October 2009
The Thunderbolt Kid and Memories of Riverview Amusement Park
There is nothing better to fill a silent room with than one’s own laughter.
I didn’t grow up with the Dick Van Dyke family life, but Bill Bryson's memoir, Thunderbolt Kid, helped me dust off some memories that can make any dysfunctional childhood recall several good times we all shared.
I remember wishing I had a brother or sister who was an honest-to-goodness beatnik, not just some person I would hear adults whispering about.
I recall occasionally going out for a fancy dinner and having to get all dressed up and being told that “if I was good I could order a Shirley Temple.” And of course, I wanted to be Shirley Temple on rainy days.
I had forgotten about removing cork from bottle caps and splitting popsicles in two to share with my best girlfriend.
I loved scabs and skinned knees and I really loved stubbing my big toes because that meant I was barefoot and free. And so many summer days were filled with doing “nothin” except laying on our backs and watching clouds move along the sky.
Forest preserves, bowling alleys, roller rinks, ice skating and neighborhood pools meant you didn’t have to plan any activity with anyone…those were places to meet up.
And then there was Riverview: Riverview Park was located on Chicago's northwest side and one of the city's most popular amusement destinations. Spread across more than 140 acres of land bounded by Belmont Avenue on the south, Western Avenue on the east, and the north branch of the Chicago River on the west, the park offered inexpensive amusements to work-weary Chicagoans.
Every summer, thousands flocked to the park to enjoy its combination of thrilling rides, fascinating exhibits, cheap eats, interesting people, and cool evening air.” I remember the thrill of going every year for my birthday until it was closed down in 1967.
Built-in 1926 at a cost of $80,000, the carefully designed coaster the BOBs, jostled, its riders from beginning to end. Excessively sharp curves, shortened dips, low-riding cars, and clanking gears not only rattled riders' bones, but intensified the illusion of the ride's mechanical dangers and its seemingly life-threatening speeds. Other Riverview coasters included the Comet, the Blue Streak, the Pippen, the Jack Rabbit, and the Flying Turns, which was moved to Riverview in 1935 after Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition, its former home, came to an end. Riverview was complete with the “jazzy Riverview Ballroom and the Riverview Roller Rink, where youthful roller-skating enthusiasts and members of the Riverview Roller Skating Club.”
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Living Sports Legends
Imagine this, Tony is in his home in Oxnard, California and tunes into the (National League Series Division leaders) LA Dodger games and at 99 years of age that is nothing to balk at. He just may be the oldest living ballplayer with the shortest career. He played third base and shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers in April of 1937 and ended his career that same year in July. He was asked what seems to be the only question some young reporters can think to ask an older person... what is your secret to a long life? (Don't you just hate that question?) Anyway, Tony apparently replies, "Just keep breathing!" Thanks, Tony, it doesn't get any better than that.
So reading about Malinosky, I couldn't help thinking about other septuagenarian, octogenarian and nonagenarian athletes. If we were putting together a team of legends, at the top of the list would be 98 year old John Wooden and 95 year old Jack LaLanne. Our top ten 80-year-olds would include Arnold Palmer at 80; Vin Scully and Gordie Howe at 81; Whitey Ford, Joe Paterno and Tommy Lasorda at 82; Joe Gargiolla at 83; Yogi Bera at 84; and Stan Musiel and Jake Lamatta at 88. This list of silver stars born in the 1930's includes Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Carl Yaztremski, Bill Russell, Whitey Herzog, John Madden, Pat Summerall, Sandi Kolfax and Willie Mays.
See ladies, I know you actually know many of these names, and no there isn't a test at the end of the article but do you know what these old-timers are up to today?
Winningest coach turned author, the legendary Wooden inspires kids and adults with his speeches and presence in the community. The godfather of physical fitness, LaLanne, went on to develop workout machines, gyms and workout regimes for all ages. And he is still producing CDs and making the exercise circuit today. The voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vin Scully is a sportscasters' gentleman and is still calling games to this day! Vin says he will retire in 2010 but ask him after the Dodgers win the series. Mr. Hockey, and a giant to all, Gordie Howe is still around and involved as part-owner of the Vancouver Giants. At 82 you will see old Joe Paterno Saturdays as the very active head coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions. And LA's own Tommy Lasorda is still working as the Special Advisor to the Dodgers Chairman recruiting and spreading baseball goodwill thoughout the year and making money on product endorsements. My all-time favorite on this list of greats is Mr. Cub #14, Ernie Banks. He is very active in charity work, and a couple of years ago founded the Live Above & Beyond Foundation and as a winemaker released 512 Chardonnay, named for his 512 career home runs.
Also on this list of amazing athletes are Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Stan Muisel. Isn't it great to think that three baseball hall of famers are still setting records making a difference in their communities off the field just like in the old days in the ballpark?
And now we have that man at the top, newly inducted into the centenarian hall of fame this week: Tony Malinosky. Now let's play ball.
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