My first three years at West Georgia College we were N.A.I.A. We were allowed to be affiliated with professional baseball and I was in the Milwaukee Braves organization for 11 years.

A lot of the front-office personnel went to Montreal to start their affiliation in pro ball. After the draft in June, we would go to Bradenton, Fla., which was the spring training camp for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Two of the coaches I worked with passed away this year and I felt the old-timers would enjoy this especially since two of them are in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Manager J.W. Porter, pitching coach Lew Burdette, hitting instructor Larry Doby and myself, the on-the-field, off-the-field coordinator - we were together for three summers.

In 1957, Lew beat the Yankees three times in the World Series. The Yankees had released him a few years earlier.

Larry Doby was the first black player in the American League and had great years with the Cleveland Indians. When Doby talked hitting, you would listen.

Lew lived in Bradenton at the time. One funny story, we went to his house and he had an indoor pool with tiled crossed bats at the bottom. After spending all day in the sun, we’d get in the pool and talk baseball.

He and myself liked country music. Larry, of course, did not. He was originally from Mobile, Ala., but he now lived in New Jersey.

Anyway, Lew told Larry to listen to this singer. He wanted no part of country, but after Lew showed him the album cover, we converted him because it was Charlie Pride. (Doby) couldn’t believe the sound.

Charlie Pride was from Mississippi and was in the Angel organization for a while.

To work with two Hall of Famer’s for three summers was great, but to lose two of the old-timer’s in the same year, they were strictly old-school.

Editor’s note: Archie White was the longtime West Georgia College baseball coach. Lew Burdette and J.W. Porter both passed away this year. Doby passed in 2003.