This year's baseball story is written by my Uncle. He is retired from the Air Force.

The Braves and Warren Spahn

Ron Crooker

"Dad, how come you like the Braves instead of the Red Sox?"

"Well Ronnie, I guess I just got interested in the Braves when I was a young fellow. Back when I was 13 or so, and the Braves had spent a number of years playing losing seasons, but I noticed that they had started doing better."

"Did they do better when you were 13?"

"Oh, you bet they did son. That year I was 13 was a really exciting year. They were in last place in July, and by the time the World Series rolled around, the Braves were the National League Champions."

"Wow. I bet that was a great time to be a Braves fan, Dad. Did they win the World Series that year?"

"Yes they did. They beat the Philadelphia Athletics in four games – the first time anyone won the World Series in four straight games."

"I bet they filled Braves field to see those games, didn’t they?"

"Actually son, they played the first couple of games in Philadelphia, and the next two in Fenway Park in Boston. The field the Braves normally played in was under repair, so they had to play in Fenway Park. Braves Field didn‘t come along until a couple of years later."

"But why don’t you like the Red Sox?"

"Well, I don’t dislike the Red Sox. I think they’re a fine team. I just prefer the National League play of the game, and like the Braves in particular. Always have. But I follow the Red Sox as well as the Braves. They are exciting too. You know the Braves were once known as The Boston Red Caps."

Braves Field, Boston

"Did they become the Red Sox then?"

No, the Braves team has had a few different names in their history – Red Caps or Beaneaters, mostly – and a few others, but they started out as the Braves. After a few changes they returned to that name and still hold it."

"But you’ve always been a Braves fan Dad?"

"Yes son, I guess I always will be."

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