Sometimes a writer walks into a wonderful column or story subject. And that's what happened here.
I was reminded of this column written a little more than 39 years ago. Found it on the old Shreveport Journal files on newspapers.com, and it was sentimental to read it again.
This was an award-winning piece in the annual Louisiana Sports Writers Association contest; in this case, the 1985 awards presented in July 1986.
It was not a first-place award; it finished second in its category. Fine. Contest judging always is subjective, so we accepted -- with gratitude -- whatever the result.
Winning awards is not why we chose the sportswriting/newspaper business, but they were a reminder that on a particular story, column or project, you did a good enough job to impress someone.
Doing the job well day after day -- and, well, helping sell newspapers -- was my personal aim. Didn't always succeed, sometimes in fact failed miserably, and had to move on.
Worked with many better writers and editors, some of them repetitive award winners. But awards did come this way occasionally, and every now and then, there is a reminder of the work involved. And it's fun to think back on that.
This particular column came from a night when I covered a Texas League baseball game at SPAR Stadium, the (very) old home of the Shreveport Captains. It happened to be the Fourth of July, 1985.
Sat down with an elderly man, a familiar season-ticket holder as he was making his return to the ballpark for the first time that season, and the first time as a widower.
Wasn't particularly looking to write a story or column, but simply to say hello to the gentleman, Mr. Eugene Hemard, who was 87. The story/column found us.
Turned out to be a sweet piece, or maybe a bit bittersweet because Ms. Mamie wasn't there.
Read it, and I hope you appreciate it. (And, yes, the photo is from when I was 38 years old. Don't look much like that anymore.)
.jpg)
.jpg)
From Stan Tiner: Beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteI have many fine memories of that stadium. As a knothole gang member, I spent many of my summer nights there with my family.
From Chuck Baker: Great story. 1938. Wow. Think of all the history they lived through and thought about while they were sitting in those seats.
ReplyDeleteFrom Leo Van Thyn: Great article. I can see why you won an award for it. It's so important to write about people like this gentleman. Athletes don't often appreciate how important it is to people to come and watch them play. Yet there are these loyal fans who make it part of their entertainment routine to come and watch them on a regular basis. There are so many with special stories. This is the kind of thing we need to read more often.
ReplyDeleteFrom Teddy Allen: What in the world could have won first that year?
ReplyDeleteAlso, good call on naming the streets after Sports/Caps/Braves. Guess it’s good now they didn’t do it but … Of course, wish they had built on the river to start with, as we begged them to …
Thank you for posting this story. Tremendous effort. Writing game … Major Crank Game …
Me and JJ talking the other day after the LSWA meeting/contest; he reminded me that the Lee Arthur Smith story won APSE [in 1987], but didn’t scratch in state. MAYBE a second, but might not have won anything. Jump ball sometimes …
From Susan Updegraff: What a beautiful piece. I can see why it was one of your favorites. Too bad someone didn't pick the gentleman up and take him to the night games. It sounds like he was a precious soul.
ReplyDeleteFrom Robbie Albright: Great article. I'm more appreciative today of recognition of our seniors and their stories and contributions. Good job.
ReplyDeleteFrom Skip Young: You had great dedication to your work which is the main reason you were so good at it. Like most athletes they were never 100 percent pleased with their work. There was always a way to do better and a way to improve. Sadly your chosen profession once hallowed for its importance to our society is now a shell of itself, it is now hardly due the name "profession."
ReplyDeleteFrom Mike Richey: This is an example and reminder of how the best stories often come out of left field. It’s not what you expect to find on a night at the ballpark, but you saw it, felt it and wrote it superbly. Well done.
ReplyDeleteFrom Keith Prince: So enjoyable to read and get to be in Mr. Hemard’s world for a few minutes. You told the story beautifully because you let him tell his story. Obviously, I wasn’t a judge … you would have gotten a first-place nod from me. 🎈
ReplyDeleteFrom Nancy Staats: I think I probably read everything you wrote during those years because you wrote from your heart. Thank you for sharing this column. It’d be fun just to go back there for a day, wouldn’t it?
ReplyDeleteFrom Al LeGrand: Again, well done. I remember the original article and felt like I knew Mr. Hemard. Brought a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteFrom John James Marshall: Coach, quality effort in '85. I don't remember it originally, but I read every word this time. That place [stadium] was filled with great stories.
ReplyDeleteFrom Wally Rugg: You pulled a Ken Guettler on that one: home run! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteMan, time flies, doesn't it? Hard to believe you and I are just 10 years from being Eugene.
From Marvin Bahnman: Great story. Good, good people in simpler times. Thank you for sending it. Kinda warms the heart.
ReplyDeleteFrom Jane Hardwick: Great column! You really caught the feelings Eugene had at his first game after Mamie’s death. You’re right, “bitter-sweet.” Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteFrom Ron Kocher: Thanks for sharing. Touching, heartwarming and reflective of experiences of a long-lived life!
ReplyDeleteFrom Tom Morris: Wow. I feel like I really know this guy … and his fascinating wife!. His quotes! Your composition. I enjoy reading your work. Thanks.
ReplyDelete