Opinion
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Editorial
Greenberg's View
Israel Will Prevail
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F
ew of the nation's anniversaries
seemed so fraught with danger as
its 60th.
On the southern frontier, there was
violence, and many citizens had been
killed. There was evidence some had been
executed.
In the north, a group that some
described as terrorists was demanding
more rights and threatening military
action.
Close associates of the outgoing head of
government had been touched by a sex-
related scandal. His successor was reputed
to be nothing more than a corrupt politi-
cal hack.
A minority group was being forcefully
uprooted from their homes and moved
across the borders, while unresolved inter-
nal conflicts about core issues threatened
to tear the country apart.
In fact, had you been around in 1836 for
the 60th anniversary of the United States
of America, you may well have concluded
that this was a country whose future was
in doubt.
Lately, there has been a good deal of
pessimism expressed about the future
of Israel, not only in the unremitting
hostility of its neighbors but also in the
competence of its political leadership, as it
observes its 60th anniversary year. Maybe
a little historical perspective is called for.
America seemed plagued with terrible
problems when it turned 60. An angry
Mexican despot was warring against
independence-minded Texas and several
Americans who had rushed to the cause
were slaughtered at the Alamo, including
former Congressman Davy Crockett.
Tensions ran high along the Canadian
border, too, as political agitators demand-
ed more rights from Great Britain and
freedom for Ireland. Many of them crossed
over and set up a base on an island in the
Niagara River, in New York.
One of President Andrew Jackson's
Cabinet members got involved with a
married woman of questionable character,
whose husband then committed suicide.
Newly elected Martin Van Buren was cred-
ited with creating the Democratic Party
machine in New York, and little else.
The Cherokees of Georgia and
Tennessee were about to be forced from
their homes, despite the fact that most of
them wanted peace, spoke English and
were Christians. They were removed on
TICK
TICK
TICK
the "Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma.
And, of course, the issue of slavery
loomed over everything else, always
threatening to turn one section of the
country against the other. In addition
to all that, the following year would see
a deep economic recession that turned
Van Buren into a one-term president and
caused hardship across the country.
But its resolve, a sense that the nation
was involved in a unique and essential
experiment, brought America through all
these crises.
Israel shares such an understanding.
Too many hopes are invested in its fate.
Not only by Jews throughout the world,
but by all who believe that a democratic
state can flourish in the midst of repres-
sion, and that it will prevail because it
must.
It will prevail as it passes through its
60th year, and for many more years to
come. Cl
mer visitors' clubhouse man-
ager Rip Collins who told me
how Hank Greenberg got him
his first job at the stadium.
"He came out of the sta-
dium after a bad day; no
hits and he made an error;'
recalled Rip. "I'd caught a foul
ball and I ran up to him for
an autograph. He took the
ball and threw it down the
street. I went running after
it and when I turned around he was still
standing there. I went back to him and he
couldn't apologize enough. Not only did he
sign my ball but he got me the job.
"He called me 'Whitey; and 50 years
later when he came back for the ceremony
to retire his number he saw me sitting on
the dugout bench and recognized me. 'Is
that really you, Whitey?' he said. We both
had tears in our eyes!'
So many memories from so many
people. That was the secret of its enduring
magic. But nothing stays the same. Now
memories are being made at Comerica
Park and a new generation is growing up
to whom Tiger Stadium means little.
The night Kenny Rogers shut out New
York in the 2006 playoffs I went to the
game with my brother. A full October
moon was hanging above the centerfield
wall and the big crowd was in an uproar as
Rogers throttled the hated Yankees.
"It's a shame Dad couldn't have been
here to see this:' said Mike.
I pointed to the moon. "He's here I said.
I guess that's when I cut the final cord
to the old stadium. The rest is merely work
for the wreckers. ❑
Reality Check
House Of Wonders
I
promised myself I would not write
this column. I'd sworn off easy nostal-
gia for good.
But the photographs of Tiger Stadium
in its ruin, and some of the more mawkish
outbursts by writers who barely knew the
place, got to me.
I have no desire to go down and see the
wreckage myself. I said my goodbyes nine
years ago. A few days after the official dos-
ing, there was a small media event involv-
ing plans for the new ballpark. Afterwards,
I went out to a box behind the third base
dugout and sat by myself in the empty sta-
dium, letting the memories wash over me.
What memories! One of the most pow-
erful moments for so many of us who
grew up in Detroit is when, holding tightly
to the hand of a parent, we first walked
into that house of wonders, saw the green
field spread out before us and fell help-
lessly in love with a game and a team for
the rest of our lives.
The best friends I ever had
were those who came with me
to this place. Being privileged
to sit in its pressbox and cover
the Tigers as they won a World
Series was beyond my fondest
dreams.
I saw Joe DiMaggio, Ted
Williams and Bob Gibson play
there. I saw Al Kaline patrol right
field incomparably and Mickey
Lolich work a small miracle.
My contemporaries and I amuse our-
selves by signing e-mails with the names
of obscure Tiger players of the past. Lou
Skizas. Coot Veal. Harry Malmberg. Lou
Berberet. Well, it keeps us codgers enter-
tained and the memories remain green.
"The man in the stands grows older
every year, but the players are forever
young:' as Rolfe Humphries wrote, in his
wonderful poem "Polo Grounds!'
A few nights ago, I had a drink with for-
George Cantor's e-mail address is
gcantor614@aoLcom.
SN
July 24 • 2008
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