*Is the Universe indeed talking to East Bay Area Sports Fans? To begin with, Mr. Hang time, former Raider Ray Guy was surprising elected into the NFL's Hall of Fame; then, to cap off the evening Cal knocks off #1 Arizona! The standout athlete from Southern Mississippi, Guy is legendary for banging a punt off the scoreboard in the Superdome. What literally boomed of the page: in all his NFL career Guy never had a punt returned for a touchdown--that is an amazing fact. The great news for Raider Nation is that John Madden will be the speaker at the induction ceremony-and nobody stirs the hearts of Silver and Black everywhere like Madden! Maybe, maybe, maybe the worm has turned in Raiderville. I recall Guy had a punt blocked in Super Bowl XI, but a made a heck of a play to stop the Vikings at the Raider 3 yard line. The Purple People Eaters would fumble without scoring, and after that pivotal turnover, it was all Rayduhz.
*Speaking of number one hoop college teams, I have been fortunate to see two #1 team live--and both were in the Bay Area. Way back when my father knew the baseball coach at Santa Clara University, a colorful fellow by the name of Sal Taromina. Coach Sal would come down to our home with a group of guys to go pheasant hunting (what I remember most about those days is the great spreads my folks would make for group--my dad had a unique recipe for Portuguese Beans, and there was rolls, and salami, and, man I'm hungry!) A fomer Giant pitcher by the name of Rich Robertson was also in the group. Thus back in the 70's, Santa Clara and USF were not-so-friendly rivals. Well, Sal snuck us in to sold out Toso Pavilion--we stood up on the rail behind the baseline the entire game. A freshman with goofy glasses played phenomenally that evening--however, as fate would have it, that same freshman who would finish with 16 rebounds, missed the front end of a one-on-one with 8 seconds to go; a slick, guard with a name you just don't remember, Chubby Cox, drove the length of the court and drained a floater from the baseline to keep USF undefeated!
Did I mention that freshman, the guy they were calling Clark Kent. He later won some rings with the showtime Lakers, yes we are taking about Mr. Kurt Rambis.
*Then in 1981 my father, the King of the Last Minute Roadtrip, drove me to Berkeley to see then Number 1 Oregon State play at Cal. I had read about the Orange Express in Sports Illustrated and I simply became enchanted with this team. Their three core players, center Stevie Johnson, and guard Mark Radford and Ray Blume, may have the all-time best sounding hardwood names! The Beavers would carve up the Bears on this evening, running veteran coach Ralph Miller's system to a tee. Sacramentians will note the Bears had a young exciting guard on the squad, Mr. Mayor Kevin Johnson. All did not end well however. In 1981 there was no shot clock in college basketball, and in the first round of the NCAA regionals, Kansas State held the ball the last three minutes, and daggered the Beavers 50-48. Rolando Blackman who later went on to a solid NBA career, drained the game winner. AARGH!
*Speaking of the Orange Express, oh brother, Denver Bronco fans are all over that one. As this is the Green, Gold, and SILVER website, very hard to feel much love for the Mile High Club. Peyton Manning is hard not like, but I ask, is he all that lovable? Sure he can point, and his comeback pretty darn amazing, but I am just saying, what is his lovable quotient? Peyton will go down as one of the best ever, but in the big, big, games, he hasn't exactly been Mr. Clutch. We shall see. The Seahawks are bad and brash. Russel Wilson seems like a down to earth fellow, and even old Stanford Grad shutdown corner Richard Sherman has all the makings of real intriguing fellow. Pete Carrol, well, he is kind of like Peyton, seems like a nice enough fellow--well to everyone but Jim Harbough of course--but like Peyton, I would ask is he lovable?
*Thus this afternoon, I foresee a smash mouth, close, great football game. My crystal ball foresees an odd score, and I am going with Seahawks 19, Broncos 17. I can see a late field goal, or even a late missed field goal being the difference. Maybe 22-20, but I like 19 for some reason. I was going to say Sherman intercepts Manning to seal the victory, but there is no reason to be mean. What do you think Sherman would have to say about that?
*My favorite Super Bowl Image, is that of Joe Willie walking into the tunnel in Miami, flashing the number one sign. Classic, absolute Classic! To the man who made the Super Bowl, Joe Namath, I raise my glass. Joe Willie there is always a love seat spot for you in the Get Down Lounge--but you have to sport the mink jacket as well! To the 1981 Beavers, Ray Guy, Sal Taromina, Kurt Rambis, and my father--that's a super interesting group by the way--I raise my glass especially high for all of you!
*(For what's is worth, I still think THE Super Bowl would be Raiders and Cowboys in NYC! As the late broadcaster Bill King would thrill through the airwaves, Holy Toledo!)
*JoJo's by the way, fried potato wedges from Lira's Market in Rio Vista California. Throw a little ketchup on them, or any sauce you prefer, and you have a meal! I may to make a road trip of my own today!
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