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Once upon a time (OK, actually many years ago because this is indeed fact rather than fairytale), I wrote a letter to Jackie Robinson to ask for his autograph. He was retired from baseball and working as an executive for Chock Full o’Nuts in New York. The first African-American player to break the color line in major league baseball was kind enough to send back a short, typewritten note on company letterhead and signed it.
As a youngster, I put away the letter not knowing that years later that letter might have some value other than sentimental. Of course, as was the case with many a youngster and many an autograph and even more baseball cards, such items tended to disappear over time. The culprit in the scenario being one’s own mother. Also, of course, had not mothers globally acted so efficiently and insensitively, the market nowadays would face a glut of cards and other memorabilia that have been lost to the ages.
A photo of Lisa Marie Varon or one of a WSCR personality? No contest.
The reason for focusing on the Jackie Robinson letter is that April 15 marks the 65th anniversary of his big-league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Recommended reading on the subject — Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season by Jonathan Eig. Eig is a friend and editor-in-chief of ChicagoSideSports.com, the recently launched Internet site that provides comprehensive coverage — and original material — regarding Chicago’s sports scene and even occasionally beyond. Check out the site here.
Several years after the Robinson letter had gone missing in action, your humble correspondent spent a couple of summers in Stamford, Conn. Coincidentally, the future wife of yours truly lived there, as did Jackie and Rachel Robinson. And they didn’t live that far apart. So on a regular basis, I had the chance to drive past his home — which if memory serves (and occasionally it does) — was on High Ridge Road.
The temptation to stop, ring the doorbell and ask for a moment of time from one of American history’s most important figures was tempting. Each and every time passing past his home. But something said a man who had to endure the harsh glare — and worse — of being baseball’s barrier-breaker should not have to suffer a random imposition such as that.
Of course, after Robinson died in 1972 at age 53, there was always the lament of “if only I had …” that many people can identify with regarding various occurrences in their lives. All in all, however, I felt better for not having bothered him in person and knowing he actually had taken the time long ago to be gracious to a youngster whose recollections of his career came mostly during World Series telecasts in the mid-1950s. The image remains fresh — in black and white, which somehow seems fitting — of Jackie stealing home and New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra jumping up and down in protest of the call.
As precious as an autographed letter from Jackie Robinson might be today, the memory of its existence many years ago is even more precious to hold onto.
Speaking of memories, they were flowing freely Friday night at the 20th anniversary celebration of sports-talk radio’s WSCR. The event was held at Belvedere Events and Banquets in Elk Grove, Ill. and featured most of the Score personalities of today (absent was Dan McNeil for a conflicting familial engagement) and some of yesteryear. Tom Shaer, the first voice of the station, had some time on stage with current hosts and recalled the early days.
Among those missing were former hosts Mike North, Dan Jiggetts and Mike Murphy. Also missing were folks who had been at the Score but work at WMVP-AM (ESPN Chicago) and were not allowed opted not to attend [thank you for the clarification, Fred Huebner]. Shaer noted of the absences on Les Grobstein’s WSCR show after the event that anyone who did not show up “is an idiot.”
Then again, had North and Murphy been there, they likely still would have been subjected to some of the biting remarks that former co-workers were more than happy to make. That said, word of at least one former Score host requesting an appearance fee to show up seemed a bit much — or a good way to avoid attending.
It was great to see fellow former Sun-Times colleagues Terry Boers, Brian Hanley and Mike Mulligan, along with other personalities Dan Bernstein, Matt Spiegel, Laurence Holmes, Jason Goff, Hub Arkush and Grobstein and the rest of the WSCR cast of characters. As master of ceremonies, Matt Abbatacola was outstanding.
The only disappointment might have been for those who were expecting a raunchier presentation. The event proved to be more a celebration than a roast. And as far as anyone could tell, unlike the Ozzie Guillen roast of 2011, there were no fans — female or otherwise — getting into any fights during or after the proceedings.
Speaking of memorable figures (of another variety), Lisa Marie Varon was at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo on Saturday (April 14) at McCormick Place. In that elliottharris.com makes annual pilgrimmages (sounds way better than stalking, don’t you think?) to see pro wrestling’s Tara/Victoria/etc., this was a natural.
The question: Where in the enormous space devoted to c2e2 was she? Guided as if by some fantastic force, yours truly ended up within a matter of a very few minutes at the table where Lisa Marie was signing photographs for faithful fans. She then took time out to chat, and I am grateful for that — not only because it means we have a video to use, but because Lisa Marie is a delight. You can follow her on Facebook or on twitters at @REALLiSAMARiE.
She spoke of her recent training at HiFi Fitness and dropping 10 pounds and other topics. Check it out:
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