But rest assured,I still have this on my mind and things have filled up in the inbox to the point of TWO cleanings and I'll do one now and one later tonight.
This will deal with the goodbyes that have accumulated with general things coming in the next blog.Goodbye to Dennis Farina,a former real life police officer who turned to acting, at the age of 69.
Farina was known for playing cops and crime bosses and always brought a large measure of toughness and believability to the roles that he played.
Farina may have been best known for more mainstream TV work on Law and Order and Miami Vice,but I might have liked him best in the shorter-lived,but underrated Crime Story on NBC....
Goodbye to another underrated actor in Karen Black at the age of 74.
Black was a much larger star in the 70's than later on,but the versatile actress could always be counted on to give a strong performance in any role.
Black was known for roles in Easy Rider,Airport,Five Easy Pieces and The Great Gatsby as well as numerous TV spots.
Black had a slightly crossed eyed look that did not impair her vision or work,but likely hindered her chances as a leading lady.
Goodbye to former Welterweight and Middleweight titlist Emile Griffith,who passed at the age of 75.
The boxing Hall of Famer returned to the spotlight a few years back as the subject of the documentary Ring of Fire,which looked at his boxing career and his bi-sexuality,which was a taboo in the time period that he fought in.
Griffith was a smooth boxer/puncher until his regaining of the 147 pound title with a brutal 12th round stoppage of Benny "Kid" Paret that resulted in the death of Paret after the bout.
After the fight,Griffith was never the same fighter as he changed to an all boxing style that saw success as Griffith would win the 160 pound crown over Dick Tiger,but rarely scored knockouts again....
Goodbye to George "Boomer" Scott at the age of 69.
Scott was well known for his prodigious homers and smooth glovework at first base for a big man,as Scott won eight gold gloves in his career.Scott spent his prime with the Red Sox and Brewers before a return to Boston in 1977 that saw the final big season of his career.
Scott lost his ability quickly in 1978 and was best known after as being the main part of a trade that saw Cecil Cooper go to the Brewers.
Boomer led the American League in both homers and RBI in 1975 with the Brewers and along with Dick Allen,pioneered the wearing of batting helmets in the field,which led to some unique baseball cards.
Scott also is the subject of two personal notes.
I played first base as a player and I wanted a first baseman's glove.
When I went shopping for it,I really wanted the George Scott glove,which was made by Wilson,but when I went to the store for the glove,I found that I preferred the Rawlings Chris Chambliss model.
I preferred Scott as a player,but the Chambliss was a better glove.
I kept that glove for as long as I could,until it just degraded to the point of uselessness.
What a memory.
The other occurred fairly recently as I sent Scott some cards and did not know of his reputation as an indifferent mail signer until long after I sent them.
I was surprised that months later,Scott signed and returned them to the amazement of Mike Oravec,who had not had luck with Scott.
Thanks Boomer and Rest Well.....
No comments:
Post a Comment