Keegan: Start day right, with flapjacks

By Tom Keegan     Mar 1, 2008

Lawrence resident Melissa Arnett’s father, Walter “Wolf” Montgomery, died Jan. 14, 2007. A group of her father’s friends pooled money for a memorial fund in his name and asked Arnett to choose the benefactor. It wasn’t until Arnett read in the newspaper about the 58th Pancake Day, put on by the American Legion to raise funds for Post 14’s baseball uniforms, that Arnett knew where the money needed to go.

That’s why the initials “WM” were on the sleeves of Legion ballplayers last summer.

“Daddy loved the game of baseball, and, when as a young man he was given his first uniform, he slept in it for days,” Arnett said.

Montgomery, a left-handed pitcher, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and was in the organization from 1948-53.

Chowing down at the 59th Pancake Day today at Legionacres II, 3408 W. Sixth Street, seems like the right way to start a big sports day. No need to hurry. The pancake feed lasts until 2 p.m.

Many of those filling their bellies will opine on Kansas University’s big, Big 12 showdown against Kansas State. Others will lament the poor timing of Lawrence High’s huge Class 6A substate boys basketball game at home against Olathe North. It tips off at 7:45, 15 minutes before the KU game. Some will look forward to meeting Gale Sayers at his book signing. Between mouthfuls, some will talk about how they, too, slept in their first baseball uniforms.

At least one person who will be in Allen Fieldhouse for tonight’s game did.

“I went to sleep with my Little League uniform on,” ESPN’s Dick Vitale said by phone. “It was the biggest thrill, getting that first uniform. I played for Mazzo Oil in Garfield, N.J., pitched a one-hitter. I could throw some heat. I’ll never forget those days.”

Vitale never forgets the days and nights he spends inside the Fieldhouse, either.

“My wife, Lorraine, is coming with me,” Vitale said. “I told her, ‘You have never been to Allen Fieldhouse. You are coming to Lawrence to appreciate the spirit.’ I can’t wait.”

Games mean more to Vitale now than ever. The voice and dome of college basketball, Vitale was sidelined for two months after, of all things, surgery to remove lesions from his left vocal cord.

“The doctors told me they wouldn’t know if it was cancer until surgery,” Vitale said. “For two weeks, my thoughts were running wild. That fear of the unknown going over and over in your mind. Man, it was a relief when I found out it wasn’t cancer. … You wouldn’t believe all the gift baskets, the fruits, the cheeses I got from people. I could open Dickie V’s Gift Shop.”

He doesn’t have time for that. Too many games. Too much work to be done on behalf of cancer research. Vitale talked about tonight’s game, and then talked about a bigger goal than any that could be reached on hardwood.

“My neighbor, Payton Wright, died of brain cancer at age 5 on May 29,” Vitale said. “I promised her mom and dad I would not let the courageous fight she waged go without her helping other kids. I told them: ‘I promise on May 16 I will give you a check for $1 million for cancer research for the V Foundation.’ We’re going to make that happen.”

Vitale said to go to dickvitaeonline.com to see how you can help. Arnett said to go to the 59th Pancake Day. So let’s go.

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