Doug Rader, Eating Baseball Cards and Spitting Chewing Tobacco

In his book Temporary Insanity, which, as you know, I’m kind of obsessed with, Jay Johnstone says that Doug Rader (nicknames: “Rooster” and “Rojo”) used to hide in the ceiling pipes in the clubhouse and spit tobacco juice on people. Sure, a pretty gross and childish prank, but you’d have to put a bit of effort […]

Joe Charboneau, Razor Blade Tattoo Removal, and Drinking Beer with a Straw.

Listen, before you judge this story – have you ever been named the American League Rookie of the Year? If you have, well, good job, I’m happy for you. If not, then you should try to be better next time around. Now, a fellow named Joe Charboneau did win the award in 1980, when he hit 23 […]

I Would Vote Jay Johnstone into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I read Over the Edge by Jay Johnstone and Rick Talley as a child who was definitely too young to be reading it. My parents, I think, had no idea that it was as adult a book as it was when they got it for me, and I will be forever grateful for their lack […]