by Bob Stealey
EDITOR
Now we know who will be vying for the designation of "world champion" in the World Series, which opens Saturday in Anaheim. It'll be Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.
Why didn't I just say, "It'll be the San Francisco Giants," and be done with it? What about Benito Santiago, J.T. Snow and the others? They played a big part in capturing the National League pennant, too, right? It's just that today, generally more emphasis seems to be placed on superstardom than to teamwork.
Ah, well, I really wanted to say a few words today about the St. Louis Cardinals, anyway. I certainly believe the Cards deserve a big tip of the cap from big league baseball fans everywhere.
Despite mourning the death of their long-time broadcaster Jack Buck, followed not long after by the death of team leader and starting pitcher Daryl Kile, the Cards managed to win the National League Central. Then, St. Louis beat the 2001 world champion Arizona Diamondbacks to reach the NLCS.
To my way of thinking, this alone makes the Cardinals champions. No, they won't be representing the National League in the fall classic. But the San Francisco Giants make a great team -- pitching and fielding, as well as hitting. My prediction is that the G-men will win it in five games.
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Charlotte Reynolds of 1600 Williams Ave. in Clarksburg's North View section has written me, asking that I remind "alumni" of the Maidenform brassiere factory in Clarksburg that their 25th annual reunion will be held Friday at the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center.
The factory operated on the second floor of Colonial Village, at East Main Street and Monticello Avenue, from March 1944 until Nov. 29, 1976, employing as many as 400 people.
At one time, Maidenform had a second plant in the Glen Elk section of town. The plant, in fact, contributed considerably to the raising of many families who depended on it for a living.
In 1945, Louis Lees came to Clarksburg from Bayonne, N.J., to manage the plant. After it closed in 1976 due to imports, he and his wife, Gloria, remained in Clarksburg. He is now 91 years of age.
At the request of many former employees, Imogene Paugh and Charlotte Reynolds started the first Maidenform reunion after the plant closed, and it has continued on the third Friday of October for 24 years. Attendance has ranged from 62 up to 130, with people coming from as far away as New Mexico, Texas, Florida and North Carolina to attend the dinners.
The events were at first held at the Sheraton Inn, then the Holiday Inn, The Rose Garden Theatre, YWCA and, finally, the senior center, due to its space available for entertainment and, as Ms. Reynolds said, "because they have been so good to us."
She said, "There is a concern for all former employees, and reports are given on those unable to attend. Mr. Lees, former manager, although 91 years old, looks forward to these reunions and has never missed a one."
Bob Stealey can be reached by phone at (304) 626-1438, or by e-mail at rstealey@exponent-telegram.com
