King

I think I'll just call it 'Oketo's Curse'. Ever since he mentioned it, there seems to be another semi-luminary from out youth who passes away every day.
Today the news is of Eddie Feighner--practically unknown by that name, and for that matter, not really that much better known as the lead player in something called The King and His Court.
He was the best fast-pitch softball player who ever lived. He could throw a rising 104 mph fastball, and a breaking ball that broke a foot and a half. Someone said he once threw a strike right over the plate while launching the ball from right field--and that the ball curved around second base on the way. That seems a little Paul Bunyan-esque to me, but it is true that he once struck out six major league all stars in a row, starting with Willie Mays and ending with Roberto Clemente. Eddie said, 'it was a mismatch'.
His 'team' consisted of only four players. Him, a catcher, a first baseman and a shortstop. He really kept the two extra guys out on the field to prevent a runner from stealing in case he accidentally walked someone.
You had to see it to believe it.

diderot