We don't need a fence. We need a box of tissues.
It's last call for the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium, and they're putting up an obstacle course to the stadium. For her final curtain call, they're going to drape the proud lady with a chain-link fence around the outside.
There will be wristbands and new rules for tailgating and other things that add up mostly to annoyances. But they seem to be unnecessary annoyances.
All this because the last CWS at Rosenblatt figures to attract a number of first-time visitors to our mecca (not MECA) on 13th street. Wait until they see the fence. Won't they be impressed?
Whatever the reasons, the timing couldn't be worse. This figures to be the most emotional CWS ever. Why make it harder? The CWS is all about memories. Will the obstacle course take away from these final memories?
With two days to go, here's a suggestion: Take a deep breath.
And buy a book.
The World-Herald has produced a grand slam of a book, entitled “Rosenblatt Stadium: Omaha's Diamond on the Hill.'' It's 313 pages of Rosenblatt history and the greatest stadium photos that you've ever seen. And a lot that you haven't. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. You won't be able to put it down. It comes with everything but a Zesto shake.
Authored by our city's Rosenblatt historian, World-Herald writer Steve “Piv'' Pivovar, it's the must-get souvenir of this year's CWS. There will be T-shirts and hats with the Rosenblatt name on them, and maybe some photos or a poster. But there's nothing like this biographical tour through the stadium's life.
Yes, this sales pitch is brought to you by a World-Herald columnist. But it also comes from a lover of history and a lover of Rosenblatt Stadium.
If you consider yourself an Omaha sports fan or fan of Omaha history, you have to have this book. If you've spent much of your life here in the Rosenblatt museum, you will cherish this scrapbook. If you're still new to the area and don't know much about the Rosenblatt magic, you'll be amazed at the names and events that took place on this turf.
No, sadly, I don't get a cut from the royalties. And they made me pay for my copy. I'm lucky to have it. I'm still going to school on Omaha's rich sports history. I had no idea that:
• There were once houses on the east side of 13th Street, next to the stadium, as seen in an aerial photo of the stadium being built in 1947. There are stunning photos of the stadium going up.
• There was a sign next to the stadium with Johnny Rosenblatt's likeness on it — that was used for target practice by neighborhood kids with BB guns.
• The Marlboro Man used to stand above the left-center field fence. OK, I vaguely remember that. It's hard to imagine it now.
• Stan Musial and the St. Louis Cardinals played an exhibition game in Rosenblatt in 1951, and the fans were allowed to sit near the foul lines and on the warning track.
• Earl Weaver played for the Omaha Cardinals minor league team from 1951 to '53.
• Ryne Sandberg and Greg Maddux played against the Omaha Royals at Rosenblatt. Warren Spahn (Tulsa, 1969 to '71) managed against them.
• Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Ernie Banks, Carl Yastrzemski, Billy Martin and Enos Slaughter all played in exhibition games at Rosenblatt.
• Negro League baseball teams played exhibitions at Rosenblatt, including pitcher Satchel Paige.
• Gale Sayers played football for Omaha Central against Creighton Prep at Rosenblatt on Oct. 7, 1960. The game, before 14,500 fans, ended in a scoreless tie.
• Fran Tarkenton and Carl Eller played for the Minnesota Vikings against the New York Giants in a 1965 exhibition game at Rosenblatt. Alex Karras and the Detroit Lions played the St. Louis Cardinals at Rosenblatt in 1962. Former UNO football coach Sandy Buda, then a high school kid working at Rosenblatt, was in charge of handing Karras his glasses before he went back into the game — and fetching him hot dogs during the game.
• Walter Payton played at Rosenblatt, rushing for 115 yards for Jackson State in a 1973 game against UNO.
• Jimmy Buffett, Carlos Santana, the Police and the Beach Boys all played concerts at Rosenblatt.
All of those memories and a lot more come rushing back in this book. There are photos and details of every CWS ever played. Tons of good Omaha Royals memories, too.
It will give you something to do as you wait in line for your wristband.
Contact the writer:
444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com
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