dagosd2000 wrote:SUGAR IN THE EVENING SUGAR IN THE MORNING
My dad would surprise once in a while when I would be with him. He would spot someone famous ,then go up ,put his arm around the guy,and break out into a laugh and a conversation. Back in Chicago I remember this happening when my Dad spotted the great Sugar Ray Robinson standing on a street corner. I remember it was very cold.
"Hey there's Sugar Ray Robinson,"said my Dad pointing to the Sugar Man.
I knew who Sugar Ray Robinson was. He was the guy that had womped on all those dago fighters. I never could get over the fact that LaMotta had lost four times to Robinson. To hear the spaghetti eaters tell it on the southwest side it was Jake that finally got that pound of flesh for the fall of Rome. Hell,don't ever bring it up that Jake ever lost to Robinson.So here's my Dad walking up to Ray Robinson ,and Ray sees him and gives my Dad that Sugar Ray Robinson smile.
"Joe"says Robby still smiling."How you doing?"
"Sugar,I want you to meet my son."
Ray Robinson bends down a little ,head cocked to the side,and extends his hand. Not a earth shaking grip. Naw,that wasn't Ray Robinson. A polite firm shake. Ray Robinson. Even when he shook your hand he had style. Walking down a flight of stairs.Opening up the newspaper. I guess you're born with it. You don't rehearse that kind of stuff.
"Sugar.Remember when you were standing in front of Meadowmoor dairy when they gunned down Mo Greenburg?"exclaimed my Dad.
"Joe,I thought they wanted to shoot me!"
To see those two giants laugh out loud at that one!
My Dad and Sugar Ray Robinson on a cold street corner in Chicago. I guess you don't rehearse that kind of stuff.
What a great personal memory Rog! That's the kind of stuff money can't buy. It's a funny thing about most boxers (not all), they have weak and limp handshakes. I can't figure it out. I was raised by my father to give a firm handshake. Not overly so but appropriately firm. The first time I shook hands with Oscar De la Hoya I was taken back a bit, it was barely there, almost feminine. It didn't fit him. Ali had a loose grip as if he were afraid his hands would be hurt. I shook hands with Robinson back in the 7o's and I remember his handshake as being a fairly firm grip. It took me a while to not judge fighters by their handshakes. They're on a different level and the same rules don't seem to apply. On the flip side, I hate it when I shake hands with someone and they attempt to apply the death grip on you. Too much to prove I guess.
Great Story
Randy
