Opinion : Telling Vinton's stories together with you

“Ain’t that something. Nobody knows this yet, but one of us just got traded to Kansas City.” Few people in Major League Baseball have been as good at saying what needs to be said in a way that the listener can remember as the late Casey Stengel. Stengel was managing the New York Yankees when New York newspapers reported the above conversation with outfielder Rob Cerv, which took place shortly after the 1956 World Series. Stengel’s one-liner left no doubt in the mind of Cerv about which of those two would soon be heading to Kansas City. Cerv was happy being a Yankee, even though he was a reserve player, sitting on the bench while players with legendary names took the field. He had a pinch-hit home run in the 1955 World Series, and he was 1-for-1 in the 1956 World Series. That was the year of Don Larsen’s perfect game, the only one ever pitched in the World Series. It must have been an amazing year, an amazing experience, for Rob Cerv. And then it was over. Five days after that historic World Series, Cerv was traded to Kansas City. He never played in a World Series game again. Some people would have been disappointed to be sent from the Yankees to the Royals. I do not know how Cerv felt about the change; I only know what he did afterwards. Cerv went to Kansas City, where, no longer under the shadow of Mickey Mantle and the other Yankee legends, he went on to become an All-Star. He had his best years in baseball as a Royal. He even was chosen to lead off for the American League, batting ahead of Ted Williams. An inkling For just a moment on March 1, as I stepped out the front door, I had this feeling: Today is going to be a momentous day. I ignored that feeling. Less than 12 hours later, I was on the phone, making arrangements to be here, writing these articles for you, at Vinton Today. A choice There are two big differences between Rob Cerv and me (three if you count the fact that I am still alive). First, he was an All-Star who could do lots of cool stuff with a bat, ball and glove. Me, I am just a guy who tries to write about people who actually do stuff. Second, Cerv did not have a choice. If he wanted to play baseball, he had to be a Royal. Me, I chose to be here. I could have tried to work (again) for people who think that my first job is to please bosses from other cities, from people who do not know that much about Vinton, or its people. But I learned that life is much better and I am much less grumpy when I don’t have bosses two counties away telling me how to write about Vinton. So, when Vinton Today called, I said yes. And here I am. Thanks to all of you who read my articles and columns at the other places I worked here in Vinton. Thanks for your comments and concern as we saw yet another big change. Thanks for finding us, and for reading and sharing your stories with us. Years ago, a young writer presented a unique column to his editor at the Des Moines Register. The boss read the piece and said, “This is good. Do more.” I hope you think that what you see here at Vinton Today in our first few days is good. I hope you hope for more. And I hope you will help us tell the stories of Vinton residents, Vinton organizations, Vinton successes and Vinton challenges and the way we work together in Vinton when we face them.