Késsinnimek - Roots - RacinesMon Petit Coin by Norm Léveillée
In the spring of 1938, at the age of 3 years, I saw my first Boston Red Sox baseball game. As a matter of fact, I also saw my first Boston Braves game. I have been a Red Sox fan since that time - some times an avid fan, at other times a so-so fan.
Every year thereafter, except for one, until I was about 15 years old, my father Jean Baptiste Léveillée, my grandfather "Pépère" Joseph Léveillée, an uncle "mon oncle" Adelare Salvas, other uncles from time to time, and I would go to Boston to watch a Red Sox game. We also had to go to see a Boston Braves game since my "pépère" and "mon oncle" were Braves fans. My father and I were for the Red Sox. My favorite ballplayer and hero, of course, was Ted Williams. But, I remember fondly, and liked very much, Bobby Doer, Johnny Pesky, Dom Dimaggio and Jimmie Fox. Actually, any of the Red Sox players were also my favorite.
The one time that I did not accompany my father, my grandfather and my uncle was when I was a know-it-all 14 year old. My father asked me a week or so before our trip to weed the garden - a task that would have taken me about three hours of my time. For several days, upon his return from work, he asked if I had done the weeding. "Tomorrow, Dad!". The day of our trip to Boston I got caught up in several games around our neighborhood, completely not thinking of the weeding. When my father arrived home, he asked about the weeding and I answered as usual, "Tomorrow, Dad!". Well "tomorrow" was too late for him. He told me that I would not be accompanying him to see the Red Sox that evening. I never believed that my father would leave without me. I sat on our porch as he left in his car. I was convinced that he would return to pick me up, just scaring me to make a point. Two hours later, I was still sitting on the porch and I missed the game that evening. The following year, there was no need for him to tell me to weed the garden. I didn't need the answer "Tomorrow, Dad!" because I did not wait until "tomorrow".
The trips were annual rituals, whether to go to Fenway Park or to the Braves field. My father drove his 1938 Chevrolet to the train station in
Kingston, Rhode Island. From there, we took the train to the Back Bay Station and from there a taxi or bus to Fenway Park or to Braves Field. I remember the trips to Boston, but have little recollection of the return trips since I would fall asleep in the train, only to be awakened in Kingston for the auto ride back home.
Like my father and my grandfather, I was disappointed in the Red Sox losing the World Series in 1946. My father and grandfather were not living for the other World Series losses in 1967, 1975 and 1986.
My support of the Red Sox waned after 1986, during the 1990's and into the 2000's. However during the last two years, my support returned as avidly as when I was a youngster. And it wasn't due to the fact that my once beloved Red Sox were playing like a good baseball team should. During this 2004 season, I became a very avid fan because my seven year old grandson became an avid fan of the Red Sox. My granddaughter is also an avid fan. Their enthusiasm and support of Boston ignited in me what I felt for the Red Sox as a youngster. Our support of the Boston Red Sox took place, however, at a distance from Fewway Park, in West Greenwich, Rhode Island via television, radio, books and newspapers. They collected cards, photos, books, autographs, balls both of the Boston Red Sox and the Pawtucket Red Sox. The two grandchildren did, however, go to Fenway Park once and they also went to see the Pawtucket Red Sox play on several occasions with their dad.
During several of the postseason games, my grandchildren stayed over at our home to watch the games with me and with their grandmother, who incidently had never any interest in baseball until this 2004 season - again due to our grandchildren's enthusiasm.
Jean Baptiste LEVEILLEE (1905 - 1965)
and
Joseph LEVEILLEE (1868 - 1959)
would have been as happy as my family is right now.
We also placed a Red Sox cap at the headstone of their maternal great-grandfather Wilfred "Buster" LAVALLEE
(1902 - 1969) who also supported the Red Sox.
My grandchildren knew all the stories of my childhood regarding the Red Sox and baseball. So, this gesture had meaning for them.
I am sure that from their place above, our ancestors are enjoying this historic and fantastic victory of their beloved Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox finally won a World Series not just for today's fans but for all their fans who have been supporting them since 1918, including Jean Baptiste, Joseph, Buster, Adelard ... Wow!
Index of Articles
Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines
Copyright © 2003 & 2004 Norm Léveillée
Tous droits réservés
Created 1 Feb 2003