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“Baseball Players and Kids” Photo Gallery
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Let’s Take a Moment to Dream A Little…
The annual call of “pitchers and catchers report!” that we’re so used to hearing, ushering in our favorite time of the year, has been delayed. So here’s a quick little something just a bit different to lift our spirits and take our minds off the ongoing negotiations and squabbles.
In this post, there’s no historical records to examine, no mention of no-hitters or perfect games, no spotlight on a great player, no anecdotes about Babe Ruth, no talk of who should or should not be in the Hall of Fame. You know, the usual stuff…
It’s just a moment for reflection…reflection on the great game of baseball and what it meant to us as kids. And there’s just something about a kid in a baseball stadium with a glove that warms the heart. I can’t explain it, but I’m sure you know what I mean…
This great photo was sent to me by my friend, John Quinlan. The caption on it reads: “Someday, I’ll…”
OK, it was probably staged, but I really don’t care…
The photo was taken at Tiger Stadium in the early 1960s. I don’t have any more information on who the kid is or why he’s there sitting alone in the bleachers. But there’s something about the photo that conjures up that wonderful quality of baseball where kids are allowed to dream big dreams. I think all of us who love
baseball have experienced that at one time or another in our youth. Every kid wants to be a major leaguer, doesn’t he? Some make it…but, as we know, most don’t. But all kids can dream, and baseball gives every one of them a chance to dream big. I like to think that’s what this kid was thinking as he sat there, staged or not.
John says the photo has special meaning for him, as it brings him back to his childhood. He didn’t make it as a major league ballplayer, but he was fortunate to spend his career associated with the game he loved in a different way:
“From the time the memory bank/ dreamscape started (about age 6), I always wanted to be a baseball announcer. People back then in the day said, ‘Oh, that’s too difficult, few jobs, and you had to know someone in the business.’ After years of persistence, I made it. Dreams don’t always come true but thank God (and others) mine did. It’s not as glamorous as some think, a lot of hard work but who could ask for a better workplace to paint a words portrait of the game you love on a green canvas.”
Ahh…baseball, kids, and dreams…what a great combination!
If you’d like to share any thoughts that come to mind while gazing at this photo, please share them in the comments section below. Thanks!
Gary Livacari
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Wonderful and evocative photo. I knew it was Briggs Stadium pretty quickly, having been there a few times over the years. Sad it’s gone. Also noted the glove on the bleach bench appeared a bit advanced, and large, for so young a Tiger fan.
Thanks for a nice side trip, Gary.
Good observations, Tom…thanks!
Great photo! I went to Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park as a kid. We got there very early and had an almost empty park to view so this picture reminds me of that. I visited Tiger Stadium in Detroit the year prior to its being replaced with my then young kids. All three parks were very similar. Thankfully, Wrigley is still there.
The sad part is that the empty Tiger Stadium also represents the current empty spring training parks. This, too, shall pass. But it doesn’t feel like progress.
Great memories and reflections, Jay…thanks!