Who Can Really Say?

That's a Helluva Bat

One of my favorite experiences at a ballpark happened during Game 3 or 4 of the 1983 World Series between the Phillies and the Baltimore Orioles. As it happens, that's exactly 21 years ago to the day, depending upon whether it was Game 3 or 4, and whether it's today or tomorrow.

I'd scored two SuperBox seats along the third baseline at the now departed Veteran's Stadium. The box was two or three boxes down from the ABC broadcast booth behind home plate, and was occupied by among other luminaries, none other than Reginald Martinez Jackson.

So here's the deal. As the last out is made, I turn to my friend Craig and tell him I've got to visit the bathroom before we head out to the car. I hate lines and traffic jams, so I was ready to move and as soon as the game was over I bolted for the door, turned right and jogged to the closest men's room about 50 feet or less away. My desperate mission was accomplished -- there was no line and plenty of open urinals. So there I stand, doing my business as the room fills up and who takes the urinal to my left but Mr. October himself, wearing his yellow ABC blazer! I don't think Reggie cared much about the pending traffic, but he knew how to avoid a line too.

My punch line usually goes something like this: "I turned to Reggie and said 'Geez, Reggie! That's a helluva bat you've got there!'" Or whatever.

But I can assure you that nothing like this happened.

Link via Blackfive.

Posted by Peter at October 14, 2004 06:31 PM