Become a Great American

Editor’s note: CR columnists Ray Cooney and Steve Garbacz are starting a new tradition. Every time there is a fifth Thursday in a month, as occurs today, their columns will trade places. “The Garbacz Dump” makes its first appearance in the sports section today, while “Rays of Insight” can be found on the family page.
I was once called a “Great American.”
It was by Portland Rockets manager Randy Miller, and it was his way of thanking me for coming out to shoot some photos at a game. I took the status with pride, although I didn’t really understand how I had earned it so easily.
But I plan on maintaining my Great American status by attending the Rockets home-opener Saturday at 2 p.m. at Runkle-Miller Field in Portland Memorial Park.
I’m not really sure how it happened, but I’ve become a major Rockets supporter even though my attitude toward the sport of baseball has been apathy pretty much since I stopped playing at age 15.
At first, I think it started as just a hook to annoy sports editor Ray Cooney, constantly mentioning my Great American status. It’s kind of like how I never forget to mention that Jay County High School athletics director Bob Lutton is always thankful that a sporting event is getting the A-team (me) when Ray can’t make it.
But the more games I went to cover to give Ray a break after the long high school sports year, the more the Rockets grew on me.
Part of it is that they win, and being a Chicago Cubs fan, that’s something I’m not accustomed to (they just dropped 12 in a row before a Memorial Day win). Miller always manages to form a good team even though similar amateur league teams around the Midwest struggle to put together a roster. Portland’s been doing it since 1959.
Part of it is that the team always includes some hometown talent to support. Although longtime Rocket and JCHS grad Heath Williams may not be playing this year, Jay County guys Mitch Waters, Billy Wellman and Thomas McCowan are as well as South Adams hurler Dan Bollenbacher.
And part of it is that it’s a nice, free activity to partake in. This year most of the home games are on weekends and the only money you have to spend is what you’re willing to pay for concessions at the Rocket Lunching Pad (which, by the way, holds the top spot on my list of Best Local Puns).
So maybe I was being a Great American for photographing this nation’s pastime. Or maybe it was because I was out supporting some hard-working college ballplayers who are playing solely for the love of the game. Or maybe it was because I came out to show a bit of pride in my community by covering the local ball team.
Whatever the case and putting titles aside, taking in a Rockets game is just a fun time. The team is one of those gems that you wouldn’t expect to find in a town this size.
The Rockets will have at least 20 games in town this year. So make an effort to get to one and you too can become a Great American.
But the more games I went to cover to give Ray a break after the long high school sports year, the more the Rockets grew on me.
Part of it is that they win, and being a Chicago Cubs fan, that’s something I’m not accustomed to (they just dropped 12 in a row before a Memorial Day win). Miller always manages to form a good team even though similar amateur league teams around the Midwest struggle to put together a roster. Portland’s been doing it since 1959.
Part of it is that the team always includes some hometown talent to support. Although longtime Rocket and JCHS grad Heath Williams may not be playing this year, Jay County guys Mitch Waters, Billy Wellman and Thomas McCowan are as well as South Adams hurler Dan Bollenbacher.
And part of it is that it’s a nice, free activity to partake in. This year most of the home games are on weekends and the only money you have to spend is what you’re willing to pay for concessions at the Rocket Lunching Pad (which, by the way, holds the top spot on my list of Best Local Puns).
So maybe I was being a Great American for photographing this nation’s pastime. Or maybe it was because I was out supporting some hard-working college ballplayers who are playing solely for the love of the game. Or maybe it was because I came out to show a bit of pride in my community by covering the local ball team.
Whatever the case and putting titles aside, taking in a Rockets game is just a fun time. The team is one of those gems that you wouldn’t expect to find in a town this size.
The Rockets will have at least 20 games in town this year. So make an effort to get to one and you too can become a Great American.[[In-content Ad]]