In the 1970s, Perry Passen was a pommel horse phenom. Perry’s dream was to compete in the Olympics and become the first U.S. pommel horse gold medalist since Anton Heida in 1904. Following the 1972 games, the International Olympic Committee made several rule additions, one of which being section 1, line 2, subsection B, stating all athletes must dismount the pommel horse to the right or receive an automatic disqualification. Upon receiving the updated rules, Perry failed to read line 2. During the U.S. Olympic trials, Perry’s flawless pommel horse exercise had everyone in awe – perfect extensions, controlled twists, excellent hip height and Perry’s signature handstand, and then the dismount. Perry landed to the left and pumped his fists in anticipation of the crowd’s reaction. He heard no applause as everyone was gasping and then saw that he received a dismount disqualification. He crouched down in horror. He was in such shock, that he couldn’t unbend his legs to stand and remained in a crouched state.
One day, as Perry remained crouched in the corner of his parent’s living room, Perry’s dad, Tom, threw him a soda. Without looking, Perry caught the soda. Tom got to thinking and began to throw other things Perry’s way – apples, oranges and a baseball. Perry masterfully snagged each item as it approached him. It didn’t take Perry long to become an all-star high school catcher and earned a place on The Ohio State University baseball team. Upon receiving his degree, Perry stood upright for the first time in 6 years. Fearing he had lost his edge as a catcher, no Major League Baseball team drafted Perry, so instead, Perry began a career in advertising.