Linda Hebert Todd

Author - Westlake, Louisiana

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How the Cajun Kid Blew an Eight-Run Lead

May 22, 2017 By Linda H. Todd 1 Comment

Sunday, June 1, 1941
Los Angeles, California
Padres versus Angels

Wally Hebert was on the mound with an eight-run lead. Everything seemed to be going his way. He was in the zone, tossing strikes and forcing infield flies, and generally making life miserable for the hapless Angels.

Baseball season was starting in on its third month. I was a lonely five-year-old only child who amused herself with two imaginary playmates named Lavory and McGuvney. But not for long. I would soon have a baby sister or brother. My mother, whom everyone called Bobbie, had a little time left before the new baby was expected to arrive, but everything was ready.

Linda-Hillene-youngBack to the ball park. My dad was on the mound systematically sending the Angels’ batters back to the dugout in high dudgeon. Word came to the press box and the Padre manager that my mother had given birth to their second child. The manager, Cedric Durst, knowing how laid back my dad usually was, sent word to the press box to share the good news over the public address system and radio.

“Attention everyone. We have just received word that opposing pitcher Wally Hebert has become a father for the second time. His wife, Bobbie, gave birth in San Diego to a boy. Mother and baby are doing fine. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Hebert.”

Applause broke out all over the stadium in spite of the home team’s woes at the hands of the enemy. His teammates were cheering and it took a while for everyone to settle down and get back to the game. However, the normally unflappable Cajun never did settle down. No more strikeouts. No more infield flies. Angel bats came to life and the eight-run lead faded away. Manager Durst had to take Hebert out, and Los
Angeles chalked one up in the win column.

Knowing my dad, I’m sure that loss didn’t bother him. He was glad everybody was okay even if someone somewhere along the line got their facts wrong that day. I became big sister to Mary Hillene Hebert that June Sunday afternoon San Diego. I didn’t get a brother till a few years later.

Sorry, Hillene. Now anyone who takes the time to do the math can find out how old you and I are.

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Comments

  1. Mary Helen Whiteard says

    May 24, 2017 at 11:22 am

    I think I figured out Helene’s age, and also yours, but will not publicize it.

    Reply

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About Linda

Linda Hebert ToddLinda has completed her novel—Wild Justice, a crime story with a revenge theme, and has started another one set in Labrador and Louisiana. She writes all her stories in longhand, bringing to life the beautiful bayous of south Louisiana. Read more...

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Linda Hebert Todd, Author, Westlake, LA - Mystery Novel
Mystery Novel

Wild Justice

By Linda Hebert Todd

Keeley Chesson, a crime reporter for a city newspaper, is orphaned at age fourteen, courtesy of a sheriff's deputy who killed her parents and got away with it. Now, fourteen years later, the deaths of her parents still a mystery and the deputy now her town's police chief, tragedy again rocks her…

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Short Stories

Sidonie and the Loup-Garou and Other Stories from the Bayou

By Linda Hebert Todd

The short fiction in this book introduces the reader to an interesting assortment of characters. The lead story—Sidonie and the Loup-Garou—features a high school girl who learns it is a good idea to heed the warnings of her Cajun grandparents. The final tale—The Ghost and Sadie Stackpoole– solves…

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