Yes, I read the Joliet Herald-News every day. Not for the sports, the local politics, or the news in brief since they are not as interesting as the obituaries. As Carl Reiner stated, “If you’re not in the obit, eat breakfast.”
The habit of “obit checking” accelerates with each passing year for the “superannuated” generations. Just recently, the Herald-News published a wonderful story about the life of Chuck Lennon, a baseball teammate in the early 1960s when we both played for Russ Nielsen. Chuck passed away in May but I had not seen the notice until the Monday newspaper cited it. (Story on Chuck at: https://online.theherald-news.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=738de206-0ff1-4b61-a088-ae1381c971f3 )
It was only a few weeks ago that Russ also passed away at age 93. He was the successful owner of several Joliet gas stations and the manager of a baseball team, Nielsen Mobilgas, which placed 7th in the nation in 1961. I had the good fortune of playing with/for Russ several years both in Braidwood and in Joliet. For Russ, baseball was a family affair with his brother Don assisting him and his parents attending many of the home games. “Grandma” Nielsen, as we called her, entertained us with some very colorful language directed at the home plate umpires.
What a great experience to have had the occasion to play baseball in the Joliet area. Joliet has the reputation of being excellent in sports, but it is the experience of getting to know some of the finest people that I most enjoyed. Whenever one of my teammates dies, I immediately go to the old team pictures and smile at them once again.
And yes, I can tell you their names, fielding positions, and hitting/throwing sides. These fellows were friends without reservation all with a common goal: to play baseball, have fun, and win as often as possible. We shared our passion at a critical time in our lives, with open communication and love for one another.
As time passed, we lost track of one another except for a few isolated instances. It is only when the Herald-News arrives on my computer that my shock at these young teammates’ demise is transformed into nostalgia and regret that we will never be teammates again.
But what a time that we once had!
Braidwood Beginnings 