Stories

The Birth of Home Run Derby

My friend Rob and I played on our high school varsity baseball team. “Played” might be a stretch—we mostly rode the bench all season. One humid summer evening in Houston, desperate for our baseball fix, we grabbed a plastic bat and ball and started, headed out to the street in front of my house, and started pitching to each other. We made a game of hitting the ball over a light pole. And just like that, Home Run Derby was born. (more…)

By Jeff, ago

The Day I Won a Car

When I was younger, one of my favorite ways to pass the time was entering contests and sweepstakes. I entered every contest I could find in magazines and newspapers. Whenever we got those Publishers Clearing House letters from Ed McMahon, I’d dutifully fill them out and send them off. In stores, I’d always fill out raffle forms. Then I’d promptly forget about them. I never won anything except more junk mail. (more…)

By Jeff, ago