The recipe for the driest martini may belong to Jim Brosnan, former majorleague pitcher with the Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, and White Sox. His book, The Long Season , describes the following scene in St. Petersburg, Florida, in March 1959.

“‘Have you asked Hemus yet what he intends doing with you this year?’ my wife asked me.

“‘Yes. As a matter of fact, I talked with him today.’ I was stirring the gin gently with a vermouth soaked spoon.”