Clarinda A Character Analysis

Have you ever heard of Clarinda, Iowa? Unless you are from southwest Iowa, you have probably never heard the name. But, in the baseball world, Clarinda is a hotspot for many college and semi-pro players to go play summer ball. The program has produced 35 major league players and one hall of famer which makes this program and their coach pretty well known. Merl Eberly, the head coach for the Clarinda A’s, is a well rounded person that left his mark on the world. The Baseball Whisperer by Michael Tackett follows Merl’s journey into making Clarinda, Iowa a baseball hotspot. Merl has taught his players, other coaches, and the whole baseball world of what it means to have respect and work ethic, and these parables have created the major leaguers
Merl easily could teach self-discipline, but he wanted the players to learn by example. Merl was always up at dawn to get ready to go to work. He always dressed sharp, and was a hard worker. He sold newspaper ads, wrote columns, and he coached baseball. He never swore, and he never yelled. It wasn't hard for the players to pick up, and sooner than later they were very self-disciplined. Von Hayes, a very successful player in the majors and Clarinda, was one of whom who learned from Merl. In his first season at Clarinda, Hayes wasn’t sure if he could stay because of the tight ship that Merl ran. So, before the first game, he went home. The next summer, he called Merl, and he asked for a second chance. Now, Merl wasn’t very happy, but he gave Hayes another chance just like John Tedore gave Merl one. Eventually, Hayes learned how to work hard, and respect himself. Hayes had learned through Merl’s actions about self-discipline. Hayes had later said in his career, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Merl Eberly.” This shows that Merl has molded people into not only great baseball players, but great people as well. Merl helped players like Hayes gt somewhere after their baseball career ended.
Overall, The Baseball Whisperer is a very good book. Merl has shown countless players of what it means to be a great person in baseball and life. Merl taught through actions, so the players had to pick up on what he was doing. But, it did not take long because Merl showed a lot of respect and self discipline. This book did a great job talking about how Merl was a very respectful person, and how he passed his traits onto the younger generation. Merl practically made Clarinda, Iowa into a well-respected