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	Bearsy and car

I'll always remember the championship stickball game: the "Grand Slammers" vs. the "Fuzzy Wuzzies," the last game we played before returning to school from summer vacation. The "groundskeepers" (the New York Dept. of Sanitation) had just finished sweeping the streets. Mikee was pitching, Red had first, Mousie at third and Babala caught. I had center field, behind the third manhole cover.

We were all tied up going into the last inning when Big Frankie connected with a monster shot to left-center. With my back to the plate I was on my horse--had it all the way--never taking into account the '56 Buick that had parked in left center the end of last inning! Yup, I hit that baby in full stride. If the Buick rocked, I sure didn't remember it. Was like hitting a brick wall. The last thing I remembered was instant fear. The Buick cost me 2 teeth, 7 stitches, Pride, my "horse," and, oh yeah...

"Big Frankie" cleared the bases!

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