Last week I attended a BigTrain summer college league baseball game. The Bethesda entry is named after Walter Johnson the Washington Senator’s hall of fame pitcher who lived here.
The experience was fun. We sat right behind home plate. That meant every pitch had our attention.
The stands were on a human scale, parking 20 yards away and plentiful food with no lines. It was a very different experience from the cavernous National’s Park with its crowds, parking challenges, and high prices. We were able to just enjoy the game. Until the end of the third inning when a summer rain storm arrived.
When Baseball Was Fun
Growing up in Illinois, I became a Chicago Cubs fan. My ambition was was to be a baseball player. Then I learned in high school that I was no good as a hitter and a mediocre infielder. But I still followed Ernie Banks, Hank Sauer and all the Cub legends on radio.
When I returned to Chicago in 1977 after a three year assignment as a banker for First Chicago in Australia, I went job hunting. My first choice was to be the marketing manager for the Cubs. I set up an interview. I think the fact I worked at the largest bank in Illinois got their interest.
But before that event I had a conversation with two people who were reorganizing the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) for the State of Illinois under new Governor Jim Thompson. The two were Edgar Callahan and Bucky Sebastian.
As we explored what role might be appropriate, we talked about the job of Credit Union Supervisor. It was a position that would use my analysis of corporate and interbank credit lines I had helped underwrite.
When Bucky and Ed asked what other options I was considering, I mentioned my Cub’s appointment. Bucky jumped in and said if I took the job as Supervisor, he would guarantee tickets should the Cubs make the World Series. At that time in early July the Cubs were in or near first place in the National League. It seemed possible.
I took the job starting in August of 1977. The Cubs did not get to the World Series for another three or four decades. But Bucky followed through on his promise in a different way.
On the Playing Field
In the summer of 1978 he arranged for us to have lunch in the radio announcer’s press box and then go down to the field and take pictures with the players.
Here’s the record of that day when the Cubs faced the Phillies. All the Cub’s games were during the day, starting time 1:15. Attendance would be low, most people still working. But the fans were right next to the action. Just like at the Big Train game. Pure fun with players, families and youngsters all being part of the major league scene. Bucky was true to his word.
Bucky, Chip, Jose Carndinal of the Phillies and announcer Vince Loyd.
Chip, Loyd, Bill Buckner (First basman), Bucky
