During childhood (1950-1968) I lived in NYC and rooted for the New York GIANTS and against the Brooklyn DODGERS; I also hated the Yankees and the American League. In 1962 I became a METS' fan and attended the first game at Shea Stadium.

Went to school in Boston in 1966-68 and bribed the gate guard in the OF with $5 to sneak into Game 7 of the 67 Series. We walked through the dirt piles under the bleachers and, seeing light, we walked into it; right into the Cardinal bullpen during the first inning. Two pitchers gave us a boost over the fence and we dropped unceremoniuosly into the stands.

In the Bay Area from 1968-2000; attended many GIANTS and A's games; snuck into the A's WS games. Got into GIANTS' games with COKE bottle caps; then moved into the vacant seats behind home plate. Saw Rickey break the SB record. With Willie Mays in CF, caught a foul ball with a fishing net in the old RF bleachers. Got into the All-Star game for free and met Tony Gwynn.
We used to bring home made banana bread to Kevin Mitchell.

Went Zen with baseball and began to root for great defensive plays and astute strategy move; thank you, Tony LaRussa for the many lessons. Dusty, thanks for taking all my abuse about leaving your journeyman starters in an inning too long, because you did not trust your job security to more talented young pitchers.

When friends came home from a game, I did not FIRST ask: "Who won?"
I would ask: "Any good plays or strategy?"

In my retirement "speech," I told my SFSU colleagues that I was taking early retirement to "spend more time with my first love--B A S E B A L L !!!"

Now I boycott MLB games, but watch the action on MLB network. It has become too much of a business venture. I love attending Minor league games and my hobby is to follow the Future Stars.

I am gradually recycling my card collection, via web auction sales, into cash and then into OLD card sets, that I will never complete.

Really into APBA baseball game; looking for opponents in NC.

Oh, had a friend on KGO radio in SF who got me 10 minutes of private time with MICKEY MANTLE. He was a humble gentle man and graciuosly autographed two baseballs and a photo of Mick, Yogi and Roger. Maris had recently passed and it brought a team to Micks' eye when he signed it.

Why isn't Rickey Henderson a coach for the A's--or a manager?

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