By John Pierce
Among the baseball-related junk in my basement is a Phil
Niekro-signed ball glove that rests in a light blue stadium seat retrieved (by
slipping cash to a construction worker) from just-imploded Atlanta-Fulton
County Stadium in 1997.
The story of the glove is an enjoyable one to share.
In 1993, my friends Mike Lee and Frank Wiginton and I drove
up from Marietta, Ga., to attend a Chattanooga Lookouts game at historic Engel
Stadium. The PA announcer noted that Abe Zarzour (1908-1997), a longtime fan,
was in attendance.
Long ago, his immigrant family had established a restaurant
in town and Abe had been known as a talented textile league/semi-pro player.
His quick catch-and-throw skills had earned him the nickname of “Yo-Yo.” (See
this YouTube clip at the 9:12 mark.)
The late radio legend Luther Masingill provided Abe’s other
nickname — “Mayor of Main Street” — for community service that included
collecting and donating baseball equipment for use by local kids. It seems ol’
Abe enjoyed the smell of leather as much as I do.
On this night in 1993, Abe had brought along a new Wilson
A2000 glove signed by former Braves pitcher Phil Niekro (who was inducted into
the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997) to be given to a lucky fan.
The PA announcer called my seat number as the winner of the
glove — which also has Abe Zarzour’s signature scribbled on the thumb and his
initials on another finger.
Indeed I was a lucky fan that night — and one very appreciative
of the glove that honors a beloved Braves pitcher and pays tribute to a
generous man who contributed much to baseball and the betterment of the
community in Chattanooga.
Sports news often shows the bad sides of humanity. But there
are great stories of goodness and generosity as well — if you know where to
look.
Happy New Year! Baseball is just around the corner.
