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Saturday, November 17, 2012

SMOTHERS: Reminiscing with Hammerin’ Hank Aaron

Smothers! Talladega SPEED Dome! I just got done watching Dick Smothers in a gear Grand Prix Racing episode of It Takes a Thief!

Aaron and his wife, Billye, had been invited to speak at the 145th Founders Day Banquet at Talladega College, which was being held at Talladega SPEED Dome. Nicola Lawler, public relations director, aware that I had covered the Braves after they moved to Atlanta and had been part of the media corps during his run for the record, invited me down for the event.

...He wound up hitting 20 home runs in 1974 then was traded from the Braves and played two more years in Milwaukee, where he had started his baseball career. He hit 755 home runs, which was later surpassed by Barry Bonds but tainted by the steroid investigation.

However, it doesn’t seem to bother Aaron.

“I hit 755 home runs and Barry hit a few more than I did. I am willing to concede the idea that he is the home run champ and I am the second best. It really doesn’t make that much difference. I tell a lot of people that, no matter what happens, I’m not going to hit another home run. It’s all over with.”

Repoz Posted: November 17, 2012 at 11:33 PM | 11 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: history

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   1. Rennie's Tenet Posted: November 18, 2012 at 12:38 AM (#4305359)
I just got done watching Dick Smothers in a gear Grand Prix Racing episode of It Takes a Thief!


Guest vixen Felicia Farr was an inexcusable omission from the Verlander-Upton thread.
   2. Coot Veal and Cot Deal make $486 every day Posted: November 18, 2012 at 01:34 AM (#4305401)
...dunno why, exactly, but I'm surprised to learn that both of the brothers Smothers are still alive.
   3. Belfry Bob Posted: November 18, 2012 at 02:36 AM (#4305429)
watched their performance last year at a local club...still quite funny and fun, and can still sing up a storm when they want to.
   4. Walt Davis Posted: November 18, 2012 at 03:41 AM (#4305437)
If I got a chance to sit down with Aaron, just about the last thing I'd want to spend my time on is PEDs and Bonds. I suppose my editor would insist I ask but not only has he been asked and answered it plenty of times -- c'mon, it's Hank Aaron, one of the all-time greats who played during an era of great change in baseball and US society, there's GOT to be something more interesting to talk about.

Smothers Brothers still performing -- I'll be damned. That was a great show back in the day. And I'll always remember this bit from their first "comeback":

Dick: "You know, a lot of people have said we've sold out our principles to get back on TV. That's not true."
Tommy: "No it isn't ... we just rented them out for a while."
   5. donlock Posted: November 18, 2012 at 11:18 AM (#4305476)
I remember the beginning of their careers like it was yesterday. They were the Smothers Triplets: Dickie, the smart one, Tommy, the dumb one, and Jimmy, the sportswriter. It didn't click as an act so they continued as a duo. But those were golden comedy years.

Dick: "You know, a lot of people have said we've sold out our principles to get back on TV. That's not true."
Tommy: "No it isn't ... we just rented them out for a while."
Jimmy: "My editor said I had to ask you..."
   6. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? Posted: November 18, 2012 at 05:42 PM (#4305615)
Too bad about that "e" at the end of his wife's name, otherwise they'd have to set or at least tie the record for most men's first names, combined, heterosexual couple.
   7. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: November 18, 2012 at 07:13 PM (#4305646)
i know i am biased but i think hank has handled the discussion around bonds and that stuff quite well.
   8. dlf Posted: November 18, 2012 at 08:56 PM (#4305685)
i know i am biased but i think hank has handled the discussion around bonds and that stuff quite well.


Other than his stint as de facto GM for the Braves, is there anything Aaron hasn't handled exceptionally well? Great, great player who has always been somewhat in Willie Mays' shadow, but has never seemed bitter. Came from very humble beginnings in segregated Mobile but always appears to be enjoying life and remarking on what a great run it has been. Henry Aaron may be (just barely) outside the top ten all-time players, but I think that both during and after his playing career, he has been one of the top ten people.
   9. OCF Posted: November 18, 2012 at 09:12 PM (#4305693)
Some classic BTF: the Hank Aaron Hall of Merit thread. Including, on the second page, Harveys Wallbangers chastising us for letting the conversation drift away from Aaron as the topic.
   10. Darren Posted: November 18, 2012 at 09:32 PM (#4305699)
Remember the commercials about Bonds chasing the record with the voice over saying things like "You'll never get the record, Barry, give up!" while Bonds takes BP. Then at the end you realize it's Aaron over the PA system? I'll always find that endearing.
   11. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 18, 2012 at 10:06 PM (#4305710)
Yes. Yes, I do.

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