Creature Comforts

As an infant and toddler (and, okay, as a little boy), I gained comfort from a blanky with a silk edge. Somewhere along the line, blanky was replaced by a baseball glove.

The first one I remember was a very loose, flexible model; very dark with no player's name on it. I was seven.

I remember my first "superstar" moment, during a punch ball game in the alley behind the houses of Bartley, Eddie, and Donald. I made a leaping grab over the yard fence that protected the garden of a crabby neighbor. (Obviously, it was a very short fence.) Not only was I a superstar, I was a super hero. If the ball had gone in the garden, we wouldn't have gotten in back. I literally saved the game!

By the time I needed a new glove, I was a little more savvy. I got a Willie Mays model. I still have it. I'm fondling it as we speak. This was the first glove I really took care of; oiling it, setting the pocket by placing a ball in the middle of it and tying it up with string. Never had a pet, but I loved that glove. I suppose, since I still have it, I still do. This 50 year old glove is prominently displayed (much to Geeg's chagrin) in our bedroom, with a baseball signed by the NY Giants of 1957 in its pocket.

Next glove arrived at the age of 12; just in time for my brief Little League career. Again I provided evidence of matured savvy. No longer was the player's name a priority. I got a Stan Musial model, but it had the "H" web feature I craved. I used the glove thru Little League, sandlot games, and softball games, for over 25 years. I love this glove too, and, much to Kirk's chagrin, it hangs, not so prominently, in his garage.

Still another glove hangs in the garage; one that I won at a Little League raffle. A Brooks Robinson model that features a "sixth" finger instead of a web. Nice, but not one I would have chosen myself. Still, it was a wicked divergence from my reliable "H" model. (It also serves as a reminder of the day I met Bob Garibaldi, a Giant phenom at the time, whose careeer fizzled before it began. Oh well...)

Given this history of baseball gloves, it is not surprising that I was pleasantly pleased when Landon expressed a desire to have a glove of his own. I have been playing catch with Miles most days, and he has finally begun to appreciate the fact that a glove can actually help catch the ball!

Landon has been seeing his brudder"s improvent so he's ready to give this silly looking hand elongator a try.

We tried some little gloves that we still have here; gloves that Amy, Sara, and Julie got at a "glove Day" at Shea stadium many years's ago. Landon didn't think they were good enough, and he's was right. Too stiff, too big, too not Landon's.

Several days passed before I had an opportunity to do anything about Landon's desire. (We only have one car, and Geeg has a much more active schedule than I do.) But when I finally had the chance, I headed to my favorite local store.................Goodwill.

I was lucky; I found the same model glove Miles has, except it is two-toned. (And it has the name "Mason" written on the inside.) The glove is in great condition. I am not embarassed,

rather I am proud to announce that I bought this glove for one dollar.

Landon was sleeping when I got home. I waited patiently, eventually catching up with him as he was heading up the stairs. I asked him to come down, and I gave him the glove. in return, I received the most spontaneous most sensational, most sincere, "thank you" I ever got from my youngest grandson.

Priceless.

We quickly went out to play catch. Admittedly, the glove is still a hinderance, but Landon continues to give his all in his attempts to catch the elusive ball. Truth be told, Landon doesn't love his glove the way I love mine; no chance it will be replacing Gee any time soon. But, hey, he's only 3 years old. My first love affair with leather didn't occur till I was 7.

BTW, Miles is getting really good with his glove. It used to be that playing catch was almost a punishment; he always wanted to hit. Now, catch is fun - for both of us. And, it's really catch!

Each one of us throws the ball in the general vicinity of the other, and we both catch the ball most of the time; well lots of times. (Well...some times.) Miles loves to make diving catches. He'll be a superstar soon, probably seen on "Sportscenter." Landon is learning from a very patient Miles, so he'll be a superstar too.

PLAY BALL!!!