Old-Timers Day

Between Innings

Back when we took pride in Prospect Street the P-Rade ended at University Field, where E-D’s nine played a game against Ethan Allen’s Yalie dogs—the only admission-free (not tuitionfree) home game of the year, and the only sell-out.

Even at home we played in heavy gray wool, with pant-legs tucked up above the orange-striped stirrups (“Dodger” and others cut theirs a little higher). Our caps, also heavy, were flat, the “P” reclining in a season’s accumulation of sweat and infield dirt.

“House” and “Mouse” were the center of the infield. “Mouse” later was replaced by “Shrew”, and, to complete the trifecta, “Voles” was an assistant coach, although he spelled it with a “z”, I think. “Pocket Rocket” played third; “Elmer” caught. In the outfield were the color extremes, “Fudge” and “Whitey” (“Tito”, not Ford, Lockman, or Herzog), as well as “Dodger”, “Ollie”, and other delinquents and comedians. “Pops” Sweeney was a nonmatriculate without portfolio. Pitchers included “Waldo” and “Teun” (“turn”, not “tune”). For tunes we looked to “Ivory”, another pitcher.

All and all, not a bad lineup, and not a bad time to be at Princeton.

So, “Who’s” on first? No, “Who’s” not. “Old Timer”, with the soft glove and hard hands, played there.