Locomotive to the Past by George Schultz (iphone ebook reader .TXT) 📕

to defeat The Chicago Cubs—in the ’45 Series—winning four, of the seven games! Editor’s Note: As of fall, 2013, this 1945 series, stands as the Cubs last appearance—in “The Fall Classic”! Their last “World Serious” Victory came—against the Tigers—in 1908!

Jason won an interview—in the summer, of 1945—with the pitching ace, of the Tigers, during that bountiful era! An earnest, hard-working, young man! Hal Newhouser!

The young, tall, spindly, southpaw—had posted a 29-9 record, in 1944! He had led the league in wins—and strikeouts (187). His Earned Run Average (2.22) was second, in the league, during the ’44 campaign. He wound up—being selected, as the League’s Most Valuable Player! He’d, also had “a helluva year”!

In pennant-winning 1945, Newhouser would repeat, as MVP—en route to a 25-9 record! He’d also lead the League in ERA (1.81)—and in strikeouts (212). In addition, he would go on to also lead the League—in innings pitched, games started, games completed, and in shutouts. He would also pitch four innings of relief—on the final day, of the season—to cement Detroit’s, much-celebrated, first-place finish.

Then, he would go on to win two games, in the World Series—including the critical, championship-clinching, seventh game—after losing the Series opener. Not surprisingly, the young southpaw would be proclaimed Pitcher of The Year! For the second consecutive year, in 1945.

Editor’s Note: As of 2013, Newhouser is still the youngest pitcher, ever, to win the Award—two years in a row. At age 24.

This magnificent athlete would go on to have his third “wonderful” season, in a row—in 1946—when he would post a won-lost record of 26-9, and an ERA of 1.94. Again, he would lead the League in wins—and in ERA. He was runner-up to Ted Williams (“The Splendid Splinter”—of the pennant-winning Boston Red Sox) in the MVP race. He was denied his third straight Pitcher of The Year trophy—when Organized Baseball wound up suspending the award, in 1946 and 1947.

“Prince Harold” was a very quiet—an unassuming—man. All of the fan worship—that had accompanied his many talents, and accomplishments—seemed to almost embarrass him! After the Tigers’ most-satisfying win, in 1945, the young pitcher was—by far—the most-sought-after interview, in the entire sports firmament!

So, when this amazing athlete wound up awarding “James Root” an actual interview (an “in-depth” interview, before it became known/billed, as such), no one was more surprised—than Our Hero!

Mr. Newhouser was most courteous, cooperative—and informative! And most articulate! The “Special Guest” showed Jason every courtesy, during the fulfilling, live, on-air, interview—which had “spilled over”, into the next “personality’s” show, by almost three minutes!

It had been an, award-winning, highly-extensive, commercial-free, program! One which boosted “our favorite radio personality’s” stock! Immensely! The, “can’t miss”, interview turned out to be a significant (a magnificent) feather, in the cap, of Our Boy! The triumph—had earned him a fat raise!

(“I didn’t know there was that much money… in the world”, he’d told Eric.)

With the bountiful hike in “the ol’ paycheck” came opportunities unimagined—for the Rutkowskis:

New cars were still “scarce as hens’ teeth”! That situation had, steadfastly, remained—as Jason’s own “helluva” year, was drawing to a close! This, despite the fact that the highly-efficient (and vital, to the nation’s defense) automobile plants had, by then, pretty much, retooled—and had begun, to actually manufacture motor vehicles, once more.

Our Boy had—as had, seemingly, everyone else, in town—hastened to put his name on the, always-lengthy Waiting List, of practically every new-car dealership, in the entire metropolitan area.

He’d hated the thought of, ever, parting with his “Best Girl”—his sainted ’35 Dodge! But, she was getting “a little old… and a little decrepit”! He’d been tempted to wait—for that new “Wonder Car”, The Tucker! But, as time was, ever so slowly, going by, the ability—of the inventor, of the highly-advanced vehicle—to actually produce the car, in quantity numbers—was becoming more and more in doubt. Surprisingly, that had never been a subject, covered by Grandpa Piepczyk. (And Our Hero had never even heard of the movie, Tucker.)

One other, equally-important, goal was accomplished, in 1945! And just in time, for Christmas! It had been evident—for (at least) months—that the Rutkowski clan had far outgrown, the cherished, two-bedroom, apartment, on Ohio Street. Although Jason’s devotion to “the joint” was on a level—with his affection for his Dodge—he’d “finally” recognized the unavoidable truth: His family, badly needed—far larger living quarters.

He’d gotten this dazzling raise—for one thing! And—for another—Eric wound up spending more than a few phone calls! All of them—urging his former tenant to, “break down… and buy a damn house, for heaven’s sakes”!

There were a few—in the Atkinsons general neighborhood—that had, finally, become available, he’d advised. He also reminded his former boarder—that they’d (“at long last”) be located, in Gate of Heaven’s parish. Relocating out there would save them their, fairly-long, drive—each and every Sunday—to, simply, get to church.

“After all,” the former landlord had emphasized, “that Dodge, of yours… it ain’t gettin’ any younger”.

Huzzah! In late November, the Rutkowskis negotiated the purchase—of a “glorious” two-story house, on Grandmont Street, almost a block north of West Chicago Blvd. Of growing importance, was the fact that their new residence was located—one block south, of the (K-through-8th) Calvin Coolidge Elementary School!

Their new residence had been built—in 1935. They would be the third owners, of the magnificent house. The original residents had sold the home, in 1939. The widow—from whom they were purchasing their new “diggings”—had, tragically, seen her husband become one, of the final casualties, of the war!

Her grief, had made Jason, and Valerie, painfully aware—once again—of the overwhelming (too-many-times tragic) circumstances, that had been brought on, by “The Big One”!

The widow had loved the home—as had her late husband! Her three children were heartbroken—at the thought, of having to move! To relinquish the only home they’d ever known! To move—to a different school! One that was considered, to be inferior, to the Coolidge facility—located so near-by!

Our Boy had been “hung up” on the fact, that his new (his huge) living room ran “all the way… from the front to the back”! The dining room was also very