58. Tom Meschery
57. Tom Meschery Basketball Poems
Tom Meschery played for the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors! He is only one of six Warriors to have his number retired.
Tom is also a terrific poet. As a matter of fact, his book, Nothing We Lose Can Be Replaced, contains basketball poems. Fortunatley, I filmed Meschery reading three of them, which were about Hakeem Olajuwon, Willis Reed, and himself. Thus, my fifty-seventh video features Tom Meschery’s poetical performance.
56. Phil Lesh
From 1965 to 1995, Phil Lesh effectively played the bass for the Grateful Dead. His “Box of Rain” was a superb song!
Currently, one of Phil’s bands is called Furthur. Also, in San Rafael, he has a wonderful restaurant and music venue called Terrapin Crossroads.
Not only is Phil a magnificent musician, but also he published a best-selling book. In addition, Lesh is a baseball fan. As a matter of fact, he sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before MLB games. Therefore, my fifty-sixth video features him. Thanks to Brian Lesh for filming the poem.
53. Pete Rose
My fifty-third video features Philadelphia’s Pete Rose. Thanks to Sheena Taylor for filming the question.
Major League Baseball should reinstate Rose because he deserves induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
52. Wes Chandler
My fifty-second video features Wes Chandler. Not only was Wes a wonderful wide receiver, but also he coached at Cal in 2012. Thanks to Leo Baligad for filming the poem.
51. Cliff Branch
My fifty-first video features Oakland’s Cliff Branch. Cliff calls me, “Professor,” which is a very nice compliment. Also, he should be inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame!
49. Dave Dravecky
My forty-ninth video features San Francisco’s Dave Dravecky! Like “Rocky” Balboa, Vince Papale, and Ryan Vogelsong, his story is inspirational. Thanks to Steve Bowerman for filming the poem.
48. Phillies Phestival
My forty-eighth video features Philadelphia’s Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, Hunter Pence, and Vance Worley! Thanks to Barry and Sara Shapiro for filming the Phillies Phestival.
The greatest third baseman ever was Michael Jack Schmidt! In the 1980 Fall Classic, Philadelphia defeated Kansas City because Schmidt earned eight hits, seven RBI, and six runs! So, he was named the World Series MVP.
In the 1980 NLCS, Philadelphia defeated Houston because Greg Luzinski earned five hits, four RBI, and three runs!
In 2012, Hunter Pence played for Philadelphia and San Francisco. Before Game Three of the 2012 NLDS, he made a magnificent motivational speech, so his Giants defeated the Reds. Then, in Game Seven of the 2012 NLCS, his third-inning, two-run double was extraordinary because the baseball hit his bat three times. Finally, in Games Two, Three, and Four of 2012 World Series, Pence scored a run in each of those Giants’ wins!
Vance Worley is from Sacramento, and he pitched for the Phillies. In 2011, he won eleven games, yet only lost three contests!
47. Chris Evert
My forty-seventh video features Chris Evert. In tennis, she won eighteen Grand Slams! Currently, Chris an amazing analyst, and she teaches at the Evert Tennis Academy. Thanks to Lisa Lassoff for filming the question.
46. Bob Rigby
My forty-sixth video features Philadelphia’s Bob Rigby. Bob was a great goalie for the Atoms because he led them to the 1973 North American Soccer League championship. Also, on September 3, 1973, he became the first soccer player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Thanks to Benjamin Horrow for filming the question.
45. Seth Joyner
My forty-fifth video features Philadelphia’s Seth Joyner. He was an outstanding, Eagles’ linebacker! Thanks to Lorig Nalbantian Buckley for filming the poem.
44. Milt Thompson
My forty-fourth video features Philadelphia’s Milt Thompson. In 1993, Milt was an outstanding outfielder when his Phillies won the NL pennant. Then, as a hitting coach, Thompson won a World Series with the 2008 Phillies! Thanks to Carol Thompson for filming the question.
43. Sam Chapman Dedication
Happy New Year!
My forty-third video features Philadelphia’s Sam Chapman. Not only was Sam an amazing Athletic, but also he was an incredible football player for the California Golden Bears!
On June 8, 2012, I attended the Sam Chapman Dedication in Tiburon, California. During the ceremony, I read a poem about Sam Chapman.
41. Scott Armstrong
My forty-first video features Scott Armstrong! I read a poem to him about marathons. Not only did Coach Armstrong qualify for the Boston Marathon, but also he wrote a magnificent, motivational book entitled, Boston Marathon or Bust: a proven step-by-step program to help you achieve your life, sports, and business goals in record time. Thanks to Jason Brown for filming the poem.
40. Ryan Vogelsong and Freddy Sanchez
My fortieth video features a question to San Francisco’s Ryan Vogelsong. Like “Rocky” Balboa and Vince Papale, he never gave up! Thus, his story is inspirational. In the 2012 postseason, Ryan earned three wins and a 1.09 ERA, so his Giants won the World Series.
Also, San Francisco’s Freddy Sanchez appears in this video. In 2010, he became the first player to hit doubles in his first three World Series at-bats! Then, in Game Five of the Fall Classic, Sanchez’s Giants clinched the World Series when they defeated the Rangers.
39. Tim Lincecum
My thirty-ninth video features a question to San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum. Not only did Tim earn two Cy Young Awards, but also he won two World Series titles with the Giants!
38. Krukow, Kuiper, and Miller
My thirty-eighth video features a question to San Francisco’s Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, and Jon Miller. Not only are they amazing announcers, but also their 2012 Giants won the World Series!
37. Hatteberg,Justice, Fosse,Rudi,Blue, and Tenace
My thirty-seventh video features former members of the Oakland Athletics. At the 2012 Athletics Fan Festival, I met Scott Hatteberg, David Justice, Ray Fosse, Joe Rudi, Vida Blue, and Gene Tenace.
The 2002 Athletics featured Scott Hatteberg and David Justice. They won twenty consecutive games, which set an American League record!
In 2003, Michael Lewis published Moneyball, which became a best-selling book. In this book, there is an entire chapter about Scott Hatteberg, and David Justice is discussed, too. Then, in 2011, Moneyball became a magnificent movie.
In the 1970s, Ray Fosse, Joe Rudi, Vida Blue, and Gene Tenace led the amazing Athletics to five consecutive divisional titles and three World Series championships. As a matter of fact, those four champions just appeared in Comcast SportsNet California’s documentary entitled, Legends: Oakland A’s, The Forgotten Dynasty.
36. Keena Turner
Today is Election Day, so vote!
My thirty-sixth video features San Francisco’s Keena Turner. He was a fantastic 49er and a four-time Super Bowl champion! Thanks to Herman Schwarz for filming the question.
34. Jacoby Ford
My thirty-fourth video features Oakland’s Jacoby Ford. He is a very fast football player! Thanks to Jason Gruwell for filming the poem.