Friday Photo Flashback

It’s the first day of summer, but “the boys of summer” have been playing for sometime. As a long time Detroit Tigers fan, I have to admit that I am enjoying their season so far. They’ve really had some players come through. Both offensively and defensively they have done quite well.

In all of baseball, both American and National Leagues, they remain the best team.

The Cubs are sitting at .608 (45-29) followed by the Dodgers at .605 (46-30). I am excited for the rest of the season.

I say all of that as an intro into my Friday Photo Flashback. I truly do not know how old I am in the photo. If I had to guess I would say maybe three-ish.

I am not sure if the yellow tint to this photo is because of age or just the way the camera film was developed. I spent a long time looking at this picture. It cannot be the back yard of the first house we lived in because there would have been a field behind me if it was. So, I think that this was taken in my Grandma D’s back yard. The reason I say that is because of the privacy fence along the back of the yard.

There was a cemetery directly behind my grandma’s house. There was a gate where you could actually walk out into it, if desired. It always freaked me out a bit. I also remember her having rose bushes and other plants against the fence that is behind me in the picture. At some point, the owners of that house put up a privacy fence there. I remember that because I recall it being there when I would cut her grass.

I have no idea whose baseball mitt that is. It could be my dad’s because he played softball with some guys he worked with and there is a softball in it. It might also be his because he is sitting on the grass in front of me. I remember him wearing many of those “fishing” hats. I’m sure they have a name, but I always called them fishing hats. Eventually, I would have my own collection of them that I would wear.

That boy in the photo would dream about being a baseball pitcher. I would spend hours throwing the ball to my friends and my dad, who would call the balls and strikes. Even though the dream never came true, I still love a good game of catch. Sadly, my shoulder won’t allow me to throw like I used to.

Rest assured, though, if my kids were to ask me to toss the ball around, I’d have my mitt on in a heartbeat.