Ep 009. Mystery Ballplayer, Blazers, Baseball and Predictions
Tim introduces us to a new segment, tentatively called "Mystery Ballplayer." Tweet @thesportlanders for name suggestions for the segment.
The fellas dive into the scuttlebutt about the Blazers somehow being the favorites to win the West, even though it will be a slog to get into the playoffs. Unprecedented...we are in the world of the 'Rona, so go figure.
Brian gripes about the baseball season, but both guys are nevertheless excited to see it start and give the fans their predictions on how they think the season will ultimately shake out.
Show Notes:
Chet Lemon, backfield mates in high school football with former USC standout and 1976 Pac-8 Player of the Year, Ricky Bell.
Fremont High School, Los Angeles. Famous Alumni (does not include Eddie Murray or Ozzie Smith, who were teammates at Locke High School in LA):
- Eric Davis. One of the best players of the 1980s and 1990s. Played for a long time and most certainly would have been in the Hall of Fame had injuries not severely curtailed his production. He even lost one year to cancer. Davis played on the same American Legion squad as Darryl Strawberry and former Padres and Giants third baseman, the late Chris Brown. Straw and Brown both went to rival Crenshaw HS.
- Bobby Doerr. Hall of Famer and longtime Oregonian until he passed away a few years ago at 99 years of age. Red Sox teammate of Portlander Johnny Pesky, Dominic DiMaggio, and the great Ted Williams.
- Dr. Dre. Rapper & Entrepreneur
- David Fizdale. Former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and NY Knicks.
- George Hendrick. Long time big leaguer who probably had his best seasons with the early 1980s Cardinals, helping them to the 1982 World Series crown. The progenitor, as far as I can tell, of the "low pants" look in baseball. A man ahead of his time. Also coached in the big leagues for many years.
- Gene Mauch. Long time big league manager. Never won the Series.
- Bobby Tolan. Solid big leaguer.
- Bob Watson. Former first baseman and general manager for the Astros and Yankees. Also played for Braves and Red Sox. Scored baseball's one-millionth run (arguable). Starred in Bad News Bears Break Training ("Let them play!"). Teammates at Fremont included Bobby Tolan and Willie Crawford, both eventual big leaguers. Passed away in early 2020. O'Leary's first first baseman's mitt was a Bob Watson model Wilson.
- Many more... including the evil congressman Henry Waxman.
The NBA Bubble Snitch line. Give it a watch.
1994 Western Conference First Round. Nuggets upset Sonics.
Significant Stanley Cup playoffs Upsets.
For the NBA, big upsets were Nuggets over Sonics in 1994 and Warriors over Mavericks in 2007.
Pete Maravich. The Pistol.
Larry Bird. Stats
1965 World Series. Great song about the Twins from The Baseball Project featuring Craig Finn (BC Alum)