Baseball great Blass finds you can go home again
NORTH CANAAN — It was opening day at the North Canaan-Canaan Little League field last Saturday (April 24). Another round of improvements has put the field in top shape. The weather was perfect. Four teams of young boys (and one girl) in bright new team uniforms completed the picture. There was only one thing that could make it all better: a visit by field namesake and baseball legend Steve Blass.
Blass was there to throw out the first pitch, sign autographs and enjoy going home again, which sometimes, he said, you can definitely do.
The Falls Village native, who left to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates right out of high school, has come back to visit family as often as possible over the years.
But it’s been 25 years since Blass made it back for the season opener at the field that gave him a start on a career that has defined a happy life.
He celebrated 50 years with the Pirates last year, most of that time spent as a commentator. Since 2005, he has been announcing only home games, which frees him up for a sort of semi-retirement.
“As long as my health holds up, I will continue with the Pirates. They have been so good to me over the years.�
Blass and his wife, Karen, were coming up for a fundraiser for his nephew, Robert Blass. Born with cystic fibrosis, Robert, 31, has beat the lifespan odds for someone with his affliction, but now needs a double lung transplant.
Blass was as thrilled to be in North Canaan as the kids and their families were to see him. They know that a long time ago — 1971 to be precise — he pitched two complete winning games to lead his team to the World Series pennant.
‘He’s my inspiration’
Those young ballplayers, who are in the 9-12 age range, have more than just a clue who Steve Blass is —which is pretty amazing, considering that when Blass played on this North Canaan field (as a right-fielder for the local Giants) it was the early 1950s. Most of the current players’ parents weren’t even born yet.
But they know exactly who he is, and he remains an inspiration.
“Of course I know who Steve Blass is,� one of the young players, Jackson Schopp said, when asked about it prior to the opening ceremonies. “He’s a baseball legend. People all around the world know that.�
Another young player, Tyler Akerley, said that knowing Blass played on this field has made baseball his favorite sport.
“When my friends and I saw the memorial at Housy, we got to our knees and prayed to be as good as them,� Tyler said.
Tyler was referring to the display outside the gym that honors Housatonic Valley Regional High School ball players who went professional (others are John Lamb and Tom Parsons).
Sam Foley said his grandfather, John Foley Sr., played ball and was good friends with Blass, so of course he knew a lot about the baseball legend.
As to his dilemma over being a Yankees fan drafted by the Little League Red Sox team, Sam took a decidedly good-sport attitude that would make Blass proud.
“We have a good team, and we have fun,� he said, but couldn’t help adding, “The Yankees are still the best.�
Cameron Ackerman, who plays on the local Pirates team, said his dad has Blass’ autograph and at least four of his baseball cards.
“He’s my inspiration. Him and my brother, Jordan, who pitched at Housy.�
Looking back
As for the legend himself, Blass (who just turned 68) reminisced about the decades slipping away, as he autographed baseballs, cap rims and at least one vintage button featuring his image.
“This is where I led the league in 1953 with two home runs,� he said, breathing in that special air that engulfs the ballfield on a warm spring morning.
He recalled Sunday afternoons hitchhiking from Falls Village to be the ball boy for North Canaan’s Interstate League team.
He remembered his first coach, Jerry Fallon, whose son and great-grandson posed for a photo with him Saturday.
“He would always say, ‘We’re gonna have fun today, and we might play a little baseball.’�
Ed Kirby, who was Blass’ coach at Housatonic and a scout for the Pirates, was there Saturday.
“I could have never been better prepared by anyone else for professional baseball,� Blass said. “He helped me focus. He emerged from coach to become one of my best friends. If he hadn’t made me run those banks at Housy, I don’t know how I would have done.�
The baseball field at Housatonic lies in a valley at the bottom of steep, grassy slopes.
Blass married his Housy sweetheart, John Lamb’s sister, Karen, in 1963. The two settled happily in the Pittsburgh suburbs.
When he began pitching in the majors, his dad, Warren “Bob� Blass could only catch his games on the radio.
“He would get in his truck and drive all over Falls Village looking for the signal from radio station KDKA. He could usually find it on the top of Canaan Mountain, and in one spot by the dump. He would sit there and drink a beer and listen to the game. At the end of each season, he sent our announcer, Bob Prince, a bill for 16 cases of beer and two car batteries.�
Anyone who knew the elder Blass, himself a star pitcher in the local leagues, would believe it. Bob Blass passed away in 2003. Steve’s mother, Rose, died last August.
Looking ahead
During opening ceremonies, Little League President Pat McGuire and other volunteers talked about the many local businesses and contractors who put final touches on a renovation of the field that began about two years ago.
New concrete dugouts, a backstop, drainage, fencing and an electronic scoreboard were part of the earlier overall. The big blue wooden outfield fence has been replaced by a chain link fence, and the scoreboard moved behind home plate.
Banners for local sponsors along the fence lend the park an “authentic� feel. It was noted there is plenty of room for more.
Blass was presented with his original Little League jersey. He played on the Giants. A revamp of the league has eliminated that team, but McGuire said they are retiring Blass’ number 13 anyway.
“This is an absolute treat for me. I’ve been trying to do this for 25 years,� Blass told the crowd. “So many years ago, this is where it got started for me. I hope all you players realize how much the people who volunteered have done for this field and for you. They did it because they care about you. It’s from the heart.
“I am so proud to have my name on this field. You have no idea. My dream started here. All of you are allowed to pursue your dream. Trust me. I’m wearing a World Series ring to prove that.�
Anyone who wants to send a donation to help Blass’ nephew’s family pay medical costs is asked to send a donation to Warren Blass, PO Box 511, Sandisfield, MA 01255.
Submitted
