I can honestly say that before
1982 I can’t remember too many baseball events-I can remember clearly The Mad
Hungarian and his antics, I have a vague recollection of Reggie Jackson and his
’77 World Series Game 6 three homerun history, I can remember Lou Brock and his
breaking of the all-time stolen base record of Ty Cobb in 1977-How could I not
have living in the STL suburbs. I can remember the ’79 “We are Family” Pirates
and that World Series. However, the first real and consistent memories began in
1981 when my dad and I watched Gary Templeton make an obscene gesture towards
Redbird fans on live TV and his departure soon after for a light hitting
defensive wizard from San Diego.
The 1982 World Series became etched in my
Cardinal Nation memory-as I write this I fear the Birds are in an epic and
historical collapse.
But in 1982 it was with
Joaquin Andujar that I became
hooked, and ditched football. He was exciting, emotional, dedicated, and
passionate.
He won the 7
th Game of the 1982 World Series, he punched
a fan after the horrible, shameful call, in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series
(Royals’ fans-how do you in good conscious claim that title so proudly?). So I
was saddened to hear of his passing at 62 from diabetes yesterday via one of my many Android
Cardinals’ alerts. I will always remember you with fondness. Rest in Peace you Crazy
Dominican.
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