Number 41

[Daffy]

There are two Hall of Fame members who sported #41...

Tom Seaver-Mets
Eddie Matthews-Milwaukee

I would like to guess Seaver.

Let's see what Johnsteed guesses.

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

I think I got it!!!

***


Spearmaster

Remember our discussion about lucky numbers? 4 and 14 actually come out of 41, which is my true lucky number, and the number of the apartment I once lived in when I was young.

Without any further clues, and being the baseball statistician you are, can you guess who my favorite baseball player of all time is?

Daffy

There are two Hall of Fame members who sported #41...

Tom Seaver-Mets
Eddie Matthews-Milwaukee

I would like to guess Seaver.

Wow, impressive duck!

I was too busy catching some ZZZZZZZ's...


I'd have to imagine that Daffy is likely correct. But, I'm going to go in another direction.

This is what I came up with...


"Player's who wore #14" would include:


- Kenty Hrbek (there's no way you're a big Hrbek fan...)


- Ken Boyer (maybe...)


- Gil Hodges (possibly, he was a player and manager... but he's generally overlooked in baseball lore)


- Larry Doby #14 (the first African-American to play in the AL... though in some circles, they'll say that it was in fact Babe Ruth!)


- Ernie Banks #14 (hmmm...)


"Players who wore #4" would include:


- Duke Snider #4 (could be...)


- Ralph Kiner #4 (doubt it...)


- Lou Gehrig #4 (another strong candidate...)


"Players who wore double-4's" would include...


- Hank Aaron (HUGE candidate...)


- Reggie Jackson (Big maybe...)


- Willie McCovey (possibly...)


Something a tad more esoteric...


- My being a HUGE Barry Bonds fan, I'd be quick to think that he's presently 41-years old. Born in July of 1964. But, there aren't many of us Lamar Bonds fans left these days... I'll pass.


- Rafeal Palmeiro is also born in 1964, making him 41-years old as well. But... literally after being showered with praises from the media and fans alike, after reaching 3,000 hits, just 2 weeks later, it was all forgotten about after the "steroid" debacle came about... I'll pass.



"Going out-of-box a little further" with...


- Don Wilson wore #40 and Pee Wee Reese wore #1, add them together and you get "41"? (it's a trick question, because you like 2 players... pass)


- Jackie Robinson wore #42 and subtract Pee Wee Reese's #1 from his and again... you get "41" (pass...)


- Albert Pujols slugged 41 HR's this past year... (pass)


***

Okay, I was leaning with someone from the trifecta of (as Daffy said) Tom Seaver, Eddie Matthews, or an (my guess) Ernie Banks.


But... I'm going to say that it's "Jack Chesbro". The only modern-day (although not so modern anymore) 41-game winner. Mr. Chesbro did this in 1904 with the New York Highlanders. That's my guess.


Sidenote: I was going to guess Ernie Banks because I'm guessing that Spearmaster was once a native of Chicago... Just a hunch that's way-out-there...



Steed


***

 

[spearmaster]

But... I'm going to say that it's "Jack Chesbro". The only modern-day (although not so modern anymore) 41-game winner. Mr. Chesbro did this in 1904 with the New York Highlanders. That's my guess.

Do I seem that old to you?

Daffy was right on the mark, and I bet you knew it too but decided to make it more interesting

"Terrific Tom" aka "The Franchise" happened to be wearing the uniform number which was on my door. As unlikely a coincidence as any that he would turn out to be a Hall of Famer, since this was way back in 1971 when he was still in the early but devastatingly effective stages of his career.

 

[johnsteed]

Darn-it, I was wrong...

***


Spearmaster

Daffy was right on the mark, and I bet you knew it too but decided to make it more interesting

Well, I'll give him this much, the duck knows his baseball.


I wouldn't have gone with Eddie Matthews in the end because he wasn't overly likeable. Nothing wrong with him, great numbers that grab one's attention, considering he was manning the hot corner.


I was thinking Ernie Banks, because he's likeable (and there are a lot of Cubbies fans out there). I find him annoying as hell, but others love his upbeat persona.


Tom Seaver also makes sense (but since it was taken, I decided to go in a completely opposite direction), playing a major role on that "Miracle Mets" team of '69 (frankly, he WAS the team that year) and again in '73. He's by far, the best of that incredible crop of pitchers who came up through the '60s (like F. Jenkins, S. Carlton, J. Palmer, D. McLain, J Kaat, V. Blue, D. Sutton, L. & P. Neikro, J. Marichal and B. Gibson).


Alas, your pick was Seaver.



Question: Who would rank as being greater, Seaver or Clemens?


cont...

Do I seem that old to you?

Hey, I'm a Lou Gehrig fan, and he passed-away WAYYYYY before I was born. I thought you were testing my baseball I.Q. with that one. I went a little too esoteric on this one... my bad.


Is it safe to say, that prior to living in Heaven, you once lived in N.Y.?



Steed


***

 

[spearmaster]

Question: Who would rank as being greater, Seaver or Clemens?

Tough call. Plus I'd probably add Bob Gibson to make this a trio...

Seaver, like you said, WAS the team quite often, even with Nolan Ryan around. He never truly had a super team to support him.

Clemens was great - no question about that - and he still is. But he was also surrounded by stars most of his career.

Gibson - never made the most of his talent and didn't always have a good supporting cast. But he was arguably one of the best pitchers of his time.

Ryan - same - going to Anaheim ruined his career.

Given this set of circumstances, I would have to take Seaver over the rest of them, with Clemens about an inch behind.

Is it safe to say, that prior to living in Heaven, you once lived in N.Y.?

I was born in New Jersey But I ain't NEVER going back again - ever since the casinos arrived, the state has gone straight to hell.

 

[Macgyver]

I was born in New Jersey But I ain't NEVER going back again - ever since the casinos arrived, the state has gone straight to hell.

You mean, there was a time when New Joisy wasn't hell?

Maybe back around 1787, but I think that descent happened even before your time, spear.

 

[Daffy]

Wow...can't believe I got that one...lol.

I was torn too...my first bat was an Eddie Matthews.

I did think it would be a Hall of Famer since Spear has very high standards.

Oustanding research again Mr. Steed.:notworthy

*******************************************************
Top of the "Looney Toons" avatar list would be great...

*******************************************************
More trivia...

As a child, my favorite player played centerfield in New York...

He has been named in a least one popular song that I know of...

Keep in mind that I am a Grandpa (4 times over)...that should give you an approximate time frame.

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

The suspense...

***


Okay Duck, I'm up to the task.


It ain't Mickey Mantle (N.Y. Yankees)... no song... next...


It ain't Willy Mays (New York Giants)... no song either...


It ain't Bernie Williams (N.Y. Yankees)... he creates songs... but no one sings about him...


It ain't Duke Snider (Brooklyn Dodgers)... no song...


But it sure as hell has got to be "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio"... who's been in at least 2 songs.


Okay, so I wanted it to be a little dramatic. It's got to be Joe DiMaggio. "The Greatest Living... oops... :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy


Sidenote: Joe and brothers Dom and Vince, were ALL excellent centerfielders. In fact, some baseball aficionados will say that Dom (seemingly least likely by appearance) was in fact the best defensively.


I love these questions Daffy!

Keep 'em coming...

***


Spearmaster

Gibson - never made the most of his talent and didn't always have a good supporting cast. But he was arguably one of the best pitchers of his time.

Ryan - same - going to Anaheim ruined his career.

Wow, solid point on Gibson. Viewed as one of the meanest pitchers to have ever played (he had that Michael Jordan intensity when he pitched... a sport assassin). Hard having to play in the same era as Sandy Koufax and Juan Marichal (although Marichal is certainly underrated).

With Ryan, ask lots of baseball fans, and more than likely, he'll be RIGHT at the top of their lists. No arguments here with his being considered a great pitcher, but in the same class as Seaver, Jenkins, or a Carlton... nope. Lots of heat behind his pitches, lots of K's, and lots of mediocrity that came with it.

Sidenote: I believe Jack Chesbro had been inducted into Cooperstown.



Steed

***

 

[spearmaster]

Joltin' Joe, alias Mr. Marilyn (LOL) would definitely be my choice as well

Now, does anyone remember who "gifted" the Mets their last World Series?

 

[Simmo!]

Joltin' Joe, alias Mr. Marilyn (LOL) would definitely be my choice as well

Now, does anyone remember who "gifted" the Mets their last World Series?

Bruce Grobelaar?

No wait...i know this one! Golden Palace bought them the trophy on the understanding they all named their first-borns "Golden Palace"?

 

[Daffy]

Joltin' Joe is incorrect...sorry...although I did like Marylyn...

There was a song a few years ago and one line went "Willie, Mickie, and the Duke"...I think the song name was "Talking Baseball" (or something like that). Might have just been popular in the US.

First line of my trivia is the major clue...

That's probably too many clues...lol...

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

Billy B...

***

Bill Buckner.


Unfairly put on him though. Why?


a) He shouldn't have been in the game, he was injured at the time.

b) Others were making critical mistakes, as well.


Poor 'ol Billy Buckner (a very solid player for a good number of years) will forever be dubbed a loser.


Do I get that free dinner again?


Steed


***

 

[spearmaster]

***

Bill Buckner.


Unfairly put on him though. Why?


a) He shouldn't have been in the game, he was injured at the time.

b) Others were making critical mistakes, as well.


Poor 'ol Billy Buckner (a very solid player for a good number of years) will forever be dubbed a loser.


Do I get that free dinner again?


Steed


***

I'm not so sure it was unfairly pinned on him, though he definitely didn't belong in the field at the time. And I felt really, really sorry for him, and even more so for the Red Sox... which is why I was actually elated when they finally claimed the Series.

Buckner was definitely a solid player and surely does not deserve his "loser" tag however. It's sad that this one moment will define his career - but he, in good grace, has even signed a whole bunch of pictures of that moment

Daffy, surely you aren't talking the Bambino, are you?

Simmo - nice one... LOL... must admit he was a definite character - but that's the REDS, not the METS

Macgyver - once upon a time, New Jersey was the playground of the East Coast - keep that in mind everytime you get an "Advance to Boardwalk" Chance card in Monopoly But since 1977, the year I left, it has gone nothing but downhill, save for when Bill Bradley was senator.

 

[johnsteed]

I'm laying down my cards...

***


Guess I've been in Korea for too long.


There was a song a few years ago and one line went "Willie, Mickie, and the Duke"...I think the song name was "Talking Baseball" (or something like that). Might have just been popular in the US.



(Steed is thinking to himself...) "Okay, my guesses are off. I'm down to my last few poker chips here..."


(...still thinking...) "Duke Snider, naw only a select few would take him first. Wait, he... naw. It ain't him."


(...narrowing down the final two in his head...) "Hmmm, Mickey or Willie. Willie? Everybody loves Willie Mays. But... The "Mick" and what could have been if he weren't always injured? The "Say Hey Kid" could do it all, but so could Mickey. Mickey was a winner, but Mantle was a Champion... what-to-do... what-to-do...


Okay duck, I'm all in. I'm pushing all my chips forward, because I'm not going to go 3-and-0 in this thread. It's the "Commerce Comet"...

"Mickey Mantle!!!"​

What's the verdict, do I win the Jeep Cherokee or what?


To be continued...


Steed



***

 

[johnsteed]

If it's not Mickey, I don't know who it is...

***


Wait! If Spearmaster is right, the Bambino, I'm going to throw a "hissy-fit". I don't think Babe Ruth played any other positions BUT right-field or left-field
(AND he also pitched). I'd think that while Ruth was more agile than people give him credit for, but I can't see how he was able to man center.


Hmmm, if you're as "finely-aged" as much as I think you are, could it be one of the following...


- Zack Wheat

- George Burns (not the comedian)

- Duffy Lewis

- Earle Combs

- Edd Roush

- Max Carey


Whew... I'm out of people.


***


Spearmaster

Macgyver - once upon a time, New Jersey was the playground of the East Coast - keep that in mind everytime you get an "Advance to Boardwalk" Chance card in Monopoly

Now, you see... Why can't they turn make that a casino game? And someone has GOT to make "'UNO" a casino game as well.


Spearmaster

But since 1977, the year I left, it has gone nothing but downhill, save for when Bill Bradley was governor.

Hmmm, "Knicks" fan by any chance "Spearmaster"?


Steed


***

 

[Daffy]

Spear posted...
"Ryan - same - going to Anaheim ruined his career."

Won 20 games twice and 19 twice with Anaheim.

7 no-hitters...12 one-hitters...

All-time strikeout leader...

3.19 lifetime era...

27 years in the majors...

I believe he had a decent career after leaving the Mazing Mets...lol.

I will admit he pitched two extra unsuccessful years in Texas 'cause the Rangers begged him to stay. He was their gate...an automatic sellout. They even gave him a life time service contract at one million per year. (He opted out of this contract just last year...his choice.)

I remember when he was in Anaheim pitching those twi-light games (sunlight to shadow)...he was untouchable...bookies wouldn't even put a line on the game.

the dUck

 

[spearmaster]

Won 20 games twice and 19 twice with Anaheim.

And what kind of teams did he face? Leaving the National League at that time was like going to an inferior league... LOL...

Ryan is a Hall of Famer for a reason - no questions about his qualifications either And don't forget he never had to lift a bat again... and Terrific Tom hit a few homers in his heyday!

As for the Bambino, I'm not entirely certain either - but did he not at one time man the deep end?

Monopoly is a favorite slot in Vegas... just ask the Meister... but can't recall having seen Uno yet.

Need I mention who my favorite basketball player of all time is? Or team, for that matter?

As for football - 12, and Navy. No more clues.

 

[Daffy]

As a child in the 50's, my primary form of entertainment was baseball...

Only tv was black and white...just three available channels...

Only baseball available was on Saturday afternoon...Dizzy Dean and Peewee Reese...Game of the Week...Hamms beer was the sponser(loved those little bears)...

I hated the YANKEES...

I said my favorite player played centerfield in New York...not for New York...

That leaves Willie and the Duke...last chance John Steed.
*******************************************************
I believe the bambino played right and pitched as JS has posted.

the dUck

 

[Daffy]

As for football - 12, and Navy. No more clues.


Captain America-Roger Staubach


the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

Some thoughts on Ryan...

***

Wow, I'm loving this.

It's been a LONG time since having a "real" baseball discussion without having to talk about Chan Ho Park or Byung-Yun Kim.

Spear posted...
"Ryan - same - going to Anaheim ruined his career."

In some ways though, it did hurt him for a while. While I'll agree that he needed to get out of New York (pitching behind Seaver), he played on a lot of bad Anaheim teams.

Great points about his accomplishments, and they're all great, but, you know what, if you look at every team he's been on, he's never "clearly" been the teams best pitcher.

- Seaver with the Mets.

- Frank Tanana is not a HOFer, but, he was considered better than Ryan while both were pitching with the Angels (say for Ryan's first year or two... which would coincide with Tanana learning the ropes...). That is, gradually through the '70s.


- Joe Niekro with the Astros.


- Bobby Witt/Kevin Brown with the Rangers.

Sure, he's had a greater career than these other pitchers, but they were generally his equal in the years that he played with them (say for Seaver... who was so much better at that time).

It's odd though, that Ryan never did win a Cy Young Award, and only led the league in ERA twice. He struck-out the most players in the history of baseball, AND he also walked the most players in the history of baseball. For every brilliant thing he did, there was an equally unimpressive flaw that got overlooked.


Nevertheless Daffy, great points (and prompt)!


Steed

***

 

[johnsteed]

Oh-boy, down to 2...

***


Daffy

I said my favorite player played centerfield in New York...not for New York...

That leaves Willie and the Duke...last chance John Steed.

Geez, I went all in with Mickey Mantle. I have no more chips left!


Okay, well, you're calling him "The" Duke, so I'm going with Duke Snider (mortgaging the garage on this one).


What's the verdict duck, can I keep the garage?



Steed

***

 

[spearmaster]

It's been a LONG time since having a "real" baseball discussion without having to talk about Chan Ho Park or Byung-Yun Kim.

LMFAO... that's funny Good thing you don't have to field Ichiro or Matsui(s) questions

Captain America-Roger Staubach

I never did live anywhere in Texas - in fact, only been there once in my life - but America's Team were dominant at the time and I never could manage to adopt the Jets or the Giants... Joe Namath notwithstanding... so you can imagine my disappointment when America's Team became America's toyboys... especially being led by a Bruin.

Now can you guess which university I went to... LOL...

Sorry for derailing the thread - I'm trying to find a way to split this off elsewhere, but my moderator buttons are a bit rusted and I have to figure out how to keep the original stuff intact while moving the fun sports discussion to Wild Card... maybe Vortran can lend a hand...

 

[johnsteed]

No stones left unturned...

***

Spearmaster

Need I mention who my favorite basketball player of all time is? Or team, for that matter?

Oh, it's a secret. A Phil Jackson fan. :notworthy


Steed


***

 

[spearmaster]

Can't be Willie because he did play for New York... and New York... but then again, the Duke also played for New York at one time...

 

[spearmaster]

Oh, it's a secret. A Phil Jackson fan.

Gotta hand it to him though, he's much better on the sidelines...

Remember "The Pearl" and "The Glide"?

All of my sporting heroes were fine, upstanding examples of society and wonderful role models. I'm not sure this was entirely by choice, but perhaps just the luck of the draw. Bradley was my dad's classmate at Princeton.

 

[johnsteed]

And a deep-fly to center... Way back...

***

Spearmaster

Can't be Willie because he did play for New York... and New York... but then again, the Duke also played for New York at one time...

Love how you brought-up Willie's time with the Mets. Funny how they say he sucked with the Mets, but he really didn't his first year. As far as "the Duke", he gradually became a shadow of his former-self after the team moved.


Steed

***

 

[johnsteed]

***


Spearmaster

Bradley was my dad's classmate at Princeton.

... :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy


Steed

***

 

[spearmaster]

Love how you brought-up Willie's time with the Mets. Funny how they say he sucked with the Mets, but he really didn't his first year. As far as "the Duke", he gradually became a shadow of his former-self after the team moved.

Willie was already a legend by the time he joined the Mets - and you're right, he was still pretty good his first year there but age finally caught up with him.

The Duke actually played for Casey Stengel one year towards the end of his career.

So technically, it can't be either of them... LOL...

 

[Daffy]

You can keep your garage, JS...it was the Duke.

I was a big Dodger fan...even after the move. Loved Kofax and Drysdale in the 60's. Then we got the Rangers here in the 70's and I've been suffering with them ever since...lol.(Arlington is only 20 miles from Dallas)

*******************************************************
Spear, living in Dallas, one occassionally runs into a sports figure from time to time. It has been my good fortune to meet Mr. Staubach at several functions over the years. You will be pleased to know that he is very personable, down-to-earth and quite outgoing. As is Troy Aikman.

The "royal flush" of my all-time sports encounters was to dine with Tom Landry and his wife (Alicia) twice. He was very entertaining...he even shared some hilarious antedotes with us. We were alone at one point...and I asked "Hey Coach, mind if we talk some football???" He smiled and said "That's my favorite subject."

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

It's got to be "The Duke"...

***

Spearmaster

The Duke actually played for Casey Stengel one year towards the end of his career.

So technically, it can't be either of them... LOL...

That's right, hahaha. You're right.


***


Well, Daffy said he played in New York, and not for New York, so I guess that since:

a) The Giants were called the "New York" Giants, that means it must be...

b) The "Brooklyn" Dodgers, thus leaving us with "Duke Snider".


Now, can I get a Chuck Jones autographed photo of you now?



Steed


***

 

[Daffy]

Duke was a Dodger...Willie was a Giant...

Those nano seconds with the Mets don't count...lmao.

I've always liked Willie...he was great and never got payed. One of the reasons he went to the Mets was an offer from the casinos in Atlantic City to be a spokesperson. Baseball threatened to kick him out (gambling)...so he had to pass. Not fair at all.

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

***


Daffy

Spear, living in Dallas, one occassionally runs into a sports figure from time to time. It has been my good fortune to meet Mr. Staubach at several functions over the years. You will be pleased to know that he is very personable, down-to-earth and quite outgoing. As is Troy Aikman.

The "royal flush" of my all-time sports encounters was to dine with Tom Landry and his wife (Alicia) twice. He was very entertaining...he even shared some hilarious antedotes with us. We were alone at one point...and I asked "Hey Coach, mind if we talk some football???" He smiled and said "That's my favorite subject."

the dUck

OMG... :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

Sidenote: I've got to get out of Korea and start meeting some famous people... pronto...


Steed

***

 

[Simmo!]

He was very entertaining...he even shared some hilarious antedotes with us.

Thats made my day Daffy

 

[spearmaster]

Spear, living in Dallas, one occassionally runs into a sports figure from time to time. It has been my good fortune to meet Mr. Staubach at several functions over the years. You will be pleased to know that he is very personable, down-to-earth and quite outgoing. As is Troy Aikman.

I think we can all agree that Mr. Staubach has lived an exemplary life

And Troy Aikman is a nice guy - but he was a lousy quarterback, and worse yet, a Bruin.

(can you tell I'm still suffering from the shock loss this morning?)

The "royal flush" of my all-time sports encounters was to dine with Tom Landry and his wife (Alicia) twice. He was very entertaining...he even shared some hilarious antedotes with us. We were alone at one point...and I asked "Hey Coach, mind if we talk some football???" He smiled and said "That's my favorite subject."

:notworthy

Tom Landry was also one hell of a guy from all accounts. No doubt he ranks up there with the best of all time... those must have been some enjoyable encounters.

The only pro football player I ever met was Toni Fritsch... never met any other pro sports figure that I can recall... but met quite a few Olympians from all over the world, including one memorable encounter with Detlef Schrempf at the '84 Olympics, and Lee Evans, who had a mailbox at the place I used to work, and also met a few TV stars.

Come to think of it, I *did* meet one other pro football player - Fran Tarkenton - nice guy - but he was a TV star then, had been out of football a few years already and was hosting "That's Incredible".

Steed, just how long *have* you been in Korea?

As for nanoseconds, I guess I can agree with that

 

[johnsteed]

***


Daffy

I've always liked Willie...he was great and never got payed. One of the reasons he went to the Mets was an offer from the casinos in Atlantic City to be a spokesperson. Baseball threatened to kick him out (gambling)...so he had to pass. Not fair at all.

I occasionally listen to Rick Barry's radio show on KNBR680, and he's pretty tight with Willie and others from the Bay Area. I believe that Willie does do some stuff in Vegas, like greeting people, in various capacities (all of which I'm not sure of). He's not rich like his Godson, but he has lots of nice contracts to keep him more than happy.


Spearmaster

Steed, just how long *have* you been in Korea?

It's been 5-years now. I miss real TV!!!

***

Great stuff gentlemen, very memorable evening/night/morning.


Steed

***

 

[spearmaster]

I occasionally listen to Rick Barry's radio show on KNBR680

OMG... Mr. Underhand Free Throw... didn't know where he'd gone off to. Also a great player...

It's been 5-years now. I miss real TV!!!

You're telling me... I last lived in the US in 1988... thank goodness for CNN and ESPN...

 

[Daffy]

Bradley and the Knicks...

Drafted by the New York Knicks, he completed his Oxford studies and returned to basketball in 1967. “Dollar Bill” developed into one of the Knicks= most solid players at forward and was instrumental in New York’s 1970 and 1973 NBA champion*ships. His 12.4 ppg career average on Knick teams that featured Hall of Famers Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Earl "the pearl" Monroe and Jerry Lucas pale in comparison to his overall value to championship basketball. After retiring from basketball in 1977, Bradley was elected a U.S. Senator from New Jersey in 1979.

I identified with DeBusschere's commando style...loved watching those Knicks.

the dUck

 

[spearmaster]

Walt "Clyde the Glide" Frazier

Dave DeBusschere was a rock That team was a great team to watch, like you said. The only other team I ever watched during that era was the Harlem Globetrotters... and the Celtics, only because it was the rivalry

 

[Daffy]

Walt "Clyde the Glide" Frazier

Can't believe I did not remember that k/nickname...lol...kudos Spear.:notworthy

the dUck

 

[Slotmachine]

Extremely cool thread:notworthy

Cheers,
SM

 

[Daffy]

Uh-oh

According to their bios...Walt Frasier's nick was "Clyde"...Clyde Drexler(POR/HOU) was "the glide".

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

ESPN... I miss you...

***


Daffy

I identified with DeBusschere's commando style...loved watching those Knicks.

I think that the Knicks (in the early '70s) may have been one of the deepest teams in the history of the NBA. Specifically the '73 line-up that they rolled-out. Wow, loaded. The starting 5 and the 6th-man, are the best I've yet to see. Check it out:

- Earl Monroe
- Walt Frazier
- Dave Debusschere
- Bill Bradley
- Willis Reed
- Jerry Lucas

:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

Ouch!!! And that '73 team needed to be loaded, because that '73 Lakers squad was excellent as well (and defeated them the year before in the '72 Finals).

***


Spearmaster

OMG... Mr. Underhand Free Throw... didn't know where he'd gone off to. Also a great player...

Yes, the underhanded free throw. He wanted to teach Shaq how to do it, but Shaq had refused because he thought/thinks it'll make him look silly (i.e. losing that "street-cred"). Geez, I thought hovering around 50% at the charity stripe makes him look silly enough.

Rick Barry is very colorful, egotistical, but even he acknowledges it. Great player, and like how Seaver willed the Miracle Mets team, Barry did the same for that long forgotten about Golden State Warriors team ('74-75) that won it all, beating a damn-good Bullets team. If you ever get a chance, check out his interviews at KNBR680 (radio) under "Instant Replay", where he has tons of memorable interviews with all the legends. Trust me, great stuff. Almost on par with the Casinomeisters webcasts.


Spearmaster

It's been 5-years now. I miss real TV!!!


You're telling me... I last lived in the US in 1988... thank goodness for CNN and ESPN...

Wow, I'm jealous. I don't get ESPN, I only get MBC Sports from Korea, but I do get Star Sports that comes from China (I think maybe you'll know what I'm talking about on that one). I used to get CNN here, back from '01-02, and they changed it to the BBC. Which is fine, but when they did have CNN, I could always look forward to "This Week In The NBA". Now (cough-cough)... nada.



Steed


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[spearmaster]

According to their bios...Walt Frasier's nick was "Clyde"...Clyde Drexler(POR/HOU) was "the glide".

Actually, that's right. Clyde the Glide was Drexler. Walt was "Clyde" but I was sure he was often referred to as "Clyde the Glide" as well... anyhow, believe the bios, after 30 years I'm getting a bit rusty too

 

[Daffy]

That's okay...lol...I thought about "the glide" most of the day until I was forced to research it.

You also stirred my interest with that Billy Buckner trivia...

They did an ESPN special (sorry JS) last year on famous "goats"...ESPN felt the bullpen caused the 86' debacle...

Here's the Baseball Almanac write-up of Game 6 and Game 7...



Like his struggling counterpart, Clemens was also looking for his first win and left Game 6 with a 3-2 lead. However his teammates were unable to finish the job, leaving fourteen men on base and committing one of the most devastating errors in World Series history. After Henderson led off the top of the tenth with a home run against Rick Aguilera breaking the 3-3 tie, Boston increased its lead to 5-3 as Wade Boggs doubled and Marty Barrett singled him home. Sox reliever Calvin Schiraldi (who yielded the tying run in the eighth) retired the Mets' first two batters in the tenth (Wally Backman and Keith Hernandez), moving Boston to within one out of the World Series title. Carter prolonged the anxious fans tension with a clutch single and Kevin Mitchell followed with another base hit. Schiraldi regained his composure and managed a no-ball, two-strike count on New York's Ray Knight, but the third baseman made contact on his next offering, scoring Carter and moving Mitchell to third. Anticipating a disaster, Bob Stanley was called in and matched Mookie Wilson in a ten-pitch duel that left fans on both sides hanging on the edge of their seats. Wilson fouled off a 2-1 pitch, then sent two more out of bounds. As the pressure continued to build, Stanley's seventh pitch went wild, and Mitchell raced home with the game-tying run with Knight advancing to second. With a full count of 3-2, Wilson finally connected fair on the tenth toss sending a short grounder along the baseline toward first baseman Bill Buckner. A collective sigh of relief fell over the Boston crowd in anticipation of a textbook out and a chance at redemption in the eleventh-inning. However their jubilation quickly turned to shock and disbelief as the ball somehow slipped under Buckner's glove and continued to roll. As Knight bolted home for the 6-5 victory, the home crowd at Shea Stadium erupted in celebration. The Mets were still alive with or without, a little help from "The Babe". For Buckner, the costly error became a defining moment and ultimately overshadowed the rest of his career.

While the Sox had found themselves in this predicament before (one strike away from elimination in the American League Series), many fans had already abandoned the team and Buckner was crucified in the papers for making the critical mistake. Luckily they would have twenty-four hours to regain their senses as Game 7 was postponed a day due to rain. Three time winner Bruce Hurst returned for the final outing and looked to make it right again with a little help from his friends. Dwight Evans and Rich Gedman both belted back-to-back homers and Boggs delivered an RBI single for a 3-0 lead going into the sixth. New York tied the game on Hernandez's bases-loaded single that scored Lee Mazzilli and Wilson while Carter's tee-shot to right brought Wally Backman home.

Schiraldi was sent in as relief in the seventh, but Knight tagged him again (as he had in Game 6) with a tie-breaking homer. Before it was over, Rafael Santana nailed a RBI single and Hernandez added a sac-fly for the 6-3 lead. Sid Fernandez had shut out Boston through the middle innings, but Roger McDowell replaced him and surrendered a two run double off Evans in the eighth. Jesse Orosco entered as the third reliever and managed to coax Gedman to line out, Henderson to strike out and Don Baylor to bounce out. As the Mets took their turn in the bottom of the eighth, Darryl Strawberry sent one into the seats for the 8-5 advantage and it was all over from there. Orosco returned in the ninth to finish the job and struck out the side (1-2-3) crowning the National League reps as World Champions. The heartbreaking loss in Game 6 still remains as the second darkest day in Beantown sports history. The first of course was a "certain trade" that haunted the Boston faithful for over eight decades.

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

***

Hey dUck, c'mon...


Me

Unfairly put on him though. Why?

a) He shouldn't have been in the game, he was injured at the time.

b) Others were making critical mistakes, as well.

I thought he may be considered a "loser", but that's not really fair. Bucker was a very talented football player as well, and a very good 1st sacker for quite a number of years.

I think that over the past 20 years or so, the two most overrated plays (in baseball history) are that one, and most definitely the Bonds late throw to get Sid Bream out at home-plate in '92 (versus the Braves). His arm may not be as talented as his other tools, but his arm is very accurate. They don't seem to mention that the infield made a couple errors leading-up to the Sid Bream play. It'll be 100 years from now, and people will still remember those plays.


Steed

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[Daffy]

The "sorry JS" was for the ESPN reference...cause you can't get it in Korea...not the content.

the dUck

 

[johnsteed]

"All-Time" MLB squad...

***


Daffy

The "sorry JS" was for the ESPN reference...cause you can't get it in Korea...not the content.

(lol) Whoops.

Funny thing, the last time I saw ESPN was in '02. I was staying at "Circus-Circus" and I went on an awful run at the tables, my first night there. Since I was travelling with some friends (taking some time off work out here in Korea), I thought after getting hammered, to just kick-back and relax in front of the set. I must have watched 12-hours straight (I think it was ESPN II) of bios on MLB stars. Great stuff.

Funny about that week there. I had the best time catching-up on TV, and going with some friends to play BJ all night at the $1 min. tables (free drinks and all). Great stuff. Off of $20, I took it up to a couple hundred without betting over $4.


Hey, dUck, since this thread has turned into a sports hang-out, why Duke Snyder? And since I got you here, what's your "All-Time" MLB team? And if you have time Spearmaster, I'd love to hear yours as well? I imagine you two will be up to the task.


Steed

***

 

[johnsteed]

Massive oversight...

***

Hello fellow forum members,


While I found that my list of most helpful/knowledgeable members is sound, there was a huge oversight on my part by not including BingoT. So, it's not complete...

Okay, so I never play BINGO (other than with my students), therefore I never go into that section of the forum. But after taking a look at all of BingoT's efforts, I'm kicking myself for not mentioning him.

What I do know, is that he's from Hartford, Conneticut. He's in nursing and helps sick children, and he runs bus trips to the casinos. He also does many fundraisers for sick children (information taken from his profile). And he does tons of work in the Bingo section here at Casinomeister. So, never mind all the work he puts forth here, he sounds like a super-individual. My hats off to you for all the work you do.


Thank you.


Sidenote: (I was once a Whalers fan... Blaine Stoughton, Mike Liut, and of course, Ron Francis ).



Now back to baseball...


Steed


***

 

[BingoT]

Hi John I want to Thank You for that compliment.

Hi John I want to Thank You for that compliment.
I do my best to bring joy in many kids and adults in this World and I know and like I say in my life I would love to be like a Jerry Lewis What a great guy he is. I love him for what he does.
This year I have done some much my Goal was to help 75 kids well I helped 153 Thanks to all.
People today don't know what people that have disabilities feel and do in today's life.and like I say I guess I was put here to do a good deed I guess in my past life I was a bad person lol so that's why I do this stuff.
I say take all the normal kids and bring them for a day to a Children's Hospital and let them see what the real life is all about. When my kids are off from school they come to work with me. My 16 year old is starting to feel it in his heart. & they love every minute of the time they spend reading or playing with the kids I take care of.
John again I want to Thank You you made me feel special today
Your friend
Tom
Ps and a Big Thank You to all here at (Bryan's) Casinomeister's Forum
And please if I get out of hand please tell me off

And John The Whalers may come back to Hartford too Big talks going on with this

 

[spearmaster]

All time MLB team? I bet you two will have a much better go of it than I will, since I haven't been able to follow baseball regularly for over 20 years I honestly would not be able to compare any player since then to those before the 80s... so rather than embarrass myself I'm going to beg off on this one

Buckner was a convenient goat - even I was watching that moment live on TV and I can tell you that disbelief stretched way beyond the stadium... my jaw just dropped...

Yes, the bullpen deserves a lot of flak too. But honestly, in the heat of the situation, I can understand a wild pitch - but a weak grounder getting by Buckner - even worse, between his legs?

Buckner didn't deserve that - nor did the Red Sox. But ultimately it was a ball that any player of any stature should have at least blocked, let alone a Golden Glove. This single mistake was easy to focus on because it was practically unforgiveable.

Yes, he was getting old. Yes, he was injured and really didn't belong on the field. But it should still never have come down to letting the ball roll between your legs.