Thanks to Oklahoma’s Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish
On Thursday baseball star Cal McLish, 84, died. McLish pitched 15 seasons in the majors and coached many more. And than as a scout and instructor, likely gave many players a start in their careers.
And while he probably never knew, McLish was my first journalistic interview. It was back in sixth or seventh grade and we probably had some type of assignment to interview somebody noteworthy. I believe it was for English class, but those details are vague in my mind.
Cal McClish during his playing days.
What I do remember is thinking how much I didn’t want to interview somebody. That was until my dad suggested McLish. My dad, and also my little league baseball coach, knew I was baseball crazy. And he knew McLish from the golf course.
I don’t remember everything McLish told me during that interview, but I do remember how he made a wide-eyed, baseball-crazy boy feel at ease.
I remember what he told me when I asked him how he pitched Ted Williams: “Throw him low fastballs and hope he just got a single.”
I remember thinking how hard it was going to be to spell his whole name, Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish.
- Cal McLish poses for a portrait, July 30, 2009, in Edmond. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
I remember him telling me how he pitched in an all-star game and retired Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Ernie Banks, among others.
I remember making an “A” on the report.
And I remember what a nice man he was. I’m pretty sure I left with his autograph that day.
I probably would have gotten into journalism even if I hadn’t interviewed McLish all those years ago.
But what I do know is that when I’m getting ready to do a difficult interview, I often flashback to that first one. And for a moment I smile.
So, thanks Mr. McLish for making a young boy an experience he never forgot.
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Comments
Growing up in Chicago, I was a Die-Hard Cubs Fan – even before Oklahoma Citians Bing and Patti Hampton made it an official organization in the ’80′s when they were in charge of marketing and promotion for the team.
My father and I saw Cal McClish pitch for the Cubs at Wrigley. Everything positive that has been written about Cal, including this article, speaks to how fine a human being and role model he has been down through the years.
Although I never got to meet Cal, my father did back in the ’70′s. My mother had passed away and he had moved down from suburban Chicago to live with my wife and me in our brand new home in Edmond. The Edmond Welcome Wagon group paid a visit to our home one afternoon. Cal’s gracious wife did the honors. Dad excitedly called me at work to let me know about it and he never forgot about it.
Great article. You captured the spirit of the man and brought back some great memories. Dad