Son Of A Legend Moment!

Hello and Happy Wednesday everybody from warm and tropical North Texas.

The locals have been referring to the month of January here as JUNEuary and with good reason. January 2012 in North Texas will go down as the second wettest and second warmest. That works for me. I only wonder WHY we couldn't have this kind of weather one year ago when the Steelers and Packers were in town.

When I was a youngster growing up in New Jersey my summers were simple. Pooltime, games of stickball, jogging, the gym, or keeping up with the Yankees via the radio/television on WPIX/newspaper.

Back in the heyday of George Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson, and the circus that came with that. I was always a huge fan of Billy Martin and it always galled me how the only thing the media ever harped on was how much of an alcoholic he was. 

It never bothered me what a man did off the field. I was always more concerned with a man's track record as a coach. The facts bear me out. Alfred Manuel Martin-hero of the 1952 World Series-scrappy second baseman who learned his stuff from Casey Stengel-was a winner wherever he went!

The Twins were a perennial playoff team in the 60's. Likewise the Tigers of the early 70s. I enjoyed what Billy did as a Yankee from 1975-1978, 1979, 1983, 1985, and 1988. Lets also not forget the success of 'BillyBall' in the early 80's in Oakland. Yet, no Hall Of Fame inclusion and an outsider looking in.

All of this came popped into my mind when his son Billy Jr. took the time to visit friend Jack Lazorko at Cool River yesterday. Lazorko a fellow Hobokenite like myself. We've had conversations in the past. Good guy and a pro at both baseball and hockey. Angels fans will remember some of the great stops made while doing a split on a comebacker to the mound.

I never got to meet Billy Martin. I got to within 30 feet of him during a pregame with the Tigers at Yankee Stadium 6/30/78. A night when Reggie Jackson went opposite field with a grand slam in a 10-2 win. He looked so haggard up close with all the media demands. He loved managing the Yankees and there was no other place he wanted to be.

I even remembered where I was on Christmas Night 1989 when it was announced Billy Martin died in a car crash right outside his homein upstate New York. 61 years young and a mile of stories, no doubt. I was sad for I could relate to Billy Martin. Overcoming the odds and tackling problems with his mind...and sometimes his fists.

It was then that Billy Jr. sat down with Jack. It was a spirited lunch conversation. At no time did I go over to talk to the table. When Billy Jr. needed to use the restroom I took a moment to mention the many memories I had of Billy Sr.

I can tell you that Billy Martin Jr. is a spitting image of his father. Low key until I mentioned a couple of key phrases. A 4 minute discussion that went as such:

'35 years ago as a youngster I watched your Dad do his thing religiously...I know George loved and respected Billy...Everywhere your Dad managed he won...including here in 1974 after replacing Whitey Herzog, the man he defeated 3 straight times in the ALCS 1976-1978'.

'Yes, but somehow Whitey is in the Hall Of Fame yet my dad isn't?!?' Slight chuckle.

'It saddened me when Billy was fired in 1978. What no one wants to mention is that ANYONE could have managed the Yankees that year. When the newspaper strike began in earnest that August, a 14.5 game lead was anything but insurmountable! No more B.S. articles by Moss Klein, Phil Pepe, or that little guy Henry Hecht.'

'Henry Hecht (Jr's face reddened)..Grr...he was not a nice guy! Anyway I live in Arlington. I appreciate you taking the time to stop me and to say hi.'

'As sure as your Dad's birthday was 4 days after Yogi and 2 before Reggie. Thanks, Billy!'

Nice conversation. Could have spoken for hours but duties called. Billy Martin Jr. was even nice enough to stop by the bar to talk to bartender Gary who had a dumb blonde moment. 'Mr. Martin! An honor! Growing up I was a real Dad of your fan!' Too funny. I know that feeling of being speechless...

It's one of the many reasons I enjoy my time spent at Cool River Cafe. Great locale for fine dining and you never know who might show up. Kind of like a kinder, gentler, Toots Shors with a southern feel.

I'm sure Billy will return soon. Talk about going back in time 35 years on a dime. Wow!

It really was nine years ago today the Columbia disintegrated overhead in Texas skies. David Letterman premiered his 'Late Night' run 30 years ago on NBC this day.

The hype and hysteria continues to build in Indiana. To a great Super Bowl!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will