A Star Baseball Player

He was a man who had a disapproving manner even when there was nothing to disapprove.
-Abraham Verghese
"Cutting For Stone"


Twenty-five years ago today

January 17, 1986
Friday

It was a wonderful ‘freebie’ day. It’s 6:50AM and it is time for breakfast. Steph Bautista, my boss, has the day off. Cindy Chow has the day off as well. This is kind of a relief to have both Steph and Cindy out of the office for a day. I get tired of their managerial ‘somebody’s watching you’ forces.

My blemish on my chin has revived. I hate it. I’ll have to make a point to see a dermatologist next week.

After work I went home and rapidly changed clothes to go to the gym. I met Chad there and we ‘sort of’ worked out together. I didn’t appreciate Chad telling me about this baseball player.
“Oh Mike, do you see that guy?” Chad asked after I finished twelve repetitions on the bench press.
“Uh, yeah,” I replied as I saw Chad nod in the guy’s direction.
“He goes to Chabot College and he’s a star baseball player.”
“Oh well, so what.”
“Well, I think he’s a perfect ten.”
I grinned, “Whatever!”
I continued with my workout.

Chad and I went to my house after our gym workout. We started to watch some dumb Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds flick. We just plain went to bed after that (and then some).

Even when he had been at his most passive, he had really been in charge.
-Abraham Verghese
"Cutting For Stone"