"Two Down was the Chops' Yaz, their knight in spikes, their patron saint of the double-back press. He was a little wiry guy who would take on King Kong with a Swiss Army Knife and want half the action. He was a little man with huge dreams and hopes. He stood five-eight, five-nine tops, 155 pounds with all his change in his pockets, yet he shopped at Coppman's Big and Tall Shop in Newton."
Chap. 20, p. 215

"I was about to be a member of a bluenose country club, like him. I drank too much, like him. I never made a relationship last, like him. I never made a relationship last, like him. Never been a father, like him."
Chap. 24, p. 266

"But if I could blame my failures on my dad, could he blame his on his? And when do they do a quick-deed on your failings? When do they...