My Dad Was A Little League World Series Champ
Here’s a proud mama moment from the Little League, Jacob Zurek plays for the Pearland, Texas team, representing the Southeast Region. ESPN was interviewing his mom in the stands, about how they used to live in Pennsylvania, home of the series, when this happened. (The dinger helped Texas beat Pennsylvania 8 to 4 and move on to play Tennessee tonight.)
Now, talk about a small world, right after airing this segment, got a call from Debbie Hernandez who said that her dad actually was watching the same game that The Mike & Carla Morning Show were talking about because when he was 12 years old, he was on the Pennsylvania Little League team that actually won the Little World Series…back in 1960!
(Permission to use photo: Debbie Hernandez)
Jim Grauel is the one kneeling on the right holding the corner of the Championship Banner. Debbie says her dad still watches the Little League World Series every year to this day and has nothing but fond memories of those days. Being a great little ball player, Jim continued to play baseball into high school and was even scouted at one point for the majors, but the call to duty came and he was off to serve as a Marine in Vietnam.
Asked if he still had his little league jersey and cap, Debbie told us he didn’t, but plenty of pictures to keep those memories alive for a lifetime! However, one of the best memories for dad was watching his grandson play little league baseball and being there to see him hit his first homerun! Hopefully he kept the ball!!!
Both Mike O’Brian and Carla Rea had great memories of people in their lives that included baseball…Carla talking about a family friend who ended up playing minor league ball up in Sacramento until got drafted. Mike’s older brother playing Little League an actually throwing two no-hitters during his career on the diamond!
All great memories for a lifetime and at the center of it all, America’s favorite past time…BASEBALL! So hit “play” below, listen to the segment from this morning and enjoy!
9 Things Under $20 Every Sports Fan Will Love
AM/FM Radio Portable
Possibly one of the most important Must Haves for Sports fans is an AM/FM radio. Even better if it’s handheld. If you can’t catch the game on TV you can always find it on radio.
Sun/Fishing Hat
If you’re a Sports fan, chances are pretty likely that you attend some games outdoors, whether it be on the local, collegiate or professional level. Protect yourself in the stands with this UV 50+, windproof, sweat-wicking, quick-dry hat. Use it as a wide brim to block the sun or snap the side up when the clouds come out. Plus it’s packable, so you can throw it your bag and take it on the go.
Cooling Towels
A definitive Must Have for Sports fans is a cooling towel. It can get hot out there in the stands or wherever you’re enjoying the game. You soak these in cool water, wring out and wear in a variety of ways to cool your body down. For some extra coolness, why not throw it in the cooler for a few.
Ticket Stub Diary
Snag this Ticket Stub Diary by Eric Epstein to store your ticket stubs. Keeps them safe and easy to grab when you need to brag to your friends. The acid-free pages also include space for jotting down notes.
Tailgaiting Umbrella
As a Sports fan, if you spend time any time tailgating, then this Ace Hardware 4ft umbrella is a Must Have. Made of durable polyester, it will clamp onto your chair to keep you dry or protected from the sun. Plus, this bright green color will make it easy to find in the parking lot.
Stadium Approved Crossbody Purse
A Must Have for Sports fans attending any game is a stadium-approved see-through bag. This Vorspack Clear Crossbody measures 8 inches by 10 inches and will hold all of the necessities without being cumbersome. It comes in a variety of colors and would look great with any outfit.
Team Lanyards
Fanatics offers a wide range of lanyards covering every league you can think of. These are a sure-fire to keep your keys and tickets at the ready and from being lost. For well under $20, you can outfit the whole family and show your team pride.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
