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| 1971 Dodgers...'Coach Joe' on left |
I began playing baseball around 1967. Prior to this, if I'm true to my memory, playing with 'Hot Wheels', riding my bicycle and climbing trees were all the joys required for boys in the 60's. That Spring something began which has never departed, that is a love for the game of baseball.
To some, baseball is the most boring game ever invented. To others, myself included, we can't wait for a another Spring to arrive, to smell the leather of the mitt or ball, to hear and feel the crack of the bat, and to wait for the umpires yell, "Play ball!"
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| Looking good #12! |
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| Lou Gehrig and Babe Dahlgren |
I can't tell you why, for neither of my parents had athletic ability, but for some reason I could play ball, and play well. And though every player and/or team will tell of both great plays and seasons, there are others that well...maybe we should have been fishing. But almost without end I loved and still love the game.
The summer of 1967, playing for the Pirates, dad would send me to a batting school. Whether it was Babe Dahlgren's batting school, or Babe happened to be there I don't remember. What I do remember is that I was being coached by the man who is known for replacing the 'Iron Horse', Lou Gehrig on May 2, 1939. What a great memory and opportunity that gift was. Thanks dad!
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| Scoring... |
During the 1970 and 71 seasons I played for the 'Lawndale Dodgers'. You never heard of them? Well, let me tell you. My coach was 'Coach Joe'. I have never been able to recall his last name. I remember it sounding like Joe Garagiola, who was a catcher and more known for his baseball broadcast career. But then again his last name could be totally different and I could be entirely off base. No pun intended :) None-the-less, it was Coach Joe who instilled confidence, motivation and a deep love of playing baseball into the life of this young boy.
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| Oregon State Champs! |
One of the plays that season was a deep hit (now this is 'little league', so deep is relative) to right center-field. I made what was perhaps my first diving catch. As I trotted back to my position I could hear some folks sitting on the grass behind the center-field fence saying, "Wow, what a catch". After the third out there was 'Coach Joe', smiles, high fives and encouraging words that still strike deep.
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| The 'Kid' Strikes a Grand Slam! |
As you can see by the other pictures, my love of playing continued well into the 90's. And though I could still play the game, I'm realistic to know that the body has different ideas. So...I take up where 'Coach Joe' first began...instilling the love of baseball into the lives of young men...boys of summer.
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| MVP 1971 |
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