My Personal Nostalgia Sports Thread

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Another little story, encountering a sports-great. Met Jose Canseco in Rio poker room. For daily tournament, not WSOP tourney.

Said to him "I have to ask you. Are you Jose?"

He was cool. I told him that he was really good. I mentioned that he had to be right at 500 HR...or just short. He knew exactly how many HR he had. Said "I had 462 Home Runs, but I only played 15 years."

Was with a girl that was literally half his age. I told him I was sorry about his teammate (Bob Welch) passing away recently. He frowned and said "Yeah. Tony Phillips and Dave Henderson, too."

Really cool guy. But I was also conscious of not tripping off his temper.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Mark Landsberger and Kareem

That clip is a classic. As a youngster, u try to figure out the physics on how he did that.

The other Dr J classic is him coming down the left wing, cupping the ball and "rocking the baby to sleep."

Dr J has to rank in a short class of players w/ huge hands, so much so that they can cup the ball like a pebble. Otis Thorpe would also be on the list...and I heard an announcer mention that Connie Hawkins used to do the same thing.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

If you're a Dr J fan...check out some of his ABA hi-lites. Back when he REALLY had spring in his legs.

ABA/NBA merger took place pretty much to get Dr J into the league. Guy was so good that words don't do it justice.

[Roscoe_Word]

Another little story, encountering a sports-great. Met Jose Canseco in Rio poker room. For daily tournament, not WSOP tourney.

Said to him "I have to ask you. Are you Jose?"

He was cool. I told him that he was really good. I mentioned that he had to be right at 500 HR...or just short. He knew exactly how many HR he had. Said "I had 462 Home Runs, but I only played 15 years."

Was with a girl that was literally half his age. I told him I was sorry about his teammate (Bob Welch) passing away recently. He frowned and said "Yeah. Tony Phillips and Dave Henderson, too."

Really cool guy. But I was also conscious of not tripping off his temper.

Good story. Remember hearing about Welch recently.

Lotta "over" bets came in with the A's in those days.

Lost a couple of times bettin against them; thought SF was a good dog bet in the series.

Really cool guy. But I was also conscious of not tripping off his temper.

Probably good that you didn't mention the "ball off the head for a HR."

[Roscoe_Word]

If you're a Dr J fan...check out some of his ABA hi-lites. Back when he REALLY had spring in his legs.

ABA/NBA merger took place pretty much to get Dr J into the league. Guy was so good that words don't do it justice.

Yep....The Red-White-Blue ball.

He choked Bird (lol), but all is forgotten.

[Roscoe_Word]

That's a good card.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Good story. Remember hearing about Welch recently.

Lotta "over" bets came in with the A's in those days.

Lost a couple of times bettin against them; thought SF was a good dog bet in the series.

Really cool guy. But I was also conscious of not tripping off his temper.

Probably good that you didn't mention the "ball off the head for a HR."

I was very cautious in my word selection, Roscoe. He had that reputation of being edgy.

One young poker player patted Jose on the shoulder. Jose wasn't happy, close to having hay-makers thrown.

Yeah, no mention of the HR off the head. Nor did I want to mention Gibson vs Eckersley.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Good story. Remember hearing about Welch recently.

Lotta "over" bets came in with the A's in those days.

Lost a couple of times bettin against them; thought SF was a good dog bet in the series.

Really cool guy. But I was also conscious of not tripping off his temper.

Probably good that you didn't mention the "ball off the head for a HR."

Roscoe, those are some good betting anecdotes. Funny how betting changes over time.

At one time, there was this Fav/Over bias. Bettors couldn't help themselves. The fav and Over just looked too attractive.

Transmission of information is so much faster now. Now, the knowledgable sees those databases that SHOW the value was on Dog/Under. In some ways, I think the bias has shifted too much the OTHER WAY. (ie, hard to find value in Dog/Under now)

If there is an game w/ good under-potential, # is seemingly ratcheted down to bare-bones. Not to mention that the analytics out there are to the n-th degree. So hard to carve out an edge anymore.

I also browse player career stats, especially in baseball. It was an absolute TRAVESTY when Baines made it into HOF. No offense to him, but he should solidly be captain of the HOVG, Hall of Very Good.

There are SO MANY non-HOF players that should be outraged by Baines' admission. I can literally name (eligible) players w/ DOUBLE Baines' WAR who are not in. The list of non-HOFers w/ WAR > Baines could go on + on.

[Roscoe_Word]

In some ways, I think the bias has shifted too much the OTHER WAY. (ie, hard to find value in Dog/Under now)

Good point,CTG.

[Mr KLC]

[MinnesotaFats]

Another little story, encountering a sports-great. Met Jose Canseco in Rio poker room. For daily tournament, not WSOP tourney.

Said to him "I have to ask you. Are you Jose?"

He was cool. I told him that he was really good. I mentioned that he had to be right at 500 HR...or just short. He knew exactly how many HR he had. Said "I had 462 Home Runs, but I only played 15 years."

Was with a girl that was literally half his age. I told him I was sorry about his teammate (Bob Welch) passing away recently. He frowned and said "Yeah. Tony Phillips and Dave Henderson, too."

Really cool guy. But I was also conscious of not tripping off his temper.

Didn't realize both Phillip's and Hendo had heart attacks in their 50s.

I know they were avid cocaine users but big Dave was a broadcast guy by this time I think. Hendo only had 195 carrer HRs, really thought that figure was higher.

[MinnesotaFats]

Roscoe, those are some good betting anecdotes. Funny how betting changes over time.

At one time, there was this Fav/Over bias. Bettors couldn't help themselves. The fav and Over just looked too attractive.

Transmission of information is so much faster now. Now, the knowledgable sees those databases that SHOW the value was on Dog/Under. In some ways, I think the bias has shifted too much the OTHER WAY. (ie, hard to find value in Dog/Under now)

If there is an game w/ good under-potential, # is seemingly ratcheted down to bare-bones. Not to mention that the analytics out there are to the n-th degree. So hard to carve out an edge anymore.

I also browse player career stats, especially in baseball. It was an absolute TRAVESTY when Baines made it into HOF. No offense to him, but he should solidly be captain of the HOVG, Hall of Very Good.

There are SO MANY non-HOF players that should be outraged by Baines' admission. I can literally name (eligible) players w/ DOUBLE Baines' WAR who are not in. The list of non-HOFers w/ WAR > Baines could go on + on.

Baines is in for 1 reason....the missing games 94/95.

Those get played he's a member of the 3000/400 club. Auto entry.

But you're right...25 year career and absolutely zero black ink on his baseball reference page.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

That's a good card.

Interesting sidebar on why the PADRE cards listed "Wash, NL" in 1974. There was a sale in the works, and it appeared like the Padres would be moving to Wash DC:

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/1974-topps-washington-nationals-the-year-topps-jumped-the-gun/

[Mr KLC]

Interesting sidebar on why the PADRE cards listed "Wash, NL" in 1974. There was a sale in the works, and it appeared like the Padres would be moving to Wash DC:

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...umped-the-gun/

Yep! Thank the Lord for Ray Kroc! They almost became the Washington Stars. The Brown uniforms still exist because of what he did.

[Mr KLC]

Tony Perez, Joe Morgan?

Dave Concepcion and Joe Morgan

[Mr KLC]

[Mr KLC]

[Roscoe_Word]

Dave Concepcion and Joe Morgan

Ahh....I lose the vig (LOL)

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Ahh....I lose the vig (LOL)

Roscoe, is this guy amazing w/ the classic photos? Or what?

DaveyC was so smooth at SS.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Production + longevity. 2 names, what a career.

[spurginobili]

[Mr KLC]

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Spurs, props to you. Great video.

I haven't seen that movie in ages. I forgot that MURDOCK's retort was so funny. "Dragging Walton + Lanier up + down the court."

[ChuckyTheGoat]

When u watched a YOUNG Alcindor play w/ the Bucks (pretty rare footage)...he was so good that he might as well have been in another league. It was almost unfair to ask PROS to play against him. Watch him when he had the young legs.

He was playing 6 inches above everyone. Throw in the sky-hook + he was un-stoppable. Historically, I wish the Bucks had beaten the Celtics to win the 2nd title. Won a great game 6 in Boston. Were flat + lost at home in Game 7.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Pretty funny Lite Beer ad w/ Cowens + Lanier. My apologies, if this has been posted already:

[Mr KLC]

[Mr KLC]

[MinnesotaFats]

LOL what is that pink toy in the corner?

Mrs KLCs favorite gadget????

[spurginobili]

Spurs, props to you. Great video.

I haven't seen that movie in ages. I forgot that MURDOCK's retort was so funny. "Dragging Walton + Lanier up + down the court."

I know Chucky. I hadn't thought about it until recently. Kareem is thought of as a sober intellectual, but he's pretty damn funny in that scene.

[Mr KLC]

[ChuckyTheGoat]

#762. No-hitter WITH two HR hit. That has to be a one-time event.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

My favorite surprise Pitcher HR was the Rick Camp game. Atl/Mets in 1985.

Runner-up = Dave McNally grand slam in the 1970 World Series.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Spurs, if u ever want a good bar-room debate, consider this one:

*At his PEAK...who was a better NBA player? Kareem or Walton?

It seems so obvious. Kareem wins by a mile on the productivity + durability. Of course, the big IF with Walton is the injuries.

By my count, Walton had a PEAK of only 1.5 years. Blazers win title in 1977. In the 77/78 season...Blazers are off to a 50-10 start. They're rolling! And then the next Walton injury hits, he's out for the season.

They lose in 1st rd vs SEA (who won the West, btw). It was a YOUNG Blazer roster. How many titles would they have won?

Walton had passing skills that very few big-men had. He was comfortable away from the hoop. I know it's crazy to say, but I think he impacted the game in more ways.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

This video is for Spurs. Check out the David Robinson coming out party.

David is playing vs a young Seikaly (btw). Talk about a man among boys. It was even funnier to watch David play vs the Patriot League foes:

[Mr KLC]