A Catcher's Story Quotes

“He was one of baseball’s most brilliant illuminations. Mr. Cub was”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story

“rehabilitating my knee, plus getting some more playing time. It was helpful, but I already knew I would never be whole again.”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story

“The diagnosis was a torn cartilage or medically a “bucket handle tear.” The following day I had the surgery. He would also operate on Randy for the more serious ligament damage. We were on the same floor just a few doors away convalescing. It was front page on the dailies about the double box cars thrown at their All-Star catcher and the front liner at Tacoma. It would be two weeks before I was discharged. Following the therapy like gospel, by early July I was back. No matter how hard I worked to regain my former form, it was very stubborn coming. The knee’s flexibility, agility and reaction time were slightly out of round. In pro terms, I was damaged goods ,but I tried my best to hide it.”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story

“After the game, still limping a bit, I was asked to report to the front office. There I was told I would be going back to Asheville. I argued I had nothing more to prove playing there. If they insisted, I told them I was going home. Wasting no time, the Reds handed me a prepaid ticket for an early flight the next day. The knee was hurting, but I figured I had a lifetime to walk it off.”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story

“Instead, the whore dove full on inside, slamming his head and shoulders diabolically into the left side of my exposed knee. It was so vile, and the dirtiest hit I’ve ever taken, making my knee dandruff. It was as evil as a crack back or chop block in football, designed to take you out of the game, or worse, to end your career. I brought the ball down on his back thinking we’d just won while dazed and crazed. BLACK rose was up snarling, “That’ll teach you to block the f***ing plate,” as he turned to the dugout. Saying nothing I vowed, like Olivares, there would be a day for payback time.”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story

“Yet is wasn’t only gambling that made this man a BLACK rose. He was dirty in other ways too. Setting the scene for the “spectacular collision,” a word on catcher positioning is required. Waiting for a throw to the plate, the heels should be as close to the front edges as possible without touching. The weight is mostly on the right leg. The left is used freely to interrupt or block the runner’s feet. In rare instances, you can kick their feet away from touching the plate altogether. The point is to show the runner the plate encouraging a slide while at the same time sweeping down to make the tag. BLACK rose knew the routine as well or better than I did. Patently, he come in helmet first. The throw from left came on time, but it was tailing away to my right. Had the slide been spread eagle, his left hand would have easily crossed the outside of the plate. My tag would have missed him by at least a foot.”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story

“for two springs, a Reds uniform. It will always be one of my proudest baseball experiences. The seed of Cincinnati bloomed fullest and brightest when their very own would break one of baseball’s most sacred records set by the immortal Ty Cobb, for the greatest number of hits. How could it get any better for the proud city of the Red Stockings and their fans? It couldn’t, until it was discovered the hit king was a gambling nymphomaniac, spreading insatiably in all sordid ways to every bookie and hustler around.”
― Jim Hibbs, A Catcher's Story