“He fakes a bluff.”
-Ron Fairly

Really? Was he bluffing with this quote? Not likely.

Ron Fairly was one of those players who made the best out of his days in Major Leagues. He was an All-Star twice, and batted just above .250 for his entire career. He played in 4 World Series, including 1965, where he launched 2 bombs for the Dodgers over the Twins. He was never a household name or baseball legend, but 90% of the league can say the same thing.

I remember getting several of his baseball cards in the wax packs of TOPPS bubble gum back in the 70′s. For some reason, I always seemed top open up a pack, hoping for a Bert Blyleven, Harmon Killerbrew or Rod Carew, and ending up getting a Ralph Garr, Ron Fairly or Ken McMullen. “Commons” is what we would call these cards, and they were of little value to us, the kids on the streets in Watertown, SD.

I find Fairly’s quote entertaining, because in a way it too, sums up my entire career wrapped into a life of ups and downs. I am not a star, corporate executive or upper class. I am a plain old WASP (White Angle Saxon Male) from the midwest, with a college education, a wife, 2 kids and a Ford-150. I vote my conscience, don’t like conflicts, pay my taxes and go to church. I am not a boat rocker. I learned along time ago that the higher up the ladder you climb, the more of your ass is exposed to those looking up at it.

That being said, I can’t help that the ills of history all seem to be blamed on people just like me; the commons, the grunts of society, the Norms.

Am I just faking my bluff?