IT WAS THE FALL OF 1955 AND THE  LEAVES OF THE MAPLE TREES MADE FOR A COLORFUL COUNTRYSIDE.... BACK THEN YOU  WERE EITHER A YANKEE OR DODGER FAN ...THE TV'S WERE SNOWY .... EXCITEMENT PERMIATED THROUGH OUT THE COMMUNITY ...CHURCHBELLS RANG ....IT WAS THE 7TH GAME....  IT WAS DA BEST OF TIMES....

 I was a Yankee and bled that navy blue. Mickey Mantle had GOD like status .the startin' pitcher for da Dodgers was 23 year old Johnny Podres .it was the 7th game of the World Series. THE POD  wasn't even close to bein' the star of the team .they had guys like Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese. Roy Campanella.Gil Hodges and Junior Gilliam.  The star pitcher's were Big Don Newcombe and Carl Erskine this powerful team in later years was memorialized as the Boys of Summer .

On October 4th 1955 , a sunny breath taken' day in northern Minnesota, i did the unthinkable . At 8 years old i booked da dodgers to beat my heroes from Gotham. the kids on the block took my bait and got their quarters together and put them on the Bronx Bombers. not a bad choice since the Dodgers never won a World Series. and the last 5 loses where at the hands of da Yankees.

My change of heart was an interview prior to the game with  Hall of Fame pitcher and TV commentator  Dizzy Dean he said,  "the Pod tole his teammates i only will need one run."    POD got 2 and the Brooklyn, Dodgers went from the out house to da penthouse.... they win 2-0 and the Pod is named most valuable player.ironically 22 players, coaches,managers and club officials from both teams  would go on to the Hall of Fame but not the Pod.

As the autumn shadows approached  home plate in Yankee stadium he went from curves and change-ups ,to live fast balls. he stopped the Yanks and retired them in order in the ninth... he threw an 8 hitter . i collected my money . and learned a valuable lesson don't bet with your heart. ( I break that promise to myself from time to time with the Minnesota Vikings )

in any event at 1:43 pm Hibbing, MN.  time ... the Pod and his gang broke open the champagne and celebrated Brooklyn's one and only World Series...he retired in 1969 at age 36 with a life time record of 148-116...t.he lefthander threw a beautiful game on a storied day in Yankee Stadium . A day for the ages ....thanks for the memories....you done good...fare thee well Johnny Podres ...dead at 75 ...fare thee well ....