Skipper Wright
Here's just a snapshot of memories I have with Pop.Popeye was my right fielder at Ole Miss so Already knew how special a player and young man he was. I was in my 1st year of rookie ball with the Idaho Falls Braves, we were in Helena ,Montana playing the Brewers Rookie team and Our head coach (Rod Gilbreath) asked me to pick up Robert Cole from the airport, it took me a second to recognize the name because I knew him as Popeye. I told the coach you mean Popeye! Coach Rod asked me if he could help fill some holes in the outfield, I kinda gave a muffled laugh and told my manager that Pops will be your best outfielder. My manager had doubts because Popeye was signed while playing in a softball league mid-summer. Anyway the coach starts Popeye in center field and lets him bat 3rd. Popeye's 1st at bat he hits the ball off the fence in the right center alley and gets a stand up triple. The coach and manager both used a stopwatch on Popeyes 1st base time , it was 3.8 seconds with the turn . Coach Rod got little excited and I told him just wait till he's running straight thru the bag. Well 2 innings later Pops goes to the plate and the coaches are ready with their stopwatches, Pop hits a grounder up the middle and his legs looked like a blur as he beat out the throw from the shortstop. Coach Rod looked at coach Herb and said what did you get, coach Herb said 3.6 but I think I tapped too quick at 1st, Rod said ''no your correct and from the right side" Popeye was putting on a skills clinic in his first proffessional game. A couple innings later the brewers had a runner on second and a line drive was hit in the ally, Pops cut it off before it got to the fence and in stride he spun and threw an absolute BB, aspirin, rocket on the line from right center field to home plate about 10 feet above the catcher ,hitting the backstop just below the press box. Coach Rod Gilbreath had a great big smile and said he's gotta cannon too! After the inning was over Popeye came jogging off the field with the biggest smile almost a laugh,( Im sure if you know Pops you've seen it) . Coach laughing said ' kinda got away from you huh) Popeye with the biggest smile said sorry coach , Ive been playing softball all summer. I could go on and on about his abilities but Popeye was loved by so many as a reflexion of how he treated others. luv ya Pop
