Author: James P. Hill

SET TO OPEN NBA TRAINING CAMP

For Grizzlies’ players, front office, and fans, the instant change of an optimistic future and commitment to winning is as clear as the top of the Pyramid shining over the downtown Memphis skyline on a sunny day.

Thanks to Jerry West, Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations, coaching and scouting staffs, and the players who are ready to compete and win more than 23 games during the up and coming 2002-2003 NBA season.

“I am excited and ready to get started with our training camp. Jerry (West) has brought in some additional talent that we needed at key positions,” said Sidney Lowe, Grizzlies’ Head Coach. “We should have some good competition during camp to earn positions and quality playing time for the upcoming season.”

The Grizzlies will host a free public open practice at the Pyramid on Saturday, October 5 starting at 9:30 a.m. Doors open at 9:00 a.m and fans will see a free Grizzlies game with entertainment including the team mascot Grizz, and the Grizzlies Dance Team.

The event is free of charge and open seating will be available to everyone on a first-come, first serve basis.

Memphis Grizzlies Training Camp Roster

Robert Archibald F 6 -11 250 3/29/80 Illinois ‘02 R

31

Shane Battier G-F 6 – 8 220 9/9/78 Duke ‘01 1

8

Michael Dickerson G 6 – 5 190 6/25/75 Arizona ‘98 4

16

Pau Gasol F 7 – 0 227 7/06/80 Spain 1

7

Eddie Gill G 6 – 0 190 8/16/78 Weber Sta te ‘00 2

Gordan Giricek G 6 – 6 Croatia R

Drew Gooden F 6 – 10 230 9/24/81 Kansas ‘03 R

22

Brevin Knight G 5 – 10 170 11/08/75 Stanford ‘97 5

44

Tony Massenburg C – F 6 – 9 250 7/13/67 Maryland ‘90 10

Chris Owens F 6 – 7 245 3/01/79 Texas ‘05 R

1

Wesley Person G – F 6 – 6 200 3/28/71 Auburn ‘94 8

4

Stromile Swift C – F 6 – 9 225 11/21/79 Louisiana State ‘02 2

15

Cezary Trybanski C 7 – 2 240 9/22/79 Poland R

Earl Watson G 6 – 1 190 6/12/79 UCLA ‘01 1

2

Jason Williams G 6 – 1 190 11/18/75 Florida ‘98 4

42

Lorenzen Wright C 6 – 11 240 11/04/75 Memphis ‘98 6

VOLS GEARING UP FOR GATORS

The last time college football powerhouses UT and Florida met on the gridiron the Volunteers ruined the last home game of former Gator head coach and current NFL Washington Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier by defeating the Gators in Gainesville by a final score of 34 to 32. Wow, it was an exciting game Ð just as all 31 games in the rivalry.

Tennessee leads the series 17 to 14 Ð and is 10-6 in Knoxville, site of the weekend’s game. Overall, the series is so competitive that national championship implications, SEC titles, and even Heisman Trophy honors are often at stake as a sub-plot. This Saturday when the 2-1 Gators run onto Shield-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium the 2-0 Vols will be supported by some 104,079 fans forming a sea of orange and white.

As far as UT is concerned this season is going just the way the Big Orange want it to, untarnished. In Week One the Vols smashed Wyoming ( 0 – 3 ) by a final score of 47-7, and in Week Two did in Murfreesboro’s Middle Tennessee State Racers (now 0 – 2 ), the final score being UT 26 – MTSU 3. During a press conference in Knoxville, UT Head Coach Phillip Fulmer shared his take on the success of this young season.

“The first two games showed we are off to a good start with our special teams, “ said Fulmer. “Defensively, we stopped Wyoming’s passing game and limited Middle Tennessee’s dangerous running attack.” Despite flashes of brilliance on both sides of the football, the Vols are in a situation where the coaching staff feels they (UT) can get better. “Offensively, we did okay except for the fact we stopped ourselves to often in the MTSU game. We need to improve on everything, however, to be ready for a really good Florida team,” said Fulmer.

Just as with several previous episodes in UT Volunteer history this game has the makings of a great college football shootout due to the fact that two incredibly talented Heisman Caliber quarterbacks in Casey Clausen and Rex Grossman will be throwing the pigskins around on Saturday afternoon. And for all college football fans this game will definitely be a treat, with the makings of one for the ages.

When UT Coach Fulmer was asked about this awesome match up between two marquee quarterbacks the coach focused his observations on both teams instead of both players. “Both Grossman and Clausen are truly outstanding players who have performed well for their teams. There is more to the game than that,” said Fulmer.

“Both quarterbacks realize that their teams need to play well on both sides of the ball. Both teams are trying to find their niches offensively, especially in the passing game.”

When you look at the Gators you see a team which has been very successful over the years. Last season all the football Gators did was win 11 games while only losing 2. The Gators are proving to have a solid foundation when you look at what they have done so far in the young 2002 season. If Florida hadn’t run into a very explosive defending national Championship University of Miami Hurricanes team (now 3-0 ) team, the Gators would probably be undefeated heading into Knoxville but, as fate would have it, the ÔCanes destroyed UF by a final score of 41 to 16 in the Swamp. Wow.

With that being said, this Florida team has seen a lot, still has a lot of football left , and is well respected despite being thumped at home. Coach Fulmer continues his assessment of UF and their backfield. “Florida always has a good running game. Earnest Graham is as good a runner as we will face all season. Florida has a lot of weapons in its running game, including Ran Carthon and Willie Green. The Gators’ offense is much more than the Rex Grossman Show.”

As far as injuries are concerned, the Volunteers are continuing to try to get as healthy as possible. And Coach Fulmer is optimistic wide reliever Kelley Washington (knee injury) should be ready to compete this weekend against the Gators. “I’m very hopeful Kelley will be 100 percent for the Florida game. My guess is that he would play about 75 percent of the time, “ said Fulmer.

Many experts favor UT in this contest, which will be carried nationally by CBS television. Kikoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CST. Check local listings for station particulars. Many experts favor UT in this contest

VOLS GEARING UP FOR GATORS

The last time college football powerhouses UT and Florida met on the gridiron the Volunteers ruined the last home game of former Gator head coach and current NFL Washington Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier by defeating the Gators in Gainesville by a final score of 34 to 32. Wow, it was an exciting game Ð just as all 31 games in the rivalry.

Tennessee leads the series 17 to 14 Ð and is 10-6 in Knoxville, site of the weekend’s game. Overall, the series is so competitive that national championship implications, SEC titles, and even Heisman Trophy honors are often at stake as a sub-plot. This Saturday when the 2-1 Gators run onto Shield-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium the 2-0 Vols will be supported by some 104,079 fans forming a sea of orange and white.

As far as UT is concerned this season is going just the way the Big Orange want it to, untarnished. In Week One the Vols smashed Wyoming ( 0 – 3 ) by a final score of 47-7, and in Week Two did in Murfreesboro’s Middle Tennessee State Racers (now 0 – 2 ), the final score being UT 26 – MTSU 3. During a press conference in Knoxville, UT Head Coach Phillip Fulmer shared his take on the success of this young season.

“The first two games showed we are off to a good start with our special teams, “ said Fulmer. “Defensively, we stopped Wyoming’s passing game and limited Middle Tennessee’s dangerous running attack.” Despite flashes of brilliance on both sides of the football, the Vols are in a situation where the coaching staff feels they (UT) can get better. “Offensively, we did okay except for the fact we stopped ourselves to often in the MTSU game. We need to improve on everything, however, to be ready for a really good Florida team,” said Fulmer.

Just as with several previous episodes in UT Volunteer history this game has the makings of a great college football shootout due to the fact that two incredibly talented Heisman Caliber quarterbacks in Casey Clausen and Rex Grossman will be throwing the pigskins around on Saturday afternoon. And for all college football fans this game will definitely be a treat, with the makings of one for the ages.

When UT Coach Fulmer was asked about this awesome match up between two marquee quarterbacks the coach focused his observations on both teams instead of both players. “Both Grossman and Clausen are truly outstanding players who have performed well for their teams. There is more to the game than that,” said Fulmer.

“Both quarterbacks realize that their teams need to play well on both sides of the ball. Both teams are trying to find their niches offensively, especially in the passing game.”

When you look at the Gators you see a team which has been very successful over the years. Last season all the football Gators did was win 11 games while only losing 2. The Gators are proving to have a solid foundation when you look at what they have done so far in the young 2002 season. If Florida hadn’t run into a very explosive defending national Championship University of Miami Hurricanes team (now 3-0 ) team, the Gators would probably be undefeated heading into Knoxville but, as fate would have it, the ÔCanes destroyed UF by a final score of 41 to 16 in the Swamp. Wow.

With that being said, this Florida team has seen a lot, still has a lot of football left , and is well respected despite being thumped at home. Coach Fulmer continues his assessment of UF and their backfield. “Florida always has a good running game. Earnest Graham is as good a runner as we will face all season. Florida has a lot of weapons in its running game, including Ran Carthon and Willie Green. The Gators’ offense is much more than the Rex Grossman Show.”

As far as injuries are concerned, the Volunteers are continuing to try to get as healthy as possible. And Coach Fulmer is optimistic wide reliever Kelley Washington (knee injury) should be ready to compete this weekend against the Gators. “I’m very hopeful Kelley will be 100 percent for the Florida game. My guess is that he would play about 75 percent of the time, “ said Fulmer.

Many experts favor UT in this contest, which will be carried nationally by CBS television. Kikoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CST. Check local listings for station particulars. Many experts favor UT in this contest

MORE THAN A GAME

On Friday the 13th Memphians will not be scared; instead, many people will converge on the Mid-South for the 13th annual Southern Heritage Classic, where they will be happy. The SHC is apparently more than a football game; it can best be described as a weekend of entertainment, excitement, and an opportunity for family and friends to have a good time while garnering memories of a lifetime.

The weekend includes concerts, golf, tailgating, fashion show, parade, and of course the Tennessee State ( 1-1 ) vs. Jackson State ( 0-2 ) college football game. Memphian Fred Jones, a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies is the Founder/Producer of Southern Heritage Classic. The Flyer sat down with Jones to get his take on the 13th SHC and all of the activities which are special elements of this wonderful Memphis weekend.

Flyer: Mr. Jones Why is this SHC such a big deal for many people not just those in and from Memphis?

Fred Jones: It’s the big game the big rivalry, one of the biggest rivalries in college sports Jackson State vs. Tennessee State football game and of course the half time battle of the bands featuring two of the best bands in the country.

Flyer: What makes SHC such a great event for people of all ages and backgrounds?

Fred Jones: It’s a family reunion, it’s an alumni get-together, it’s still a football game. It’s still good fun, and that’s the beauty of what it is.

Flyer: What makes SHC so unigue when you look at this weekend as an inclusive event?

Fred Jones: You can talk about the economic side, social side, and the sports side, and that’s very difficult to do with an event and to be able to have those ingredients and to have them all at a high level.

Flyer: Why are the SHC and Memphis a good fit? There are classics all over the country, but people keep coming back to Memphis, Why is that?

Fred Jones: We got a good location, we got a great history so you’re able to talk about this football game and this event, but you also talk about the community. And this event is a part of this community, and that’s important.

Flyer: Any final comments on the SHC and why it’s so important for young people in particular when it comes to the experience of the SHC?

Fred Jones: In the classic you have a chance to be part of the tradition that parents and grandparents grew up with and was a cornerstone of their lives and were able to play that out in 2002 while giving it the authenticity and still be able to present it the way that you have to do it.

MID-SOUTH BOWL: U OF M VS. OLE MISS

After one game each under their belts both Memphis (1-0) and Mississippi (1-0) are showing what it takes to be successful this college football season.

As you may already know, Ole Miss got past University of Louisiana, Monroe by a final score of 31 to 3, and as far as the Memphis Tigers are concerned beating Murray State by 46 points is a great way to build a so-called bowl season; oh, by the way, the final score was 52 to 6. And as fate would have it both teams are on a collision course set to settle the score on Saturday, September 7th in Oxford, Mississippi in an 11:30 a.m. kick-off.

For Memphis senior offensive tackle Wade Smith a road game at Ole Miss is fine by him. “When you go into hostile situations those are my favorite games,” said Smith. “That’s what you look forward to,” somewhere and quieting the crowd and I think that’s the mind set that we have to take into every away game.”

Although Memphis and Mississippi are eager to play in what I have coined the Mid-South Bowl in effort to garner the second win of the young seasons both teams remain respectful of each other’s football prowess. There’s only one problem; no matter how improved both clubs looked last weekend only one team can walk away with a victory when the Rebels and Tigers go head to head on the grid iron in what many Memphians and Mississippians are calling the game of the year. Meanwhile, until the pigskin is kicked off and the final score is determined both sides continue pondering the outcome and the other teams game.

“I know that Coach West will have them well prepared and fundamentally ready and they’re going to do their job,” said Eli Manning, the Ole Miss junior Quarterback who many fans regard as a Heisman Trophy candidate. “We just gotta really execute and just do what were supposed to do and not make mistakes.”

While the fans were celebrating, smiling, and making their ways out of the Liberty Bowl stands Memphis Head Coach Tommy West was already contemplating plans for ways to beat Ole Miss on the gridiron in Week Two.”Danny Wimprine’s a year older;we’ve got some people we can get the ball in our hands. If our offense will just take what people give you and then our people will make plays we’ll be fine,” said West during a press conference.

Coach West was also passionate about focusing on his club instead of putting a lot of energy into what Ole Miss or any other team may try to do this season as Memphis faces serious conference USA competition. “I think you have to worry about your team and just make sure your team goes out and plays as good as they can play and you know the best team should win,” said West.

Meanwhile, some 75 miles down the highway in Oxford, Mississippi Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliff thinks about the other U of M and how explosive the Tigers are with the pigskin. “I knew Memphis was good coming in but this is certainly the best Memphis team I’ve seen,” Coach Cutcliff said at a press conference. “They have weapons on offense and on defense and we’ll have to be at our best to beat this Memphis team so it should be a great challenge and a great ball game come Saturday.”

This game is expected to be a sell-out as Mid-South area football fans will flock to the pristine campus of the University of Mississippi to witness college football at its best. The newly renovated Vaught-Hemingway Stadium now makes it possible for at 60,580 fans to be seated inside the Venue. Another unique experience about attending a college football game at Ole Miss is “The Grove,” which is sure to become a memory carved in your mind when you think of Ole Miss home football games.

Basically, the Grove (or campus park, if you will) becomes a picnic site for thousands of fans ranging in ages from infant to great grandparents. Football fans who do not plan on attending the Tigers and Rebels game live can watch the game on Jefferson Pilot Sports for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff. Just be sure to check local listings for station details.

As trivia would have it this weekend’s Ole Miss vs. Memphis game marks the 52nd time in which these two universities have met on the football field. Ole Miss leads the series 41-8-2. Finally, the Mid-South Bowl continues next year when Memphis and Ole Miss meet in the Liberty Bowl on September 6, 2003.

SEASON OF SUCCESS LOOMS FOR TIGERS

The 2001 Tigers football season will be remembered as a rebuilding year by those Memphians who hold Conference USA football close to their hearts. After walking away from the gridiron with a loosing record of 5 wins and 6 losses at the hands of Cincinnati Bearcats at Liberty Bowl by a final score of 36 – 34 the Tigers had a better understanding of what it will take to win games.

ÒI feel if we can compete a full game with special teams, defense and offense playing together and put a complete game together than weÕll be fine,Ó says Wade Smith a senior offensive tackle from Dallas, Texas. ÒItÕs really the small things that enhance the chance of big things happening.Ó

For big things to happen in the 2002 season the Tigers may be hard-pressed not to showcase their new and improved potent offensive game which is coming along like a young Tiger Cat growing bigger, faster, and stronger while sprinting through the wild kingdom. Even the coaching staff is impressed with the players who are making to commitment to U of M football. ÒWe have come 100 miles from a talent level at skill positions on offense to the point where we are going to be the kind of team now I think that can strike at any time,Ó said Head Coach Tommy West with the eye of a tiger.

In fact, coach West is using his defensive expertise and prowess to enhance this Tiger football team on both sides of the ball and if all goes right the system will begin to pay off against Murray State when the pig skin is kicked off into the sky inside the Liberty Bowl.

ÒWeÕre a much more explosive offensive team right now than probably any I’ve been around. Defensively were inexperienced but I think were talented,Ó says West.

The elusive dream of earning a bowl appearance will be an ongoing conversation throughout the season for University of Memphis football Tigers. As far as players are concerned if they take care of business on the field then the bowl game will be the icing on the cake of success. ÒIÕm more excited about this season than any season in the past and I think this year will be the year,Ó says Wade Smith.

The so-called season tone-setting game against Murray State will be a great opportunity for Memphis to build momentum and prove those wrong who are unsold on the Tigers. The contest is a home game for Memphis which is a plus. Murray State finished the 2001 season with a record of 4 wins and 6 losses and will compete this season without 13 lettermen from last year. If any team is favored it must be U of M and if this is the case Memphis must hold serve and get the job done on both sides of the ball to be successful.

Coach West maintains this years Tigers have more confidence, and even a swagger as they walk around campus, workouts, and the weight room. ÒI feel a lot more confidence about our team. And when you ask around I think weÕve got a little bit more respect within this league this year than weÕve had,Ó says West.

Tigers football fans will get an opportunity to watch U of M play at least two television games this season. The first so-called TV game will be on Saturday, September 7th when the Tigers travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on the Rebels from Ole Miss. This contest will be televised regionally by Jefferson Pilot Sports whom as you may know carries several SEC College football games annually. Apparently, the game will be scheduled to air around 11:30 a.m. check your local listings for details.

Another so-called TV game will be payed here at the Liberty Bowl as U of M plays host to the Visiting Defending Conference USA Champion University of Louisville cardinal. The Louisville game will be carried by ESPN2 on Tuesday, October 8th at 7 p.m. Check your local cable provider for particulars as it relates to the dates and times of Tigers football during the 2002 CUSA Season.

For Coach Tommy West and the 2002 University of Memphis Football Tigers the season opener canÕt come soon enough. ÒWeÕre excited, I canÕt wait to get started and get out on the field and do what we love to do.Ó

PICROM SCORES TITLE IN TUNICA

The Mid-South continues providing host sites and venues for the boxing game. On August 17th Greg Pickrom of Houston, Texas 16-5 (13 KO’s) knocked out James Jones 9-4 (7 KO’s) from Meridian, MS. The main event bout was stopped at 2:41 of the second round after Pickrom landed a straight right to the head of Jones. Jones, who traded punches with Pickrom in the first round, fell to the canvas and never regained his legs. In fact, Jones injured his left ankle while falling as a result of the knockout blow delivered by Pickrom. After the fight the newly crowned IBO/USBO Heavyweight boxing champion sat down and discussed his fight and his future plans with the Flyer.

Flyer: Champ, talk to us about the fight. You did the job. Second round. What do you say?

Pickrom: This is what I’ve worked hard for in the gym, and my work paid off.

Flyer: Take us back to the fight, first round and then second round. Did you set him up and finish him off?

Pickrom: Well, he (Jones) was a little awkward, this was the first southpaw that I have fought. The first round I was trying to kind of fill him out and then my timing was off;so I knew I would catch up with him soon, and then that’s what started to happen. He kind of shot himself out a little bit in the first round. I guess he thought he hurt me, he landed a flush punch, but it didn’t phase me. That second round, I came out and was throwing my big shots like I was in the first round and they started landing. I went to the body and that made him stand up. And, as you could see, that straight right hand is what finished him off.

Flyer: You’re coming out of here with a record of 16-5 (13 KO’s);so, what’s in the near future?

Pickrom: I’m going to go back to Houston, Texas, and relax the rest of this week and get back in the gym the following week. This is just a minor goal; our main goal is to become heavyweight championship of the world. And this is one of the many titles. What ever prize fighting puts in front of me I’m going to be ready for.

Flyer: Is there anybody out there in particular you want to fight, or will you just fight whoever

you need to fight?

Pickrom: I’d fight whoever but there is one fight; again that would would be John Ruiz. I believe and feel that he’s the only fighter that has beat me and I’d like to avenge that.

Flyer: How’s the belt? What do you think so far?

Pickrom: It’s a nice belt, it’s going to look good on the shelf.

Flyer: What’s your thoughts on fighting in the Mid-South area? Many people believe the Memphis / Tunica area is the new boxing capital of the new millennium?

Picrom: It’s a nice area to be fighting in. I like the Grand, I’m glad to be a part of this show. They are world class people and I was just glad to be a part of it.

PHOTO COURTESY jerry schilling

Elvis, Jerry Schilling, and fans in Hawaii.

Imagine playing pick-up football games as a 10-year-old at the local sandlot with your big brother, his 18-year-old friends, and Elvis Presley. For Jerry Schilling, one-time member of the “Memphis Mafia” and now president and CEO of the Memphis Music Commission, these casual games were part of regular Sunday afternoons.

“I met Elvis in 1954. We grew up in the same neighborhood in North Memphis. Elvis lived a block and a half from where I lived,” says Schilling.

Schilling would later go on to star in football at Catholic High School as a member of the All-Memphis team and earn a scholarship to Arkansas State University. But he vividly remembers his first encounter with Elvis, who at that time was on the cusp of stardom. “I got back in the huddle with this football game, and I knew immediately that that was the guy. It was his record that played last night. I knew it was Elvis Presley,” he says. “Elvis didn’t have anything [yet]. They’d only played his record the night before, so he didn’t even have a hit in Memphis. But I looked at him, and as a little kid — he would laugh if he heard me say this — [I thought], Man, I want to be like him.”

And who did Elvis follow as a sports fan? According to Schilling, Elvis was big on Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns, who led pro-football running backs in rushing for several seasons. “He loved to watch him run, but you know what Elvis was interested in? The way Jim Brown would get up so slow after he was tackled and have this cocky walk,” says Schilling. “Elvis would use that walk in a movie. He could get something from anybody. He studied stuff.”

Schilling also recalls an occasion when Wilt Chamberlain, former NBA All-Star and Los Angeles Lakers center, was acknowledged by Elvis during a concert at the Sahara Hotel in Lake Tahoe, California. “I’ve never seen Elvis give an introduction like that in my life. Halfway through the show, he stops and says, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Basketball, Wilt Chamberlain.’ And Wilt stood up and the audience went crazy,” says Schilling. “So, after the concert, I’m walking off the stage with Elvis and I say, ‘Elvis, I didn’t know you were a basketball fan.’ He says, ‘I’m the fan of the number-one guy in anything.'”

And then, of course, there are the famous side-by-side televisions at Graceland, installed, reportedly, so Elvis could enjoy more than one football game at a time. While Schilling remembers going with Elvis to watch the old WFL Memphis Grizzlies play at the Liberty Bowl on at least one occasion, going to sporting events and concerts became quite challenging for Presley due to his stardom. “He was a distraction to the artists or the players,” says Schilling. “We’d wait until the lights went down, and we’d go in and sit down, and then we were the first ones to leave, or else the audience would be looking at Elvis.”

Finally, there was karate, which Elvis got into while serving in the Army. His love for martial arts lasted at least 15 years, and he earned (depending on whom you ask, and some will question the use of “earned”) a 7th- to 9th-degree black belt. “He was doing karate demonstrations, breaking boards,” says Schilling, who is a brown belt. “We would use the living room in Graceland.”

This week, fans from South Korea to North Memphis will be honoring Elvis for his impact on music. As for Schilling, he will also be paying respects to his lifelong friend, not just for the music he made but for those sandlot football games too.

THANK YOU, CHICK HEARN!

When I was growing up in Portland, Oregon, and working as a ball boy for the NBA Portland Trailblazers there were three people who inspired me to follow my career dream of becoming a sports reporter — Bill Schonely and Steve Jones, who were the Blazers’ A team of Announcing and the late Francis “Chick” Hearn, legendary Los Angeles Lakers’ play-by-play announcer.

As you may know, Chick Hearn died on Monday at Northridge Medical Center Hospital after two operations without gaining consciousness. Apparently, Hearn fell and hit the back side of his head, which caused hemorrhaging in his brain. Ironically, the hospital where Hearn died is only about three miles from where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Radio Television-Film from California State University, Northridge.

In 1988 Chick Hearn was a guest speaker during a sportscasters’ seminar in Los Angeles, where a roomful of sports-reporter hopefuls including myself listened to the Hall-of-Fame broadcaster tell his story of how he got his first announcing job. And after digging and sifting through some of my sports memorabilia I found the tape where Chick describes his most highly coveted feeling as the Lakers’ announcer. “We had lost the world championship so many times to Boston and New York. And finally in 1971-72 they (the Lakers) won their first world championship at the Forum,” said Hearn. “I think that was the greatest moment that I had ever felt.”

Because Chick Hearn shared his dream of moving from Illinois across the country to Los Angeles for an opportunity to work in the business, many sports reporter hopefuls including myself were ready when our phones rang. Moreover, It was Hearn’s drive, motivation, preparation and personality in the broadcast booth that broke down the complexities of sportscasting.

His smooth delivery and sports history in the making provided the poetry of Lakers games which anybody tuning in would be hard-pressed not to enjoy while being entertained and, more importantly, informed.

When listening in to Chick Hearn call the action of the Lakers’ game before you knew a smile would light up your face as his sense of humor brought many NBA basketball fans laughter and joy. These basic but very fundamental qualities or subtleties are what made Chick Hearn an announcering dream and made a young kid like myself growing up as a sports fan want to pursue youthful daydreams of one day being able to build a career and a body of work in the world of sports journalism.

Chick was such a talented play-by-play announcer he coined several phrases which are all used on a daily basis by fans, sportscasters, and writers when articulating moves on the basketball courts. “Air ball” and “slam dunk” are just two examples of how fundamentally solid Chick’s descriptions were in calling and describing NBA games.

During 42 years as a Lakers Announcer Hearn described the action in 3,338 consecutive games. During the 2001-2002 season he missed 58 games due to heart surgery and returned to the broadcast booth in time to call the balance of the Lakers 3 peat regular season games, the playoffs, and the 2002 NBA Finals. In total Chick goes down in history as the only Lakers; announcer and his total amount of games called is a remarkable 3,362.

Hearn provided commentary for nine NBA Finals in which the Lakers won championships, including 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Despite free agent signings, and trades on NBA teams the most overwhelming topic in the basketball community across America is the passing of the late great Chick Hearn.

Jerry West, Memphis Grizzlies’ president of basketball operations, first met Hearn as a rookie shooting guard after being drafted by the Lakers out of West Virginia. West expressed the empty feeling inside millions of people who are crazy about Lakers basketball and particularly Chick Hearn.

“The City of Los Angeles has lost an incredible icon,” said West. “For all of the years he’s been around as the voice of the Lakers, he helped capture so many special moments for fans everywhere.” It’s still hard to believe Chick Hearn will not be coming to the Pyramid when the Lakers play the Grizzlies.

THE LEGACY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL

Baseball fans worldwide admire, respect, and miss the days when the Memphis Redsox played hardball against the world’s best African-American baseball players at Dr. W.S. Martin Stadium. In 1924-1925, 1927-1930, 1932, 1937-1962 , Memphis Red Sox games were a fixture on Sunday afternoons after church. Recently the Bluff City played host to a reunion of Negro League baseball players. On hand to sign autographs, field questions, and provide insight on this unique era of professional sports was Memphian Joe B. Scott, outfielder with the Red Sox for nine seasons, Scott also played with the New York Black Yankees and Pittsburgh Crawfords, and in Canada. Joe B. In this Flyer exclusive interview Scott articulates some of his memories of playing baseball in the Negro Leagues. For more details on Negro League Baseball log onto www.nlbpa.com and also check out www.ynlbpc.com.

Flyer: Talk about Martin Stadium, the home of many Memphis Red Sox games, What was the venue like?

Scott: The stadium was beautiful, it seated about 8 thousand people, and the front entrance was on Iowa Street, which is now named Crump Blvd.

Flyer: Tell me about traveling in those days on buses for long periods of time without air conditioning, and modern luxuries?

Scott: The bus driver was the mechanic, the bus would break down and be fixed by the driver / mechanic. We traveled all over Philadelphia, New York City; for example we would leave Memphis on Friday night after a ball game and drive all the way to New York to play a triple header… Two games in Yankee Stadium, and travel to play a single game that same night in Bushwick, New York.

Flyer: Talk about some of the great players you played against — like Jackie Robinson, who played with the kansas City Monarchs and became the first African American Player in the Major League with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 10, 1947, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson, and the list goes on.

Scott: I played with Satchel Paige six years in All-Star games where we played against mixed teams like the House of David. After the World Series we (Negro League All-Stars) would play the major league all stars.

Flyer: Can you recall any other standout players you remember competing against in the days of Negro League Baseball?

Scott: A great memory is when I got a chance to play against Willie Mays when he come up. And, I would say he’s one of the greatest outfielders of all-time. Mays was in high school and he joined the Birmingham Black Barons. We played in Huntsville, Alabama and he climbed a picket fence to get a line drive off of my bat. And I said kid you going to be a good ball player. I’m about ten years older than Willie Mays.

Flyer: How special is it to see people in Memphis paying tribute to the Red Sox and the Negro League brand of professional baseball?

Scott: It’s wonderful. I’m glad to see it happen. To bring history up to date, people can look back and say they didn’t know this but now they know some parts of the history of the Negro League, which was one of the most powerful money making sports for team and stadium operations for owners.

Flyer: What do you tell young people about hard work paying off in sports and in life?

Scott: Go to school everyday, learn something new everyday, stay in good company, and listen to your mother and father and when you go into sports listen to your coach and you can be a winner.

Flyer: What was the longest game you ever played in with the Memphis Red Sox?

Scott: 14 innings in 1949 here in Memphis at Martin Stadium. In the bottom of the 14th inning I hit a home run to defeat the New York Cubans 1-0.