I was excited this morning to get on the road, and drive up the Peninsula to San Mateo and Burlingame, Ca. It’s like a mecca for me to get up that way and walk around San Mateo’s Central Park’s Fitzgerald Field. Fitzgerald Field and Central Park where home to the San Mateo Blues. A lot of baseball history.
Then I drove over to Burlingame’s Washington park. Burlingame and San Mateo were rivals on the baseball diamond. So I wanted to see where their town played it’s games. Much to my surprise and delight I found a jewel of a little grandstand. Something you would have only pictured in history. What a little treasure.
Could the day get any better for this baseball fan (who’s still ridding the high of the SF Giants winning the World Series)? Yes it could. The sole purpose of the trip was to see a presentation at the Burlingame Historical Society by John Ward. John is host of Good Old Sandlot Days web site. He is curator of an online museum of information regarding Northern California Semipro baseball. The afternoon did not disappoint. John sharesd with the audience some of the more interesting teams he has researched. Thank You John, for sharing you passion and love of the game.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I was sorry I did not have the chance to talk with you Sunday at the event. I am the treasurer of the Burlingame Historical Society as well as being the immediate past mayor of Burlingame. My grandfather, Walter Thompson, managed the Simmon’s Mattress Company team for more than four decades until he retired in 1958. I would guess my grandfather and yours crossed paths. You can see his picture on John Ward’s website under the Simmons mattress section.
Hi Cathy–I’m a friend of John Ward and former semi-pro ball players for many years in the 1950′s-1970′s. I write the monthloy newsletter for the San francisco Old Timers Baseball Association and was impressed about your knowledge of the San Mateo Blues and other teams. How did you gain such as interest and where did yo get all of your information? You might be a good subject for an interview for my monthly nesletter.
Thanks!
John