Terry ‘Transistor’: Where are you now?

by Clyde Whitaker

Hello again, everyone. I’d like to share a little story about an individual who had a major influence on my early years after high school.

As most of you know, I was a three-year varsity pitcher for our Stockbridge Panthers. I loved pitching and I was fortunate that I played with some pretty good players.

The Jackson Recreation League was the closest place to play baseball after high school. My former varsity baseball coach Larry White got me a tryout with one of the teams up there, Norkey Manufacturing. I tried out and was accepted on the team.

We played our games at Best Field in Jackson, which was near the railroad yard in South Jackson. We also played inside the Jackson State Prison when we played the inmates, for obvious reasons.

It was during one of the first games I played at Best Field that I saw this guy wearing a baggy plaid shirt pulled out at the waist and droopy glasses. His hair looked like it needed a comb.

He was riding a bicycle with a wire rack on the front and had an old-school boombox balanced on one shoulder. Nobody knew his full name or where he lived; he just said his name was Terry. Since he always had that boombox on his shoulder, we started calling him “Terry Transistor.” He smiled when we called him that.

He was usually at every home game, sitting on our bench eating a candy bar. Eventually, I became friends with Terry, and I’d slip him a $10 or $20 bill sometimes, because he looked like he could use the money.

I learned patience from Terry along with never complaining about your circumstances. By his example, I  saw the benefits of just being happy and friendly with everyone. I knew he lived a rough life and it made me appreciate mine even more. I think there is always someone out there who could use our love and support, if we look.

Back then, after our games, it was the same scenario. Terry would mount his bike, wave goodbye, then disappear down the road, the boombox on his shoulder. I can still see him in my mind’s eye.

I still remember you, Terry, and think about you often. I hope you are doing well. Keep the music playing!

Clyde Whitaker is a 1973 Stockbridge graduate. He and his wife, Mary, raised four children in Stockbridge, and they still reside in the Stockbridge area.