Fogelberg – The smell of Turkey rises above sounds of laughter at the Fogelberg home of Falcons manager Don Zimmer on a cold Thanksgiving afternoon. Zimmer, who is hosting his second annual managers luncheon, is sitting in the corner wearing a sweater that his wife Jean picked out that morning. To his left sits friend and former Mudhens manager Don Blasingame. The pair discuss the old days of the league, classic games, nights on the town and traveling.
“Hell, it used to be that there were only two teams,” Zimmer said while sipping a Chuck and Coke. “Us versus them. Them versus us… We played each other so many times that I used to close my eyes and see that damn logo.” A sly grin slips on Zimmer’s face as he reaches out and slugs Blasingame’s arm.
As the meal is served, Buck O’Neill asks Jack McKeon to pass the salt. “I’ll give it to you if you promise to not tell a story about that one time Satch passed you the salt,” McKeon says with a laugh. “I will tell you a story about your Momma,” O’Neill reply’s playfully.
The newest member of the ASB managers club, Darrell Porter of the Joplin Crawdads plops down next to Owls manager Ed Bailey. After a few moments of talking, the two disappear to the outside deck to “have a smoke”.
“You know, I am really thankful to be a part of this great event and league,” current Mudhens manager Whitey Herzog says… A Holiday Baseball League title would make Herzog even more thankful.
