CHAPTER_NN1 2_CRD 
"_PUQ ACCEPTING_VVG THOSE_DT0 BEERS_NN2 WOULD_VM0 MAKE_VVI HIM_PNP BEHOLDEN_AJ0 TO_PRP YOU_PNP "_PUQ 
NBA_NN1 teams_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 road_NN1 in_PRP 2021_CRD stay_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Four_CRD Seasons_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 Ritz_NP0 ,_PUN or_CJC the_AT0 nearest_AJS available_AJ0 resort_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP fly_VVB in_PRP private_AJ0 jets_NN2 and_CJC consume_VVB only_AV0 the_AT0 finest_AJS wines_NN2 ,_PUN meats_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC cheeses_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP never_AV0 touch_VVB their_DPS own_DT0 luggage_NN1 and_CJC rarely_AV0 interact_VVB with_PRP fans_NN2 or_CJC media_NN0 ._SENT They_PNP live_VVB in_PRP a_AT0 bubble_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC we_PNP 're_VBB not_XX0 talking_VVG about_PRP the_AT0 COVID-19_AJ0 Bubble_NN1 at_PRP Disney_NP0 World_NN1 in_PRP 2020._CRD 
In_PRP late_AJ0 October_NP0 of_PRF 1982_CRD ,_PUN the_AT0 Boston_NP0 Celtics_NP0 ,_PUN on_PRP the_AT0 eve_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS thirty-seventh_ORD season_NN1 ,_PUN checked_VVN into_PRP a_AT0 musty_AJ0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 in_PRP Richfield_NP0 ,_PUN Ohio_NP0 ._SENT Each_DT0 room_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 featured_VVN color_NN1 television_NN1 ,_PUN air-conditioning_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC individually_AV0 wrapped_VVN bars_NN2 of_PRF soap_NN1 only_AV0 a_AT0 little_AV0 thicker_AJC than_CJS a_AT0 book_NN1 of_PRF matches_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 's_POS "_PUQ minibar_NN1 "_PUQ was_VBD the_AT0 vending_AJ0 machine_NN1 near_PRP the_AT0 steamy_AJ0 ,_PUN rank_AJ0 indoor_AJ0 pool_NN1 by_PRP the_AT0 lobby_NN1 bathrooms_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 cheap_AJ0 drapes_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 rooms_NN2 fluttered_VVD when_CJS the_AT0 wind_NN1 whipped_VVN outside_PRP the_AT0 hotel_NN1 ._SENT Snowflakes_NN2 sometimes_AV0 feathered_AJ0 through_PRP window_NN1 seams_NN2 ._SENT Guests_NN2 were_VBD required_VVN to_TO0 pull_VVI their_DPS room_NN1 door_NN1 shut_VVD to_TO0 secure_VVI the_AT0 lock_NN1 ._SENT 
In_PRP 1982_CRD ,_PUN no_AT0 one_PNI was_VBD stalking_VVG this_DT0 joint_NN1 in_PRP search_NN1 of_PRF NBA_NN1 superstars_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 Larry_NP0 Bird_NP0 Celtics_NP0 were_VBD already_AV0 established_VVN as_PRP champions_NN2 and_CJC basketball_NN1 royalty_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP 'd_VHD won_VVN the_AT0 franchise_NN1 's_POS fourteenth_ORD banner_NN1 just_AV0 seventeen_CRD months_NN2 earlier_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC there_EX0 was_VBD every_AT0 reason_NN1 to_TO0 believe_VVI they_PNP 'd_VM0 be_VBI going_VVG back_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 Finals_NN2 for_PRP several_DT0 seasons_NN2 to_TO0 come_VVI ._SENT But_CJC there_EX0 were_VBD no_AT0 New_AJ0 England_NP0 transplants_NN2 living_VVG in_PRP Shaker_NN1 Heights_NN2 trying_VVG to_TO0 find_VVI the_AT0 Celtics_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 dank_AJ0 lobby_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 ;_PUN no_AT0 autograph-seeking_AJ0 greenflies_NN2 ,_PUN no_AT0 overdressed_AJ0 ,_PUN high-heeled_AJ0 young_AJ0 women_NN2 in_PRP search_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 wealthy_AJ0 basketball_NN1 star_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Richfield_NP0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 catered_VVN to_PRP bored_AJ0 businessmen_NN2 and_CJC conventioneers_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF miles_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 twenty-thousand-seat_AJ0 Richfield_NP0 Coliseum_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 spacious_AJ0 oval_NN1 situated_VVN halfway_AV0 between_PRP Cleveland_NP0 and_CJC Akron_NP0 ._SENT Harvey_NP0 Greene_NP0 ,_PUN public_AJ0 relations_NN2 director_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Cavaliers_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 early_AJ0 1980s_CRD ,_PUN often_AV0 drove_VVD out-of-town_AJ0 sportswriters_NN2 back_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 after_PRP games_NN2 because_CJS cabs_NN2 would_VM0 n't_XX0 come_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 arena_NN1 late_AJ0 at_PRP night_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ My_DPS biggest_AJS fear_NN1 working_VVG for_PRP the_AT0 Cavs_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 drive_NN1 home_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 Coliseum_NN1 late_AJ0 at_PRP night_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 winter_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ said_VVD Greene_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 first_ORD part_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 drive_NN1 was_VBD the_AT0 one-mile_AJ0 stretch_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 Coliseum_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 on_PRP a_AT0 narrow_AJ0 ,_PUN winding_AJ0 ,_PUN desolate_AJ0 two-lane_AJ0 road_NN1 through_PRP a_AT0 thick_AJ0 forest_NN1 in_PRP almost_AV0 total_AJ0 darkness_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD always_AV0 afraid_AJ0 I_PNP 'd_VM0 either_AV0 hit_VVI a_AT0 deer_NN0 or_CJC skid_NN1 on_PRP an_AT0 ice_NN1 patch_NN1 off_PRP the_AT0 road_NN1 and_CJC into_PRP a_AT0 ditch_NN1 ,_PUN never_AV0 to_TO0 be_VBI found_VVN ._SENT Toward_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 drive_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 would_VM0 magically_AV0 appear_VVI in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF me_PNP like_PRP a_AT0 beacon_NN1 ,_PUN bathed_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 only_AV0 light_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI seen_VVN in_PRP that_DT0 desolation_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD nothing_PNI else_AV0 around_AVP ._SENT It_PNP reminded_VVD me_PNP of_PRF the_AT0 approach_NN1 leading_VVG up_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 Bates_NP0 Motel_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
On_PRP the_AT0 eve_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 first_ORD game_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 1982_CRD ¨_NN0 C83_CRD season_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Holiday_NN1 Inn_NN1 's_POS restaurant_NN1 /_PUN bar_NN1 ,_PUN Barney_NP0 Google_NP0 's_POS ,_PUN was_VBD empty_AJ0 except_CJS for_PRP Larry_NP0 Bird_NP0 and_CJC Quinn_NP0 Buckner_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ sat_VVD at_PRP one_CRD end_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 bar_NN1 near_PRP the_AT0 overhead_AJ0 television_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Celtics_NP0 had_VHD held_VVN their_DPS final_AJ0 practice_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 preseason_NN1 earlier_AV0 that_DT0 day_NN1 before_PRP boarding_VVG a_AT0 Northwest_NN1 Airlines_NN2 flight_NN1 to_PRP Cleveland_NP0 ._SENT 
It_PNP had_VHD been_VBN an_AT0 emotional_AJ0 week_NN1 as_PRP Celtics_NP0 players_NN2 said_VVD goodbye_NN1 to_PRP teammates_NN2 Chris_NP0 Ford_NP0 and_CJC Eric_NP0 Fernsten_NP0 ,_PUN both_DT0 members_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 1980_CRD ¨_NN0 C81_CRD championship_NN1 squad_NN1 ._SENT Fernsten_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 popular_AJ0 ,_PUN seldom-used_AJ0 big_AJ0 man_NN1 ,_PUN cut_VVN because_CJS the_AT0 Celtics_NP0 used_VVD their_DPS 1982_CRD first-round_NN1 pick_VVB on_PRP the_AT0 six-eleven_AJ0 but_CJC extremely_AV0 limited_VVN Darren_NP0 Tillis_NP0 ._SENT A_AT0 terrific_AJ0 practice_NN1 player_NN1 who_PNQ 'd_VHD been_VBN Bird_NP0 's_POS teammate_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD three_CRD years_NN2 of_PRF Bird_NP0 's_POS career_NN1 ,_PUN Fernsten_NP0 was_VBD released_VVN just_AV0 a_AT0 few_DT0 hours_NN2 before_PRP the_AT0 flight_NN1 to_PRP Cleveland_NP0 ._SENT 
Ford_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 ten-year_AJ0 veteran_NN1 who_PNQ 'd_VHD played_VVN four_CRD seasons_NN2 in_PRP Boston_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP planned_VVD on_AVP playing_VVG at_PRP least_AV0 one_CRD more_DT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC lost_VVD his_DPS backcourt_AJ0 job_NN1 to_PRP NBA_NN1 veteran_NN1 Buckner_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ 'd_VHD been_VBN acquired_VVN in_PRP an_AT0 off-season_AJ0 deal_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 Bucks_NP0 ._SENT Ford_NP0 had_VHD started_VVN at_PRP guard_NN1 alongside_PRP Tiny_AJ0 Archibald_NP0 when_CJS the_AT0 Celtics_NP0 won_VVD the_AT0 championship_NN1 in_PRP 1981._CRD Teammates_NN2 called_VVD Ford_NP0 "_PUQ Doc_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ a_AT0 nickname_NN1 slapped_VVD on_PRP Ford_NP0 by_PRP Cedric_NP0 Maxwell_NP0 when_CJS the_AT0 gravity-challenged_AJ0 Ford_NN1 made_VVD a_AT0 Julius_NP0 Erving_NP0 ¨_NN0 Clike_AJ0 cradle-rocking_AJ0 dunk_NN1 attempt_NN1 during_PRP an_AT0 otherwise_AV0 forgettable_AJ0 practice_NN1 ._SENT 
That_DT0 's_VBZ how_AVQ it_PNP works_VVZ in_PRP team_NN1 sports_NN2 ._SENT At_PRP every_AT0 level_NN1 ._SENT An_AT0 insignificant_AJ0 moment_NN1 can_VM0 stay_VVI with_PRP a_AT0 player_NN1 forever_AV0 ._SENT In_PRP my_DPS high_AJ0 school_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 1960s_CRD ,_PUN a_AT0 kid_NN1 named_VVN Dave_NP0 Martin_NP0 screwed_VVD up_AVP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 practice_NN1 ,_PUN missing_VVG a_AT0 layup_NN1 that_CJT would_VM0 have_VHI sent_VVN everybody_PNI home_AV0 for_PRP the_AT0 day_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS Dave_NP0 's_POS layup_NN1 clanged_VVD off_AVP the_AT0 rim¡ªadding_NN1 another_DT0 twenty_CRD minutes_NN2 to_PRP practice¡ªa_NP0 teammate_NN1 screamed_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Jesus_NP0 ,_PUN Martin_NP0 !_SENT ,_PUN "_PUQ which_DTQ became_VVD Dave_NP0 Martin_NP0 's_POS name_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 rest_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS Groton_NN1 life_NN1 ._SENT More_AV0 than_CJS forty_CRD years_NN2 after_PRP the_AT0 silly_AJ0 episode_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP came_VVD out_AVP of_PRF a_AT0 restroom_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Fours_CRD across_PRP the_AT0 street_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 Garden_NN1 and_CJC encountered_VVD a_AT0 young_AJ0 man_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS sixtysomething_AJ0 dad_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 young_AJ0 man_NN1 said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Dan_NP0 ,_PUN we_PNP 're_VBB from_PRP Groton_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ my_DPS father_NN1 ,_PUN Dave_NP0 Martin_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Jesus_NP0 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD ._SENT 
Affirmative_AJ0 ._SENT 
An_AT0 Atlantic_NP0 City_NN1 native_NN1 who_PNQ starred_VVD at_PRP Villanova_NP0 ,_PUN Chris_NP0 Ford_NP0 lives_VVZ forever_AV0 in_PRP trivia_NN1 lore_NN1 as_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD man_NN1 to_TO0 make_VVI an_AT0 NBA_NN1 three-point_AJ0 shot_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP wound_VVD up_AVP doing_VDG Celtics_NP0 radio_NN1 commentary_NN1 the_AT0 year_NN1 he_PNP was_VBD cut_VVN by_PRP Bill_NP0 Fitch_NP0 ,_PUN then_AV0 rejoined_VVD the_AT0 team_NN1 as_PRP an_AT0 assistant_AJ0 coach_NN1 and_CJC eventually_AV0 became_VVD head_NN1 coach_NN1 ._SENT On_PRP October_NP0 28_CRD ,_PUN 1982_CRD ,_PUN Bird_NP0 ,_PUN for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 in_PRP his_DPS career_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD grappling_VVG with_PRP the_AT0 reality_NN1 that_CJT Ford_NP0 and_CJC Fernsten_NP0 were_VBD not_XX0 his_DPS teammates_NN2 ._SENT 
I_PNP 'd_VHD made_VVN a_AT0 point_NN1 to_TO0 introduce_VVI myself_PNX to_PRP Bird_NP0 at_PRP media_NN0 day_NN1 and_CJC talked_VVD to_PRP him_PNP in_PRP reporter_NN1 scrums_NN2 during_PRP a_AT0 preseason_NN1 that_CJT included_VVD road_NN1 trips_NN2 to_PRP San_NP0 Antonio_NP0 and_CJC Nashville_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 young_AJ0 Celtics_NP0 superstar_NN1 was_VBD shy_AJ0 and_CJC abrupt_AJ0 ,_PUN clearly_AV0 not_XX0 comfortable_AJ0 with_PRP new_AJ0 people_NN0 ._SENT He_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 speak_VVI with_PRP reporters_NN2 during_PRP his_DPS celebrated_AJ0 senior_AJ0 season_NN1 at_PRP Indiana_NP0 State_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP endured_VVD interviews_NN2 like_PRP a_AT0 child_NN1 getting_VVG a_AT0 polio_NN1 vaccine_NN1 ._SENT Bird_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 national_AJ0 sensation_NN1 when_CJS he_PNP led_VVD Indiana_NP0 State_NP0 to_PRP a_AT0 33-0_CRD season_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 NCAA_NP0 title_NN1 game_NN1 against_PRP Magic_AJ0 Johnson_NP0 's_POS Michigan_NP0 State_NN1 Spartans_NN2 in_PRP 1979._CRD The_AT0 Larry-Magic_AJ0 NCAA_NN1 Final_NN1 will_VM0 forever_AV0 be_VBI the_AT0 highest-rated_AJS basketball_NN1 television_NN1 broadcast_NN1 of_PRF all_DT0 time_NN1 ._SENT Bird_NP0 never_AV0 got_VVD over_AVP losing_VVG that_DT0 game_NN1 and_CJC was_VBD still_AV0 carrying_VVG the_AT0 hurt_NN1 after_PRP winning_AJ0 NBA_NN1 Rookie_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Year_NN1 in_PRP 1980_CRD and_CJC his_DPS first_ORD championship_NN1 in_PRP 1981._CRD He_PNP 'd_VHD established_VVN himself_PNX as_PRP one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 best_AJS players_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 NBA_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC he_PNP was_VBD still_AV0 obsessed_AJ0 with_PRP beating_VVG Magic_AJ0 ._SENT 
Buckner_NP0 was_VBD no_AT0 stranger_NN1 to_PRP fame_NN1 and_CJC success_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP grew_VVD up_AVP near_PRP Chicago_NP0 where_AVQ he_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 high_AJ0 school_NN1 state_NN1 champ_NN1 ,_PUN then_AV0 cocaptained_AJ0 Bobby_NP0 Knight_NP0 's_POS 1976_CRD NCAA_NP0 champion_NN1 Hoosiers_NN2 ,_PUN still_AV0 the_AT0 last_ORD undefeated_AJ0 team_NN1 in_PRP NCAA_NP0 history_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP cocaptained_AJ0 the_AT0 USA_NP0 's_POS gold-medal-winning_AJ0 team_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 1976_CRD Summer_NN1 Olympics_NN2 ._SENT Selected_VVN by_PRP Milwaukee_NP0 with_PRP the_AT0 seventh_ORD overall_AJ0 pick_NN1 in_PRP 1976_CRD ,_PUN he_PNP played_VVD six_CRD seasons_NN2 for_PRP the_AT0 Bucks_NP0 before_CJS he_PNP was_VBD traded_VVN to_PRP Boston_NP0 ._SENT His_DPS Indiana_NP0 /_PUN Knight_NP0 /_PUN Midwest_NP0 connections_NN2 and_CJC winning_AJ0 pedigree_NN1 made_VVD him_PNP an_AT0 ideal_AJ0 teammate_NN1 and_CJC drinking_NN1 buddy_NN1 for_PRP Larry_NP0 Bird_NP0 ._SENT 
I_PNP knew_VVD enough_AV0 not_XX0 to_TO0 approach_VVI when_CJS I_PNP saw_VVD Bird_NP0 and_CJC Buckner_NP0 at_PRP the_AT0 bar_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 new_AJ0 guy_NN1 ._SENT Worse_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 reporter_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF catching_VVG up_AVP to_TO0 do_VDI ._SENT Probably_AV0 swapping_VVG Bobby_NP0 Knight_NP0 stories_NN2 ._SENT Still_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP had_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 long_AJ0 day_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP was_VBD thirsty_AJ0 and_CJC had_VHD my_DPS newspapers_NN2 to_TO0 keep_VVI me_DPS company_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP nodded_VVD in_PRP their_DPS direction_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP pulled_VVD out_AVP a_AT0 stool_NN1 and_CJC took_VVD a_AT0 seat_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 loser_NN1 end_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 bar_NN1 ._SENT Buckner_NP0 nodded_VVD back_AVP ._SENT Bird_NP0 took_VVD a_AT0 swig_NN1 from_PRP his_DPS bottle_NN1 of_PRF Bud_NP0 and_CJC looked_VVD straight_AV0 ahead_AV0 ._SENT 
When_CJS the_AT0 barkeep_NN1 approached_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP ordered_VVD something_PNI for_PRP myself_PNX and_CJC asked_VVD him_PNP to_TO0 send_VVI a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF beers_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 fellows_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 other_AJ0 end_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS Buckner_NP0 and_CJC Bird_NP0 got_VVD their_DPS beers_NN2 ,_PUN Buckner_NP0 raised_VVD his_DPS bottle_NN1 and_CJC again_AV0 nodded_VVD in_PRP my_DPS direction_NN1 ._SENT Still_AV0 nothing_PNI from_PRP Larry_NP0 ._SENT 
Ten_CRD or_CJC fifteen_CRD minutes_NN2 passed_VVN and_CJC nobody_PNI else_AV0 came_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 bar_NN1 ._SENT Bird_NP0 and_CJC Buckner_NP0 were_VBD safely_AV0 out_AVP of_PRF earshot_NN1 and_CJC everything_PNI was_VBD cool_AJ0 ._SENT 
Until_CJS I_PNP blundered_VVD ._SENT 
I_PNP have_VHB n't_XX0 thought_VVN about_PRP this_DT0 in_PRP almost_AV0 forty_CRD years_NN2 and_CJC wish_VVB I_PNP could_VM0 go_VVI back_AVP in_PRP time_NN1 and_CJC change_VVB the_AT0 moment_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 ._SENT 
Before_CJS I_PNP settled_VVD my_DPS tab_NN1 and_CJC got_VVD up_AVP to_TO0 leave_VVI ,_PUN I_PNP sent_VVD another_DT0 round_PRP their_DPS way_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 moment_NN1 of_PRF nervousness_NN1 and_CJC insanity_NN1 ,_PUN violating_VVG every_AT0 social_AJ0 and_CJC professional_AJ0 drinking_NN1 code_NN1 known_VVN to_PRP man_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS face_NN1 turns_VVZ crimson_AJ0 just_AV0 thinking_VVG about_PRP it_PNP ._SENT 
At_PRP that_DT0 juncture_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS professional_AJ0 life_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN around_AV0 famous_AJ0 athletes_NN2 for_PRP more_AV0 than_CJS seven_CRD years_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD spent_VVN four_CRD seasons_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 road_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 perennial_AJ0 pennant-winning_NN1 Baltimore_NP0 Orioles¡ªa_NP0 team_NN1 that_CJT included_VVD Hall_NN1 of_PRF Famers_NP0 Earl_NP0 Weaver_NP0 ,_PUN Brooks_NP0 Robinson_NP0 ,_PUN Jim_NP0 Palmer_NP0 ,_PUN Cal_NP0 Ripken_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Frank_NP0 Robinson_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD had_VHN lunch_NN1 with_PRP Reggie_NP0 Jackson¡ªat_NP0 his_DPS request_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD interviewed_VVN Ted_NP0 Williams_NP0 and_CJC Joe_NP0 DiMaggio_NP0 and_CJC engaged_VVN in_PRP conversations_NN2 with_PRP Richard_NP0 Nixon_NP0 and_CJC Ted_NP0 Kennedy_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD neither_AV0 starstruck_NN1 nor_CJC clumsy_AJ0 around_PRP famous_AJ0 people_NN0 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD three_CRD years_NN2 older_AJC than_CJS Bird_NP0 ,_PUN for_PRP God_NP0 sakes_NN2 ._SENT So_AV0 how_AVQ could_VM0 I_PNP have_VHI been_VBN so_AV0 ham-handed_AJ0 and_CJC stupid_AJ0 ?_SENT 
When_CJS the_AT0 barkeep_NN1 made_VVD the_AT0 approach_NN1 with_PRP my_DPS pathetic_AJ0 offer_NN1 of_PRF another_DT0 round_NN1 ,_PUN Bird_NP0 shook_VVD his_DPS head_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP cringed_VVD ._SENT A_AT0 new_AJ0 writer_NN1 sending_VVG down_AVP one_CRD beer_NN1 was_VBD suspicious_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC tolerable_AJ0 ._SENT Offering_VVG a_AT0 second_ORD round_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 boundary_NN1 violation_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP must_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN thinking_VVG ,_PUN "_PUQ What_DTQ 's_VBZ this_DT0 new_AJ0 guy_NN1 trying_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI ?_SENT Does_VDZ he_PNP think_VVI he_PNP can_VM0 buy_VVI his_DPS way_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 inner_AJ0 sanctum_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
It_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 most_AV0 humiliating_AJ0 rejection_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD felt_VVN since_PRP my_DPS first_ORD high_AJ0 school_NN1 mixer_NN1 when_CJS Temple_NP0 Bruner_NP0 shook_VVD her_DPS head_NN1 after_CJS I_PNP 'd_VHD shuffled_VVN across_PRP the_AT0 cafeteria_NN1 floor_NN1 to_TO0 ask_VVI her_PNP to_TO0 slow_VVI dance_NN1 to_PRP "_PUQ A_AT0 Whiter_AJC Shade_NN1 of_PRF Pale_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Bird_NN1 was_VBD right_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP deserved_VVD to_TO0 have_VHI my_DPS shot_NN1 blocked_VVD ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD established_VVN that_CJT the_AT0 new_AJ0 guy_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 tone-deaf_AJ0 weirdo_NN1 who_PNQ could_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI trusted_VVN ._SENT The_AT0 Celtics_NP0 '_POS biggest_AJS star_NN1 ,_PUN predisposed_VVN to_TO0 keep_VVI his_DPS distance_NN1 from_PRP writers_NN2 ,_PUN now_AV0 had_VHD good_AJ0 reason_NN1 to_TO0 steer_VVI clear_AJ0 of_PRF me_PNP ._SENT And_CJC the_AT0 Celtics_NP0 had_VHD n't_XX0 even_AV0 played_VVN their_DPS first_ORD game_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 season_NN1 yet_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP can_VM0 tell_VVI you_PNP what_DTQ that_DT0 was_VBD ,_PUN "_PUQ Buckner_NP0 told_VVD me_PNP thirty-seven_CRD years_NN2 later_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ Larry_NP0 was_VBD advanced_VVN with_PRP his_DPS thinking_NN1 ._SENT Was_VBD then_AV0 ._SENT Is_VBZ now_AV0 ._SENT Accepting_VVG those_DT0 beers_NN2 would_VM0 make_VVI him_PNP beholden_AJ0 to_PRP you_PNP ._SENT He_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI that_DT0 to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 debt_NN1 he_PNP 'd_VM0 have_VHI to_TO0 pay_VVI if_CJS you_PNP asked_VVD him_PNP a_AT0 question_NN1 he_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI to_TO0 answer_VVI ._SENT He_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 have_VHI control_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Larry_NP0 Joe_NP0 Bird_NP0 was_VBD born_VVN in_PRP rural_AJ0 southern_AJ0 Indiana_NP0 on_PRP December_NP0 7_CRD ,_PUN 1956_CRD (_PUL the_AT0 same_DT0 day_NN1 Bill_NP0 Russell_NP0 and_CJC K_NP0 ._SENT C_ZZ0 ._SENT Jones_NP0 left_VVD the_AT0 Melbourne_NP0 Olympics_NN2 with_PRP gold_NN1 medals_NN2 )_PUR ,_PUN the_AT0 fourth_ORD of_PRF Joe_NP0 and_CJC Georgia_NP0 Bird_NP0 's_POS six_CRD children_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD two_CRD older_AJC brothers_NN2 ,_PUN Mike_NP0 and_CJC Mark_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC an_AT0 older_AJC sister_NN1 ,_PUN Linda_NP0 ._SENT After_PRP Larry_NP0 ,_PUN Georgia_NP0 gave_VVD birth_NN1 to_PRP two_CRD more_DT0 boys_NN2 ,_PUN Jeff_NP0 and_CJC Eddie_NP0 ._SENT Larry_NP0 's_POS dad_NN1 ,_PUN Joe_NP0 Bird_NP0 ,_PUN was_VBD uneducated_AJ0 but_CJC had_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 fairly_AV0 good_AJ0 basketball_NN1 player_NN1 before_CJS he_PNP left_VVD high_AJ0 school_NN1 and_CJC went_VVD to_TO0 work_VVI in_PRP his_DPS early_AJ0 teens_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP served_VVD his_DPS country_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 Korean_AJ0 War_NN1 and_CJC bounced_VVD from_PRP job_NN1 to_PRP job_NN1 when_CJS he_PNP came_VVD home_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 work_NN1 he_PNP liked_VVD best_AV0 was_VBD finishing_VVG instruments_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 Kimball_NP0 Piano_NN1 and_CJC Organ_NN1 plant_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS Larry_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 small_AJ0 boy_NN1 ,_PUN one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 pianos_NN2 Joe_NP0 Bird_NP0 worked_VVD on_AVP was_VBD supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI featured_VVN on_PRP a_AT0 national_AJ0 television_NN1 show_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 family_NN1 gathered_VVD around_AVP their_DPS tiny_AJ0 black-and-white_AJ0 TV_NN1 to_TO0 see_VVI Dad_NN1 's_POS piano_NN1 on_PRP television_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 segment_NN1 never_AV0 aired_VVN ._SENT 
Like_VVB her_DPS husband_NN1 ,_PUN Georgia_NP0 Bird_NP0 changed_VVD jobs_NN2 a_AT0 lot_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP worked_VVD at_PRP a_AT0 chicken_NN1 farm_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 shoe_NN1 factory_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 nursing_AJ0 home_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 waitress_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 cook_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC there_EX0 was_VBD never_AV0 money_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 family_NN1 car_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 Birds_NN2 were_VBD always_AV0 moving_VVG ._SENT Larry_NP0 remembered_VVD the_AT0 embarrassment_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS family_NN1 running_VVG up_AVP $_NN0 700_CRD worth_NN1 of_PRF credit_NN1 at_PRP a_AT0 local_AJ0 store_NN1 ._SENT All_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 Bird_NP0 boys_NN2 took_VVD turns_NN2 living_VVG with_PRP their_DPS maternal_AJ0 grandparents_NN2 ,_PUN John_NP0 and_CJC Lizzie_NP0 Kerns_NP0 ._SENT John_NP0 and_CJC Lizzie_NP0 's_POS house_NN1 was_VBD near_PRP a_AT0 streetlight_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ allowed_VVD the_AT0 boys_NN2 to_TO0 play_VVI their_DPS basketball_NN1 games_NN2 at_PRP night_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS they_PNP were_VBD n't_XX0 playing_VVG ball_NN1 or_CJC doing_VDG chores_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 Bird_NP0 kids_NN2 were_VBD hunting_VVG mushrooms_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 favorite_AJ0 southern-Indiana_NN1 pastime_NN1 ._SENT Bird_NP0 's_POS favorite_AJ0 TV_NN1 show_NN1 was_VBD Bonanza_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ featured_VVD a_AT0 family_NN1 that_CJT lacked_VVD for_PRP nothing_PNI ._SENT 
