Locker room reporting

For years the Philadelphia Phillies’ clubhouse was deemed hostile. When Steve Carlton refused to talk to Tom Boswell of the Washington Post, Boswell interviewed Calrton’s locker. Carlton warned Boswell never to do this again.

A reporter risked his life talking to Gil Hodges locker area. Gil’s faithful companion, Gina was on guard. Hodges rewarded Gina with potato chips.

Cookie Lavagetto was the Washington Senators manager in 1960. I first addressed him as Mr. Lavagetto. “I’m cookieCookie. Please call me. “Cookie.”

After he went five-for-five in the first game of a Memorial Day doubleheader in 1968, Mickey Mantle adamantly refused to be interviewed between games.

When a reporter entered the Washington Senators locker room, Mike Epstein would shout, “watch what you say, guys.” Mike gave awesome interviews. He called me “Perry White.” We played chess. Put that in the “Daily Planet”.

Asked what he thought about a woman named Morganna kissing Frank Howard at home plate, Ted Williams said, “She had one helluva rear end.”

The “Gentle Giant” Frank Howard always brushed his teeth after a ballgame. He did so in the showers. Not sure if Frank flossed. He was a writer’s best pal.

Many of Luis Tiant’s locker room shenanigans embarrassed his Cleveland Indians teammates. Use your imaginations. None of this ever got into print.

When Chuck Dressen managed the Detroit Tigers, he made hot chili for the newspaper guys. The chili was great as were Dressen’s stories. Lovely man.

The Washington Nationals refuse to let reporters sit on the ballplayers’ chairs. Not sure if this would hold true for post season – had there been one,