Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

Louie Armstrong

[Randyman]

Howie Steindler

It was Howie Steindler that got me the fight on the undercard of the Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea fight. Howie's gruff exterior was (at times) a facade. Rick is right, Howie very rarely, if ever, smiled. Howie smiled with his eyes. That was the only way to get a glimpse of what was going on inside the man. That's what make's him the perfect subject for your painting, Rog. It's the eyes.

[Randyman]

I'm trying to feed Rick paintings of fighters that he has come in contact with,and he responds with a story. I see a nice pattern developing

Keep'em coming!

[scartissue]

I'm still thinking about Ernie Lopez. I did a bit of research and came across a 1966 article geared around his manager Frank Muche and what he had in store for his young tiger. Among other things Muche talks about boxing and the only honorable guys in the sport are two promoters out of Arizona or Nevada (I can't recall) named Howie Steindler and again, don't remember the other guy. I found it ironic that the honorable guy ended up with Frank's protege. Does anyone know the story on Frank Muche? Did Ernie dump him? Did Howie steal him? Anyone?????

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

I'm still thinking about Ernie Lopez. I did a bit of research and came across a 1966 article geared around his manager Frank Muche and what he had in store for his young tiger. Among other things Muche talks about boxing and the only honorable guys in the sport are two promoters out of Arizona or Nevada (I can't recall) named Howie Steindler and again, don't remember the other guy. I found it ironic that the honorable guy ended up with Frank's protege. Does anyone know the story on Frank Muche? Did Ernie dump him? Did Howie steal him? Anyone?????

Scartissue

Dan . . .

Frankie Muche was a good guy, but he didn't have the juice to move a welterweight contender.
The promoter out of Arizona was Al Fenn, who also handled Zora Folley. The Nevada promoter was Mel Greb, who put on shows at the Hacienda Hotel and featured Ernie.
Frankie's day job took place at the $5 window at Santa Anita Race Track. Frankie worked for the track (behind the window) he wasn't a gambler.
The track was located in Arcadia, California, hence the place where Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez would buy a home when he moved to L.A.
Under Frankie, you'll find a few Las Vegas fights he made for Ernie, agaginst Johnnie Brooks and Adolph Pruitt.
The Pruitt fight was broadcast in L.A. via a UHF-TV station out of Las Vegas late at night, pre-recorded. I'd stay up, and watch Pruitt school Ernie Lopez from the Hacienda.
Arcadia was close to downtown L.A. where Ernie would train at the Main Street Gym.

I don't know what the deal was between Howie and Frankie, or how Howie took over, but I'm sure it was in the fighter's best interest. Howie was part of Aileen Eaton's club.
Suddenly, Ernie was getting more money and drawing bigger crowds. He had a few showdowns, such as a three fight series with Hedge Lewis.
Can you imagine a great match-up such as Ernie Lopez and Adolph Pruitt? At the Olympic it would have drawn 7-to-ten thousand at the gate.
In Vegas, it couldn't fill the small upstairs show room on a wedensday night. A few hundred complimentary customers and a small UHF TV audience in the southwest.
Frankie Muche had several boxers in the mid-60's, but Ernie was the best.


-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdAfbiTNA3M

It's The Talk Of The Town

Dexter Gordon


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PttNhYVY3c


The Shadow Of Your Smile

Dexter Gordon

[dagosd2000]

Fats Navarro

[raylawpc]

A friend of mine sent me the following story:

CAPTAIN KANGAROO

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked like he was 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3- and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery . His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:

I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.

In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher award... The Medal Of Honor!

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Dialog from 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson': His guest was Lee Marvin Johnny said, 'Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.

'Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But,Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.

That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, 'Where'd they get you Lee?' 'Well Bob... If you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!' Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew.
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.'

[Rick Farris]

Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez's last ring appearance . . .

At the age of 29, Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez called it quits after being stopped by John Stracey in England.
Prior to losing to Stracey, Ernie had been KOed by Armando Muniz at the Olympic, a year earlier.

Ernie Lopez had a variety of odd jobs after retiring from boxing.
He'd work as a laborer, and for awhile he lived in a small trailer behind a scrap yard in the San Gabriel Valley where he'd help the owner.
Former lightweight boxer, Billy Coleman, was a general contractor and would hire both Red and brother Lennie for day jobs, mixing cement, laying bricks.

Ernie got a job a driving truck and passed thru Memphis, Tennessee on a run.
While in Memphis he visited with an old friend, former lightweight contender, Jimmy Heair.
Jimmy Heair had a friend in town that was promoting boxing, Red Fortner.
Fortner needed an opponent for an up & coming prospect he was trying to build up, and he offered Red a chance tomake a few extra bucks.

Heair and Fortner talked Ernie into taking the fight. He was 42-years-old and had not fought in thirteen years.
Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez was KOed in one round by Kenny Louis. Kenny Louis couldn't have carried Ernie's gym bag back in the day.

After the loss Ernie Lopez seemd to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Years later his family would find him in a homeless shelter in Texas.
Don Fraser helped bring him to Los Angeles, dressed him up and honored him by inducting the legend into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
Don Fraser isn't the stereotype boxing promoter, he's not a Red Fortner.

For just one day a couple years back, Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez was honored and respected for all the great battles he waged on the West Coast in years gone by.
His family could look at him in a proper light, once again.
Had it not been for Don Fraser, it's doubtful that Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez would have ever been seen again by the fans who loved him so during his career.
It connected Ernie with his family once again, and perhaps set right a few things that had gone so wrong.
Ernie was lost, Don helped find him and brought him back home. Of course, Ernie was not meant to stay, he was a restless spirit.
If nothing else, it provided a little closure to us in L.A. who had wondered so long what had become of him.

Today, Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez is gone. However, this thread is living proof that he is not forgotten. He'll always be in our hearts.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

A friend of mine sent me the following story:

CAPTAIN KANGAROO

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked like he was 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3- and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery . His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:

I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.

In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher award... The Medal Of Honor!

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Dialog from 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson': His guest was Lee Marvin Johnny said, 'Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.

'Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But,Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.

That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, 'Where'd they get you Lee?' 'Well Bob... If you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!' Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew.
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.'

Tom . . . That's one of the best stories posted on this site! Who'd have known!
God Bless Lee Marvin, Bob Keeshan.
These men proved that America is "The land of the free, and home of the brave."

One thing, however, If Bob Keeshan was born in 1927, wouldn't that have made him about 13 when the WW2 broke out, and 17 when it ended?
I would think he would have been more of age for the Korean War? How old was he when the Marines landed on Iwo Jima?


-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

You are right. I posted the the story after it was sent to me without checking the facts. This story almost complete fabrication, and I have so advised my friend who sent it out.

Fact: Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan did both serve in the United States Marines.

Fiction: Before his death in January, Bob Keeshan was told about the Lee Marvin story and said he never served at Iwo Jima, was not presented with the Navy Cross and, in fact, never saw combat.

Truth: Marvin did see a lot of action in the Pacific participating in the invasions at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and was wounded in Saipan, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Marvin is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Fiction: There is no record of Lee Marvin at Iwo Jima or winning the Navy Cross.

But its a good story. . .

(P.S.: My dad was born in 1927 too, and he served in WWII. He enlisted in January 1944 at age 17, and served in the Pacific with the Coast Guard in the last year of the war. Iwo Jima was fought in early 1945, so Keeshan could have been there, but he would have been just 17-years-old, and its unlikely he would have been a sergeant.)

[kikibalt]

Tijuana is a Fight Town! Part 1
October 7, 2009 by Felipe Leon



Tijuana is a fight town. It has always been and it always will be. As the city produces its own champions, it also welcomes a multitude of fighters from farther south in Mexico who come to the border town for the same reason as many of their compatriots do, to look for a better life for themselves and their families on the north side of the border.

As the strong winds that once belonged to the “Tijuana Tornado’ have slowed down to a breeze since his suspension from professional boxing, Tijuana must now look towards the future for a new star. The only one on the horizon is the #1 ranked WBC lightweight Antonio DeMarco as he prepares to battle for the interim lightweight title at the end of the month. Since the pickings are slim, there is no better time to look at the past for a boxing superman. With the likes of former champions Erik Morales, Alejandro “Terra” Garcia and Raul “Jibaro” Perez enshrined in the pantheon of Tijuana boxing and even current super featherweight champ Humbero “Zorrita” Soto, Jorge “travieso” Arce and the great Julio Cesar Chavez having made Tijuana their boxing home, we must go farther back to learn about one of the first Tijuana fighters to make a name for himself on either side of the border.

His name is Gaspar “Indio” Ortega.

“I met him in 1957 and I had the pleasure sparring with him two rounds,” Benjamin Rendon, the current boxing commissioner of Tijuana says smiling. “Obviously he took it easy with me since I was a lightweight and he was a welterweight plus by that time he had already fought in New York City.”

Despite what Boxrec.com reports, Ortega began his career in 1950 and it spanned for 185 bouts within 15 years all in the welterweight division (Boxrec.com reports a record of 131-39-6, 69KO).

“Indio” Ortega was part of the main event in twenty-five fights at the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York City and in forty-four fights which were broadcast “coast to coast” when national coverage meant something.

Think Elvis Presley, The Beatles or the JFK assasination.

“When he fought, the traffic in Tijuana stopped,” Rendon remembers. “It was like in the movies where people would crowd around the street side windows of furniture stores watching his fights. Tijuana has about two million residents now and it is difficult for the Municipal Auditorium that seats about five thousand to sell out. When Gaspar fought in the fifties, he would sell out the bullring, twenty-five thousand, and Tijuana back then had about three hundred thousand residents.”

Originally from Mexicali, MX, Ortega landed as a toddler in Tijuana and considers himself a Tijuana native.

“I got to the gym because of my older brothers, they all fought,” the very lucid Ortega reminisces. “In the beginning, I saw it as a job. I liked that I could make 2,3 or even 10 pesos that I could take home. I was fourteen years old and by the time I was fifteen, I was fighting in the amateurs.”

By 1950, he was crowned the Baja California amateur champion and in the same year, he made his debut as a professional.

“I remember it was in the month of May, but I don’t recall the day,” the almost seventy-four year old Ortega suprinsingly recollects. “Before the fight, I had to go pee every three minutes because I was so nervous but once I climbed into the ring and began to box, everything changed. I used everything I had learned in the gym.”

Despite winning his first fight, a four rounder at the famed and now non-existant Arena Mexico in Tijuana, Ortega had other, much more dangerous career plans.

“I wanted to be a bullfighter,” he states seriously. “I had done many novilleras, basically practice bull fights with much smaller bulls. One day a small bull got me, close to my groin and that is when I decided to stop. It was too dangerous.”

By his first professional fight, Ortega had earned his nickname of “Indio” or the “Indian”. His parents who were from Oaxaca had all the features of the indegenous people of that region with his mother fitting the bill to a T, according to Ortega. Ortega soldiered on, fighting practically once a month if not more often as it was the style of the day.

“We didn’t earn as much back then so we fought more often,” Ortega states. “Most of the time they would tell us days in advance, sometimes with no warning at all. Even if I wasn’t training, they would go look for me at my house and tell me I was fighting the following Monday. If I was lucky, they would give me my opponent’s name. Once I fought on Monday, I would be back in the gym on Tuesday.”

After roughly twenty-one consecutive wins, Ortega suffered his first loss after taking the longest hiatus of his career, five months.

“My conditioning at that time did have a little to do with my first loss but mostly it was because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue to fight,” Ortega says. Since fighting was a big part if not the only part of Gaspar’s income at the time, the fact that the local promoters would sometimes not have him fight for weeks at a time made Ortega think twice about his chosen profession.

“That time they left me without fighting for like two or three months. I had to resort to selling newspapers to put food on the table,” Ortega explains. “I had to run all around town picking up the newspapers and in a way that helped me with my conditioning but not enough to win that fight.”

[Rick Farris]

You are right. I posted the the story after it was sent to me without checking the facts. This story almost complete fabrication, and I have so advised my friend who sent it out.

Fact: Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan did both serve in the United States Marines.

Fiction: Before his death in January, Bob Keeshan was told about the Lee Marvin story and said he never served at Iwo Jima, was not presented with the Navy Cross and, in fact, never saw combat.

Truth: Marvin did see a lot of action in the Pacific participating in the invasions at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and was wounded in Saipan, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Marvin is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Fiction: There is no record of Lee Marvin at Iwo Jima or winning the Navy Cross.

But its a good story. . .

(P.S.: My dad was born in 1927 too, and he served in WWII. He enlisted in January 1944 at age 17, and served in the Pacific with the Coast Guard in the last year of the war. Iwo Jima was fought in early 1945, so Keeshan could have been there, but he would have been just 17-years-old, and its unlikely he would have been a sergeant.)

Tom . . . My father was born in 1923, and also served in WW2. He quit Lincoln High School in Lincoln Heights at 17, joined the Navy.
He spent some time on Midway Island with the Sea B's and also worked as a welder at Pearl Harbor after the attack.
He didn't see much combat action but said he'll never forget Pearl Harbor, and how the damaged battle ships, carriers and destroyers would limp back to Islands after getting shot up in the South Pacific battles with Japan. "We'd patch them up as best we could and they'd go back out, not in the best of condition. It was amazing more did not sink."
My father would return to school after the war, he had a great career, too.


-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

Frank, today I got the CBHOF stuff you sent. Thank you very much for sharing the Jeffries memorabilia with me.

Linda and I did get a chuckle over the congratulations sent Jeff's way by Councilman Parks and his best wishes for Jeff's "continued success in all your future endeavors" - given Jeff has been dead since 1953!!

[raylawpc]

You are right. I posted the the story after it was sent to me without checking the facts. This story almost complete fabrication, and I have so advised my friend who sent it out.

Fact: Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan did both serve in the United States Marines.

Fiction: Before his death in January, Bob Keeshan was told about the Lee Marvin story and said he never served at Iwo Jima, was not presented with the Navy Cross and, in fact, never saw combat.

Truth: Marvin did see a lot of action in the Pacific participating in the invasions at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and was wounded in Saipan, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Marvin is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Fiction: There is no record of Lee Marvin at Iwo Jima or winning the Navy Cross.

But its a good story. . .

(P.S.: My dad was born in 1927 too, and he served in WWII. He enlisted in January 1944 at age 17, and served in the Pacific with the Coast Guard in the last year of the war. Iwo Jima was fought in early 1945, so Keeshan could have been there, but he would have been just 17-years-old, and its unlikely he would have been a sergeant.)

Tom . . . My father was born in 1923, and also served in WW2. He quit Lincoln High School in Lincoln Heights at 17, joined the Navy.
He spent some time on Midway Island with the Sea B's and also worked as a welder at Pearl Harbor after the attack.
He didn't see much combat action but said he'll never forget Pearl Harbor, and how the damaged battle ships, carriers and destroyers would limp back to Islands after getting shot up in the South Pacific battles with Japan. "We'd patch them up as best we could and they'd go back out, not in the best of condition. It was amazing more did not sink."
My father would return to school after the war, he had a great career, too.


-Rick Farris

My Dad joined up on his 17th birthday -- January 19, 1944. My granddad let him sign up for the Coast Guard because he thought Dad would be guarding the coast. Six months later, Dad was in the South Pacific on an LST that supplied Marine combat units as the Marines fought the Japanese island-to-island in the last year of the war. Twice his ship was almost hit by kamakazes, and once somehow avoided being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

Like your Dad, he returned from the war and had a successful business career.

[dagosd2000]

A friend of mine sent me the following story:

CAPTAIN KANGAROO

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked like he was 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3- and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery . His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:

I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.

In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher award... The Medal Of Honor!

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Dialog from 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson': His guest was Lee Marvin Johnny said, 'Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.

'Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But,Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.

That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, 'Where'd they get you Lee?' 'Well Bob... If you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!' Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew.
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.'

Tom
Grunts who were in the trenches in WWII deserve priority over the 4 Star Generals when it comes to burying. Those privates did the dirty work. The Japanese in the Pacific had no intentions of surrendering. Those Marines knew that. My father knew that. He was in the first wave landings at Pelileu and Okinawa. 1st Marine Division,5 Corps. Only 3000 Marines were in both those battles.

Lee Marvin,Bob Keeshan,my dad,and many others never were generals,but but guys like Marvin,Keeshan,and my dad put a lot of "fruit salad" on those generals' uniforms. Thanks for the post Rog.

[dagosd2000]

Carlos Palomino

[dagosd2000]

My dad in WWII. Cpl. Joe Esposito. Ist Marine Division,5 Corps.
Theaters of Action:Pelileu,Okinawa, helped disarm Japanese Army
in China.

Like Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan,and many others,never talked about the war much. I once talked to an old timer who was in my dad's outfit after my dad died. Said my dad killed a Japanese soldier with his bare hands who was raping an Okinawan girl.

The Japanese would send suicide charges at our Marines at night. It was all hand to hand combat. Like I said,my dad never talked about that stuff with me. He knew that he did the right thing when the moment presented itself. Why spoil it by talking about it.

[dagosd2000]

SEMPER FI

"So what made you join the Marine Corps anyway?"said the teacher down the hall from me to this kid who was subbing around campus.
"I don't know. I was young and stupid I guess,"he answered.
The kid's first name was Joe. I knew that he had been in the Marines and had the same first name as my dad.He looked up to me,but I ,deep down, looked up to him. The kid was working on his credential and was trying to get on with the school. I always used him when I needed a sub. The kids liked him a lot.They always asked for him.
"Well,"said the teacher down the hall,"I hope you've learned something by now."

I didn't want to step in on this one. The teacher had served in the Navy. I had never served my country. After the brief discussion,I pulled the kid aside.
"Don't let that jack ass talk to you like that," I scolded."You went through a lot of tough stuff being a Marine. Not many could have gone through that."
"I know. I know that I learned a lot in the Marines,"he said.
"The next time he runs his mouth off like that,let him have it."
"I'm not worried about it. He knows where he stands with me."

I wasn't satisfied with his responce. I was more worked up than him.
"Hey Roger,"the kid said. "You know there's one thing I regret."
"What's that?"
I was hoping that the kid was going to tell me that he was going to get even with that teacher.
"If I'd still been in,I could have been a sergaent by now."

[Randyman]

SEMPER FI

"So what made you join the Marine Corps anyway?"said the teacher down the hall from me to this kid who was subbing around campus.
"I don't know. I was young and stupid I guess,"he answered.
The kid's first name was Joe. I knew that he had been in the Marines and had the same first name as my dad.He looked up to me,but I ,deep down, looked up to him. The kid was working on his credential and was trying to get on with the school. I always used him when I needed a sub. The kids liked him a lot.They always asked for him.
"Well,"said the teacher down the hall,"I hope you've learned something by now."

I didn't want to step in on this one. The teacher had served in the Navy. I had never served my country. After the brief discussion,I pulled the kid aside.
"Don't let that jack ass talk to you like that," I scolded."You went through a lot of tough stuff being a Marine. Not many could have gone through that."
"I know. I know that I learned a lot in the Marines,"he said.
"The next time he runs his mouth off like that,let him have it."
"I'm not worried about it. He knows where he stands with me."

I wasn't satisfied with his responce. I was more worked up than him.
"Hey Roger,"the kid said. "You know there's one thing I regret."
"What's that?"
I was hoping that the kid was going to tell me that he was going to get even with that teacher.
"If I'd still been in,I could have been a sergaent by now."

Thanks for sharing that Rog. I know by the things you write about your students and by all the other things that we talk about here and at the Hall of Fame dinners, that you have respect for people and as a teacher you understand your role in a students life but there are many teachers that will never get it.

When I was in my Junior year I was kicked out of High School and placed in a continuation school, along with my pals Mike Teran and Ken Robledo, as time went on I became good friends with Mr. Millard. Millard was the art teacher and history teacher for the continuation classes. The school was very informal and sometimes we would all hang out in the front of the school. Sometimes the teachers would join us.

One day Mr. Millard was out there with us telling us about his ranch in Montana. He was a horse breeder (I don't recall the breed). He was telling us how he would get the fresh broncs and break them, he was also telling us about his spread. He was going to move there permanent when he retired. He was really building it and himself up. He fancied himself a "True Grit" John Wayne cowboy. Well, I was young enough to get excited about the whole thing and I blurted out "Wow Mr. Millard, that's what I want to do when I graduate!!" I was sincere in my statement.

What he said next shocked the hell out of me. He said"You? You're a f*cking loser! You'll never have anything!" I was completely dumbfounded. This was my favorite teacher. I flipped my wig. I had a soda bottle (or a can, I can't remember which) and I threw it at him. I was embarrassed in front of my friends. I said "F*ck you you motherf...." and I went at him. My friends grabbed me and held me in place but I was cussing up a storm. He just started laughing and walked away.

Well, I had Millard in a class later in the day. I was a pretty fair artist at the time, before thirty some odd years of aircrafting ruined my hands. While he was lecturing us in class on some bit of history I was busy with my art project. To this day I have never equaled the job that I did on that day. I drew this picture of Millard breaking in one of his broncs, doggie style, if you catch my drift. The horse was on his knees, and Millard was...well, like I said, he was breaking him in, wearing only his boots, cowboy hat and his friggin Van Dyke. It was passed around the class and later, the school before he got hold of it. It was a hit. I got chewed out and in some trouble but as far as I'm concerned I had my revenge on the jackass.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

SEMPER FI

"So what made you join the Marine Corps anyway?"said the teacher down the hall from me to this kid who was subbing around campus.
"I don't know. I was young and stupid I guess,"he answered.
The kid's first name was Joe. I knew that he had been in the Marines and had the same first name as my dad.He looked up to me,but I ,deep down, looked up to him. The kid was working on his credential and was trying to get on with the school. I always used him when I needed a sub. The kids liked him a lot.They always asked for him.
"Well,"said the teacher down the hall,"I hope you've learned something by now."

I didn't want to step in on this one. The teacher had served in the Navy. I had never served my country. After the brief discussion,I pulled the kid aside.
"Don't let that jack ass talk to you like that," I scolded."You went through a lot of tough stuff being a Marine. Not many could have gone through that."
"I know. I know that I learned a lot in the Marines,"he said.
"The next time he runs his mouth off like that,let him have it."
"I'm not worried about it. He knows where he stands with me."

I wasn't satisfied with his responce. I was more worked up than him.
"Hey Roger,"the kid said. "You know there's one thing I regret."
"What's that?"
I was hoping that the kid was going to tell me that he was going to get even with that teacher.
"If I'd still been in,I could have been a sergaent by now."

Thanks for sharing that Rog. I know by the things you write about your students and by all the other things that we talk about here and at the Hall of Fame dinners, that you have respect for people and as a teacher you understand your role in a students life but there are many teachers that will never get it.

When I was in my Junior year I was kicked out of High School and placed in a continuation school, along with my pals Mike Teran and Ken Robledo, as time went on I became good friends with Mr. Millard. Millard was the art teacher and history teacher for the continuation classes. The school was very informal and sometimes we would all hang out in the front of the school. Sometimes the teachers would join us.

One day Mr. Millard was out there with us telling us about his ranch in Montana. He was a horse breeder (I don't recall the breed). He was telling us how he would get the fresh broncs and break them, he was also telling us about his spread. He was going to move there permanent when he retired. He was really building it and himself up. He fancied himself a "True Grit" John Wayne cowboy. Well, I was young enough to get excited about the whole thing and I blurted out "Wow Mr. Millard, that's what I want to do when I graduate!!" I was sincere in my statement.

What he said next shocked the hell out of me. He said"You? You're a f*cking loser! You'll never have anything!" I was completely dumbfounded. This was my favorite teacher. I flipped my wig. I had a soda bottle (or a can, I can't remember which) and I threw it at him. I was embarrassed in front of my friends. I said "F*ck you you motherf...." and I went at him. My friends grabbed me and held me in place but I was cussing up a storm. He just started laughing and walked away.

Well, I had Millard in a class later in the day. I was a pretty fair artist at the time, before thirty some odd years of aircrafting ruined my hands. While he was lecturing us in class on some bit of history I was busy with my art project. To this day I have never equaled the job that I did on that day. I drew this picture of Millard breaking in one of his broncs, doggie style, if you catch my drift. The horse was on his knees, and Millard was...well, like I said, he was breaking him in, wearing only his boots, cowboy hat and his friggin Van Dyke. It was passed around the class and later, the school before he got hold of it. It was a hit. I got chewed out and in some trouble but as far as I'm concerned I had my revenge on the jackass.

Randy

You did good, Randy!

[Randyman]

These small hand weights in the photo were given to me by Mel Epstein back in early 1975. I used them when I shadowboxed and when I ran. They weigh a couple of pounds each. I still use them. I just came back from a two and a half mile walk. Jeri was with me. We took the weights with us. We take turns with them.

Of course when I have them in my hands I can't help but think of Mel. When he had me in front of the bag, he would show me how to snap that jab out but he always used sound effects. He would make me do it to. Go "ffttt, ffiit"! when you pop that jab out. So there I was "ffttt, ffttting away". The funny thing is, is that it worked. It helped me focused and it increased my speed. Mel was always full of funny little ideas when it came to boxing. He was like Felix the cat with his magic bag of tricks. I would be jabbing away in the gym, weights in hand, ffttt, ffttting away. Not just with the jab but with all my punches.

Whenever I walk or run, I still breathe through my nose and I still keep my chin to my chest. Same thing when I skip rope.

I'm not sure why I'm mentioning any of this except that whenever I have those weights in my hands Mel pops into my head.

By the way Rog, I wish I had a photo of Mel so you could paint him. Rick will attest to this. His face had character like no one else. You would have had a ball painting him.

Randy

[Randyman]

Where in the Heck are Bennie and Hap?? Anyone heard anything?

Randy

[Randyman]

My dad in WWII. Cpl. Joe Esposito. Ist Marine Division,5 Corps.
Theaters of Action:Pelileu,Okinawa, helped disarm Japanese Army
in China.

Like Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan,and many others,never talked about the war much. I once talked to an old timer who was in my dad's outfit after my dad died. Said my dad killed a Japanese soldier with his bare hands who was raping an Okinawan girl.

The Japanese would send suicide charges at our Marines at night. It was all hand to hand combat. Like I said,my dad never talked about that stuff with me. He knew that he did the right thing when the moment presented itself. Why spoil it by talking about it.

Kudos to your "Pops"!

[Rick Farris]

These small hand weights in the photo were given to me by Mel Epstein back in early 1975. I used them when I shadowboxed and when I ran. They weigh a couple of pounds each. I still use them. I just came back from a two and a half mile walk. Jeri was with me. We took the weights with us. We take turns with them.

Of course when I have them in my hands I can't help but think of Mel. When he had me in front of the bag, he would show me how to snap that jab out but he always used sound effects. He would make me do it to. Go "ffttt, ffiit"! when you pop that jab out. So there I was "ffttt, ffttting away". The funny thing is, is that it worked. It helped me focused and it increased my speed. Mel was always full of funny little ideas when it came to boxing. He was like Felix the cat with his magic bag of tricks. I would be jabbing away in the gym, weights in hand, ffttt, ffttting away. Not just with the jab but with all my punches.

Whenever I walk or run, I still breathe through my nose and I still keep my chin to my chest. Same thing when I skip rope.

I'm not sure why I'm mentioning any of this except that whenever I have those weights in my hands Mel pops into my head.

By the way Rog, I wish I had a photo of Mel so you could paint him. Rick will attest to this. His face had character like no one else. You would have had a ball painting him.

Randy

I have a good one. Of Mel and I standing side-by-side in front of the Elks Bldg. a couple days before his 72nd birthday.
It's fight night at the Forum later. We were at the Elks to weigh-in for my six-rounder.
Mel is standing straight with his hands on his hips, that look on his face that was his trade mark.
Rog will have a field day with this one. I also have one of he and Young Firpo, taken in the early 30's. Mel has a full head of hair!
He's standing next to the imposing Firp, with a silly smile on his face, like Stan Laurel. What a charactor!
I gotta dig it out, I have it.


-Rick Farris