'Slingin' Sammy Baugh

One of the best football players ever died yesterday. Texan Sammy Baugh revolutionized the quarterback position by making passing a key part of the game. He also excelled as a defensive back and punter -- all at the same time:

Baugh was the best all-around player in an era when such versatility was essential. In 1943, he led the league in passing, punting and defensive interceptions. In one game, he threw four touchdown passes and intercepted four as well. He threw six touchdowns passes in a game twice. His 51.4-yard punting average in 1940 is still the NFL record.

"There's nobody any better than Sam Baugh was in pro football," Don Maynard, a fellow West Texas Hall of Famer. "When I see somebody picking the greatest player around, to me, if they didn't go both ways, they don't really deserve to be nominated. I always ask, 'Well, how'd he do on defense? How was his punting?'"

Giant Upset

Sometimes I still get surprised by a sporting event. Above, seldom used back-up David Tyree makes an amazing, game-saving, unbelievable, earth-shattering, championship-winning catch. Eli's throw wasn't half-bad either. I mean for a Manning.

"I am a man that really has to capitalize on his few opportunities," Tyree said. "Some things just don't make sense and I guess you can just put that catch there with them."

Now Reading... 3 Nights in August

Back in the late 70s, I used to go to Dodger games with my girlfriend Sharon and her family. I used to stare at Dodger outfielder Rick Monday and think, "What a job that guy has. He gets to stand out in a grassy field all day, getting a nice tan. He makes good money. Girls love him." I thought, since I had to choose a career anyway, why not be a baseball player? Seems like a good job. Somebody has to do it.

Well, I never made any steps in that direction, so consequently, imagine my surprise when I never made it to the big leagues. Now, I'm thinking I may be a little too old. I guess I will have to be a manager.

3 Nights in August is a great book for prospective major league managers like me to read. It looks at St. Louis Cardinal manager (and vegan) Tony LaRussa, examining how he coaches through every pitch, every at bat, every situation in a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs in 2003.

If I were a manager--say of the Boston Red Sox in tonight's World Series game in Colorado where they can't use their designated hitter--my first decision would be to sit slugger David Ortiz and stick with the red-hot Kevin Youkilis ("The Greek God of Walks") at first base. That way you get great offense along with great defense---and of course base running, which Ortiz doesn't offer. Ortiz would then be available to pinch hit.

The real manager of the Red Sox, Terry Francona, must have access to some esoteric stats I don't have. He's going with Ortiz at first and benching Youkilis. Hope it's the right move, Terry. You're on your own on this one.

Greatest Sports Names!

October's a great sports month, with the Major League baseball playoffs, the World Series, and the NFL and CFL. So what better time to salute the greatest names in sports. These are my nominations, if you have better ones just let me know....

Baseball: Coco Crisp

I guess I'm getting used to Coco's name now that he's on TV a lot with the Red Sox. But the first time I saw him I couldn't stop laughing at his name. One of the commentators said he was named after his mom's favourite breakfast cereal. Watch him tonight in the American League Championship. However, he's been pretty soggy so far in the playoffs.

Football: Coy Bacon

Growing up in LA, I remember Coy Bacon from his stint with the Los Angeles Rams around 1970. I think I just realized what a cool name this man has. Cool, but a little weird. I'm hoping that he wasn't named after some kind of breakfast his mother had.

A runner-up would be Sherman Plunkett, who my parents named my first dog after in the 1960s. I still remember when I discovered Sherman Plunkett dead and stiff as a board out by the trash cans on our East LA street. I was told he was poisoned. But I digress....

Basketball: A two-way tie between Mugsy Bouges and Spud Webb. Both were amazing 5-foot-something stars in a world of 6-foot-7 giants.

Cleveland: Time has come to get a new mascot.

In a time when Don Imus, Michael Richards, Mel Gibson, etc. are heavily criticized for their racist slurs, I am amazed that a major league sports team like the Cleveland Indians can continue to use their racist mascot image without anyone raising so much as an eyebrow. (Well, there are some people who have noticed....) It's the same with the Washington Redskins, whose team name is basically as offensive as the "n-word." It would be a real shame if Cleveland makes it into the World Series and their racist image gets an even bigger stage. And I'm not saying that just because I'm a Red Sox fan. In general I like all things Cleveland: the city was great in Stranger Than Paradise. I love the non-descript Browns. But the time has come for them to rename their baseball team.

Rock Climber

I'm afraid of heights, but that doesn't keep me from secretly wanting to be a rock climber.

Santa Cruz's Chris Sharma takes a spiritual approach to rock climbing and is a superstar of the sport. Check out a video of one of his crazy climbs here.

De la Hoya vs. Mayweather

This huge fight is happening tonight and I'm hoping to watch it. I became a boxing fan because of my East LA homeboy Oscar De la Hoya, so you know who I am rooting for. But Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is an amazing young boxer, so it's going to be crazy!

Diamondbacks

1979 Serrano High School, Phelan, Calif. Sharon and Mickey were the hottest double-play duo in high desert softball. I'd say I'd be their batboy anytime, but that just sounds wrong. Let's just say I was their biggest fan. I believe I went to see my girlfriend Sharon in all her home games, and that's saying something since softball season overlapped with the best weather for skateboarding. (By the way, nice field girls! Now that's what I call sandlot!)

Here's to You, Mr. Robinson

42

From The New York Times:

Sixty years after Jackie Robinson shook the baseball establishment and broke the sport’s color barrier, an unforeseen grassroots movement by today’s players has suddenly shaped the way Major League Baseball will commemorate the anniversary. More than 200 players will wear Robinson’s No. 42 retired by baseball 10 years ago in ballparks across the country on Sunday, the anniversary of Robinson’s first appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

"Jackie Robinson’s impact is still being felt today but it was also felt almost immediately,” said Jonathan Eig, whose new book “Opening Day” chronicles Robinson’s 1947 season. “In my research I discovered a letter from a factory owner in Bloomfield, N.J., who wrote that Robinson was the inspiration for integrating his factory in 1947. He wrote the letter to Robinson’s widow after her husband’s death because he wanted her to know the impact Jackie had on him.”

Earlier yesterday, [Mets manager Willie] Randolph said he had gone into the small closet next to his desk to gather some socks and unexpectedly came across Sunday’s specially-made No. 42 jersey.

“It gave me goose bumps,” Randolph said last night. “I called my wife just to tell her how beautiful it was. I can’t wait to wear it. It’s going to be an emotional day.”

Randolph said that after Sunday’s game the jersey would be framed.

“I have a spot picked out on my office wall,” he said. “That is one I will keep forever.”