The Majors

Watching the Cubs play in the World Series brought back memories of my brush with the big league.  Many years ago I tried out for a team up in Michigan called the Detroit Tigers.

I remember spending an exhaustive week fielding grounders, catching pop flies, running the bases and of course, having my turn at bat.  I was more than good.  There didn’t seem to be a position I couldn’t play well.

During that week I not only interviewed with coaches and managers, I got to play in practice games with players like Al Kaline, Stormin’ Norman Cash, Harvey Kuenn; it was a time in my life that seemed quite unreal, and I was in heaven.

I didn’t hear from them for two weeks; the two longest weeks of my life.  When the letter came I remember my hands were shaking as I tried to open it.  It was, unfortunately a, we regret to inform you, letter.  They were all impressed with my abilities and liked me as a person, but apparently I did not have enough saliva to play in the majors.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had gone the entire week without spitting.

I just didn’t have what it took to play baseball.