How I became a Gian fan

Upon hearing of the death of former New York Giant baseballer Dusty Rhodes this week, it brings back a lot of great memories. First of all, his name is one of the great all-time names in sports history.

But, it was in the 1954 World Series that he became a household name. He helped the Giants to a 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Indians in that series with clutch pinch hits in each of the first three games.

Of course, Willie Mays' great over-the-head catch of Vic Wertz' long drive was also a big highlight of that series.

My mother wasn't a big baseball fan, but she always watched the World Series. I was seven years old when that series in 1954 came along and I helped my mom root for the Giants to win the series.

I can remember riding my tricycle up and down the sidewalk in front of our house in Dewey, Oklahoma, hollering "The Giants won the World Series."

From that time, I became a Giants fan and a Willie Mays fan. The Giants haven't won a World Series since, but I'm still rooting for them.

As for Dusty Rhodes, thanks for the memories. I'm glad I knew ya.