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John Poff
After graduating from Duke University in 1974, John Poff made it to the majors for 31 games in 1979 and 1980. He hit .218 in 91 plate appearances. The first baseman-outfielder retired after the winter of 1981-82. “My career in baseball was frustrating,” he later said. “I wanted and felt I deserved a lot more time in the big leagues.” Poff went on, however, to leave a mark as a writer – something he always wanted to be. A friend named Tom Drake said, “During John’s extended minor-league career, I often pictured him on those long bus rides, writing poetry or reading Chaucer while everyone else was playing cards or reading comic books or Playboy.” Poff offered numerous insights on the game and American society as a contributor to the literary journal Elysian Fields Quarterly. His most eloquent piece – “Donnie Moore: A Racial Memoir” – was the cover story of the Spring 1995 issue. Looking back, the editors called it “arguably the best writing we’ve ever published.” - SABR
Redid the facegen.
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