Hit Bull Win Steak
Signs that another summer is truly coming to an end
Different people have different ways of deciding what marks the last day of summer. And they’re not exactly in observations with solstices or equinoxes. For many in the US, it is usually Labor Day weekend and school getting back in session. I was in that group for decades myself. My years living in Durham, NC has changed that for me though. Now, I mark summer’s close as to when the pool in my apartment complex closes and the Durham Bulls last home game of the year. The pool closes next week. My wife and I hit up a few games every summer and always intend on going to one more before the season ends. Bulls play their last game this Sunday. We have other things to attend to so we will not be there to mark the ending of another summer. While this wasn’t the best year the team has had (especially given the Triple-A championship run of 2021 and 2022), they still have placed respectfully well in the standings and we’ll be looking forward to rooting for them again in 2025.
Even if you don’t follow minor league baseball you may be familiar with the Bulls because of the 1988 film Bull Durham. And if you’ve seen the movie you are familiar with the “Hit Bull Win Steak, Hit Grass Win Salad” sign. The film was shot in around Durham. This is not that bull though. It’s not the same park either as the movie was shot in the old Durham Athletic Park (which still stands and is used by NCCU and other organizations for games and events.) This is the bull at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park which has been the team’s home since 1995.
The reason you don't see "Hit Bull, Win Steak" on this sign is because the photo was taken from the back of side of it outside the park. Rest assured, it's still written on the front, and yes, the bull's eyes still light up, his tail still wags, and clouds of smoke still billow from his nostrils when a home run is hit. You can find a more detailed history of the sign in this article from the 9th Street Journal.
I shot this on a Holga 120N which you can read a little history of in a previous Clangoring article (which includes a pic of “Annie’s House”, the place that Susan Sarandon’s character lived in the film) on Kentmere 400 film. Manufactured by Harman Technology Ltd, the company that also produces Ilford film, the Kentmere line is a bit more budget friendly than the legendary Ilford brand but don’t discount it because solid performer in many situatons. It’s got a good exposure latitude/wide tonal range, as well as a classic silver content and grain, look to it. It is a film that makes sense to use in a cheap plastic lens “toy” camera like a Holga.
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