Touch ‘Em All

Sam Esposito
Written By Bob Cairns

Here are a few more bench warmer classics from the King of the Major League Pine Riders---Sam Esposito.

Sam: One night/morning I was with a couple of my teammates with the Sox in an “after hours” joint on State Street when the Yankees “Rat Pack” (getting hydrated for a Sunday doubleheader the next day) strolled in. I was unmarried at the time, had an extra lady on my arm, and so I decided to share her with Mickey Mantle. It was a rather generous contribution from a backup middle infielder who had made a career on MLB benches.

Mantle (whom the Sox called Super Man) and the girl left. The next day, we. the Sox, were ecstatic. Mantle missed batting practice and was a no-show for the outfield drills.  I had worked my magic. Then at the last second, “I was just sitting there on the bench by the water cooler nursing a hangover,” Sam said, “Here comes Mantle, giving me this look, holding his head.  He hit three homeruns in that doubleheader, and every time he came around third base, the bastard would give me a big smile and this little victory wave,” Esposito laughed.

Bob Cairns

A published writer for years, Bob’s books/page turners from the past include: the novel, The Comeback Kids, St. Martin’s Press; Pen Men “Baseball’s Greatest Stories Told By the Men Who Brought The Game Relief, St.Martin’s Press; V&Me “Everybody’s Favorite Jim Valvano Story, aBooks.” Along with General Henry Hugh Shelton, 14th Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Bob created and wrote Secrets of Success “North Carolina Values-Based Leadership” featuring—Arnold Palmer, Richard Petty, Hugh McColl, Kay Yow, David Gergen, Charlie Rose (photos-Simon Griffiths). Jim Graham’s Farm Family Cookbook For City Folks, a Bob project, sold more than 12,000 copies

https://www.pastpageturners.com/
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