Most of the other people watching the World Series have resumed NFL consumption today. Count me among those consumed with the WS present and past with concerns about the 2027 version.
Without realizing it, longtime friend and Brewer lifer, Ed shared some wonderful pictures from the 1982 World Series at County Stadium. Finding old stories or catalogs of professionally shot pictures isn’t difficult with the internet. Those are well and good but for the most part not terribly unique.
The shots that Ed texted are from a former employee’s dad. They are exquisitely imperfect. Given the technology of 1982 they are wonderful in that they capture the moments. I can only guess what camera he used as it was probably like the camera I used occasionally back then. Unlike most of the NL stadiums of that era, County Stadium was unique as it wasn’t a cookie cutter, multi-use stadium (although the Packers did play there on occasion).
In most movies or television shows shot in New York City, the city is usually a main character. The same can be said for ballparks. While called a stadium, County was more ballpark than bland concrete slab. The gentleman that was at the game took enough pictures of the ballpark, scoreboard, Goodyear blimp and action on the field to provide provenance of the photos. Because he was using actual film, he was limited in the number of available shots. There was no instant editing and I’m betting there were a few pics not worth keeping.
I’ve taken hundreds of thousands of pictures at ballgames. I’ve been digital since 2017 and have stopped printing all my shots since 2020 (to save space). With a better camera, zoom lens and experience my pictures have improved over the years, but I still cherish many of the early shots from the early to mid-1980’s. And in the past 15 years I’ve been fortunate to befriend two spectacular photographers, Lee and Jerry. They are both far superior technicians and have been very generous with their knowledge. I’m still learning about the limitations on my zoomless mini camera.
97.2 % of fans taking pictures at games use their phones these days. I’ve also seen several reporters and team employees defaulting to their smart phones etc. While some do a better job because of the video component, one can tell the difference. Furthermore, 81.6% of that group spend approximately 4 innings taking selfies.
For the most part, my shots are outward looking on to the field. When I go to a new park, I try and get a shot with the field, scoreboard, unique feature, mascot or notable employee in the background. Regrettably and understandably, I only have one photo with Bob Sr. at a ballgame. And as luck would have it, it was our last game together and some Yabo inserted himself in the shot. Coincidentally, it was noteworthy Cubs-Brewers game at County Stadium.
Photos are a great way to capture a moment in time. For as much as I have been complaining about the Fox broadcast crew, one of the better shots was of the scoreboard welcoming the NBC broadcast crew: Bob Costas, Dick Enberg, Tony Kubek, Joe Garagiola, and Tom Seaver. Today’s players may be better, the game improved, but not the broadcast quality. Thirty years from now, nobody is going to be clamoring for Buck, Davis, Smoltz, Arod, Jeter, Ortiz or Burkhardt.
