My Old Man

It would have been my dad’s 93rd birthday today. Apart from a bit of paperwork, these cricket balls are pretty much all I have that used to be his. The old, battered ball was almost certainly one he used in his playing days but I don’t really know anything about the small one, other than it used to take pride of place on his desk.
After a bit of googling today, I have discovered that the signature is that of legendary Australian cricketer Don Bradman. There is a logo on the other side - the letters BM - but the only thing I found that might match, is a reference to a firm called Brooks Macdonald who have been sponsors of Middlesex Cricket Club. Who play their home games at Lords cricket ground. Which is owned by the MCC (that’s Marylebone Cricket Club - the organisation basically in charge of cricket in this country), of which my father was very proud to be a member.
So this mini ball could be something he picked up at Lords. Knowing my dad, it was probably part of a goodies package handed out to selected members at some big match!
I’ll raise a metaphorical glass to the old fella tonight…