Pitarresi: Boots Day has been everywhere

I was talking to Boots Day today in preparation for a story on the Ilion High School legend and former major league outfielder that will appear in the Observer-Dispatch Sunday … we hope!

 

I know Boots a little bit, although I’ve never met him in person. He was in the early days of his career when I started at the paper as a stringer in 1972, and I interviewed him from time to time over the phone. I’ve also spoken to him a few times in the years since as he pursued his coaching and managerial career across North America. Boots is coaching right now in Calgary, Alberta, which is, as you might have guessed, in Canada. Canada, as everyone knows, is the birthplace of Hank Snow, the much-loved country singer who had a signature hit back in the 1950s with “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

 

Boots has been everywhere, too, since signing with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965, and he’s been in baseball for 44 years.

 

“And I’ve had 44 one-year contracts,” he told me.

 

I had to a great time talking to Boots. You can read all about it Sunday ... if I get it done in time.