Two Loves

Baseball and Horse Racing


My father was born in Cooperstown, New York and we were there often visiting my great grandparents. Cooperstown is a small town that grows during the summer months. It is where baseball was invented and is the home of The Baseball Hall of Fame. You can't come from that background and not have a love of the game. Today, we were able to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.
In 1884, 17 year old 'Bud' Hillerich brought Pete Browning to his parents wood working shop to make him a bat. (His had broke during the game) Pete Browning was known as "The Louisville Slugger". And a company was born.
It was an experience to see how they make these bats. Being a retired machinist who ran these big lathes, Ed really enjoyed seeing the big lathes that make these bats for Major League baseball. After we toured the factory, we watched a short movie called the "Heart of the Game". It's said that the heart of the game is the crack of the bat! Then we walked through the museum. It's a very hands on museum. Great for kids!


Ed got to hold a world series bat used by David Ortiz!!





When I was young, we lived in Saratoga, New York. This is a hugh horse racing town with 2 tracks. One a harness track and the other a 'flat track', was for thoroughbred racing. Each year, in the month of August, thoroughbred racing comes to Saratoga. So the second part of today was also very special. A trip to Churchill Downs...home of the Kentucky Derby. I was really looking forward to going through the museum, however, it was closed and suffered some major damage during the flooding that occurred earlier this week. But we were able to have a tour of the track. This is the winners circle for the Kentucky Derby. It is only used that one day. There is another winners circle used for other races.

The famous twin spires! These are part of the original racetrack.

The paddock area and the tunnel which the horses enter the track.

The cemetery at Churchill Downs. A horse is usually cremated except for the brain, heart and hoofs. They are buried with the ashes to symbolize drive, courage and speed.


And last is a statue of Pat Day, one of the best jockeys and was my mothers favorite. Yes it is lifesize!


It was a great day!!