ALOHA !
Yeah, yeah...
Waikiki, Beach, Hawaii,
blah blah blah.
My mind is somewhere else-
Later today the
Philadelphia Phillies
will fight to remain
in the World Series Race.
The Phillies broadcasts
were the soundtrack of my
Summers growing up:
By Sahm, Harry Kalas,
John Facenda. . .
One day when I was little,
Dad drove me into the city. . .
After paying some local kids to "watch" our car
we approached a big brick building that blended in
with all the other brick
in the city that Philadelphia was
in the 50's.
My Dad told me that he went to
Mastbaum Technical High School right down the street.
I was a suburban kid,
but he was teaching me that these were the streets
we really came from. . .
courtesy (along with above): http://www.conniemackstadium.com/
I saw this on the website above
and remembered walking past that wall. . .
I'll never forget the brilliant green of the field
after all that brick;
There's even a very pleasing Hawaii connection in the person of the athletic
Shane "The Flyin` Hawaiian" Victorino.
He always seems to be in the thick of it!
after all that brick;
Right in the city!
I remember lots of cement and exposed girders.
It reminded me of the subway
"The Philadelphia Phillies are the oldest continuous one-city, one-nickname franchise in sports, and no team enjoys as rich a history and as deep a connection with their fans. From their first game in 1883 through the team's back-to-back trips to the World Series in 2008 and 2009, the Phillies have earned a special place in baseball history and cultivated a passionate relationship with fans near and far."
From THE OFFICIAL, DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE PHILLIES
Introduction by Mike Schmidt
Foreword by Christopher Guest
Dedicated to Harry Kalas
There's even a very pleasing Hawaii connection in the person of the athletic
Shane "The Flyin` Hawaiian" Victorino.
He always seems to be in the thick of it!
So this afternoon (here in Hawaiian Standard Time)
I will be spending time with FOX Sports,
and my ghosts:
Dad, Granddad, Jimmy,
and the kid I was growing up in Philly.
Hope you make some lifetime memories this weekend,
no matter how tiny.
They might just loom large in later times. . .
You may sometime long to recapture the treasures
that seem so plentiful today.
Warmly, cloudia
And GO PHILLIES!
38 comments:
Go Phillies!! Love the pictures and the video! :)
Baseball has always been a magical sport to me. It's so infused with lore and humanity and community that it's difficult to walk into a ballyard and not feel a greater presence.
Your touching perspective reminds me of my own childhood experiences with my dad, walking through the rough neighborhood where he grew up before we headed down to the game (the Montreal Expos, alas.)
The memories that outlive the man are among the most powerful we have, and are more influential in how we become the people we are than we casually appreciate.
Sometimes, I swear I've crossed your path previously. In a good way, of course. Thank you for this wonderful reflection, especially on this day.
My Yankees lost, but Philly is a very similar city with as loud a pulse. I have very fond memories of the old Yankee Stadium recently torn down, same kind, different city. Go Phillies and Aloha !Sending good luck honks to you from the Big Apple! ;)
Aw, that's great! What great memories, too!! It's so great to have that website and video to bring them back. I grew up with the Cincinnati Reds and Crosley Field.
Go Phillies!!
And Aloha to you, Cloudia!
Glad you have some happy memories of your childhood. Way to go, Cloudia!
wishing you a lovely time with your ghosts ;-}
Thank you HulaBuns.
Carmi, What can I say? Wonderful comment.
Honk! Cabbie :)
Used to watch the Reds with Pete Rose play at the Vet, Aunty!
Aloha, GiGi
Mahalo, Tammie :)
I am rooting for your team since my team (er, that is, my player) is out. Philly is such an awesome city, so full of so much that is wonderful about America, I hope they get to lift that trophy high.
namaste /\ from mumbai
aloha!!
Go, team, go! We're watching. US teams, nothing to do with us. BUt it is good ball. And a fun game.
On a cold night, with snow last night, nice to see green.
Go Phillies!
Love you guys :)
thanks
I have been a NY Mets fan since 1969, and so have never rooted for the Phillies. But I would have to feel very good about their chances of getting to and winning the World Series once again if I were a fan.
I love the memories of attending sporting events and playing sports, and especially with family. I relate, as you do, to the awe of the spectacular green field opening up in the heart of a large city and in the middle of a building. That awe struck image was even more memorable when I saw it in my daughter's eyes as she stepped out of the tunnel and viewed the field of Shea Stadium in 1996.
Great post.
Hey Cloudia,
There is something so grand about the old ballparks. I'm watching the playoffs as I write this. Have to confess, being a left coaster, I'm rooting for the Giants. Thanks for visiting and leaving comments. Really appreciate that.
Thanks for stopping by, Cloudia! I grew up in Phila.!!! Great memories.
Lisa xoxo
G' Day From Australia, Ok i know i'm from another country and don't really understand how baseball is played but i hope your team the Phillies wins on the day good luck.
Oh gosh! Thanks for these amazing moments of sharing
That's alot of old Hometown Team Spirit!
I've always loved baseball myself- n the Philles have done very well this year.
Great collection of pics you found for this post-
I went to Fenway with my Dad first when I was 7. His boss n pal used to lend him some of his season tix. Something i too will always remember-
Win or lose- hope you have a great week-end (I work week-ends...)
Have a great time, Cloudia. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you even though I don't follow baseball.
Very good video and photo! Baseball has always been a interesting sport to me - I wish you all the best for this Sunday morning.
Although I don't know anything about baseball. I hope that your team winns. Thanks for sharing your memories!
Hartelijke groeten uit Nederland!
♥ Olá, amiga!
Passei para uma visitinha...♥♥
Memórias... recordar é viver!...♥
Beijinhos.
♥ Boa semana!
♥♥ Itabira
Brasil♥♥
✿ܓܓ✿ܓ✿ܓ
Great pictures and the video too.
Namaste!
Great pics! Thanks for sharing...
Great pictures and video!
ALOHA!!!!!!!
What a lovely post, Cloudia, and what an interesting sport this sounds! And the sense of love in your descriptions is wonderful.
I'm so glad to be back, dear friend!
sorry they could not pull it out for you...a great game though...i have wonderful memories of baseball...aloha from VA....
Baseball, like they say, as American as apple pie.
What a digital scrapbook of visible memories.
I have a daily photo blog; however, now I can see the value of also having a more personal blog.
Thank you for your visit...
ruma
To quote Ernie Harwell the Detroit Baseball announcing legend "He let that one go by like a house standing on the side of the road."
That last pitch was a ball, low and outside. I guess the home plate umpire wanted to go home. Crossed the plate below his knees.
Amazing photos and videos, darling!
xoxox,
CC
Spent the day watching football yesterday and probably today. Not much of a baseball fan.
Good luck to your special team, but, erm, Cloudia, erm,
I don't understand who or what they are, erm. sorry.
As for memories, of whatever nature, they are who and what we are.
Aloha!
Hope things went well, Cloudia!
Some wonderful memories!
<><
You folks are wonderful
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