The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Monday, November 14, 2016

The Cubs, World War II and Chicago in 1945-- Part 9: Andy Pafko Walking to Help Dad Pay Mortgage on Farm

Cub players Andy Pafko and Claude Passeau lived at Sheridan Plaza Hotel and walked to the ballpark, attracting fans.''"Sometimes, fans would keep us company for a block or two," Pafko told a Tribune reporter.  "I liked to save streetcar fare because I was sending money home to help Dad pay off the mortgage on the farm."

Pafko's parents had emigrated from Slovakia to Boyceville, Wisconsin.  Hard-working, they had never seen their son play -- until one day that season, neighbors insisted they would milk the cows at the Pafkos and they should go down to Chicago.

That day, Pafko hit a grand slam and screaming fans leaped to their feet.  Pafko's parents didn't know if the fans were yelling for or at their son until a man in the next box leaned over and explained:  "Your son did the best thing a ballplayer can."

--GreGen

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