owned a driving range In Habersham County, Ga.
One day an elderly gentleman came in to practice his swing. He asked for a small bucket of balls. When he reached for his wallet to pay, he started feeling around and said, "Aw hell, I forgot my purse, can I pay you later, I'm Johnny Mize." "Of course", I said "sure", not for any reason other than...he was an elderly gentleman.
My Mamma taught me to respect my elders, and there wasn't any DFACS back then, so I paid her some attention and learn.
Johnny Mize didn't ring a bell to me.He was still a large man, even at 83.
Well, he went out and hit the balls, and I watched. He didn't hit them far...but dayum if they weren't all straight.
It wasn't until later that I asked someone, "Who is Johnny Mize"?
They looked at me like I was some kind of Valley Girl without a clue and said, "you mean you don't know?"
"Johnny Mize is one of the original Baseball Hall of Famers, (The ORIGINAL Big Cat)
Hell, he's right up there with Babe Ruth, and Ty Cobb",(who also had lived in Habersham till he died).....
Well sheeeit, you could have knocked me over without a feather.
After I found out who he was, I was tempted to just give him free balls, just to be near HIM and listen to his stories.
But no sir buddy, I knew he was famous and so did he...and could afford to pay for the balls.......So the second time he came in, pulling out his "purse" to pay for his first bucket and buy another, I said, "Johnny,(Not Mr. Mize, Suh), I want to give you these balls for free, but it wouldn't be fair to my other customers who have to pay full price for theirs".
He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said, "Ok, how much then"?
Well, hell.....I didn't want to extort the old boy, so I mused for about ten seconds, looked him in the eye and said, "That first bucket was on the house, but How about Half Price"? He smiled at me and pretended to spit in his hand, shook mine, and said, "Done".
He paid half price for his bucket..and commenced to hittin them...not far but straight.
After that he came in often. I always would ask him, "Johnny, Where ya off to this week"?
(cause he didn't practice less he was gonna play in front of people)
One time it was, "Ah, hell Walt, I gotta go to Hawaii to play in some fancy, smancy, somepin or 'nuther....I'd just asoon as not go, but they are payin for my flight and accomidations...So why the hell not"?
I really liked the old guy.
Walt
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Reviewed by gina jones/savchuk
9/10/2007
After reading three of your stories your busted being one I really liked this one. guess cause i was a baseball fan as a young teen baltimore orioles!i have to say the only living legend i have met was Ted kennedy the senator when I was a kid age 11years.I live in alaska now and have to say sailing sounds nice i kayak.
I've heard of Johnny Mize; an incredible ball player, him, and a gentleman. Too bad most celebrities aren't as nice...and yet, we venerate them, put them on pedestals...sad. Well done!
Johnny Mise? Yes indeed! I met him up in Demorest, Georgia, at the Apple Festival. He was a real charmer as I recall and wondered around like the Pied Piper with children following, 'Mister Mize....sign my glove. Mister Mize, can I get an autograph?" Great American and a hero like our kids need today.
Thank you Walt, for bringing this reward to the rest of us.
Susan8
This book is an autobiographical account of the lessons I learned about life and how I was able to apply them to inspire, motivate and empower others in my own work as a firefighter, as well in my daily life as a husband, a father and a man. When I w
owned a driving range In Habersham County, Ga.
