| Toward the end of my junior year at | | | | not all of my hits that year were |
| Weequahic High School in Newark New | | | | singles. While I had power I had not |
| Jersey, I started hearing from my | | | | displayed much of it. I dug in deeper |
| friends that I was going to make All | | | | ready to smack one when Richie let loose |
| City. How did they know I asked myself? | | | | with one that was very high and very |
| In my usual mood of high esteem I was | | | | tight. A curve ball without the curve in |
| thinking that there was no way I would | | | | it. |
| make the all city team. "Vailburg's | | | | So tight it stuck in my ear. I guess it |
| catcher was better than me" is what | | | | did not curve like I thought. Down I |
| crossed my mind. I make the grade - No | | | | went. Out like a light. While the ball |
| way. I told you I had high self esteem. | | | | did not stick in my ear it made quite an |
| The two best teams in the city at the | | | | impression in my head. I think some |
| time, Barringer and Vailsburg would | | | | thread from the ball is embedded in my |
| receive the most recognition for their | | | | ear and lobe to this day. |
| players. We were 3-15. And our record | | | | I was slowly escorted to Coach |
| did not display how really bad we were. | | | | Ginsburg's office. When I finally awoke |
| I think I was the only player that | | | | which seemed like hours, but was really |
| batted over .300. Well maybe Dashell | | | | minutes, Mr Ginsburg told me I had made |
| Meeks hit over 300 as well. | | | | the Star Ledger All City Baseball team. |
| In the last game of the season we were | | | | I was elated and soar. I was happy and |
| playing Central High School in Unterman | | | | groggy. I was proud and queasy at the |
| Field. They were a poor to average team | | | | same time. |
| at best. But they had Richie Glenn. An | | | | At the time it seemed like the beaning I |
| above average pitcher with speed to burn | | | | received made whoever voted for The All |
| and a curveball that was, well I'll get | | | | City team vote for me. They felt sorry |
| to that curveball in a minute. I went up | | | | for me and gave me a place on the team. |
| to bat thinking home run. I was so | | | | I told you I had high self esteem. |
| determined to hit a home run I remember | | | | Wow what a day. I wonder if Babe Ruth or |
| standing closer to the plate thinking I | | | | Lou Gehrig ever went through something |
| could reach an outside pitch. Most if | | | | like this. |