Words Get in the Way

Wilbert Robinson, manager of the old Brooklyn Dodgers, was not proficient in spelling.  One afternoon, before a game, he and one of the coaches were making the batter order.

“I don’t think I’ll play Herman today,” said Robinson, referring to a young Babe Herman, the team’s star hitter.  “He’s been in a slump.  What’s the name of the new kid?”
The coach could scarcely pronounce the newcomer’s name, a tongue-twister with as many letters as the alphabet.  Robinson struggled for a while over the spelling and then gave up.

“Scratch his name,” he said.  “I’ll play Herman.  Maybe he’ll get lucky.”  ~E.E. Edgar