Chapter Nine: Why I’m in Texas
March 30, 2010 by Editor
Filed under Dress Blues and Tennis Shoes
April 11
I am reminded why I’m umpiring baseball games in Amarillo instead of basking on the Russian River with Donna. I work my first plate game tonight—and I’m brilliant. The energy flows unimpeded, my timing is precise. I can umpire!
The game is a rout—13-0, El Paso. No matter, for I could have handled the frigging [...]
Chapter Four: Fraternizing
January 2, 2010 by Editor
Filed under Dress Blues and Tennis Shoes
March 17
Charlie has a facility for banter with black ballplayers that I lack with most white players. It’s as though they’re members of a secret club, with a secret language. Actually, Charlie speaks two languages. When he meets my white, middle-class parents, he sounds like Eddie Haskell greeting Beaver’s parents. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Boga. [...]