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Bill Southern's avatar

Love the squirrel story, Paul. Of course my favorite squirrels, behind Rockey J. Squirrel, of Rockey & Bullwinkle fame, are the black squirrels, running around on the Kent State campus, in Ohio - they are truly badass.

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Paul Jackson's avatar

College squirrels are built different. At the University of Illinois if a squirrel wanted an outdoor table you were using, they knew how shift you.

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Mark Kolier's avatar

Hi Paul, I had a vague recollection of the squirrel thing in St. Louis in 2011 but your story was a fun and interesting read. I so wanted there to be a connection to NY Met Jeff McNeil!

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Paul Jackson's avatar

Thanks Mark!

I will be thrilled if such a connection ever gets made. Pretty sure if anybody gets a photo of Jeff "the Flying Squirrel" McNeil on the diamond in a Max Fried-style stare-down with a real squirrel, that person will have won sports photograph of the year.

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Matt Elias's avatar

"And we have so many questions about how a single person with no foreknowledge managed to capture a squirrel in the vastness of an empty ballpark, but these details are lost to history."

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Paul Jackson's avatar

Buried in the sands of 14 years ago. Hopefully the archaeologists can sort it out.

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Museum of Baseball Wire Photos's avatar

Fantastic. As good as Sports Illustrated at the top of its game in the 60s and 70s. Glad we didn't end on the down note of Fried Squirrel Over Rice, too.

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Paul Jackson's avatar

Wow! Today I learned that fried squirrel is a "Southern delicacy," often served in gravy over rice. I was hoping you were making it up but alas, 'tis real.

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Museum of Baseball Wire Photos's avatar

Critter comforts meet pest control. Save a side of acorn squash, please.

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Jeff's avatar

I remember the incident on the mound @Yankee Stadium but for some reason I just don’t trust them. Besides sharp teeth they could carry rabies. Didn’t see many in the Poconos as road kill; mostly porcupine & skunk. I did know people there that ate almost anything. One man’s trash is another man’s meal I guess.

Pass the tatos please.

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Paul Jackson's avatar

We had one get into our family home when I was a kid and after my parents cornered it in their bedroom they went in wearing their winter clothes--hats, gloves, the works--and an old laundry basket. Thirty minutes later they came out with a squirrel, unhappy but intact. Much respect to them. I would call somebody.

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Maria Jackson's avatar

Ron gives this story two paws up 🐾

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