Rock Steady

"...this is Curt Gowdy saying goodnight from Shea Stadium and the NBC Game of the Week. Stay tuned for the post-game wrap-up with your host Herbie Jones..."

Herbie Jones?

Amidst the rumbling of freight trains rolling along behind Penn's Hollenback Field in Philadelphia, and the constant dugout chatter coming from the Harvard and Quaker squads last Thursday in the late innings of a key double-header, came the voice of Herbie Jones.

At first, I thought it might be someone's radio tuned to some miscellaneous Phillies game. As I sat against the fence next to the Crimson dugout across from the first base stands, minding my own business and watching the crucial contest intently, I didn't pay much attention to the play-by-play to my right.

It was Herbie Jones.

Herbie is only about ten years old, a resident of South Philly, and he has obviously been tuned to radio and television for much of that decade. He had all the characteristics of a young Jack Whittaker, Bill McKay or Lindsey Nelson.

With his left index finger pressing an imaginary headset to his ear, picking up some imaginary messages from his invisible television crew, Herbie began to provide the details (not always entirely accurate, but always authentic sounding) of the collegiate contest before us. "The bases are full and a home run could hurt Harvard here..."

Herbie's commentary went uninterrupted. He was unphased even by the gruff voice of an old gent who bluntly turned to the commentator and said firmly, "Keep it to yourself, boy."

Herbie kept up his commentary on the game, this time displaying a flair for the dramatic a la Cossell or maybe even Johnny Most. As Jim Thomas's throw from third went wildly out into right field in a close final inning, Herbie went into action.

"He threw it away! He threw it away! Penn has a new life here in the seventh, he threw it away! Penn has a new life! He threw it away..."

The Quakers did have a new life and scored five runs in the inning before being retired in a 7-5 loss. The twin bill had ended, but not Herbie. It was now time for the postgame show with our host, who else.

Herbie's opening interview came with ace first base coach Barry Cronin, who wasn't quite sure what to do about this kid with his finger to his ear asking him questions. Herbie was undaunted by Cronin's nonchalance, and managed a few answers from the team newcomer, who was trying to talk to someone else at the same time.

After thanking his first guest, Herbie came back to me. "Well, you came a long way, and you had to win these two games, didn't you? It was a great victory for the Crimson of Harvard over Penn..."

Clearly, however, Herbie's viewers had seen enough of me. I din't even get a gift-certificate or anything. So Herbie moved over to the Harvard dugout, finger at the ready to receive the word as to when he had to break for a commercial. His guest was Crimson mentor Loyal Park. "Well, you came a long way, and you had to win these two games, right? It was a great victory for the Crimson of Harvard over Penn here today..."

Park very politely answered a few questions and talked with Herbie a while, before it was time to sign off the air.

The players had by then all left the field followed by Park and the fans had filed out of the gate. All that was left on the diamond was a ten-year-old kid standing by home plate, one hand to his ear, another holding an invisible mike, still talking away.

"This is Herbie Jones, saying so long from Hollenback Field here in Philadelphia."

Herbie Jones?