Dugout Central: An Interview With John Paciorek

The Game...with Larry Bearnarth as the loser!

When you played in your Major League debut game in 1963, did you ever think that this would be it, that this would be my one and only game in the big leagues?

At the time (1964), I was projected to be the centerfielder for the Colt 45s/Astros for the next generation. The organization gave me every opportunity to be their next superstar. But they didn’t know what I knew about my back. Over the previous winter I did a lot of exercise to strengthen a condition that was irreparable. I totally expected it to get better, either now or soon or later. I knew I belonged in the “Big Leagues”, so I kept hoping for the best. But I was always in great pain, especially when I went down to field balls. I was in the Minors when I finally told them of the painful condition. So I had the operation. I was out for two years recovering. But when I came back, nothing was the same. I was always pulling muscles, etc. After a few years of off again on again signs of brilliance, Houston released me.

What do you remember most about that game; what memory sticks out more than any other?

The thing I remember most was how exciting it was that the crowd was giving me a special applause as I came to bat for my final turn. It seemed like a million people, but in reality only a few thousand. It was the biggest crowd I had ever played for.