The WGOM

Better Know A Citizen - Jeff A.

June 19th, 2007 by Andrew

Name: Jeff A
Hometown: Delmont, SD. Actually, though, the town I currently live in is much more my “home town” than the town in which I grew up.
Town I currently live in: Wessington Springs, SD
Profession: Lawyer/Pastor
Bats: Poorly
Throws: Weakly
Positions: Generally seated.
Greatest Career Achievement in Baseball/Softball/T-ball: I hit a home run when I was eleven. We were playing on a full-size field, and I hit a groundball down the right- field line that rolled almost to the fence. I’m currently the public address announcer for the local teams, and I’m a lot better at that.
Hobbies: Baseball public address announcer. Statistician for the boys high school basketball team. Amateur singer/songwriter.
What are you known for around the WGOM? This assumes I’m actually known for something, of which I’m rather skeptical. If anything, maybe for throwing random questions or comments to generate discussion.
Sports Allegiances: Twins, Vikings, San Antonio Spurs (not a bandwagonner—I’ve rooted for them since the mid ‘70s, when they were still in the ABA). Also, any Wessington Springs, SD sports teams.
Favorite Books: The “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series. Also, any of the SABR books about the early days of baseball.
Favorite Baseball Movie: “Field of Dreams”
Favorite Non-baseball Movie: “Harvey”. I once got to play the Jimmy Stewart role in community theater, which was a lot of fun. Also, any Laurel and Hardy movies.
Favorite Food & Drink: Chocolate chip cookies and milk
Favorite TV show (s): Any baseball game. “Doctor Who”. “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends”. “The Benny Hill Show”.
Favorite Twins Player, historically: Sal Butera
Favorite Twins Player, currently: Pat Neshek
Best Twins Memory: When Herb Carneal came to Delmont, SD to speak at the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame banquet.
Favorite Sport to Play: Bowling. It’s the only one I was ever any good at.
Favorite Sport to Watch: Baseball. Anything else is a distant second.
If I could live anywhere in the world, I’d live in: Wessington Springs, SD, where I live now. Seriously.. I know it’s a little dinky town in the middle of nowhere, but there are some wonderful people here.
If I was commissioner for a day, I’d: Resign. When’s the last time there was a commissioner people actually liked?
If I had Terry Ryan’s job for a day, I’d: Improve the offense.
SBG—great on-line magazine, or greatest on-line magazine? Greatest. Is that even a question?
Favorite Ballpark: I’ve been to so few major-league parks that I’m really not qualified to answer. But if they’re playing baseball in it, how bad can it be?
First MLB game: 1977. My big brother took me to a game in Kansas City, Twins at Royals. Gary Serum pitched eight innings for the win. Mike Marshall got the save. Rod Carew got three hits, each to a different part of the field. If anyone researches this and finds that it couldn’t be correct, I’d appreciate you shutting up about it. I’d rather cherish my memories.
Favorite blog: SBG nation. Are there other blogs?
If you could have a nice, polite dinner with any 3 people—dead or alive—who and why? You know, when people are asked these questions, they usually choose either great historical figures or celebrities. But really, what would I say to any of those people? I think I’d pick my wife and a couple of close friends.
If you could pick any 3 people—again, dead or alive—to go out and party, who and why? Since I don’t “go out and party” myself, I’d pick three people I don’t like and send them on their way, knowing that then they wouldn’t be bothering me that night.
Can you dance if you want to? Sadly, no. I watch people dancing, and they look so graceful that I’d love to be able to do it, but unfortunately I can’t.
Can you leave your friends behind? I’ve moved a couple of times in my life, so yes, I can. It does make me sad, though. You always say that you’ll stay close, but most of the time you don’t. You live your life, they live theirs, and you drift apart.
What’s your hidden talent? I’m a really good speller. Unfortunately, I’m a lousy typist, which kind of negates it.
Do you have a TV show or movie that you won’t admit to liking? No. But then, if I did, I wouldn’t admit it.

SBG note: I don't mean to step on Andrew's toes, but I thought I'd add a map of hometowns for those who have been profiled.

Tags: Andrew, BKAC, Field of Dreams, Herb Carneal, Hitchhiker's Guide, Jeff A., Pat Neshek, Sal Butera, San Antonio Spurs, The Padre

This entry was posted by Andrew on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Better Know a Citizen. It is one of 86 entries by the author. We are no longer accepting Letters to the Editor on this post.