Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Thursday 9/29

You may remember Stan the accountant (that's all I knew him as), who was a regular with us during Papa Carl's heyday, he was among those who attended the year-end dinner we threw (in 1979), the last social occasion Papa Carl attended. The only time I saw him afterward was about a dozen years ago, he showed up at a night game when I was there alone; there were a few of those, before we all assumed the work shifts we have now.

He wanted to talk, and it was a curious conversation, he seemed to be looking or waiting for something. He bought me a hotdog, and to be polite I ate it, the only one I've ever had at a ballpark, I ordinarily consider them repulsive. We recalled old times and old people, and he finally asked me whether I thought I'd spent too much time in the bleachers. I said, I'd spent many of the best times of my life on that bench, with no regrets at all. He agreed such was also his case, and added, "I'm glad you said it first". Haven't seen him since, but that night he found what he sought.

After forty-two years in the "cheap" seats, and thirty-three on that piece of pine, I not only don't regret any of it, I resent anything that's ever stood between me and it. If I believed in fate, that bench would be my number one example. I'm not sociable by nature, and most of my most treasured friendships have happened there. The genius loci of that space was perfect for me, and I'm very glad I found it, I may never have found it elsewhere. It's now too well established to be affected by any change of venue.

Records:
AL 457 Ruth 1921
NL 450 Hornsby 1922

Chronological list, since Rice:

1978 Rice 406
1997 Walker 409
1998 Sosa 416
2000 Helton 405
2001 Sosa 425
2001 Gonzalez 419
2001 Bonds 411
2001 Helton 402