Sunday, July 24, 1994
We’re Talkin’ Baseball on CJAD
I’m Jim Fanning, talkin’ baseball on CJAD — and I want to tell you about the nice people you meet at the ball game. A couple from Ottawa sat by me last night — they arrived about the 4th inning accompanied by two beautiful golden retrievers.
They had tickets in the Disabled Section but asked of an expo employee if they could possibly have a-little better seats to better see the game. They were obliged — and ended up sitting by me.
I heard the employee say — “Oh, you’re sitting by Jim Fanning – he’ll tell you about the game.” The lady then made my day — “Oh, Jim Fanning, we listen to you every morning and the Sunday show. She said CJAD was their station for the sports — and that they listen to Expos games on CFRA in Ottawa or CKCH, the French station.
Well, Marie and Chris Stark – two great Expos fans are blind — yet they see so much. Marie attended the Nazareth school for the Blind here in Montreal and CHris, the school for the blind in Halifax — they then went to university and are both gainfully employed in Ottawa. They have a 16 and 20 year old – who, incidentally, don’t like baseball.
It started for Marie at 16 – at Jarry Park in 1969 – as she was taken to games by her brother and father. She had the sports pages read to her — she started talking about Rusty, Coco, Mack and all the others like it was yesterday. Her brother Michael, runs Sportsman in Trave and puts together the annual West Coast Tour — which Marie and Chris took last year. — As Chris said, it was great seeing the west coast parks — but it was tough listening to the out of town broadcasters … and how they missed Dave VanHorne — who they’ve listened to for 26 years and they fondly talked of Dave and Russ, Dave and Duke, Dave and Jim and Dave and Ken — they Met Ken Singleton on the trip last year and were thrilled. As Chris addeed. “What makes the games so great is the broadcasts.”
Oh, Yes, the seeing eye dogs… Luna and Quincy — they rested peacefully at the feet of their masters. They had their toys and bones to remind them of home. Chris said the crowds don’t bother them, but the Fireworks in San Diego sure did…
And… do they know their baseball. they continually worked the volume up and down on their radios — when Wetteland came on to pitch, Marie said. “Jim, I don’t like it when John goes to his slider when his FastBall is so good.” I was giving them the speeds on Wettlenads FB –93, 94, 95.. Chris asked if I was getting those numbers off the message board — 1 said, No., the Seattle scout beside me had a radar gun…
They are very anxious to go to Chicago and see Wrigley Field — and sing along with Harry Carey…
At one point Marie turned to me and said, “Wasn’t that some kind of All Star game – and see all those Expos there.” Then as we were leaving, she asked, why don’t they sing Valderee-Valdera anymore — alomst on cue — the departing fans started to sing that very song.
Marie told me the only time she misses anything is when there’s so much rackett. well, there was plenty of that last night….
Of course, I asked a lot of questions. . .How’d you get here — by train… Who came with you to the park. . . No one — our dogs took us – they know the way. . We never have a problem.
As we were leaving I said, what can I do for you….Chris said, “Well, we always need a rest room after a game and our dogs need a little grass… On our way to the rest room – I’m trying to think now — where is the closest grass….Chris said, oh we’ll take you there — it’s the door just next to the Expos Boutique. There I led them — though it wasn’t necessary — and sure enough, there was a nice patch of grass… When these important needs were taken care of and we were back in the rotunda they said.. “OK, we’ll see you — we’re headed for the metro — our dogs will take us home — we’ll be back tomorrow and for the Atlanta series.
I watched them disappear into the crowd — not losing a step — and knew they were more confident than any of the thousands who were headed that way. I know one thing for sure — they were two of the happiest. …
Chris and Marie Stark don’t see the game as I do — But, man, they see it all.
I’m Jim Fanning, talkin’ baseball on CJAD.