The "Little Jerry" Story

Big Jerry on the left with Little Jerry? on the right.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in a taxi with Carol and traveling mates Jerry and Just Sue on our way to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico to visit one of the forts that anchor the wall of the city.  A short distance from our hotel we attempt to engage our taxi driver in some conversation to learn about his life as well as the culture and history of his home.  Naturally had to ask him about baseball and he seemed to begin to come to life with stories about the ballparks and the major league players who are now, or have been in the past, lifelong residents of Puerto Rico.  Pointed to our left and said the Roberto Clemente Stadium and Coliseum were in that direction and began telling us about some of the players who are playing now in the prelims to the coming World Series. Then we asked his thoughts about Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. State and he gave us his pros and cons on the subject. Jerry, sitting in the front seat next to him, began telling of his years in the Navy and making visits to the island of Puerto Rico in 1963 and 64.  Told how his ship would dock at the port in Old San Juan and he and his buddies would head into the town to some of the bars for drinks and entertainment.  Jerry asked how old he was and he said he was born in Puerto Rico in 1963.  Hearing all this information from the back seat of the taxi, I had to offer some insight into what I thought may have been an important fact .... “Hey, Jere.  You might be his dad!  He might be Little Jerry!”  Well, that brought a big smile to our cab driver’s face and the response, “I better call my mom and find out!”   Lightened up the atmosphere and we all became best friends by the end of our journey to Old San Juan.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.