Buy Me Some Peanuts And Shots of Jack…
(Excerpt from a Mike Cameron interview with Todd Gallagher, the author of the book, Andy Roddick Beat Me With a Frying Pan, appearing on page 101-102)
It’s not as common as greenies, but big leaguers have been known to step on the field liquored up. In his autobiography, pitcher David Wells said he was “half drunk” during his 1998 perfect game. It’s one more trait that Wells has in common with his idol Babe Ruth, who, legend has it, was often bombed on the field. Other Yankees known for playing shit-faced are Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, after whom the Betty Ford Clinic was named.
Almost every current major leaguer I spoke to knew of players who had stepped on the field under the influence. When asked what the signs were, the players typically responded the way Giant Ryan Klesko and Padre Jake Peavy did: “I just knew.” Interestingly, another Padre, center fielder Mike Cameron, had a more intimate experience with game-day tipsiness:
“Shit, I’ve played drunk.”
When?
“New York City.”
What were the circumstances?
“I went four for four with two jacks and eight ribbies. I’m not saying that’s the only day I played drunk, but that was the best one.”
Further evidence that vodka tonics may replace anabolic steroids as the new performance enhancer of choice.
Now this is something that I can relate to. You’ve got a better chance in seeing god If you catch me on any day that I’m sober as a judge, hand me a ping pong ball, and tell me to sink it in a solo cup from nearly 8 feet away. After a six-pack however, I become William effin’ Tell and snipe out every one of those quarter-full red cups until you hear me say “re-rack” or “next?”
My apologies to all the D.A.R.E. class graduates that look up to these atheletes as if they are pure as the driven snow. The truth of the matter: Many of the best sports atheletes/competitors have accomplished their incredible feats while under the influence of some “performance enhancing” agent, whether it be steroids or grandpa’s cough syrup.
Tags: alcohol, Andy Roddick Beat Me With A Frying Pan, baseball, David Wells, Drunken Perfect Game, Mike Cameron, Performance enhancing drugs, steroids
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