Chapter 26: Pre-Spring Training

Mon, Feb 2, 1970
{c}Now, you’re lookin’ at a man that’s gettin’ kinda mad
{c}I had a lot a luck but it’s all been bad
{c}No matter how I struggle and strive
{c}I’ll never get out of this world alive

{c}My fishin’ pole’s broke, the creek is full of sand
{c}My woman run away with another man
{c}No matter how I struggle and strive
{c}I’ll never get out of this world alive

{c}My distant uncle passed away
{c}And left me quite a batch
{c}And I was livin’ high until the fatal day
{c}A lawyer proved I wasn’t born, I was only hatched

{c}Everything’s agin me and it’s got me down
{c}If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
{c}No matter how I struggle and strive
{c}I’ll never get out of this world alive

{c}These shabby shoes I’m wearin’ all the time
{c}Is full of holes and nails
{c}And brother, if I stepped on worn-out dime
{c}I bet a nickel I could tell you if it was heads or tails
{c}I’m not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow

{c}’Cause nothin’s ever gonna be alright no-how
{c}No matter how I struggle and strive
{c}I’ll never get out of this world alive
{cb}I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
{c}By Hank Williams & Fred Rose

Randy & Jessica, our Pilots, flew Lee MacPhail, Billy Martin, Ali & I, from TEB to FLL. We were getting ready for the upcoming, 1970 NY Yankees Spring Training Season.

At FLL, we were p/u by our Catcher, Thurman Munson, 22yo. He had been paying for his own Room at Pier 66 for the last Week, but since it was open, we moved him into our Pier 66 Owner Suite’s, Master Suite #4.

We had just Bought the Pier 66 Hotel & Marina, from it’s Developer & Owner, Phillips 66 Petroleum Company. That’s why it was called 66, not because it was the actual Pier 66. There was even a Phillips 66 Gas Station, next to the Main Entrance.

The Hotel owned the Gas Station Location too, so it would be an easy thing to install Propane Gas Pumps there.

Phillips 66 got its Name, because it had the Contract to supply all the Gas Stations for the New Route 66, that was slowly being Built from Chicago to LA. To ensure enough Gas Stations along the way, it was felt a Chain would be better than, the normal haphazard way most Gas Stations were placed.

Thurman was our Chauffeur today, & he showed Ali & I around Ft Lauderdale. He took us to the Ft Lauderdale Yankee Stadium. We looked it over with the Head Groundskeeper, Hank Peters, 47yo.

Hank really took pride in doing the little things no-one would notice, that is unless he didn’t do them. Then they would stick out.

As soon as I saw the Yankee Clubhouse, I asked for better Lockers. I wanted the Modern kind, that were Larger, with a Drawer that could Lock for valuables. I also wanted it repainted in NY Yankee colors. Hank said he would get right on it.

Hank had the Turf looking great though. He never used harsh Fertilizers either, as he had sensitive skin. I liked that, as I hate to Poison Myself, by spraying Chemicals where I Live & Work.

As we were driving around, I got to know Thurman. He was a great guy, with his Midwestern humbleness

I knew he would take up Flying in 1976. Thurman would Buy one of the 1st Cessna Citation-1 SP’s. SP stood for Single Pilot. All Jets up to then required a 2nd Pilot, leading to added Costs.

Cessna had simplified the Cockpit to a degree that made it Safer to Operate Single-Pilot.

In 1979 Thurman was Practicing Touch & Goes, but forgot to Set the Flaps. He Clipped a Tree while Landing.

I assumed he was alone, but he had his Long-Time Instructor Pilot with him. Thurman was probably Flying Solo though, meaning his Instructor may not have been at the Controls, as otherwise how could they let such a serious mistake happen. Not Setting the Flaps meant Thurman didn’t do his Checklist properly.

I’m not afraid to take Chances, as shit will happen no matter how hard we try to avoid them, so I was going to help Thurman Learn to Fly sooner.

I’d just pay extra care to Thurman, by insisting he always have that 2nd Pilot, just to make sure Thurman Set his Flaps correctly! We’d Pay for the 2nd Pilot, as a Condition of Thurman’s Salary.

Learning from Randy would instill in Thurman the Safe Way to Fly though. You ALWAYS used your Checklists. You ALWAYS followed procedures. You NEVER fudged on Safety.

Thurman would Fly Home to Akron on his Off-Days to be with his Family. The NY Yankee Management had been trying to get George Steinbrenner to Trade Thurman to the Cleveland Indians. They would hate to give up Thurman’s Talent, but he wouldn’t have to Fly so far to see his Family in Akron, if he Played in Cleveland.

The Yankee Management were scared Thurman would f/u & Crash. Unfortunately that would happen. He Crashed & Burned on Aug 2, 1979, in Akron, OH, his Hometown.

I wanted to get Thurman into Flying sooner, that is, if he wanted to. As soon as I brought it up, Thurman got excited. We made Plans to have him start Flight School tomorrow. Randy would be his Flight Instructor, at our new Jet Aviation FBO-FLL.

One way to help Thurman, as well as all our Pilots, we would soon own Flight Safety International, with all their Simulators. Most Practice can be done in Sims, especially the most dangerous Situations.

I’d also Fly Thurman’s Family to be with him too.

Of course, the best Solution, would be for Thurman’s Family to move to NYC. I’d make anything available to Thurman, to get that to happen. I’d also pass out soothing thoughts about Living in NYC. The Museums, Theatre, Parks, Shopping, etc.

What’s that you say? Shopping you say?

Tue, Feb 3, 1970

I set Thurman up with Randy, at Jet Aviation FBO-FLL. Thurman would be busy until Camp started now. He was overly excited for the Season, so this will give him something to occupy his time until then.

In 1970, Pier 66 wasn’t as Developed, as in Ralf’s time. The 2-Floor Motel Buildings were only on the West & NW Sides of the Middle section of the 22 Acre Site. Instead of 2 large Swimming Pools under the Tower, there was just a single “L” Shaped Pool, surrounded by the 2-Floor Motel Buildings. The Tower Pool, would be great for Families & Kids.

A 2nd “L” Shaped Swimming Pool was SW of the Pier 66 Restaurant & Lounge. The Pool was tucked between the Restaurant & the Intercostal. It was 3-Floors tall & curved. The Pier 66 Pool, would be great for Adult Pool Parties. There were great views from any Seat in the Restaurant, on all 3 Floors. Boats & Babes galore.

I had Billy Martin, to invite all the Player’s Families for Spring Training, which was 2 Months long. We’d pay all Costs.

In 1970, there was a Pitch & Putt Golf Course along the East Side of the Property. The P&P, was next to the Gas Station.

In Ralf’s time, they had replaced the Pitch & Putt with more 2-Floor Motel Buildings, along the Seawalls. Doing so ruined Pier 66’s charm.

Pier 66 had 1st opened in 1957, with only the 2-Floor Motel Buildings along the West End. It was originally called the Waterway Wonderland Motel.

The Pier 66 Restaurant & Lounge, opened in 1959, along with a 100-Slip Marina. I loved the classic ‘50’s look of the 3-Floor Building. It had a great curved Entrance, ready to greet the Rat Pack.

The Pier Top Lounge Revolving Restaurant, wasn’t Built until 1965, when the 17-Floor Tower was completed.

In 1970, Pier 66 was in it’s prime. I planned on retaining the 50’s look, just keeping it looking fresh. We would concentrate on Lush Landscaping, with lots of Colorful Flowers. I especially wanted to cultivate Bougainvillea, & other Flowering Vines.

I kinda liked it that Pier 66 would be 100% Booked. I wanted it a Hot Ticket, where you Booked your Spring Training Room, months in advance.

I’d keep the Pitch & Putt, as we didn’t need to increase our Revenue, by adding Rooms. I would keep it pretty much like I found it, just fixing a couple ugly spots.

We were already doing Research on Pier 66’s History. We had been given the Original Blueprints of the Googie Styled Buildings, so we could go back to Original, if necessary.

Phillip 66’s CEO Bill Keeler, 61yo, was our guest for a few Days.

He was promising all info & Pix, that he could find. He was excited to see Pier 66 take on a new Owner. He thought she would be happy.

Bill was also Signing on as a Partner in our Propane s/o Centers. He already offered Propane at some of his Stations. By the end of 1970, he was committed to having Propane Pumps at 100% of Phillips 66 Gas Stations.

In 1970, the Marina had Dockage for 164 Boats, in Slips & along the Seawalls, with a total of 5,000’ of Dock Space. Along the Seawalls, we could accommodate Vessels up to 400’ Long.

The Pier 66 Restaurant & Lounge, the Tower, Boat Fuel Dock & the Car Gas Station, were all designed by Phillip Petroleum’s Architect, Richard F Humble. He designed them in the “Googie Style.”

The Googie Coffeeshop, was a famous Sunset Blvd Hangout, in Hollywood, CA. It influenced many 1950’s & 1960’s Diners, Gas Stations & Movie Drive-Ins. It was located at 8100 Sunset, next to Schwab’s Drug Store.

It attracted the Hollywood elite. Comedian Lenny Bruce got in a Fight there one Night, & was thrown out of its Plate Glass Window.

The Googie Style had Space & Atomic homages, it even inspired the look of the Jetsons’ Home.

As a nod to Phillips 66, Richard F Humble, designed in 66 Spires at the Top of the Tower, forming the Starburst Crown.

The Glass Elevator took 66 Seconds to Reach the Top.

The Restaurant Rotated every 66 Minutes.

Pretty cool attention to detail, ‘eh?

The Pier Top Lounge, quickly became the premiere Cocktail Lounge in Ft Lauderdale. It was where you went for a Big Birthday Party, or got Married. Don’t get wasted though, as you Rotated every 66 minutes. You may wake up looking the wrong way.

The original Pier 66 Restaurant & Lounge, on the SW Corner of the Property, was on the Intercostal, which was the Stranahan River. The Restaurant had 3-Floors, & was multi-faceted, as the Walls curved.

It would be a great place to hang out after Games, as the Pool there looked out on the Intercostal, with its Boat Traffic. I bet the Yankees would hang there, most evenings.

Unfortunately, in Ralf’s time, the original Googie-Styled Building had been replaced by a generic Building. NO! I’d keep all the Classic Designs. The 2-Floor Motel Buildings weren’t anything Special, but the Pier 66 Restaurant & Lounge, Tower, & both Fuel Buildings, for Cars & Boats, would be Protected by the Trust I Created for Pier 66. They would be Historical Googie Landmarks, preserved for Eternity.

Just to our South, was the 17th Street Bridge. It was a major path between the Beach, & the Mainland. It opened for Boat Traffic once an hour or so.

The NW Corner of the Property had the Fuel Dock & Shack. It was also built in the “Googie Style,” similar to the Gas Station, with its Sweeping Triangular Roof. It was still there in 1970, but in Ralf’s time, something new had replaced the original design. But why? Why replace a Masterpiece. Morons, pure fukin Morons.

In Ralf’s Time, only the Tower had survived from the original Googie Styled structures, the others were replaced by newer buildings. NO! They must be protected from the unthinking Assholes.

The Pitch & Putt Golf Course, along the East Side of Pier 66’s 22-Acres, would be popular, as these guys were big into Golf, always working on their Short Game.

Wed, Feb 4, 1970

Sean Connery had Flown in, as I had invited him down to Golf our Ocean Reef Club, down South in N Key Largo.

He loved Pier 66’s Pitch & Putt Course, saying it would be a great way to stay proficient.

We had Randy & Thurman, Fly us down to ORC, in the Cessna C-172 that Thurman was Learning to Fly in. It was a 40 minute Flight, from FLL to ORC. If we had Driven, it would have taken almost 2 hours.

We Played Golf with the Ocean Reef Club’s new Golf Pro, Bob Shaw, 25yo. He was Ranked #152 on the Tour, & was damn good. He was a great Teacher, as he was super patient, but still a Task Master.

Bob was from Australia, & still competing on the Tour. He had Won the Spanish Open in 1968. We were happy to get him. Sean Connery was the one to convince him to be OCR’s Pro, when he wasn’t off Competing. He would Retire from Competition in a couple years, so he was ready for Retirement in Paradise. We would fully Sponsor him on the Tour, so he didn’t need to worry about money anymore.

It was great to hang out with Sean again, as he’s a Man’s, Man.

Thur, Feb 5, 1970

After a great day of Golf yesterday, Sean & I were Ferried from ORC to PBI by Randy & Thurman in their C-172. Thurman was having a great time Learning to Fly. He knew how to concentrate & learn quickly, with Randy telling me that Thurman was a Natural.

I was Hosting Nixon & his REEP Committee, at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach. REEP stood for “Re-Elect the President.” It would soon become a Bad Word, when Watergate broke in 1972-1973.

I loved Nixon, & I was trying to fix his f/u parts. Maybe I could help him avoid Watergate. When we were alone, I called him “Nixon.”

Like in, “Hey Nixon, check this out.”

It was a fun Night, as Nixon had a Carnival there, so we welcomed tons of local Families too.

When I mentioned that I was looking for an Historic Yacht, like a Fantail, Nixon said he had just Decommissioned JFK’s Presidential Yacht, the Honey Fitz.

JFK had used it often. LBJ & Nixon had used it too, but Nixon thought it wasn’t needed anymore.

When I asked how much, Nixon said it would probably go for Scrap, as it needed an Overhaul. Wink Wink.

We arranged for it to be Ferried from DC to Pier 66 within the Week.

Honey Fitz was 93’ Long. It had been built for Montgomery Ward CEO, Sewell Avery, as the Leonora, in 1931. It was Built by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company, & Cruised at 12 Kts.

JFK renamed her Honey Fitz, in 1961, making her, his Presidential Yacht.

One of the things I hated with Motorboats, were the Fumes, especially if they were Diesel Powered.

Why not convert the Honey Fitz to Propane, as there would be no Fumes or Black Smoke, just Clean Burning Fuel. It would make the experience more like a Sailboat.

Nixon used the Fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, to make some major announcements.

1. Former Vice-President Spiro Agnew, 51yo, & former US Attorney General John Mitchell, 56yo had just been Arrested. Agnew for Taking Bribes from Contractors, when he was Maryland’s Governor. Mitchell, for a number of Crimes, including Treason. Also Arrested were: H. R. Halderman, 46yo, & John Erlichman, 44yo, both for Treason. All dis-Honest Politicians.

2. Gerald Ford, 56yo, Michigan Congressional Leader, was Nixon’s new choice for Vice-President. Gerald was at Mar-a-Lago to Meet & Greet everyone. I liked him immediately. I felt like he was an Honest Politician.

3. NY Gov Nelson Rockefeller, 61yo, will replace J Edgar Hoover, as Director of the FBI. I had stopped in on ‘ol J Edgar while I was in DC, using Mindbending to plant thoughts in his f/u mind. J Edgar had just released info to the NY Times, on all his Black-Mailing & other ways he used to scare others into doing his bidding. Even Presidents were afraid of him. No Más. NY Gov Nelson Rockefeller was on hand, Glad-Handing all. I felt like he was an Honest Politician too.

4. NYC Mayor John Lindsey, 48yo, would be appointed as Interim Governor of NY. I had gotten to know the Mayor & liked & respected him. He’d make a great Governor. Another Honest Politician.