I remember.............

Watching Oral Hershiser on "poker after dark" got me thinking. I was at the park in San Diego the night he set the record for scoreless innings pitched. He pitched 9 innings and I can remember the press on the field as they briefly stopped the game as he came out. Andy hawkins pitched 10 scoreless innings that night but the Pads had to win it in the 16th on a Mark Parent homerun. I could not stand Hershiser then...he played for the hated Dodgers. Looking back I am really glad to say I saw him pitch and he was truly great.

I remember Kenny stabler leading my Raiders and winning the Super Bowl in 76. He was and still is the coolest QB I ever saw. I think he knew how to appreciate the moment. He was never flustered and was in total command. The only player that ever made me wish I could be left handed.

I remember Earl cambell instantly making me an Oilers fan in 77. Those "Luv ya blue" days were the bomb. They taught me to love even without the prize in sports. In 1980 they got Stabler from the Raiders and I could not believe it though that team was never the same as the 78-79 squads. I believe in 1983 Cambell was traded to New Orleans. His last game was on MNF against the Cowboys. Late in the game he took a pitch wide from the 3 yrd line and I was dumbfounded when a corner from the Cowboys cut him down at the 2.It was one of the saddest moments in sports for me. I knew that was it and was not surprised a week later when he retired. He was the man though for a few years and there will never be another like him.

The 1983 Nebraska Cornhuskers...the best team in my opinion to ever put on pads in College ball. Lost the Championship because they would not have it in a tie. Went for 2 to earn it outright. Osborne finally was redeemed in the 90's with some great teams but the 83 squad was it for me.

My Celtics of the 80's. Larry Bird made me a Celtics fan. I am so glad I saw his whole career. That frontline was handsdown the best ever on hardwood. In 1985 they lost in 6 games to the Lakers but i was never more impressed. Parrish hobbled the whole series. Mchale had horrible injury. Those Lakers were the bomb even though I hated em. Larry Bird...the man who never leaned over to help an opponent off the floor. If you never see another clip of him there is one game that personifies him. He cracks his cheekbone on a flat out dive for the ball in the 2nd qtr. The trainers and Red will not let him come back after halftime. He argues with them and after pretty much tellin them to get ^%$#@* he comes out late in the 3rd to a standing ovation. He doesn't disappoint . But of course he never did !
Just a few things I remember.

Common theme for me. I have valued the most from men and teams who represented in losses . I have tried to pick myself up and learn from loss. I do believe it is where we can earn respect.