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Gary and Mike Watson - Baseball

Gary and Mike Watson are identical twins born in 1953 who have only a couple significant differences; one is left handed while the other is right handed. More importantly, Mike is a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan while Gary became a Cubs fan in 1980. The brothers reminisce about their youth growing up in Normal, Illinois in the 1950s and early 1960s, recall the turbulent years of the late 1960s, and especially share their memories of lives spent as passionate baseball fans.

Interview Links

Feature Excerpt

2016 World Series

Abstract

Interview Session (Audio)

Photos

Caption
James Henry Watson joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. Here he is with his squadron at Opa Locka Naval Air Station in 1944.

Where:
Miami, FL

When:
1944

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
James Watson with his 2 ½ month old budding sports fans Gary and Mike at home in 1953.

Where:
Bloomington, IL

When:
1953

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
6 month old Mike Watson in 1953.

Where:
Bloomington, IL

When:
1953

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson, dressed alike by their mother as usual, in 1954.

Where:
Bloomington, IL

When:
1954


Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson, dressed alike by their mother as usual, in 1954.

Where:
Bloomington, IL

When:
1954

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson get race car driving equipment for Christmas in 1955.

Where:
Normal, IL

When:
1955

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson, dressed alike by their mother as usual, in 1956.

Where:
Normal, IL

When:
1956

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson don their football attire in 1957.

Where:
Normal, IL

When:
1957

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson don their baseball attire at in 1960.

Where:
Normal, IL

When:
1960

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary Watson and his son, David, meet Cubs outfielder Billy Williams at Illinois State University in 1998.

Where:
Normal, IL

When:
1998

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Mike, James, David, and Gary Watson attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field in 2002.

Where:
Chicago, IL

When:
2002

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary Watson and his wife, Robin, attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field in 2004.

Where:
Chicago, IL

When:
2004

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Robin Watson buying a Cubs scorecard at Wrigley Field in 2004.

Where:
Chicago, IL

When:
2004

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson posing with the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup in 2013.

Where:
Danvers, IL

When:
2013

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Mike Watson posing with a statue of Cardinals outfielder Stan “The Man” Musial at Busch Stadium in 2015.

Where:
St. Louis, MO

When:
2015

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
WWII veteran James Watson signing a TBM Avenger at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in 2015.

Where:
Peru, IL

When:
2015

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary, James, and Mike Watson celebrate as they watch the Cubs secure their World Series Victory in 2016.

Where:
Bloomington, IL

When:
2016

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary Watson posing with 2016 Cubs World Series Trophy at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2017.

Where:
Bloomington, IL

When:
2017

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary Watson celebrating the 2016 Cubs World Series Victory at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Cubs vs. Cardinals: The Rivalry Exhibit in 2017.

Where:
Springfield, IL

When:
2017

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Cubs vs. Cardinals: The Rivalry Exhibit in 2017.

Where:
Springfield, IL

When:
2017

Ownership:
Narrator's Photo

Caption
Gary and Mike Watson at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Cubs vs. Cardinals: The Rivalry Exhibit in 2017.

Where:
Springfield, IL

When:
2017

Ownership:
Narrator's Phot



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