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Frank WakefieldMy first game, 1963, Bat Night in St. Louis, saw Mr. Musial play.
1964. Game 7 of the World Series. I'm squeezed through the turnstile with Dad, even though I had a ticket. The ticket guy was saving a click on his turnstile, so he could "let" a friend in later. Cards win!!!! Gibson wins! And I saw Mantle's last WS home run.
In early 1965, I think, 2 Cardinals catchers go down, the game is delayed while Mike Shannon puts on the tools of ignorance, and proceeds to catch the rest of the game. Warren Spahn pitched in that game for the Giants.
1965, saw Koufax and Gibson pitch, sat in the right field pavillion in St. Louis... I can still hear the catcher's mitts popping, from so far away.
1965, my first baseball autographs. All 3 were Phillies. I wanted Cookie Rojas, had is ball card. Got his signature first. And while in line to get Gary Wagner's autograph, this old guy with whisker stubble came up and offered to sign. I let him. When I returned to my seat, Dad asked who I'd got to sign. I proudly told him Rojas, Wagner, and some old guy. Dad looked at the autograph and laughed, saying he was the best one, Lew Burdette. I still have the scorecard.
1966, I think. Not a great game, but a great play. About bottom of 7th, no one on base. Gagliano pinch hits. Routine single to right. He hustles down the line. Clemente jogs in. 2b jogs into right. SS moves to the 2b bag. Clemente goes to one knee and is squared up for a throw to second. Gagliano rounds first, the first baseman stands on the bag. Clemente, with his head looking toward second, fires a laser rocket shot that almost bores the first baseman a new belly button. Gagliano, who wasn't really that far around the bag, freezes, and the fist baseman walks over and tags him. I don't recall who won. I can close my eyes and see Clemente on that green grass, bending down on one knee...
1966, I think. Sunday day game in St. Louis. Don't know who won. I do know that McCovey hit a baseball that started up and toward dead center in the upper deck... not center field, the upper deck. Then the ball hooked a bit to right. It landed WAY up in the upper deck. Longest HR I've ever seen. I think it was in the top 10 at one time. The stadium was silent.
1979. Saw Brock's 3000th hit.
1982, saw Darrell Porter's left field hit in game 2 of the WS.
In early 80s at Riverfront, saw Mario Soto a pitch away from a no hitter. Reds up 1-0, top of 9th, 2 out, 2 strikes on George Hendrick. And Soto throws in and knocks him down. I was shocked. Why would he do that??? I told my companions what a foolish move that was. I can see George getting back up, jamming his helmet back onto his head, standing back in, and lining the next pitch on a very low trajectory over the left field fence. No No gone. Reds won in the bottom of the 9th.
Yikes, left this one out.... June 22, 1984, now wife and her kids drive up to Cincy, where I'm in law school. Next morning we drive to Chicago, Saturday's NBC game of the week, Cards at Cubs. What a game. Cubs win in 11 innings 12-11. McGee gets 6 RBIs, Sandburg 7. A seesaw game. We drive to Wrigley, finally find a place to park, get in the ticket line, and when it is my turn they tell me the game is sold out... hundreds of miles for nothing. But then the lady says I can get 4 standing room tickets. I get those. We stand by an older gentleman and his grandson. This old man loves the game. We gradually talk baseball for a few innings. He knows his baseball. After a few innings I ask him who his favorite team is. He gazes out toward the outfield, reflects a moment, and without looking at me says "The Giants... the New York Giants." 27 years, and he has not forgiven them for moving west. We got seats in the upper deck in the 7th. A great game, McGee and Sandburg each had 2 HRs, Cubs scored once in bottom of 9th to tie it, twice in bottom of 10th to again tie it... and the Cards starter was Ralph Citarella, I have a jersey of his.
1999, June 25th. At Bank One Ballpark. 2 hour 10 minute game. Big Unit goes the distance, allows only 5 hits against the Cards, walked 2, only one run in the top of the 9th. Jose Jimenez allows 2 walks, no runs, and no hits. I finally get to see a no hitter!!! At game with my parents, wife, and twin daughters. And I met Lew Lipset before the game, at the ballpark. After lots of telephone conversations and some letters, I finally meet the gentleman. A great day for me. Several years later I got Jimenez to sign one of the ticket stubs from that game.
Sept 11, 1985, saw Pete Rose's hit # 4192, was in law school at the time.
Lowlights.... Game 6 of 1968 WS, a long day for a Cardinal fan kid at the park... Dead umpire opening day game... and game 4 of 2004 WS. I was there, and the only good part was that the Sox fans in attendance were true fans, starving for that win. They truly revered the event. Almost every one of them showed grace and class in winning, that made it tolerable.
Frank W.