THERE WERE EARLIER ONES

But the first baseball card and player that I ever remember was Cardinal outfielder Wally Moon in this Topps '57. The second card I remember was Bobby Gene Green, also a Cardinal outfielder. The third, predictably another Cardinal, second baseman Don Blasingame.

The first baseball game I ever attended was at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, a doubleheader with the Cubs. My first night game also there. It was at that moment that I appreciated the lyric, "I don't care if we ever get back." It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen with my nine year old eyes. It looked brighter than daytime and the green grass emerald and manicured. It was Augusta National to me. A slice of Heaven on earth.

My first autograph I got there. Curt Flood. I kept that autograph through high school. Years later after I had met his son, I sat with him for a few innings and watched the Cardinals play. Sincerity is the single word I would use to describe Mr. Flood.

My first foul ball--Busch Stadium. Jack Clark. My second was also at Busch. Hit by Willie McGee, the ball careened off a back interior wall into my hand as I snagged it, never spilling a drop of my lemonade.

My first appearance on a major league field--Busch Stadium. Photo Day when our son was ten or so. We took a few snapshots as we called them then and went to the outfield to play catch. I duplicated that with our daughter and a friend a few years later.

My first announcing job at a major league stadium--Busch Stadium. When the MTV high school baseball team played Granite City. I was pumped to hear my voice over that fabulous speaker system. That was duplicated another season and was just as much fun.

My first World Series game--Busch Stadium I. The Cardinals won on a Darrell Porter opposite field double. Tickets courtesy of Stan "The Man" Musial who was in a business deal with my wife and her boss.

First game of the new Busch Stadium--SRO, our son and I were there courtesy of our daughter who backdoored in and got us tickets via the internet.

When your passion for the game turns to love (some might say obsession) is what happened to me. I'm still affected by every Cardinal outcome. One of my favorite songs is "Thank God I'm a Cardinal Fan." And it all started with that Wally Moon baseball card so many years ago.