Wow, and the guy just retired. To each his own, but I always wanted some "retired" time in my life. I read that he said he wanted to work til he died. He actually did. Work your ass off, then it's over. RIP


TIS

It's a ridiculous outlook, Tis. I had a very good friend who was well off enough to retire at 62, or even at 55. But in his mind, he just had to work until he was 65, because he felt he would be ripped off social security-wise.

He dropped dead, on the job, at 63 years old, with a ton of money in the bank. And he was single, too. No kids, just an ex-wife and a girlfriend. The money is still in probate as far as I know, and he's been dead for almost six years now.

Work all your life only to end up not enjoying the money?

F*** that!

RIP Andy Rooney. I always liked him. And also RIP to that Cynthia Myers... I had to look her up to see who she was. She sure had some nice tatas back in the day.

Joe Frazier, one of the better heavyweights of my lifetime and a good and decent man, died today.

R.I.P. Joe.

He was a true champion, a real fighter.

Down goes Frazier.

It's almost funny how some phrases stick with you.... as I read your post I "heard" (in my mind) Howard Cossell repeating himself, saying those words. That knockdown by Foreman was one of the hardest I've ever seen ... it almost looked like Frazier bounced.

The first minute of this video:

Wow. Almost as quick as some Tyson fights.

And I almost forgot what Foreman looked like before selling grills

Not a sports fan, but I have heard of Joe Frazier and sorry to hear of his death at such a young age. I heard on radio today that he actually beat Ali, but got little recognition for it. True?

Also, I know of George Foreman mostly for his grill. Is he the boxer who named all his kids the same name?


TIS

Ali's camp did most of the discrediting, Tis. Frazier was embraced by "White America" after Ali refused to go to Vietnam. Ali's camp used every opportunity they could to brand Frazier an "Uncle Tom."

Now Ali is one of my lifelong idols, but this was an ugly thing for him (mostly his handlers) to do. Frazier never got over it.

PB,

I'll be honest, I feel badly for Ali and what this disease has done to him. BUT

However, (and keep in mind I am not a sports fan) I remember him during his heyday and I couldn't stand his schtick (?). I always thought at the time he was a big mouth with his weird poetry (float like a butterfly, sting like a bee ) and anointing himself as "The Greatest". I forgot, til you mentioned about him dodging the draft as well.

Anyway, that being said, today I feel badly for him and judging from those in the know the guy was a great boxer or perhaps in his words was actually "The Greatest"

Ok, bash me!!

TIS

Well, Ali's claim that he had suddenly converted to Islam and was a minister was undeniably an attempt to avoid the draft, plaina nd simple. His boxing skills were among the best ever, but he did have a big mouth.

Joe Frazier beat Ali on points which was totally, totally thought to be impossible and broke the myth of Ali's invincibility. I rooted for Joe in that one.

Yep, that's him. Obviously, Ali wasn't the only boxer who took one too many blows to the head!

Signor V.

By George, I think you've got it.

Frazier could not match wits with Ali (but very few could) and Muhammad raked Joe over the coals. Ali made Frazier look pretty dumb and he did it unnecessarily. Add to that Joe Frazier helped Ali financially during the period when the boxing authorities wanted nothing to do with Ali. From what I've read about Frazier, he took that to heart and was hurt. For that, Ali's stock went down in my book.

Finally, oli, one of these days we MAY agree on something.... I never thought Ali's switch to being a Muslim was solely to keep him out of the draft.

Far be it from me to bash anyone. But there are a few things to point out.
Ali had converted to Islam before 1964. The draft issue (reclassification) didn't come up until 66-67.His conversion to Islam was heartfelt and had nothing to do with the draft.

I can't know for 100% what is in anyone else's head but Ali was a special case. He went on numerous speaking tours explaining exactly why he refused to serve in the Armed Forces. He was not a draft dodger so much as he was a politically and religiously motivated conscientious objector. Keep in mind that much like Joe Louis' army service, Ali's service probably would have been mostly for show; Ali would likely not have been in danger if he had been willing to play ball.

But he was willing to stand up for what he believed in even though he stood an excellent chance of losing everything and being crushed by the Federal government. He did lose a great deal of his wealth but more importantly he lost the best boxing years of his life. I admire him for his stand on principle. Most people would not have done that.

His persona of course was not to everyone's taste but again you have to consider the times. For an athlete, particularly a black athlete to carry himself with swagger and speak his mind on the issues of the day was almost revolutionary.

As far as the stuff with Frazier, some of that was not defensible; some of it Frazier wrongly took to heart. It was both Ali playing the dozens and trying to hype up interest in the fights. Bottom line though, they're in the hurting business. If there was anything that really bothered Frazier he had every opportunity in the ring to show Ali how he felt.

The reason I consider Ali the Greatest is not only because he had the speed/grace of a middleweight/lightweight combined with the power of a heavyweight but also because from 64~75 he dominated the heavyweight division at its best. Giants walked the earth in those days. And Ali pretty much beat them all. And initially he did so dropping his arms, which as any boxer will tell you is the wrong thing to do. His speed as a young man was just incredible.

Frazier was great and deserves much respect. Ali was transcendent.

Heavy D died today

Film director Ken Russell died yesterday at the age of 84.

Obit from The Guardian

Signor V.

Novelist Christa Wolf died today.

Madonne! This is most definitely making me feel old:

By Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter

Alan Sues, a flamboyant and wacky member of the comic ensemble that made "Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In" a big hit for NBC in the late 1960s, died Thursday at his home in West Hollywood of an apparent heart attack. He was 85.

Sues was a regular on the comedy-variety show from 1968 until 1971, playing such characters as Uncle Al the Kiddies' Pal, a hung-over children’s entertainer, and Big Al, an effeminate sportscaster. He left "Laugh-In" before its final season.

Wow... that was a reality check for me.... I didn't realize that the show was on tv over 40 years ago.....

I can't quite place his face but it's ringing bells. 40 years? Where the hell does the time go?


TIS

This was him, TIS.

Ok, I know him now!! Thanks I did watch the show but I wasn't an avid watcher.

Btw, did both Rowen and Martin pass away? I remember Goldie Hawn hit it big on that show. Oh, and remember President Nixon's appearance? LOL The "very interesting" guy (can't remember his name) passed away if I'm not mistaken.



TIS

Both Rowan and Martin are gone; Dick Martin only within the last couple of years.

The "very interesting" guy you're thinking of is Arte Johnson, but I believe he's still alive. He also played the horny old pervert on the park bench in those skits with Ruth Buzzi.

Signor V.

Oh yea, I loved those skits. Buzzi was so weird and funny, hitting him with her purse. Just the idea that any guy would even make a pass at her character was hilarious.

TIS

And how about "Here come da judge" and "Sock it to me".

He was one of the best. He didn't sound like anyone else and no one sounded like him.



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RIP thoughts and prayers to the family

I've decided to do a list for 2012 when do the entries need to be in by?

Thanks.