I Didn't Come Here to Read

YOGI BERRA, the great catcher for the New York Yankees, used to talk a lot of noise. I can appreciate that. When I played baseball I was a catcher.

One of the jobs of the catcher is to distract the batter. Part of my job involved saying mean things, irritating things, and offending things to the player up to bat. I’d talk about their mother, make fun of their batting abilities, or tell them that they hit like a girl. The point was to mess with their minds in order to take the focus off of the ball.

One time, Yogi Berra was behind the plate, and Hank Aaron came up to bat. Yogi said on this one occasion, “All right, Hank is getting ready to bat.” Hank wouldn’t say anything to him. Yogi continued, “Hank, you’ve got the writing on the bat in the wrong place.

The words should be facing you.” Yogi wanted to get Hank to look at the bat to make sure it was in the right place. Yogi kept going, “You better check it.” Hank didn’t budge.

He didn’t say a word. The next pitch Hank hit over the center field fence. Hank rounded the bases, stepped on home plate, and began walking toward the dugout. He stopped, turned back, looked at Yogi Berra, and said, “I didn’t come here to read.”

It’s vital to know why you are here. Don’t let folk distract you from your calling.