Barbershop

My barber Orlando likes to push the limits. He has clippers, shavers, a hot plate and a coffee pot plugged into one electrical outlet. Sometimes the strain is too much and the splitters and extension cords will pop and smoke.

“That’s when you know it’s time to turn something off,” Orlando explained. “You’ll never find the limit without smoke. That’s what the Yankees are finding out right now.”

Orlando pointed to a pair photos on the back wall of the barbershop. One was of Floyd Mayweather Jr.: the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world before retiring earlier this year. And the other was of Derek Jeter: the best pound-for-pound baseball player in the world.

“Derek and the Yankees need to takes some lessons from Pretty Boy Floyd,” Orlando said. “They need to put up a good defense and throw some punches. They can win this thing, but it’s gonna be a fight. The next six weeks will push ‘em to the limit.”

Orlando smiled and said:

“That’s the only way to find out what you’re capable of.”