What do Gene Autry and Bing Crosby have in common? Well, you would be correct if you said iconic Christmas songs. Gene Autry made “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” a holiday standard, and what would Christmas be without hearing Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas”?
Well, they also both were owners or at least part owners of major league baseball teams. Yup, the singing cowboy was owner of the California Angels, and ol’ Bing was VP of the Pittsburgh Pirates! He bought into the team in 1947 and was part owner well into the 1960s.
So, one of the Pirates’ biggest fans is Garth Brooks. I say we start a campaign and ask Garth to save the club and its fans from Bob Nutting. I mean, if we need a higher-priced free agent, well Garth, release a new tune and — voila! — he’s paid for.
If that isn’t enough, then maybe a collaboration with our new first baseman, Carlos Santana. Or find out who Brian Reynolds’ favorite singer is and get him or her to buy in so we can keep him. Come on, Garth, save your favorite team and all of us fans!
Kurt Karafinski
Shaler