The author reflects on a vivid yet incorrect memory from the 1969 World Series involving a significant play by J.C. Martin. Initially believing he witnessed the game-winning moment, he later realizes his memory was a blend of different events, particularly a baseball card reveal that glorified the moment. The piece explores how memories evolve, influenced by later accounts and personal experiences, set against the backdrop of significant social events like Moratorium Day during the Vietnam protests, adding layers to the nostalgia of sport.
My mother was in a booth that afternoon with a friend of hers, the two of them no doubt drinking coffee and one of them surely smoking cigarettes.
I had just purchased at the cash register and was so delighted to find the card with the Sporting News; logo on top and the caption 'MARTIN'S BUNT ENDS DEADLOCK!' on the bottom.
Eventually, I filled in all the gaps of what I may not have been cognizant of at the moment I pulled the World Series card.
It was Moratorium Day. Vietnam protests intertwined with Tom Seaver starting at Shea.
Collection
[
|
...
]