Boy, they really packed them in! It’s a wonder that one of the patrons on the field was not hit by a ball, or were they? I absolutely loved that 1924 Chicago Police pyramid photo! Where did you find that gem, Paul? Happy New Year!
I had the same question! My first thought was perhaps it's an ironic thing, like Sloppy Thurston. Maybe he wore shorts all the time. But I checked into it, and apparently the thing to do is play baseball at nine years old while wearing your father's work pants for some reason. "Hey, look at Pants over there!" Nickname for life.
I love that! Imagine growing up to be a major league umpire and you still can't shake your childhood nickname. That's a delightful story. Thanks for sharing!
Most interesting story! I love the cushions - I could just imagine that concept today; here you need a quarter to get a shopping cart at some stores & you just can’t leave it by your car, it has to be rechained to the others to retrieve your two bits.
The Yankees probably charge you $25 to use the cushion.
Great story for the New Year but I can’t wish you Happy New Year Paul - Larry David says all you get is 3 days & I’m late. Sorry Newman.
I won't argue living your life by the principles set out by Larry David, Jeff. Your theory of rental cushions requiring a deposit makes sense and I wouldn't be surprised if that turned out to be right--but I will say a lot of people seemed eager to throw away their deposits in moments of boredom...
Boy, they really packed them in! It’s a wonder that one of the patrons on the field was not hit by a ball, or were they? I absolutely loved that 1924 Chicago Police pyramid photo! Where did you find that gem, Paul? Happy New Year!
That image is in the Chicago History Museum. It definitely added a little something to my search for period-accurate police uniforms. Thanks Meg!
OK, how does a guy get a nickname like "Pants"?
I had the same question! My first thought was perhaps it's an ironic thing, like Sloppy Thurston. Maybe he wore shorts all the time. But I checked into it, and apparently the thing to do is play baseball at nine years old while wearing your father's work pants for some reason. "Hey, look at Pants over there!" Nickname for life.
I love that! Imagine growing up to be a major league umpire and you still can't shake your childhood nickname. That's a delightful story. Thanks for sharing!
Good story, Paul. In my 36-1/2 years in Chicago I never had the opportunity to see what a desk sergeant looked like. I guess I led a sheltered life.
Neither have I, but I'm picturing a cop sitting behind a desk. It's got to be pretty close to that!
Most interesting story! I love the cushions - I could just imagine that concept today; here you need a quarter to get a shopping cart at some stores & you just can’t leave it by your car, it has to be rechained to the others to retrieve your two bits.
The Yankees probably charge you $25 to use the cushion.
Great story for the New Year but I can’t wish you Happy New Year Paul - Larry David says all you get is 3 days & I’m late. Sorry Newman.
I won't argue living your life by the principles set out by Larry David, Jeff. Your theory of rental cushions requiring a deposit makes sense and I wouldn't be surprised if that turned out to be right--but I will say a lot of people seemed eager to throw away their deposits in moments of boredom...