The Pacifica Spindrift Players

The Pacifica Spindrift Players is a not for profit  theater located on Crespi Drive in Pacifica, California, about twenty-five miles south of San Francisco. It provides high quality theater offering revivals of traditional plays and musicals as well as contemporary theater.

The theater offers opportunities for adults and young people to learn the art of live theater.
I received a phone call from Mr. George Mauro who was the artistic director of the PSP asking me if we could meet and talk about my performing at his theater.

I agreed and a few days later, me met at a charming Cape Cod style seafood restaurant on the waters edge at Princeton Harbor in Half Moon Bay. I asked George as I dined on grilled salmon, baked potato and vegetables and sipped a Cabernet Sauvignon how he heard about me and why he wanted me to perform at PSP.

George said he was a baseball fan and had heard about my show. He explained there was a three week time between shows when the theater is empty while actors rehearse for the upcoming show. He was a strong believer in solo shows giving actors an opportunity to perform their show and provide the theater an opportunity to derive some income during that down time.

He told me what dates he had in mind. I explained my show had twenty-two pieces of music between scenes.  I work with my sound technician Clay Beatty and I will need to discuss this with him and will get back to you. Clay said he could handle the dates and we agreed to meet George at the theater to look over the stage and sound system.

Photo by Clay Beatty

The three of us met at the theater early in June to look over the stage and design the set while Clay, who brought the computer that contained the music
tested the sound system. The music sounded great.

George worked with Clay showing him how to work the lighting system. George asked for a script advising him when the lights could be adjusted, depending on the scene and where I would be on the stage. I brought that a few days later and George and Clay worked that out.

The theater provided us with over 1000 postal cards to place in stores and motels around the city and Clay designed the flyer that went into the windows of many merchants.

George said the theater has a list of attendees and his secretary will send an email notifying their clients about our show.

The two of us went about rehearsing the script that also contained several sound effects. We rehearsed four times a week for two weeks until I was satisfied with my performance and he was comfortable with
his cues to play the music introducingt the following scene. Although we had performed the show many times, I was a perfectionist in so far as timing and knowing my lines and though at times Clay thought I was working him to hard, we also had a lot fun during rehearsals, often walking along the clean sandy beach in Pacifica.   

Clay 21, was young and learning to understand my need for competence and skill that was expected of a professional; that is the key to high quality and efficiency expected of me, and what I expected of him.  He agreed and this understanding would enable us to work together for the next three years and travel around the country.

Cobb painting- in Cobb Museum

We made many visits to Pacifica, introducing myself to merchants, promoting the show, placing flyers in store window. One day, with permission from the local Safeway, we spent a few hours talking up the show and giving away many postal cards.

The entertainment director at the Pacifica Trubune gave me a great write up and placed the story and my photo on the front page.

We rehearsed three times at the theater. George and Clay nailed the lighting system until they were satisfied.
I printed programs for the audience detailing Acts 1 and 2. 

We were confident on opening night the show would go well and it did. The story takes place in a hotel suite in Atlanta, Georgia on a hot humid evening on July 17th, 1961, the evening Mr. Cobb would die. A reporter (not visible to the audience) asks Ty question and takes notes.

The show opens with Dixie, the national anthem of the South, a voice over tells the audience what the show is about; Take me out to the ballgame is played and I enter the stage. It is showtime.  

We had a full house on Friday and Saturday evening with a smaller crowd on Sunday. The show was well received and George and his wife Lennon complimented me on my performance.

Becky Lennon, theater director, said she loved the script and my passion for telling Cobb's story. She suggested to me a private lesson to correct a flaw in my performance. We spent an hour together working on my stage movements suggesting I move when the action calls for it and to sit or stand and tell the story with less stage movement. 

This sounds so basic, so simple but my lack of stage experience and direction was showing. I did not realize I was moving back and forth on the stage for no reason. She said, "watching me move was like watching a tennis match." We both laughed.

Clay recorded the lesson,  I took her advice in all future shows. I owe a lot to Becky for improving my presentation.

In addition to the shows June 27-29, we also performed the following year at PSP April 10-12 as the shows went well and we were invited back. Once again, the sports editor of the local paper wrote a terrific story about the show on the sports page. 

Clay Beatty

                                                                 

Art work by Clay Beatty

www.tycobb.com

                                                          

The Marsh Theater-San Francisco

I always did something I was not quiet ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief makes it happen. Hard work and dedication helps. If you don't try, you'll never fail. If you try, you just may succeed.

That is how I felt when I turned amateur photographer many years ago and became a professional photographer 1965. I had studied with Internationally famed photographer Lizette Model at the New York School for Social Research in New York who convinced me I had an eye for taking fine photos. She put me in touch with the creative side of myself that I was not aware of. Writing and acting would come many years later.

My first director, Lyn April Statten, who was a Broadway actress and TV star in the early fifties taught me the basics of acting.  I had performed over 70 shows but when I was considered to perform at The Marsh in San Francisco at their Monday Night Show, that was a big breakthrough for me. I was one of five actors to perform that evening, each actor had twenty minutes to perform their act.

Robin Williams

Many actors have performed at the Marsh including Robin Williams. 

The Marsh theater company specializes in developing new performance, specifally one person shows.

It once was located in a small theater in North Beach and during the 1960's; Lenny Bruce and Sarah Vaughan performed there.

I performed twice at The Marsh and was the first actor to perform a solo baseball show. It is expected the performer will bring his or her audience to the theater. The actor is responsible for promoting their show.

Performing at the Marsh was a learning experience for me as I failed to attract an audience that wanted to watch a baseball show. Fortunately, many of my friends from Half Moon Bay attended.

I attemped a multi media show, photos, video and music that did not work as well as I thought it would. It was difficult and expensive to produce so all future shows had music only. Performing is a learning experience and I am still learning what works and doesn't for me.


                    

The Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco & Baseball

The Irish Cultural Center is located at the north-end of San Francisco where Irish heritage is celebrated. It provides its members with banquet facilities for social, athletic and cultural activities near the Golden Gate Recreational Area at Ocean Beach.

The Irish Center serves the Irish and Irish-American community in San Francisco. It is located across from the San Francisco Zoo, close to Harding Park Public Golf Course, Golden Gate Park and is located at 2700 45th Avenue

It has also been home to the San Francisco Old Timers Baseball Association where I performed Ty Cobb on August 11^th, 2009 in the Saint Patrick Ballroom.

The group consists of over 300 men who played baseball in San Francisco in High School or College; the Pacific Coast League or other Minor Leagues.

The oldest living member is Rugger Ardizoia (1) who played for the New York Yankees in 1947 and at ago 92, is the oldest living Major League player.

Another member was the late Gino Cimoli who had the distinction of being the first player to step to the plate in the first game to be played in San Francisco at Seals Stadium when the ex-New York Giants played their first game as the San Francisco Giants against the ex- Brooklyn Dodgers, now the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants won, 8-0.

On January 1, 1941, the Old Timers Association of San Francisco was formed. The group is still going strong with 325 members and celebrated it 68th anniversary in 2009.

John McCarthy (a), golf tournament producer and editor of the Old Timers newsletter had seen me perform at another venue and referred me to the Association. He made it clear to me the Old Timers are opposed to speakers as it is more.  of a social gathering for drinking, eating and discussing baseball. His persuasiveness convinced the group to hire me.

Clay Beatty, my creative sound and stage director,  John and I visited the Center about 10 days prior to the event and discovered they had no speakers. I was told to use the microphone at the podium. I explained I move around during my performance and swing my bat. We will need a cordless mic. and speakers. We borrowed two speakers, rented the mic. and Clay bought enough wire for the event.

On the evening of the performance, Clay who is a technical wizard hooked up the speakers and we sat down for a dinner of clam chowder soup, prime rib, baked potato, vegetables, chocolate cake and coffee. After dinner, John introduced the police and fire chiefs of San Francisco, then introduced me and it was show time.

Irish Cultural Centerers

There were about 150 men in the audience including Mike Diaz, who graduated from Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, Calif. and was currently the baseball coach at Terra Nova High.

Mike was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1979 and had  a 4 year career with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and White Sox from 1983 to 1988. Mike is currently head baseball coach at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA.

In costume

Following the show, I announced the Ty Cobb press conference is open.
People ask Cobb questions such as:
"Did you fight with your teammates or did you sharpen your spikes and spike infielders and catchers?"

"Were you a racist?" they asked. He answered "no."  "What did you think of Babe Ruth?" someone asked." Ruth was a good player, ran fast for a fat man!" Cobb said. This always gets a laugh as Cobb did not like Ruth. This is a fun part of the show as I improvise and answer truthfully with Cobbian wit, as I believe he would have.

Pacifica's resident Ken Mooney took over as president as the organization continues to grow as it approaches its 70th anniversary. Ken was a former San Francisco high school and semi-pro player and has been a member since 1986.
I also interviewed Mr. Len Grilli, long time member, current president  who also provided information.

A long time member of the Association, a graduate of Saint Ignatius High School in San Francisco was Charlie Silvera. Charlie played for the New York Yankees from 1948 to 1956. Charlie is famous for winning 6 World Series rings as Yogi Berra's backup. His last year was with the Chicago Cubs in 1957.

In a recent interview with Mr. Mooney, he told me, "the group meets once a month to reminisce about our playing days and rekindle our friendships. Under the old rules of the club, members had to have baseball experience, such as high school or college or semi-pro to join. That rule has changed so today, you don't need baseball playing experience to join. Just like to socialize, have fun and talk baseball," Ken said.

Posing with Dodgers great Don Newcombe

One of the many myths about Ty Cobb was being Georgia born in 1886, he was a racist.  I am asked this questions at every show I perform. Cobb has been saddled with this myth since he died in 1961.

 Cobb toured the Negro Leagues after he retired in 1928 and saw many great black players such as Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Buck O'Neill and Josh Gibson, to name just a few. They are all members in the Hall of Fame now.

Cobb praised black players like Don Newcombe, Willie Mays,  Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson. He spoke out in favor of integration. "The Negro should be accepted and not grudgingly but wholeheartedly," he said in 1952.

(a) John McCarthy, who passed away June 2, 2015 was a native born-born San Franciscan. He graduated from Lincoln HS in 1955 and attended City College of San Francisco and USF on a baseball scholarship. He created a golf tournament for amateurs and professionals and worked in the golf industry for over 35 years. He was vice president of the Old Timers Baseball Assoc.and wrote their monthly newsletter for many years.                                                                                          

John was a golf enthusiast and baseball fan who followed the San Francisco Giants with passion. 

My heart goes out to his family and friends for without this genial and easygoing gentleman, I would not have had the pleasure to meet and entertain this diverse group of retired baseball players and fans.

(1) It is with sadness that I share the news that " Rugger" Ardizoia, the oldest living Yankee, passed away on July 19, at age 95. My condolences to his family and friends.

www.tycobb367.com

                      

President Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids, MI Nov 2008

Shortly after returning from Royston, Ga, I received an email from a friend informing me there was a show called Born To Play Ball at the President Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The show was sponsored by the Hall of Fame and would run from August 8th to February 4, 2009. It featured the five greatest players at every position. I was excited to learn about this event and immediately wrote a letter to the Director at the Ford Museum. A week later I received a letter from the director asking me to send him information. I promptly mailed my press kit explaining who I was and my experience as Cobb.

President Gerald R. Ford

President Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. He was the  only U.S. president from Michigan. He became the 40th vice president from 1973 to 1974 under President Richard M. Nixon. Upon the resignation of President  Nixon in 1973, he became president. He is the only man to become president without having been elected.

Ford was a Congressman from Michigan from 1949 to 1973.

About ten days later, I received a phone call from Mr. Jim Kratsas, the curator at the museum explaining the show started two weeks ago, numerous baseball writers had spoken and they were booking other speakers as the show ran until early February. He told me no one had been booked to speak about Cobb, would I be interested. Of course I said yes but I don't talk about Cobb, I am an actor and portray him on stage. I bring him to life, so to speak.

He was impressed by my response and asked me what my fee was. I told him but said I was willing to work within their budget restraints. He told me he would get back to me.


Several days later he called and quoted a figure that pleased me. He asked if I would come to Grand Rapids early November and perform a show on the evening of November 4th. All expenses paid, airline tickets for two would me emailed to me, he said. I told him that would work, thank you.  Then I called Clay Beatty, my assistant to make sure his schedule was open. He said it was.

Posing at the poster in lobby of Ford Museum 

I called my nephew Steve in Los Angeles and asked if he could make a DVD with some video of Cobb, a few photos and a voice over explaining to the audience about the show. This would be my introduction. He said he would and Clay and I got down to rehearsing. 

We flew out of San Francisco early on the morning of November 1st on Southwest Airlines and arrived at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport at noon. We had lunch and settled down to wait for our flight to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. It left about three pm and we arrived in Grand Rapids about six pm.

Clay asked me how are we getting to our hotel. I said by taxi. As we left the airport and stepped on to the street, a gentleman in uniform stood next to a stretch limousine. This was my surprise for Clay. He asked if I was Norm Coleman. Yes, I replied. He introduced himself, placed our luggage into the trunk and chauffeured us to the Amway Hotel where we were escorted to our suite.

It was late, we were hungry and went to one of the six elegant restaurants in the hotel, the only one that was open at nine PM. The waitress handed us a velvet covered menu indicating as Clay would comment, "this place is expensive." I told him to order whatever he wanted, the client was paying. 

Hotel lobby

 The following morning after breakfast and a swim in the olympic sized pool, we had lunch with Mr. Jim Kratsas, the curator of the museum.  

He advised us to relax today and enjoy all the amenities the hotel offered. Clay told Jim he enjoyed tennis; Jim  suggested we take advantage of the tennis courts. 

He said to make sure we ate at the sports bar in the hotel and suggested we try the bar-b-que. It was excellent, he said.
                                                       

The following evening, we rehearsed in the theater. Clay hooked the computer to the sound system and we started our rehearsal
with the music.

He found out they did not have the proper equipment to play the DVD that Steve created to open the show. After several phone calls, an engineer came to the theater and provided Clay with the proper equipment. We ate in the sports bar that evening, the bar-b-que was terrific.

On the evening of the show, we arrived at the theater two hours before showtime. Clay seemed more nervous than usual, he is normally cool under pressure, nothing bothers him. "What's wrong." I asked. He was concerned about the machine that would play the DVD. "Let's rehearse." I said, "everything would be fine." 

Clay went upstairs to the sound room, placed the DVD into the projector, it worked. He played the music in the computer and we rehearsed my lines for thirty minutes. We both relaxed and I changed into my Tiger's uniform

About fifteen minutes before showtime, Mr. Kratsas told me about the tradition at the Ford Museum. All speakers sign the guestbook he said. He went to hi office and returned with a beautiful leather album. He suggested I look at some of the signatures in the book.
He pointed out, Presidents Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton,  George H.W. Bush, George Bush, along with Hillary Clinton, Dick Cheney, Condaleeza Rice, Madelaine Albright General Colin Powell, and now, Norm Coleman.

I was stunned at all those famous people who spoke and signed their autographs. I was electrified, high as a kite. My hand shook slightly as he handed me a pen and asked me to sign.
I took the pen and signed my name in the best penmanship I could, Norm (Ty Cobb) Coleman.
He said, "you are now linked forever with some of America's greatest and famous people."
I profusely thanked him as tears of joy began to roll down my cheeks. He walked away saying he would announce me in ten minutes

Posing with Jim Kratsas

I  wiped my eyes and stood off stage as he introduced me. Clay played the DVD with video of Cobb, photos of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, all Hall of Famers. This was followed by photos of every President from William Howard Taft to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Cobb knew them all. He played Take me Out To The Ballgame and I walked on stage. It was showtime.                                                                                                                              

At intermission, both Jim and Clay entered the green room. Jim said he spoke with several attendees who told him how much they were enjoying the show. Clay shook my hand and said "good job, now knock it out of the ballpark." 

There was a party for the attendees in the lobby, I shook many hands and posed for photos.
Jim said he would like to have breakfast with us in the morning. He had a special gift for me. I changed out of my uniform, we went to our room and ordered room service. It took me several hours to come down from the high of the performance. Clay took a long walk and I fell asleep shortly after midnight.

The three of is met for breakfast early the next morning. Jim gave me a box of beautiful, gold colored pens signed by President Gerald R. Ford. He told us after breakfast, he would take us on a private tour of the Museum The photo below shows us sitting in a replica of the Cabinet Room. This is the meeting room for the cabinet secretaries and advisers serving the President. The room is located in the West Wing of the White House complex adjoining the Oval Office and looks out upon the Rose Garden.

Jim took us throughout the museum and we saw many galleries featuring Ford star football player, World War 11 navel officer, vice president and president. Other galleries featured the Nixon pardon, Queen Elizabeth's visit, the Bicentennial and the challenges of Reagan and Carter. Also an exhibit of Vietnamese refugees and we heard the President say, "at long last, the nations long nightmare is over."

We walked into a replica of  the "Oval Office", another featuring  the "seventies" where the music of Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Dylan, the Bee Gees and others were piped in. 

We were driven to the airport and left Grand Rapids at three in the afternoon, arriving in San Francisco shortly after midnight. Several days later, a letter arrived from Mr. Kratsas stating that, “Mr. Coleman captured the essence of this legendary player…who was misunderstood by the public and brought him to life for our audience." signed,  Jim Kratsas, Deputy Director, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.

Performing at the President Ford Museum was a dream come true and left me with a feeling of remarkable accomplishment, a feeling that my study and practice gave me the skill to perform at this level. This experience was one of the most remarkable of my life, truly unforgettable.  I believed there would be other great experiences to come, but for me, this would be an unforgettable adventure.

         Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum  303 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

www.tycobb367.com


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Cobb show - Cobb Museum, Royston, Georgia, July, 2008

My first contact with the Ty Cobb Museum was a letter I wrote to the Museum in April 2007 to Candy Ross, secretary to Julie Ridgeway, Museum curator. I explained who I was and mailed a press kit. Candy and I had many phone conversations and said she would pass the information to Ms. Ridgeway. Julie told me she would consider me for the 10th anniversary of the Museum's opening in July, 2008.

The Ty Cobb Museum is  located in Royston, Georgia where Cobb was raised and is located about seventy-five miles northeast of Atlanta. It was officially dedicated in July 1998 and honors one of baseball's all time greats, Tyrus Raymond (The Georgia Peach) Cobb.

The Museum contains art and memorabilia, video, books and historical archives of Cobb. These include Cobb's 1907 American League batting champion medal, rare photos, a beautiful mural collage that surrounds The Cobb Theater, with stadium style seating. 

The Museum is located at 461 Cook Street in Royston.

Museum is located inside Cobb Memorial Hospital

Cobb used his wealth to establish the Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston, that is now one of the crown jewels of an integrated rural healthcare system that serves thousands of patients throughout northeast Georgia. 

Cobb was often accused of being a racist, as he was born in rural Georgia 23 years aftr the War Between The States. Cobb discuss this toward the end of the show reminding the audience about the history of racism in America and his taking on the thinking of many folk  in the South

He points out, "there was as much hatred, prejudice and discrimination of the coloreds in Boston, New York and California as there was in Mobile, Alabama, Memphis, Tennessee,
Jackson, Mississippi and Atlanta, Georgia. Baseball was segregated and during World War 2,
while the United States wasfighting for liberty, freedom and democracy throught Europe and Asia, the Military was segregated.

I exchanged numerous e-mails and had many conversations with Ms. Ridgeway in the spring of '08. She was polite and informed me the directors of the Hospital and Museum were considering my proposal and she would get back to me.

Thanks to my friend and mentor Wesley Fricks's determination and the video of my show he taped in Lakeland, Florida, helped persuade Julie to finally say yes for me to attend the three day celebration and to perform on Saturday evening July 19.

Now that my wish to perform in Royston has come to pass, it hit me the pressure to perform at my best, in his hometown, his Museum in front of his relatives and friends, I had better be at my best. To knock it out of the park, to hit a home run, to be as great on the stage as he was on the field.

Clay Beatty, my assistant and I rehearsed repeatedly for weeks and flew out of San Francisco to Atlanta on Tuesday July 15. Wesley met us at the airport on a dark, stormy rainy evening and we were on our way to  Royston, about 75 miles away. A thunderous rainstorm hit  half way there with thunder and lightning lighting up the sky as we traveled the two lane road through rural Georgia.

It rained so hard, the windshield wipers couldn't clear the rain from the windshield so we pulled of the road until the storm let up. Wesley said not to worry, he knew the road and this was a typical Georgia storm. He confidently predicted it will pass, and it did.

Wesley, who lives and breathes Cobb insisted we drive into the Rose Hill Cemetery to view Cobb's Tomb. But it's one o'clock in the morning we protested. Wesley grinned a mischievous grin saying he knew, this was the best time to visit a cemetery he said, laughing his head off.                                                                                                    

The stars shined brilliantly in the pitch black night sky. He slowly drove his pick-up into the cemetery, lights dimmed and parked near Cobb's Tomb. It was quiet, beautiful but weird and freaky, not a sound to be heard. We spoke in whispers so as not to disturb the sleeping spirits.  

Using his flashlight, he walked us to the Tomb explaining Cobb was there with his mom and dad. He walked us to some other graves, informing us who was buried there without reading the names on the grave stone. "Let's go" I said explaining how tired we were. It  was two o'clock when we left the cemetery saying politely,  we would like to come back tomorrow in the daytime to pay our respects.

We checked into the Days Inn Motel when Wesley, wide awake with great passion explained to Mr. Shilpan Patel, the manager whom we had waked from a deep sleep that we just arrived from San Francisco, I was an actor Wesley told Shilpan who was going to perform as Mr. Ty Cobb Saturday evening. He wasn't impressed. Wesley informed in detail to the startled Mr. Patel all about Ty Cobb. We sheepishly smiled at the manager and asked him for the room key. Wesley helped us with our bags and bid us good night. We went right to sleep. It was three o'clock in the morning.     

                 

Show flyer

 It was Wednesday we slept late, then went into town for breakfast consisting of grits, omelets, potatoes, bacon, ham and coffee. Only $4.25. We're not in San Francisco anymore I told Clay. We then drove to the Museum to meet Julie and toured the Museum that sits in the lobby of the hospital.

Wesley let us use his pick-up and we toured the small charming town and visited many merchants on Main St. We shook hands with the owners and customers informing them we would be performing Ty Cobb SaturdayI evening and hoped they will attend the show.
We drove down Main Street in in five minutes we were out of town. Royston is a charming  small whistle-stop village, population, 3,500.

Thursday evening, July 17, we attended a Candlelight Reception at the Rose Hill Pavilion at the cemetery. Attendees included the Mayor, City Council members, Cobb's family, friends and officials from the Hospital and Museum, me, Clay and Wesley. 

Neither of us golf so we passed on the Ty Cobb Memorial Golf Tournament so Clay and I toured and hiked the beautiful Victoria Bryant State Park, and then drove 45 miles outside town to a large Peach farm. We purchased a barrel of the most fabulous Georgia peaches we had ever tasted. The sweet juice rolled down our faces as we devoured the worlds finest peaches. Clay mailed some to his parents and I sent some to my family.     

Saturday morning, July 19, we attended a vintage baseball game  followed by lunch with

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Cobb's Tomb at Rose Hill Cemetery 

Southern smoke Bar-B-Q and potato salad. A Hearse was on exhibit that carried Ty Cobb's body from Cornelia to Royston. Don Rhoades, author, celebrity from Augusta, GA
did a book signing of his new book, Safe At Home, the latest Cobb Biography and gave me an autographed copy. Mr. William R. Cobb, Ph.D edited a book called Busting 'Em and autographed a copy for me too.

This was followed by a Ty Cobb limited edition baseball card; then a "Cobb Family Cookbook"
went on sale. I did not get an autographed copy.

The dinner show was scheduled for 6PM at the Swails Center, Emmanuel College Campus, ten miles outside Royston in Franklin Springs, GA. Mr. Fricks drove me and Clay to the College but given that many Cobb relatives would be in the audience gave me a fright.  He thought we should go to the cemetery so I could commune with Cobb's spirit before going on stage. Wesley likes cemeteries. And now we do too.

The theater at the college is huge, as is the stage. A smaller stage was prepared for me below the massive stage. Julie arranged for Clay to have two assistants as the sound system in the theater was massive. Many rock shows and Broadway musicals perform here.

Although I was well prepared, with many rehearsals, I was more nervous than usual given the large crowd of local folk, many of them distant relatives of Ty Cobb. They probaby know more about Cobb than I do and I was more concerned than usual, hoping they would like the show.

The tables seating three hundred people for dinner were arranged with a fabulous floral display plus peanuts, popcorn and crackerjacks. Diner consisted of Southern Fried Chicken, Cobb Salad, Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice cream and coffee. We did a sound check before attendees entered the room and I went into the huge green room behind the stage where I remained during dinner.

After dinner, Julie made a brief speech; Dixie was played, followed by an introduction, Clay
played Take Me Out To The Ballgame and I entered the stage. It was Showtime!
                                         

Julie and me on the air

Act 1 is forty-five minutes, at intermission, I returned to the green room and layed down.
Clay and the two interns entered the room. Clay asked me what was wrong as I looked sad. I said the audience was to quiet, they didn't laugh at the laugh lines.  Clay said, "no way, they love the show, they're paying attention, you have them eating out of the palm of your hands".
I felt much better.

San Francisco, Open Your Golden Gate opens Act two, that is forty minutes long. At shows end,
the audience rose giving me a loud, long standing ovation. I started to walk off the stage but Julie said "don't leave, the Mayor wants to say a few words". I didn't leave and he did. He also paid me a compliment and said, "I have a gift for you" and he presented me with the key to the city. Several people came over asking for my autograph and I posed for pictures with the Mayor and several families. They loved the show and I was extremly pleased.

As I hadn't eaten since lunch, Wesley took me and Clay to dinner at an all night diner.
I devoured a turkey sandwich, potato salad and a coca-cola and we talked about the show.
Julie told me how much she enjoyed the show and heard many positive comments. Wesley said
this show was way better than the Lakeland, FL show and Clay, who is quiet said I hit a home run.

Me and Clay at the Cobb Memorial Hospital

"I am proud of funding the Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston,  and the Cobb Healthcare System for poor families.  This nation never has had a good health care system for its poor.  The Cobb Health care system was designed to help poor folk, regardless of color.  That is the Christian, American and humane thing to do.  I thank the Lord for enabling me to be in a position to help those less fortunate than myself".
    
Tyrus Raymond (The Georgia Peach) Cobb

Mural in downtown Royston

 "I believe the most important thing a youngster could do was to get a good education.  For those students who qualified, regardless of race, but were unable to stay in school due to financial reasons, the money was there to help the future stars of engineering, law, medicine and teaching.  As of today, May 20, 2015,over 10,000 students have received scholarships to the college of their choice in Georgia". 
Ty Cobb

We relaxed all day Sunday, swam in the motel pool while I basked in the hot sun knowing I  was a success in Royston and dreamed of where on this Heavenly road I was on I would be next.  We bid farewell to Julie, Candy and Mr. Patel. Wesley drove us to the Atlanta airport and Clay and I flew to our cool fog laden home in Half Moon Bay, CA.

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