Patter
My tongue is
the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1
Managers, coaches and players alike are known for often querulous
quips. The following are from John Pirkle’s Oiler Blues, Houston, San
Francisco: Sportline Publishing, 1999.
| The author quotes coach Bill Peterson:
"Another instance had Pete leading the FSU players in the Lord’s Prayer before a
big game. He had the players drop to a knee, bow their heads and close their eyes. Then he
began, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep ...’ Upon hearing a few snickers, he said,
‘Cut that out, I’ll be damned if I am going to have any atheists on my
team!’ When someone finally told him it was not the Lord’s Prayer, he paused,
and then replied, ‘It’s not? Well, why didn’t someone tell me? I can’t
do everything around here.’" |
Sportswriters such as McClain can come on as caustic as they are
comedic:
| "Who’s going to burp and change Drew? ...
We only hope he doesn’t let the door hit him in his Pampers on the way out of town.
For a guy who was supposed to be a steadying influence on younger colleagues, he has acted
recently very much like one who never got over the terrible 2s." |
The author himself occasionally uses wry humor to write about
players:
| "In 1981, however, he found Christ and his
production fell off again." |
Readers, we welcome your
submissions for "Patter." Contact editor@persuasivepen.com. |
