How I almost met Jackie Robinson
Given the recent horrendous events in the world, I’m reminded of the importance sports plays in creating a well needed diversion from life’s real problems. For brief periods of time, whether it be a ball game or a NASCAR race, we fans are taken away to a place that’s free of all that ails us and the world.
For most of us who have become sports fans, we have are parents to thank. In my case, my Father. I lost my Dad many years ago but there is not a day that goes by that I am not somehow reminded of him. As many of you rightfully prepare to honor your Dad’s with his own “special” day, I take a break from my normal NASCAR related topics to share a story of my Dad.
Born and raised near the Canadian border, near the shadows of the St. Lawrence River, we sometimes would make the trek across the border to Montreal’s Jarry Parc to watch a Major League Baseball game. On this particular day my Dad, my brother George and I jumped in the family station wagon, complete with the wood paneling on the sides, and headed across the border. George and I were ultra-excited and hopeful the sun would remain shining and soon we’d be watching real life baseball heroes.
Although we had attended games at Jarry Parc before, we almost always got lost on the way so we always left early to allow ourselves the buffer of the “got lost” time. Dad like many men, resisted the urge to ask for directions. Kids, imagine life without GPS. Got it? OK, good.
Luckily or thru an act of God, we arrived at the Ballpark early, way prior to the opening of the spectator gates. At the time my Dad was on crutches, mending from a knee issue. He hobbled behind my brother and I who tried very hard to encourage my Dad to walk/hobble faster. We couldn’t wait to get inside a Major League Ballpark, to see the greenest grass ever, smell the ballpark smells, and listen to the organ playing many of the songs we knew and loved.
As we wobbled towards the gate, kicking dust up as we went along, my Dad called out to us. “Hey boys look!” he yelled, “Its Jackie Robinson.”
We looked and saw a man a few yards away from us walking in the same direction as we were. My brother and I were well schooled in my Fathers practical jokes. We weren’t about to fall for this one. Surely he was pulling our legs.
“Oh, good one Dad,” we responded. “What would Jackie Robinson be doing in Montreal?” At the time we knew nothing of Jackie’s connection to Montreal, having played for the minor league Montreal Royals in 1946 immediately prior to joining the Brooklyn Dodger and making history.
So many of our memories fade with time. Not this one. It is as vivid today as it was some 45+ years ago. Hearing my Dad and seeing our reaction to our father’s words, the man stopped and turned his head towards us. The smallest of smiles crossed his face.
He turned his attention to my Dad as if silently asking if he should come over and show his boys that his father was correct. What happened next has stayed with me and my brother our entire life. There was a head nod between the two men as if there was some kind of a secret message that only fathers could understand. In this case I imagine the message was “Boys have to learn to trust their Dad’s”.
The man continued on his way and we made our way towards our seats. As we fixed our eyes to the field the Public Address announcer, first in French and then in English voiced, “Ladies and Gentleman. Throwing out the first pitch today is Jackie Robinson.”
With that, out of the dugout sprang the very same man we had seen earlier in the parking lot. My brother and I sat quietly with our mouths wide open. I turned my head towards my Father. His eyes were fixed straight ahead but he had the biggest grin I’ve ever seen on his face.
After the game on the quiet ride back home, the grin on his face never left him.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there. And for cripes sake listen to him and more so, cherish the time you spend together. It doesn’t last forever.
Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante.
