When Then Was... Now!

CASEY NOW ROCKING FOR KARRMA! By Uncle Omie/Jerry Pritikin

2013-04-19T16:22:00.002-07:00

There was a time when I thought my nephew's son would make a living from baseball. At 4 he could hit him self a pop up with a whiffelball, drop the bat and catch the ball. He was born on a Cubs Opener and with a name like "Casey", and a father for a baseball guru, it look like he was on the way... when he was 5, in his grandparents backyard, broke a 2nd story window hitting a whiffle-ball and everyone cheered him as if he hit a homer. I returned from the baseball winter meetings and had a few new items,one being a magazine about baseball. I was sitting in living room chair reading it. He was looking over my shoulder when I challenge him to a guess"Who is it?" Quiz. I turned to the old timers section and pointed a finger at a jovial rotund figure with his foot on the running board of an old Ford, and in black and white. And he said The Babe!

Then there was a sketch of a current player and again Casey did not hesitate before stating Nolan Ryan. It went that way until we got to the back inside page and he was stumped... But you know what I was so proud of him, because it was color ad for Kellogs, and it was their Cartoon of TONY the Tiger!

He has played ball at many levels at High School, College and various leagues and many Throphys to show for it, however he made a career change... for Music. Casey Manheim is part of a band called KARRMA and they have played well many well known music halls...

If he plays music half a good as he played baseball... he just might be in the right spot at the right time. I do know one thing... I have absolutely no musical talent, even with a tissue and a comb or Kazoo. My mother in a fun way would tell me when I was singing the latest from "Bandstand"... She would say " You have a Voice.... for peddeling fish! She was right!

This is Casey's KARRMA Band-mates and that's Casey under the "MA" www.facebook.com/karrmaband

UnKnown Tony, Casey's Little league Card.

"EARS" Manheim With future Hall of Famer Andre Dawson at Fenway Park

On the evening I was entertaining at a Kane County Cougar Game. Casey came to cheer me on!

Bleacher Preacher's salute to Harry Caray (c) Jerry Pritikin

2013-02-28T17:46:00.001-08:00

Just a typical summer's day and that "Voice" saying "Let Me Hear ya! A ONE, A TWO,

Photo By Lee Balterman, and my message of the day.

With Harry Caray on his 10th Inning Show-1985

Dutchie and Harry in the Bleachers (c) Jerry Pritikin

When Harry sang TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME he always had a chorus Fans along with him.

This was just a few moments before the Cubs Bus was taking the team to O'Hara and on to San Diego- and one game away from the World Series-1984

When Harry sat in the Center Field Bleachers he had request for autographs and Blessings!

Harry @ the Bat for a cause.

I was pitching a new gay sports magazine,and wrote about my times in the Gay Softball League,I'm wearing a Bubbies Kosher Pickles T-shirt A Legend in its own brine! On top of my solar powered Pith

Helmet,a solid gold propeller!

Lee Balterman always enjoyed shooting the Preacher,he was the photographer of credit for a Day's Inn Ad in the Cubs 1989-90 Yearbooks.

Chicago: February 28,2013. Tonight at Navy Pier the Bar with Harry Caray's name is saluting Harry's 99th Birthday. I thought about going and I decided I rather stay home and pay homage myself. It's hard for me to forget 25 years of roaming the Friendly Confines of Chicago's Wrigley Field. There has been many changes since Harry was traded to the St. Peter's All-Stars. I was one lucky baseball fan.

Once in a while, I got paid... but mostly not. The cost of a cheap seat has dramatically changed the complextion of the everyday fan... there are none! I really do not miss it... The ballpark no longer looks like the one my dad introduced me to back in 1945. For many years I equated my youth with them becaused they hardly changed in the first 40 years. But once the Cubs became owned by the Tribune Company,all that changed. And now the new owners has left little of ballpark I was weaned on. I have lost interest. For years I was convinced my father's promise made to me in 1945 when I was 8 years old, was going to eventually happen. I asked him to take me to the 1945 Cubs World Series, he felt I was too young and made me a PROMISE... he would take me the next time! Over the years, I and the Cubs came close to it... but be that as it was... it never happened. I believe that I have a Moses complex. I maybe able to see The Promised Land one day... but I'll never
get it to the PROMISED LAND. However, Harry made it fun to be a Cubs Fan along the way!

I surrender (c) Jerry Pritikin

2013-02-16T10:58:00.000-08:00

Meteors ,asteroids,global warming and a new token for the game of Monopoly. I surrender... Bull Shit is winning,it's all noise and hard to escape. Nothing on the horizon worth noticing or noted. Not even a good comedian with a timecapsul observation. I haven't felt this way since 1959! All images (c) Jerry Pritikin

This was the headline of the S.F.Examiner The story revealed a 2 inch hole was discovered in the 799 mile Alaskan Oil Pipe line. (c) J. Pritikin

Just a street level Billboard. I had witnessed the night before a father and son putting on the addition.(c) J .Pritikin

Over looking the Polk Street Pride Parade 1976 and it's One-of-a-Kind Shops. (c) J. Pritikin

Tim Sullivan on skates in Golden Gate Park-very 1978 (c) J Pritikin

Another happening in the 1970s (c) J.Pritikin

The last Box-Score of Stan the Man Musial...(c) ByJerry Pritikin

2013-01-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

Although I am best known as a Cubs Fan... I always respected the great players from the Visiting teams. I have seen quite a few as rookies and also many veterans who wound up at Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame. Probably my favorite all time National Leaguer was Stan Musial. Tonight came the word that he had passes away. He had an unusual batting stance and once in an interview I described him as looking like a Rodan Statue when he was in the batters box. A cork screw like swing, and seldom striking out. I never heard a Cubs fan boo him, in fact he always received a great hand when ever he came to the batter's box. Most of the times I only got to see him in the Cardinal's gray traveling uniform whenever he played in Wrigley Field, and that was quite often. My dad would always give my Brother Allen and me enough money to the first game of a series... then after that game we would help clean the grandstands and earn a free ticket to the next game. We considered ourselves lucky when the Cubs and Cardinals played in a double header. Since the Cubs did not play night games, Allen and I would listen to the Cardinal games on the radio... it was always filled with static. Their announcers were Harry Caray and Gabby Street and the Call letters were KMOX. The beer sponsor was a local brewery with an unusual name... and it was not Busch! When we were able to see the Cubs Cardinals games on TV, it was in black & white because color TV was years away. I have to admit I always thought the Cardinal's home uniform was the best in the National League. Once in a while I got to see them wearing their home White uniform with the Red Birds on a bat when Sport Magazine had Musial, or some other Card great on the Cover.

There are a few facts I recall about Musial, like he had the same amount of hits on the road as he did at Sportsmans Park and later Bush Stadium. (1,815) and the unusual trivia question that asked "What did Cardinal ballplayer Pete Whisenant do that no other Cardinal player did? He actually pinched hit for Musial twice! I was lucky to see him interviewd by Jack Brickhouse often, and once in a while he played is harmomica,too. I also recal the year that Cubs outfielder Frankie Baumholtz and Musial were battling out for the Batting Championship... and both teams were out of the pennant chase and on the final day of the season both players were starting pitchers, and pitched to each other. Musial won out,but the fans of both teams enjoyed the extra added attraction.

I remembered reading a great artical in Look Magazine in 1963 that said that Musial was retiring, and I took the time to write a letter to their editor and the printed it... see attachment. I was 27 when I wrote that letter. The following year I was mad when the Cardinals won the pennant because Stan Musial was not on the team. Yesterday I hit 76, and that's not homers... and Stan the Man from Denora Pa. is now playing in the Heavenly Confines for all times... Thanks Stan, you always were #1 with me and all baseball fans who appreciated Good Sportsmanship on and off the field.

Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher

My Friends Harvey Milk & George Moscone (c) Jerry Pritikin

2012-11-27T03:39:00.001-08:00

November 27,2012:

Today is another Anniversary of the assassinations of my friends,Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone in San Francisco back in 1978. I had the pleasure of knowing them and so many of the "Pioneers" of the early Gay Rights Movement and being a part of it myself. I am constantly reminded just how far that movement has come over that time. It came at a snails pace but never retreating. The movie "Milk" has helped the movement most in this the early stages of the 21st Centeury. It introduced Harvey (and George) and that era in Gay Rights to millions of people, young and old, gay and straight, here in America and around the world. The advent of the www. has made it easy to find out about our hero's as well as our enemies at the various stages along the way. I'm proud of my contributions via my photography and speaking OUT when ever I can, via this blog,Letters to the Editors and exhibits,documentaries and books happening in my lifetime.

The best is yet to come until the day all gays have Equal Rights! Please ask me if you have any questions, or comments on this post or all the rest found on my blog. May this Holiday Season bring Peace to you, your families,friends and most of all... to the World!

Photo Credit:Danny Nicoletta-1978 The day Harvey was the Acting Mayor of San Francisco.

Jerry Pritikin / Chicago

Thanksgiving in Chicago 50 years ago (c) J Pritikin

2012-11-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

There is a story that movie star Dorothy Lamour was discovered working as an elevator operator at Chicago's Marshall Field. I have a similar Marshall Field story. My second lover was discovered while I was working there as a furniture salesman. I was on the eighth floor near the State Street bank of elevators when I noticed a good looking young elevator operator. I watched for him every time the door opened to let customers in or out. Sometimes I saw him eating alone on the twelfth floor employee’s cafeteria where I often ate with a few gay friends. I pointed him out to them as a possible Mrs. Pritikin. Then he disappeared. One of my friends advised me that he was working in the Marshall Field Mail Catalog Department and that his name was Charles.

The day before Thanksgiving I decided to call Charles after looking up his department in the employee telephone directory. At about two in the afternoon I dialed the number and he answered the phone. I said I would like to place an order – for him. There was a pause, after which he asked me to call him at home later that night. I did. I asked if he would like to go out with me that evening but rather than go out, he wanted me to come over to his place on North Dearborn where he was renting a studio apartment in an old mansion.

When I walked up the stairs to ring the bell I noticed several people looking out a first floor window. Along with Charles they all rented rooms in the house. They invited me into the largest apartment which had once been the library. They confessed that they had been watching for me but with trepidation as quite a few shabby people had walked by carrying alcohol in brown bags. They were relieved by my appearance when I came up the stairs. After a few drinks with the group, Charles walked me back to his room. He told me he was nineteen and had moved from a small city about an hour west of Chicago. After we chatted for awhile he invited me to stay the night. There was not much in the room; mainly an old TV that one had to put a quarter in to get it to play for an hour and a pull-out sofa. The next morning I was thrilled when he confided that he had never been with anyone before me.

That day was Thanksgiving. I was supposed to go to my sister’s house for dinner but after I found out that he had no plans for the day I called her to excuse myself from the commitment without telling her why. We had breakfast at a local greasy spoon then went downtown to see Whatever Happened to Baby Jane at the Chicago Theater. After the movie we celebrated Thanksgiving with dinner at Henrici's Restaurant before returning to the Dearborn Street apartment for another night of bliss on the uncomfortable sofa. A couple of weeks later he moved into my Hudson Street apartment. My parents had been expecting me to visit them at their home in Miami over the Christmas holidays but by then I was too much in love to leave Chicago.

Our 2nd Anniversary fell on the day President Kennedy was killed. Shortly after, I asked Charlie if he would like to move to San Francisco where I had lived for a short time in 1960. I bought a used '57 Buick and we left for the west coast by way of Miami to finally visit my parents. We arrived in San Francisco on Washington's Birthday, celebrated in 1964 on the 22nd of February. My life with Charles lasted until 1968. Both of our lives were changed forever because I had ordered him from the Marshall Field Mail Order Catalog fifty years ago. What a magical day that was back in 1962.

YES VIRGINIA(and the other 49 States) There is a Santa Claus!

2012-11-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

YES VIRGINIA(and the other 49States) I believe in Santa Claus. I admit I was scared going into tonight. America had a choice... to go FORWARD with President Obama, or go backwards with Mitt Romney, and his band of Billionairs and Millionairs who thought they could buy the Presidentcy, and make 2nd class citizens out of the 47 % of people of color,gay and the disenfranchised working class,unions and middleclass Americans.

The Republicants again thought they could fool us... but even with all their money and big business... they were wrong again. President Obama, thankfuly in the next 4 years will be choosing several more Supreme Court Justices. Not the kind that allow money be their guide. As an openly gay person, I am proud of President Obama and the Democratic Party for being inclusive for all Americans, rather then like the GOP-heads that is the party who are exclusive to only their kind.

Thank you President Clinton, and all those volunteers who fought against the odds, and sometimes the media for scaring us in beliving that Mitt Romney could fool us into surrender. WE DID IT WITH THE TRUTH AND HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW!

The Carter Curse and the End Ford Photograph (c) J Pritikin

2012-10-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Next to the End Ford Enlargement that Carter was to stand in front of

END FORD 1976 © J. Pritikin

I thought I had taken the Presidential campaign picture of 1976. You won't find this picture in any books or newspapers at the time it was taken, but not for the lack of trying. The life of the picture was limited too. Reagan was still in the race until Ford was nominated by the Republicans. The 2nd debate site was switched a couple of times before they decided on San Francisco. I was at the S.F.Democratic campaign office and there happened to be some Carter "advance men" making post plans to the October debate. They saw my photo and asked if a large 6 'x 8' be made in time for a post party after the debate at Brooks Hall in the Civic Center. I said I'm sure and then added "I can see Jimmy Carter, standing in front of it and saying to the San Francisco crowd... PRESIDENT FORD SAID RECENTLY THAT HIS FAVORITE TV SHOW WAS KOJACK, and then pointing to the picture...AND MINE IS THE STREET'S OF SAN FRANCISCO!" The next thing I know the advance men are talking on the phone to Atlanta and they said it was a "Go!" They were going to use my idea. A large black and white picture was made up and delivered to Brooks Hall on the afternoon of the debate. It was reported that tickets to the debate were almost impossible to get. I came up with a fund raising idea for the sponsors of the debate THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, and my price was a ticket. That's the good news...I made up a T-shirt, Jerry Pritikin's instant poll, for the 2nd Debate, and I was going to put a red X in the box for the winner Ford or Carter. If Ford had won the debate it would have been hard for me not to tell the truth, but he made it easier when he declared "Russia had no satellites in Eastern Europe". After the debate, I was shown putting my red X or the Carter side. There was no way I could get over to the Civic center to bask in my glory knowing that a future President not only held up my photo. but was going to stand in front of it and use my words too.
The bad news...a peon forgot to put the picture behind the podium where Carter was to utter my words...and I was told by those at the Civic Center that Carter came on the stage, looked around as if looking for something, took the podium and never mentioned "The Streets of San Francisco".
The one time the large Carter photo was used by the Democratic Victory party was the night of the November Presidential election. During the celebration, several college kids stole it. A couple of days later after seeing the news report on my missing picture, they called me to return it. Kron-TV was on hand showing me taking the picture out of a convertible and bringing it in to the house. We were interviewed. Just after it aired. my phone rang, a friend said he just saw the story on KRON and to tell me my fly was open!

The Romney/ Obama Debate tonight brought back memories of the Carter Curse* There a longer version that first appeared on the www.Beyondthechron.org

www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=4434

The original image

Chip Carter at Gay Memorial Day Trike Race... note the posters.

Letter from Amy

Letter From Jimmy

Amount paid to have made up.

Program for 2nd Debate- I have the ticket packed away.

Another Season of Cheers,beers,tears and Wait Until Next Year!

2012-10-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

I spent many days roaming in and around the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field in my 25 years as the Bleacher Preacher. However I spent many hours as a kid, cleaning the grandstands after a game and getting a free pass to the next game. My dad took my brother , myself and often kids from our neighborhood, Albany Park. I had the best respect for Andy Frain Ushers, the vendors and score card sellers,Red Hots were grilled just for you cost 15 cents. Ten cents got you a bag or roasted P-nuts . We were there for Openers, Double Headers and Holidays and special promotions Days. I was there when they gave a new car to 3rd baseman Stan Hack,#6. With my brother the day that Jackie Robinson made his debut at Wrigley, over 47,000 on hand and almost everyone bought their ticket on the day of the game... and it was paid in cash!

In the past few seasons, I've been to a couple of games ... believe me it's not the same except for the Ivy and chances are they will be selling advertising on each leaf in a matter of time. I walked out of the game last year when 2 sets of complete around the park waves happened in the first 3 innings. And last moth My brother Allen and his girl friend Joanne, and Kari as guest of Ari Kaplan. I've met Ari at a 1991 MLB Winter Meeting. We all wore beanys.

This week, the Cubs have made tickets available for about 88 cents. It's a great Day in Chicago... but when you are as old as I am... it's not a bargain! Sadly, the Cubs Promotion Department should of given them to their Season Ticket holders to give away. Those season ticket holders showing up for the last few games knowing they paid Face Price will be sitting next to someone who paid 88 cents. However, that will not include me. I may have thought about it for a millisecond. I remember the look on my brothers face when he told me how much he paid for a hot dog and small bottle of water. Over the years I've gone to many closing day game. Many years there were only a handful of fans in those cheap seats... when you got change back from your buck.

I recall in 1985,I brought my tape recorder to mark the last rites of the season. For some reason there was a chorus of voices coming from the left field corner shouting "JERRY SUCKS!JERRY SUCKS! and I have it on tape. I asked what that was all about... it seems that on the screen just below the scoreboard there was a banner message.... of Thanks from the Cubs to me. Thus Jerry Sucks! Over the years, there are fewer fans from the 1940s like myself and with each year... a fewer "Die-Hards to die off!

In the 1950s, the Cubs were cellar dwellers when there were only 8 teams in each league. The cheap seats cost a half a buck. That was a bargain... However 88 cents to watch the Cubs play the Astros.... those clubs players should of pitched in and bought everybody in the ballpark a hot dog.

Just one more question ... sorry a senior moment just popped up... just like most of the Cubs players this year!

C.David Kulman aka David the Match-Mater has past away.

2012-09-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

With Phil Donohue on his segment of the ToDAY SHOW.

Announcement in the Alternate Magazine OUT of San Francisco.

In his original office on Polk Street in the early 1970s.

                                                         Oy! Do I have a man for you!!!

See my original post in my archives... A San Francisco Original C.David Kulman.
Photos (c) J. Pritikin

9/28/12.

Chicago:

I just received the attached message from the publisher of the Presidio Sentinel informing me that my good friend aka David the Matchmater has passed away.    I'll miss him, his N.Y. Yenta Jewish accent and treasure trove of stories about his journey. When I first met him, he was advertising in gay publications. He had a previous publicist that had little success. His was not a franchise concept and pre-computer age. He kept his clients information on a 3x5 or 5x7 card. A Polaroid picture No credit cards and mostly cash. His clients came from all kinds of backgrounds and he matched them, often on the first date. He was a gay Molly Goldberg /yenta the match maker/ and Doli Levi.

He almost talked me into moving down there and lived in a nice Seniors building. We always talked to each a couple of times a month. I am also attaching a story that I posted on this blog earlier. We broke some barriers together that are noted in the attachment. He confessed that the time I was his publicist, his business hit $60,000. a year and he had me at basement bargain prices! I had nothing but fun knowing David... truly another New Yorker who made good in San Francisco.

From:     pbrooks936@.com
    Subject:     Re: C.David Kulman Columnist /Senior health.
    Date:     September 28, 2012 10:07:38 AM CDT
    To:     jerry.pritikin@, info@presidiosentinel.com

Hi Jerry,

Our dear friend passed away this past month.We will have an article on David in the October issue. We will miss his humor, love for trivia, and all that he shared with the world.

Kindly,

Patty Ducey-Brooks

Publisher & Executive Editor
Presidio Sentinel
www.presidiosentinel.com
P: 619-296-8731
F: 619-295-1138
C: 619-481-9817

Serving San Diego for over Thirteen Years.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Pritikin To: info
Sent: Fri, Sep 28, 2012 12:46 am
Subject: C.David Kulman Columnist /Senior health.

Greetings,

I have been a friend of David for over 40 years. About a month and
half ago, I was able to call him at his apartment. He had returned
from the hospital and was in good spirits. However for the past month
I have been leaving messages for David at his 619 542 1312 number,
then that number was no longer taking messages. Now it has been
discontinued.
Thankfully, I have not found any Obit for him... however I thought you
might know where David might be? I wanted to wish him a Happy New Year.

I would appreciate if you could let me know one way or another.
Thanks.,

Jerry Pritikin / Chicago 312

Photoglyphic Memories,Again (c) J Pritikin

2012-09-25T10:13:00.002-07:00

A word or words within a frame of a photograph,those without words speak for themselves!

It's an honor to receive a Poison Pen letter from Ray...

1976 was my best year for finding Photoglyphic Moments...(c) J Pritikin

A Nixon Moment in 1971 (c) J Pritikin

Visting KQED in 1977

My Photoglyphic moments... is part of my photographic skills . Those images that have no words "Speak" for themselves. My best year was 1976. It was the Bicentennial Year. Those Special kind of day photoglyphic moment at a Street Fair,Sporting Event and any other day with a name. I'm posting a few that I hope you enjoy... I can never tired of seeing them and recalling the stories behind the images.

Cheers,

Chicago's Teachers on STRIKE (c) J.Pritikin

2012-09-10T05:49:00.004-07:00

The entrance to Walter Payton H.S. Just 12 years old and constantly winning Awards for it's "Excellence" in so many departments.

Today's media and police setting up Picket Lines.

Directly across the street is Salazar Public School, built about 1900, and a special ed program for latin speaking children.

Hoping for a quick settlement that's fair with both sides making some concessions.

Chicago,September 10th,2012.

I reside overlooking 2 Chicago public schools. One from thr begining of the 2oth Century, The Salazar, a multy-lingo Special Spanish educating school and Walter Payton College Prep High School. Just 12 years old and already has the best Award winning standards.

As for the teachers, I understand why they are walking the picket line. However, like all public employed Union workers, there is the need for those contract workers who do not perform to strict code of standards can have their contracts terminated. At the same time, those who excel those standards as well as all qualified teachers must have their grievances addressed, and corrected as soon as possible.

Beany Power brings Cubs victory over Giants 8/31/12 (c) J.Pritikin

2012-09-01T17:19:00.006-07:00

That's me giving Jack Brickhouse a Hey! Hey! Award from the cast of Bleacher Bums...and the second went to Hank Sauer,former Cubs slugger off to the right.

Cast of Bleacher Bums, Pete Meade just above the girl with the pennant. In the dark sweater is Mike Krukow who is now the Giants announcer in San Franciso.

My brother Allen, his girlfriend Joanne Ari Kaplan of the Cubs and Kari Gianni

That's me on the end... photo by Ari Kaplin

Joanne and Allen, they been a 2-some for a couple of years.

Allen and his expensive hot-dog.

Chicago: I can not recall seeing so many Giant fans here for a regular game. A gentleman stopped me and asked me if I was"Me" and then he mentioned his name... and I could not recall who he was. He mentioned he was part of a "Bleacher Bums" tie-in promotion involving the Cubs and the S.F. production of the stage play. Of course after he left, I realized who he was and made the mistake of

gaging him on his today's looks. I was amazed at his memory of the event that happened at Candlestick Park on September 5th,1981. "Bleacher Bums Sunday"

I was disappointed by the loud music and that of the organist that drowned out any conversations between innings in the bleachers. For years, the outfield speakers never worked and it was a welcome hush in the crowd, in the fabled cheap seats, were we made our own noise, and didn't need any flashing lighted sign on the scoreboard telling us to make noise! I am happy to note that there were no around the park "Waves", however a college crowd from Iowa tried several times to start the dreaded wave, but failed getting anyone else involved. Almost all the regulars were not there. It's quite

expensive for a single game.

My brother was shell shocked for what it cost him for a hot-dog and a small bottle of water. Over $13.00. Soda pops $5. Parking in and around the ball park goes between $30. & $50. During the week!

I was there with him, his girlfriend Joann and Kari Giannini. Most of the crowd were from Iowa or were Giants fans. I did pick on the Giant's center fielder. On 2 occasions my HEY ANGEL!, THIS BALL IS GOING OVER YOUR HEAD... JUST LIKE SESAME STREET! and twice Cubs hitters obliged... one of the homers went over the left fielder's head into the bleachers.

At the end of the game, there was a "W" flying from atop the Scoreboard.

One Giant step for Fan-Kind! (c) J.Pritikin

2012-08-30T20:23:00.003-07:00

So here we are at the tail end of the 2012 season, and my first game. I only went to one game last season... and broke one of my commandments and l left the game in the 3rd inning after witnessing 2 a-round-the-park- waves. So I'm looking forward to enjoying another game. My head may not be in the game. I hardly can tell you any of the players names and seldom watch a whole inning on the tube. I'll be going with my brother and his girlfriend and faithful companion. And my friend Kari who is in a battle with cancer. I'll be there with my camera and in the meanwhile I'll post some of my S.F. images...

Farm Boy on a Skateboard (c)J.Pritikin

2012-08-04T16:33:00.004-07:00

This is Ben, he lives and works on a farm. He was practicing new movements near Oak Street Beach... and wound up breaking his skateboard. I made him an honorary member of the Interstellar Propeller Beany Revolution. If there is any consolation... he didn't break any bones.

Pritikin's Spirit of 1976 Collection for 2013 (c) J. Pritikin

2012-07-08T11:23:00.003-07:00

Ripple on Haight Street-1976 (c) J. Pritikin

Mrs. Coretta King at Private Carter Party/Divisadero St. (c) J. Pritikin

The "Almost" campaign picture of 1976. END FORD

The new Spirit of Hope Polk St. Pride Parade.(c) J. Pritikin

Your looking at pioneers in the gay rights movement and the possibilities for the future.

Jerry Pritikin's Photoglyphic images speak for themselves, a word, or a combination of words within the frame of the photograph. Sometimes their messages are subliminal, other times they shOUT right off the image ! Next January, I 'm putting together 76 images from the Bicentennial Year-1976. Here are a few examples... I hope to make it into a You-tube slide show. Stay tuned!

A WIN! WIN! Day at the 2012 Chicago Pride Parade for Pride & Cubs! (c) J.Pritikin

2012-06-25T09:55:00.004-07:00

Cubs Pride Brigade at the 2012 Pride Parade. (c) J.Pritikin

Two brothers and Cub's Sticker uppers! (c) J. Pritikin

Part owner of the Chicago Cubs and GLBT Activist Laura Ricketts and the rainbow movement moment . (c) J Pritikin

Responding to my beany! (c) J.Pritikin

WIN !WIN! Gay Pride/Cubs/ (c) J. Pritikin

If you ask, you will receive according to the old adage. I must admit that I have a good batting average for making things happen, especially when it concerns The Cubs, Gay Pride and the "Bleacher Preacher" side of the Triple Play. I have witnessed many Pride Parades, early in San Francisco and now in my hometown of Chicago. I really never marched in them, however on the sidelines I found many "photoglyphic moments". This year, I sent an email asking the Cubs if I could ride on their Trolley for the Pride Parade. Last year they had a float and Cubs legendary old time Cub Great Ernie Banks gracing the gay Chicago Event of the Year.

I did not plan any signs or notify any media what I was doing. Starting Saturday, at the Halsted Street- pre parade party I managed to get some timely images... to add to my collections of yesteryear's gay events and early gay pride parades. My request was granted. No pre-made signs and just my trade mark RAINBOW Interstellar Propeller beany cap. I had a couple extra in case I ran into Mayor Emanuel or famed Chicagoans. I arrived early, however the Cubs Trolley had a late start. Took a few shots along the Montrose St. staging area. The music was extremely loud, making any attempt for conversation a lost cause. Once the Cubs White and Blue Trolley Car took our place in the Parades Route line... I met some very lovable Cubs Pride Workers. The Trolley was not designed for Parades with seats on the inside facing each other instead of OUT at the crowd. Many in our brigade marched in front of the Trolley with Rainbow Flags and the Old faithful "W" Flag. Usually seen after a Cubs home- win flying from the Center-field scoreboard. The Trolley kept playing Steve Goodman's Hey! Chicago, What do you say? At first, I lipped sync and after a short distance was singing OUT LOUD, something that I do not even do in the shower! I hammed it up for the photographers that lined the paraderoute.

I had the opportunity to talk with Laura Ricketts, one of the Cubs owners and great spokesperson for the GLBT community. In late August, the Cubs will celebrate another "Out in the Ball Park" Game, however this year it's in the bleachers. Several times when Harry Caray broadcasted from the Bleachers... I appeared on his 10th Inning show. Once Harry introduced me as John, Q. Public- The Fan!

Bill Gubrud is the promoter for the OUT @ the Ballpark,and I asked him to get me involved. Yesterday I had a great time from beginning to the end of the parade. I loved the interactive play along the route with so many people having very good times. I managed to take some photos from before we started and then there after. I LOVED IT... It felt like a Jodi Davis Homer to knock the Mets out of the 1984 pennant chase.

BEANY POWER TO THE PEOPLE @ OAK STREET BEACH (c) J.Pritikin

2012-06-09T22:04:00.007-07:00

Chicago: I have been wearing my Interstellar Propeller Beany Caps since 1981 when I first met Stacy Samules. Stacy created them during the late 1960s and since then has sold over a million of them. In '81, I was hired to do special promotions and publicity for the stage play "BLEACHER BUMS"in San Francisco. It was a 9 inning comedy about the Chicago Cubs instead of a 3-act play. Ever since I was a kid, the winds of Chicago always added to the adventure of a Cubs baseball game, depending if they were blowing in or out. I was hired by Director Lee Sankowich to do special promotions and publicity for the play. I discovered Stacy's product in the Yellow Pages of a telephone book. I thought a beany cap would capture the "Winds of Wrigley" for the actor playing the important part as the CHEERLEADER in the cheap seats of the Friendly Confines. Little did I know then that I would seldom leave home without mine. People will cross the street just to tell me "I LIKE YOUR HAT!" I kid you not, I hear that over 25 times a day, and even more when I walk along the beach or take in an art fair. There is an old expression that art imitates life. For me it has been just the opposite! The play was suppose to be a 6 week run that ran for over a year. I earned the moniker as the Bay Area Resident Cubs fan. That's when I started to wear my "beany". When the run of the play ended, I continued doing Chicago Tie-in promotions whenever the Cubs or Bears were in San Francisco. I evolved into a special-one-of-kind-fan that became a legendary figure at Wrigley Field. Beginning in 1984 I have been known as the "Bleacher Preacher". Like the Johnny Appleseed of Beany Caps, I've been helping Stacy spread the "Beany Revelution" here,there and everywhere. Lately it's been on the beaches of Chicago or the Summer Season's Art Fairs.

The other day, I was able to get the 3 young guys in the attached photos to join the BEANY REVOLUTION at Oak Street Beach. Their life will change, and they will bring smiles wherever they go... and they will constantly be hearing I LIKE YOUR HAT! And that's a never ending source of smiles for anyone wearing an Interstellar Propellar Beany Cap.

Orange Tuesday June 7,1977 and PRIDE MONTH 2012 (c) J. Pritikin

2012-06-07T08:40:00.005-07:00

I recommended, and Randy Shilts named a Chapter in his book "ORANGE TUESDAY"
Jerry Pritikin With Harvey Milk 3/9/78 The day Harvey was the Acting-Mayor of S.F.
Winds on Castro Street December 1978 a sign posted of the B0A on Market & Castro St.

CHICAGO: June 7,2012

Keep in mind, that in the 1970s, there were no digital cameras, and the WWW was not even a pipe dream. The only way for a story to reach national news was via the wire services. Back then, they seldom reported on gay news or events. Yet, in a span of 3 weeks in 1977, I managed to place 3 gay theme-stories nationally.Happy Pride Month! I was recently inducted into Chicago's Senior Citizen Senior Hall of Fame. I'm a 75 year old walking museum of gay history. During that 3 week period in 1977, I became a footnote in gay history. It started with a friend who challenged me to create something to fight back against Anita Bryant. So I went home, smoked a joint, and came up with a t-shirt idea.It was: Anita Bryant's Husband is a Homo Sapien! I had 72 made, wound up selling 30 of them, and gave away most of the others. I wore one to the United Press International's San Francisco bureau and they ran a photo story about the T-shirt. While waiting for a bus to go there, a little old lady read my chest. Puzzled, she asked, "If that is true, why did she mary him?" The next day Paul Harvey used the UPI story to end his ABC Radio News and Commentary show. A few weeks later, I was able to get Jane Fonda to wear the shirt at a gay fund raiser at a S.F. Disco. That event made the Associated Press wires.

Then on June 7,1977 I was on hand for an impromptu S.F. march in response to the Anita Bryant-led victory to rescind a gay rights ordinance in Dade County, Florida. Shortly after 5P.M. San Francisco time, the news from Dade County Florida indicated that the gays were going to lose that election. I grabbed my camera and walked down to the Castro. Within a short while there were about 200 people milling around and as more time past it became a much larger crowd. By 10:30, KTVU was the only local media to be seen. They were getting ready to do a live feed back to the Oakland based station. I spotted newscaster Tom Clancy, at the corner of Castro and Market(Now known as Harvey Milk Plaza) and asked him if he had a lead-in for his "spot" and he nodded "No". I recommended it be called "Orange Tuesday". He liked it,and used it to open his segment. Harvey Milk arrived holding a bullhorn. We all walked a block away on Eureka in front of a Catholic Church. The march started going up 18th St. and we turned on Castro St. past the Castro Theater,and went down Market Street to Polk Street, passed City Hall,and downtown in Union Square. Over 5,000 people joined in listening to Harvey Milk chanting "OUT OF THE BARS AND INTO THE STREETS! Because it was an impromptu event, there were no microphones set up. There were just a few speakers, however Harvey used his Bullhorn to warn the crowd, "If it could happen in Dade county, it could happen anywhere and even in San Francisco!" While Harvey was speaking, I took 2 frames with my Canon AE1. I did not know if the those images came OUT. After the impromptu event ended I walked over to the Associated Press office in Fox Plaza to see if they might be interested in seeing if I had anything that could be put on their wires. At first they refused but I insisted the photos were national news worthy since 5,000 people had taken part in a march responding to an election several thousand miles away. So they developed my roll of film and ran with an image that is now part of our gay history. Ironically, in the recreation for the MILK movie, Harvey was shown with his bullhorn talking to a crowd in front of the Castro Theater. There were lots of signs were in the crowd. This was not the real story as the march had been impromptu and only a few signs were on hand. As well Harvey was shown talking at the end of the march in front of City Hall which had not happened. There were a few other mistakes in the movie, but the important fact is it introduced Harvey Milk to millions and millions of people, young and old, gay and straight, here in America and around the world.

So 35 years ago on this date my photo of Harvey Milk and Orange Tuesday became a major footnote in gay history. As radio commentator Paul harvey used to say... AND NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY!

PLEASE TAKE PART IN YOUR OWN TOWN'S PRIDE MONTH

2012-06-03T00:55:00.003-07:00

Chicago 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith with HoF Inductee Jerry Pritikin

Jerry Pritikin with Brother Allen

CHICAGO: June 2nd,2012

About a month ago, I received a call from Chicago's 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith's Office. It was from her administrated assistant, Emma Rosenberg asking me if I would mind if Alderman Smith nominated me for this year's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. I hesitated for a brief moment, and replied I would be honored. There has been some friction between myself and Alderman Smith since finding out that my precinct will be relocated into the 27th Ward, due to the Chicago's new Ward boundaries.

Yesterday, the Award ceremony took place at the Sheraton Chicago's Grand Ballroom. To get ready, I had a haircut, and was donning a suit for the first time in the 21st Century. I even left my trade mark "Rainbow" colored Interstellar Propeller Beany at home. There were over 1,000 people invited for the luncheon. Awards were given several categories, beside those given representing 26 of the 50 City Wards. Before the program started, Alderman Smith came to shake hands and we established a truce. We posed for a few photos. The affair lasted for several hours and I enjoyed meeting some of the other nominees, and a few other Chicago Aldermen and politicians. My brother Allen,and his girl friend Joanne, and a couple of my friends from the Maple Point Senior Apartments enjoyed the event. I was honored, especially being the only nominee listed as an activist from Chicago's LGTB Community. (June is also Gay Pride Month)

Harvey Milk and the Castro (c) Jerry Pritikin

2012-05-19T22:58:00.006-07:00

First castro Street fair (that's me in the striped shirt) (c) J. Pritikin
Castro Street Fair-1978 From 18th St Looking towards Market st. (c) J.Pritikin

First castro St. fair (c) J Pritikin
Changing Neighborhood 18th near castro-1974 (c) J. Pritikin

Everyday is an Anniversary. That is how it feels as you get as old as I am. For me the month of May has always been marked with birthdays for My Sister Toby, her husband Marvin and my mother's on the 20th. Plus Mother's day. Recently added, it's been Harvey Milk Day. I happen to believe it's missing the addition of the name of Mayor George Moscone to make it complete. I was fortunate to have known them both as friends. I remember what it was like to be gay in San Francisco before George Moscone was elected in 1975. When I first arrived in the 1960s, there were many landlords that would not rent an apartment to two guys,period! There was a popular Hamburger place on Van Ness Called Hypo's that had a sign over their bar IF YOUR QUEER-STAY OUT OF HERE. There were gay bars spread all over town... but they were in seedy areas, or after 5 P.M. in the financial district. There were laws on the city's law books that if you dressed in drag, you had to wear a lapel-like tag I AM A BOY, or you could be arrested, even on Halloween!

In the early 70's, the Castro was awakening to a new beat. It was a gay invasion into a sleepy working-class neighborhood in the Eureka Valley. Rents were reasonable, as was property. Gay real estate companies made their entry into the CASTRO equation. Store fronts were cheap, and anchored in family owned restaurants, pharmacies and taverns. Most people used MUNI, and it was a hub of transfer points for streetcars and buses. I asked the owner of the Georgianna bakery shop if I could display my photos in her store front display windows. It was located at 420(before 420 was known as 420) Castro Street just steps away from today's Harvey Milk Plaza. People looked in, laughed and enjoyed them. I recall on a Saturday morning, I received a call from someone at the other end asking me "to shoot her kids! " Her name was Juana, and had her own local -TV show on Channel 44. It turned out to be It was a very memorable shoot.

A couple of years ago I received an email from her. She was doing a search for Harvey Milk name, and noticed my name. It was gratifying to hear that her girls recalled that day over 30 years later, as one of their best childhood memories. She was getting ready to re-released her 1978 interview with Harvey Milk ( Link www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVlxq7wqgeU ) a few years ago.

Tomorrow will mark another Harvey Milk Day. It reminds me of the best of times. CHECK OUT MY ARCHIVES,there are a few stories about how I first met Harvey Milk and his lover,Scott Smith. In those days.... Harvey's camera shop was gay center earth at 575 Castro Street. The atmosphere was similar to that portrayed hundreds of times in Hollywood movies as the general store in a small town, with neighbors talking politics in front to the potbelly stove, and that was the only thing missing at Harvey's camera shop. Harvey was 7 years older then me... and I often think what if? What if Harvey and George had lived, like I think the same of JFK,RFK, and MLK. However, it was their leadership that opened a lot of doors,and possibilities for openly-gay citizens... first in San Francisco, then here in Chicago and Now, throughOUT the world.

Note in the bakery shop window the young girl in the window with a doll, she's one of Jauan's children( and me in the reflection).

April 30,1949 On this day The Home-run Inside Andy Pafko's glove and and my Sister Elaine got married!

2012-04-30T06:03:00.002-07:00

Top:Neil, My mom Sadie, Lawrie,Elaine,My Dad Hank,Toby and MarvinSitting: Allen and Jerome April 30th,1949
Andy gave me a copy of his baseball Card. The Original went for $86,000 at auction.
Andy signed my memorabilia image of him.

Chicago:

I have been gifted with a great recall of events during my 75 years. I enjoyed my dad telling stories of his good old days, and had the daily habit of reading the "It happened on this date-almanac section in the Chicago Tribune, first in the Sports Section and now on the Obit Page. I have my own reasons for remembering certain dates, and April 30, 1949 is one of them. My sister Elaine was getting married at the Belmont Hotel at sundown. It was a dark drizzling day. My brother Allen and I were dressed early and were watching the Cubs Game on channel 9. They were playing the Cardinals and winning 3-1, with 2 down in the top of the 9th. There were 2 men on base and Rocky Nelson at bat. He lifted a looping fly ball towards Pafko in Center and he made what appeared to be a shoe top catch to end the game. Except Umpire Al Barlick, signaled it was a no-catch. Instead of throwing the ball back into the infield, Pafko gets into an argument with Barlick, and by the time he realizes the ball was still in play, Nelson crossed home plate. There was no replay back then, because video tape had yet to be invented!

I have met Pafko on several occasions, and have had conversations about the changes since he played the game and now. The last time he was sitting behind home-plate, and I had a ticket to the family section... that allowed me to roam the ballpark before a game. He gave me a replica Topp's baseball card (attached) wearing the Dodger Uniform. He said the real one sold for $86,000, that he said represented many years salary as a big leaguer. See the attachment. Ironically, before I became the "Bleacher Preacher", I handled the PR for the S.F. stage production of "BLEACHER BUMS". That particular incident is part of the the play. The play ran for over a year, and I hardly ever missed a show. That picture of Andy Pafko when he was younger was part of an Exhibit given to me by the former Publicist for the Chicago Tribune, Bob Sanders, originally hung at the Tribune Tower's first floor Gallery. Then the Lobby of Little Fox Theater in San Francisco. I turned the lobby into "Wrigley Field West". I secured some Andy Frain Usher uniforms for our ushers. Even sold Vienna Hot Dogs in the lobby and had all 4 real Yellow Chicago Street Signs that surround the "Friendly Confines... W. Addison,N. Clark St. and W. Waveland & N. Sheffield.

My sister's wedding was beautiful, and I have great memories of that event but I'll spare you for now.
Cheers!

Baseball as I recall it... My Pastime! (c) J Pritikin

2012-04-18T17:23:00.007-07:00

Duke Snider future Hall of Famer with me and unknown player 1952 or 3
My dad Hank, and brother Allen at the 1980 Cubs Opener. He did get to go to the '79 World Series and offered to take me. I told him I'll wait to go to my first World Series Game when the Cubs are playing. He passed away in June of that year.

My Dad and myself and the TV that brought baseball into our front room since 1948.

I just wanted to get the old time feeling using this image.

April 18,2012

I started to watch the Cubs game just after it started tonight on WGN. At first I didn't know who they were playing and I didn't notice a familiar backdrop. Then the cameras flashed on the Marlins home team uniform. Boring... the words MIAMI with little imagination. The Cubs pitcher Garza looked good, but I left when they showed the backstop was made of a giant aquarium with tropical fish. It reminded me when I was 13, and my dad took me to Florida. We took City of Miami / Illinois Central train for a couple of week summer vacation. We stayed at the old Sunset hotel at 3rd and Collins on South Beach. Most of the main Hotels were closed for the summer, because they were air cooled and not air conditioned. My dad was there for business on the Miami Produce Market. We visited some relatives, and took in several movies. He treated me

to several Minor League night games at Miami Stadium. The were no seats in the outfield and no double deck in back of the plate or down the lines. It was well lit, and the greengrass shined. The outfield wall had a brand new coat of greenpaint. The foul lines ran up the wall and extended 15 feet into the air and was made of bright pink florescent tubes. To me It was a beautiful new ballpark. The Cubs and Sox ballparks that I was familiar with since the mid-1940s, were already old, yet still majestic. Dad bought me a score card with the names of the players, and listed their numbers. I remember an ad for a car dealer tag-line "Just over the Right Field Fence". There were a few contest and puzzles, and lots of local advertising. The front cover had a imaginary scene of a full moon over Miami Stadium with silhouettes of palm trees beyond the outfield fence. I remember a few future Washington Senators or St Louis Brown's played for the visiting team.

The following year, The Dodgers were splitting their Spring traing games between Miami, and Vero Beach. I decided to go to the game myself, I took several buses to get there. I brought my dads Kodak camera. I took photos of Chuck Dressen, big number 9 on his uniform. I was able to get a smiling Preacher Roe sitting in his car. Somehow I was able to get about 6 or 7 Dodgers players to pose with me. Don Newcomb stood next to me in a safari pith helmet surrounded by Dodgers. Those pictures have disappeared in time. However, I still have the shot of Preacher Roe, and one of me standing with Duke Snider, and another player(attached). Can you imagine that happening today?

Just because I stopped watching the Cubs tonight because I just don't think tropical or any fish belongs at a baseball game. The only thing good, it sparked me to think about my Dad, and minor league baseball in Miami, and a time that when I was able to have MLB players take pictures of me, with some of his teammates. The Dodgers were in their home white uniforms with blue lettering and numbers... I was used to seeing them in their gray traveling uniforms when I was at Wrigley, or watched them on TV. I wished I still had the photographs. I am unable to recall the names of the rest of the players without the photos.

Now this brings to mind another Dodger story, I was attending the Major League Winter Meetings in Atlanta. I was sitting with the Bragan Brothers, manager Bobby and Jimmy, their wivws and a couple of great Southern League Association's Lady fans. Art Clarkson who owned the Birmingham Barons asked me if I would take a photo of him, and his wife with Tommy Lasorta. I was glad to. I manged to get them very close to each other and crop out the the background tables. I got a great smile from all of them, when I told them to smile on the count of 3, Say Cheese! So I started, one,two and then on the count of 3 I shouted "say... GO CUBBIES!"

Now that reminded me of another WINTER MEETING STORY. One of the nicest thing anybody connected to the game of baseball decided to spend time with me. Remember, I was in my Bleacher Preacher outfit, and wore the solar pith helmet with a propeller on it. I was sitting on a couch in the corridor, when Jim Leland who was with the Pirates then sat down next to me. He recognized me from the Wrigley bleachers. When ever the Pirates were in, he always came out to the out field wall, and talk baseball with the regulars everyday fans. We had a great baseball connversation for nearly a half a hour. What was remarkable, during that time he did not light up a cigarette once. He was known to light up quite often during a game.

When I was a kid, I always enjoyed reading about the history of the game, and about the players and mangers who made it our national pastime. How fortunate that I have met so many of my heros and greats of the game. Baseball HAS BEEN VERY, VERY GOOD TO ME and thankful for all the great memories. Today, like so many fans, I have been Priced OUT of the Ballpark at the face value of a ticket.

Category: Dust Cover Chutzpah Award Winner/2012 By: Jerry Pritikin

2012-04-14T01:03:00.002-07:00

Every so often I go to Howard Brown's Brown Elephant Resale Store. It has a large assortment of used furniture, appliances, art, and clothing, and at the back of the shop, shelves laden with books. Many of the books are in excellent condition, and most hard covers sell for 1 or 2 bucks. Once in awhile I buy a book for a friend or for my brother, if I think they will enjoy the contents. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a book for my brother, because the title caught my eye. He is in the mirror business. His company is now celebrating its 40^th anniversary and, like most companies has had to fight to stay in business over the last 5 years. He may get something useful out of the book. The title is, The Mirror Test: Is Your Business Really Breathing, by Jeffrey W. Hayzlett with Jim Eber. It was published in 2010 and once had a retail price of $24.95.

When I read the back of the book jacket and the inside covers, it reminded me of when I was a kid, and had to do book reports for my grammar school classes. I was never much of a book person so those areas were all I usually read to complete the assignments. Now, at 75, I resorted to my childhood habits. Just reading the dust jacket information made me realize that Hayzlett is eligible for my Chutzpah Award. His bio states: JEFFREY W. HAYZLETT is the chief marketing officer for Kodak. He has twenty-five-years of international marketing and management experience and has received numerous global awards and honors, including being named BtoB magazine's Marketer of the year.

About forty years ago, when I became a freelance photographer, Kodak was known as the Yellow God. Its competitors lagged far behind the company. It seems that the author of this book, in telling other businesses how to stay in business by using his award winning skills, forgot to tell his own company how to do it. Kodak recently stopped manufacturing Kodachrome film at the end of 2011. In January of this year it filed for bankruptcy and in February it stopped selling cameras after 112 years in the business.

Now that's Chutzpah!

MLB's WGT BASEBALL GAME "SCAM" BY JERRY PRITIKIN the Bleacher Preacher

2012-04-10T20:24:00.011-07:00

Note the time on my computer...

Note the message about getting a homer on the first try...
Note, no matter where you guess the 3rd pitch will be, it's winds up getting hit out of the park!

Note the same result!

DATELINE CHICAGO: April 10,2012... Over the past several weeks, I notice a MLB game called WGT on my FACEBOOK PAGE. Todate, I have tried it 10 times and the results have been the same each and every time. I have managed to hit 10 HOME RUNS in 10 times at bat. I can assure you that I am not on Steroids, and I have not been stealing the catcher's signals. In fact, I tried to strike out on purpose the last 3 times. The object of the game is to guess where the pitcher is going to throw each pitch so you will be ready to hit it. Somehow the first pitch will

be taken by the batter, the next pitch will be fouled off, and no matter where you think the 3rd pitch will go, it winds up being pitched exactly there, and when you swing it winds up going out of the ball- park for a homer. After 3 homers in a row, I thought I was using Sammy Sosa's corked bat!

I do not equate this SCAM with the 1919 White Sox, however it is a scandle just the same! It reminded me when I was a 16 year old kid at Chicago's Riverview Amusement Park in 1953. On the mid-way there were games of chance, and I remember one of the "Barkers" offering me a free chance to throw a ring at a rack of clothes pins a short distace away. Each pin had a point value, and on my Free Throw I just happened to get 5 points. I was told if I managed to get a total of 10 Points that I would win one of the valuable prizes on the top shelf. There was a portable Adrimal Radio, a Waterman's Pen & Pencil set, A giant stuffed Panda Bear and a few more items that must of been worth atleast $15. bucks. And being a nice guy, the "Barker" allowed me use the 5 points that I received on my free toss. It only cost 50 cents a toss. I was already half way to victory. How could I lose? Somehow I kept getting a half a point a throw or no points at all, and won only a plaster of Paris Kwupie Doll and a cheap cigarette lighter made in Occupied Japan. I managed to lose 10 Dollars and I gave up. As I was walking away a sailor with his girl friend took a free throw... and he too got 5 points like I did on his 1st toss. He wound up losing $10. too and won a cheap prize, and then the next person also got 5 points on his 1st try and did not win any of the big prizes after spending 10 bucks and walking away with a consolation prize.

I learned my lesson back then, and I was not about to see what the next level of the WGT Baseball game was going to cost me. The formula to get me hooked was the same. I believe this License Product of MLB should be banned for their deceptive advertising practice.

Here is the LINK: http://apps.facebook.com/wgtbaseballmlb/?fb_source=bookmark_apps&ref=bookmarks&count=0&fb_bmpos=1_0