...42...

Lots of Dodgers fans don't know that Jackie Robinson played for the Montréal Royals in 1946. Lots of Montrealers don't know that he lived on de Gaspé street during his stay and that the monument dedicated to him at the entrance of Olympic Stadium used to be right on the northeast corner of Ontario E. and Ave. de Lorimier, where the Delorimier Downs used to be. The monument cost $50,000 and was paid for by the Expos. It was commissioned on January 27, 1987 and inaugurated in the presence of Mrs. Rachel Robinson on May 16, 1987, leaving the artist, Jules Lasalle three months to make all the necessary models and molds. Wheww... Then, in 1989, the city moved the monument to Olympic Stadium on the grounds that it would be more 'visible' to tourist and baseball fans. I took a trip to the monument's old site yesterday. Super depressing. When they removed the statue in '89 they placed a granite podium with a plaque dedicated to Les Royaux (that no longer exists) on home-plate. Originally, the statue of Robinson and the two kids were set at ground level on the pitcher's mound in this miniature version of a ballpark – created for the monument. Now that the Expos are gone I think the city should repatriate the statue to the former Royals playing field. It's where Robinson would have played and piece of pride that was taken away from the neighborhood. From Richard to the present...eastenders have really been getting the fuzzy end of the lollypop...

For information about any of Montreal's public works of art, please, step into the portal...


A baseball related lunch from Lafleur's

tHe EaSteR buNNy really ExiSts

it's just that he may not have 20/20 vision or be white and fuzzy. after waiting more than thirteen years for another one of his visits i learned a thing or two this easter: 1) the easter bunny carries a lot more than chocolate eggs in his basket, and 2) he has a serious repertoire of culinary delights up his sleeve...

if he hasn't been by to see you this year, i hope the sight of this bread and card will make your heart smile as much as they have made mine.

sending many make-believe chocolate eggs your way,
the ketchup kid

PeBBLeS & StiCkS

Lady Julia's blog, Pebbles & Sticks, is fresh out of the frying pan...
The sun shines again...

...BreAkTimE...

This salad celebrates one of the chicory family's most remarkable offspring, the radicchio. The recipe was given to me by a friend's mother, who I also like to call 'mom' whenever I get the chance. When she was young she studied the recorder with a master in Pratolino (where she first tried radicchio)...back in the days when the Villa Demidoff (a Medici Villa then) hadn't been restored and no one seemed to care much about the place. One day, she climbed over a part of the estate's crumbling wall. Not long after making it over did she find herself standing before the great Apennine. I like to think he'd been waiting for her visit...for 320 years. He's gotten all kinds of calls since then, and has had his wounds mended by specialists. Anyways, I hope you get the chance to try it out. I made it this weekend when my mind was beginning to tire from studying and call it the "Fuel for Fire Salad" now. It's like an energy drink, only it's in your salad bowl...

1 small radicchio, chopped
1 pink grapefruit, pith and skin removed
1/2 avocado
1 green onion/chive
1/4 c. almonds (lightly browned in a pan)

Dressing:
1 tbsp. lime juice
3 tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste


The Apennine awaits your visit...