[batted balls]

Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . .

This time I'm joined by a friend, All-Star short stop from the Illiniois Fighting Illini, Lou Boudreau. Lou is the guy who has really put the "Fighting" into Illini. Some of you may have read that Lou was involved in a fracas of late. Well, Ole Max has the true story for you.

Max: Thanks for sitting down with me today, Lou.

Lou Boudreau: It's my pleasure, Max.

Max: Would you like a drink, Lou?

Boudreau: Sure, Max, you know me pretty well.

Max: Here you go. Now, tell us about the events that transpired that night at Cam's, the local watering hole in Champaign that you frequent.

Boudreau: First of all, I frequent nearly all of them, Max. Not just Cam's. I like to spread my business around. It's good for the local economy. Anyways, I was minding my own business, having a drink with the fellas after our ballgame . . .

Max: After your 2-1 loss to Notre Dame . . .

Boudreau: That's right. We had an off day the next day with LSU coming in. Anyways, this big guy comes up to me . . .

Max: Ever seen him before?

Boudreau: Not that I recall. Anyways, he starts mouthing off about us losing to Notre Dame and how could we lose to those bushers and on and on he goes. Finally, Don Lenhardt tells him to beat it. He gets mouthy with Don so being team captain I decide to intervene.

Max: What did you do?

Boudreau: In so many words, I told him to shut his mouth and get lost.

Max: So, what happened?

Boudreau: Like you may have heard, this big buffoon takes a swing at me . . .

Max: Did he connect?

Boudreau: Swing and a miss, Max.

Max: And then what happened?

Boudreau: I lost my temper, hauled off and decked him.

Max: One punch?

Boudreau: One punch, Max.

Max: Any regrets?

Boudreau: Just one Max.

Max: And that regret is?

Boudreau: That I used my right hand, my throwing hand, instead of my left.

Max: How bad did you hurt it?

Boudreau: Not bad enough to keep me out of action.

Max: You're sure about that?

Boudreau: Sure, I'm sure.

Max: Any problems with the police?

Boudreau: Maybe if we were on the road, but not in here in Champaign.

Max: Thanks for your time, Lou.

Boudreau: Thanks for the beer, Max.

This is Max Mercy, Jr. signing off . . .