It's past time for me to tell the tale - nay - the legend of Al Franken and my baseball. 'Twas a fine day back in, oh, I don't remember the year. Let's say 1991, after Ben and his family moved back to Minnesota from Miami. Or maybe it was 1988 or 89, before they left Bluebird Lane for south Florida. Anyway, Ben's family was at a Twins game, and, coincidentally, my family was sitting a few sections from his on the first base side. Prior to the event, Ben and I decided to meet at the top of my section during some inning.
This is the part of the tale that I prefer to tell through Ben's point of view. We've talked about this in recent years, and I believe I will do his version justice. If not, he can feel free to correct me.
Ben and I were chatting away. Probably talking about our teachers, playing sports, his mom's awesome cookies, Isaac Newton, video games, the fact that his little brother can stick his tongue in his own nose...or some such banter. I'm sure it was riveting. Ben was telling me some story when I raised my hand to suggest, "Hold that thought for one moment." I turned and caught a screeching line drive with my teeth! Or maybe I just caught a pop fly with my bare hands. I don't recall exactly, but the point is that I had myself a gen-you-ine major league baseball.
We continued our discussion, probably stopping briefly to laugh about me catching a baseball, and a few minutes later one of us noticed a man sitting a few rows below us. Being the comedy fans that we are and were, we recognized Mr. Franken immediately. I think this was before his Stuart Smalley days because, well, Stuart Smalley could have talked his way into better tickets.
Baseball. Al Franken. Baseball. Al Franken. Baseball...I eventually made the easy connection, located a pen, and had the future Minnesota Senator sign my souvenir. And if I had a digital camera, I could post the picture to prove it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
True story! Exactly as it happened.
I'll take a picture of it!
Never heard this story before. I think you're making it up.
You're just jealous because you weren't there!
How's it going, Wally? Long time no talk.
Post a Comment