The Last Dinosaur: An Unforgettable Love Story

By Robin Dobbins

Jerry Walker was cruising through life in a fairytale marriage complimented by an illustrious baseball career. Then without warning it all quickly dissipated, leaving him reeling in disillusionment and despair.
In a desperate search to redefine his life, Walker discovers his need to make a difference in the lives of troubled youth. With the help of longtime friend and attorney Sam Kaeo, he takes a job teaching history and coaching baseball at a much troubled inner city high school in Houston,Texas
Centennial High Schoolhowever presents challenges for which Walker.quickly realizes he has no prior background. Militant students do not trust his benevolent intentions and principal Bill Sadler is a ruthless tyrant who secretly has a plan in place to rid the already depressed school of all athletics and less than above average pupils.
Embrace Jack Klam and Ed Hughes, two most unlikely faculty allies who aid Walkers crusade to save the school from Saddlers oppressive measures. Klam is a veteran teacher who had long given up fighting the system. Hughes is a black man, small in stature, who resents having been passed over for the head baseball coaching position.
Learn to love the many students who come to trust Walkerand cry for those who lose their lives senselessly. Feel your heart melt as Walkerbefriends Tony Leonardi, a loner with a loving mother and younger sister, while making the youths lifelong dream a reality.
Accompany Walker as he treks to the jungles of Mexico in a desperate attempt to save the life of the woman he never stopped loving the mother of his three children whom he shared an uncommon bond.
Robin Dobbins places the reader at the center of all the relationships, entanglements, controversies, tragedies, and triumphs. Though the plot is many faceted and moves quickly, The Last Dinosaur is about people. Its a book youll want to go back and read again just to spend some more time with the characters he so beautifully fleshes out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 19, 2005
• ISBN: 9781463490478

Robin Dobbins

Robin Dobbins is a practicing certified personal fitness trainer (CPFT) and rehabilitative exercise specialist (RES) with both certifications coming from Baylor Sports Medicine Institute (2001 and 2002) administered by a great organization, PFIT, owned by Wayne and Dahelia Hunt. It has been during these fifteen years of taking countless hours of continuing education courses that he became focused on proper eating and strength training for the older, forgotten population. He was an aspiring competitive bodybuilder and occasional power lifter in California during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Among his mentors were two greats in the “black iron game,” the legendary Jack LaLane and Jack Dellinger, Mr. Universe 1956. Robin’s desire to concentrate on his family and finish a degree in political science (California State University–Hayward, 1972) led to relegating the “iron game” to a hobby. His professional baseball career as a pitcher was cut short due to a severe arm injury in 1973, so the Dobbins moved back to their home state, Texas, in 1974, where he began his graduate degree at Stephen F. Austin State University. Being bombarded with questions about eating from countless people other than the ones he works with directly prompted his writing this book. “Seemingly Sound Eating yet Severe Bodily Damage” is the result of over a thousand hours of sorting through many of the twenty-thousand-plus mainstream complex eating schemes for immediate desired body composition results. His intuition (hunch) said eating was not meant to be difficult, and the goals should be a way to eat forever, not seek immediate but temporary results. “The older population’s lives count also. They can build both muscle mass and bone density with weight training and responsible yet simple eating. Health is not exclusively for the young beautiful people. I aim to see to that.”

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Frantically, Jerry Walker fumbled with the covers while reaching toward the nightstand in a desperate attempt to silence the telephone that rocked the early morning calm. With nervous anticipation of yet another caller reporting a tragedy, his hands trembled as he placed the receiver to his ear. Hello.

Tony’s been shot!

To his horror, the caller was Mary Leonardi, mother to one of the boys on his high school baseball team. His voice tightened as he choked out, Mary, where are you?

"Please hurry!

Breaking into a cold sweat, Jerry made a desperate appeal. Mary, are you at home?

There was no reply.

In an attempt to regain his composure, he took a deep breath and thought for a moment before asking, What hospital are you in, Mary? Just say the name.

Although to Jerry the pause seemed to last an eternity, only seconds had elapsed before Mary managed to cease crying long enough to squeak out, Ben Taub.

Slamming the phone down, Jerry rushed to the closet, pulling a pair of Levis from their hanger. Slipping into the moccasins Mary had crafted for him at Christmas and grabbing a tee shirt, he dashed out the bedroom door and down the hall toward his oldest son’s room.

Sitting on the edge of the bed while gently shaking the youngster’s shoulder, he whispered, Jerry Allen, wake up. Wake up Son, I need your help.

Jerry Allen rolled over while looking up at his father with a puzzled expression. What’s up, Dad?

A boy on my baseball team has been hurt. I’m going to the hospital to see him.

Fear gripped Jerry Allen’s emotions. Is it Tony?

Yes, it’s Tony, but he’s not seriously hurt. I need you to look after your little brothers while I’m gone. If you need anything, call Sam and Doris. If Jeff and Luke wake up before I get back, just tell them one of my students is in the hospital. Don’t tell them anything else. Understand?…Can I count on you?

Acknowledging his father’s intense stare, Jerry Allen swallowed hard, answering, Sure, dad, I’m fifteen.

***

The drive to Ben Taub seemed endless. Anxiety intensified with every mile, as no one was in a hurry on the surprisingly crowded streets, and every traffic light shone red upon approach. He could not help reflecting on the suddenness with which his life had fallen apart, while at the same time carrying the burdens of so many others. Conflict, controversy, and tragedy had become his constant companions.

***

The real beginning of this story, however, unfolds at the end of a courtroom drama in Houston, Texas, Friday, August 31, 1983.

Jerry Walker, the once great pitcher for the San Francisco Giants and unprecedented four-time Cy Young Award winner, sat helplessly as Judge Terrance Cyclone Hughes awarded Frances Walker a divorce, ending their seemingly fairy tale marriage after 16 years. The judge not only awarded Frances sole custody of their three sons but also issued an injunction preventing Jerry from having any contact with the children pending the outcome of a complete psychiatric examination and evaluation by a court-appointed psychiatrist.

Overwrought with disbelief and disillusionment, Jerry sat motionless beside his long time friend and attorney Sam Kaeo. The impact of the judge’s ruling was unbearable as he watched Frances leave the courtroom with attorney William Bloom and his sister Elizabeth and her husband Ross Snyder.

From his seat next to Jerry, Sam appealed to the converging reporters and photographers for a few moments alone with his client. Come on, fellas, give us a chance to pull ourselves together. We’ll answer your questions outside on the steps. Just give us some privacy for a few minutes…Please.

As the two beaten companions remained seated in the dark courtroom, Jerry mumbled, After sixteen years, I’ve been given my outright release. And I don’t even know why. Sliding his chair from the table, the beloved baseball hero rose to his feet. That’s not the woman I married! What happened?

Sam, a native Hawaiian and ex world-class powerlifter, was a philosophical sort. However, on this occasion he was rather straightforward. Obviously she changed.

Hands in his pockets while pacing, Jerry pleaded, Why? I still don’t understand. I love that woman.

Never flinching, Sam answered, You are a victim of the women’s movement. She wanted independence and her own identity. You, my true blue friend, have your feet stuck in a by-gone era of togetherness. Some would say you’re a misplaced dinosaur.

Continuing to pace, Jerry said, Something’s not fair when a guy can lose his whole world so easily. What did I do so wrong to deserve Bloom’s sneaking in and taking away the woman I love and the children I adore? You don’t know the hurt, Sam. Somehow I’ll just have to convince that lady shrink I’m not crazy, nor are my boys in any danger. By the way, what’s her name?

JoAnne Butler - Doctor JoAnne Butler to you. Behave yourself and bide your time. It’ll all work out if you’re patient, assured Sam, grabbing Jerry by the arm and leading him toward the door.

Alarmed, Jerry stopped and stared down at Sam, demanding, How much time, Sam?

Be prepared to spend three to six months under the microscope. For you, that should be nothing, replied Sam, attempting to buffer the painful truth. They both would have to brace for a long drawn out process.

Six months? Sam, do you know how much a young kid can change in six months? I’ll be doing good to recognize ‘em! And that’s not to mention the amount of brainwashing that bunch can lay on ‘em. I can’t believe Frances is a part of this!

Stop fretting about something over which you have no control. You have to concentrate on the things you can control, and that would be how you present yourself to Dr. Butler. Right this moment our biggest task is to weather that storm waiting for us outside.

Both kept their promises, submitting to pictures and fielding questions for several minutes before trekking down the steps to Sam’s car. All the while, Jerry accommodated the autograph seekers.

Glancing across the street, he saw Frances sliding into the front seat of William Bloom’s Cadillac. With Bloom occupied by the media, Jerry seized the opportunity to seek some answers. Separating himself from the crowd, he sprinted toward the car, reaching Frances before she could close the door.

Holding the door open, he looked down asking, Angel, I don’t understand. It’s hard enough seeing you with that wart, but keeping me from seeing the boys? How could you do this?

With Frances staring straight ahead and refusing to respond, he persisted, I got my notice between innings while pitching on the road in Tacoma. No warning, no nothing. The whole world knew before I did. I didn’t even know we had a problem with our marriage. I let you and the boys stay in Houston while I went down to the minors to rehab my arm. Didn’t want you alone in some strange town while the team went on extended road trips. Next thing I know, I’m getting a divorce notice.

Overcome by tears, she finally looked up. Yes, you should have been the first to know. Believe me, I’m sorry it was handled so badly. It was too late when I realized it.

Looking into her eyes, he pleaded, I thought we were different. We made a pledge to each other to stay together for life. Remember when we lanced our thumbs and pressed them together to seal that promise in blood?

Feeling some compassion for his tender, naive feelings, Frances gently explained, "Walker, we were so young when we made that promise. We didn’t know anything about life. You never grew up and just rode with the flow. To you, a good time is still my watching you pitch those magnificent games, and afterwards the two of us in each other’s arms slow dancing to Elvis singing Loving You. You still want me to hold the lantern while you work on the car at night when we could more than pay for someone to fix it. Those things just aren’t me anymore. Don’t you see? You’re still like a young boy in love for the first time."

Crushed, he could think of nothing to say.

Attempting to get through to him, she continued, You have to believe me when I say I didn’t mean for things to turn out this way. You were a great father and a caring husband, but I needed more. I needed to find the real me. You deserve someone who will center her life around you the same way you will her. I tried, but I grew into someone different. Elizabeth has convinced me to be my own person - to pursue my own personal interests. I can tell you don’t understand any of this, so I won’t try any further.

Just then, Bloom reached the driver’s side door and began a verbal assault. The five foot eight inch, 175 pound, GQ-type warned, Walker, not only are you to stay away from the kids, you better not attempt to have any contact with Frances. They’re all mine now.

Frances gently pulled the door from Jerry’s grasp, and the car quickly roared up the street and out of sight.

Seeing the incident, photographers hurried to click some shots of Jerry standing forlornly in the street.

Sam ran to his side, placing an arm on his friend’s shoulder, softly advising, Let it go. It’s over.

No longer able to hold back the tears, Jerry mumbled, My life just rode off in that car.

***

As Sam steered the car away from the curb and entered the far lane, he glanced at Jerry. It would be impossible to find a quiet place to have lunch right now. With all the publicity, you’re back in the public eye big time. Listen, Doris and I want you to stay with us until this is over. However long it takes.

Buckling his seatbelt, Jerry replied, I don’t know what I’d do without you two. When you moved down here four years ago, I never dreamed it’d be a blessing like this.

Doris and I felt empty when we left San Francisco, but I couldn’t pass up Scranton’s offer to take over such a prestigious practice. Knowing you and Frances would move back here when you retired made Scranton’s offer that much more attractive. I just never dreamed you’d be down here under these circumstances.

When the Giants sent me to the minor leagues to rehab my arm, I had Frances and the kids move to Houston and live with her parents in her dream house I had built. I didn’t want them alone in Phoenix when the team was away on extended road trips. I should have retired from the game rather than make that move to Phoenix. It’s hard to stay married when you live in one city and your wife and kids live in another. I don’t know what I was thinking.

It would not have mattered. She was already gone by then. When Frances visited her parents even before you were sent to the minor leagues, Elizabeth began having an impact on her. Between Elizabeth and Bloom, she was being swept away. Doris and I didn’t have the heart to tell you. Nor did we know how to tell you something like that. Look on the bright side – the Hall of Fame is awaiting you now.

Doesn’t mean much at the moment.

For your kids’ sake, you have to get your act together if you’re going to impress that lady shrink. Bloom told the press you’d never be able to convince the court you deserve to have anything to do with the kids’ upbringing from this point on.

One dying hand on that squid’s neck and he won’t either.

Moments later, Sam guided the car into the driveway leading to the back of his house located in River Oaks, Houston’s most prestigious neighborhood. Let’s finish this on a full stomach. Exiting the car, they entered the house through the back door opening to a spacious island kitchen.

Doris, a petite brunette with fair skin complexion, was placing bread and cold cuts on the table. She was quick to smile and possessed a cheerful outlook on life.

Hi guys, I’m about finished here. I have a big surprise planned for supper, so help yourselves to the cold cuts and snacks. I have to finish a quilt for a lady in my book club, so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in the sewing room.

While piecing together a sandwich and grabbing some potato chips, Jerry said, Listen, Sam, while I was toiling in the minors, I gave some thought to life after professional baseball. I want to coach high school baseball. What do you think?

Sam choked on a piece of celery. While trying to clear his throat, he blurted out, You want to coach high school baseball? Geez, what for?

Why not?

How many reasons you want? Inquired Sam, finally swallowing the piece of celery lodged in his throat.

Puzzled somewhat, Jerry said, Give me three or four.

Low pay, little support from the parents, and poor attitudes from the kids. There’s three. Oh, long hours. There’s four. That’s if you go to a nice suburban school. The Houston schools have greater problems.

Yeah, like what?

Lower pay, no support from the school, keeping the players eligible, and combat possibilities. You’ll be lucky to have twenty-five kids participate. There’s not a more thankless job.

Sam, sounds like the kind of place I need to be. Can you think of a better way to drown my troubles than having to concentrate on the problems of others? I don’t need the money.

Pausing for a moment of thought, Sam reluctantly agreed. I hate to admit it, but you may be on to something. Roger Haynes, the Houston Independent School District Superintendent, owes me a favor or two. I’ll call him first thing Monday.

What do you mean, Sam, keep them eligible? What’s the deal?

"I’ll tell you about it later, but first I’m going to call Dr. Butler so we can get this thing rolling. Maybe you can start seeing her on Monday. While I’m in the study, you might want to examine this article in Sports Illustrated including you with Juan Marichal and Carl Hubbel as the greatest pitchers in the Giants history."

***

Sam was able to contact Dr. Butler, but the conversation lasted less than five minutes. He wandered back into the kitchen where Jerry had barely had time to glance at the magazine article.

What’s the matter, Sam? You don’t look so good.

Sitting at the table, Sam explained, Dr. Butler wants to talk with Frances and her entourage before seeing you. Wouldn’t even give me so much as an idea when she might see you. Just said she would call when the time was right.

Anxious, Jerry asked, Is that real bad or just a little bad?

Who knows? Oh well, we’ll just have to leave it in God’s hands. Doris will be preparing supper in a couple of hours, so let’s clear off the table. We can shoot the breeze and watch TV in the living room.

While viewing reruns of Mannix and Bonanza, Jerry and Sam relived the past.

Sam, when are you gonna buy a good old American muscle car?

You know I’ll always have a Porsche. I’m a road course man, and you’re a quarter mile man; that’s a big difference.

Remember that time during our college days when I gave you a demonstration in my ‘71 Dodge Challenger?

Sam laughed, Do I ever! I nearly had a heart attack when you hit second gear and we turned sideways. That was my first experience in a car of that caliber. I hadn’t even seen a 426 Hemi engine prior to that, let alone ridden in a car with one.

I miss those days we used to lift weights together. I remember the weekend you won Jack Dellinger’s Bay Area Powerlifting title in the two hundred twenty pound class and I took third in the bodybuilding show.

Yeah, those were the days. I had just met Doris. Frances was really proud of you that day. You managed to beat out some big names, just to finish third. At six foot two, you were tall for a bodybuilder back then. At five foot nine, I was optimum height for a powerlifter. I was lucky. I was the last one to go on the final lift. It enabled me to know exactly how much I needed to win.

I owe you, Sam, for my career. You got me the try out with San Francisco. Even helped me prepare for my debut in spring training by catching me for the nine months prior. Lord knows I broke your thumb twice and numerous blood vessels in your glove hand, but you never quit. I even broke your toe once on a wild pitch. Looking back, I don’t know how you did it or even why.

I knew I was catching the next great pitcher in baseball.

I’d trade all the fame and money to have Frances and the kids back. Every time I see a man pushing a grocery basket for his wife, I think how lucky he is. He doesn’t even know how lucky he is every time he has to change a dirty diaper.

You’ve still been the envy of thousands. Most would give their right arm to trade places with you.

If they only knew. Lou Gehrig made that famous speech at Yankee Stadium saying he was the luckiest man alive. At that time he was dying of a disease they ironically named after him. One reason he felt so lucky was his having been a New York Yankee for fourteen years. But the main reason was he had Eleanor by his side. He knew she’d be holding him when he closed his eyes for the last time. You’ll have Doris.

Don’t down play the fact that your boys believe in you. That in itself is worth living up to. If you only knew how many fathers would kill for the uncommon bond you have with them.

***

Doris used the intercom to announce supper. The surprise was chicken and dumplings — Jerry’s favorite dish.

Hurrying to the kitchen table, Jerry didn’t take long to acknowledge the surprise Doris had prepared. Sam, what did you do to deserve a woman like this?

Watching Jerry load food on his plate, Sam remarked, If you pile those dumplings up any higher, they’ll have to put ‘em on the map.

CHAPTER 2

Immediately upon arriving at his office Monday morning, Sam placed a call to Houston Independent School District Superintendent Roger B. Haynes. He wasted no time telling Haynes about Jerry’s desire to coach high school baseball.

After a lengthy discourse and some heavy persuasion, Haynes sighed deeply before acquiescing to Sam’s demands. I’ve read about his divorce trial and the fact that he can’t see his kids. It’s a real shame. You have a deal. He can have the Centennial job. To be honest, the only person who wants the position is an assistant named Ed Hughes who’s been at the school for some thirteen years. No one knows if he even understands the game. That’s the best I can do. I can’t believe you talked me into this. He doesn’t have a teaching certificate.

Promise me he can have the job for as long as he wants.

You drive a hard bargain, Sam. Tell him to see Bill Saddler tomorrow. He’s the principal. They can do all the paperwork, and he’ll have the rest of the week to prepare for his first day of school. Looking at a calendar, he continued, Monday the tenth will be his first day…He just might be what that poor school needs.

Roger, how does it feel to finally do something for mankind out of the kindness of your heart?…Hey, what’s he going to teach?

History. Just make sure he doesn’t do anything to cause me to regret this.

***

Doris had just completed preparing Jerry a six-egg omelet when she answered the telephone. Hi, Sam…Sam, that’s great news! Let me give you to Jerry.

Doris handed Jerry the receiver and proceeded to pour herself a cup of coffee.

Sam