Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

Fighter's Lesson

"My brother was a better fighter than me," said Ray.
"I didn't know your brother was a fighter,"I replied.
Ray drove down from LA. to the sports collectables convention.He was at a table with other fighters of some renown signing autographs. Ray was letting his go for 25 dollars.I grabbed a seat next to him.
"Yeah,we walked into the gym together in Youngstown. We caught on right away."
"Who was older?"
"He was."
"Did he turn pro like you?"
"No.He never had the discipline like me. He was a better boxer and a better puncher,but he lacked the discipline."
"That's too bad."
"If you're going into fighting you have to want to be the champ.That's your only goal. You exclude all the easy going life. My brother didn't want to do that."
"What did your father say to him?"
"He told him the same thing.He didn't want me to fight also because he knew what a Spartan life you had to live to make it to the top.Then my brother starts hanging around the wise guys. They find him dead.Shot. The coroner said it was an accident.The family was devastated.'"
"I remember that.Your dad was a fighter."
"Yeah,but the war interrupted his career. I wanted to do it for him."
"Well you won a world title,"I said.
"I did and I'm satisfied with that."
Ray signed an autograph for a fan who was with his little boy.
"My boy wants to be a fighter like you ,"said the dad.
Ray looked at the boy.
"Why do you want to be a fighter?",he asked him.
"To make money,"said the kid.
"You can always get a job,"said Ray.
"I want to be popular too,"said the kid.
"Then go on American Idol."
"I also want a lot of girls."
"Then get a personality."
The father took his arm off his son's shoulder.
"Give Ray the 25 dollars,"the father said to his son.
"Forget it,"said Ray,"Take the 25 and buy some school books."

[dagosd2000]

Gaspar Ortega and my wife Maria. We had lunch at Carl's Junior down the street from the Marriot Hotel were the World Boxing Hall Of Fame was meeting. Los Angeles .2008.

[CNorkusJr]

Gaspar Ortega and my wife Maria. We had lunch at Carl's Junior down the street from the Marriot Hotel were the World Boxing Hall Of Fame was meeting. Los Angeles .2008.

New Gaspar "Indio" Ortega book just came out !
http://www.amazon.com/Friday-Night-Figh ... 0252037375

[dagosd2000]

Gaspar Ortega and my wife Maria. We had lunch at Carl's Junior down the street from the Marriot Hotel were the World Boxing Hall Of Fame was meeting. Los Angeles .2008.

New Gaspar "Indio" Ortega book just came out !
http://www.amazon.com/Friday-Night-Figh ... 0252037375

Saw that Charley. I'll get my hands on one soon. Thanks

[dagosd2000]

Lost Art

There's a dog park about a mile from where I live. I like going there with my poodles. I can take them off leash and let them run. There's an area for large dogs and small dogs. The other morning I took them to the park to have their exercise. They like chasing the ball. I saw a lady with a dog inside the small dog area. When I unleashed my dogs,I sat on one of the benches and tossed the ball. The lady walked over to where I was sitting.
"Are your poodles related?"she asked.
She had some sort of Britush accent.
"Yes ,they're sisters."
My dogs were playing biting and chasing each other. They were trying to get the lady's dog to join in,but he was reluctant.
"What kind of dog is yours?"I asked the lady.
She wore glasses and her grayish hair was down her back in a long braid.Her skin was pastey and a blotchy.
"We don't know really.The vet says some yorkshire and terrier."
'It's a nice dog,"I said.
The lady sat on the opposite end of the bench. I tossed the tennis ball. My dogs chased it. Her dog watched my dogs.
"My dog needs to learn to be more social with other dogs,"she said.
"My two were brought up with a lot of little kids.They like everyone."
"Yes,"said the lady,"they are so adorable. They're funny to watch play."
"Yes,they make me happy,"I said.
The lady's dog jumped on the bench next to her.
"I start vacation next week,"said the lady.
"What do you do?"
"I'm an art teacher at a middle school."
"I retired from the district two years ago,"I said.
"It must be nice to be retired."
"Now I can do more of what I like. By the way,I paint too. It's one of my diversions."
"I haven't painted a picture in more than eight years,"she said."I never seem to have the time."
"When I was working,I'd paint on the weekends. Now I paint almost everyday."
"Teaching has become stressfull,"she said."I just got over an investigation. A girl in my class said that I was driving her to suicide. There was a meeting with the principal,the mother,and the psychiatrist?"
"What district did you work at?"
"Sweetwater Union."
"That was my district too. What school did you work at?"
"East Lake Middle."
"I was at Mar Vista Middle."
"I'm glad it's over with,"said the lady drawing a breath." I told my boyfriend,or I should say my fiancee,that it was the hardfest thing in my life."
"Was the girl Mexican?,"I asked.
"Why yes."
"Did they play the race card?"
"Why yes. How did you know.?"
"Racism is a two way street."
"I was at my lowest.My fiancee is Mexican. He told me it was nothing."
"Well I'm glad nothing came of it,"I said.
"Next year I'm being transferred to Southwest High. I think I'll do better at a high school."
"I taught at Southwest for 11 years."
"What's it like?"
"It has a lot more Mexicans than East Lake. The school is real close to the border."
"Oh."
"You know Mexican nationals don't pay much mind to Chicanos. Kids from TJ are in a different league from Mexicans down south.Then there's Chilangos.The ones from Mexico City. They think they are better. At least the rich ones. Then there's who you're connected with.That's how you determine who has and those who don't have. Status is very important.Skin color. The lighter ,the better if your of the aristocrat class."
"How do you know this?"
"Been married to a Mexican gal for 40 years.We have a home in Michoacan. She's from the ranch. They're a different breed too."
"Oh,it seems like a lot too know."
"There's a lot to know about every country."
The lady's dog fell asleep on the bench.
"Where is your fiancee from,"I asked.
"Mexico City."
"Ask him if he's a part of the cosmic race?"
"What's that?"she asked squinting at me.
"Nothing.It was just a joke."

[dagosd2000]

Ray Mancini

[CNorkusJr]

I will be busy next 24 hours, so I'll say "Happy Father's Day " to all my buddies here. I am not a father, but a loving uncle to a few.
I'll post this in tribute to my dad.

[dagosd2000]

No Creeps Allowed

"So uncle Paddy where was this picture taken?"I asked.
"At a place in Atlantic City called the 500 Club."
I was at uncle Paddy's apartment on Halsted Street.It was small and things were scattered all over. It was after his divorce. It was long after he left the ring. The picture was the only thing hanging on the wall.
"Who are you sitting next to?"
"That's Skinny D'Amato. He ran the joint for the Syndicate."
"It must have been a pretty rough place."
"Not really. They took care of any problems. The cops left them alone."
"Is it still around?"
"Still operating ,"said Paddy."A lot of entertainers got their starts there. Martin and Lewis.Frank sang there a lot."
"Nothing illegal ever went on there?"
"Now you must be kidding. Like I said though they took care of any problems."
Uncle Paddy pulled out a couple of tickets from his shirt pocket.
"Remember ,we're going to the Cub game tomorrow. Let's see if thet can get out of last place."
"Ernie Banks is the only player they've got that's worth anything."
Uncle Paddy put the tickets back in his shirt pocket.
"You know Roger,this neighborhood is a lot like the 500 Club."
"What do you mean?"
"We take care of things. We don't allow any stick up guys to come in here. Your grandmother can go to the corner store at night and doesn't have to worry.Little kids can play anywhere and not be bothered by any creeps.We don't let the moolies come in here. The cops leave us alone. "
"I do know about everyone,"I said.
"There's no trouble around here. Like I said,we watch what's going on.We let each other know."
Uncle Paddy straightened the picture on the wall.
"I'll think I'll go over to my cousin Frankie's house and see if he wants to get an Italian ice,"I said.
"Here's a buck,"said uncle Paddy."Go enjoy yourself."



Frank Sinatra

[El Gallo]

Gaspar Ortega and my wife Maria. We had lunch at Carl's Junior down the street from the Marriot Hotel were the World Boxing Hall Of Fame was meeting. Los Angeles .2008.

New Gaspar "Indio" Ortega book just came out !
http://www.amazon.com/Friday-Night-Figh ... 0252037375

Saw that Charley. I'll get my hands on one soon. Thanks

I also need to get that book. At the 2007 WBHOF Banquet of Champions, Dan Hanley and I set up a little studio with some film industry pals and interviewed several legends, and had hoped to interview Gaspar Ortega. We got Mando Ramos' last interview, as well as George Benton's, Carlos Ortiz, Armando Muniz, Yaqui Lopez, Gwen Adair & Lou Filippo's final interview on camera. My cousin Dawn is a great photographer, so she flew in from Florida to shoot some behind scenes WBHOF stills, as well as our interviewees. During the event, she became fascinated with what a gentleman was Ortega, not to mention handsome in his nice suit. She took several still shots of "El Indio"
and they are brilliant! Will get my hands on a copy of this one, also!

[El Gallo]

Erotic Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

"I saw your latest painting on the forum,"said Ed.
"Which one?"I asked.
I stopped in for a beer at Champs.Ed the bartender drew a beer and put it in front of me on the counter.
"That one of that old time fighter."
"You mean Jem Mace,or was it the one of Jeffries?"
"The old guy with the white hair,"said Ed.
"That was Jem Mace when he was 79 years old."
Ed turned on the TV to see if any sports was on the channel.There was a grand prix race from somewhere in Europe. He turned the sound off.
"You ever sell any of your art?",Ed asked.
"Very little. Most I give away."
"You'll never make any money that way,"he said.
"It's a combination of luck and knowing how to market. I haven't any luck and no talent when it comes to putting my art out there."
"Who's your favorite fighter to paint?"
"joe Louis has a most interesting face."
Ed flipped the channel to womens' tennis. The sound was still off.
"I saw the other day some guy sold a painting of that old broad who used to be on that television series for 2 million dollars,"said Ed.
"You mean Bea Arthur who starred on the Golden Girls."
"Yeah,that's the one."
"The guy painted her with her top off."
"I wonder if she posed for him?"
"No,he copied her face from a photo and then painted her with her top off."
"2 million dollars for something like that,"remarked Ed.
"I heard that the sale was quite anticipated."
"He should have painted her with all her clothes off. He could have got 4 million."laughed Ed.
"You can't tell with art. They say the painting is erotic."
"What do you think?"
"I can see it."
"I saw it. Yeah,I'd roll in the sack with her."
Ed flipped the channel to college baseball. He turned up the sound.
"What are you going to paint next?"asked Ed.
"I was thinking of painting Betty White with her top off.I always thought she was pretty erotic."



Betty White With Her Top Off. From a circa 1950's pin up photo.

Ha! I work at the CBS Studio Center, where Betty White has a TV series (sit-com) that appears on the TV Land network. "Hot in Cleveland"
I don't work on that production, which also features Jane Leeves from the old "Frasier" series.
Everybody who I know that has worked with her (many that worked on Mary Tyler-Moore on CBS Stage 2 back in the 70's) say that she is one of the best ever.
Loved & respected among those who have the pleasure of working with this TV legend.

[dagosd2000]

Absentee Father

My nephew Chelis brought my car to the house. He was with his helper. An old guy with a grizzly gray beard and missing his front teeth. His hat was full of holes and dirty.
"Rogelio,I fixed the flat and charged the battery. The car is ready,"said my nephew.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing."
"I'll tell you what. I'll take you and your friend to lunch."
Jiquilpan has a few sea food places that aren't bad. They're on the outskirts of town. One called Las Palmas sits outside under a palm branched roof. It was cool inside and airy. We sat at a table near the bar. The waiter came over and I ordered.
"Caldo de siete mares and shrimp cocktails para todo"I said."And three cold Modelos."
The waiter brought over chips and salsa for starters.
"So how are my three cousins in Tijuana doing?"asked Chelis.
"They're struggling,"I said. "When they were living in Tijuana with my mother in law it was easier to watch them. After she died,they scattered."
The helper with the missing teeth smiled.
"We finally had to have Teresa's tubes tied. Three boys from three different men. She'd get knocked up here and then take them to Tijuana so her mother could bring them up."
The waiter came over with the hot bowls of soup and the shrimp cocktails that were in these big ice cream soda glasses.
"So what are they doing now?"asked Chelis.
"Jorge went to New York. Oscar works hustling in front of one of those clubs on Revolution. Fernando is in and out of drug rehabs."
The helper was slurping his soup with his spoon. Finally he picked up the bowl and drank the rest of the soup with his hands.Some of the soup slopped down his shirt.
"You like the soup?"I asked him.
"Si amigo. Siete Mares is my favorite. Muy rico."
The helper grabbed the can of beer and downed half of it in one swallow.
"Que rico,"said the helper showing his toothless mouth.
"You want another beer?"I asked.
"Seguro,senor."
I motioned the waiter to bring over three more Modelos.
"Sabes Chelis?"I said." Your cousins never talk of their mother.
"No?"
"They've never seen their fathers.When their grandmother died that was it for them."
The helper made a loud burp and got up from the table.
"Con permiso.Voy al bano,"he said.
The old man limped to the bathroom at the rear of the restaurant.
"You know Rogelio,"said Chelis leaning over to me."That's Fernando's father.He never asks about him and never sees Teresa."
After awhile the helper returned to the table.
"Muy sabrosa,"he said flashing a big smile and patting his stomach.
"Well you guys ready to go?"I asked.
They nodded. The old man was smiling at me.
"Let me pay the waiter,"I said.
I walked to the bar and settled the check. As we walked back to the car ,I turned to the old man.
"You can walk back to town,"I said looking in his eyes.The smile went off his face.
"What's wrong? ,"he asked open mouthed.
"I don't like your table manners."

[dagosd2000]

Arthur Mercante

[CNorkusJr]

Arthur Mercante

Arthur Mercante-what a great guy ! I am not just talking about his refereeing resume, but rather gift of gab and a fine memory of his countless of fights he oversaw. I long time friend of my dads (I know you hear that alot, but it very true); Arthur lived in Garden City, Long Island for many years. A mere 15 mins. from the Norkus household, and another 15 mins to the Gil Clancy household in Malverne, Long Island. Arthur's day job was that of a political position for Town of Hempstead Dept of Parks & Recreation, located a mere 10 mins from his house. He held fitness classes (workouts) for those interested and oversaw many Town laborers who did the same at various other Town Parks.Very much revered by the pols in office and all Long Island sportsmen.
Of course this eased his movements to travel the world to perform his reffing assignments. His duties of reffing were overseen by the NYS Athletic Comm. and a director(commissioner) who is picked by the NY State Gov in office. Today Melvina Lathan holds that spot. She was a judge many years, and her husband Dr Lathan was a Ringside MD for over 40 years before retiring.

When my father first became a referee in 1974, it seemed Arthur was always working the same card as my dad. He advised my dad on some things but often said that my father didnt need much addtl. training as his experience in the New York ring as a fighter made him pretty much a "natural" ; especially working the heavies.
In the early 1980's, Arthur called together many referees in the downstate area together. Though I dont know who initially thought of the idea (not sure if Arthur did or not) there was talk of refs and judges possibly unionizing here. Boxing matches, namely Championship fight fighters were starting to earn high 6 figures than shortly after million dollar purses. Refs were still getting about 700 to 1,000 dollars on average for doing these fights. Judges much less. Dont quote me on this, but I think Arthur got in vincinity of $2,500 for Ali vs Frazier I.

My father and Billy Graham (fighter turned ref and judge) were liquor salesman in their day jobs. Belonging to very strong unions aligned with teamsters they were asked upon to give their insight and where to turn to "hook" up for support in this matter. The Teamsters would be more than happy to represent the refs and judges in New York, and no doubt the rest of the countries officials would follow suit.Meetings were held in NY for about 3 months.

Before pulling the trigger, Arthur and a few men sat down with the NYS Comm and I think the Governor directly in Albany, NY. After a discussion, I know the whole idea of unionizing was suddenly dropped. I believe it might have been mentioned that the Gov. has the right to eliminate all refs and judges as they are appointed positions by the State and not a "civil service job" with all rights within. However, I do believe that a new elaborate pricing frame was established for officials reffing high end market fights.
Paid out by promoters or different organizations then arising (WBO, WBC,WBA etc etc). Though I cant tell you how much one gets for reffing a large scale PPV match held in NY right now,or even Las Vegas, I can tell you its a far cry from $150/ night incl. Main Event in the Felt Forum back in 1980 my father got.

I attended Arthur Mercante Sr. wake in Garden City. A sad day, the funeral home was filled with pictures and newspaper stories of his early days of reffing.a non-stop line of boxings who's who came to pay respect.
Arthur Mercante Jr is a Dear friend of mine. We talk often and have our fathers boxing history in common. Arthur Jr. lives in Franklin Square, next to Garden City.
He gives me the low-down on whats happening in the New York boxing world, and I for one thinks he is a chip off his father's shoulder in looks and reffing skills.

Myself with Arthur Marcante Jr, and Holmes. 2010

[dagosd2000]

Not A Failure To Communicate

"I hear you say it,"said Louie.
"No.I didn't say that,"said the reporter.
Louie Rodriguez was in camp in San Diego tuning up for his fight against Rafael Gutierrez,Mexico's middle weight champ. Though the match was made at 160,Rodriguez would struggle to gain weight. Rodriguez was a blown up welter,but his countryman,Jose Napoles would have the welter weight belt aroung his waist. Funny,Napoles was a blown up light weight.
"I understand Ingles un poco,"said Louie speaking through his gum shield.
"What did I say?"asked the reporter.
"You say Greefeeth better than me.I hear you say this."
"No. I never said that,"said the reporter backpeddling."Why I think you were robbed in New York."
"Then why you say Greefeeth is better than me?"
"I never said that.Honest."
Angelo Dundee was working Rodriguez's gloves on. Johnny Wise,a local middle weight,was telling Dundee that he didn't want to wear his head guard.He was to spar three rounds with Rodriguez.
"I have a skin problem.I can't be hit in the face,"said Wise.
"You poot on the head gear or you leave. I understand Ingles. Sabes?"said a mad Rodriguez.
Wise put on the head gear.
The Nose worked Wise over pretty good during the sparring session. After three Dundee said that was enough for the day.
"Go hit the big bag Louie and then cool down and take a shower."
I walked up to Angelo and asked him how Rodriguez was coming around.
"He's as ready as he can be. The other guy will be bigger and stronger,but my guy will beat him with all he knows."
"You speak Spanish?"I asked Dundee.
"They told me to learn Spanish when I went in with Sugar Ramos,Napoles,and Louie.But Italian is similar.I don't have a problem communicating."
"So Louie understands what you're saying?"
"Louie understands everything."



Louie Rogriguez

[dagosd2000]

Daylight Come And I Wanna' Go Home

"I wished our father could have been home more,but he was being a father for mankind,"said Belafonte's son.
I was watching a documentary on the singer. This segmant was dealing with his home life.
"Now I understand,"said his son."He was out there trying to solve the problems of injustice."
The film showed Harry Belafonte going to various parts of the world meeting people like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Belafonte gave concerts and made speeches. He also marched. He visited many parts of the world.

At the end of the documentary ,Belafonte was asked if there was as much progress made with civil rights as he had hoped.
"Looking back,"the singer said,"I can't figure out what went wrong.Maybe I blinked."

It's one thing to travel around in a Lear Jet and give concerts and make speeches and hug everyone.You can rub shoulders with people like Sidney Poitier and Joan Baez,but to live and work with the poor day in and day out is a different perspective. You can give them freedom under the law,but how they treat each other is the test of being free. You don't have to blink to not see it.

[dagosd2000]

Ray Charles

[El Gallo]

Daylight Come And I Wanna' Go Home

"I wished our father could have been home more,but he was being a father for mankind,"said Belafonte's son.
I was watching a documentary on the singer. This segmant was dealing with his home life.
"Now I understand,"said his son."He was out there trying to solve the problems of injustice."
The film showed Harry Belafonte going to various parts of the world meeting people like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Belafonte gave concerts and made speeches. He also marched. He visited many parts of the world.

At the end of the documentary ,Belafonte was asked if there was as much progress made with civil rights as he had hoped.
"Looking back,"the singer said,"I can't figure out what went wrong.Maybe I blinked."

It's one thing to travel around in a Lear Jet and give concerts and make speeches and hug everyone.You can rub shoulders with people like Sidney Poitier and Joan Baez,but to live and work with the poor day in and day out is a different perspective. You can give them freedom under the law,but how they treat each other is the test of being free. You don't have to blink to not see it.

Belafonte . . .

I got to know Sherry Belafonte, his daughter, when working on the first season of the Aaron Spelling TV series "Hotel".
Ironically, we began filming the series at Warner Bros. exactly 30 years ago, mid June 1983.
At the time she was married, and one of the nicest young actresses I've ever met, beautiful and very smart!
I never discussed her father with her, just set talk and casual conversation, but I was fascinated knowing a little bit about her father.
Never met the brother, but I met her husband, and remember his last name was Harper.
She had a great look, did a lot of print work and glamour type commercials, but after the series just seemed to disappear.
I used to enjoy lighting her close ups because her very short, afro cut hair took to backlight so well.
I would warm up her dark skin with a low density "straw" colored filter which we'd mount in front of her key lite.
When Rog paints his portraits, his creativity allows him to play "God", this is his creation, he can enhance or disquise anything.
That is what I do when I have a little time to light a special close up. A beautiful woman, and interesting face, even ugly.
That is where I find happiness, more than anything related to boxing. I love to light close ups. I love making beauty more so!
That part of my career is pretty much over. Today I will light famous faces for ET (Entertainment Tonight) interviews on occasion.
However, that is just glamour news coverage, no tricks, no special lighting, just light them flat to erase any belmishes, etc. NO ART!
But I did learn from some masters, and they are all now long gone. As is the film business I once knew.
But I still have some great memories, and Sherry Belafonte is one of them!

-Rick Farris

[El Gallo]

By the way, Rog, I really love what you have been painting lately. Ray Charles is brilliant!

[dagosd2000]

By the way, Rog, I really love what you have been painting lately. Ray Charles is brilliant!

Thanks Rick. Shari Belafonte talked about her father in that documentary(Sing Your Song -I saw it on Netflix).She says he was an absentee father. All the kids expressed that they wished he would have been around more.But he was working for mankind.(This they realized later). This is strange: Belafonte said he split with his first wife because she believed what the FBI was saying about him being a communist. Next shot he's in a scene with Inger Stevens. Belafonte produced this thing. I ain't buying it.

[dagosd2000]

Get A Life

Next week I send my daughter and my two grandkids,Amanda and Adam,to Spain. I didn't want to go this year after after going the last eight years. My wife sounded disappointed when I told her we were'n't going,but hopefully this will be for the better. I wanted to look at the overall picture.

Amanda will be graduating from high school next year. She's been dancing Flamenco for 13 years. Eight of those years she's been studying the dance in Spain with her teacher,Miguel Vargas. The wife and I have been chaperoning her. But next year she's going to be a big girl. Oh,she's grown up already,but if she's to go to Spain next year by herself,I want her mother to see how relatively safe it is Cadiz.(If it was up to me I'd send her by herself this year). To make a long story short,the police station in Cadiz is across the street from the hotel.Most of the time the cops walk along the beach and tell people not to kick the soccer ball to hard when playing. Besides,Amanda will be staying with Miguel Vargas and his wife,Esperanza Fernandez.They are two of the most renown Flamenco performers in the world.Esperanza is a singer. Amanda is like a little sister to them. Amanda watches over their two small boys,Miguelito and David. Miguel and Esperanza want Amanda to live with them when she studies there.I want my daughter to see that there isn't much to worry about.

While my three are in Spain,I know they will be frequenting the beach everyday.That will be one of the experiences I'll miss. Today I drove down to the beach to get back in the water and not feel too bad because I'm missing out on something while they're there. I go down to the beach in the morning anyway during the summer,but this year I'll start a bit sooner.

I usually arrive around 6 a.m. before the summer crowd gathers. Today I saw some of the old crew. The old time surfers who get in the water just about everyday. They'll move around up and down the coast in Ocean Beach until they find a break that they like. A surfer wouldn't trade places with anyone. Someone who doesn't get in the ocean doesn't have a life. I agree. The smell of the sea.Its rolling movement. Hearing the birds.Watching the sky. Playing in the ocean. When I dip my head under the water,I feel whatever else I do the rest of the day is secondary.

Who cares about who wins or loses the game? If my computer is down. My neighbors make too much noise.Who's right or wrong on the forum. I know there are things that are really bad that a dip in the ocean won't cure. But I'll tell you about an incident I experienced once. Or should I say survived. I got caught in a strong riptide one morning. I couldn't fight it any longer.I couldn't break water. Seawater was filling up my lungs. I decide to let myself go and die. I'll never forget the feeling. I felt totally relaxed. At peace. The water filling my lungs was like breathing air. I saw a light.I wasn't afraid.

But then my toe caught the sand. I struggled back to the shore. I collapsed on the beach. I vomited.I was breathing hard and fast. After recovering with a towel wrapped around me,I thought about what happened. I think about what happened that day a lot since. I don't know if that near death experience is unique to drowning in the ocean. I don't know. I'm not ready to find out.Right now I just want to get a life.



My grandson Adam at the beach in Cadiz,Spain with two friends Carmen(from Holland)and Neerma(from Dubai).Two of Amanda's fellow students at the workshop.Dancing can really be fun. 2008.

[dagosd2000]

I Beg Your Pardon

"I see where some people in the boxing world want Obama to give Jack Johnson a pardon on that Mann Act beef,"said Ed the bartender.
"I'm sure the whole world is holding their breath on that one,"I laughed.
"People need to get a life,"said Ed.
Champs was pretty empty as usual at mid afternoon. That's when I liked the place. No loud drunks.Quiet. Serene like. It was Ed and me at the end of the bar.I was watching the foam settle on my beer.
"There's a hell of a lot of problems to fix in this country. I would think pardonning Jack Johnson would be near the bottom of my list,"I said.
"Johnson didn't have any kids that we know of,"said Ed.
"And he treated his wives like s---. I can't imagine any of his relatives waking up each morning and not being able to walk down the street thinking about what happened to Jack Johnson."
"Yeah,but it was a bum rap."
"Sure it was and anyone who follows boxing knows it. But I think if Obama pardoned him it would work against him."
"Obama or Johnson?"asked Ed.
"Both."
"I don't feel the urge to start a petition about it,"said Ed.
Ed started to wipe some beer glasses.
"Did you ever read his autobiography?"I asked Ed.
"No.I didn't know there was one."
"Yeah,he wrote it when he had a few more fights left in him. After he got out of jail."
"What was it like?"
"He painted himself as some sort of Guru. Ask him the time and he'd tell you how they built the watch. At fifty he beat any heavyweight out there. A clean liver. A nutritionist to boot. As for women,he held them in the highest regard."
"Didn't one of his wives shoot herself?"asked Ed.
"She got tired of the threesomes I guess."
"I know Louis's camp didn't want him around."
"Yeah, he would have screwed things up alright."
"But you've got to admit,Johnson had balls."
"Lucky he never got shot."
"But he wasn't what you'd call a civil rights activist,"said Ed.
"No.Jack Johnson was all about Jack Johnson."
Ed refilled my glass.
"I read where Marvin Hagler lives in Italy now,"said Ed putting a fresh coaster under my glass.
"Married a nice Italian gal. He's very popular in Europe."
"Maybe that's what Jack Johnson should have done."
Ed put his hand on the bar and leaned over to me.
"You know if Obama wants to score points,"he said,"he ought to put Pete Rose in the Hall Of Fame."
"I don't think I'll stand on the corner asking for signatures on a petition for that one either."

[dagosd2000]

Marvin Hagler

[El Gallo]

I Beg Your Pardon

"I see where some people in the boxing world want Obama to give Jack Johnson a pardon on that Mann Act beef,"said Ed the bartender.
"I'm sure the whole world is holding their breath on that one,"I laughed.
"People need to get a life,"said Ed.
Champs was pretty empty as usual at mid afternoon. That's when I liked the place. No loud drunks.Quiet. Serene like. It was Ed and me at the end of the bar.I was watching the foam settle on my beer.
"There's a hell of a lot of problems to fix in this country. I would think pardonning Jack Johnson would be near the bottom of my list,"I said.
"Johnson didn't have any kids that we know of,"said Ed.
"And he treated his wives like s---. I can't imagine any of his relatives waking up each morning and not being able to walk down the street thinking about what happened to Jack Johnson."
"Yeah,but it was a bum rap."
"Sure it was and anyone who follows boxing knows it. But I think if Obama pardoned him it would work against him."
"Obama or Johnson?"asked Ed.
"Both."
"I don't feel the urge to start a petition about it,"said Ed.
Ed started to wipe some beer glasses.
"Did you ever read his autobiography?"I asked Ed.
"No.I didn't know there was one."
"Yeah,he wrote it when he had a few more fights left in him. After he got out of jail."
"What was it like?"
"He painted himself as some sort of Guru. Ask him the time and he'd tell you how they built the watch. At fifty he beat any heavyweight out there. A clean liver. A nutritionist to boot. As for women,he held them in the highest regard."
"Didn't one of his wives shoot herself?"asked Ed.
"She got tired of the threesomes I guess."
"I know Louis's camp didn't want him around."
"Yeah, he would have screwed things up alright."
"But you've got to admit,Johnson had balls."
"Lucky he never got shot."
"But he wasn't what you'd call a civil rights activist,"said Ed.
"No.Jack Johnson was all about Jack Johnson."
Ed refilled my glass.
"I read where Marvin Hagler lives in Italy now,"said Ed putting a fresh coaster under my glass.
"Married a nice Italian gal. He's very popular in Europe."
"Maybe that's what Jack Johnson should have done."
Ed put his hand on the bar and leaned over to me.
"You know if Obama wants to score points,"he said,"he ought to put Pete Rose in the Hall Of Fame."
"I don't think I'll stand on the corner asking for signatures on a petition for that one either."

The guy has been dead for nearly 7 decades.
Great fighter? Oh yeah!
Forgiven? Who's gives a damn? Only a moron.
I'm a history guy, but it's time to move onward and upward!
Next?

[dagosd2000]

Don't Call Him Beardsley

The only person to call him Beardsley was Joe Madro his offensive line coach with the San Diego Chargers. Patrick Beardsley Shea passed away Memorial Day weekend of this year.

I didn't know him personally. He was one of the legends that grew up in the beach community . There was Ocean Beach,Pacific Beach,and Mission Beach.They were the beach towns in San Diego. You have to include La Jolla too,but there was only a small segment that you would call "beach people." La Jolla was high end and still is in this city. Don't associate beach bums with La Jolla. Those kids' daddys bought them pricey surfboards and ocean gear with their credit cards when no one had credit cards except the people born with silver spoons in their mouths.

Pat Shea grew up in Mission Beach.He was about eight years older than me. He attended Mission Bay High. Won the state heavyweight wrestling title in 1958. I knew his coach Walt Romanowski,who later coached at my alma mater Point Loma High. He said Shea didn't know but a few holds. He beat guys on strength and meanness. Shea also won the city shot put gold medal. He should have graduated in '58 but he did a stint at Campo facility for juvenile offenders and that held him back a year. They say it was fighting a cop or many cops. You can bet Irish wasn't sober when the incident occurred.

When we'd sit around the sand drinking beer back then ,we'd always talk about who was the toughest guy around. Mingo Silva,the Portugee who pole fished and had forearms like hamhocks,name would always come up. Then there was Jack Pringle who weighed 160 pounds of sinew and muscle and didn't consider it a fair fight unless he was outnumbered at least two to one. And of course Pat Shea.

Shea went to USC after playing two years at City College. In those days there were no freshmen who could play on the varsity squad in NCAA footbal. You got your rite of passage at the JC's. San Diego City was a powerhouse.

After leaving USC Shea walked on with the Chargers in 1962. He was one of the starting guards(with the late Walt Sweeney)on that unbelivable 1963 Charger team. Now I was a Chicago Bear fan then. The Bears won the NFL title in '63. That was before the AfL and the NFL merged and played the Super Bowl. I really think if the Chargers had played the Bears in a post season championship game,they would have beat my Bears. Sid Gilliam,the Charger coach was a offensive genius. He was the man that opened up the passing game. Yeah,the Colts had Unitus,but that team didn't throw the ball downfield like the Chargers.But back to Shea.

Joe Madro said Shea would go through a brick wall if you'd ask him.After only four seasons playing pro ball,Shea popped a disk in his back. Interesting note:the Chargers were the first pro team of any sort that had an organized weight lifting program. The problem was weightliftng coaches in those days were mostly bodybuilders. They didn't know how to train any athlete except the bun huggers.

In the off season we'd see Shea at the beach. He was a surfer.He liked to dive for abs and spear fish.And he'd like to drink. The drinking would manifest into fighting and then all hell would break loose.

I remember going to one of the annual OMBAC(Old Mission Beach Athletic Club) parties at Mission Beach across from the roller coaster. The club had a rugby team and a drinking team .Shea was captain of both.He'd get a snoot full and the next thing you knew you'd hear the sirens. Bob Thornburn(who later became Assistant Chief of Police in San Diego)told me of the stories,when he was working patrol,about responding to a beefs involving Shea.
"Pat knew me,"said Thornburn."We'd get to the scene. Pat had layed out four or five guys and then would assume the position leaning his hands against the police car."
"Ok Bobby,"he'd say. "I'm cooperating,but I'm not going in."
Thornburn would look at the other cops and they'd would concur to give Shea a ride home to sleep it off.

The Pennant was a bar on South Mission Boulevard. I remember some of my teammates from City Collesge tended bar there. I'd see Shea at a table pounding it down and then showing the customers how he could break beer glasses with his teeth. Quite a show.Ed Sullivan could have used him.

But here's the thing they talk about when they would recall Pat Beardsley Shea. If he was your friend,you knew your back was covered. He'd go through that brick wall for you. But the legend has it that you never called him by his middle name,Beardsley,unless you wanted to go through that brick wall. He only gave Joe Madro that pass.



Patrick Beardsley Shea. 1958 class picture Mission Bay High School. RIP.

[dagosd2000]

I Don't Care Who Wins

It used to be that I was always pulling for that team or that guy to win. If my side lost I'd be in a funk. As I get older I'm heading for a better place. My daughter came over with the grandkids to take my wife shopping. My wife had on the Mexican station.She was in the kitchen. The rest of us were sitting on the couch. Brazil was playing Italy in a soccer match. There's some sort of cup match going on in South America. Italy and Brazil are tied for first place.The Azzuri was my favorite national soccer team.
"Italy can never beat Brazil,"I said.
Amanda and Adam were playing with their I Phones. My daughter was eating a gorda that her mother had made her.
"I'm tired of watching sports,"I said. "If I want a team or an athlete to win , I have no control over it. It's unwanted anxiety."
"That's why I could never watch sports,"said my daughter."I don't care who wins."
" I guess if you don't care,it's sensless to watch it."
"I've never understood why it's so important."
"I aways wanted you to win your races in high school."
"But that was personal."
My wife asked my daughter if she was ready to go shopping.
"Remember to tell the bank that you'll be using your credit card in Europe,"I said to my daughter.
"Yes,I've taken care of that."
"And make a copy of your itinerary."
"Yes ,I've done that too."
Just then Brazil scored a goal.
"See, Italy can't beat Brazil."
Everyone got up and went to the door.
"Don't forget to buy a money belt,"I said to my daughter.
"I bought one yesterday."
I heard everyone walk downstairs. I heard the car start up. As I went to the window to watch them leave,Italy tied the score. I put on the dogs' collars and decided to take them for a walk. They were having a grand opening at the new coffee shop in the square. I was curious to find out how good they made their lattes.