You never know what’s going to happen at Hot Stove. Just prepare to be entertained. Johnny had hoped Buck Belue would come, but his contains hadn’t come through. Forsyth County New sportswriter Denton Ashway didn’t make it either. But Yankee Jack brought a friend who lived nearby, who Jack had attended a Georgia Swarm match with.
Over the years Charlie Adams complied quite a resume. His job at Prudential brought him to Atlanta, where in the 70’s he helped organize sports collectors groups. Johnny may have attended a meeting in his Dunwoody basement. I remember advertisements for shows at the Ravinia. Charlie hadn’t come prepared to speak but was able to tell one amazing story after another. His throat got scratchy for all the talking, and Johnny got him something to drink.
A couple of times Adams said he hadn’t thought of a certain memory in years. In the early days of sports collecting he’d bring in Johnny Mize and Enos Slaughter. Both only asked for money to cover the expenses: hotel, travel, and meals. At night after the show the stars would share stories from their career long into the night.
Charlie would take his son to spring training to see the New York Yankees. He was able to score press passes to get locker room access. One year he arrived to find manager Billy Martin talking to owner George Steinbrenner. His son weaved his way through the crowd and approached Martin. Steinbrenner scowled and grumbled. Billy pointed and barked “Kid, if you want to be the batboy, go get on the bus.” His son complied, taking a seat next to Elston Howard.
Many in the Yankee organization didn’t like Reggie Jackson. As batboy Charlie’s son would dutifully retrieve every player’s bat, but when Reggie batted Mickey Mantle grabbed the boy’s belt and kept him in the dugout.
Players would give away broken bats, but his son was able to secure a pristine Chris Chambliss bat. Years later Charlie worked as a volunteer for the New Britain Red Sox. Chambliss coached another team in the league, so when he came to town Charlie brought the bat to get signed. “Where’d you get my bat?” growled Chambliss. When Adams told him the story, Chambliss happily signed.
Charlie’s job had moved him back north, and he had time to do odd jobs at the park, like selling concessions. When things slowed down he’s grab a seat neat the field. New Britain had a great owner, former Yankee shortstop Joe Buzas. Over 45 years Joe operated 82 minor league teams, and was named King of Baseball by the MLB.
One of the umpires in the league was Hugo Donatelli, younger brother of major league umpire Augie. The Puerto Rican fans would always give Augie a hard time.
One time Bob Feller was coming for a show. The hall of fame pitcher was a cantankerous soul. On his way to the show Charlie stopped to eat. A man wearing a Philadelphia Flyers cap looked familiar – it was Gordie Howe. Adams waited until Howe’s teenage travel companion went back for a refill, then went over to tell Howe how he loved watching him play. Gordie motioned for Charlie to sit down, saying he needed some adult conversation after traveling with the kid. Adams said he was about to see Feller. Howe grinned: “Tell the asshole to get out more!” Later Charlie walked in to find Feller alone in a room. “Gordie Howe has a message for you” Charlie started. Feller interrupted: “That asshole? Glad he’s getting out for a change.”
In 1962 baseball’s winter meetings were held in Rochester New York. Adams had written every team looking for work. Most responded no, but the Pirates wanted him to run one of their lower minor league teams, and set up a meeting. Just Charlie’s luck: that was when Branch Rickey III decided to get back into baseball, so he got the job instead. While at the meetings Adams met Casey Stengle. The Mets manager went on and on about how great the restrooms were going to be, talking about anything but his team.
While in Atlanta Adams befriended Dale Murphy and Craig McMurtry. Charlie would go down on the field at West Palm Beach. Joe Torre and Bob Gibson would give him bad looks. Once Charlie was in the lobby of the Braves hotel minding his own business, waiting on a player. Gibson walked up with a baseball. “You want my autograph, don’t you?” barked the former Cardinal. Adams shook his head. Gibson started scribbling on the ball. “What’s your son’s name” Gibson demanded. Charlie told him. Gibson made it out to his son, adding “Ha! Now you can’t sell it!” and walked off.
The Expos shared the Braves facility at West Palm. When Pete Rose joined the team one day he approached Adams, who’s a big, tall guy. “Want two signed balls for a week” quizzed Charlie Hustle. “Just walk with me to my car every day.” So every day Rose left the clubhouse, busying himself signing the balls. Charlie walked alongside, basically shielding Rose from other fans. The distance between the door and the car was just long enough for Rose to sign two balls.
Despite his reputation, Bob Horner was always accommodating to fans Horner’s agent Bucky Roy was really to blame for the bad press. Bob would come to shows and talk to fans, staying until everyone left. When he broke his wrist he still came, even though he couldn’t sign. He wouldn’t sign with his left hand, since that wasn’t his real autograph. Once Bob was about to leave when a lady called, saying she was running late. Horner stayed as long as he could, but finally had to go. As he was pulling out the lady pulled in, so Bob got out of his car to say hello.
Horner also shared a lot of memorabilia with Adams, even without being asked. “Want these shoes?” Horner would ask. Some weren’t even baseball shoes. Once UPS delivered a big box to Adams. Horner had shipped him several items on Bob’s own dime.
For the past twelve years Charlie has “worked” as the volunteer assistant coach for Emory University’s baseball team, a far piece from Adams’ Cumming address. He keeps the book, and rides the bus to road games. Emory’s conference has teams near Chicago and the Northeast. Adams does not fly with the team, but plans trips to see friends in Maine when Emory is playing there. He used to see George Bush at the late President’s favorite restaurant in Kennebunk. Bush could dock his powerboat right next to the eatery.
Emory plays on campus at Chapel Field, which doesn’t have lights. Like many college and high school teams, Emory has to “pay off the weatherman” (Adams’ words) to figure out when to play games to beat the cold, rain, and twilight. Once in Boston they moved crosstown to squeeze in a doubleheader on a relatively dry field. In fact that night Charlie had skipped Emory’s game at Oglethorpe due to the mid-30’s temperatures.
The players are mostly business majors, and can often be seen studying during the long road trips. Team parents complained to the athletic director about the lack of parking for games, and AD now doesn’t ticket fans using restricted parking spaces for weekend games.
At times Adams looked embarrassed to be dominating the conversation, though we enjoyed listening immensely. When it was time to go he was still remembering interesting stories. Sounds as if Charlie stays busy. Says he hasn’t made it over to SunTrust Park for a game yet.
Other notes from the meeting: High Point NC fields a team in the Atlantic League, where baseball often experiments with new ideas. This year the league is using a robotic umpire to call balls and strikes. A human umpire will be on hand to call swings, tips, and foul balls.
As usual we discussed Jerry’s list of transactions. In addition to the Bryce Harper signing, notables included Sean Rodriquez (Phillies), Lucas Duda (Twins), Melky (Pirates), Homer Bailey (Royals), Eric Young Jr (Orioles), Ervin Santana (White Sox, Hanley Ramirez (Indians), Mike Moustakas (Brewers), and Cameron Maybin (Giants) – he of the recent DUI.
In 1948 Tom Curran became a Yankee fan at the age of seven, the year Babe Ruth died. His dad had access to Yankee tickets.
Eleven were in attendance. SABR regular David Manning made a rare appearance at Hot Stove. He had also been at the Crackers meeting last month in Cumming. David grew up in Tucker and went to the Galloway School in Buckhead. Others in attendance included fellow SABR members John and Ryan, and Johnny, Yankee Jack, and Jerry. The latter two are headed to spring training next week.
I had arrived early, and had the chance to catch up with Johnny. He updated me on the Stripers rainy open house, and I told him about the Macon Bacon open house.
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