It was nice to read about Stan Musial’s day in DC, so thanks for that, Vernon. Of course, Stan last played shortly before my third birthday, so I don’t really remember him as a player. But then, I was never really much of a baseball fan – more so when I was kid, I guess. I think that was because back then, they played the World Series during the day, during the week (some of the games, anyway, if not all of them), so if you wanted to watch, you’d have to call in sick to work or play hooky from school. Otherwise, you went around with a earphone and a pocket transistor radio. In other words, the World Series was something special – even if you weren’t really a fan. Now? Well, not some much. As with most all professional sports (except maybe the NHL), it’s pretty much just rich, spoiled mercenaries pumped with horse drugs. Used to be the trade of a player was big news – and a strike or a lockout unthinkable. But once you get all this money involved, well, it takes a lot of the fun out of things. It’s all George Steinbrenner’s fault.

Around here, our spirits are high. Yesterday was warm – it actually hit 40 or so – and today they’re promising pert near 50, so we’re definitely feeling as if maybe – just maybe – winter will end one of these days. Of course, in an average year, we get another 40 inches of snow from here on out, and anybody who’s been around for a while knows we’re not quite done yet. Still, anything we get now can’t last more than a couple of months, so while we may not be in the final stretch, we’re at least rounding the last turn.

Of course that means I have to start thinking about all the work that needs to get done once the snow’s gone. I don’t mind the work – just wish I had more time and money. Damn school taxes’ll be due before you know it.

Speaking of old-time athletes, Happy 75th Birthday to the greatest football and lacrosse (pretty good hoops, and not too shabby at the high jump, discus, and javelin toss as a decathlete, and even threw a bunch of no-hitters as a high school pitcher) player of all time (if you don’t believe me, just ask him, he’ll tell ya so himself), and fellow SU alum Jim Brown. Some minor athlete has a birthday today, too. Jurdan? Giordan? Something like that. I think he played minor league baseball, and a little hoops, too. Oh, and HFB to Hal Holbrook as well. He was the guy that blew the whistle on Nixon.