Th~ Judson Journal SPRlNG EDITION VOL. 61. N02 APRIL J 5, 2005 "IN THE SHADE OF A WHITE ELEPHANT" I guess it's a sign of age, but I don't "Yock" Yaccavonne to trade nights of the season still remaining to be really care what people think. Every with me delivering pizza pies for played, anything could happen. The chance I get when I'm around our Basile's Pizzaria on more games the Phillies win the young generation I somehow can 22nd Street. Uncle Jack has tickets to attendance at each game is almost always relate the current the Phillies home opener tonight and increasing and the parking situation conversation to something from my he invited me to go with him. It's in the neighborhood becomes more past. For instance when the subject one of those unusually warm early desperate. People who have resident of the Philadelphia Eagles came up spring nights and many people are stickers for their cars are selling their this past football season I told the delighted to be outdoors enjoying an spaces for as much as five dollars story about the time in 1958 when early taste of summer. I kiss my very and parking their cars until Uncle AI took me to see the Eagles pregnant wife Pat goodbye after after the games. As the season moves play the New York Giants at Connie dinner and walk down Toronto on it looks as though the Phillies Mack Stadium. We had standing Street toward 2151 Street. Cocky is have a clear shot at winning the room only tickets and it was a bitter standing near cats Club talking to pennant and business at the local cold December Sunday. To Nags about tomorrows horse racing Steak Shops like Mike's on 29th emphasize how close we lived to the selections at nearby Garden State Street Curcio's on Judson Street and stadium I mentioned that we actually Race Track in Cherry Hill, New Sharkey's on Bonsall Street is left the game at half-time, walked Jersey. Walt Cannon and his wife booming. Emily's Pizzeria is packed home, had a dish of macaroni's and Carmella come out of their on any game night and Dee's Bar at returned to see the end of the game. apartment and get into their car. On 23rd and Clearfield is packed with This is a "true" story; however, I 2 I 51 Street Alfonse and Hairs Parrise both neighbor's and visiting fans. don't think that my listeners believed are talking about the lack of parking The excitement builds and as me. It was truly a unique experience spaces during the baseball season. September rolls around it seems to and a fond memory of the 'White This is a subject that can cause a be inevitable that the Phillies will Elephant, if I may coin a phrase that neighborhood residents temper to win the Pennant. I was used to describe the original flare. Uncle Jack is talking to Demo even made a novena with my wife at tenants the Philadelphia Athletics. Paoni at the comer of2151 and Indian St. Mary's making my intention that My fondest memories of the stadium Avenue as I greet them. Making our the Phillies would go all the way this include springtime, the Philadelphia way along the short three block walk year. With only twelve games to go Phillies and my Uncle Jack McDade. down 2151 street toward the stadium the Phillies are sure to clinch the Uncle Jack was a fan of all sports, we encounter several neighbors Pennant. The attendance at the but baseball was his greatest love. outside their homes enjoying the games is sure to reach an all time During baseball season, as everyone view of the fans parking their cars. It high and many of the entrepreneurs who lived in our old neighborhood is early in the season, but because of of the neighborhood are hoping to in North Philly understood, it the warm weather many fans are capitalize by making plans to sell brought excitement, exuberance and lined up at Ruggieri's lemonade food on strategic comers to offering a sense that we lived near the walls stand. Hank Salvato greets us with "I taxi services from the Broad Street of immortality within the shade of think this is going to be a winning Subway to the stadium. our beloved Stadium. season!" Uncle Jack agrees and The guy I envy this season is That's correct, within walking continues educating me about this Jimmy DiGiacomo who is a hot dog distance of our homes we would be year's roster and their stats, just like vendor at the ballpark and has been able to see , Robin he has done for as long as I can able to be in attendance for every Roberts, , Jack Myers, remember. He is especially excited game. Uncle Jack and I got to see , Warren Spahn, Willie about three of the players who he seven more games this season, but Mays, , etc. etc. We not thinks are going to make a big with tickets at a premium now we only could get to see them play the difference to the team this season. will have to settle for listening to game, but many times we would He mentions that with the pitching of most of the games on the radio. By greet them either before the game John Bunning and the hitting and the end of the season the unthinkable parking their cars, or after the game fielding of Richie Allen and Johnny happens and the Phillies lose ten of at Framo's Restaurant on Allegheny Callison that the Phillies are going to the last twelve games ending up in Avenue. There was no better time to be the team to beat. Uncle Jack was second place one game from emphasize the tumultuous life within right about his prediction about the clinching the Pennant. It was a the shade of the White Elephant Phillies and by the All Star game disappointing, but exciting season than the 1964 season. Baseball break it was looking very good for until to the very last game. I know the Phillies, but with the second half next year they'll do it. Season 1964: I am lucky to get Phil