Pete Gray Also Featuring Bethany Hamilton Natalie Du Toit Anthony Robles Unstoppable

A Story of inner stRength & determination Written by Bill Coate

Pete Gray ALso featuring Bethany Hamilton Natalie Du Toit Anthony Robles Unstoppable

Author: Bill Coate

ISBN Print: 978-1-63260-498-9 ePub: 978-1-63260-499-6

855.200.SNAP www.snaplearning.net

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. Table of Contents

The Pete Gray Story...... 4-8

A Dream Fulfilled: Pete Gray at Yankee Stadium...... 10-11

Legacy of a Pioneer...... 13

Hero on a Surfboard...... 14

Heroism in the Swimming Lanes...... 15

Courage on the Wrestling Mat...... 16

Conclusion...... 17

Additional Narrative...... 18

Close Reading Check...... 20

Writing...... 22-36

Rubric...... 37

Quick Writes...... 38

References...... 40 The Pete Gray Story

1 My name is Luke Sewell and I am the manager of the St. “Don, I had nothing to do with it,” I replied. “All the stars 3 Louis Browns. I will never forget the day I met Pete Gray, the are fighting in the war, and the front office says we have to one-armed man who wanted to play major league baseball. do something.” It was April 17, 1945, and we were going up against the Detroit Tigers. The clubhouse was quiet; nobody spoke a “Well, can’t that something be a player with two arms?” 4 word, but everyone stared at the new player as he looked Gutteridge yelled. for his locker. Don Gutteridge, my second baseman, broke the silence by throwing his glove to the floor. Out in the locker room, with Gutteridge gone, the tension 5 eased a bit. Mike Kreevich, our centerfielder, seeing the 2 He marched into my office and cried, “Luke, you can’t do new player was missing his right arm, walked up to him this. We are the American League champions, and we are and stuck out his left hand. The two men shook hands and fighting for the pennant again this year. Surely you can find the ice was broken for Pete Gray on this, his first day of somebody besides a one-armed man to play left field,” he playing in the big leagues. told me.

4 http://minot43.homestead.com/pete_gray_in_the_field.jpg

6 I learned later that Pete lost his arm when he was just Pete grew up unwavering in the belief that he would play 8 six years old. He was riding on the running board of a professional baseball someday, and by gosh, he did just neighbor’s truck and fell off, his right arm getting twisted that. However, it wasn’t in the big leagues right away, up in the wooden spokes of the old truck. Tragically, they playing first for a couple of minor league teams. Then in had to amputate it. 1945, when he was 30 years old, we brought Gray up from the Memphis Chicks, a minor league team in Tennessee. 7 Like most boys his age, Pete fell in love with baseball, He had done all right down there, but I always thought, and was determined to play with just one arm. He taught and I still do, that Richard Muckerman, our new owner, himself to catch a fly ball and throw it with the same hand. signed Pete just to use him as a gate attraction. I think he He could swing a bat and even bunt with that one arm. expected people to buy a ticket just to see a one-armed man play baseball.

5 The Pete Gray Story (Continued)

Pete Gray fielding a ground ball

9 Muckerman may have been right, but there was nothing We won that game seven to one, and I am sure Pete was 10 I could do. I decided to start Gray in left field that day. I proud. He was the first one-armed major league baseball must admit, I was a little surprised. Batting second, Pete player to ever get a base hit. What he could not have been came to bat four times and got one hit, a sharp single to pleased about, however, was the way the other players left field. He made no errors and caught every fly ball that treated him. Only Kreevich acted like he knew Pete was came his way. He had a strange way of catching the ball there. Except for Mike, nobody congratulated him and so and throwing his glove under his stump of an arm. Then, he sat by himself at the end of the dugout, dressing alone in in almost one motion, he squeezed the ball out of his glove the locker room. That is when I decided that Pete Gray and and into his hand for the throw. Mike Kreevich would be roommates for all road games.

6 11 Things went on like that even after the doubleheader we third place. This hurt Pete and caused him to remain a played in New York in May. By then, I had Pete leading loner. Some of the sports writers said he was hard to get off and, with his first at-bat, he slammed a triple up the along with. Well, who could blame him? right field line. He stood there on third base rubbing that stump of an arm and smiling. He was fulfilling his dream Pete Gray played his heart out in every game that season, 13 of playing in Yankee Stadium! He went on to get three all 77 of them. He got 51 hits for a .218 batting average, more hits that day and two of them were doubles. hitting six doubles and two triples. With one arm, he only struck out eleven times. Then on September 30, 1945, Pete 12 Unfortunately, the rest of the team never forgave Gray’s major league career came to an end. Muckerman for signing a one-armed player just to increase attendance and they blamed Pete because the team was in

7 The Pete Gray Story (Continued)

14 We were playing the Tigers again, and I started Pete at back in his hometown of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Most centerfield, batting third. He struck out, so I yanked him of the team always blamed Pete because we didn’t win the and put Milt Byrnes in his place. Pete sat silently alone American League pennant that year. In fact, Pete might on the bench for the rest of his last major league game. have blamed himself, and I think he always wondered if he I think he knew what was coming since World War II had made it to the majors on his playing abilities or because was over, and the regular players were coming home. he was a one-armed baseball player. There was one thing, Muckerman said we didn’t need Pete anymore, so I had however, that Pete did not have to wonder about. Hard to tell him we were releasing him. work and determination could overcome obstacles. He had learned the hard way that it was tough to be a pioneer. 15 I never saw Pete Gray after that day. I heard that he bounced around in the minors and eventually wound up

8 9 A Dream Fulfilled: Pete Gray at Yankee Stadium

10 11 Legacy of a Pioneer

12 16 Pete Gray was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania in 1915. the ball from his glove to his hand for a throw from the At age 6, he fell off a farmer’s truck and his right arm outfield. Still, he threw out three runners and committed was caught in the spokes of the wheel. The arm had to be only seven errors. amputated above the elbow. After the 1945 season, in which the Browns finished third, 20 17 As Pete grew up, he wanted nothing more than to be a dozens of major leaguers returned from military service professional baseball player. After his accident, he taught and Pete was sent back to the minor leagues. He played himself to be a left-handed batter and took almost all of the in the minors until 1949 and then returned to Nanticoke. padding out of his glove to help him catch fly balls. After making a catch, he would place the glove under the stump In 1986, a television movie about Pete, titled A Winner 21 of his right shoulder and throw the ball. Never Quits, was made. His glove was also placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pete Gray died in 2002. He had 18 In 1942, when many baseball players left the United States achieved his dream of playing major league baseball and to fight in World War II, many teams needed replacements. his glove is in Cooperstown, New York, to prove it. This allowed Pete his chance to play baseball in the minor leagues. Then in 1945, he went to the majors as the St. Pete Gray was definitely a hero. He never quit in face of the 22 Louis Browns bought him from the Memphis Chicks for challenges and discrimination put before him. He refused $20,000, which was a large sum of money at the time. to be just a spectator simply because he had only one arm. He was determined to pursue his dream of being a major 19 In his career, Pete had 51 hits in 234 at-bats for the Browns. league baseball player. He hit six doubles and two triples. He also drove in 13 runs, scored 26 runs, and stole five bases. Pitchers had difficulty Pete Gray would be the first to recognize today that he 23 throwing fastballs by Pete so he struck out only 11 times. was not alone in his determination to reach for the stars. However, he could be fooled on changeups because he had Others, men and women from all over the globe, have to swing early and could not stop his swing as players with also shown that same courage and perseverance. Today, two arms could do. When he was in the field, the runners he would certainly tip his cap to people like Bethany had an edge because it took him a moment to transfer Hamilton, Natalie Du Toit, and Anthony Robles.

13 Hero on a Surfboard

Bethany Hamilton

24 Bethany Hamilton was only 13 years old in 2003, to her board. Nothing was going to keep her from her when she went surfing in Hawaii one morning with first love…surfing. friends. She was just lying on her board with her left arm dangling in the water, waiting for the waves Through her inner strength and determination, she 27 to arrive. taught herself to surf with just one arm. By January 2004, she had entered a major surfing competition. 25 Then, without warning, her life changed forever. A She went on to win numerous awards on her board, 15-foot Tiger Shark attacked her and bit her arm off and wrote a book to tell her story, Soul Surfer: A True near the shoulder. Her friends helped her to shore Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on and tied a tourniquet around what was left of her the Board. In 2011, Hollywood made a movie based arm. They rushed her to the hospital where doctors on her book, and Bethany did all of the one-armed operated to save her life. Bethany was in the hospital surfing stunts herself. seven days. Just like Pete Gray, Bethany Hamilton refused 28 26 As soon as she returned home, she was making plans to allow the tragic loss of her arm to rob her of a to “hang ten” again. In less than a month, she returned lifelong dream.

14 Heroism in the Swimming LAnes

Natalie du Toit

29 Everybody in South Africa was following the development knee. Natalie got out of bed the next day and let everyone of Natalie du Toit. She was a swimming star from Cape know that losing her leg was not going to stop her from Town who was setting all kinds of records, and she was swimming. As one writer put it, “She was determined and only 16 years old. Indeed, her future looked bright. Then, a defiant.” When friends came to see her with pity in their tragic accident altered her life. eyes, she pulled the covers back to show them her half leg. She told them she planned to defy all the odds that were 30 One day, Natalie got on her motor scooter and headed for now stacked against her. school. There was a lot of traffic that morning, and she didn’t see the car coming out of the parking lot towards Natalie du Toit became one of the world’s fastest distance 32 her. The vehicle hit her on the left side and mangled her swimmers. She was the only amputee to qualify for the leg. She never lost consciousness. All she could think was, Olympic Games. Less than two years after the accident, “I’ve lost my leg; I’ve lost my leg.” she qualified for the finals of the 800-meter freestyle at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. It was the first time an 31 As things turned out, she did lose her limb. Doctors tried amputee raced in the finals of an able-bodied international for days to save her leg, but finally determined there was swimming competition. nothing else they could do. They had to amputate at her left

15 Courage on the Wrestling MAt

Anthony Robles

33 Folks in Mesa, Arizona, said Anthony Robles was born won a national championship as a senior and then went to be a wrestler. The only problem was he came into this on to wrestle at Arizona State. Through dedication and world without his right leg. This, however, did not keep persistence, Anthony won the 2011 NCAA Wrestling him from becoming a champion wrestler in high school Championship in the 125-pound category in his senior and college. year at Arizona State. He had a perfect 36-0 record.

34 From grade school, Anthony was determined to be a Today, Anthony Robles travels the country sharing his 35 wrestler. He worked to strengthen his body with exercises. message of courage and hope. “My spirit is unconquerable,” In the sixth grade, he set a school record for performing he says. “Fearless I will face each foe, for I know I am the most push-ups. Anthony started wrestling in the capable. I don’t care what’s probable; through blood, sweat, eighth grade, and by the time he was in the tenth grade, and tears, I am unstoppable.” he was ranked sixth among Arizona high schools. He

16 Conclusion

36 Like Pete Gray, Bethany, Natalie, and Anthony each showed an enormous amount of inner strength and determination to overcome the loss of a limb. In each case, the odds of achieving their goals were, by most accounts, an insurmountable challenge. Nevertheless, each of these special individuals overcame their obstacle to become champions in their individual sports.

37 Even though Pete Gray never won a championship on the field, he was an original pioneer who proved to the world, regardless of an individual’s disability, each of us is capable of fulfilling our dreams if we simply remain determined. In fact, Bethany, Natalie, and Anthony are prime examples of this irrefutable truth.

17 Additional Narrative

Directions:Carefully read the passage below.

by Megan Conner

By the time Ajeet was 12 months old, his mother and father, Raj and Varsha, knew something was 1 different about their beautiful baby boy. He rarely smiled. Most children his age were already saying “mama” and “dada.” Ajeet had yet to speak any coherent speech. At first, Raj and Varsha thought their son was just behind developmentally. However, by the time Ajeet was two, they knew there was more than just developmental delay at work. They decided to take their child to see a doctor. Raj and Varsha sat trembling in the pediatrician’s office the following morning. Ajeet sat calmly in 2 between the two of them listening to music on his headphones. The doctor entered the room with a quiet seriousness. “Mr. and Mrs. Chadha, I am afraid I have difficult news. We have come to the conclusion that Ajeet has 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” The doctor went on to explain how this meant Ajeet would most likely continue to have development 4 delays and struggle with communication. The doctor stated Ajeet would learn differently and would require significant help as he grew. He informed the Chadhas that there were many services for autistic children available and support groups and programs for parents as well. Varsha sat in that small office and saw a life of great struggle flash before her eyes. She saw young 5 Ajeet struggling in school. She saw him even older still unable to communicate with his parents. She saw great frustration and much pain. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to take it all in.

Image Credit: © Jorge Royan

The doctor interrupted her thoughts. 6

“Is there anything at all he seems comfortable doing?” he asked. 7 “Yes,” Varsha responded. “He loves music.” 8 “Wonderful,” the doctor replied as a smile danced across his eyes. “Give him every opportunity to 9 spend time with what he enjoys most. You never know, many times children with autism grow into musical or intellectual geniuses. We could be looking at the next Mozart,” he said as he walked out the room. It would be years before those words were realized, but Ajeet did indeed overcome his “limitations.” He 10 needed multiple forms of therapy, the most intensive being speech therapy. Ajeet spent many afternoons and evenings in some sort of therapy or tutor office. There were many times he wanted to give up, but his love for the violin pushed him to continue. Ajeet knew if he ever wanted to share his music, he would have to be able to communicate with the rest of the world. 11 Eventually, years of hard work paid off. When Ajeet was 20 years old, he played a solo violin concert to benefit autism. His performance was brilliant. Perhaps he would be the next Mozart.

Directions: Use the passage on the previous pages to answer the questions or complete the tasks.

1. Analyze how a particular element or lines of dialogue in the story reveal aspects of the character of Ajeet. Use evidence from the text to support your answer. 4 ______

2. Compare and contrast the character, Ajeet, with one of the real-life people in unstoppable. Use evidence from the text to support your answer. 4 ______

3. Determine the theme or central idea of the text. Use evidence to support your answer. 4 ______

______Total:

RUBRIC TASK UNDERSTANDING EVIDENCE

No Attempt Student makes no attempt to 0 complete the task.

Student makes an attempt Student demonstrates little or to complete the task but no understanding of the task. 1 Below Basic demonstrates little or no understanding of the task.

Student completes most of the Student demonstrates a limited Student provides limited or 2 Basic elements of the task. understanding of the text. no evidence to support their answer.

Proficient Student completes all elements Student demonstrates an Student supports the answer 3 of the task. understanding of the text. with evidence from the text.

Student completes all elements Student demonstrates a deep Student completely supports Advanced of the task. understanding of the text. the answer with solid evidence 4 from the text.

Your English class has just finished reading stories of athletes who overcame physical

challenges to excel in their chosen sport. Your teacher has asked you to write a personal narrative

about a time when you had to overcome a hardship to accomplish a goal. The stories will be posted

on the school’s website for parents, teachers, and students to read.

In your personal narrative, you will describe a time when you had to overcome a challenge or

hardship to accomplish a goal. The story should be several paragraphs long. When writing your story,

find ways to use information and details about achieving goals from the sources to improve your

story. Make sure you develop your characters, the setting, and the plot. Use details, dialogue, and

description where appropriate.

R.A.F.T. Table

ROLE

AUDIENCE

FORMAT

TOPIC

I am writi ng ______about ______format topic in the ______person point of view for ______. audience

STORY Introduction SETTING (Place) CHARACTERS

SETTING (Time)

PROBLEM

PLOT

RESOLUTION

STORY Closing

PLAN IT!

OPENING TYPES SNAPPY! Opening Examples

A ACTION Lee darted across the field dodging players as they rushed toward him. With the ball tucked tightly in his arms, Lee leapt over the oncoming tackler, spun to the right, and sprinted down the open field.

Di DIALOGUE “Hurry, Lucia!” screamed her mother. “I can’t see anything. The smoke is so thick!” yelled back Lucia. Mother stumbled down the hallway toward Lucia and coughed, “we don’t have much time left.”

De DESCRIPTION It was a mild summer day high in the mountains. An old hunting cabin wearily stood guard by the Lake of the Woods. A soft breeze whispered through towering cedars. Flittering songbirds whistled their welcoming tune.

DRAW IT!

Part 1 STORY Introduction

SAY IT!

WRITE IT!

READ IT! SNAPPY! Opening Narrati ve Technique Literary Device

INDENT PARAGRAPH B BACKSTORY S SIMILE CHECK IT! Ac ACTION F FLASHBACK M METAPHOR Di DIALOGUE Di DIALOGUE A ALLITERATION

De DESCRIPTION O ONOMATOPOEIA

PLAN IT! DRAW IT!

LEAD UP LEAD UP

PROBLEM TRANSITION Words and Phrases A ___ later Finally Once Across ___ For ___ Quickly Aft er ___ Immediately Soon Aft erward In ___ Suddenly Around ___ Just before ___ The next ___ As soon as Just aft er ___ U n ti l As ___ Later When ___ At last Later on While ___ Before ___ Later that ___ With ___ Behind ___ Moments later Yesterday Below ___ Nearby ____ later By ___ Not long aft er That ___ (night, During ___ On ___ day, etc.)

SAY IT!

WRITE IT!

READ IT! Narrati ve Technique Literary Device

INDENT PARAGRAPH B BACKSTORY S SIMILE CHECK IT! LU LEAD UP F FLASHBACK M METAPHOR Pr PROBLEM Di DIALOGUE A ALLITERATION

T TRANSITIONS O ONOMATOPOEIA

PLAN IT! DRAW IT!

EVENT EVENT

LAST EVENT TRANSITION Words and Phrases A ___ later Finally Once Across ___ For ___ Quickly Aft er ___ Immediately Soon Aft erward In ___ Suddenly Around ___ Just before ___ The next ___ As soon as Just aft er ___ U n ti l As ___ Later When ___ At last Later on While ___ Before ___ Later that ___ With ___ Behind ___ Moments later Yesterday Below ___ Nearby ____ later By ___ Not long aft er That ___ (night, During ___ On ___ day, etc.)

SAY IT!

WRITE IT!

READ IT! Narrati ve Technique Literary Device

INDENT PARAGRAPH B BACKSTORY S SIMILE CHECK IT! Ev EVENT F FLASHBACK M METAPHOR LE LAST EVENT Di DIALOGUE A ALLITERATION

T TRANSITIONS O ONOMATOPOEIA

PLAN IT! DRAW IT!

PROBLEM Resolution FALLING Action

FALLING Action TRANSITION Words and Phrases A ___ later Finally Once Across ___ For ___ Quickly Aft er ___ Immediately Soon Aft erward In ___ Suddenly Around ___ Just before ___ The next ___ As soon as Just aft er ___ U n ti l As ___ Later When ___ At last Later on While ___ Before ___ Later that ___ With ___ Behind ___ Moments later Yesterday Below ___ Nearby ____ later By ___ Not long aft er That ___ (night, During ___ On ___ day, etc.)

SAY IT!

WRITE IT!

READ IT! Narrati ve Technique Literary Device

INDENT PARAGRAPH B BACKSTORY S SIMILE CHECK IT! Re RESOLUTION F FLASHBACK M METAPHOR FA FALLING ACTION Di DIALOGUE A ALLITERATION

T TRANSITIONS O ONOMATOPOEIA

PLAN IT!

CLOSING TYPES SNAPPY! Closing Examples

? WONDER/QUESTION Who knows what might happen if I step through the door.

M MESSAGE/MORAL That day I learned that anything was possible if I believed in myself.

S SURPRISE He awoke to ﬁ nd himself in bed, and his adventure had all been a dream.

F FAREWELL She closed the book and went to sleep.

C CIRCULAR Aft er opening her eyes, Mary realized that she had returned home.

DRAW IT!

SAY IT!

WRITE IT!

SNAPPY! Closing Narrati ve Technique Literary Device READ IT! INDENT PARAGRAPH INDENT PARAGRAPH B BACKSTORY S SIMILE

W? WONDER / QUESTION F FLASHBACK M METAPHOR

MM MESSAGE / MORAL Di DIALOGUE A ALLITERATION CHECK IT! Sur SURPRISE O ONOMATOPOEIA

Fw FAREWELL

Cr CIRCULAR

WRITE IT!

RUBRIC

PURPOSE & An eff ecti ve plot helps create a sense of unity and completeness ORGANIZATION Eff ecti vely establishes and maintains setti ng, point of view, character

Consistent use of a variety of transiti ons to clarify relati onships between and among ideas; strong connecti ons between ideas

Natural logical sequence; eff ecti ve opening and closing

SUBTOTAL

EVIDENCE & Experiences, characters, setti ng, and events are clearly developed ELABORATION Connecti ons to source materials may enhance the narrati ve

Eff ecti ve use of a variety of narrati ve techniques that advance the story or illustrate the experience (backstory, fl ashback, foreshadowing, dialogue)

Eff ecti ve and appropriate style enhances the narrati ve - use of sensory, concrete, and fi gurati ve language (simile, alliterati on, Onomatopoeia, hyperbole) that clearly advances the purpose.

SUBTOTAL

CONVENTIONS Uses proper spelling, punctuati on, capitalizati on, and grammar

Uses correct grammar and sentence formati on

SUBTOTAL

TOTAL SCORE

Coate, William S. (2007). For the Love of the Game. History’s Outrageous Oddities. Fresno, CA. History Publishing Group,

Famous Amputees: Bethany Hamilton. Oracle Think Quest. Retrieved on 13 June 2013 from http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00021/hamilton

Goldstein, Richard. (July 2002). Peter Gray, Major Leaguer with One Arm, Dies at 87. The New York Times.

Kashatuss, William C. (1995). One-armed Wonder: Pete Gray, Wartime Baseball and the American Dream. Jefferson, NC. McFarland & Company.

Merrill, David. Anthony Robles’ Last Escape. Retrieved on 13 June 2013 from http://deadspin.com/the-one-legged-wrestler-who-conquered-his-sport.

Mullen, P.H. (July 2005). Everything is possible if you can just believe. Swimming World. Television Movie. (1986). A Winner Never Quits.

Images Page 4 Pete Gray (1915-2002), SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS: 2011 INDUCTION DAY http://www.baseballreliquary.org/InductionDay2011.htm

Page 5 Pete Gray Baseball Card- St. Louis Browns 1945 by JDM von Weinberg. http://photo.net/no-words-forum/00WxWZ?start=10

Page 6 Photo sequence shows how Pete Gray went about fielding outfield grounders. Source: NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY, COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. http://sabr.org/content/pete-gray-0

Page 7 Pete Gray in a Memphis Chicks Uniform http://flannelofthemonth.blogspot.com/2011/07/pete-gray-one-armed-wonder.html

Page 8 Autpgraphed signed photo of Pete Gray #7. http://www.mainlineautographs.com/browse.php?catid=160&page=2

Page 11 Pete Gray Bats One-Handed http://bigstickcombat.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/pete-gray-baseball-warrior/

Page 14 Bethany gets barreled in a beautiful Mentawai islands. photo ©NoahHamiltonPhoto.com http://bethanyhamilton.com/galleries/photos/

Page 16 One Legged Wrestler Anthony Robles wins NCAA by Jonaiex http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8533325/image/75687883-anthony-robles

Page 17 ACM Awards 2011: Bethany Hamilton presents with AnnaSophia Robb http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/04/acm-awards-2011-bethany-hamilton-presents-with-annasophia-robb.html

Paralympics Day 2 – Swimming Source: Feng Li/Getty Images AsiaPac http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Natalie+Du+Toit/Paralympics+Day+2+Swimming/N-BejC0ohop

Pete Gray, Source: Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-thoughts/post/_/id/13107/maury-wills-pete-gray-chicken-elected-to-shrine-of-the-eternals

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