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Streets, Dogs, Records and Expos
During the course of a day, a week, a lot of little things pass through my mind. Things not long enough to make a blog, but things worth mentioning nevertheless. Here's a bunch of them:
Do you know Che-Che Primard? For a long time he was Plattsburgh's street-sign guy. Most of the city street signs you see today were made by Che-Che in his shop at the Department of Public Works. He was dedicated and he was good. He got the sign right. You don't see street signs with words misspelled. You don't see tough names like "Brinkerhoff" spelled "Brickerhoff." Or "Trafalgar" spelled "Traflager." Even though, we have a street called "Flagler," but it isn't misspelled "Falgler."
I've always felt we should have a street named after Che-Che in recognition of all the signs he's made for our city. How about "Che-Che Boulevard"? Doesn't that sound good?
What does it take to get a new street named after Che-Che Primard?
And:
When do we decide that dogs are just becoming too much trouble for our quiet city? I have never been a dog lover anyway, but it just seems that we all these dog laws about using a pooper-scooper and a leash and keeping your dog quiet so the neighbors can sleep at night. And now we have dogs attacking people. And the last night when I dropped off a DVD of the demolition derby at a house in our charming city, a dog greeted me at the door, tongue hanging out, drooling and smelling parts of me better left unsmelled.
Let's just ban dogs from the City of Plattsburgh. Let's just settle for nice little kittens, who know how to use a kitty litter box and don't attack anything bigger than a butterfly. And the only things they really go around smelling are shoes.
And:
Now that Barry Bonds is home run king and now that A-Rod has 500 home runs, let's marvel about Tom Glavine's steroid-free 300 major league wins. In a time when pitching coaches count pitches, and muscle-exploding batters are hitting long balls at a record-setting pace, here's a guy who weighs less than 200 pounds and has been a consistent winner for almost 20 years.
I watched Barry and A-Rod admire their own accomplishments, and I didn't feel a great deal of emotion. But I watched Tom Glavine fight back a smile in the dugout as Billy Wagner had one out to go to preserve the 300th win. As I watched Glavine hug teammates and then his family I felt a rush of emotion. It brought back the little boy in me, and when Glavine hugged his Dad, I felt stupid as I fought back a tear myself. It was easy for me to tell which of the three accomplishments meant the most to me.
And:
I've been supplementing my pension by selling some of my baseball autographs and other sports memorabilia on eBay. There is nothing hotter than Montreal Expos memorablilia. For several years I almost took up residence at Jarry Park and the Olympic Stadium. I became a regular face in the crowd for guys like Joe Kerrigan and Larry Parrish and Jose Morales. During those years I took pictures and obtained autographs and now, with the Montreal Expos part of baseball's past, collectors from around the United States and Canada are paying high prices for Expos' items.
I mention this so that you won't throw away that Expos' program or ticket stub or autograph you have in the attic. I figure that as time goes by Expos' memorabilia will continue to increase in value. But, since I'm already pretty old, I figure I better cash in while things are hot. Sort of like playing the stock market, eh?
Have you got a topic for the "On the Sly" blog? Drop me an e-mail at foxman@westelcom.com.
Comments
Foxy,
Dogs being banned from P-burgh? Nah!
Barry Bonds? I'm not impressed by the man but I do have to give credit to him for his accomplishment.
The Montreal Expos? It seems to me I had this study hall teacher in eighth grade that talked me into writing to Bill Gullickson and asking for an autographed picture. I explained to this teacher that I had no interest in an autographed picture from Bill Gullickson and was told that the aforementioned teacher would take it off my hands. I wrote the letter and got the signed picture and Bill Gullickson autographed it directly to "Kathy" with a personal note about dealing with diabetes (a disease that I had since I was 6 and one that Bill Gullickson had just been diagnosed with). Needless to say, the teacher didn't get the picture and I still have it safe. Strangely enough, for someone who had no interest in getting the autographed picture to begin with, I wouldn't dream of parting with it now ..... for any price.
(Foxy's note: You have a great memory, Kathy! And I'm glad you still have that Gullickson photo.)
Posted by: Kathy | August 10, 2007 5:02 PM
I would be remiss if I didn't say anything about Chi-Chi (He dislikes the name keith) Not only a stalwart sign maker in the city, he makes a mean stuffed cabbage which he generously shares with a polack like me who hasn't mastered the art
(among many other things) I don't think Chi would like a street named after him. After all, he would have to guard it 24/7 from the city vandals and keep it safe from the elements.
Regarding dogs = they are ok if their owners clean up after them but the cat owners let their felines out on the streets to find any litter box facility (like my garden) with impunity. To me , those free roaming felines generate more feckless fetid fecal favors than those of the canine variety.
And closing, I'm glad to see the Little League World series coming up. Watching them play with such fervor and intensity and emotion should make Major League coaches make their players watch them and learn a true love of a game and sport. Perhaps these major league players should emulate their junior counterparts.
Skip
Posted by: skip zatonski | August 10, 2007 1:30 PM
Absolutely no one is questioning Bond's ability to hit. He is easily one of the top dozen baseball players in the history of the sport. But he now owns the most hallowed record in sports. The evidence for his use of steroids is irrefuteable. Without steroids he would probably have 657 homeruns to this point.
Posted by: john | August 10, 2007 9:50 AM
In a sort of defense for Bonds, Steroids or no Steroids, you still have to be able hit the ball.
Posted by: Doc | August 9, 2007 6:00 PM
The last time I saw Chi-Chi was at the Korina on Christmas Eve Day in 1973 or '74. He wished me a Merry Christmas, as all of us were wishing to each other there that day. He sure did keep us all in stiches with his humor back in the day at PHS. He's a great guy and I hope to renew those wishes when I retire in about 5 years & can return to Plattsburgh. I was talking to him with rock and roll icon Mike O'Connell just last summer. Hey, Chi-Chi - have a great day.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | August 9, 2007 7:14 AM
Foxy,
The thing that really gets me about Bonds is his arrogance. When I was growing up in the late 80s and 90s, Barry was one of my favorite players.
When I got older, it became apparent that a.) his head doubled in size (literally) and b.) his head is twice the average person's (figuratively).
He doesn't show any respect for the fans or the game and therefore the whole chase didn't really catch my attention.
I agree with Glavine.....he has been a class act his whole career and a finesse pitcher that has been largely ignored in favor of the power pitchers such as Pedro, the Unit and Rocket.
A-Rod has been relatively the same size his whole career and although not the most fan-friendly, he does seem to respect the game and I enjoy watching him. I hope he lasts long enough to take the crown from Bonds.
By the way, I have been following some of your auctions --- you have some great items and I wait every week to see what you'll bring out next!
Posted by: Andy Brockway | August 8, 2007 3:00 PM