Posted by chicagomedia.org on November 17, 2009 at 10:10:01:
Chicago Baseball Museum steps up to help Brickhouse
Posted by Ed S.
at 11/17/2009 3:42 AM CST on Chicago Business
Jack Brickhouse dedicated his life to baseball. So it is good to see a baseball organization help him out in his time of need.
In case you haven't noticed, the statue of the late broadcast legend on Michigan Avenue has been removed. It is in need of serious repairs. A new metal core needs to be built to allow the statue to withstand the weather changes and vibrations from the nearby bridge.
Mr. Brickhouse's widow, Pat, has asked the Chicago Baseball Museum to help raise the $12,000 needed for the repairs. The museum, which is registered as a non-profit organization, will give 50 cents for every $1 donated to the museum through the end of the year toward repairing the statue.
"Pat reached out us, and we're able to provide her with a mechanism to help raise the money," said Connie Kowal, the museum's executive director. "We all learned the ABCs of baseball from Jack. This was a natural for us. It's a great way to pay tribute to him."
The Chicago Baseball Museum is raising money to build its own facility. It already has acquired notes, documents and books belonging to Hall of Fame baseball writer Jerome Holtzman. The Holtzman Library and Research Center will be the centerpiece for the museum. The museum also plans to build a collection of artifacts and other memorabilia depicting the history of baseball in Chicago.
To learn more about the Chicago Baseball Museum and to donate to aid the Brickhouse statue, check out its site or call (708) 907-5301.
Hopefully, baseball fans will pitch in and help Pat Brickhouse here. Given how we feel about Mr. Brickhouse, it is the least we could do.