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