The Swamp

Considering he never played lacrosse professionally and never after age 22, seems like kind of a stretch to argue he was the best lacrosse player of all-time. Not that he necessarily couldn't have been.

brian wrote:Considering he never played lacrosse professionally and never after age 22, seems like kind of a stretch to argue he was the best lacrosse player of all-time. Not that he necessarily couldn't have been.

Were there any pro lacrosse leagues in the mid 1950s? Dammit, where's wlu_lax when you need him? My guess is he's outside and misspelling something.

That said, Jim Brown is in three halls of fame: Pro Football HOF, College Football HOF and the Lacrosse HOF (which I didn't know existed until today).

PLus he played actual sports!

Just ate next to Matt Moore. He looks 18 years old.

I hear stories of how great he was but have no way of really knowing and comparing. Here are some random things.

One of his most memorable lacrosse moments happened when he scored 5 goals, in one half, during the 1957 Collegiate North/South All-Star game.

They changed the rules of lacrosse because of him (Lacrosse players must keep their sticks in motion while carrying the ball. No cradling to the chest.)

George Vescey wrote:Dick Schaap liked to play up the terror he felt at seeing Brown in a lacrosse uniform. That may have been the same day that Cornell’s football coach, Lefty James, saw Brown jog out to play lacrosse, and said something to the effect of, ''Oh my goodness, they let him play with a stick?''

brian wrote:There's a Senior PBA Tournament at my bowling alley this week and met Walter Ray Williams last night. Probably the only person to arguably be the best of all-time at two different sports -- bowling and horseshoes.

Man, he's on the senior tour? How does he ever lose there?

stu ungar was both the best poker player ever to walk the earth and the best gin player as well.

Any of you peeps, particularly the Denver ones, know a radio host and author named Dom Testa? Apparently he has a popular drive-time radio program in Denver. He seems like a pretty good guy. I met him and had dinner with him tonight here in Cambridge.

Just learned that coworker of mine's son is friends with Gedion Zelalem. Maybe BTTG is not going to be the only access to seeing a Gooners game.

wlu_lax6 wrote:Just learned that coworker of mine's son is friends with Gedion Zelalem. Maybe BTTG is not going to be the only access to seeing a Gooners game.

Screw watching a match; you have a duty to your nation.

That is a great idea but from what I gather he holds a German passport and was born in Ethiopia. I have a feeling the US's best shot at him is because our current coach can get German/Americans to play for the national team. Oh and the guy I work with is a French Citizen/US Green Card Holder and has a clear preference for Les Blues than the US

The kid still could get his citizenship, although it's unlikely.

Time to try and get him is to court him now.

OK, this isn't really a brush, but it's close enough.

Last night at dinner, I was asking my son about the kids in his class this year. He just started fifth grade on Monday. He mentioned that they have two kids named Antonio, and one of them has a last name of Pettigrew. Oh, I said, I bet his dad is the sprinter, Antonio Pettigrew. I knew Pettigrew had gone to St. Augustine's in Raleigh and lived and trained in the area. I told my son that his dad had been an Olympic 400m sprinter and that I thought he had won at least one gold medal.

Then, I looked him up to be sure, and remembered a key part of the Pettigrew story that I had forgotten. First, I saw the part about how Pettigrew had been involved in the Trevor Graham / BALCO scandal. He, along with Justin Gatlin, Tim Montgomery, Marion Jones, etc. had either tested positive or admitted (in Pettigrew's case) to taking PEDs. Pettigrew had given up his Olympic and World Championship medals and retroactively declared disqualified. Ouch.

It got worse.

Scrolling down, I hit another fact I had completely forgotten. Antonio Pettigrew is dead. He didn't show up for work (coaching UNC's track and field team) a couple of years ago and was found dead in his car. He had committed suicide by taking a bunch of sleeping pills.

So, yeah. Uh, son, do NOT ask Antonio if his dad is the Olympic sprinter (a little further Googling taught me that this almost certainly is his son). In fact, never bring up his dad at all.

Jeez, talk about a little excitement turning dark in a hurry.

Mudcat Grant was on my flight from LA to Detroit the other day.

I wouldn't recognize James "Mudcat" Grant if he was sitting next to me, wearing a green and gold A's jersey, number 28, with "Grant" above the number. I think I got his autograph at a game in 9th grade.

Maybe you just need to hear him singing?

He was wearing a hat that had a retired MLB players' logo stitched on one side and "MUDCAT" on the back. Kinda made it easy.

I met Johnny Bench at the Belterra Casino Sports Bar grand opening, in August. Very accommodating to this old fan of his.

For his size, he has the biggest hands I have ever seen.

I had one degree away from a brush, I guess...

I went to the local CVS drug store and was in line behind a funny old man. He was bantering with the checkout clerk and I chuckled at a witticism he made, so he was encouraged, and he said as a follow-up (to me only), "as the guy said about his small peter - 'You can't beat that!'. I laughed again and he told me he was 90 years old (looked maybe 75), and asked if I knew who Dana Carvey is. I said sure, and that I had heard he was from our little town of San Carlos. The old dude beamed and said, "That's my son!"

A guy I know just starred on an episode of Secret Millionaire. If you are going to know someone on a reality show, that is probably one of the best options. I knew his tech startup was doing well, but I had no idea it was worth $197 Million (or whatever figure they said on the show). He came across really well on the show, but I think it's kind of hard not to, as the premise is a rich guy goes undercover, pretending to poor, forced to live on $30 a day while volunteering at some of the hardest hit places in America. In this case, New Orleans. At the end, they reveal themselves and write checks to people and charities that touched them along the way.

sancarlos wrote:I had one degree away from a brush, I guess...

I went to the local CVS drug store and was in line behind a funny old man. He was bantering with the checkout clerk and I chuckled at a witticism he made, so he was encouraged, and he said as a follow-up (to me only), "as the guy said about his small peter - 'You can't beat that!'. I laughed again and he told me he was 90 years old (looked maybe 75), and asked if I knew who Dana Carvey is. I said sure, and that I had heard he was from our little town of San Carlos. The old dude beamed and said, "That's my son!"

I would've busted into "Choppin' Brocoli" right there.

Giff wrote:

sancarlos wrote:I had one degree away from a brush, I guess...

I went to the local CVS drug store and was in line behind a funny old man. He was bantering with the checkout clerk and I chuckled at a witticism he made, so he was encouraged, and he said as a follow-up (to me only), "as the guy said about his small peter - 'You can't beat that!'. I laughed again and he told me he was 90 years old (looked maybe 75), and asked if I knew who Dana Carvey is. I said sure, and that I had heard he was from our little town of San Carlos. The old dude beamed and said, "That's my son!"

I would've busted into "Choppin' Brocoli" right there.

Am I the only one who can't actually chop broccoli without singing that?

Shirley wrote:

Giff wrote:

sancarlos wrote:I had one degree away from a brush, I guess...

I went to the local CVS drug store and was in line behind a funny old man. He was bantering with the checkout clerk and I chuckled at a witticism he made, so he was encouraged, and he said as a follow-up (to me only), "as the guy said about his small peter - 'You can't beat that!'. I laughed again and he told me he was 90 years old (looked maybe 75), and asked if I knew who Dana Carvey is. I said sure, and that I had heard he was from our little town of San Carlos. The old dude beamed and said, "That's my son!"

I would've busted into "Choppin' Brocoli" right there.

Am I the only one who can't actually chop broccoli without singing that?

She's chop...UH.

I don't chop brocoli, but I know I would. My wife and I break it out during at random times at least once every couple of months.

Shirley wrote:

Giff wrote:

sancarlos wrote:I had one degree away from a brush, I guess...

I went to the local CVS drug store and was in line behind a funny old man. He was bantering with the checkout clerk and I chuckled at a witticism he made, so he was encouraged, and he said as a follow-up (to me only), "as the guy said about his small peter - 'You can't beat that!'. I laughed again and he told me he was 90 years old (looked maybe 75), and asked if I knew who Dana Carvey is. I said sure, and that I had heard he was from our little town of San Carlos. The old dude beamed and said, "That's my son!"

I would've busted into "Choppin' Brocoli" right there.

Am I the only one who can't actually chop broccoli without singing that?

Nope, I do it all the time. My wife doesn't find it funny, but she would be wrong.

ETA: Never knew that the song (without context) was part of his SNL audition (assuming the poster is correct).

The Sybian wrote:A guy I know just starred on an episode of Secret Millionaire. If you are going to know someone on a reality show, that is probably one of the best options. I knew his tech startup was doing well, but I had no idea it was worth $197 Million (or whatever figure they said on the show). He came across really well on the show, but I think it's kind of hard not to, as the premise is a rich guy goes undercover, pretending to poor, forced to live on $30 a day while volunteering at some of the hardest hit places in America. In this case, New Orleans. At the end, they reveal themselves and write checks to people and charities that touched them along the way.

I know a guy that was on that show also.

I went to school and smoked a fuckton of weed with his brother. I also worked with him as a telemarketer in the 90's.

So the new CEO of Cheezburger is a buddy of mine from my time in Seattle.

On an email exchange today with Patrick Kerney

wlu_lax6 wrote:On an email exchange today with Patrick Kerney

You talked to him about lacrosse, right? I noticed that his Wikipedia page fails to mention that he actually came to UVA on a lacrosse scholarship and asked if he could try to walk on to the football team. That worked out pretty well for him.

Shirley wrote:

wlu_lax6 wrote:On an email exchange today with Patrick Kerney

You talked to him about lacrosse, right? I noticed that his Wikipedia page fails to mention that he actually came to UVA on a lacrosse scholarship and asked if he could try to walk on to the football team. That worked out pretty well for him.

I am pretty sure I played lacrosse against him in high school.

Dave Wannstedt at my local sandwich spot. He's tall.

I bought a Meat Loaf album from Dale Earnhardt Jr. off eBay.

the only thought i had after reading the previous two posts is that wanny is probably a huge fan of meatloaf sandwiches.

I was at a really swanky Christmas party last night. The Girlfriend's 21 year old daughter has been dating this guy for about 4 years now, and he's the son of head of a large, locally owned department store (starts with a "Nordstrom") and it was at their big house on Lake Washington. Never been to a party with valet parking before!

Anyways, also at this party....outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Nice enough guy....and he was rocking the bad Christmas sweater look.

DaveInSeattle wrote:I was at a really swanky Christmas party last night. The Girlfriend's 21 year old daughter has been dating this guy for about 4 years now, and he's the son of head of a large, locally owned department store (starts with a "Nordstrom") and it was at their big house on Lake Washington. Never been to a party with valet parking before!

Anyways, also at this party....outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Nice enough guy....and he was rocking the bad Christmas sweater look.

Department stores are people, too, my friend.

cerrano wrote:

DaveInSeattle wrote:I was at a really swanky Christmas party last night. The Girlfriend's 21 year old daughter has been dating this guy for about 4 years now, and he's the son of head of a large, locally owned department store (starts with a "Nordstrom") and it was at their big house on Lake Washington. Never been to a party with valet parking before!

Anyways, also at this party....outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Nice enough guy....and he was rocking the bad Christmas sweater look.

Department stores are people, too, my friend.

In that case, I think my wife is having an affair with Macy's. Hey-yo!

I discovered via a Christmas Eve conversation that my wife's sister's sister-in-law's sister-in-law bagged Steve Guttenberg.

rass wrote:I discovered via a Christmas Eve conversation that my wife's sister's sister-in-law's sister-in-law bagged Steve Guttenberg.

Brainbo must be jealous... or the person in question.

Was hanging out next to Frank Thomas at the opening of a new brewery in town last night. He's kind of a beer aficionado and even has his own beer (though it sucks).

my wife ran into colbert in a store in charleston. when he came out of the store, he put the phone to his ear until he walked into the apple store, right in front of me.

rass wrote:I discovered via a Christmas Eve conversation that my wife's sister's sister-in-law's sister-in-law bagged Steve Guttenberg.

Does that mean your wife banged Gutenberg?