Hi, Rob – I just finished the book, and wish that I had followed up on your request for baseball stories. I have been recalling some wonderful memories recently:
- going to my first game at the Polo Grounds in 1954 with my parents and maybe 300 others (I was born and raised in West Virginia, but my folks were Northern Jersey Jews and we often went back there. Apocryphally, their first dates were with my half-sister, dad’s daughter, at the Jersey Giants home stadium…)
- going to more than a few games at Forbes Field, sitting in the left field stands watching Bob Skinner play every batter from the same balding spot in the outfield, then driving home over twisty foggy mountain roads afterwards
- going to a game in Riverfront Stadium when my brother lived in Cincinnati, climbing to the very top row over some treacherous stairs, and all of us vowing to never leave those seats until the game was over
- going to Tiger stadium when I was at Michigan for a doubleheader for 2 bucks
- sneaking out of High Holy Day services to go two doors down to the Elks club to watch some innings in several World Series
- but mostly evenings spent with my mother listening to Pirate games on the transistor radio or watching the few that were televised on KDKA. She would manage to be doing one of those while simultaneously doing a crossword puzzle, smoking, and (on radio days) watching TV. Two events really stand out: listening to Harvey Haddix’ perfect game, but having to go to bed after 9 innings because the game was in Milwaukee and it was a school night; and having a day off from school for a teachers’ institute and being able to watch game 7 of the 1960 World Series. (Sorry, Rob, but needless to say we were in heaven that day.)
Anyway, to quote Jimmy Durante: Thanks for the memories. –Bob
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Robert Lees is a retired, distinguished educator, psychologist and lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates fan. He still brings up the 1960 World Series whenever we are together, but as a respected former colleague and valued friend, it is worth reliving that World Series just to be in his presence. As a Yankee fan, I have to agree with the award-winning author Peter Golenbock when he said, referring to the 7th game of the 1960 World Series, “worst day of my life!” –RS