Shel Silverstein: Sox fan
by Uribe Down on Jan 8, 2012 5:57 PM CST
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PrintCall me a simpleton; The Giving Tree is one of my favorite books. A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends are pretty good, too, not to mention the fact that they provide about 80% of grade school memorization test material. So when I came across this story about digging through Shel Silverstein's archives, I read. Turns out he was from the Southwest Side of Chicago, was a lifelong White Sox fan, a hot dog vendor at Comiskey Park in the 40's, and a writer for Playboy.
In a June, 1962 four-page spread for the mentioned magazine, Shel is featured practicing and hanging out with the Sox during spring training in Sarasota, Florida. Here's the first two pages and the second two pages.
In the first link, number 6 would be light-hitting utility infielder Al Weis, who would get his major league debut that September. 10 would be Sherm Lollar, turning 38 that year, in his second-to-last season in baseball. Also, in one of the photographs, that's Nellie Fox batting while Shel catches. The second link features young Fred Talbot as number 35. He made his major-league debut at the tail end of the 1963 season. Lastly, Tony Cuccinello, a former all-star who played on the Sox from 1943 to 1945, wears number 33.
Apologies to BuehrleMan and others if this has been shared before; it's all new to me. Thanks to Rhubarb for the images.
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I knew Shel back in the day...
…fun to go to a ballgame with or to just hang out at his place off Division. Invariably, the guitar would come out. Boy Named Sue. Cover of the Rolling Stone…some of the songs from Ned Kelly (soundtrack he wrote). He is missed.
by RoyEgan on Jan 8, 2012 8:17 PM CST reply actions 7 recs
Me too from my bar tending days on Division and living in that neighborhood near the mansion.
Never knew the Sox connection though.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
Shel Silverstein and Jean Shepherd
…were the two fans I wished would have lived to see 2005.
Nelson Algren would be on my list, but he was just born too early.
We play on the "bad" side of town, we were supposedly cursed, and we wear black. Let's play.
I remember meeting him when I was in 8th grade.
I won an essay contest at my grade school, and I was sent to a young writers convention where he was among several authors to lead workshops for the students. He was one of the few to leave an impression on me, and I remember him being outgoing, funny, and incredibly personable with the students. He gave the impression of being genuinely excited to be there, whereas many of the other authors seemed disinterested after a short while. He became one of my favorite authors after that, and now he turns out to be a Sox fan. Fantastic.
Todd Kalas wants to murder that furry green shit
by Albertrayon on Jul 23, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
by Cruiser on Jan 8, 2012 10:08 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
yeah read "Where the Sidewalk Ends" as a kid
Had no idea of his connection to Chicago or the Sox though. Very cool
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
If I hadn't been out of it today
…I would’ve gone to the Shel Silverstein tribute at the Hideout tonight
"Hawk Harrelson: Annoying even the hearing impaired": Teahenny Penny paraphrasing Chisoxfan1473
by NorthSidePaulie on Jan 8, 2012 10:56 PM CST reply actions
Goody!
"Hawk Harrelson: Annoying even the hearing impaired": Teahenny Penny paraphrasing Chisoxfan1473
by NorthSidePaulie on Jan 8, 2012 11:44 PM CST up reply actions
Thaks for the reading...very nice. I really like The Dirty Face poem at teh end.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
Good piece.
The link had been shared before but seems like a lot of folks hadn’t seen it. Thanks for the link.
We're all here because we're not all there.
I used to read Playboy
for the Shel Silverstein articles.
Shel Silverstein -First class
I did meet him once and he was open,charming,funny and down to earth.Really a pleasure to talk to.I am not suprised he is a Sox fan.
Thanks for posting.
I used to read “Where the Sidewalk Ends” & “Falling Up” to my kids. Fond memories. Also loved Dr Seuss.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, 1/2 pack of cigarettes...it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
This got me thinking of other kids book's I loved to read to my kids.
“The Giving Tree” Silverstein, of course. “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. “I am Not Going to Get Up Today” “Sneetches” & “Green Eggs & Ham” by Dr Seuss. “Monster at the End of This Book.” by John Stone. “Go Away Big Green Monster” Ed Emberley. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Any of the Berenstain Bears Books. I’m sure there are many more I’m forgetting…
For you YPOS with kids.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, 1/2 pack of cigarettes...it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Monster at the end of this book
One of my kids’ all-time favorites. We wore out three copies!
'The Little House' by Virginia Lee Burton made a big impact on me. The harcover VL Burton collection is my favorite book to read to my kids.
The changes in mood and expression on the face of the little house, as the big-city sprawl surrounds her, is perfection in story-telling art. If yer askin’ me.
Why buy the cow when the milk is kinda bitchy?
by SkanchoDanza on Jan 10, 2012 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
That's a great one. I had when I was little.
It reminds me of “Are You My Mother?” by Eastman.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, 1/2 pack of cigarettes...it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Rosalies Good Eats Cafe
“In God we trust all other must pay cash”
While attending the College of DuPage I worked as a tow truck driver. One day I towed Shel’s publicist (manager maybe?) car to a local dealership and he road along. When we arrived at service lot and unloaded the car he opened up his trunk a pulled out a record album(yes I’m that old) by Shel and gave it to me. What a great gift. Knowing that Shel was a White Sox fan make it even that more special.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain
Soxfest 2012
I’m just wondering. Is anybody going to Soxfest this year? This will be the first year I’m not going. In order to go on Saturday, you have to buy a 2 day pass. Talk about being gouged. This is another public relations disaster for the White Sox. Why buy a 2 day pass if you only want to go one of the days?
Too bad this disaster keeps you away: Zambrano is being introduced as DH this year.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
by Chiburb on Jan 9, 2012 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
dont worry... i will be there to break the news of the cespedes signing.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
This is also new to me.
Every birthday for 9 years I recieved a Shel book. The last one was in 2005 when Runny Babbit was published posthumously. I honestly cried when I received it, probably just as much as I did in ‘99 when he passed away. He was a fantastic author, and in my household he’s extremely missed.
I am seriously considering going to the Hideout for the Freakers Ball tribute. If others are going it could be the start of an impromptu methup.
3 things in life I care about
Sox, Colts, and Hawks.
Lifetime banners: '05, '07, '10
As a perfect counterpoint, IIRC, Bob Greene was a Cub Fan.
"His Load got Sloppy" Colintj
by DrEmilioLizardo on Jan 9, 2012 1:58 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
Bob Greene
HUGE asshole.One of the slimyest jerks to ever crawl the earth.
This is excellent.
We're all here because we're not all there.
by winningugly on Jan 9, 2012 2:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
barry larkin, and only barry larkin
inducted in to the hall of fame today
"Rhubarb, if you wouldn’t mind, ram your taint into your monitor as hard as you can." - joewho112
In the mid 50's, Sherman Lollar
rented an apartment in a two flat on the west side (oh, how times have changed Curt Flood). I lived down the block and played w/ his son, Timmy.
My serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations.
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!
Well this just made my day
Was Dr. Seuss a Sox fan? Otherwise I’d have to say Silverstein was my favorite writer as a kid
Funny how the knowledge of the game is inversely proportional to the price of the seats.
Yes, Dr Seuss was a Sox fan, as you can tell from his rare work entitled "White Sock Red Sock"
White Sock, Red Sock, which shall I choose.
Red Socks stink, all they do is lose.
White Socks come from the Home of the Blues
Best players ever, some dont wear no shoes.
"His Load got Sloppy" Colintj
by DrEmilioLizardo on Jan 11, 2012 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 6 recs
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