#lansing lugnuts

Rocky times

We got nother panicky early-morning phone call from our friend Richard Prangley, who doesn’t always have the wherewithal to distinguish saber-rattling from true intent. (Although I must admit, it’s getting harder and harder for all of us):

“John - what’s happening with Social Security … ? Is Trump going to take it away …? Boy, can you believe what he’s doing to this country …? How will I pay my bills if he takes away my income …?”

I simply listen for a few minutes, then offer my feeble two cents: “That won’t happen,” I tell him, slightly less certain of that than I was two months ago.

Sharon thinks the first thing Richard should do is stop watching that rocky horror picture show known as MSNBC. She has a point. The unvarnished truth is scary enough these days without fear- mongering.

In the end, I can only encourage him to concentrate on the positives in his life: his home, his friends, his vast collection of stuffed tigers, the upcoming season of his favorite sports team, the minor league Lansing Lugnuts …

East Bound and Down

Lansing Lugnuts vs. Clinton Lumber Kings (Midwest League)

Cooley Law School Stadium-Lansing, MI:  No trip back to Michigan would be complete without us stopping by one of our old ballparks to see a game, and this particular game I’ve been looking forward to since it announced it back in February.  The Lugnuts were paying homage to one of Lansing’s favorite sons, the late, great Burt Reynolds!  As…

Eyes on the prize

A brand new official, professional-grade baseball bought in a store: about 10 bucks.

A used one (grass-stained and scuffed up) snagged at a real baseball game: priceless.

On Saturday six of us went to a game between the Lansing (Michigan) Lugnuts (a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics) and the Lake County Captains.

The final score ...? Who cares ...? The primary mission of the assembled multitude (everybody under, say, 15, anyway) was to take home a ball, by any means necessary.

Consider, for example, the four boys in this photo, camped out at the visiting team's dugout. They begged, cajoled, flattered and hustled. And by the end of the game, they were four for four.

As for my two grandsons .... they caught on quickly. They figured out where to position themselves. They had their mitts ready. They said "Please." They, too, took home the prize.

A beautiful relationship

My friend Richard Prangley and I are in our seats near home plate when Big Lug (the mascot of the Lansing Lugnuts baseball team) comes strolling by.

"I've known Big Lug for 25 years," Richard says as he stands up and catches Big Lug's gaze. Richard waves; Big Lug waves back. Richard sits down and sighs, a man secure in his friendships.

"I'm glad that I have a good relationship with Big Lug," Richard says. Not to brag, or anything . . .

Surely Richard knows that the purple dinosaur is simply a costume that has been occupied by a series of humans over the 25 years the Lugnuts - the single-A minor league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics - have been in town.