Ogletree writes book about coaching career

EDINBURG - Wednesday afternoon, Al Ogletree sat in the 100-degree heat watching baseball teams from New York and New Jersey duel in Edinburg.

"They have some real talent out there," Ogletree said. "All Division I teams have talent."

Every older man stopped to shake "Coach Al's" hand. They knew Ogletree has survived three seizures. Now he's driving his car again.

Ten Halls of Fame have honored him as one of the best college baseball coaches the game has known. He coached the University of Texas-Pan American (formerly Pan American College) for 29 years.

"They asked me to come on campus to talk into tape-recorders about Jim Brooks and Reggie Tredaway," Ogletree said. "That's for the UTPA Athletic Hall of Fame. So I talked about them. They will use them at the banquet May 31. I plan to be there.

"Coach Brooks was a great man. I wish he was still here. When God made Coach Brooks, he threw away the mold.

"Reggie was the one player I brought from Sul Ross College when we came home from the NAIA World Series and they dropped the baseball program there," Ogletree continued. "Reggie was like a son to me. He led us to the NCAA World Series and was my assistant coach (for) 25 years, counting Sul Ross."

Soon Ogletree sat in the shade. He told more funny stories, and one news story. His book has been printed in Houston and will be on sale soon. It's the sports and personal history of a great competitor. The cost hasn't been set, yet, it will be a best-seller for all who know him, the story of his life.

His autobiography, titled Take Two, Hit to Right, Slide Against the Wind: A Lifetime of Memories of the Pinstripe Teams of Coach Al; A Story of My Life.

Later, Ogletree writes, "I have three loves in my life: My family, country and baseball."

Ogletree's book tells many true stories, most of them funny.

He tells how a sports writer traveling with the Broncs threw his socks against the wall and they stuck there at a hotel in Fort Worth. The socks still were sticking the next morning. It was a long, successful road trip because the writer followed an old baseball superstition, "Never change socks when you are winning" and on that trip they won them all.

The Broncs went 44-9 that season. They beat the Texas Longhorns twice in San Antonio, 1-0 by Lupe Salinas and 4-0 by Gary Doyle, and finished fourth with a 2-2 record at the NCAA Division I College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Ogletree left before this week's tournament opener was over.

"I will try to see all four Bronc games, but I won't see all 12 games," he said. "Too hot for that."

At 6 p.m. on May 31, Ogletree will be at the McAllen Country Club for the Hall of Fame banquet and ceremony. For tickets, contact (956) 383-2221.