BETWEEN THE LINES: BASEBALL, DOGS AND THE QUEST FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN DREAM

Summer is nearly over, and I just realized I have not yet attended a major league baseball game. I caught part of the Cardinals' game Sunday before work but wasn't very interested because Mark McGwire didn't hit a home run and the team eventually lost.

Actually, I haven't missed baseball much since the players went on strike several years ago. I wasn't much of a fan to begin with, but after the strike I just quit watching on principle. Why should I spend money on tickets to watch some ballplayer make a million bucks just for showing up at the game?

Sure Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa have turned things around with their quest to beat Roger Maris' home run record, but I wouldn't even care about the sport now if it weren't for the minor leagues.

While living in Florida, I attended several minor league baseball games with my friends Ty and Roblyn. They bought box seats at Wolfson Park each season to watch the up and coming stars play for the Jacksonville Suns, the AA Southern League team of the Detroit Tigers. And they invited me along to the games.

It was always fun to watch the games because the fans went wild and were truly devoted. Most of them didn't miss a single home game. And the team mascot provided plenty of antics to keep the crowd riled up.

In addition to the ballpark hot dogs and cold sodas, Southpaw was one of the best reasons for attending the baseball games. The team mascot -- a dog -- was a funny character who danced on the dugouts to the tune of "YMCA" by the Village People.

Until I met Southpaw, I didn't know that anyone could have so much fun while working. Sure, I have seen other mascots, like Truman the Tiger dance around the stadium at Mizzou ballgames, but this guy was hilarious. Of course, I also had an affinity for Southpaw because I am one, being left-handed and all.

But then lots of other people liked him too. He's only been the team mascot since 1996, but thousands love him. He's been invited to dozens of schools and even a Vacation Bible School.

When I left Florida for the "big city" newspaper, Ty and Roblyn presented me with an autographed photo of Southpaw sitting next to me at my last home game. I asked if he'd signed it with his left hand. The photo was a reminder of my life among the "little people" I had worked with in Florida.

Now, Ty says that Southpaw has been called up to bigger and better things as well. My favorite Suns player -- the man who dons the dog costume for portions of each game -- will become the mascot for the Dallas Cowboys. Ty sent me another autograph photo of Southpaw that arrived over the weekend.

I think I'll keep it at my desk as a reminder on those harried, stressful days that you can have fun at your job. It has certainly been my dream, and I would guess it was Southpaw's also.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.