the best to you and Patty. I’m looking forward to the book and the movie. Good luck.
Congratulations – and always keep striving!
Your voice will be missed here for the next few months. I don’t always agree, but I always respect what you have to say.
Very cool. Give ’em hell, young man!
I’m not quite sure what these words mean exactly, I mean everything you’ve written, but I think you deserve congratulations and since you’ve been a man who has worked hard throughout his life and has come out ahead, you can be said to be a successful man… Congratulations Mark!
One more success in your life, good luck with your book.
NY Times best sellers list a year from now!