July 29, 2019 at 4:02 p.m.
Rocket dreams come true
Rocket dreams come true
Dru Hall leaned in close to the microphone.
He grinned a big grin.
Then he said the magic words, “Play ball!”
More than 100 people gathered Saturday on West Walnut Street in Portland for the dedication of Jay County’s newest mural, a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Portland Rockets.
Dozens of former teammates and their families were on hand for the occasion.
“It’s pretty cool to see them back here today,” said Hall, who owns the Ritz Theatre building which is now adorned by the mural on its south exterior wall.
Also on hand were representatives of the Runkle and Miller families. The Rockets were launched by the late Dick Runkle, the late Ray Miller kept the team soaring and today his son Randy Miller runs the show.
They were joined by representatives of county government and the city of Portland, who provided most of the cost of the project via economic development income tax dollars, and private donors.
Artist Pamela Bliss, who also created the Elwood Haynes mural on the north wall of the Portland Eagles Lodge and who will be painting a glass industry mural in Dunkirk in 2020, was unable to attend.
“Randy Fisher has been the push behind the murals,” said Hall. As someone with a lifelong love affair with baseball, he added, “It was a no-brainer for me.”
“It is a beautiful day in Portland,” added Randy Miller, using his characteristic line from his radio Rocket report.
“We’re very proud of our history. … It’s still town ball. … We are on the baseball map,” he said.
He grinned a big grin.
Then he said the magic words, “Play ball!”
More than 100 people gathered Saturday on West Walnut Street in Portland for the dedication of Jay County’s newest mural, a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Portland Rockets.
Dozens of former teammates and their families were on hand for the occasion.
“It’s pretty cool to see them back here today,” said Hall, who owns the Ritz Theatre building which is now adorned by the mural on its south exterior wall.
Also on hand were representatives of the Runkle and Miller families. The Rockets were launched by the late Dick Runkle, the late Ray Miller kept the team soaring and today his son Randy Miller runs the show.
They were joined by representatives of county government and the city of Portland, who provided most of the cost of the project via economic development income tax dollars, and private donors.
Artist Pamela Bliss, who also created the Elwood Haynes mural on the north wall of the Portland Eagles Lodge and who will be painting a glass industry mural in Dunkirk in 2020, was unable to attend.
“Randy Fisher has been the push behind the murals,” said Hall. As someone with a lifelong love affair with baseball, he added, “It was a no-brainer for me.”
“It is a beautiful day in Portland,” added Randy Miller, using his characteristic line from his radio Rocket report.
“We’re very proud of our history. … It’s still town ball. … We are on the baseball map,” he said.
Rocket alumni traded stories — recalling that Larry Chittum, who was on hand for the occasion, pitched the team’s very first game and actually saved the team from extinction at one point in the 1980s — and renewed friendships.
“There’s too many stories to tell about the Rockets,” said Heath Williams.
Current Rocket Chandler Jacks summed it up: “It’s great to be a part of this.”
Those attending were fed courtesy of the Portland Rotary Club which made a donation in support of the team at the close of the dedication ceremony.
“There’s too many stories to tell about the Rockets,” said Heath Williams.
Current Rocket Chandler Jacks summed it up: “It’s great to be a part of this.”
Those attending were fed courtesy of the Portland Rotary Club which made a donation in support of the team at the close of the dedication ceremony.
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