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While going through the family archives, I came across the single greatest newspaper story that has ever been written about me and probably ever will. Since it was 40 years ago, which means my memory could be fading; and about baseball, which means my memory could be exaggerating, this seems like a good time to take a stroll down memory lane.
The story, which includes the big, bold headline “Brown grounds Eagles,” was published on April 20, 1983, by the community newspaper serving Delray Beach, Fla. My baseball team at ye olde Twin Lakes High School traveled there one glorious Tuesday afternoon to play Atlantic High School.
Not to go on too much about it, but at that time it may have been the greatest day of my life. On the mound, I pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out seven with no walks (not allowing free base runners was something I took great pride in). At the plate, I totaled seven RBI by hitting three home runs – the first went to dead left field, while the second and third, which was likely the hardest ball I ever hit, went out on ropes straightaway to center field.
I was, as the original White Men Can’t Jump movie put it, “in the zone.”
On my fourth trip to the plate, before umpires called the game at 11-0 due to the mercy rule, I was walked on four consecutive curve balls, each one bouncing well before reaching the plate, thereby taking the aluminum bat out of my hands. I had never received that kind of respect before, and never did again come to think of it, so no wonder that got stuck in my “Glory Days” memory box.
After the game, into the dugout walked News Sports Writer Cynthia Thomas (who I tried to find on Facebook in order to thank her, but that’s a mighty tall digital haystack). As I recall, her interviewing style was conversational and fun, which is probably why she got my 17-year-old self to say things on the record that rivaled anything the legendary Nuke Laloosh would say five years from then in the fine feature film Bull Durham.
“If Atlantic High School’s baseball team keeps a book on opposing batters, chances are the page with Twin Lakes’ pitcher Dave Brown’s name on it was blank.”
That’s because the last time we played, I went 0 for 4 and stunk upon the joint. Also, this is the only known time in my entire life that I was referred to as “Dave,” in newsprint or anywhere else. But let’s continue weaving her tapestry of a story.
“Now Atlantic coach Jim Reichert knows differently.” And here comes the money graph.
“If he includes Brown’s name into the book, he might think of including his address, too. That way, he’ll know where to send the bill for the three baseballs Brown lost over the outfield fence at Miller Field Tuesday.”
That’s some skilled wordsmithing right there. And there’s more about this Brown fellow.
“Though it was a good day’s work on the mound, it was his afternoon at the bat that he’ll always remember.
“ ‘It was pretty incredible,’ he said, grinning. ‘I’m in the twilight zone. If there’s a Cloud 9, I passed it a home run or two ago.’ ”
Any reporter who can pull a quote like that out of a dorky teenager is someone I want on my staff. And the ending doesn’t let us down, either.
“ ‘What’s hurt us more than the injuries, the things that hurt us the most are the mental errors and lack of discipline,’ said Reichert.
“What hurt most Tuesday, however, was Dave Brown’s bat.”
Simply sublime.
Happily, my grandmother – the World’s Greatest Human – stashed not just one, but two copies of this article in the baseball scrapbook she made me that I pull out of the trophy case whenever I need a reason to smile. It’s also a great example of the power of community journalism, where sometimes the best stories aren’t on page 1 but hanging from a magnet on your refrigerator at home.
To the writer, Ms. Thomas, since four decades later I’m still praising your reporting and writing skills – our chat was much more memorable than when I was interviewed by the BBC – you obviously made a difference to at least one reader.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. Call him at 828-837-5122 or email dbrown@cherokeescout.com.