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The Slice: Kids’ success suggests his foul ball may never come
Last Monday’s Slice dealt with catching foul balls at baseball games.
That topic is up to bat again today.
“Sorry, I know I am behind on this, but I was out of town and my son, Shamus, called me about this subject,” wrote Tim O’Doherty.
“OK, here is the deal. I was born in Detroit and raised in Southern California. I have attended well over 500 major and minor league baseball games, the majority with mitt in hand. (I also kept the scorecard for many years but that will be a different column.) Never, never have I had a foul ball come even remotely close to me.
“In 2001, my son calls to say he has caught a foul ball at a Mariners game. ‘Sorry Dad, I know how bad you want one.’
“Well, that’s OK.
“The bitter part is next. My daughter, Megan, who did not even know her brother was at the game, called excitedly, ‘My friends took me to a Mariners game and I just caught a home run ball.’
“A HOME RUN BALL.
“So the fruit of my loins both bested me on the same night, unaware of each other.
“As you know, I am now in counseling and may, with time, be able to forgive these scornful offspring.”
Dinner and a show: “After a day of dealing with nasty plumbing issues, my wife and I decided on burgers and beer,” wrote Tom Solberg.
Then they noticed something.
“The diners at Wisconsinburger were treated to some unusual entertainment in the form of a local cat stalking a turkey back and forth across the residential street. The patrons believed the smart money was on the bird and after several minutes the cat apparently also realized his odds were long and broke off the pursuit without physical engagement.”
There is something to be said for fresh poultry, I suppose. But maybe what the cat really craved was a cheeseburger.
Warm-up question: There is a town called Paul, Idaho. It is in Minidoka County, far from here. Are there any towns or cities that share your first name?
Today’s Slice question: What would you say to someone who has never driven on the North Cascades Highway?