Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Posted on July 21st, 2001 at 12:00pm by Phil

The Routly’s and baseball go back a long way. Some of the earliest stories I remember hearing about my Dad, Ron, include him catching, while his older brother, Gerry, pitched - of course. In fact, in 1929, my Dad played second base for the Ontario Bantam championship team, from Peterborough, Ontario.

Throughout my childhood, there were may nights when we would cross the Hunter Street Bridge to watch some great softball, often featuring one of the best pitchers I ever saw, Ray Judd. I also remember going to the odd Toronto Maple Leaf game on the lakeshore in downtown Toronto, and even to see the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium one July afternoon in 1963 (I think). I don’t remember much about the game, but I know there was an eclipse of the sun that afternoon!

When Elsie, the children and I moved to Toronto in 1979, our interest in the Blue Jays began. For the next 14 years, as we stayed close to Toronto, our attraction to the team increased, and included many highlights, including a League Championship Series game against Kansas City in ‘85, getting lots of autographs, meeting Fred McGriff in Eaton’s Centre, attending a game at SkyDome for the first time, having dinner at Windows Restaurant while the Jays beat Kirby Puckett and the Twins, and of course, two World Series championships in ‘92 and ‘93. Let’s not discuss what’s happened since then.

Our move to British Columbia meant attending the occasional game in Seattle, and seeing the Reds play at Candlestick in San Francisco in ‘94 - the day before the strike began. When Dave got married and moved to Phoenix, it meant two visit in March, and of course, that means spring training, involving several teams in the Cactus League, and included Garth Brook’s premiere in left field for the San Diego Padres. I still wear the cap I bought that day in Peoria.

Last night took our appreciation for baseball to a different level. Elsie and I are visiting Dave and Maia, and of course Bren and Jace (they turn three months old this week). While in Atlanta, we had to take in a Braves game, and Dave made the plans. It turns out Pfizer, where he now works, has just bought out Parke-Davis, and they own a private box at Turner Field. With a group of trainees in town, they booked it for last night, so Dave and I had the privilege of joining them. With catered hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers and hot wings, this was right up there with the peel-and-eat shrimp of Windows Restaurant - but with the added advantage of being a part of the crowd. Oh, and after taking an early 3-0 lead, the Braves managed to give up 5 runs in the 8th, and lost 5-4. Seeing the Braves lose in Atlanta is something I’ve always enjoyed seeing - ever since an October night in ‘92!

Now, if I could only find Dave’s old glove - the one with Bill Caudill’s autograph - maybe Bren, Jace and I could play a little catch. Maybe not THIS year, but soon.

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