David Granger Out At Esquire

[typefitter]

Gay Talese would call bullshirt on this story.

I wouldn't blame him.

I sweat thinking about it—just how naive I was. Like, why would Granger want to see me? Without an appointment? What was I thinking? And after the janitor stopped me, I went back to the security guard and asked if I could call Andy. He answered, I explained who I was and that I'd love to meet him (hadn't heard his name until three minutes earlier), he asked me when I was going to be in town, and I was like, I'm in your lobby. He was like, "Um...."

The worst part is, after I went up—he let me up!—I made him read my clips in front of me. He was like, "I'll read them later," and I said, "No, I want you to read them now." So he sat there and read them while I watched him reading, total silence. In my head, I just wanted to know if there was any hope—because if there was none, then I wanted to move on with my life. I was fixated on getting some direction. But making the guy who was nice enough to let me into his office read my clips in front of me... I want to crawl into a hole remembering it. Thank God for the stupidity of youth, because I'd never even walk in the door today.

 

[YankeeFan]

I wouldn't blame him.

I sweat thinking about it—just how naive I was. Like, why would Granger want to see me? Without an appointment? What was I thinking? And after the janitor stopped me, I went back to the security guard and asked if I could call Andy. He answered, I explained who I was and that I'd love to meet him (hadn't heard his name until three minutes earlier), he asked me when I was going to be in town, and I was like, I'm in your lobby. He was like, "Um...."

The worst part is, after I went up—he let me up!—I made him read my clips in front of me. He was like, "I'll read them later," and I said, "No, I want you to read them now." So he sat there and read them while I watched him reading, total silence. In my head, I just wanted to know if there was any hope—because if there was none, then I wanted to move on with my life. I was fixated on getting some direction. But making the guy who was nice enough to let me into his office read my clips in front of me... I want to crawl into a hole remembering it. Thank God for the stupidity of youth, because I'd never even walk in the door today.

It's a good story.

And, only a young, naive guy could have gotten away with it.

 

[typefitter]

It's a good story.

And, only a young, naive guy could have gotten away with it.

The best public speaker I've ever known was a kid in grade school who was too dumb to realize he should be nervous. He was invincible to reason. That day at Esquire, I was him. I was too blinded by desire, and too unaware of the protocol, to know that I was being a total idiot. I really would never dream of doing that today. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Probably says something about the ceiling that pride puts on you.

 

[YankeeFan]

The best public speaker I've ever known was a kid in grade school who was too dumb to realize he should be nervous. He was invincible to reason. That day at Esquire, I was him. I was too blinded by desire, and too unaware of the protocol, to know that I was being a total idiot. I really would never dream of doing that today. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Probably says something about the ceiling that pride puts on you.

I used to coach little league, and I had a pitcher like that. Kid never got nervous, because I don't think he was ever aware of the situation -- how many runners were on base, how many out, what the count was. It was always a disaster though when the ball was hit back to him. He had no idea where to throw it.

For fun, I just looked up Andy Ward. He was pretty young himself when you met him, and not a grizzled veteran. Not sure if that helped him feel an affinity for you or not.

I've heard similar stories. When you have nothing to lose, why not. The worst that can happen is you get shot down.

I also always compare a job search to dating. God knows I had no right asking out my now wife.

 

[typefitter]

I used to coach little league, and I had a pitcher like that. Kid never got nervous, because I don't think he was ever aware of the situation -- how many runners were on base, how many out, what the count was. It was always a disaster though when the ball was hit back to him. He had no idea where to throw it.

For fun, I just looked up Andy Ward. He was pretty young himself when you met him, and not a grizzled veteran. Not sure if that helped him feel an affinity for you or not.

I've heard similar stories. When you have nothing to lose, why not. The worst that can happen is you get shot down.

I also always compare a job search to dating. God knows I had no right asking out my now wife.

That's a good way to put it. You never get to dance with the girl you don't ask. Easier said than done, though.

Andy would have been young, for sure. He was still building his stable. The janitor was right: He was the perfect guy. I tell young writers this all the time. You want to find someone who is high enough up the masthead to matter, but not so high that he or she has completed his or her collection of writers. There's a sweet spot where there's still a door but it will open.

Saw Andy at the Granger thing. He's the editor in chief at Random House now. Just a really good, smart guy.

 

[Earthman]

The best public speaker I've ever known was a kid in grade school who was too dumb to realize he should be nervous. He was invincible to reason. That day at Esquire, I was him. I was too blinded by desire, and too unaware of the protocol, to know that I was being a total idiot. I really would never dream of doing that today. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Probably says something about the ceiling that pride puts on you.

"the ceiling that pride puts you on" A perfect description. Brilliant

 

[Songbird]

Per Andy Ward,

Building was 250 W. 55th St, now gone. It was torn down. There were two guys at the door, Frank and Anesti, I believe. This was probably 13 or 14 years ago, but have no idea.

Perhaps typefitter can see if the janitor was Frank or Anesti, track him down, and do a "Hey, remember me? and THANKS!" kind of story ...

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Get that janitor across the finish line, 'bird.

 

[Songbird]

Get that janitor across the finish line, 'bird.

Every janitor deserves to sweep the floor at least once ...

 

[Songbird]

Time and place, man. What if the janitor had been scrubbing toilets at the very minute Jones' career hung in the balance?

Does Joey Montgomery ever get told?

 

[Earthman]

Every janitor deserves to sweep the floor at least once ...

Cleaners don't wait for you to ask, they just do it

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Time and place, man. What if the janitor had been scrubbing toilets at the very minute Jones' career hung in the balance?

Does Joey Montgomery ever get told?

Kinda like a real-life Moonlight Graham story, in a way. Like they talk about in the movie. What if Graham had gotten that one at-bat in the majors. How would his life, and the lives of all those he helped in his town, been changed?