In setting the record straight... by S. Fienman Dear Cantankerous:
As under-sized, under-uniformed, under-organized and under-practiced (although, I do remember practicing a ton), we the little guys succeeded, by mystery and melodrama and old-fashioned (but poetic) cheating, nipped the bullies!!!
Does my arid, 76 1/2 year old brain recall that the losers chased us down Caton Avenue to the Coney Island Avenue trolley and shook the trolley car pathetically until the motorman (our savior) threatened to bring the local constabulary??? And that we, who were so excited and scared-shitless and, of course, so proud of our victory against the tyrants, created a cacophony of whoops and balderdash, and afterwards20ended up in the Leader to watch whatever double feature and cartoons were playing. Oy! Life was so simple then.
Your eloquent rendering of that Kafkaesque, anecdotal morning is classic. Yes! My boy, you have captured the drama with your prose! I second the motion. You describe our pre-teen mythology with verity and angst!
Was it not Kenny W. , or perhaps Marty Schub who caught that pass? I can't remember 'cause my face was being pushed six inches deep into the Parade Grounds mud. It also seems we used that magical play many times afterward.
GUNG HO the Panthers! Our remarkable upset of the "bullies" WAS heroic! Your story should absolutely be incorporated in the=2 0web site with20the rest of the bubba-meisse. THE AVENUE H FAISCO … BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS A MIRACLE.
Post script #1: Carl Bengston to this day is still embarrassed by dropping a sleeper pass near the goal line. S
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