Your Stories: Submitted Stories
- Alta Vista P.S. Loves the Yankees
The Yankees were MORE than New York City in the Fifties. They were the players that all us grass stained kneed kids wanted to be. I could be Yogi Berra, and always get the hit. If I was in the mood, my buddy Brian was "Moose" Skowron. The World Series was played on our school P.A. It was always a sunny October. It seemed that the Ottawa winter was a lifetime away. Sublime. I can smell the grass, and hear the ball being hit. Games.Life. Youth.
- Thomas
Vancouver, BC
- The Goal
This episode reminded me about the 1972 Canada/USSR Hockey series.
For the first time Canada's professional players were allowed to play against the best from the Soviet Union. Our amateurs couldn't beat the Russians anymore. Many in Canada dissmissed the USSR's wins' saying "they haven't met our best."
And in September 1972 they did in an 8 game (4 in Canada, 4 in USSR) series. I was 8 at the time and bet my Dad that Canada would take the series. The whole of the country was unprepared for the skill of the Russians, most of us seeing them for the first time. The country was visibly and utterly depressed as Team Canada left for Russia with record of 1 win, 2 losses, and 1 tie.
However, Team Canada was able to pull together and, despite losing Game 5, win the next two games to tie the series. This led to a dramatic finish for Game 8.
Game 8 almost didn't go ahead. Team Canada officials had threatened to pull out over the choice of referees. A deal was struck where each team was allowed to choose a referee (the 2 referee system was used).
When it came time for the game, the referee Canada had chosen "suddenly came down with a case of the flu." This led the Canadian officials to believe dirty tricks were being played. They had reason to think so as many strange things happened during their stay: missing equipment, missing Coca-Colas, phone calls in the middle of the night only on game-days, etc.
On September 27th, 16 million Canadians (80% of the population at the time) tuned in to watch. I remember rushing home from school at lunch-time to watch on our black-and-white TV, which started at 10am PDT. Canada had battled back to tie the Russians 5-5. With 34 seconds remaining, Paul Henderson scored the winnng goal and a nation rejoiced.
Many in the US remember what they were doing when JFK was shot. In Canada, we remember where we were when "The Goal" was scored.
- Elvio
Vancouver (CANADA), BC
- Cyclist of the 1920s, The Forgotten Athletes of the Gilded Age
In the last nine years, I personally know of nine athletes that have passed away who could have contributed greatly to your sporting fever program. They were professional bicycle racers. People like Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson would go to the races and watch them along with the general public. Famous six day races were started by well known actors, Douglas Fairbanks and Al Jolson just to name a few. My father was a professional cyclist too. In fact the year my father lost his national championship, Babe Ruth presented the trophy to the new champion. Eddie Leonard, the famous stage actor funded his own motor-pace race each year. It is just a shame when we fondly look back at the 1920s sporting era you only hear of baseball, swimming, and tennis, but not bicycle racing. Who in those sports can you name that earned $500 dollars a week? My dad was in the $500 dollar a week club. Only Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb commanded that type of money. I know of a bicycle racer who received a $10,000 dollar Appearance Fee. That was just to show up.
- Harry
Preston, MD
- Maxine was my Grandma
My grandmother fenced. She fenced for the USA in 4 Olympics. She worked as a draftsman to make money to travel. Her name was Maxine Mitchell. All her metals and trophys were kept in the dining room. My family ate every holiday meal under a huge olympic shield where she had pinned all her metals and ribbons. It was exciting to hear her stories. She was so excited by fencing, much more excited than anyone I have known before or since has been excited by anything. She was at the Games in Mexico City after she lost a breast to cancer. After she died I found programs for the "Maxine Mitchell Invitational".
- Rachel
Portland , Or
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