What Baseball Artifact Brings You Back in Time in the Deepest Way?

[whitehse]

This is something I wrote a few months ago and I hope fits exactly what the OP is asking for.

The summer of 1969 provided many memorable moments in history. We saw the first moon landing, A little music festival in Woodstock, New York, the Vietnam war was still raging and the Bums in Wrigley’s bleachers were signing Hey Hey, Holy Mackeral because the Chicago Cubs were making a legitimate run for the National League pennant. All over Chicagoland the lowly north siders began to steal the hearts of baseball fans with their winning ways and Cub Power was sweeping the land. Little did those fans know at the time that Cub Power would be timeless, but their team was not as the Cubs once again failed to appear in the post-season and would not do so for several more seasons.


It was during this summer that my Aunt Bertha, who lived just beyond the Chicago city limits and who was well aware of my 6 year old fanaticism for all things baseball gave me a gift that I would never take off until it literally fell off of my back. It was on one of her semi-monthly trips to “the country” when she casually handed me a bag that contained a t-shirt, but not just any t-shirt, but one in which had the logo emblazoned on the front that I began to see all over television. With the words “Cub Power” printed in the traditional blue and red of the north side baseball team, I stood in awe as I hurriedly stripped the shirt I had on and replaced it with my gift from my now favorite Aunt. I wore that t-shirt until it became a dingy gray color and the logo slowly peeled off from too many times in the wash cycle but whenever I see that logo I am immediately transported back to a time in which summer meant baseball and watching the Cubs on WGN was must see TV.


A few years ago, my cousin came upon this picture of myself, my sister and brother appearing to do some sort of yard work for my grandmother who appeared in the background. As I stared at this picture I was transported back to simpler time, a time where the realities of life had not reared its ugly head and changed our lives forever. Just four years after this picture was taken, my sister would have a diving accident that would land her in a wheelchair for the remainder of her life. The accident changed our family in so many ways but the fascination with the north side Cubbies remained in all of us. Cub Power may have died out when the 1969 season ended in failure, but the love for the team and more importantly, for the game of baseball itself continued and even provided a welcome distraction when life tried to steal our joy. Cub power continues in our hearts and in our minds and still brings me that excitement that it did when that t-shirt was first slipped over my six year old head so many decades ago.


Now, does anyone know where I can get a size 5X Tall Cub Power t-shirt?

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[whitehse]

I forgot to add the update:

Not long ago a package arrived at our new address from a dear friend who read about my memories of this shirt. Little did I know, this awesome friend took up the challenge and somehow made this memory a reality. I was immediately taken back to being a nine year old (the biggest nine year old one has ever seen I am sure) as I slipped this 5XL bundle of awesomeness over my head and marveled at the fact that someone would send me a gift I never thought I would see. I immediately looked at that 50 year old picture and thought how incredibly cool it would be if I could only recreate is as grown ups with my brother, sister and grandmother now that I have the shirt once again. Sadly, that picture can never be recreated but that doesn't stop the memories of that summer where Cubs Power was a reality and I can now relive it all over again. I just hope I don't get orange popsicle stains on this one!!

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[dbussell12]

Man... Andrew this is just phenomenal. Thank you so much for sharing this. The memory and the period flavor is just so visceral. You have a gift and talent for writing without a doubt! Such a strong sense of Sandlot Americana in what you just shared; I'm so glad that you got your shirt. It's crazy how just an object like that, a t shirt, can bring you back everything that defines a period. The photo as well, how it gave you insight and memory deep into the time as well.

Cheers; hoping you are having a great evening.
David

PS- You guys have some phenomenal teams in your history. With my deadball era research focus, the 1906-1910 teams are some of my favorites. But you can't go wrong with those 30s Cubbies either. That 1932 World Series with the Ruth called shot is one of the most mythic moments in the sport!!