"What are you, a Sissy?!" Ronald asked me.....
Background: My daddy loved football. In High School, he desperately wanted to play football, but his daddy only allowed him to play his Senior year.
I am sure Ronald had dreams of my football playing career, especially once my foot developed and didn't slow me down much in sports. Sure enough, I began playing football with the VRD in 1970 when I was in the fourth grade. I was on the Gold Team, and we were not good---our 0 and 2 record to start the season proved it. We had 4 teams in our league. Vidalia's legendary football star, Johnny Taylor was tearing up the League. The VRD moved him from his first team to a second. Then, they decided to put him on our team.
The word on the street: his daddy said, "If you move him one more time, I am taking him to the house."
Well, he stayed on our team. We went from worst to first! Our Gold Team beat the White Team 36 to 6 in the Championship Game. We probably had team names, but all I remember were the colors. Also, we each got a small trophy, which I thought was the greatest thing ever! Praise God for Johnny Taylor!
I continued to play VRD football in the fifth and sixth grades. However, I decided I would not play VRD football in the seventh grade. That is when Ronald and I had a conversation.
Daddy, "When does football start?"
Me, "I am not playing this year."
Daddy, "What are you a Sissy?!"
I don't think I answered. Ronald could have some weird ideas, but I don't ever remember him saying something that made me feel awful. I sure wanted to please my daddy, but I stuck to my guns and did not play football that year.
I had no intentions of playing football in the eighth grade either. In those days, the VRD had a football team for 14 year-old-and-younger boys. It was called Midget Varsity. It was kind of like All-Stars. We were in the same District as other VRD Sports. If you won your District, you would play for the South GA Championship, with the winner playing for State. After three days of practice in the Fall of 1974, I had some friends to approach me in the hall of school about playing. At first, I resisted. I think the thing that swayed me was a name (or two) of boys that I knew I could outplay. On day four, I went out for the team. I not only made the team, but I got a semi-position at left guard. I ran in plays with another player during the games. To make a long story shorter, I played as a thirteen and fourteen year old. I never missed a practice after I went out on the fourth day when I was thirteen. I did NOT play to please my daddy, but I am sure he was proud. In the Spring of 1975, I lasted 1 day of VHS Spring Football. My football career was over, and I never talked to my daddy about it again.
Daddy and I played golf a little bit, but I never really liked the game growing up. He played it 3 times a week. Looking back, I really wished I would have played at a younger age or he would have lived long enough for us to play together as adults.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
My Daddy (AKA Ronald); Part Three; "Spectating Sports"
I can't remember not loving sports. Daddy must have been the genesis of my sports-love affair. He was an avid sports enthusiast. It should come as no surprise that my first Big Sporting Event was a Braves game in 1967 when I was 5-years-old. Although we loved the Braves, Ronald's favorite baseball team in my early years were the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles were a powerhouse in the late 60s and early 70s. So much, that I thought they were our 'State Team,' and the Green Bay Packers were our 'State Football Team.' Of course, the Packers won the first two super bowls in those years.
One of the biggest highlights of watching a sporting event live, was the 1972 All-Star Baseball game held in Atlanta. Daddy and I had great seats. We were Field Level at the First Base Bag. We were probably 30-40 rows up from the field. The National League won the game 4-3 in the bottom of the tenth inning on a Joe Morgan Walk-Off-Hit! Hank Aaron hit a homer! 90% of the fans went home happy, but not Ronald and me. Since "our team," the Baltimore Orioles played in the American League, we were pulling for that league. Give me a break!
Strangely enough, we went to so many Braves' games that I lost count. Somehow, the Orioles faded and the Braves became 'my team.' I loved those games. I can remember thinking, "We have a whole hour before the game starts." It about did me in to have to wait for the first pitch. The great thing about the Braves being a terrible team were the tickets! You could walk up off the street and purchase great tickets for less than $10! It was a different time.
Ronald also instilled in me the love of Vidalia Indian Football. The first game I actually remember was the 1969 State Championship game when Vidalia defeated Lithonia by a score of 7-6. I remember Lithonia had a star on their helmet. As an eight-year-old, the uniforms were more interesting than the game itself. Our family went to most of the VHS football games for years. As a young boy, I loved playing cup football underneath the stands. We would often play the kids that were fans of the opponents' team. I am not really sure when I got old enough to actually watch the games. However, once I began watching, I must have seen hundreds of games. As a younger guy, the games meant so much to me! After all, we were a perennial powerhouse.
My sister played 3 years of VHS Basketball in the early 70s. I really enjoyed those games. Our Boys and Girls had excellent teams during that time period. For the young readers, the High School Girls game was a little different in that day. There were 6 players for each team on the court. There were 2 rovers who could go anywhere on the court. Then, there were 2 forwards who could only play on the offensive half of the court. Finally, there were 2 defenders who could only play on the defensive side of the court. My sister, Nancy, was a guard (or defender).
During the early 70s, all the state playoff games were played in the Macon Coliseum. As a kid, it was an extra-cool experience to be in that vast arena. It seemed like every year Vidalia played in Macon. After my sister graduated and I was in High School, I can remember catching rides with different people to watch the games in Macon. Yes, it was a different time...
One of the biggest highlights of watching a sporting event live, was the 1972 All-Star Baseball game held in Atlanta. Daddy and I had great seats. We were Field Level at the First Base Bag. We were probably 30-40 rows up from the field. The National League won the game 4-3 in the bottom of the tenth inning on a Joe Morgan Walk-Off-Hit! Hank Aaron hit a homer! 90% of the fans went home happy, but not Ronald and me. Since "our team," the Baltimore Orioles played in the American League, we were pulling for that league. Give me a break!
Strangely enough, we went to so many Braves' games that I lost count. Somehow, the Orioles faded and the Braves became 'my team.' I loved those games. I can remember thinking, "We have a whole hour before the game starts." It about did me in to have to wait for the first pitch. The great thing about the Braves being a terrible team were the tickets! You could walk up off the street and purchase great tickets for less than $10! It was a different time.
Ronald also instilled in me the love of Vidalia Indian Football. The first game I actually remember was the 1969 State Championship game when Vidalia defeated Lithonia by a score of 7-6. I remember Lithonia had a star on their helmet. As an eight-year-old, the uniforms were more interesting than the game itself. Our family went to most of the VHS football games for years. As a young boy, I loved playing cup football underneath the stands. We would often play the kids that were fans of the opponents' team. I am not really sure when I got old enough to actually watch the games. However, once I began watching, I must have seen hundreds of games. As a younger guy, the games meant so much to me! After all, we were a perennial powerhouse.
My sister played 3 years of VHS Basketball in the early 70s. I really enjoyed those games. Our Boys and Girls had excellent teams during that time period. For the young readers, the High School Girls game was a little different in that day. There were 6 players for each team on the court. There were 2 rovers who could go anywhere on the court. Then, there were 2 forwards who could only play on the offensive half of the court. Finally, there were 2 defenders who could only play on the defensive side of the court. My sister, Nancy, was a guard (or defender).
During the early 70s, all the state playoff games were played in the Macon Coliseum. As a kid, it was an extra-cool experience to be in that vast arena. It seemed like every year Vidalia played in Macon. After my sister graduated and I was in High School, I can remember catching rides with different people to watch the games in Macon. Yes, it was a different time...
Thursday, May 24, 2018
My Daddy (AKA Ronald); Part Two "A Problem With Me Having Long Hair--REALLY!?"
My daddy was a Staff Sergeant with the Army-Air Force In WWII. I think he brought a lot of military home with him. He had a Crewcut---maybe from birth!
He hated the idea of my hair being long. My awareness of this fact came at an early age.
"You go cut that hair, or I will!" Daddy told me when I was around 6-years-old.
I have that episodic memory of looking into the mirror in my momma's bedroom--probably crying--trying to cut my bangs. (Yes, I had bangs.) When I was finished, the grownups realized that I would not have a career as a barber. To add insult to injury, since my self-haircut was so bad, I had to go to the Barber Shop to get more cut off!
It was amazing how important the length of my hair was to Ronald and me! He wanted it short and I wanted it long. It was probably the biggest issue of our relationship when I was growing up, so I guess things could have been much worse.
Speaking of trips to the barber as a youngster: I distinctly remember the barber cutting the sides of my head and trying to make sure things were straight. He told me a joke.
"There was a man trying to build a table. He kept cutting a little off one leg, and a little off another leg--to get them straight. After awhile, there were no legs." Whawawa! I busted out crying!
My daddy had a car parts store called Automotive Supply. It was located on Main Street, and I spent much of my childhood there. I even had my first paying job for my daddy when I was 11 or 12. I was so proud to ride my bike to work and get $.75/hour. My first lesson in taking the initiative came with it. Ronald would give me a list of jobs to do. When I was finished, I would sit down.
Ronald, "Why are you sitting down?"
I told him, "I am finished with the list of jobs."
Ronald, "Well don't sit down! Find something to do. Dust the parts."
After a few moments of confusion--because it wasn't on the list--I got up and dusted.
Somewhere along the way, a few of Daddy's customers started giving me a hard time about my hair being too long. FOR REAL! It got to be so embarrassing that I rarely went to the store.
Of course there were the times that Daddy would get home and wonder if he locked the store.
"Son, will you ride up to the store with me. I want to make sure I locked the door."
"Yes sir." I was glad to ride up to the store with him. But in my young mind, I did not understand how he could forget to lock the door. Ha! I don't know about you, but it hit me early in my adult life to check doors that I was not sure I locked.
There was another very important demand, besides hair, that my daddy had for me--great grades in school. I think I made all A's, except twice from K-8th grade. Great grades did not come to me easily. I really had to study. I rarely missed school. It was not that big of a problem, besides having to be there so early, but I HATED homework! I wanted to play after school, not do more of the stuff I left at 3:15! I started hating school in the sixth grade! But I had extrinsic reasons to do well.
In the eighth grade, an event changed my life. Ronald had a heart attack! It was not lethal, but it changed his perspective. He never said another word to me about grades or hair. When I entered VHS in the ninth grade, my hair got long and my grades got short. I was a terrible student in High School! After a ninth grade that saw my hair as long as it ever was, I kept it cut to a respectable length the rest of High School--but NEVER short.
As I think back on my life, there are so many ironies! I will end Part Two with the irony of the hair. Within a couple of years of Ronald's death, I got my hair cut as short as could be done with scissors. Even more ironic, is my presently shaved head!
He hated the idea of my hair being long. My awareness of this fact came at an early age.
"You go cut that hair, or I will!" Daddy told me when I was around 6-years-old.
I have that episodic memory of looking into the mirror in my momma's bedroom--probably crying--trying to cut my bangs. (Yes, I had bangs.) When I was finished, the grownups realized that I would not have a career as a barber. To add insult to injury, since my self-haircut was so bad, I had to go to the Barber Shop to get more cut off!
It was amazing how important the length of my hair was to Ronald and me! He wanted it short and I wanted it long. It was probably the biggest issue of our relationship when I was growing up, so I guess things could have been much worse.
Speaking of trips to the barber as a youngster: I distinctly remember the barber cutting the sides of my head and trying to make sure things were straight. He told me a joke.
"There was a man trying to build a table. He kept cutting a little off one leg, and a little off another leg--to get them straight. After awhile, there were no legs." Whawawa! I busted out crying!
My daddy had a car parts store called Automotive Supply. It was located on Main Street, and I spent much of my childhood there. I even had my first paying job for my daddy when I was 11 or 12. I was so proud to ride my bike to work and get $.75/hour. My first lesson in taking the initiative came with it. Ronald would give me a list of jobs to do. When I was finished, I would sit down.
Ronald, "Why are you sitting down?"
I told him, "I am finished with the list of jobs."
Ronald, "Well don't sit down! Find something to do. Dust the parts."
After a few moments of confusion--because it wasn't on the list--I got up and dusted.
Somewhere along the way, a few of Daddy's customers started giving me a hard time about my hair being too long. FOR REAL! It got to be so embarrassing that I rarely went to the store.
Of course there were the times that Daddy would get home and wonder if he locked the store.
"Son, will you ride up to the store with me. I want to make sure I locked the door."
"Yes sir." I was glad to ride up to the store with him. But in my young mind, I did not understand how he could forget to lock the door. Ha! I don't know about you, but it hit me early in my adult life to check doors that I was not sure I locked.
There was another very important demand, besides hair, that my daddy had for me--great grades in school. I think I made all A's, except twice from K-8th grade. Great grades did not come to me easily. I really had to study. I rarely missed school. It was not that big of a problem, besides having to be there so early, but I HATED homework! I wanted to play after school, not do more of the stuff I left at 3:15! I started hating school in the sixth grade! But I had extrinsic reasons to do well.
In the eighth grade, an event changed my life. Ronald had a heart attack! It was not lethal, but it changed his perspective. He never said another word to me about grades or hair. When I entered VHS in the ninth grade, my hair got long and my grades got short. I was a terrible student in High School! After a ninth grade that saw my hair as long as it ever was, I kept it cut to a respectable length the rest of High School--but NEVER short.
As I think back on my life, there are so many ironies! I will end Part Two with the irony of the hair. Within a couple of years of Ronald's death, I got my hair cut as short as could be done with scissors. Even more ironic, is my presently shaved head!
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
My Daddy (AKA Ronald); Part One
PREFACE: As I get older, I realize the importance of having a father, and the blessing of having a good father. My heart goes out to those children who do not have this blessing. I praise God for surrogate parents and homes that help to be the father to these children.
It was 1961 or 1962 when my parents began taking me to Savannah every two weeks to see one of my heroes, Dr. Peterson. I had a club foot and an undeveloped heel. Dr. Peterson first used casts, then braces to correct the problem. He did a wonderful job on my foot, but he did more for my soul. I remember getting candy and a toy upon each visit. Dr. Peterson was always kind. He must have been an exceptional doctor, because Daddy was extremely pleased with him. It was no ordinary task to please my Daddy, but he certainly showed appreciation for those who hit the high watermark! I really appreciate my parents and others who took me on those journeys to Savannah. They fought the early morning sun and the late afternoon sun. I only remember it being a cool experience. Candy, toys, brick streets....what more could you ask for! Somewhere along the age of 6, my braces came off. I can remember needing high-top shoes---not always cool. As I grew, the foot and small calf were part of me. Thankfully, they didn't hold me back from anything!
In the late 60s and early 70s, my family took an annual vacation to Tybee Island for 10 days. We always stayed at "Mr. Brown's Motel." It came complete with a kitchenette. I am not sure how much of a vacation my mother had! Daddy loved to use the 8mm camera to film everything. We had plenty of footage from Tybee. Much of the time, I swam in the pool. Back in that day, a pool was cool...they were not found on every street corner. Ronald loved the Braves! We would listen to the games via radio for cheap-nightly entertainment. Oh, did I mention Ronald did NOT like to spend money?! He was El Cheapo! The money management part of his life did not rub off on me like the love of the Braves. I had no idea how terrible the team was. And didn't care! They were our state team! Other forms of entertainment on our beach trips included: going to Chus Dept. Store and going to Savannah once during the 10 days. That was the best part. We went to see the Savannah Minor League Baseball Team, shopped (very little money spent), watched a fireworks show, and went to the movie. Over the course of different years, I remember watching Big Jake and The Green Berets--2 John Wayne classics. All of these things were fun, but having my daddy there, made them special.
Growing up in the Lowe House revolved around Church, Automotive Supply (my daddy's car part store), and sports. My daddy was serious about my sister and I going to Sunday school when we were young. Saturdays included making sure the car was clean and shoes were shined. Momma taught Sunday school (sixth grade) for 30 years. Daddy religiously played golf on Sunday mornings for more than 30 years. He also played on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday afternoons. Ronald really wanted me to play golf. I tried when I was around 11 or 12, but there were 3 problems: it was very hot, it was very boring, and it messed up my baseball swing. So, my daddy summed it up accurately: You won a trophy and quit playing. (I think I got a trophy for Runner-Up in the Last Flight.) Ironically, I fell in love with the game a few years after Ronald died.
My sister and I had chores. Some of the chores I remember were: taking out the trash every day, sweeping out the garage every Saturday morning, cutting the grass, and raking leaves. Then, there were special projects like filling up all the holes in the yard with dirt. Here comes Ronald's cheapness again....we had a sorry old Sears lawn mower. If it got hot, you had to wait for it to cool off to continue. Then there was this piece-a-junk wheel barrow. The handle was broken. Try moving dirt to fill up about 30 holes with a wheel barrow with a broken handle. I know...complain, complain! Now, I am so glad that I had to do chores growing up. Hopefully, children still do them.
I want to end Part One by bragging on my daddy. He usually got home from work at 6:10. I would have the football or baseball/gloves ready (depending on the season). I know he was tired many times, but I NEVER remember him turning me down to throw in our spot in the side-yard. Those times were precious then and they are precious memories now. Good job, Ronald!
It was 1961 or 1962 when my parents began taking me to Savannah every two weeks to see one of my heroes, Dr. Peterson. I had a club foot and an undeveloped heel. Dr. Peterson first used casts, then braces to correct the problem. He did a wonderful job on my foot, but he did more for my soul. I remember getting candy and a toy upon each visit. Dr. Peterson was always kind. He must have been an exceptional doctor, because Daddy was extremely pleased with him. It was no ordinary task to please my Daddy, but he certainly showed appreciation for those who hit the high watermark! I really appreciate my parents and others who took me on those journeys to Savannah. They fought the early morning sun and the late afternoon sun. I only remember it being a cool experience. Candy, toys, brick streets....what more could you ask for! Somewhere along the age of 6, my braces came off. I can remember needing high-top shoes---not always cool. As I grew, the foot and small calf were part of me. Thankfully, they didn't hold me back from anything!
In the late 60s and early 70s, my family took an annual vacation to Tybee Island for 10 days. We always stayed at "Mr. Brown's Motel." It came complete with a kitchenette. I am not sure how much of a vacation my mother had! Daddy loved to use the 8mm camera to film everything. We had plenty of footage from Tybee. Much of the time, I swam in the pool. Back in that day, a pool was cool...they were not found on every street corner. Ronald loved the Braves! We would listen to the games via radio for cheap-nightly entertainment. Oh, did I mention Ronald did NOT like to spend money?! He was El Cheapo! The money management part of his life did not rub off on me like the love of the Braves. I had no idea how terrible the team was. And didn't care! They were our state team! Other forms of entertainment on our beach trips included: going to Chus Dept. Store and going to Savannah once during the 10 days. That was the best part. We went to see the Savannah Minor League Baseball Team, shopped (very little money spent), watched a fireworks show, and went to the movie. Over the course of different years, I remember watching Big Jake and The Green Berets--2 John Wayne classics. All of these things were fun, but having my daddy there, made them special.
Growing up in the Lowe House revolved around Church, Automotive Supply (my daddy's car part store), and sports. My daddy was serious about my sister and I going to Sunday school when we were young. Saturdays included making sure the car was clean and shoes were shined. Momma taught Sunday school (sixth grade) for 30 years. Daddy religiously played golf on Sunday mornings for more than 30 years. He also played on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday afternoons. Ronald really wanted me to play golf. I tried when I was around 11 or 12, but there were 3 problems: it was very hot, it was very boring, and it messed up my baseball swing. So, my daddy summed it up accurately: You won a trophy and quit playing. (I think I got a trophy for Runner-Up in the Last Flight.) Ironically, I fell in love with the game a few years after Ronald died.
My sister and I had chores. Some of the chores I remember were: taking out the trash every day, sweeping out the garage every Saturday morning, cutting the grass, and raking leaves. Then, there were special projects like filling up all the holes in the yard with dirt. Here comes Ronald's cheapness again....we had a sorry old Sears lawn mower. If it got hot, you had to wait for it to cool off to continue. Then there was this piece-a-junk wheel barrow. The handle was broken. Try moving dirt to fill up about 30 holes with a wheel barrow with a broken handle. I know...complain, complain! Now, I am so glad that I had to do chores growing up. Hopefully, children still do them.
I want to end Part One by bragging on my daddy. He usually got home from work at 6:10. I would have the football or baseball/gloves ready (depending on the season). I know he was tired many times, but I NEVER remember him turning me down to throw in our spot in the side-yard. Those times were precious then and they are precious memories now. Good job, Ronald!
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Mrs. Tense 1.6; Mrs. Tense and JoJo
"Wonder if Mrs. Tense will like my essay?" JoJo said aloud.
"Do you think it is a good essay, JoJo?" His mom asked.
"Absolutely (in his best Rocky voice)!"
"That's all that matters. and...getting an A."
"Ha! Good one, Mom."
"Son, Mrs. Tense has been a shining star in your life. She will treat you fairly."
"For sure."
SIXTH PERIOD THE NEXT DAY
"Now class, shut that talking."
The class spoke in unison, "Yes mam."
"Class, turn in your essays to the clerk at this time."
As the students walked over to the Clerk's desk, Paulie knocked the pencil off Taylor's desk.
Taylor acted like he didn't see it. However, as Paulie went back to his desk, Taylor stuck out his leg and Paulie came tumbling down.
In 2 seconds, Mrs. Tense was on the scene.
"What in the world is going on here?!"
Paulie jumped up and said, "This little punk tripped me!"
"First, do NOT call anybody punk. Now, Taylor did you trip Paulie?"
"Yes mam."
"Detention tomorrow. Sign the form on your way out."
Taylor mumbled, "you jump in a fire..."
"What did you say, Taylor?"
"Yes mam."
Mrs. Tense's focus today was Listening.
"To speak well, you must learn to listen well." Mrs. Tense explained.
She went on to ask, "Why?"
Sassy Sue said, "It's kinda like being a good writer. You also need to be a good reader."
Tense coaxed Sassy to continue, "Well, the more you read the correct method of writing, the easier it is to write well."
Tense nodded with approval. "Great answer, Sue. We could call both: Follow the Model."
"We have played Follow the Leader. This is similar. As we listen to a good speaker, we must take note of several things. Look at the board for Follow the Model. Take notes."
Follow the Model
1. Focus on the speaker with your eyes. (Keep your eye on the speaker.)
2. Focus on the speaker with your ears. (Don't just hear, listen.)
3. Take notes of important points.
4. Look for the beginning, meat of the speech, and the closing.
5. Use your learning to imitate the speaker.
Tomorrow, we have a speaker scheduled to come talk with you. Your task is to Follow the Model.
Brrrrrrrrrrrr The bell sounds to end the day.
"Do you think it is a good essay, JoJo?" His mom asked.
"Absolutely (in his best Rocky voice)!"
"That's all that matters. and...getting an A."
"Ha! Good one, Mom."
"Son, Mrs. Tense has been a shining star in your life. She will treat you fairly."
"For sure."
SIXTH PERIOD THE NEXT DAY
"Now class, shut that talking."
The class spoke in unison, "Yes mam."
"Class, turn in your essays to the clerk at this time."
As the students walked over to the Clerk's desk, Paulie knocked the pencil off Taylor's desk.
Taylor acted like he didn't see it. However, as Paulie went back to his desk, Taylor stuck out his leg and Paulie came tumbling down.
In 2 seconds, Mrs. Tense was on the scene.
"What in the world is going on here?!"
Paulie jumped up and said, "This little punk tripped me!"
"First, do NOT call anybody punk. Now, Taylor did you trip Paulie?"
"Yes mam."
"Detention tomorrow. Sign the form on your way out."
Taylor mumbled, "you jump in a fire..."
"What did you say, Taylor?"
"Yes mam."
Mrs. Tense's focus today was Listening.
"To speak well, you must learn to listen well." Mrs. Tense explained.
She went on to ask, "Why?"
Sassy Sue said, "It's kinda like being a good writer. You also need to be a good reader."
Tense coaxed Sassy to continue, "Well, the more you read the correct method of writing, the easier it is to write well."
Tense nodded with approval. "Great answer, Sue. We could call both: Follow the Model."
"We have played Follow the Leader. This is similar. As we listen to a good speaker, we must take note of several things. Look at the board for Follow the Model. Take notes."
Follow the Model
1. Focus on the speaker with your eyes. (Keep your eye on the speaker.)
2. Focus on the speaker with your ears. (Don't just hear, listen.)
3. Take notes of important points.
4. Look for the beginning, meat of the speech, and the closing.
5. Use your learning to imitate the speaker.
Tomorrow, we have a speaker scheduled to come talk with you. Your task is to Follow the Model.
Brrrrrrrrrrrr The bell sounds to end the day.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Mrs. Tense 1.7; The Tense Love for the Braves
"Strike THREE, The Batter is out!" Ernie Johnson emphatically announced.
"The Braves get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh!
The game remains tied 5 to 5." Skip Carey concluded.
The Tenses loved listening to the Braves on WZAT out of Smallville. They rarely missed listening, and they always took at least one trip a year to Atlanta-Fulton Co. Stadium to watch their favorite team play live. It was April 1977, every team had a clean slate and hoped to win their respective division. The Atlanta Braves had one Division Crown. That was back in 1969, but maybe this year would bring the second Division Winner to Atlanta!
Jeff Burroughs led off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit. He was slower than Christmas, but he was a smart base-runner. Rod Gilbreath followed with a single.
Ernie screeched, "The Braves are in business! Two on and NOBODY out!"
Freddy Tense got so excited that he almost dropped his bowl of Briers Ice Cream.
Carol said, "Freddy, if you spill a drop of ice cream, I will pretend like I am Jeff Burroughs and your head is the BALL!"
After a moment of silence, they broke out into laughter.
About that time, Gary Matthews strolled to the plate.
He took ball one...a little low.
"Strike one. The count is even at 1 and 1," Ernie let the audience know.
Skip added, "He might want that pitch back. It was a beaut."
Skip was wrong.
"There's a drive, deep left-centerfield! That ball is...outta here! The Braves lead 10-7!" Ernie announce the homer, as only he could.
Skip peddled back, "I am glad he waited on that pitch."
The Tenses cleaned, read the paper, and ate more ice cream as the night went on. But, they had the radio loud enough to keep up with the game. The Braves hung on to win 10-9. The Tenses and thousands of Braves fans went to bed with smiles on their faces.
This could be the BRAVES' Year!
"The Braves get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh!
The game remains tied 5 to 5." Skip Carey concluded.
The Tenses loved listening to the Braves on WZAT out of Smallville. They rarely missed listening, and they always took at least one trip a year to Atlanta-Fulton Co. Stadium to watch their favorite team play live. It was April 1977, every team had a clean slate and hoped to win their respective division. The Atlanta Braves had one Division Crown. That was back in 1969, but maybe this year would bring the second Division Winner to Atlanta!
Jeff Burroughs led off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit. He was slower than Christmas, but he was a smart base-runner. Rod Gilbreath followed with a single.
Ernie screeched, "The Braves are in business! Two on and NOBODY out!"
Freddy Tense got so excited that he almost dropped his bowl of Briers Ice Cream.
Carol said, "Freddy, if you spill a drop of ice cream, I will pretend like I am Jeff Burroughs and your head is the BALL!"
After a moment of silence, they broke out into laughter.
About that time, Gary Matthews strolled to the plate.
He took ball one...a little low.
"Strike one. The count is even at 1 and 1," Ernie let the audience know.
Skip added, "He might want that pitch back. It was a beaut."
Skip was wrong.
"There's a drive, deep left-centerfield! That ball is...outta here! The Braves lead 10-7!" Ernie announce the homer, as only he could.
Skip peddled back, "I am glad he waited on that pitch."
The Tenses cleaned, read the paper, and ate more ice cream as the night went on. But, they had the radio loud enough to keep up with the game. The Braves hung on to win 10-9. The Tenses and thousands of Braves fans went to bed with smiles on their faces.
This could be the BRAVES' Year!
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