EAT ‘EM UP, TIGERS/ASTROS
By Maxwell Kates
This is the corner of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue, a major intersection in Toronto, as it appeared in 1981. Back then, commuters couldn’t get anywhere. Today, the corner has been developed with new residential and commercial developments, a crosstown light rail, and commuters still can’t get anywhere.
It was a dark and stormy morning when on this corner, I stood, waiting for a green light. Justin Verlander’s team was about to enter the playoffs, only then, it was still the Detroit Tigers. For the occasion I was wearing a Tigers cap, discoloured by too many hot afternoons in the sun. I had not shaved in several days and my jacket had clearly also seen better days. In my hand, there was a beverage from Tim Horton’s, the ubiquitous Canadian coffee chain founded by the hockey player of the same name. As the light was still red, I started to chant:
EAT ‘EM UP, TIGERS, EAT ‘EM UP!
EAT ‘EM UP, TIGERS, EAT ‘EM UP!
EAT ‘EM UP, TIGERS, EAT ‘EM UP!
EAT ‘EM UP, TIGERS, EAT ‘EM UP!
That’s when a woman looked at me and put a quarter in my Tim Horton’s cup. Then the light turned green.
This is 2018 ~ These are newer times.
EAT ‘EM UP, ASTROS, EAT ‘EM UP!
Editor’s Note: Thanks for your support of the Houston Astros, Maxwell Kates! You won’t even have to keep your tiger tail tucked around most of our fans in Houston, but do try to watch out for standing on the corner of Texas and Crawford too long with a tin cup in your hand. Gotta remember. Life is like a box of chocolates. ~ You never know what you’re gonna get.
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Bill McCurdy
Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher
The Pecan Park Eagle
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