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YOUR Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 10 Edition 24
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
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Jenkins immortalized on King St. By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Members of Fergie Jenkins’ family take part in the unveiling of the sculpture on Saturday. Hundreds of people showed up to be part of the event for the hall of fame pitcher.
DREAM Event
Hundreds were chanting on Chatham’s King Street Saturday for the one and only Fergie Jenkins. Shouts of “Fer-gie, Fergie,” rang out to wild applause as a bronze sculpture immortalizing the Chatham native’s legendary baseball career was unveiled amid much celebration. “This is right up at the top,” said the famous pitcher, whose many achievements include the Cy Young Award, being named the first Canadian in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Order of Canada. “Being honoured in your hometown I think is fabulous,” Jenkins said. “Having a statue erected here and people knowing me...I think that’s outstanding.”
The nine-foot-tall sculpture, an exact replica of the one unveiled last year at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, depicts Jenkins throwing a pitch in what he said was “probably a change up.” Created by American artist Lou Cello, who had a front-row seat at the event, the statue was cast in the U.S. before being transported to take its place of pride near the doors of the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre. Ever humble, Jenkins gave credit to those who helped him along the way, especially his parents who the statue is dedicated to. He said that his dad, Ferguson Jenkins Sr., told him if he was going to be a good sportsman to “play hard,” while his mother Delores instructed, “what you start, you finish.” Continued on page 3