SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - 95-year-old Donald Toft still has some photos and memories from when he was playing baseball rather than watching it. While he’s currently an independent living resident at the Good Samaritan Society’s Prairie Creek Lodge, he said one of the biggest experiences of his life was coming back to Sioux Falls after World War II, and trying out for the Canaries.
Toft played for the Canaries in 1947 and 1948. He’d go on to be an administrator at the Good Samaritan Society, but still be a fan of the team. And he recently reconnected with them, after the team found some old photos.
The team honored Toft in their home opener Friday night as the Veteran of the Game. But for Don, it’s just great to be at the ballpark.
All of the stuff that we did, you do so much better now. I’m thinking of the ball diamond, and how nice it is. It’s like Yankee Stadium compared to what we had.” said Toft.