The Long Ball
Was Mr. Masterson a ball player in teacher’s clothing or a middle school teacher wanting to make it in the big leagues?
Tom Masterson was both.
Masterson made it to AA ball with a New York Mets farm club as a left-handed pitcher but never progressed further. He spent five years reaching for the top – the major leagues – earning his dues with little pay and long bus rides to small bergs in the heart of America, and all for what? A bit of fame and glory.
As a mathematics teacher, though, Masterson excelled. He was funny and well-liked by his students. Few knew of his stint in the minor leagues, but as it became known throughout the school system, he took on a secondary role as a PE teacher and coach. He didn’t tell stories of his time in the minor leagues, but didn’t deny urban legends that were spread about him. At 6’8”, he was the tallest in the school, and his stature became larger the longer he kept secret his antics on the field.
In subtle ways, his prowess on the baseball diamond was frequently tested.
One period as he let a group of boys play flag football, Rodney Keene tossed Masterson the football and said, “Mr. Masterson, I’ll go long and you toss it. Let’s see what you can do.”
“Sure,” Masterson said, having waited a long time for moments such as this.
Keene took off and looked back after 30 yards. Masterson motioned for him to go further, so he ran another 30 yards and turned around.
Further.
This time, Keene backpedaled while Masterson kept waving his hand for more distance between the two. He was now well over a hundred yards away.
“Coach, no way you can throw it that far,” said one of the students standing around watching.
“I know that and you know that, but I don’t think Rodney knows it,” Mr. Masterson said.
Bzzzzzzzzzzt. Period over.
Mr. Masterson waved at Keene and tossed the ball to another boy standing five feet away.
“Okay, guys, class over. Hit the showers. When you see Mr. Keene, tell him the furthest I can throw a football is about 10 yards, 12 yards tops. My thing’s always been baseball. He should’ve known that.”
*****
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