Alex Box Memories

• Published: May 10, 2008 - Page: 2C - UPDATED: 12:45 a.m.

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Readers share their memories of Alex Box Stadium as they join us in the countdown toward the final games of the 70-year-old ballpark and the transition to the new Box:

RAYMOND COUVILLION
Opelousas
In the summer of 1941, coach Raymond Didier and New York Giants scout Mose Winkler came to Melville and recruited Elliott (Hoss) Gremillion and I to come to Baton Rouge and play American Legion baseball and attend Catholic High.

In 1943, after high school, Hoss and I entered LSU playing basketball and baseball in Box Stadium for the LSU Tigers. At that time, the Nashville Volunteers of the Southern Association and farm (team) of the New York Giants did their spring training in The Box and stayed at the King Hotel. The Volunteers used Box Stadium along with the Tigers, while the Baton Rouge Red Sticks and the Esso semi-pro team used City Park.

During my stay at The Box, some of the many stars were: Hoss Gremillion, Joe Bill Adcock, Johnny Fetzer, Marty Broussard and many, many more.

Harry Rabenhorst and Red Swanson were the baseball coaches, Dale Morey the basketball coach, Bernie Moore the football and track coach (and) T.P. “Red” Heard the athletic director. The few athletes were housed in the G building, located behind the Pentagon.

Bud Montet and Allie Kleinpeter were your sportswriters. All LSU male freshmen had to shave their heads and wear pajamas to attend the first home football game. My memories of The Box is where they not only taught baseball, but where they taught character, pride, dignity and respect for your competitor.

MICHAEL JENKINS
Baton Rouge
As a grad assistant during coach Bertman’s second and third seasons, every day has its memories. From new paint, new cages, to field maintenance, to practices, homes games, and road trips — we did everything.

The 1986 squad was special as it was the first team to reach the College World Series. Every day I was responsible for typing the practice schedule and every day beginning in January the word “O M A H A” was found on the daily schedule.

After our regional trip to Austin in 1985, this team not only talked about Omaha, but believed it would get there and we did!

My favorite memory — running onto the field from the dugout with coach Bertman and coach Laval after Stan Loewer got the final out against Tulane (in the regional final), knowing Omaha was a reality.

ERIN (MIX) WELLS
Baton Rouge
Basically, I grew up at Alex Box Stadium. I started going to games with my dad back in the early ’90s. My parents had divorced several years earlier and it turned out to be a great way for us to spend time together. We started out as casual fans in the left-field bleachers and graduated over the years to the first-base side grandstand. We also became avid tailgaters — just look across the street from the main gate on any given home game weekend and there my dad will be in his purple apron.

When the time came to think about colleges, I didn’t need to tour any other SEC schools, because I had already visited most of the SEC campuses and their respective baseball stadiums. I have been lucky enough to travel to Omaha a number of times, experiencing national championships, as well as several years of “2 and bar-b-q.”

When I think about my favorite Alex Box memories, I think about all the people who have entered my life thanks to “The Box.” The friends we made over the years developed into an extended family for me. They met me during my awkward, Coke bottle glasses pre-teen phase, they supported me through my tumultuous high school and college years and of course lovingly scrutinized any boy (friend or otherwise) I brought around. They have been there celebrating with me for most of the milestones in my life, including birthdays, graduations and even my wedding.