It happened again; the death of a sports legend. Red Auerbach died at 89.
Was he a genius? Certainly he changed the game of basketball with his coaching and dealing. As a kid with deep roots in both New England and Philadelphia, I will never forget the epic battles between the great Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. With a gifted supporting cast that included Cousy, Heinsohn, two Joneses and Sanders, Red and Russell won most of the time.
As GM he brought Larry Bird to Boston at the same time that Magic Johnson arrived to play for the Lakers. Together with their teams they ushered in a golden age that fostered the NBA's growth and set the stage for the big money its current stars earn. The Celtics and the Lakers continued their phenomenal rivalry with great teams, classic games and unforgettable championship series.
Nine championships as a coach and seven as GM. He was a genius for his time and will be missed.
Thanks for the memories Red. Enjoy a cigar in his honor.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Who Was Marlin McKeever?
Life after 60. When I started this blog I promised that I would make that one of my topics. I am sure that everything I have written is colored by that, but I have written little about it directly.
Yesterday Marlin McKeever fell in his home. I saw the notice online.
Marlin McKeever was a football player, one of the best of his time. He loved the game so much that he played several positions, and played them well. At USC his last two years he was their leading receiver. He had even been a punter. I guess I first took note of him because his twin brother Mike played for USC too. Both of them were good. Tragically both of them are now dead because of head injuries.
When you are younger you lose people around you who die untimely deaths. Foremost in my life have been Sandy and Bucky, my cousins and like me the oldest children in their families. I also remember the loss of heroes and public figures; chiefly two Kennedys, a King and a Lennon. But when you get into your sixties headlines with names from the past jump out at you.
Marlin McKeever was a linebacker in the NFL, one of the best of his time. When I watch football, I key in on linebackers and how they play. The best were among my heroes including Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus.
I always enjoyed watching Marlin McKeever play. Thanks for the memories Marlin McKeever!
My condolences go out to your family.
Yesterday Marlin McKeever fell in his home. I saw the notice online.
Marlin McKeever was a football player, one of the best of his time. He loved the game so much that he played several positions, and played them well. At USC his last two years he was their leading receiver. He had even been a punter. I guess I first took note of him because his twin brother Mike played for USC too. Both of them were good. Tragically both of them are now dead because of head injuries.
When you are younger you lose people around you who die untimely deaths. Foremost in my life have been Sandy and Bucky, my cousins and like me the oldest children in their families. I also remember the loss of heroes and public figures; chiefly two Kennedys, a King and a Lennon. But when you get into your sixties headlines with names from the past jump out at you.
Marlin McKeever was a linebacker in the NFL, one of the best of his time. When I watch football, I key in on linebackers and how they play. The best were among my heroes including Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus.
I always enjoyed watching Marlin McKeever play. Thanks for the memories Marlin McKeever!
My condolences go out to your family.
The Little Pest
A true lead off hitter makes a pest of himself. He (she too, but not in the Major Leagues yet) fouls off pitches to frustrate the opposing pitcher, gets hit by a pitch occasionally and chokes up on the bat to slap a single. When he gets on, the lead off hitter motivates his team and makes something happen. Rickey Henderson was probably the best. No Red Sox fan will forget Wade Boggs, one of the two best contact hitters of his generation.
But the 2006 World Series MVP to a 5ft 7in lead off hitter? You bet! David Eckstein was the logical choice to anyone who knows baseball. In an era when the home run makes the highlights on Sport Center, he plays "small ball" with emotion and smarts, just the way the game should be played.
Is there any wonder that the kid has two championships? In the 2002 ALDS he drove the Yankee pitchers, especially Roger Clemens, crazy with his pesky approach to hitting.
Baseball needed an MVP who demonstrates that size, muscle and substances are not what makes an exciting national pastime.
But the 2006 World Series MVP to a 5ft 7in lead off hitter? You bet! David Eckstein was the logical choice to anyone who knows baseball. In an era when the home run makes the highlights on Sport Center, he plays "small ball" with emotion and smarts, just the way the game should be played.
Is there any wonder that the kid has two championships? In the 2002 ALDS he drove the Yankee pitchers, especially Roger Clemens, crazy with his pesky approach to hitting.
Baseball needed an MVP who demonstrates that size, muscle and substances are not what makes an exciting national pastime.
More on Reynolds
A couple hours after I posted on The October Surprise I got into my car and heard a report that Tom Reynolds has a slight lead over Jack Davis in the most recent poll.
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