Martinsville VA: A Short Story

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I arrived in Martinsville VA. It was the very next day after my graduation. That very evening I showed up at the ballpark.

Nobody was there except me, Roly DeAarmis (the manager), Craig Strobel (the trainer) and I think someone from the front office. He introduced himself to me. He showed me my locker and told me that I need to be at the park the next day at 3 p.m.

The next day I arrived at the park at precisely 3 p.m. as instructed.

It wasn’t good.

When I showed up, I not only was surprised to see my other teammates already on the field, practicing and running around, but I was also met by what seemed like a handful of reporters who were there waiting on me to ask me questions and do interviews.

I was baffled to say the least. However,
…show more content…
I replied, “I thought you said that I had to be here at 3 o’clock?”

He said, “I did, but in pro ball, 3 o’clock means be on the field ready to go, not show up at 3 p.m.”

That lesson always stuck with me for the rest of my life. I have always made sure, from that day forward that I showed up early to anyplace I needed to be. It taught me to be about punctuality because on the very first day of my professional career, I was considered late.

To make matters worse, being late and having the press in tow, was not the best introduction to the teammates I had yet to meet.

I could see by the look on their faces that they were not too impressed with my arrival.

After all, I was the #1 Draft Pick, not only black, but young, and straight out of high school. Most Professional Minor League ballplayers had some college experience or were recruited

from college. I, and only a few more of my teammates came straight from high school, but none carried the weight of the expectancy as I did like the first round draft pick.

Everybody wants to be the first round draft pick. It is an honor and a privilege for young boys who have given their whole childhood chasing that American dream. I had it, thus, I had the Bull's eye on my back. I felt the sting of it, especially the first

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