Paul - Brilliant work, as usual. "The force of impact threw him backward into what was described as “a neat little somersault” as he tumbled to the ground, thinking, quite reasonably, that he had been maimed. The acid of the juice stung his eyes and he was covered in soft, fleshy chunks. He ended up seated on the diamond, feeling for the hole the “ball” must have bored into his chest.
Thanks Matt! It never occurred to me that a great way to give a writer a compliment is to quote a line they wrote back to them. I'm going to steal your tactic.
Paul, another interesting & fruitful article. I’m just glad all this didn’t occur next to the Mexican border or they’d be dropping watermelons instead.
Loved this, Paul! I think Ruth was being a great partner to her husband, and not being “obedient.” JMO. What a hoot she was!! Grawlix! A new word for me. 🤬
A new word for me too. I think you are right about Ruth's decision to support her husband's needs, even though he didn't necessarily earn that support through his actions. She was a fascinating person and that moment is so human in its complexity.
With that said, I suspect that if that situation had happened in 2026, she would have dumped him quicker than you can say "loop-the-loop." Norms are obviously very different today.
The flesh of “yellow” grapefruit is white, not yellow, and a large grapefruit is about the size of a softball, larger than a baseball. I grew up in citrus groves in Florida. We had fruit in our yard and tossed fallen grapefruit to the neighbor’s dog. The pink or red variety is grown mostly in Texas. I believe it was developed for eating as opposed to juice.
A lot of later tellings imply the grapefruit was pink or red, because that's a better way to get to the joke that Robinson thought he was covered in his own insides. I wanted to refocus on the yellow/white grapefruit because from the scant evidence that seems like what it was, and plus it leads to my preferred punchline. I'm glad to know this aligns with the kind of grapefruit commonly growing in Florida, too. We're building a strong case.
The white grapefruits are kind of gray-yellow actually. That’s why they aren’t seen in stores. The skin is thinner. The fruit is delicious, though. I have fond memories of having a half for breakfast.
As chance would have it my dad asked for a carton of white grapefruit for Christmas, remembering it fondly from his childhood. The whole family got to try it. It was fun watching people's facial expressions as they chewed.
Paul - Brilliant work, as usual. "The force of impact threw him backward into what was described as “a neat little somersault” as he tumbled to the ground, thinking, quite reasonably, that he had been maimed. The acid of the juice stung his eyes and he was covered in soft, fleshy chunks. He ended up seated on the diamond, feeling for the hole the “ball” must have bored into his chest.
Thanks Matt! It never occurred to me that a great way to give a writer a compliment is to quote a line they wrote back to them. I'm going to steal your tactic.
Paul, another interesting & fruitful article. I’m just glad all this didn’t occur next to the Mexican border or they’d be dropping watermelons instead.
Imagine if a version of this story happening in Arizona's Cactus League. Ouch.
Imagine if Nolan Ryan or Bob Gibson were pitching from the airplane. Robinson might not have survived the experience.
I keep asking for a physicist to weigh in around here. I'd love to know the combined forces of a Nolan Ryan heater thrown from an airplane.
Loved this, Paul! I think Ruth was being a great partner to her husband, and not being “obedient.” JMO. What a hoot she was!! Grawlix! A new word for me. 🤬
A new word for me too. I think you are right about Ruth's decision to support her husband's needs, even though he didn't necessarily earn that support through his actions. She was a fascinating person and that moment is so human in its complexity.
With that said, I suspect that if that situation had happened in 2026, she would have dumped him quicker than you can say "loop-the-loop." Norms are obviously very different today.
How true!
The flesh of “yellow” grapefruit is white, not yellow, and a large grapefruit is about the size of a softball, larger than a baseball. I grew up in citrus groves in Florida. We had fruit in our yard and tossed fallen grapefruit to the neighbor’s dog. The pink or red variety is grown mostly in Texas. I believe it was developed for eating as opposed to juice.
A lot of later tellings imply the grapefruit was pink or red, because that's a better way to get to the joke that Robinson thought he was covered in his own insides. I wanted to refocus on the yellow/white grapefruit because from the scant evidence that seems like what it was, and plus it leads to my preferred punchline. I'm glad to know this aligns with the kind of grapefruit commonly growing in Florida, too. We're building a strong case.
The white grapefruits are kind of gray-yellow actually. That’s why they aren’t seen in stores. The skin is thinner. The fruit is delicious, though. I have fond memories of having a half for breakfast.
As chance would have it my dad asked for a carton of white grapefruit for Christmas, remembering it fondly from his childhood. The whole family got to try it. It was fun watching people's facial expressions as they chewed.
I hope they didn’t bite into the peel. ;)