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Kate Cassidy's avatar

This is was fun, Norm, not to forget "timely". I loved Leo. I grew up watching the Cubbies, and Leo was the most colorful person on the team! I watched just to see what extraordinary thing he would do, or more specifically 'say' when he lost his mind. Kicking a base was a good one, or throwing just about anything on the field out of the dugout. He was like a cartoon in full color and animation! I think they quit screaming into each other's faces when too many umps were eating garlic sandwiches at lunchtime. Ugh! That would back off even Leo...and that was probably their secret plot.

I so agree on pitchers just trying to throw each pitch harder, especially when the crowd could see the MPH on the scoreboard to screetch at each 100+ toss. Lots of good pitchers were lost to early unnecessary season ending surgeries.

I remember the gum with the BB cards. It was flattened between the cardboard cards and tasted just like cardboard. Nasty and boring, however, it was coated in a small amount of sugar so I chewed it and spent many days in dentist's offices as a youngster due to the various cavities that bubble gum afforded me.

I loved going to the Cub's games, though very few. The best part was sharing a beer that was passed down the aisle occasionally...well, quite often, actually, as in Chicago the fans felt they were at a family picnic and everyone shared each other's beer as they were passed down the isle. It was a tradition. I was anywhere from 10 to 16 years old during those good old days of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

And who needs a DH anyway? I always wondered who those guys were when they got in the batter's box, as in "Daddy, who is that guy???"

Thanks for the memories...and the fact that I can still remember!

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Sarah3000's avatar

Thanks Norm,

I also like digging in the dirt. That's the part that's cathartic.

Given the current situation with food prices, I have also decided to do some sustenance planting. Your wife would be the perfect person to talk to. I plan on planting fruits, vegetables, and nuts this year to help curb some of my grocery costs. Although, it can be pricey setting up a garden from scratch. The cost of top soil, plants, and fertilizer add up really quickly.

Take care,

Sarah

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