In a hotel lobby in 1967, a 19-year-old pitcher from Illinois approached one of his new Bluefield Orioles teammates, a 22-year-old shortstop from California.
“Hi, I’m Ron Shelton,” the pitcher standing up said.
A befuddled look crossed the face of the seated shortstop.
“No you’re not. I’m Ron Shelton!”
After a two-year Minor League career, the pitcher returned to Illinois to become a teacher, coach and principal. His son Derek now manages the Pirates.
The shortstop’s career lasted five years before he went back to California and eventually wrote and directed “Bull Durham.”
