SOURCE: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cooperstown
by Mickey McDermott with Howard Eisenberg
Mickey NcDermott, in his semi-autobiography written with
Howard Eisenberg, cites hilarious episodes in his career
involving two Hall of Fame legends, Yogi Berra and Satchel Paige.
Regarding Yogi, Mickey cites the following 2 episodes:
(1) "I wound up, aimed at the eyes, and fired. If he (Yogi)
didn't duck, he would get creamed. But he didn't duck.
Neither did he square to bunt. He just hit a mile to dead
center for a home run. I was furious. I retired the next
two batters and then I trotted in, ranting and raving.
In Fenway, the dugouts were adjacent. I spotted Yogi
on the Yankee bench and detoured.
'What the hell were you doing?' I yelled. 'That was a
bunt situation.'
Still he apologized, 'Gee Mick, I missed the bunt sign.'"
(2) Rooming with Yogi was more fun....
His wife had finally gotten around to the point of this
phone call. Yogi's voice changed. "Whaddya mean
you're pregnant again?" he bellowed. "You can't be.
I bought you a diagram."
Laughter was not the appropriate response at a time
like that, but I cou;dn't help myself.
And, finally, the 2 with Satch:
(1) Satch moved like iced molasses when summoned from
the bullpen (in the minors with Miami), so I asked him
how come it took him so long to get to the mound and
he said, "Bo, it's somepin' I learned a long time ago.
You never rushes into trouble."
(2) ...he was on the short list (for baseball integration), but
Rickey nixed him. "He drinks. He screws anything with
legs and he won't listen. I'm going with Jackie Robinson."
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