Firing Line
The Fence Revisited
By Ellis G. Cannon
Publisher, Pittsburgh Sports Report

I could never tell all of this on the radio.

You may remember some tales I weaved on-air over the years about 'The Fence.' The essence is that we needed something to contain the kids and keep the sanity of those watching over them. The stories and meaning of The Fence took on far-fetched lives of their own.

It's taken on a completely different purpose.

The Warden had enough of watching Mr. Publisher do absolutely nothing about The Fence for three years. No power-washing. No cleaning. No stain. No paint. Nothing. Except watching it turn gray.

Recognizing where this was headed, The Warden demanded action.

The idea of tearing it down had appeal. Mowing the lawn is easier without a seven foot wall getting in the way, and with three growing boys, I can think of better way to spend the loot.

But, no, The Warden seemed intent on going HGTV and making it pretty. She has a mother-in-law who goes by The Penitentiary and they were locking arms on this one. Mowing grass wasn't going to cut it.

The Warden put out the Bat Signal for some bids and along comes Catello Painting. I didn't know them at all and, well, you know my thoughts on the whole idea.

Sure, I perked up when The Warden said they're big fans, but it wasn't until I met Mickey and his sons, Mike and Adam, and co-worker Chuck, that I realized these guys were special.

We went through the whole 'What color does The Warden want?' phase. We survived testing their patience enough that Job would have snapped, particularly when The Warden favored a stupid orange color after seeing it on the fence - at night. I mentioned The Fence on-air again, and Mickey's daughter-in-law calls with a Catello Painting plug. We kept afloat even though the Catello's became boarders - to the point where the first question each morning was 'Dad, where's Mike?'

That was until I said the words 'Green Monster' to Mickey. His eyes told me everything.

Let's just say The Fence went from a radio prop to bigger than life. Let's just say the orange stain got the toss and Mickey's job had just changed dramatically.

Anyone can slap on redwood. I'm not anyone.

As you look at Cannon Field these days, the drab gray is a distant memory, almost like Three Rivers. It's gone, replaced with deep evergreen and the horizontal home run yellow line. Banners and foot markers will adorn The Fence. The flagpole's just about in, although debate continues about a warning track.

Color me crazy, but it seems parents are made to shape good people and create memories. Everything else is either noise or means to those ends. Every once in a while something special happens, good people get involved, and it makes doing those things even more rewarding.

Some may consider this a dad trying to relive his childhood. Who cares? For me, we now have a Field, not a yard. God willing, the kids have something to talk about when they're 70. We have a happier Warden, if only when she stands outside The Fence.

And we have August memories of Mickey, Mike and Adam, people to whom I am grateful and whose gifts will last years. People who just made dreams come true.

"Ellis Cannon's Sportsline Pittsburgh" airs weeknights, 6-8 p.m. on FM NewsTalk 104.7. Ellis is also a regular contributor on the '#1 Cochran Sports Showdown', aired Sundays at 11:35 on KDKA-TV.