HOUSTON, TX - Two iconic pitchers from the Lone Star State, David Clyde and Scipio Spinks, will step up to the plate at the Houston Public Library's (HPL) Julia Ideson Auditorium this Friday, March 28th, starting at 11 a.m. Their mission? To shed light on why they and hundreds of other retired Major League Baseball (MLB) players are not receiving pensions from the league.
David Clyde, Jerry Tabb of Richmond, Doug Gladstone, and Scipio Spinks at a book event last July.
Clyde, a Humble native, and Spinks, hailing from Sugar Land, will be joined by Douglas J. Gladstone, author of the acclaimed book A Bitter Cup of Coffee: How MLB & The Players' Association Threw 874 Retirees a Curve. Together, they will delve into the reasons behind the alleged lack of support from both MLB and the Major League Baseball Players' Association (MLBPA) for these retired athletes.
Gladstone's book, initially published in 2010 and updated in 2019 as A Bitter Cup of Coffee: The Extra Innings Edition, meticulously details the plight of over 500 retired players who are currently excluded from receiving MLB pensions. By day, Gladstone serves as an assistant public information specialist for a public retirement system in New York, bringing a unique perspective to the issue.
The upcoming discussion will highlight the stories of two individuals who have left an indelible mark on professional sports in Texas:
David Clyde: Drafted first overall in the 1973 amateur draft, Clyde made his debut for the Texas Rangers just a week after graduating high school. Despite a promising start, his career was unfortunately hampered by shoulder injuries and what many consider to be mismanagement. Clyde is still widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the Rangers' history, credited with significantly boosting the team's attendance during his time.
Scipio Spinks: A formidable right-handed pitcher known for his blazing fastball, Spinks was drafted by the Houston Astros and made his Major League debut as a September call-up in 1969. Adding an interesting footnote to his career, Spinks once served as a body double for the legendary Louis Gossett, Jr. in the ABC movie "Don't Look Back," where Gossett portrayed Hall of Famer Satchel Paige. Today, Spinks continues to contribute to the sport as the coach of the baseball team at the University of Houston - Downtown.
This insightful program is part of the HPL's esteemed Author’s Talk series and is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts and gain a deeper understanding of this contentious issue within America's pastime.
For those interested in acquiring a copy of A Bitter Cup of Coffee: The Extra Innings Edition in advance, it can be ordered online through Word Association Publishers or by calling them directly at 1-800-827-7903. Both the original 2010 edition and the updated 2019 version are also available for purchase on Amazon.com. Additionally, an e-Book version of the original A Bitter Cup of Coffee can be purchased for $12.99 at BarnesandNoble.com.
Recognizing that not everyone can attend in person, the Houston Public Library will be live-streaming the event on its Facebook page. Interested individuals can also register online to view the discussion remotely.
The Houston Public Library's Julia Ideson Building is located at 550 McKinney Street in downtown Houston.
This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from local baseball legends and the author dedicated to advocating for retired players.
