Moving to Dallas has had a number of surprises and one of the biggest surprises that I have encountered is that I would not only be friends with a Yankee fan but be very good friends with a former NY Yankee who actually won a World Series with them and wears his ring just to irritate me.
His name is Homer Bush. He played for NY Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins. He hit home runs stole bases and played some great defense.
Here are a few questions I asked Homer over the weekend:
What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I am actually a better football player than baseball player. I still hold the Illinois State High School football records for most touchdowns scored in a single season (26) and most receiving yards in a single season (1431). In addition I was named to the All-Century team for Illinois High School Football.
What are the three words you would use to describe Joe Torre? Caring, Responsible, Calm
What was your most memorable experience in baseball? Hitting my first home run in Yankee stadium. The count was 2-0 and Posada and Scott Brosius were on base and I hit a 3 run jack off a knuckleballer from the Anaheim Angels.
Did you end up getting the ball? That’s a funny story. The kid who caught the ball came to the clubhouse and I offered him a Bernie Williams or Derek Jeter bat. He said no he wanted one of my bats! Yes I was surprised and actually gave him all three bats.
Who was your favorite ballplayer you played with? Tim Raines. He was amazing. We really hung out a lot and he taught me so much. How to always be prepared for the game, things to work on and treated everyone like they were his best friend.
You were fast and stole a lot of bases, who influenced you the most? Maury Wills was a coach of mine in Toronto and he taught me so much. He focused on being aggressive, confident and really refined my skills.
Best prank you ever played? I wasn’t a real prankster but I can remember one night I was in the minors and it was about 2:00am and I was with 3 of my team mates and we saw some flowers outside a Winn Dixie and decided to take them without paying. Well within 20 seconds there were 5 police cars around us. Thankfully we told them it was a prank and they were really nice and let us go. If not we may have all gotten suspended or kicked off the team and lost of all our bonus money.
Were there any pitchers that you really loved to hit against? Against there were two. James Baldwin for some reason I always hit him well and you will love this one Merrill, Pedro Martinez. I think I got 6 hits in my first 10 at bats against Pedro and liked hitting against him until one day he threw a ball at my head and luckily I got out of the way and he hit me in the hand. Needless to say I wasn’t comfortable anymore against Pedro.
What are you doing now? I have started a real estate investment company and also giving local kids batting lessons.
Homer is mentioned periodically in a book entitled "The Right Kind Of Heroes" written by Kevin Horrigan. The book details Coach Bob Shannon and the remarkable success of the East St. Louis Flyers football program in 1989 and 1990. Throughout the book, Bush is referenced as the team’s "go to" player, as well as a likeable person. In addition Homer was listed on the "All Nice Guy" team for all of Major League Baseball by Ken Davidoff in 2008.
Based on my personal experience he is a VERY nice guy and would be happy to answer any questions you have.
So now your turn
- What do you want to ask Homer about baseball?
- Do you want to know how fast he was?
- What round he was drafted?
- How much was his sign on bonus?
- Did he enjoy playing baseball in Australia?
- Who influenced his career?
- How many siblings does he have?
We look forward to hearing from you.
PS – Homer is a special person who has a million dollar smile and heart! He loves to be around people and makes everyone feel that they are important from the second he meets them!
Dan Womack says:
Merrill,
Thanks for another great, fun post. As impressive as Homer’s ring and stats are, I am just as impressed with the “All Nice Guy” aspect of his career and life.
In that vain, I would love to know what advice he would give (regarding baseball and the human aspect of it all) to an 11 year old aspiring big leaguer.
Homer Bush says:
Dan,
Great question. The one thing I like to teach and advise is the game is played in different phases hitting, throwing, running and catching. Whatever you are taught focus on that every minute you are on the field and not concerned with ones success or winning because those are by products of a fundamentally sound skill set.
Homer
Dan Womack says:
Homer,
Thank you for making time to answer all these questions. Great advice! My son and I will be talking about it on a trip this weekend.
Fee Sepahi says:
Hi Merrill,
Another fabulous post and what a great find in your community!
Given this national sport is a fun, well run, organized sport, which is running as a well oiled machine, available at many levels and now in many countries, looking forward, a-la the world cup we all witnessed recently, is there one thing he would change to make this sport a universal sport?
Thank you,
Fee
Homer Bush says:
Fee,
Thanks for the interesting question. I think baseball has made some baby steps with the world baseball classic. At one time there was talks of having a professional team across the water to come back and forth. Also for the past 4 or 5 years the MLB season has opened up out of the country so they are doing some stuff but I do agree they need to keep thinking of creative ways to move the game forward.
Homer
Ace says:
Homer! Pat and I really miss all of our friends in Southlake and it was our pleasure to meet Homer thanks to Merrill. I still tell my Detroit Tiger friends about the time Homer introduced me to Kenny Rogers who was having dinner at Pei Wei’s also. It was nice meeting Rogers, but no where near as great getting to know Homer Bush and becoming friends. Hope to see you again the next time we are in the big D! Jim and Patty
Homer Bush says:
Jim,
Good talking with you a couple of days ago. It was fun catching up.
Stay well – hi to Patty. Speak to you soon.
Homer
Michael Halberstam says:
I’d love to know what it was like his first game at Yankee Stadium?
What’s it like being friends with Merrill? (Wait, I know that one)
Why did he decide baseball over football?
What did it feel like to be traded?
Can he correct my swing?
Homer Bush says:
Michael,
My first game at Yankee stadium – I was SO SO nervous but unaware of what the mystique of Yankee Stadium was all about which looking back was a very good thing.
I decided baseball over football because I wasn’t tough enough or big enough to play football. For me when i was traded it was a good thing since I thought I was going to play more. The problem was I left some WS rings on the table. If I didn’t get traded I would have three instead of one.
And for your last question I am very confident I could correct your swing. Next time you are in town have Merrill bring you by and we can do some work in the cages!
Homer
Michael Halberstam says:
Thanks Homer! I appreciate the answers! I’ll bring my bat with me next visit.
Willie Martin says:
Having had numerous visits with Homer Bush and you Merrill, the question I will ask is, what created more of a spinetingle…
playing in the World Series with 55,000 fans screaming themselves hoarse…
or hearing your name announced by the late great Bob Sheppard?
Homer Bush says:
Willie,
Great question – the screaming fans at the world series are certainly amazing but having my name announced by Bob Sheppard was awesome and something I will never forget and meant that I was in the lineup that day!
Homer
Joe Baldi says:
Merrill, Homer sounds like a great guy. I really don’t have any questions for him but wanted to share some contact with atheletes stories.
Among my all-time favorites are Brooks Robinson , Mike Hargrove, Bobby Valentine and Ruth and Nolan Ryan, all mof whom I met at a Texas Ranger’s Fantasy camp 20 years ago.
Brooks, a gentleman and such a down to earth guy , not all caught up in his fame.
Mike hargrove, just another gentleman and willing to share baseball experiences and stories and tips. Connected with him after camp and he was great.
Bobby Valentine, could be my all time favorite. several years after the camp I got in touch with him at his restaurant in CT. and then brought 6 friends there for dinner. Bobby sat with us for 3 hours and gave us his undivided attention answering questions as candidly as you would expect from him. He ate and drank with us and when I asked for the check I was informed that it was on Bobby. The guy is a baseball genius and a very warm and caring individual. I know some people see him as cocky, but I have to tell you when he managed in NY he was teriffic in the community. Rusty Staub and Keith Hernandez gush over him. Great company.
Ruth and Nolan Ryan, were also at the camp in ’92 . They partied with the group at night and were engaging as could be. Ruth went out of her way to communicate with me and several of my NY friends sending us notes and articles that appeared in the local papers about us and the camp.
Having attended a total of 5 camps there were other good peopl and along the way a few JERKS. My biggest disappointment was meeting with Willie Mays who I idolized growing up in the Bronx. I remembered his gregariousness as a young player and he was surly and the most obnoxious person I met at these camps. Bobby Bonds was a close second and it did not surprise me that his son turned out just like him.
Add Bobby Thomson and Ralph Branca to the good guy list.
Oops another favorite and way up on my list is Bobby Bragan. A great story teller and a mans man.
Joe
Merrill Dubrow says:
Joe,
Great comments. Sorry to hear about Willie Mays – that’s really a shame. Great Bobby V story! I have been to his restaurant and he has a big personality!
Merrill
Ed Sugar says:
Joe, my insurance agent purchased at a charity event a round of golf with Willie Mays five or so years ago. According to him, Mays was a very bitter person and felt he has been cheated by baseball (i.e. he never made the big $$ like the guys do today).
Jennie says:
Hey Homer and Merrill!
First, Merrill, I wish it could’ve been my idea to have you move here and become friends with a former Yankee…for him to wear the ring to irritate ya would have just been a beautiful bonus.
I’d have paid him to do that! LOL! And, even though you’re both good guys as well as good friends, it’s still a match made in my Yankees heaven!! I love it! 
Now, on with the good stuff. It was awesome meeting you, Homer! A moment I won’t soon forget. Had we gotten to talk more, I would’ve been happy just hearing any Yankees stories you have to share. But since it’s about questions, my first one would most definitely be, how was it to play on the 1998 team and be a part of that championship? Then there would for sure be others…
What was it like to be a part of the Old Timer’s Day game with so many of the legends?
Do you still keep in touch with any of the guys?
Who was your favorite player growing up?
Out of all of the players and coaches you came in contact with, who influenced you the most?
And, of course, since you were so amazing stealing bases, what was your fastest 40?
Homer Bush says:
Jennie,
To be able to play in the big leagues is truly my greatest accomplishment. To be on a world championship team and THAT championship team which some people say is the greatest team of all time is a dream come true.
I have been part of old-timers day 3 times and in fact going to NY this weekend for the old-timers game on Saturday. I enjoy the time for first hand hearing all the stories on how the game has changed. And also I have an appreciation for how the initial struggles of the players made it easier for the players of today. Years ago the travel was tough, not alot of money in the game and lots of players had their career broken up by going to the armed service. The player of today doesn’t have to deal with any of that and we should all be thankful for the players we did go through that and made it easier for today’s athlete.
With kids it is hard to keep in touch with many of the guys. When the Yankees do come to Texas I always go by and say hello to alot of them.
My favorite player growing up was Ozzie Smith.
Tim Raines influenced me the most. My fastest 40 was 4.5.
Thanks Jennie – look forward to seeing you soon.
Homer.
Ed Sugar says:
Mr. Bush -
After winning your ring with the Yankees in 1998, the next season you played on a Toronto Blue Jays team that finished with the 6th best record in the AL. What was the transition like going from a championship team to an above average team, that featured such talented stars as Shawn Green, Carlos Delgado, Shannon Stewart, David Wells, Chris Carpenter and Pat Hentgen?
Homer Bush says:
Ed,
Wow great question. Mentally I was prepared for the downgrade in teams but I was still excited because I got to play more. After reflecting back on it I am disappointed in the fact that all the players that you named in the question we all didn’t play well together but they excelled later.
Merrill
Steve Gentile says:
Ever wonder what “detour” in life could have brought you away from playing ball, and what do you imagine that career might have been? Ever wonder why the gods favored you with your fine skills and not a childhood friend? Are you still in close contact with friends from childhood (we’re talking pre-Facebook, ie friends since then?
Last one – if you wear the ring daily, do you ever take it off and if you don’t, when do you wear it?
Homer Bush says:
Steve,
Appreciate the questions. Yes, football could have taken me away from baseball for sure. I thought about what it could have been and the physicality of the sport actually turned me to baseball.
I have thought about the question of why me and not someone else alot. I keep coming up with my plan was to be successful at something and baseball just happened to be it. I used all my resources to my advantage and the path baseball opened up. I wonder if I was going to be successful at something because I was so determined to do the right thing.
I am not in touch with as many childhood friends as I would like to be. With a wife, kids, moved out of state, post career etc makes it a little difficult at times to keep in touch with people.
One of the times I do wear it is to irritate Merrill for sure. I don’t wear it daily I wear it to baseball related events like old-timers do at Yankee stadium and I wear it at charity events.
Thanks Steve.
Merrill
Steve Gentile says:
Nice stuff Homer. Glad to meet you through Merrill. Try to find a childhood friend or two, stay in touch with them. It’s never too late and they tend to have a great way of reminding you of your beginning, and thus mark your growth over time.
Take care.