Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

Wouldn't Get A Call

"I see you're pretty active on the Classic West Ciast Boxing thread,"said Ed the bartender as he put a coaster on the bar.He began drawing me a draft.
"I try to write something everyday,"I said."I'd post more paintings,but I've got to back off sometimes. I'm running out of room to store the stuff. Besides materials aren't cheap."
"Ever go to any of those other threads?,"asked Ed.
"I used to,but it's the same old discussions just under different topic names."
"Yeah,everyone has an opinion."
"And if you don't see it the other guy's way then the insults start coming."
"What a way to spend your time."
Ed began drying some glasses.
"I see they got one on there now about ranking the top ten heavyweights,"remarked Ed.
"How many time has that been kicked around?"
"You know Marciano's name is always mentioned in those lists,"said Ed.
"That's only because he was undefeated."
"Think so?"
"If he had lost that split decision to LaStarza,he wouldn't get a call when it came ranking the top ten."
"Really?"
"You know who never is on one of those lists?"
"Who?"asked Ed as he put a glass down.
"Tunney."
"Why Tunney?"
"Tunney only lost one fight. To Greb.If he hadn't lost that one he'd be undefeated.Something like 75 and zero.Marciano was undefeated in 49 fights.Retiring as a champ undefeated in a career is a remarkable feat."
"I thought Tunney lost another fight."
"That was a newspaper decision. That's unofficial."
"So you think if Marciano would have lost one he wouldn't be considered in the top ten?"
"He wouldn't get a call."



Gene Tunney

[dagosd2000]

What's Behind The Green Door?

Sometimes a fighter is so good that he becomes his own worse enemy,especially if he thinks his opponent is not worth the bother. When Muhammad Ali was to take on Ken Norton the first time around the only so so victim on Norton' resume was journeyman Henry Clark.Norton was struggling with his career at the time he fought Ali.A beautifull physical speciman,Norton,his lack of endurance was an issue. Norton trained hard enough,but for some reason(he hired a hypnotist to delve into mind to find an answer)he'd run out of gas in the middle rounds. A Venezualen heavyweight named Jose Luis Garcia knocked him unconscious in a fight in Los Angeles.After that Norton enlisted the services of Dr.Dean Ezell,a local hypnotist,to see if he could could solve the wind problem. Henry Clark was a comeback fight for Ken and he showed no sign of running out of gas(maybe Dr. Dean was helping). But that certainly wasn't enough to cause concern for Muhammad Ali.

Ali's weeks week of training at a swank hotel in Mission Valley showed that he was more or less on a vacation than preparing for a fight. Ali brought his wife and kids with him. Everyday Ali would put on a monologue for the crowd that came to see him train.He'd talk about where his family was sightseeing.
"I hear you have a pretty nice zoo here.That's where my wife and kids are today,"said Ali as he strutted around the ring with his robe carrying a microphone.
The next daty would be something similar.
"I hear you have a place where all the fish live called Sea World.Well that's where my wife and kids are today."

Ali liked to interact with the crowd. He could definitely hold his own.
"Is your wife staying in the same room with you at night?"yelled a fan from the ballroom.
Ali laughed.
"Now I can't do that,"he said."That's all I'd need to do to lose the fight."

I sometimes wonder if Ali left his door unlocked during the week prior to that fight with Norton.



Muhammad Ali-I am the greatest!

[dagosd2000]

Oscar Bonavena-I wanted to be the greatest

[dagosd2000]

The Inbetween

When the old eighth street jail lost their lease with the city of Tijuana it was torn down along with the fire department next to it. Inbetween the two structures was a boxing gym. That went down with the rest of everything.

The boxing gym was up a flight of stairs and was used mainly by the police and firemen.But once in a while,probably as a favor to those departments,some of the local fighters would use the facility. When Jose Napoles was beginning to launch his quest for the title in the late 60's,he put on a workout at the little gym.

The gym was basic : a ring,bags,and a locker.The usual fight posters adorned the walls. Inside was small. I remember when Mantequilla worked out one afternoon,it was very crowded.

Way back in the thread I wrote a story about how my brother in law found me up there just before Napoles was going to train. My brother in law said that someone was burning trash in Canon Jhonson ,where my mother in law lived up the street a ways,and started a grassfire on the slope. We ran to the fire station next door and told the firemen to follow us in their truck to the scene of the fire. On the way to Canon Jhonson the truck ran out of gas.To everyone's relief ,neighbors put out the fire.

I guess you'd call it a bad day. I never saw Napoles work out at the little gym upstairs inbetween the the jail and the fire station.Napoles like all the big name Mexican fighters would mostly frequent the Crea,the boxing gym in the government run park in the section of Tijuana called El Rio. The Crea is a man's mans gym.No room for the unqualified.The Crea is still there and is used a lot.Margarito,Morales(whose family has a small gym in the Zona Rosa),and back awhile,fighters like Jibaro Perez and Dinamita Estrada trained there also.

But everytime I see that the vacant lot with the chain link fence around it on the corner of Eighth and Constitution,I think of the little gym inbetween. Sometimes I talk to kids in TJ and ask them if they remembered the gym. They remember the jail and the fire station,but not the gym.

But I still remember the gym. I just wished my brother in law hadn't found me that day when Jose Napoles was going to put on a workout.





Canon Jhonson

[dagosd2000]

Carlos Zarate

[El Gallo]

Carlos Zarate

Nice, Rog!

[dagosd2000]

Lament For The Squared Circle

Eating spaghetti at my Nana's house(Diamond Joe's old place on Polk and Oakley)was always interesting because I never knew what paisan would be invited over. Don't ask an Italian for money,but if you're hungry,you'll get stuffed to death with pasta. One Sunday afternoon my Uncle Paddy was sitting in the living room ready to do damage to a plate of Italian food. He was the expug who was once the pride of the Southwest Side.After losing to too many contenders and succumbing to various vices,he was kind of a forgotten has been in the neighborhood.

It's customary before the plates and bowls are brought out to make a run to the bakery for fresh hot Italian bread.It was cold in Chcago.The arctic air was blowing off the lake. Everything was iced up.There was nothing better on a day like that than hot Italian food.
"Roger,you want to take a ride with me to pick up the bread?"
"Sure,"I quickly replied.
Though Uncle Paddy's boxing days were long behind him,I liked being around him. I kind of hero worshipped him when I was a kid.I still thought he could lick anyone around.

The bakery was about three blocks from the house,but it was winter time in Chicago and walking there was out of the question. In the car Uncle Paddy turned on the radio.Mario Lanza was singing.
"You know Roger.Mario Lanza could have been the world's greatest opera singer if he wanted."
"Why wasn't he?"
"He was distracted.Or I should say he let himself be distracted."
Uncle Paddy stopped the car in front of the bakery. He bought two big loaves of hot bread.The girl put them in a brown bag. The smell of the hot bread was wonderfull as we drove back to the house.
"Here,"he said."I bought a quarter loaf so we could eat it on the way back."
Uncle Paddy pulled apart the quarter loaf and gave one half to me.
"That was the problem with my career,"said Uncle Paddy."I let myself get distracted."
"Why did you want to be a fighter?"I asked him.
"At the time it was better than working a dead end job. Boxing was the only thing I was good at."
"Uncle Paddy ,were you ever scared?"
"No.If you're scared then it's not the game for you. I'd get anxious before a fight,but that's all."
"You still look like you could get in the ring again,"I said to my hero.
"Boxing is unforgiving. I had my chance and I threw it away."
Uncle Paddy parked the car in front of the house.
"Roger,the guy I really let down was your dad.He bragged about me to everyone."
"He still thinks you were a great fighter."
We walked up the short flight of steps to the door.
"Don't tell your dad that we ate bread before dinner.He'll say that I spoiled your appetite.

[dagosd2000]

Anthony Quinn as Mountain Rivera in Requiem For A Heavyweight

[Expug]

Lament For The Squared Circle

Eating spaghetti at my Nana's house(Diamond Joe's old place on Polk and Oakley)was always interesting because I never knew what paisan would be invited over. Don't ask an Italian for money,but if you're hungry,you'll get stuffed to death with pasta. One Sunday afternoon my Uncle Paddy was sitting in the living room ready to do damage to a plate of Italian food. He was the expug who was once the pride of the Southwest Side.After losing to too many contenders and succumbing to various vices,he was kind of a forgotten has been in the neighborhood.

It's customary before the plates and bowls are brought out to make a run to the bakery for fresh hot Italian bread.It was cold in Chcago.The arctic air was blowing off the lake. Everything was iced up.There was nothing better on a day like that than hot Italian food.
"Roger,you want to take a ride with me to pick up the bread?"
"Sure,"I quickly replied.
Though Uncle Paddy's boxing days were long behind him,I liked being around him. I kind of hero worshipped him when I was a kid.I still thought he could lick anyone around.

The bakery was about three blocks from the house,but it was winter time in Chicago and walking there was out of the question. In the car Uncle Paddy turned on the radio.Mario Lanza was singing.
"You know Roger.Mario Lanza could have been the world's greatest opera singer if he wanted."
"Why wasn't he?"
"He was distracted.Or I should say he let himself be distracted."
Uncle Paddy stopped the car in front of the bakery. He bought two big loaves of hot bread.The girl put them in a brown bag. The smell of the hot bread was wonderfull as we drove back to the house.
"Here,"he said."I bought a quarter loaf so we could eat it on the way back."
Uncle Paddy pulled apart the quarter loaf and gave one half to me.
"That was the problem with my career,"said Uncle Paddy."I let myself get distracted."
"Why did you want to be a fighter?"I asked him.
"At the time it was better than working a dead end job. Boxing was the only thing I was good at."
"Uncle Paddy ,were you ever scared?"
"No.If you're scared then it's not the game for you. I'd get anxious before a fight,but that's all."
"You still look like you could get in the ring again,"I said to my hero.
"Boxing is unforgiving. I had my chance and I threw it away."
Uncle Paddy parked the car in front of the house.
"Roger,the guy I really let down was your dad.He bragged about me to everyone."
"He still thinks you were a great fighter."
We walked up the short flight of steps to the door.
"Don't tell your dad that we ate bread before dinner.He'll say that I spoiled your appetite.

Wonderful stuff Rog.
Been awhile guys. Hope all is well.
Rick, I apologize but I had NO time for anything but work in L.A.
Things have been very wild but in a good way these days.I always check in and see whats going on in the thread.
As usual its great.
Gotta mention some sad news though. Chicago light heavy Lenny Lapaglia has passed away at 53.
Lenny was a good guy. He was a throwback fighter and was involved in a great ethnic match back in 83 with John Collins. It was certainly a great fight and one of the last Irish vs Italian rivalry city fights that I can remember. I trained for awhile in the same gym with Lenny and sparred with him a number of times. He could really bang.
Its given me a little pause lately at how many fighters that I knew and who were around my age have passed away. Its troubling and thats where its at.

[scartissue]

Lament For The Squared Circle


Wonderful stuff Rog.
Been awhile guys. Hope all is well.
Rick, I apologize but I had NO time for anything but work in L.A.
Things have been very wild but in a good way these days.I always check in and see whats going on in the thread.
As usual its great.
Gotta mention some sad news though. Chicago light heavy Lenny Lapaglia has passed away at 53.
Lenny was a good guy. He was a throwback fighter and was involved in a great ethnic match back in 83 with John Collins. It was certainly a great fight and one of the last Irish vs Italian rivalry city fights that I can remember. I trained for awhile in the same gym with Lenny and sparred with him a number of times. He could really bang.
Its given me a little pause lately at how many fighters that I knew and who were around my age have passed away. Its troubling and thats where its at.

Brian, I swear, this town sucks when it comes to covering boxing. There's never a blip about a fight or a fighter unless he's raped someone or committed some other crime. I hadn't even heard about laPaglia passing and now I see it happened on the 6th. Man, I remember how everyone was talking about the Collins-LaPaglia fight when it was taking place. Everyone was talking about and taking one camp strictly on ethnic lines. A lot of people were stunned that they decided to run two hot prospects against one another. I knew Collins and was training out of the same gym as he, not to mention being a 100% potato picker, of course i was backing Collins. Great fight and great memories. RIP Lenny.

[El Gallo]

Lament For The Squared Circle

Eating spaghetti at my Nana's house(Diamond Joe's old place on Polk and Oakley)was always interesting because I never knew what paisan would be invited over. Don't ask an Italian for money,but if you're hungry,you'll get stuffed to death with pasta. One Sunday afternoon my Uncle Paddy was sitting in the living room ready to do damage to a plate of Italian food. He was the expug who was once the pride of the Southwest Side.After losing to too many contenders and succumbing to various vices,he was kind of a forgotten has been in the neighborhood.

It's customary before the plates and bowls are brought out to make a run to the bakery for fresh hot Italian bread.It was cold in Chcago.The arctic air was blowing off the lake. Everything was iced up.There was nothing better on a day like that than hot Italian food.
"Roger,you want to take a ride with me to pick up the bread?"
"Sure,"I quickly replied.
Though Uncle Paddy's boxing days were long behind him,I liked being around him. I kind of hero worshipped him when I was a kid.I still thought he could lick anyone around.

The bakery was about three blocks from the house,but it was winter time in Chicago and walking there was out of the question. In the car Uncle Paddy turned on the radio.Mario Lanza was singing.
"You know Roger.Mario Lanza could have been the world's greatest opera singer if he wanted."
"Why wasn't he?"
"He was distracted.Or I should say he let himself be distracted."
Uncle Paddy stopped the car in front of the bakery. He bought two big loaves of hot bread.The girl put them in a brown bag. The smell of the hot bread was wonderfull as we drove back to the house.
"Here,"he said."I bought a quarter loaf so we could eat it on the way back."
Uncle Paddy pulled apart the quarter loaf and gave one half to me.
"That was the problem with my career,"said Uncle Paddy."I let myself get distracted."
"Why did you want to be a fighter?"I asked him.
"At the time it was better than working a dead end job. Boxing was the only thing I was good at."
"Uncle Paddy ,were you ever scared?"
"No.If you're scared then it's not the game for you. I'd get anxious before a fight,but that's all."
"You still look like you could get in the ring again,"I said to my hero.
"Boxing is unforgiving. I had my chance and I threw it away."
Uncle Paddy parked the car in front of the house.
"Roger,the guy I really let down was your dad.He bragged about me to everyone."
"He still thinks you were a great fighter."
We walked up the short flight of steps to the door.
"Don't tell your dad that we ate bread before dinner.He'll say that I spoiled your appetite.

Wonderful stuff Rog.
Been awhile guys. Hope all is well.
Rick, I apologize but I had NO time for anything but work in L.A.
Things have been very wild but in a good way these days.I always check in and see whats going on in the thread.
As usual its great.
Gotta mention some sad news though. Chicago light heavy Lenny Lapaglia has passed away at 53.
Lenny was a good guy. He was a throwback fighter and was involved in a great ethnic match back in 83 with John Collins. It was certainly a great fight and one of the last Irish vs Italian rivalry city fights that I can remember. I trained for awhile in the same gym with Lenny and sparred with him a number of times. He could really bang.
Its given me a little pause lately at how many fighters that I knew and who were around my age have passed away. Its troubling and thats where its at.

Hey Brian, no problem. I knew you'd be up to your neck in work during the playoffs. Let me say this, I bet the Hawks to win the Cup at -130. One of my close Boston pals and I watched a few of the games together, he for Bruins, of course. Putting a few bob on the sries made it more fun for me, and seeing quick shots of you standing behind the bench was also cool. Dan Hanley sent me a great photo from the front page of a newspaper, it shows the whole team (including you) with the Stanley Cup. Congratulations on YOUR 2nd stanley Cup! -Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

If It's That Way In Chicago...

If Dan Hanley is telling it like it is about boxing not getting enough print in Chi Town,imagine what it's like everywhere else? I know here in San Diego unless you're starting to feel arthritis pains,people don't even know this town was a nice little mecca for the sport. A place to get a cup of coffee situated between Los Angeles and Mexico,San Diego was a town where fighters started out, and finished their careers.

There's still local cards,but the main events are a 6 rounders. I've been going to some of these shows with my grandson Adam. It's not anything like watching Kenny Norton fighting Ali,but I have an interest watching Tiger Small's son ,Prince,lace up his gloves on July 25th in his second pro fight. Adam works out at the gym Tiger and Prince train at.It's cool. It's fun. I hope Prince goes a long way.

I remember going to the fights at the local venue,The Four Points Sherdan Hotel,which is located almost across the street where Prince Smalls trains. I went with a buddy about five years ago. I hadn't been to the fights in years. The bout are held in a ballroom of the hotel.The place fills up nicely when there is a card. Bobby DiFilippis puts on the shows.He calls himself Bobby D. Like I said he gets a full house even if the talent isn't in the contender category.He's making pocket change.

I remember Bobby D bringing up to the ring all the noteworthy in attenance before the main event.I recall Terry Norris being introduced. Then Bobby D called a name that surprised me. He said that sitting in the crown(he pointed him out)was Johnny"The Bandit"Romero who fought Archie Moore twice at the old Coliseum back in the 30's.It was one the first local rivalries. I scratched my head. I walked over to where the old gentleman was sitting and took a picture.Somewhere over the years I've lost that photo.
But I don't think that snapshot is worth much.

Later I did some research on "The Bandit".Found out he had died 30 years ago. So who was this guy? I don't know and will never know,but who cares anyway. It's a stretch in this town to find people who remember Archie Moore.




Bobby DiFilippis aka. Bobby D

[dagosd2000]

Festa Bella

It always cracks me up to see the photograph of the first inductees of International Boxing Hall Of Fame. I don't think the photographer had those guys pose in any particular order except for Muhammad Ali who was in the back standing in the middle. What always catches my eye is who's sitting in the front row on the right side. There 's the three goombas,Willie Pep,Jake LaMotta,and Carmen Basilio.

I don't think Pep wanted to sit next to Sandy Saddler who was also one of the inductees.I think those three wouldn't have changed places for the shot even if the photographer had offered them a piece of Madison Square Garden. They all look like they just finished a bowl full of their mothers' macaronis.

They look pretty happy sitting there dressed very nattily in their suits. Pep has a broken arm. Looking at Saddler at the other end of the row,I don't think he was in any condition to wield any more punishment on the Wil O' the Wisp.

I'm sure if you'd have asked those guys who their favorite fighters were ,they'd point a finger at each other, and then say in unision,"and Rocky Marciano."

[El Gallo]

If It's That Way In Chicago...

If Dan Hanley is telling it like it is about boxing not getting enough print in Chi Town,imagine what it's like everywhere else? I know here in San Diego unless you're starting to feel arthritis pains,people don't even know this town was a nice little mecca for the sport. A place to get a cup of coffee situated between Los Angeles and Mexico,San Diego was a town where fighters started out, and finished their careers.

There's still local cards,but the main events are a 6 rounders. I've been going to some of these shows with my grandson Adam. It's not anything like watching Kenny Norton fighting Ali,but I have an interest watching Tiger Small's son ,Prince,lace up his gloves on July 25th in his second pro fight. Adam works out at the gym Tiger and Prince train at.It's cool. It's fun. I hope Prince goes a long way.

I remember going to the fights at the local venue,The Four Points Sherdan Hotel,which is located almost across the street where Prince Smalls trains. I went with a buddy about five years ago. I hadn't been to the fights in years. The bout are held in a ballroom of the hotel.The place fills up nicely when there is a card. Bobby DiFilippis puts on the shows.He calls himself Bobby D. Like I said he gets a full house even if the talent isn't in the contender category.He's making pocket change.

I remember Bobby D bringing up to the ring all the noteworthy in attenance before the main event.I recall Terry Norris being introduced. Then Bobby D called a name that surprised me. He said that sitting in the crown(he pointed him out)was Johnny"The Bandit"Romero who fought Archie Moore twice at the old Coliseum back in the 30's.It was one the first local rivalries. I scratched my head. I walked over to where the old gentleman was sitting and took a picture.Somewhere over the years I've lost that photo.
But I don't think that snapshot is worth much.

Later I did some research on "The Bandit".Found out he had died 30 years ago. So who was this guy? I don't know and will never know,but who cares anyway. It's a stretch in this town to find people who remember Archie Moore.




Bobby DiFilippis aka. Bobby D

Best to Bobby D. & Prince "Tiger " Smalls1

[dagosd2000]

Lenny LaPaglia in later years. Melrose Park. RIP. Lenny,I hear they got the best white clam sauce up there where you're goin'.

[dagosd2000]

Phantom Punch

"They had a tribute to Elvis on TCM the other day,"said Ed as he drew a beer from the tap.
"He made a lot of movies when he got out of the Army,"I said.
Ed toweled off the bar and put the glass of beer on a coaster.
"He didn't like making them.They made him sing songs that he didn't care for",said Ed leaning his arms on the bar.
"I got to admit I didn't care for his movies much."
"I liked Jailhouse Rock,but that was made before he went into the Army."
"Did you ever see 'Kid Galahad'"?
"That was one of his worse ones,"responded Ed.
"How he hit guys with a right and they'd go out just like that."
"If you were a boxing fan,the movie was ridiculous."
"Yeah,but if you liked Elvis,you didn't mind."
Ed dunked some glasses into the sink to give them a wash.
"I like Elvis and I like boxing,but that movie was something I couldn't watch,"said Ed.
"I know what you mean. I guess if you're going to make a movie about boxing,you should have some backround."
"Maybe that's why a guy like Hitchcock never made a boxing movie,"pondered Ed.
"Alfred Hitchcock? That would be a stretch for him alright."



Alfred Hitchcock

[dagosd2000]

I Didn't Want To Say Nothing

My grandson Adam got back from Spain Saturday with his sister Amanda and his mother. It had been a fun two weeks doing Flamenco,but now he told me he couldn't wait to get back in the gym.

Mondays are sparring days where he trains .Before I drove him to the gym,my daughter came over to my place with him.They were both hungry. I know they missed my wife's Mexican cooking. I didn't want to say nothing to Adam when his grandmother put a big bowl of albondiga soup in front of him with a stack of corn tortillas on the side. I thought maybe it won't affect the kid if he goes to the gym after eating all that. And if it did,he'd learn his lesson the hard way.

When we got to the gym I told Adam to warm up and get loose before he got into the ring to spar. After hitting the big bag for fifteen minutes ,I could see him breaking a sweat.Then he climbed through the ropes. Adam is the smallest kid in the sparring group and also the youngest. He got in there with a stocky Mexican kid who had about three years on him and forty pounds.

Adam was circling around this kid slipping his punches pretty well. Adam would come back with some nice counters and I was satisfied with what I was seeing. But then the Mexican kid backed Adam against the ropes and banged a left hook to Adam's side. Well if you've ever seen Old Faithfull erupt then you can imagine what those Mexican meatballs looked like spewing out of Adam's mouth. He left a trail all the way on the floor as he ran doubled over to the bathroom.

One of the trainers followed Adam inside the bathroom with a bucket and a mop. Adam had purged what was left on the floor and on the sides of the toilet.
"This happens quite often in here,"said the trainer.
"Adam was eating pretty good just before he came here,"I said,"but I didn't want to say nothing."
"Well now he knows ,"said the trainer.
After Adam recovered we walked back to the car. I gave him a bottled water at room temperature.
"Drink this and drink some more when you get home,"I told him.

Well Adam was back in the gym today.He said he felt fine and that he learned his lesson about not to eat just beore working out.As Adam was wrapping his hands,I sat next to him.
"Adam did I ever tell you about the time me and another player decided to go to Tijuana before football practice?"



Preparing For Battle

[El Gallo]

This is why I stay involved with Hall of Fame type organizations.
When you read this story, understand that Don Fraser was against the induction of Petey Vital Jr.
He didn't believe that Pete's induction would generate money.
He allowed boxers (and non boxing people) who were not deserving to be inducted, but I had to threaten to walk out if he would not induct Mr. Vital.
Reluctantly, Fraser allowed me to induct this man.

Here is Pete's story . . .

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/section ... boxer.html

[dagosd2000]

This is why I stay involved with Hall of Fame type organizations.
When you read this story, understand that Don Fraser was against the induction of Petey Vital Jr.
He didn't believe that Pete's induction would generate money.
He allowed boxers (and non boxing people) who were not deserving to be inducted, but I had to threaten to walk out if he would not induct Mr. Vital.
Reluctantly, Fraser allowed me to induct this man.

Here is Pete's story . . .

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/section ... boxer.html

Great story Rick. I remember Petey Vital fighting at the San Diego Coliseum. A slick little guy.

I was talking the other day with someone and we were discussing the reasons we weren't millionares. I said to my friend, unless you have some special talent or skill,you have to be pretty ruthless to make that kind of money. You can't think about hurting others. People are just stepping stones.
Thus we have characters like Don"Can I Walk On You" Fraser.

[dagosd2000]

My Friend Is Dying

Tom's been sick for a long time now. He pushed himself to the limit with steroids.He kept wanting to get bigger and stronger. When he was a freshman in high school he weighed 140 pounds. He loved football. He put the shot. His passion was lifting weights because if he could get bigger and stronger then he'd be a better athlete.

Tom was tough.He was always tough. What I loved about him the most though was if he was your friend you knew your back was covered.I started lifting weights a few years after Tom started lifting. I think by that time he discovered what steroids could do for someone. He had gotten big. His arms were enormous. He could bench press over 300 pounds and was making fantastic gains in the weightroom.

I had alaways wanted to lift weights,but my father thought weights made you musclebound.It's how you do it.All I know is that I wanted to get strong as I could get. Tom and I worked out together. I had a talent for lifting. In a short time I was competing closely with Tom. I beat him to benching 400 pounds. All that time Tom was encouraging me. There never was a hint of jealousy.

I didn't use steroids at that time. Tom,I know ,was putting anything into his body to get stronger.I saw the rage develop,but it never spilled over onto me. Tom always liked me. He was there for me. He wanted me to be the best I could be. He never turned me on to roids though.

Tom played 5 years of pro ball in Canada with Winnepeg.He told me he could get me a tryout with the team. I hesitated. I didn't have the guts that he had,but Tom never questioned my decision.Tom always saw more in me than I saw in myself.

When I went back to coach high school football ,I returned to the weightroom after a 15 year absence.I was working out with my players. I found out I had lost a lot. I went to the sports nutrition store and wanted to find an edge. Those health food stores were a far cry of the ones I remembered that sold soy protein.brewers yeast,and vitamin C.Now the stores had these supplements with names like Andriol and Androstene.They told me that this was the cutting edge. All the lifters were using this stuff. I asked what it was and was told they were "testosterone enhancers."Sounded like what the doctor ordered.

I was nearing 50 years of age and by the time I was in my mid 50's I was bench pressing 535 pounds.I felt invincible.The "enhancers"were working.

By this time my friend Tom was getting real sick. A couple of heart attacks,cancer,kidney failure. I knew it was the roids,but I never thought that would happen to me.Maybe I was lucky. My joints began breaking down first. Tendons,ligament problems kept me from maintaining my strength.Eventually I got off the supplements that I later found out were steroids. I didn't wind up like my friend Tom.

Today, Tom is in a hospice. I went to see him this morning and took him for a ride to the beach. He uses a walker.His voice is weak.He needs 24 hour care. I asked him if he wanted anything.He asked me if I'd buy him a Playboy magazine.

My friend is dying. It's hard for me to see.Tom doesn't complain.As sick as he is he never grumbles or feels sorry for himself. I could tell him I robbed a bank and beat my wife and I know he would still be there for me.

[dagosd2000]

Andre The Giant

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Through A Father's Eyes

Sometimes when a parent is over critical,it can have its benefits. Winston Churchill's mother and father had few kind words for their son as he went to private schools. To read their correspondence makes one squirm. However ,undaunted old Winnie proved himself to be one the giants of international politicians.

Johnny Carson was belittled by his parents as a kid. He was the king of talk show hosts.Maybe he wanted their approval and that's why he was on top for 30 years.

Many politicians and entertainers are examples of people who have over achieved and excelled wanting to satisfy an unurturing parent or parents.

Then there is the athlete.Mickey Mantle's father was hard on his boy. So was Pete Rose's dad. Maybe when those ballplayers took the field they had their fathers' aspirations on their minds.Wanted to make their dads proud. It's an old story.

But then there is the father who wants his son to be a champion fighter. I've seen it gyms all the time. Fathers bring their sons to the gym ,hang on the ropes,and yell at their kid as he moves around the ring trying to understand what his inexperienced father is telling him about boxing.

This is an old story too. Living a life through your son.I've seen kids who had no business being in a boxing ring,but are there because they want to please their dad. And the dad is telling him all the time that he's a world beater. I saw something like this many years ago in San Diego. There was a tragic end. I don't want to delve into it out of respect for the fighter's son who doesn't want to remember it that way. That's OK with me.

Tiger Small's son ,Prince, is going to fight his second pro fight next Thursday at the 4 Points Sheraton in San Diego.Tiger told me that his son wanted to be a fighter.Tiger explained to his son the pros and especially the cons. The cons being no drinking or smoking. No drugs. No fast women. Training diligently.In reality this is very virtuous.

I know Tiger Smalls is keeping a close eye on his son.Like I said,Prince wants to do this. Next Thursday night I hope all the sacrafice pays off.

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The Bowler

Stan Humphries played for the San Diego Chargers during the 1990's. He QB'd the team and helped take the Chargers to a Super Bowl.After his career he organized a celebrity golf tournament,proceeds going to charities.

Athletes are good when responding to calls for these kind of events. Fans will show up if only to get an autograph. I remember taking my grand daughter Amanda to one of Humphries golf tournaments.This was before she started dancing. She was four years old.

The only Hollywood guys I remember were Alec Baldwin and Ray Romano. Those two had a big following that weekend.They were personable and made the people laugh. They signed freely and were very approachable.They didn't shy away when asked to pose with a fan.

There was a great cross section of athletes. I remember Jerry Rice ,Jim Brown,Emmit Smith,and Johnny Bench.I will never forget Matshall Faulk. A young black kid was standing by the entrance and said to me."Don't ask Marshall Faulk for an autograph.He won't sign and he gets nasty."
Sure enough I saw Faulk push some kid away who asked for an autograph. Every time I see that guy on TV doing a commentary I think of how he behaved at that golf tournament.

Jim Brown was a little surly.He always seemed that way to me. A guy who lacked a sense of humor. However he relunctantly obliged to pose with a picture with my grand daughter. Only Amanda could have softened him up for him to agree.

Johnny Bench was kind of a prick. Everytime someone asked him for signature,he go along with it only to add."What are going to do with it?Sell it on Ebay."

Emmit Smith wanted to keep his distance. I remember a Mexican guy with his two young sons all wearing Emmit Smith jerseys. When the dad asked for an autograph,Smith came back with,"Later."

Those were the guys who stuck out in my mind only because they were rude.Jerry Rice surrounded himself with an entourage that made him impossible to get to.

All the rest of the athletes were real good. They made people feel comfortable.they signed a lot.They were happy to pose with the fans.

But there was one guy I'll never forget. He was Marshall Holman,the bowler.He's a little guy with a mustache and a bald head.He didn't look like an athlete.Maybe the people didn't know who he was or knew who he was but didn't yearn for his autograph when the likes of Jerry Rice and Jim Brown were roaming the premises.People would crowd all the celebrities except Holman. It was funny. Holman would be in the middle of the celebrities,but everyone avoided him like he was Typhoid Mary.He looked a little lost as he saw the masses seperate going around him.I'm sure he thought that being a bowler he was out of his element with someone like Johnny Bench.

It was when I saw Marshall Faulk push some kid away that I sent Amanda over to get Holman's autograph. He was very happy to sign his name.I still have it and would never sell it on Ebay.

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Marilyn Monroe