Wednesday, October 26, 2016

BASEBALL DILEMMA

Cubs win World Series ending 108 year drought!     

In 10th Innning after Rain Delay       

 Update 11/02/16



Fall 1948 approached with change in the air for our little family of three -- my parents, new teen me, and two dogs.   A few months prior, I had to heart-breakingly part with my dog, King, which I've previously written about.   Property, all other animals and most of our belongings were sold at public auction that fall.  We moved into a small Trotwood trailer, hitched to our old Plymouth car and drove across the country in search of a climate a doctor reportedly thought might be a more healthy environment for Pop considering his worsening heart and respiratory problems.  

In the months ahead I attended four different Jr. High Schools in various states before we finally unexpectedly settled in one state half-way back across the continent from the Southwest.  We were returning to the  Great Lakes Midwest area but stopped in the South, considerably short of where we had originally started.   Our western Arizona  destination had been reached, but after only a few months in residence,  the ensuing dust storms sweeping across the desert  soon proved to be the exact opposite of Pop's needed healthy breathing environment, so we had headed back home.   

This trek, plus where we actually put down roots in the South for a number of years,  proved  to be an educational experience contributing significantly to  influencing my attitudes and helping form my beliefs -- including my personal philosophy toward marriage, culture, race relations,  living.   

Throughout that relocation trip the memories of the Cleveland Indians good fortunes winning the 1948 Baseball World Series stayed with me .   Their memory seemed to offer  a stable sense of place that was important to me long after the baseball season ended.    That Spring, Summer and Fall we had followed the Cleveland Indians march toward winning an American League pennant.  
I had immersed myself in the sport, charting score cards of every radio broadcast game we heard.  
To this day the names of many of the '48 Indian players and some of their unique plays are etched in my memory.    



The Cleveland Indians in winning the 1948 Baseball World Series, had their first championship since 1920.   Their Boston Braves losing opponents had not won their National League pennant since 1914, so still had that win in which to take pride.     I never followed a major league baseball team as closely afterward, but the Indians always had special meaning for me well beyond sports and baseball.  They symbolized much more to me those many  years ago --  a connection to my often longed-for home state since I was living in a somewhat isolated environment.   

My marriage many years later ultimately lead to my living on the West Coast.    I've long since ceased to regularly follow baseball or any specific team.   I've been aware the long-suffering Chicago Cubs baseball team fans have been awaiting their turn -- to be not only a National League pennant winner participating for the first time in the World Series since 1945  -- but to win that title, too, since 1908 was their last championship.    Through the years when I've heard mention of how the Cubs finished another year without winning, I've come to wish they could -- now, they finally have a chance. 

The Cleveland Indians last represented the American League in 1997, but haven't won a World Series since 1948 -- that significant year to me.    I surely do wish they could finally win again.  
Actually,  I would prefer these two teams were each in the playoffs against some other team -- one this year, the other next year -- rather than against each other, so each could possibly be a World Series winner. 

 I read sports writers predict a Chicago Cubs win, but I have mixed feelings, wanting the Cubs to win, but.....my reticent feelings,  associated with my allegiances to those long ago '48 Cleveland Indians,  coupled with their once symbolic meaning to me, have me wanting the Indians to win, too.  The first game is completed in the Indians favor.   I think this will be an interesting World Series to follow.   Perhaps, when the games conclude I'll be happy with whoever wins, but feel a touch of sadness  for the other team. 

12 comments:

  1. During the time of your western odyssey I was a pre-teen avid baseball fan. Recollections include the Boston Braves losing the 1948 series to Cleveland. Player-manager Lou Boudreau starred at shortstop, and two Bobs--Feller and Lemon--were ace pitchers.

    The Braves featured pitchers Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain, inspiring a classic baseball saying, "Spahn and Sain, and a day of rain." There are several other versions of that line, but that's how I remember hearing it. The Braves fell on bad times, and moved to Milwaukee a few years later. I saw one of the last games Spahn pitched there. He no longer could throw a spectacular fastball, but he still baffled batters with lots of motion and varied speeds.

    My Dad was a great Cubs fan, so we closely followed the Cubs last World Series appearance in 1945. They lost to the Detroit Tigers.

    I'm pulling for the Cubbies this time around. All things considered, the Indians actually won it in 1948, the Cubs merely appeared.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Familiar players names, and there were so many more Indians whose names I recall. Don't recall much about the Braves so enjoy hearing that perspective and the saying.

      Delete
  2. Hubby is watching the World Series and is hoping Chicago will win. Me? I don't watch baseball.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband would be watching now, too, I'm sure, but may be tracking the events with all the old timers he's joined in the beyond.

      Delete
  3. I'm so 'old baseball' I just cant help but pull for the Chicago Cubs. More so to honor Wrigley Field I think than anything else. Now if we were talking about the Brooklyn Dodgers or Milwaukee Braves taking on the New York Yankees I might have a much stronger opinion with regards to a winner but alas... those day have passed on by.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have the Dodgers here in L.A.; Angels in Anaheim. Fans were disappointed each of those teams weren't a contender. Ah, yes, Wrigley Field of old.

      Cubs won the second game in this current competition sports news tells me, so hopes of winning the series continues for the Cubs' and Indians' fans.

      Delete
  4. No dilemma here. All my cousins are rooting for the Cubs. To keep the peace, so am I.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing quite like family solidarity. I think the Cubs and the Indians are taking turns with these games and it was the Indians turn to win tonight.

      Delete
  5. Sigh.... I think the Indians are going to take the series. Having lived in Chicago for 35 years, this is pretty depressing for us right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Indians have won the 4th game -- 3 of the 4 games played so far. Will be a pressure filled challenge for the Cubs this next game, but "it isn't over 'til it's over", right?

      Delete
  6. I should be rooting for the American League team, the Cleveland Indians, but find myself wanting the Ghost gone for the Cubs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand. Looks like the Cubs have their work cut out for them beginning with the Tues., Nov 1st game. The Indians can wrap up the Series if they win. But even if the Cubs win the Tues. game, the pressure will still be on for the next game. Both games will be played on the Cleveland Indians home turf.

      Delete