Career change leads to unexpected story
A little over a month ago I began a new full-time career. I’m now selling cars and trucks at Red River Chevrolet in Bossier City. After a couple of weeks of training, I was sent out to the oor to try and apply what I had been taught. Mind you, this new career endeavor was completely out of my comfort zone. I had been used to public relations, media relations, marketing, advertising, writing and statistics my whole life. Now, I’m trying to help people make what is likely the second biggest purchase of their lives.
When you’re 43-years-old and in a completely new environment, it can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming. However, my nervousness and trepidation subsided quickly after sitting down and talking with General Sales Manager Eddie Holman.
Now, older Louisiana Tech University fans will certainly recognize that last name, but for me, I only knew Holman as the second in command to owner and dealer George Fritze. In my rst full week of sales, I hear the familiar call of “Hey Dawg” coming from Holman’s of ce. This time, instead of being directed at other salesman, Holman’s call was for me.
I sheepishly entered his of ce and slid down in the chair next to Holman’s desk almost as if I was about to be grilled by the principal. Instead of putting the fear of God into the new guy, Holman eases back into his chair, smiles and tells me he likes to read my columns.
That was all I needed to hear to start talking sports, something I’m betting Holman regrets. Those who know me know once you get me started, it’s nearly impossible to shut me up.
Holman then summons me to check out this site he’s pulled up on the Internet. As part of its yearlong 50th anniversary commemoration, the Southland Conference had announced its All-Decade Baseball Team from the 1970s. The team includes stars from its member institutions from the 1970 season through 1979. Right there on Holman’s computer screen, about a third of the way down the list, were the following names: Dale Holman, Louisiana Tech, OF, 1977, 1978, 1979; 1978 and 1979 Hitter of the Year; and Eddie Holman, Louisiana Tech, P, 1974 Southland Career Strikeout Leader (336).
Little did I know, I was standing next to one of the top pitchers to ever come out of Tech, much less half of a sibling duo that were Bulldog legends. Eddie not only nished his career as the winningest pitcher in Tech history but was also the Bulldogs strikeout leader with 336. Dale was a threetime All-SLC selection and left Ruston as Tech’s all-time leading batting average leader at .393 and all-time total base leader at 340. Of course, I was very impressed.
With the NCAA college baseball tournament in full swing, this ice breaker opened the gates for some nostalgic baseball stories from the elder Holman. As a smile crept across his face and through his graying goatee, you could almost see the re ection of old Arlington Stadium in his eyes as he began to recall his greatest game as a Bulldog.
It was 1974 in the District 6 tournament at the old home of the Texas Rangers. After narrowly beating UT-Pan American, 3-2, in the tournament opener, the Bulldogs faced the University of Texas Longhorns, who boasted a 50-5 record and were one of the top-ranked teams in the country. Holman pitched Tech to an incredible 5-4 upset win over the Longhorns in what still stands as one of the greatest wins in Bulldog baseball history. Unfortunately for Tech, the Longhorns would come back to beat the Bulldogs twice to advance to the 1974 College World Series.
In a The (Shreveport) Times article dated May 17, 1978, Holman recalled his memory of that night saying, “Mainly that we really felt like we could beat them. I was nervous; we all were, but we had a good baseball team, and even though it seemed like a very big thing to be playing Texas, I don’t believe we were over-awed by them.”
Holman continued to tell me about some of the fun times, unique places and great players he had the chance to play with and against. He even added some of his younger brother Dale’s tales just for a few laughs and smiles. Just like old ballplayers often do when recalling a grander times, Eddie would try to say something to downplay his accomplishments or act as if it were boring. To which I nally had to tell him that these fond memories are what make for great stories and columns and to please continue.
Dale would go on to play for three different Major League Baseball organizations – the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves. Big brother Eddie pitched in the Texas Rangers organization, nishing his pro career with a 20-20 record.
Holman’s baseball stories made me relax and smile.
I left his of ce with a feeling of acceptance and con dence, which made me a better salesman. (I ended up selling two trucks that week.) Something instinctual, which I’m sure the crafty hurler picked up from his years on the mound.
Charlie Cavell may be reached at [email protected].
