World Series vs. high school football.

As a fresh college graduate looking to jump-start a sports journalism career, the opportunity was there to attend one or cover and write about the other.

As a 21-year-old, devoted Pittsburgh Pirates fan, I was prepared to head for Three Rivers Stadium and Game 3 of the 1979 World Series between the Pirates and Balltimore Orioles. I was planning that way despite pleas over the phone from the Irwin Standard Observer, which was desperate to find a reporter willing to cover a key football game in their coverage area that night.

My mother walked into the kitchen — yes, I was using the phone on the kitchen wall — and asked me what was going on.

I explained my options.

For me, attending the World Series was a no-brainer.

For her, covering the football game and helping out a potential employer was a no-brainer.

My mother said something like: “If you’re serious about entering that field, you would cover the game for them.”

I pointed out it was the World Series ... she didn’t care.

“You’re an adult. Make your own decision,” she said as she started leaving the room. Then, one final shot ...

“But you know you should go cover that game,” she mumbled, knowing full well I could hear her.

I covered the game, at Mt. Lebanon High School, driving rain, no room in the pressbox. I was watching football, thinking baseball.

Doing so did not lead to a job offer from Irwin. It did help me land an interview for a fulltime sports reporting job in Jeannette, with the now defunct News-Dispatch.

My mother’s advice when it came to work and potential jobs was short and to the point: Stand apart.

Do something others competing for that job wouldn’t do — like cover a high school football game while giving up your World Series ticket.

While I sat in the managing editor’s office in Jeannette during my interview, the sports editor came in, said there was a playoff soccer game in Bethel Park that night and he had no one to cover it.

I lived in Bethel Park.

Stand apart.

On the spot, I volunteered to cover that game for them, no payment expected, just a chance to show what I could do. If they like my story, use it. If they don’t, they’re no worse off. They went for it.

They liked the story. I was hired. My sports journalism career was under way.

With an assist from Mom — who probably didn’t even realize it at the time.

I’ve been trying to stand apart ever since.

My mother passed away Wednesday. She stood apart in all ends of life — as a mother, friend, daughter, sister and worker. She managed a real estate office well into her 80s.

I’m not sitting here writing this column if not for her.

Thanks, Mom.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle