For the last couple of nights I’ve kept an eye on the World Series. Baseball is, after all, one of the great American pastimes, right up there with apple pie and mom. Although I’m American and partial to our national pastimes, that’s not why I watch.
I watch because I like the Cardinals. When I was a kid, my family went to Florida for Easter vacation and, what do you know, the Cardinals were at the same hotel for spring training. There wasn’t anything special about them, they looked like regular guys. Just more grown-ups in a world already packed tight with adults.
But these dudes were fun. And they weren’t very old, one or two were probably still teenagers. They were always zipping in and out, coming and going, laughing and joking around. How was I supposed to know they were famous? I was a kid. And a girl, besides.
One afternoon I tagged along with Steve Carlton and Nelson Briles to Steak ‘n Shake. My family and I had dinner with Bob Gibson. I met Lou Brock and Curt Flood, Orlando Cepeda and Tim McCarver. They gave me a bat, a signed baseball, and a glove. Have you ever tried to board a plane carrying a baseball bat? Don’t.
Athletes were different back then, so were their fans. Civility was still the order of the day. And ball players didn’t wear necklaces that look like part of a ring toss game as they do now. Curious about their popularity, I checked google. They’re called ‘titanium phiten ropes’, manly-wear designed to improve performance on the field by equalizing the electric current in your body.
Baseball is full of superstitions like that. But players used to stop changing socks or quit shaving to keep a winning streak alive. Not accessorize.
Copyright © Publikworks 2011
the whirly girl 
12 responses to “: take me out to the jewelry store :”
Fun story. I had fun reading it.
Oh, and this:
The Dutch team took the world title this year. Im Dutch. Im proud.
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That’s terrific! Congratulations to the Dutch team, Robert, and thank you.
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That is too cute – I only got to pal around with the occasional hippie relative and I thought that was cool.
A baseball bat on a plane sounds like just about as great of an idea as taking breastmilk through security.
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Hippies are cool! And you had one who was a relative? Wow, you’d have been like a celebrity around here.
We ought to travel together with our great ideas for carry-ons. It was nice of you you to stop by, Angie.
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What a wonderful memory! That is so cool and fun.
Thanks for the tip on the baseball bat. Noted.
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Thanks for stopping, LD. That’s my brush with greatness story, even though I didn’t know it at the time.
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Oh dear.. what i want to know is why they carry those little barmaid towels tucked into their pants, or am i thinking of something else!! c
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Maybe that’s football? But I have no idea why. Good question, cecilia, if I find an answer I’ll pass it on.
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Oh i think you are right.. it is football.. still.. if you do find out why, I would be grateful. these little mysteries are here to try us c
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Will do, I’m sure this can be figured out.
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Love it
here’s my take on the 7th inning stretch
Do People Really Stretch During the 7th Inning Stretch?
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Stretch? Oh boy, just like Plastic Man. Unless they’ve had too much cold beer, then they don’t move much.
You know, I’ve heard of you, haven’t I? I think we have a friend in common — your next door neighbor, maybe?
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