Long Summers Of Lou Dials
 

Not a super rare image but interesting to find in a pawn shop here in Oklahoma. Lou Dials signature Chicago American Giants. The photo is actually signed "to Gina and Ron" but I used a little Photoshop magic as this one will be added to my digitally archived collection. Never heard of Lou but now, after a bit of research, he has become a favorite in my still image collection. Enjoyed learning his story from a 1987 documentary produced for PBS at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvuBEF3KvVc

Lou was a fixture at Southern California shows for years. Touted by just a few people for the Hall of Fame off of his single Mexican League batting championship, he was never even a long way from getting in. But he was a very nice man and lots of fun to talk to.

Mr. Dials was also at two Nationals in Arlington that I can remember?

And at the 1991 National in Anaheim, he was our honorary coach in our softball game and for some unknown reason batted me leadoff -- and in the last good game of my softball career -- I went 5 for 5.