No Light at the End of the Jungle

In the early sixties the U.S. Government was becoming more and more involved in a police action called "Vietnam". For me, however, I don't remember any awareness of Vietnam until the time came for me to go there. I had more important matters to be concerned with, or what I, as a young high school student, thought were more important. During those early years it was impossible for me to know how this "police action" would affect my life, and therefore world events weren’t something that concerned me.

I was raised by my grandparents on a small farm in eastern Washington, and up till the age of about twelve or thirteen my main concern was being sure the few cows we had were milked every morning before school. At about age thirteen my granddad had his third heart attack, which forced him into selling the farm and us to move to town. Now having fewer chores at home I became active in sports at school. My granddad was a very big baseball fan and the fact that I excelled in baseball made him proud. It even made him prouder when in my senior year of high school it became evident that I would possibly play professional baseball some day. Before each game my granddad would urge me to give every game my best.

After practice one day, toward the end of the season of my senior year, the coach called me to his office. "John," he began," as you already know, we're going to go to the state championships this year. And these last couple of games are going to be the biggest and most important games of your high school career."

"Haven't you said that every game is important, coach?"

"Yes I have, but these games aren't only important to the team, they're really important to you. You're going to have to make some important decisions after these games."

"What kind of decisions?" I asked.

"Well, I was going to wait a week or so before I told you this, but I think it's important you know now. WSU (Washington State University) and Arizona State are going to offer you a scholarship in baseball."

"All right!" I interrupted.

"Also," he continued, "I have some inside word that at these next couple of games there is going to be a couple of pro scouts there looking at you." I was somewhat stunned by this revelation, as playing pro was my biggest dream. The coach continued, "Both, the scholarship and turning pro have good and bad points. I think you need to talk to your family about what will be best for you and if you like I'll be happy to join your discussion to explain the good and bad points and all your options."

All I could say was, "Wow!"

"You've got a lot to think about here, so go home and talk to your grandparents, then tomorrow let me know if they would like me to come by and talk to all of you."

That day I went home and told my grandparents what my coach had related to me. They both were elated, but for different reasons. My grandma wanted me to go to college and grandpa liked the idea of going pro.

Over the next several weeks my options and decisions were the topic of many discussions. Our team won the state championship and I received the most valuable player award. I had two scholarships and a pro contract offered to me and it was time to make a decision.

Only one time did the word Vietnam ever come up, and that was back when the coach sat down with us to go over my options. One statement was that the scholarship would defer me from the draft and Vietnam. That subject never came up again or was even a consideration in my decision.

After a considerable amount of coaxing from my granddad and myself, grandma finally gave in to the fact that maybe I would become a superstar in the pros. A pro contract was signed and after an early graduation I was on my way to spring training, and on my way to stardom, or so my granddad and I thought.

I worked hard during spring training and was on my way to play in the Texas League. However, for the first time I had the experience of not making the starting line up.

Soon after the start of the season I met Linda, a beautiful young girl, with golden blond hair and big blue eyes. It didn't take long before I knew I was falling in love with her. We began to spend every possible moment we could together even though I would be gone for periods of a week to ten days at a time playing road games, or should I say sitting on the bench for road games. It wasn't possible for her to travel with me because back then we traveled as a team on a bus and stayed in second rate hotels, also back then I sure wasn't getting the big bucks that I had envisioned.