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| The sig stands tall! Gura is still looking up. |
For 16 seasons, pitcher Larry Gura faced down future Hall of Fame hitters. None of these sluggers may rival Gura’s toughest foe yet:
Real estate developers.
Gura asks a $2 donation per autograph, with checks payable to Dale Creek Equestrian Village. Wanting the rest of the story, I dialed the Village number.
Returning my call was Cindy Gura, Larry’s wife.
This is the family farm where Cindy grew up. When her parents died in 2000-2001, Cindy and Larry took over the operation.
“We have a therapeutic riding program,” she said. “A charter high school comes here weekly for equine classes.”
At Dale Creek, the Guras grow and sell organic food. They have a citrus grove and mesquite trees, complemented by a booming garden. Don’t forget the cage-free eggs from the happiest chickens in Arizona.
The trouble is, cash doesn’t grow on trees.
“We needed more money,” Cindy said, explaining the $2 per autograph policy. “We’re trying to protect this open space. We had to preserve it.”
These days, Larry Gura is pitching to protect a farm that’s been in the family more than 60 years. Although housing developments loom on all sides, the Village isn’t surrendering yet.
Is the former pitcher riding horses?
“He just rides a tractor,” Cindy said with a laugh. “He helps with riding lessons, he gardens. He built all the chicken coops. He’s very busy.”
But not too busy for fans. “Please keep writing,” she asks collectors. “He’ll sign for everyone. We enjoy every letter.”
To obtain a Larry Gura autograph, send $2 for each item to be signed (checks payable to Dale Creek Equestrian Village) with a SASE to:
Larry Gura
P.O. Box 94
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
Larry and Cindy. I’m sure you don’t remember me after almost 30 years. Cindy, you taught our 8th grade class in 1972 at Clarendon in Phoenix while Larry was going through spring training. I was a pretty good baseball player in my school and Larry you showed me how to throw correctly from the pitchers mound as I was left handed too. I have always remembered you guys and really glad to hear you are doing so well. Larry, I followed your career until you retired. It was harder back then because no internet. But I did what I could. E-mail me back if you want, and I will continue writing. Thanks for your time. Jerry Yesenski