Frank Duffin-"We didn't tell you go out and start a family,
babe" (Said to me after explaining the hardship of moving
my family from Miami to Hartford)
Buddy Berenson-""You didn't seem very interested, so I gave
it to somebody else." (Said to me after asking the wherabouts
of a new contract he had promosed me for Ocala's 1st season.)
Alfredo Garcia-"No, I need you to go to Hartford, finish
in October, have 2 months off and come back to Miami strong and
fresh!" (Said to me after requesting to go to Ft. Pierce
instead of Hartford, so I agreed, came back to Miami and then
was transferred out by Alfredo anyway)
Richard Donovan-"OK what is it that you want to do? Tell
me what you would like." (Asked to me in order to break up
arguement between Duffin and myself; Donovan honored my request)
Frank Duffin-"We didn't tell you to go out and buy a new
house, babe." (Said to me after explaining I had just bought
my 1st house and was being told I was being transferred out)
Frank Duffin-"Well, I guess there was nothing I could do,
I already filled your spot." (Said to me after requesting
some way to work out a plan so I could stop commuting and stay
in one place or maybe stop playing)
Giles Ellis-"You have my verbal word" (Said to me after
voicing concern over contract guarantee after severe injury sustained
without formal contract signing having taken place yet; he honored
it 100% with full pay)
Pedro Mir-"I want to see you in my office tomorrow at 11
am." (Said to many players, me included after a poor night
on the court; you didn't sleep a wink, trembing in bed all night)
Pedro Mir-"In the practice, I only want to see you serving
the pelota." (Said to Pierre after overserving on every serve
2 straight games; the crowd roasting Pierre everytime he practiced
serving)
Epifanio-"I can't do it the way you want me to." (Rebelliously
said by me in frustration to a great teacher)
Almorza-"Let the serve go by. I'm going to throw my remate"
(Said to me standing on the back wall and going out and watching
'Al' throw the ball straight out to the wood; uh, he
didn't have a remate)
Carl Eller-"What do I do with this?" (inquired to me
by the legendary Minnesota Viking defensive great about his thumb
after putting his hand into a cesta glove and there was only room
for 4 fingers, thumb just sticking out; he was in Miami for Pro
Bowl 1975 & brought out to the court to try and hit the front
wall...my arms couldn't fit around him to show him how)
Frank Duffin-"You tell the hospital to do whatever they have
to do to take care of your baby, expense is no concern" (Said
to me after almost losing my daughter due to sleep apnea after
being born)
H. Paul Rico-" Don't ever forget we're all one big family
here, it will always be that way" (Said to me by Rico with
Scotch and water in hand at season ending party)
Frank Duffin-"You'll always be a part of the family, babe."
(Said to me during contract renewal session)
Jose Arregui-"Next time leave your house earlier." (Said
to me when protesting to him a fine I received for arriving late
to fronton after car broke down and calling him every 15 minutes
to update him as was his rules so as not to get a fine)
Jose Arregui-"There's no future in jai-alai anymore"
(Said to me upon announcing to him I was retiring)
David II-"You're NOTHINNNGGGG!!!" (Yelled at many superstar
players, not mattering if he won or lost the game; to his credit
he never showed me any disrespect)
OK I know you had to be there for some of these, but what great
lessons in life! A real preparation for life after playing! There
are too many more to bore you with.
