“It was a bright cold day in April and the clock was striking thirteen.” George Orwell 1984
“With the coming of spring I am calm again.” Gustav Mahler
“April is a promise that May is bound to keep.”. Hal Borland
It’s April and there is comfort in knowing so many of our welcome columnist writers look forward to the advent of opening day and those cherished words,“Play ball!” I believe it was just a day or so ago one of our columnists made a comparison with baseball and bluegrass music.Thinking outside the box is a good thing and what is better than baseball and bluegrass? The mention of Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons brought back fond memories of my youth in the beautiful Hayward Highlands and visits to see my beloved Giants at Seals Stadium, Candlestick Park, and Pac Bell.
There was an ongoing joke about Lon Simmons interviewing Willie McCovey when Wille Mac first joined the Giants. Lon would ask the great one a question and Willie would respond,” That’s right, Lon.” Lon would ask another question and the response was the same, “That’s right ,Lon.” Lon would ask twenty questions and get the same twenty answers. But it was a simpler time and all was right with the world. The Giants are fortunate to have the best baseball TV announcers, Kurk and Kuip and the finest radio team, Jon Miller (Hayward High graduate) and Dave Fleming describing the action.
How fortunate living in the Bay Area and calling the SF Giants your team. Think back to the 60’s. Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Willie Mc McCovey,Jim Davenport, Tom Haller, Jose Pagan, the great Dominican Dandy, Juan Marechal and Mr. Spitball, Gaylord Perry etc. We had an excess of talent, charisma, and Hall of Famers. We were spoiled.
My sister and I will be going to a Giants game very soon. Last year was the first time in 15 years I have not gone to at least one game with my big sister.This year will be special. I will kneel down in deference and kiss the statue of Juan Marichal,smile at all the vendors, beam at the other SF fans and cheer every play. In keeping with protocol I will do the necessary friendly booing when the umpires make their way onto the field just like we did when Tommy La Sorda would make his appearance onto the Giants home turf. Maria and I will get settled in our seats and I will recall the voice of Russ Hodges calling a Wille Mays home run, ” And it’s Bye Bye Baby!”
Our beautiful remodeled expanded library is about to have its grand opening in Turlock within the next couple of weeks. The Friends of the Turlock Public Library have been pushing this since they formed in the mid 90’s. Being a board member for the past ten years I have seen the struggles in trying to get financing and approval. It is well worth the wait.The structure is a thing of beauty and the only dampener is that COVID might delay a proper grand opening. Turlock is beaming with pride.
Until May: Read a book, hug a child, pet a dog, stroke a cat, eat a bar of chocolate, sing loudly off key in the shower and dance like no one is watching.
IKIRU!