[Bar Chat returns 12/31]
NBA Quiz: 1) Name the four L.A. Lakers coaches that won
titles since 1970. 2) Name the Philadelphia 76ers title-winning
coach for their 1982-83 campaign. 3) 76ers coach who took
them to the 1966-67 title? 4) Who am I? I led the NBA in
scoring with a 27.1 average in 1968 and I was a guard. 5) Who
was the last forward to lead the NBA in field goal percentage?
[Hint: 1995] Answers below.
Stuff
Before our traditional Christmas fare, just a few items of note.
–December 23, 1982: Chaminade, a NAIA school with 900
students in Honolulu, knocked off No. 1-ranked Virginia and
7’4” Ralph Sampson, 77-72, in the greatest upset in college
basketball history. Said the “Silverswords” coach Merv Lopes
afterwards, “It’s amazing what human beings can accomplish.”
–J-E-T-S…Jets Jets Jets!
–Congratulations to Division III Mount Union (Alliance, Ohio),
which won its 6th football title in 7 years by defeating Trinity
(Texas) this weekend. Mount Union has now won 96 of its last
97 games
–Boy, I watched LSU upset #1 Arizona in college basketball on
Saturday night and let’s just say they were incredibly lucky. AZ
is still going all the way….or maybe Creighton!
–Those of us in the New York / Philadelphia area this week have
been witness to the ongoing collapse of the Los Angeles Lakers,
who are just 11-18 as of this writing. And as Mark R. tells me,
we shouldn’t be surprised if Shaq retires soon. He has to be in
incredible pain because of ongoing problems with his feet. He
also can’t play defense anymore, that’s for sure.
–The New York Times weighed in on the Pete Rose debate in a
Sunday editorial, saying it “would be a terrible mistake” to lift
the ban on Rose, allowing him to return to the game. And the
Times, like yours truly, refuses to forgive him since Rose has
shown zero remorse over the years for his documented gambling
in the sport.
But, just as my friend Phil W. had mentioned days before the
Times piece, Rose could still get his plaque in Cooperstown if he
meets two conditions:
“First, Mr. Rose must make a full confession about his gambling.
Second, any plaque in Cooperstown commemorating his
remarkable athletic achievements must also take note of the
darker side of his career.”
Give him his due in the Hall of Fame, but keep him out of the
sport.
Separately, Commissioner Bud Selig supposedly wants to meet
with the 58 living members of the Hall to discuss the topic.
–RIP, Dr. Strangeglove: Dick Stuart, that is. The former major
leaguer died the other day at age 70. Those of us who grew up in
the 60s often noted the little quiz on the back of baseball cards
back then, that being the fact that Stuart once hit 66 home runs in
the minor leagues in 1956 for Class A Lincoln, Nebraska, in what
was then known as the “Sally League.” Once he made it to the
big leagues, Stuart proved to be a solid hitter, smashing 228
home runs and driving in 743, while playing for the Pittsburgh
Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, the New York
Mets, the Dodgers and the California Angels. But it was as a
fielder that Stuart earned his nickname Dr. Strangeglove. He
was simply dreadful.
–RIP, Don Vesco, 63: Vesco set a ton of land-speed records for
both motorcycle and car. In 1970, he was the first person to ride
the former at more than 250 mph. In ‘75 his Silver Bird
Yamaha, powered by twin Yamaha TZ750 engines for you
gearheads out there, broke the 300 mph barrier. In 1986, though,
he broke his neck in an accident in which his car went 30 feet in
the air and he once lost an eye when he was hit by a rock while
watching a sprint car race. I guess you could say, ol’ Don liked
danger.
–The investigation into Florida State University QB Adrian
McPherson continues to broaden and authorities are concerned
he was part of a large-scale gambling ring on campus. Of course
this is a problem across all colleges and a full-blown scandal may
be about to erupt, particularly in men’s basketball.
–NBC has renewed “Friends” for one more season, the 10th, at a
reported $9 million an episode. This season each of the six
actors is receiving $1 million per 30-minute show and for next
they are said to be getting a slight raise.
–To my fellow Wake Forest alums, you’ll be happy to know that
Saturday’s b-ball win over St. John’s received a lot of press in
the New York newspapers. Good for recruiting, we like to say.
–Uh oh…the Campbell’s Chunky Soup curse may claim another
victim. Thus far Terrell Davis, Kurt Warner, and Donovan
McNabb have all appeared in spots for the company and then
promptly suffered serious injuries. Steelers fans can’t be happy
to see running back Jerome Bettis now shilling for Campbell’s.
–Americans are drinking more Italian table-wine than French
wine for the first time ever, $621 million worth for the year
ending 6/30.
–The British Medical Journal publishes some lighter fare for its
yearend issue and this time it analyzed each Playboy centerfold
since 1953. The conclusion? Busts and hips have diminished,
while waists are less tapered. Officials are quick to point out that
no one should jump to conclusions concerning men’s tastes.
Personally, I’m an……….oops, better not go there.
The same British journal has also examined the supposed curse
of Tutankhamun. Back in 1922, British archeologist Howard
Carter unearthed King Tut’s tomb. Shortly thereafter everyone
associated with the expedition began to die prematurely, which
was then attributed to some kind of curse. Even the man who
financed the deal, Lord Carnarvon, died a year later at age 57.
But Mark Nelson, an epidemiologist, said, “The press reports at
the time had the death of every man and his dog being associated
with the curse, no matter how obscure the connection, (but) there
was no effect on survival time for any exposure.”
I would suggest the scientists next examine the Sports Illustrated
cover curse instead. And then check out the Campbell’s Chunky
Soup issue.
–Here’s a football tidbit for you Chicago Bears fans. Marty
Booker is the first receiver to be selected for the Pro Bowl since
Dick Gordon in 1971.
–Seth Mydans had a piece in the Times the other day concerning
the Mekong River in Cambodia, home to at least 750 confirmed
species of fish. The largest freshwater fish in the world, the giant
catfish, is one of them and can reach a weight of 600 pounds!
Unfortunately, the catfish is close to total extinction, but the
National Geographic Society and UC-Davis are involved in a last
ditch effort to either save it or, as is more likely the case, at least
document the giant’s last days. If a Cambodian fisherman brings
one in alive, he is paid 45 cents a pound for his efforts, which for
a 600-pounder equals their annual income. But this year, only 5
have been caught and 2 of them died soon thereafter.
—
[And now, a Bar Chat Christmas.]
Apollo 8
Growing up, one of the more dramatic memories as a kid was
staying up Christmas Eve 1968 to follow the remarkable voyage
of Apollo 8.
If ever a nation needed a pick me up, it was America in ’68, after
the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert
Kennedy, the ongoing war in Vietnam and the dramatic Tet
Offensive, LBJ’s sudden withdrawal from the presidential race,
the turbulent Democratic Convention, and the invasion of
Czechoslovakia. Yes, we were ready for a little space adventure.
Apollo 8 would be the first manned mission to orbit the moon.
Commanded by Frank Borman, with James Lovell, Jr. and
William Anders, it was launched on December 21 and on
Christmas Eve the craft began its orbit. What made this all the
more dramatic was the first go round to the dark side of the
moon, when all communication was lost until they reemerged at
the other side. It was the middle of night for us viewers, at least
in the Eastern time zone, and I also remember that Apollo was
sending back spectacular photos of earth.
Borman described the moon as “a vast, lonely and forbidding
sight,” and Lovell called Earth “a grand oasis in the big vastness
of space.” The crew members then took turns reading from the
Book of Genesis / Creation:
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the
earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the
deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And
God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light
from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he
called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the
first day…
James Lovell would later say, “Please be informed, that there is a
Santa Claus,” while Borman concluded with “Merry Christmas.
God bless all of you, all of you on the Good Earth.”
—
The Gospel According to Luke
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all
the world should be registered. This was the first registration
and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went
to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the
town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family
of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was
engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there,
the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to
her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping
watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood
before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all
the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you
will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made
known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and
Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this,
they made known what had been told them about this child; and
all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her
heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
—
A Visit from St. Nicholas
By Clement C. Moore [Actually, he stole it, but we’ll retell story
that next Christmas.]
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof –
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from this head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes – how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
—
Top 3 songs for the week of 12/21/68: #1 “I Heard It Through
The Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye) #2 “Love Child” (Diana Ross &
The Supremes) #3 “For Once In My Life” (Stevie Wonder)
NBA Quiz Answers: 1) Lakers coaches: Bill Sharman led them
to the championship in 1972; Paul Westhead – 1980; Pat Riley –
1982, 1985, 1987-88; Phil Jackson – 2000-2002. 2) Billy
Cunningham led the 76ers to the title in 1983. 3) Alex Hannum
coached the 1967 title-winning Philly team. 4) Dave Bing /
Detroit led the NBA in scoring in 1967-68. 5) Chris Gatling was
the last forward to lead the NBA in field goal percentage, 1994-
95, at .633%.
Next Bar Chat, Tuesday 12/31.
MERRY CHRISTMAS…from Dr. Bortrum, Harry Trumbore,
the editor and the crack staff at CSI MultiMedia.
