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by Randy OoneyMy Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney
Batter Up
In the Spring a young (and old) man’s fancy turns to thoughts of… Baseball. It’s been a long winter in Minnesota. A great bowling season, but now, Nick Punto not withstanding, it’s time for baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and raking the lawn.
If you need something to whet your diamond appetite, you may want to stop and see Rich Latvala at the 98th Street Barbers enterprise just west of 35W in Bloomington. Rich has several editions of “Baseball Magazine” from the 1920’s, when the “Big Train” and the “Sultan of Swat” were in their prime. Also, framed on the wall is a panorama photo of the 1908 Chicago Cubs, that year’s World Series Champions. You may recall the Tinker to Evers to Chance poem by journalist Franklin Adams, celebrating the famous double play combination. So famous was their legacy that Joe Tinker had some wooden construction toys named after him; Johnny Evers is named on several potent potables, and Parker Brothers named 3 squares on it’s Monopoly board after Frank Chance, along with a stack of cards which could direct you to Boardwalk or the nearest railroad. These three are all in Cooperstown, the place where baseball lives, but many people do not know who played third base in this infield. No, it’s not “I Don’t Know”, he played in Bud Abbott’s infield with “Who” and “What”. The Cubs third baseman at the time was none other than Hal Abrams, A premier local bowler who has made his mark in both the CBA and MSC.
Our Joe Mauerless Twins will be taking the field April 6th for the final season at the Metrodome. In spite of all the thrashing the Dome has taken over the years, I’m going to miss the place. I was too young and poor to witness the 1965 World Series in person, so 1987 will remain in my good memory jar for life. I do have the calendar marked on May 23rd this year. The Saint Paul Saints are giving away bobbleheads of Al Franken and Norm Coleman on that night! I guess you have to pick one or the other, something the election board and team of judges is having difficulty doing. Regardless, I’m sure both bobbles will be a hot item on eBay on May 24th.
So as we wind down the bowling season, and ease into baseball and golf, I leave you with this trivia question. Who was Harry Steinfeldt? Post your answer on the forum and you may wind up with a ring or Justin Morneau baseball card.
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