Thank you Branch Rickey:

Mark Langill

Here is my story that aired the other day on 790 KABC as part of the Lasorda at His Best series presented by Skechers:

I went to play baseball in Panama during the winter.  I saved enough money because when I got back I was planning on getting married.  I had saved about $500, but during spring training in Vero Beach, Florida somebody stole it. 

When talking to Branch Rickey I told him I wanted to get married.  He really liked when players were married.

“That’s good,” he told me. 

I told him the only problem was I didn’t have any money.

“How much do you need?” he asked, and I told him $500.  He told me to go over and see Buzzie Bavasi for the money.  I go to Buzzie and tell him about the money to get married.

“Are you crazy?” he asked.  “Why are you getting married without a dime in your pocket?”

 He let me borrow the money.  As the season went along I told him he needed to start taking money out of my check so I could repay the loan.  I kept asking him to do that and he kept telling me he would take it out when we go the playoffs.

At the end of the season he gave me a letter to sign thanking Mr. Rickey for the $500 and stating that I was glad to be able to pay it back. 

I never paid it back.

Every year on our anniversary Buzzie would send a bouquet to my wife and the card would only read, “I’m sorry.”