Baseball and beautiful people

With a brand new Major League Baseball season upon us, every fan has visions of a world championship in their team’s immediate future. Being the oldest professional sport in America, years and years of great trivia questions have been born out of the necessity to stump friend and foe alike.

Baseball lends itself to great and obscure questions that will test the knowledge of every baseball fan, young or old. Here are nine questions to test your baseball acumen.

1. When did the National League begin play?

2. When was the American League formed?

3. What player hit the most home runs in the 1960’s?

4. What pitcher had the most wins during the 1960’s?

5. What player played in five decades?

6. Who hit the longest home run in major league history?

7. Who is the only catcher to lead a league in triples?

8. Who said, “It beats rooming with Joe Page.”

9. Who is Lance Boyle’s favorite player of all-time?

Answers are at the end of this column.

• The Superior Super One Stores have really “stepped up to the plate” for Hunger Takes No Holiday. The $5 “empty plate” promotion is entering its final stages. Each donation of $5 provides $50 worth of food for our local food shelves through Second Harvest Food Bank. As of this writing, the three stores have sold over 1,000 empty plates. This equals $5,000 which turns into $50,000 in food or 25,000 meals for our friends and neighbors. Thanks to these great stores, employees, and incredibly compassionate customers. You are incredible.

• Speaking of compassionate customers, as I was visiting the downtown Super One, I met a couple of beautiful ladies in the check-out lane. I was buying a couple of bakery products for a friend when conversation began about Hunger Takes No Holiday. Annette Jacobson from South Range and Barbara McKay from Superior, and close personal friends with former Telegram writer Paul Skamser, were a treat to speak with. I know they bought a plate to show their support for our campaign. Front End Manager, Kelly Raunio, introduced me to 15-year employee Jennifer Androsky. I fell in love with her immediately because of her smile and sense of humor. I love going to all of the Superior Super One Stores. They have wonderful employees and customers. Hi Janie.

• On April 11 Concordia Lutheran Church is not the place to be. The Second Annual Guess Who’s Not Coming to Dinner will be held. Gary Banker will have all of the tables set in the finest of finery, but the kitchen will not be pumping out great food. Instead, Concordia is selling individual tickets for $10 and tables seating eight for $75. All money collected will be included in our efforts to collect $25,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank.

This night and dinner have great significance. By purchasing your ticket or table, you will be helping those who face the all too often reality of a table with no food. You can help by contacting Gary Banker at Concordia Lutheran Church at 715-394-3762.

Don’t dress up and don’t show up for dinner.

I’ll make sure your table is next to the Boyle table, or not, if you prefer.

• There have been many heartwarming stories during the first three years of Hunger Takes No Holiday. Yesterday, charter supporters of our campaign presented me with a check for $1,000 that will provide 5,000 meals.

They wish to remain anonymous, and I will honor their request. They are wonderful people that really understand what life is all about.

We still need help in reaching our goal of $25,000 which will provide $250,000 worth of food which equals 125,000 meals for residents of Superior and Douglas County.

• Next week: Weekend at Wessman Arena with the Douglas County Fish and Game League Show.

Trivia Answers

1. 1876.

2. 1901.

3. Harmon Killebrew, 393 home runs.

4. Juan Marichal, 191 pitching wins.

5. Minnie Minoso, 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s. and 80s

6. Mickey Mantle, 565 ft. off Washington Senator pitcher Chuck Stobbs in 1956 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, DC.

7. Tim McCarver, 13 in 1966.

8. Joe DiMaggio-when asked what it was like to be married to Marilyn Monroe.

9. Stan Musial.

Opinions and/or story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com or wgranlund@centurytel.net

Tags: have fun or get out of the way, collections, sports, baseball