Baseball Memories

If I had to pick my perfect day it would have include watching a professional baseball game. Preferably the Texas Rangers (OK, so they are not doing so great this year). I have always loved baseball. I collected cards when I was a kid and I played Little League ball. I like watching it on T.V., but I really like to go the ballpark and watch the game live.

I still have memories of my dad taking me to watch the Texas Rangers when they first moved to Arlington, TX in 1972. I think my first game was the Rangers versus the visiting Kansas City Royals, with George Brett, at the old Arlington Stadium. The grass seemed to be the greenest grass I had ever seen. It was awesome to a 5 year old. I still have the program from the game. Since then I have collected many memories of watching baseball.

I remember watching a double-header game versus the Milwaukee Brewers, when they were still in the American League, when they milked cows on the field between the games. I even convinced the 1st Base Coach for the Brewers, Frank Howard, to come sign my program between innings. Other kids ran down to get their programs signed, but Mr. Howard told them, "I promised him I would sign his, sorry!" and then he went back into his dugout. Wow! I felt so important.

I remember another double-header game versus the California Angels (before they were the Anaheim or the Los Angeles Angels). It was stormy that day, and lightning struck one of the light fixtures in left field. During one of those games there was also a bench-clearing brawl, involving the Ranger's shortstop and Angels' 2nd Baseman, Bobby Grich. It was incredible.

One day before a game started, My dad and I were watching batting practice. Pete Incaveligia (? spelling), hit a "home run" and it went down one of the tunnels. Several kids ran for the ball and my dad actually knocked a kid down to get the ball for me. It was sad that grown man did that to a little kid, but it was funny at the time and he did it for me. I still have the ball in a box in my closet. The Rangers were playing the Detroit Tigers that day, and I happened to see Tiger's pitcher Jack Morris sitting in the stands, watching his team take batting practice. I went over to him and asked for his autograph. He signed my glove. When other kids and fans started running towards him, Mr. Morris said, "Now look what you did." and he jumped over the fence back onto the field. I still played baseball and softball with that glove well after adulthood and marriage.

Later as a college student I took our intern youth minister to his first professional baseball game. It was verses the New York Yankees. Before the game started we went to eat at the Black Eyed Pea restaurant. Sitting a few tables over we saw Claudell Washington and Rickey Henderson eating lunch. I politely went over to their table and asked them if they would sign my game tickets. After eating their meal they came over to our table and signed our tickets. This was great but presented a problem. They signed over the spot where the tickets would have to be torn to get into the game. Our solution, we jumped a fence to get into the game without having our tickets torn. We had to avoid security for while until the game started, but it was worth it. Now remember this was youth minister I was with. The game ended up in a 2 hour rain delay, which put us coming home about 1:00 a.m. On the way home we ran out of gas. Just our luck. But I had Rickey Henderson's autograph to present to my Dad on his birthday later that day.

I have seen live ball games at the now old Busch Stadium in St. Louis and the Astrodome in Houston. It was at the Astrodome that I saw Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard pitch in his last game before he had his career ending stroke. I skipped a few classes in college to go see Nolan Ryan pitch for the Rangers. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington has become a haven for me. A place where I can relax and enjoy the crack of the bat, the smell of the ballpark foods, hear the boos and cheers of the crowds. I have even taken my kids to their share of games. One of which versus the Toronto Blue Jays, a Blue Jays coach, Alfredo Griffith, held my son in his arms on the field so I could get a picture. I would love to get a job working for the Rangers someday or at least have a job that allows me get season tickets to see the Rangers at home whenever I want. I have many other memories, but I only have room for a few. I hoped you enjoyed them. I will post other memories later.