1983. The first year I played organized baseball. The first baseball memory I have when Julio Cruz scored the playoff clinching run for the Sox on a sacrifice fly. The last time a Chicago team was represented in the Little League World Series. Now 31 years ago, the love of baseball was just getting started; it still burns today.
I was 6 years old when I first took the field in Pee Wee league at Harrison Park. I’ve talked about my first game, and how it ended prematurely for me when I was knocked unconscious by a line drive off my chin. My team went on to finish in last place that year. Each year after that we improved until we won a championship. I’ll never forget my first championship. I remember being on the mound and striking out the last batter looking, to set off the celebration. The father of one of my teammates owned a corner store in the neighborhood, and supplied food and drinks, as we celebrated by running around all night in the park. Baseball was great. Winning was great. It didn’t get any better than that.
I have many, many memories of baseball, from pee wee to little league to pony league. One day, I’ll have to chronicle them all, but not today. Through all the memories, bad and good, I have one trophy sitting on top of my dresser: that 1st trophy I got back in 1983. Yep, the last place trophy. It was the 1st trophy I ever got, and while I don’t necessarily agree with the last place team getting a trophy, this trophy has a very special place in my heart. One day my son will get his first trophy; I will save it regardless of what place it was just like my dad did for me.
Later that year, the Sox clinched the division. I remember the term “winning ugly”, but not much else about that year. I remember exactly nothing from the playoff series vs the Orioles, but I do remember that division clinching night. The name Julio Cruz stuck with me all these years, along with the memory of him raising his arms after touching home plate after scoring the winning run on that sacrifice fly. It’s funny being a die hard Cubs fan that my first baseball memory is from the White Sox.
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I don’t remember the Chicago team going to the Little League World Series that year. I only know that because this year is the first year since then a Chicago team has made it back. They won their first game earlier this week, but got pasted today. I actually was flipping back and forth from the Cubs game to check in on their game. It’s very cool for a Chicago team to be on the big stage, even if it is only Little League. You think the pressure these kids are feeling is any less? Yeah, they may be too young to realize it all, but you better believe they feel the pressure. Yeah, it’s only a game, but the desire to do well (win) and the fear of failure (lose) starts early; I remember that. Even with today’s loss, they are still alive. I’ll be keeping an eye on them, and I’ll be rooting for them to win it all. We need a winner in Chicago baseball, and these kids would be the perfect team to do it.
As far as my current baseball career, it consists of managing a fantasy team. This week I won my 13th out of 14 weeks to finally claim 1st place. Now, I need to hold on 2 more weeks to claim the regular season title. I just can’t get enough baseball, and have to find some outlet for my competitive spirit. I’m sure that will be replaced when my son begins playing, but until then, I’ll continue playing all fantasy sports to satisfy this hunger.
So it all started competitively for me 31 years ago; damn I’m old. Baseball was my first love, and some of my first memories of the sport happened in that year of 1983. I eventually began to play and follow the other sports, and now I cheer for all my Chicago teams; even if it is some Little League team trying to win something that Chicago has never seen. I can think of another team trying to do something similar each year for the majority of their fan base; let’s hope we see both in our lifetime. Until then, win or lose, baseball continues to be my first love; that is, until football season starts…
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