The last time we checked in with Ben Casparius, he had just earned himself a World Series ring.
It was a storybook finish for the 2017 Staples High School graduate. In just 2 months, he moved from the minor leagues to an important role in the Los Angeles’ drive to the championship.
What’s next for the pitcher? Perhaps League Rookie of the Year.
At least, that’s what the (somewhat biased) TrueBlueLA.com website thinks.
They say: “The season is only about 1/3 complete, so there’s plenty of time remaining. But in terms of NL Rookie of the Year, Ben Casparius has pitched himself firmly into the discussion.”
The reliever threw 3 scoreless innings Friday against the New York Mets, striking out 6 of the 10 batters he faced.
Three days earlier he got the final out of the 8th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, protecting a 1-run edge with the bases loaded.
TrueBlueLA notes: “Stephen Nelson on the Dodgers radio broadcast said something to the effect of any National League Rookie of the Year poll that doesn’t include Casparius is invalid. He’s right.”
Casparius has a 2.94 ERA, with 38 strikeouts and only 6 walks.
Read the full TrueBlueLA.com story here. (Hat tip: Michael Kodama)
Ben Casparius
==================================================
Westport and Ukraine have a strong relationship.
Thanks to our sister city of Lyman — a town now just 7 miles from the Russian front — residents and town officials have felt connected to the entire war-torn nation.
Ken Bernhard and Larry Weisman’s relationship goes back even further.
Nearly a decade ago, Bernhard — an attorney, former state representative, and civic volunteer for many causes — taught a class in Ukraine on US constitutional law.
Over the years, he and fellow Westport attorney Lawrence Weisman continued to work with Professor Dmitry Kamensky via Zoom. They spoke to his Ukrainian law students about the American legal system, and the current state of affairs here.
Professor Kamensky has been in the US since April. He’s lectured at several universities, and visited the US Military Academy at West Point.
On Friday, he met a small group of Westporters at Weisman’s home.
Professor Kamensky spoke candidly about the war’s effects on his country, his university and students, and his own wife and young children. It was a first-hand look at a life that includes nightly attacks, daily uncertain, and people who — despite all the devastation — strive to lead as normal lives as they can.
Afteward, he wrote to those met, “I am incredibly grateful for all the support, empathy and kindness that you share with the people of Ukraine. Even more so, with the people in Lyman and other eastern Ukrainian towns, which now face the war carnage daily.
“Thank you all for being with us on this incredibly hard path to freedom and European future. Your dedication, your involvement, your encouragement have no borders. I felt it with my heart today and this is something I will share with my people upon my return home soon.”
A reminder about Westport’s sister city of Lyman: Our connection began through Ukraine Aid International, the boots-on-the-ground non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer.
They’re supporting 2 camps this summer in the Carpathian Mountains. It’s a chance for Lyman’s displaced children to reconnect with their former schoolmates.
The 10-day July session for 40 youngsters is fully funded. UAI is raising $10,000 for the August camp.All donations are welcome here. (Under “Designation,” select “Westport” from the dropdown menu.)
Let’s do, this Westport!
Professor Dmitry Kamensky (right), with Westporers on Friday.
==================================================
Plenty of Westporters are attending college reunions this month.
But Tom Lowrie may be the only one going to his 75th.
The longtime Westporter — who stepped down earlier this month as our town’s pickleball ambassador — attended that landmark event yesterday, at Princeton University.
Not only that: With his daughter Anne, he took part in the school’s “P-rade.”
Tom was joined by 5 others, from the Princeton Class of 1950.
They hope to see each other again, at the 80th reunion.
Tom Lowrie, enjoying his 75th reunion.
==================================================
Sixty protesters lined the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge yesterday, in another Saturday protest against President Trump and his administration.
Ages ranged from 26 to 92. One Tesla driver gave the crowd the finger, but other cars honked in support.
Canine protestor on the Ruth Steinkruas Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Pam Docters)
=================================================
A couple of miles away, the first beach weekend was a bit chilly. Early in the morning — before families arrived for the Parks & Recreation Department “Kickoff to Summer” and dedication of the new Compo Beach playground — a lone swimmer got ready to take the plunge.
(Photo/Missy Greenberg)
==================================================
“Pig Party” — Jo Ann Miller’s new book — has just been published.
Carl Addison Swanson provides background: “In 1962, the men of the University of Texas voted famed singer-student Janis Joplin as the ‘ugliest man on campus.’ While the university and Janis were not pleased, the news of the pig party spread fast. Soon, such parties were being held at schools across the country.
“It took the ERA movement to eradicate the ugly practice. This book is a work of fiction.” Click here for the Amazon link.
===============================================
Lifelonng Westport resident Malcolm Watson, Jr. died unexpectedly on Sunday. He was 76.
He graduated from Staples High School in 1967, and worked for Nash Engineering in South Norwalk. He served in the Navy in Vietnam during the war, and marched every Memorial Day in the Westport parade.
He owned Nielsen’s Wood Arts, a furniture refinishing business where he performed meticulous antique furniture restoration.
An avid swimmer and sailor, he was a member of the “High Tide Club,” swimming at Burying Hill Beach nearly year round.
He was a member of the Norwalk River Rowing Club, and served as a mentor for generations of younger rowers. He competed as a rower and coxswain all over the East Coast, including the famed Head of the Charles race in Boston.
He is survived by wife Roseann, daughter Amanda (Nathan), son Malcolm III, grandchildren Conrad and Rosie, brother Elmer Sniffen (Patricia), sister Nancy Sniffen, and sister-in-law Kathleen Carusone
A memorial service will be held on June 11, (11 a.m., Burying Hill Beach). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to an organization of your choice.
==================================================
Westport continues to look gorgeous this spring — even near the transfer station.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” view shows the colorful scene between the Public Works headquarters parking lot and the Sherwood Island Connector.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of Tom Lowrie’s 75th reunion (story above):
(If Ben Casparius becomes Rookie of the Year, you heard it first here. You hear a LOT of things here first, right? If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
What’s the point of protesting every weekend if no one’s actually listening or changing their mind? At some point, it starts to feel more like self-affirmation than meaningful activism.
What would you suggest? And please don’t say wait until November 2028.
We protested 10 years regarding Vietnam. Protests don’t work. Register people to vote. MORE folks did NOT vote (90 million) than voted for Trump or Harris in 2024. That is when democracies fall apart.
I’d suggest doing something that doesn’t feel performative or stale. If the objective is change, then strategy matters more than symbolism. Mobilize locally. Organize, run candidates, flip boards, shift policy. Standing on a bridge with the same signs every weekend won’t move the needle, it just creates the illusion of momentum without the substance.
I’m not there, but my 92 year old mother is as are my sisters. That cute dog with the sign is Rosie, my sister’s dog. What you dismiss as performative and stale may just be a meaningful act of community that people need to remind themselves that they are not alone. That there are others in this community who feel as they do. And who are you to judge them? How do you know that they aren’t doing all the things you mention during the rest of the week?
I would love to hear your take on people who go to church or synagogue every week.
I get that it feels meaningful to your family and if standing on that bridge gives people a sense of community, fine. But let’s not pretend that’s the same as effective activism. Public protest is supposed to be persuasive, not just comforting. When the message never evolves, and the audience stops listening, what’s the point beyond personal validation?
And no, I don’t care about people going to church or synagogue every week and comparing that to political protest is a stretch. One is spiritual ritual; the other is supposed to challenge power and push for change. If it’s just about feeling better, then call it what it is. But if the goal is impact, repeating the same thing over and over isn’t strategy – it’s stagnation.
Have a great day.