LOU GERBER

FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Paul Bruce of Cocoa Beach had a long career in computer technology, most of it in Southern California, where he became a dedicated fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In the summer of 1985, he was headed to New York on a business trip, boarded his flight at LAX, and was seated next to a woman of about 60, a bit tough-looking, but nicely dressed.

They exchanged niceties just briefly before she opened her briefcase, pulled out a handful of files and a felt-tip pen. One by one she started going through what looked like reports, memos and financial statements. She immediately got busy with her pen, underlining, circling, and scribbling notes in margins. She struck Paul as one tough boss, so he withheld further conversation and turned his attention to the morning’s edition of the Los Angeles Times.

When he got to the sports section, he read about the previous night’s Dodgers game, which they happily won. Then, as he always did, he focused on the game’s box score, noting who got hits and scored runs, and how the starting pitcher and relievers performed.

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His seat-mate glanced over at what Paul was reading, poised her active pen, and said, “It looks like you’re a baseball fan.”

“I sure am. Been a big Dodgers fan for years. They’re leading their Division,” he said.

“Not for long,” she snapped.

Paul was startled by her sharp comeback. “Oh? Why do you say that?”

“Because the Cincinnati Reds are right behind you, and position-for-position they have every other Division team beat,” she said.

“Well they aren’t beating the Dodgers,” he replied.

“They will before the season ends. With Pete Rose now managing, he’s going to take them all the way,” she said.

Keep in mind, this was nine years before baseball split into three divisions per league, and the Reds were in the West Division.

The lady then proceeded to run down the Reds lineup, citing stats for each player. Paul tried to steer the conversation back to the Dodgers, but she Reds-trumped every attempt. She was opinionated, forceful, overbearing. Some of her comments were also prejudiced and salty. But she certainly knew her stuff.

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Even for a knowledgeable fan like Paul, she had him beat, and he couldn’t understand it. That is, until the end of the flight when she finally introduced herself. “Nice to meet you. My name’s Marge Schott. Good luck to your Dodgers. They’ll need it.”

DING! Marge Schott, the new owner, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Reds. No wonder! That day, Paul got a full sampling of the full Schott — wise, tough, blunt, determined, controversial; all characteristics that would both endear and alienate her throughout her baseball career.

“If all my business flights had been that interesting,” said Paul, “I wouldn’t have minded the travel at all.”

We want your story

If you’ve had an interesting sports experience (with a celebrity or an event), Lou wants to tell your story. Just e-mail a brief description to lfgerber@aol.com. Include your phone number so we can talk about it further and turn your story into one of these columns.