My boys, Sam, Charlie and me at the original location of Forbes Field.
After reading Zina's post and viewing the beautifal painting of Bob with the Forbes Field graphic, I thought it was more than a coincidence that I was just recently at the original location of Forbes Field.
We recently visited Pittsburgh so my son could check out the campus of Pitt. It just happens that Forbes Field was located right on Pitt's campus. Eventually, the Pirates moved to 3 Rivers Stadium and Forbes Field was leveled to build a library.
As a kid, I remember going to baseball games and watching my childhood idol Roberto Clemente. What an inspirational joy it was to watch him perform. My dad and I went to watch him get his 3000 hit. Unfortunately he went hitless that night but on the following night, Sept 30, 1972, I listened on the radio and cheered for my hero as he collected the milestone only 13 players had achieved before. I was very proud of my hero, but sadly, 3 months later later he died when the plane he was on crashed while trying to take relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
The famous brick wall
457 ft for a homerun? Now that is a blast!
I remeber a picture of Roberto crashing into the ivy while he tried to catch a long fly ball. While the ivy looked soft, behind it lay an unforgiving brick wall. There are stories of Roberto actually climbing up the ivy to rob a hitter of a homerun. The wall was at least 13+ ft tall. I'm not sure if that's true story or part legend that has grown in the mystic and glory of Roberto, but as a kid I tuely believed Roberto could do anything.
Dawn and Charlsey
My wife and my best buddies daughter, Charlsey, with The Cathedral of Learning in the BG. The tallest college building in America.
What a view!
In 1960, the Pirates defeated the NY Yankees on Bill Mazeroski's 7th game, 9th inning homerun. Fans who couldn't get tickets would watch from the Cathedral of Learning. This photo is signed by Bill MAZ and is located on the library wall right next to the original homeplate.
Original home plate
Here's Charlie sliding into home. That is the actual homeplate located where the Pitt library stands now.
The Great One.
Although Barry Bonds is the greatest player to ever wear a Pittsburgh uniform, Roberto is the greatest person to ever wear a Pittsburgh uniform.
Long live The Great One.