THE HAROLD BODIFORD STORY
WRITER'S NOTE: Harold was a great high school friend and I think of
him often to this day. There are many great stories I will share
with you about him. He was the GREATEST baseball player Harding
Academy ever had. He had a great eye for the ball and had a
batting average over .500. After high school he played
for Bill Speroes at a time when that level of play was excellent.
In fact, that team was better by far than most colleges. He now
coaches baseball at Harding where he shares his warmth and love
for the game. If Bodiford had chosen not to go into coaching I am
certain he could have had a career in Professional baseball. He
was the BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!
THE HAROLD BODIFORD STORY!
(I'll have what he is having)
Way back in high school one night Jerry Rubio,
Harold Bodiford and myself were out messing around. I do not
remember who
said it first, but one of us said something about getting something
to eat. We all agreed and stopped at the Krystal at Summer and
National. We went inside and for some reason Jerry refused to
order first. I stepped up to order and Jerry said," Ivey, stop!
Let Bodiford go first." I was puzzled and looked at Bodiford who
had this great big grin on his face. I asked Jerry, "What .....?.
What is this all about?" Jerry smugly replied, "Haven't you ever
noticed, Bodiford always orders what the person in front of him
orders." I said, "What?" Jerry insisted, "Bodiford always orders
exactly what the person in front of him orders." I laughed and
looked at Bodiford who said,"That's bull! I have a mind of my
own I order what I want."
Jerry said, OK, Ivey go first."
(Jerry had that great smile of his on his face) I stepped up to the
counter. As I did I mentioned to Jerry, "I'm not very hungry.
"Bodiford said, "Well go ahead and order while I look at the
menu, I'm staving." With that I turned to the lady behind the
counter and said,"I will have 3 cheeseburgers, a small order of
fries and a large coke."
Jerry looked at Bodiford and said,"Go
ahead, Bod." Bodiford turned to the lady and said, "hmmmmm..I'll
have a small fry, ...(long pause)...........ahhhhhhh.........a
large coke...........and (long pause).................ahhhhhhhh
............3 cheeseburgers ..........." Jerry and I were
laughing so hard I thought I would wet my pants. Bodiford even
started laughing as he said the word cheeseburgers"
I do not
remember what Jerry had, but I do remember Bodiford had to go
back up to the counter for more cheeseburgers. (remember he had
said he was starving)
What made me write this story? My wife
just asked me what I wanted to eat and I said,"I don't know
what are you going to eat?" She laughed and
said,"Bodiford! it
doesn't matter what I'm having. What do you want?"
Over the years at supper time my family has said that hundreds
of times especially when we go out to eat.
Although, my wife did not go to Harding she knows a lot of
stories about you guys, because she is nice enough to listen to
me ramble on about the "GREATEST GUYS/GIRLS I HAVE EVER MET IN
MY LIFE!"
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