I grew up in Orange County, a suburb of Los Angeles. Disneyland was only 6 years old when we moved to California. The Lakers hadn't hit their stride yet and baseball was all about the Dodgers. I listened to Vin Scully on the radio for Dodger baseball, but whenever we went to a game, it was always to Anaheim, to see the Angels play. The stadium was close to home and we'd always see either Cleveland Indians or the Chicago White Sox.
Anyway, we'd go to the game, pay a buck fifty to sit up in the upper deck by the left field foul pole and watch an Angel game. Always the Chicago White Sox or the Cleveland Indians. I hadn't really thought why, but I was fairly young, so as far as I knew, the only teams in the American League were the Angels, the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox. I didn't know any different.
My first game that I can remember seeing, I saw catcher Tom Egan hit a two run homer for the Angels, then saw Andy Messersmith hit a solo shot. Both homers cleared the left field fence and two lucky baseball fans went home with souvenirs that day. I was shocked really. In the past, listening to the games on the radio, I always assumed that the ball had to be thrown back on to the field so the players could keep playing. Who knew?
From then on, I always brought a glove to the game. We were always in the upper deck, so they never came up there, but I could still be an optimist.
I used to take a glove to the game too. One time on the way home, someone drove up next to us honking his horn frantically. We pulled over. Apparently, I left the glove on the roof. I used to help my father into the car (he was in a wheelchair). I must have left the glove on the roof. Fortunately, it hadn't slid off going over the bridge.
ReplyDeleteMy first game was a doubleheader (we were cheap) between the Pirates and the Phillies. My hero, Roberto Clemente, refused to sign my autograph book.
That's too bad about Roberto Clemente not signing your autograph book.
DeleteGoodness. I thought I had commented here already. My bad. But I'm catching up!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny... I've never brought a glove to a game. I probably should, especially to minor league games. Some balls come flying all over the place! When I was a kid, I was always a Phillies fan. But for whatever reason, I always liked the Angels (and for that matter, the A's) as well. Still like them both a little and it was cool to see a game at Angel Stadium last year. We got there early and took in the stadium. Mike Trout homered in the game, too, which was cool.
Hope you are continuing with the challenge! :)
Well, I'm working on it P.J. Life has gotten in the way again.
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