I am a  “fatherless daughter”.  My father died in 1971 from Leukemia. I was only 3 at the time. I have spent my life piecing together this man. Building him from pictures, shirts, glasses, music, letters and stories. Now I am looking for his voice.
My father, Verlon Walker, was a coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1961-1971. Part of Wrigleyville history and that 1969 team that ALMOST won. Ironically, that 1969 team was beaten by the “Miracle Mets” of which my uncle, Rube Walker, was the pitching coach. Brother against brother…. a family divided by a National League Pennant Series.
I know my father did radio and TV interviews (mostly because Leo Durocher had a love/hate relationship with the press), but this was the 60’s- WAY before the digital age. I have contacted WGN and the Cubs organization. Many pre and post game broadcasts weren’t saved. What they do have doesn’t include my father. If a recording exists, it will be in the hands of a collector-most likely. Not knowing where to begin, I decided to start a blog. Cataloging my pictures, telling my story, being vulnerable.
Amazing things started to happen.
The exercise of going through my father’s life, discussing baseball, recounting his love for my mom, allowed me to go deep into a shattered place and heal. Other women with the wound of fatherlessness began to follow my blog and take the journey with me. There is comfort in numbers and women who have grown up without a father speak the same language.
Pat Hughes from WGN-Radio took interest in my quest to hear my father’s voice and put me in touch with broadcasters, players, journalists and historians that could help me. Avid baseball collectors and Chicago Cub fans enjoyed seeing memorabilia (I have boxes of photographs, signed baseballs, newspaper clippings) and began reading my blog. I was acquiring my own “team”.
I got brave enough to reach out to some players that would remember my dad. Each one handed over a memory, a moment in time. Their kindness was amazing and their stories would take my breath away….literally. They wanted to join me on my quest as well.
Then the Chicago Tribune wrote a feature about my quest “Just to Hear His Voice”. I was sure that would do it. Surely the Tribune would have the “reach”
My journey has reached the 2 year mark and still no recording.
Last week, prior to the World Series, The Chicago Baseball Museum asked me (ME ?) to contribute my “World Series Prediction” to a feature for their website. The writer said “If your father were here, I would ask him”. His comment stunned me– I had become my father’s voice. I guessed Red Socks in 6 games and the Red Socks won the World Series in 6 games.
Read more about my quest and my team at baseballlovestory.com
contact me leighann@baseballlovestory.com
