99-year-old fan relives baseball memories at Hall of Fame
While walking through the Museum on April 25, 2017, Robert Noonan suddenly paused and motioned at a heavily-worn glove in the Autumn Glory exhibit.
“No wonder Brooks Robinson caught so many,” he said to his tour guide, Senior Curator Tom Shieber. “His pocket was huge!”
Hall of Fame Membership
There is no simpler, and more essential, way to demonstrate your support than to sign on as a Museum Member.
The mitt he was referring to was used by Robinson in the 1970 World Series, during which the third baseman made several fantastic plays, including his iconic backhanded catch and off-balance throw to rob Lee May of a base hit. But Noonan’s recollection of the “Human Vacuum Cleaner” was only one of a treasure trove of memories encapsulated in the mind of a 99-year-old baseball fanatic.
Noonan visited the Museum with two of his sons, Tom Noonan and acclaimed musician Willie Nile. And with the family connection, the visit became a walk down memory lane.
“My dad was born in 1917, he’ll be 100 in November,” Tom Noonan said. “Warren Spahn was born in 1921 so there was a four year age difference between them. My dad played second base for Bennett High School in Buffalo N.Y., and Warren Spahn played for South Park – their rival – which was also in Buffalo. He played against Warren.”
Overhearing the conversation, Robert brought the story to life.
“We played against him but I never batted against him. Lucky me.”
But his early encounter with a future Hall of Famer was only the beginning. Growing up in Buffalo, where he still lives, Noonan was a Cardinals fan. The Rochester Red Wings, who were a Red Birds’ minor league affiliate from 1928-1960, played in Buffalo on occasion. So Noonan grew up watching the likes of Rip Collins, Hall of Famer Chick Hafey and of course, Pepper Martin – his favorite player.
“I saw Pepper Martin play for the Rochester Red Wings,” Noonan said. “At that time he played center field. I couldn’t help but notice him because when the inning ended he sprinted from center field into the third base dugout. Every time.”
His knowledge wasn’t limited to the Cardinals’ Gashouse Gang teams of the 1930s, though. As he grew older, Noonan evolved to become a true fan of the National Pastime, rather than of any particular team, a characteristic that became more evident as the tour went on.
Noonan had a comment or an aside for just about every artifact shown to him, whether it was Lou Gehrig mitt: “well worn,”; Ted Williams’ bat: “No kidding. Hillerich & Bradsby. He did a lot of hitting with a little stick like that”; or Russ Hodges’s scorecard recording Bobby Thomson hitting his game-winning home run: “Who hasn’t heard of Bobby Thomson?!”
What started as a tour quickly turned into something more meaningful: A bridge between two generations of baseball fans. For with every glove, bat and scorecard came a memory associated with it.
“This is something else,” said Nile, who has performed and recorded with artists including Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen and the Barenaked Ladies. “I told a lot of people I was coming here, and they were so excited. I’m definitely going to come back again.”
Noonan, who after a day of walking around the Museum was miraculously more energized than before he arrived, agreed with his son.
“I liked all of the artifacts,” said Noonan. “It’s marvelous that you have all these relics here. The National Pastime is really a wonderful thing.”
Alex Coffey was the communications specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Related Stories
Bobby Doerr reflects on a life in baseball
Lou Gehrig hits four consecutive home runs
Braves legend Warren Spahn is sold to the Mets
Bobby Doerr reflects on a life in baseball
Lou Gehrig hits four consecutive home runs
