Posted on 01 March 2010. Tags: Jim Ryun, runner, U. S. Olympic team, University of Kansas
When he was five years old, Jim Ryun contracted the measles, and that cost him half of his hearing. In junior highschool at Wichita, Kansas, he could not make the track and field team. But, that did not deter Ryun, who went on to become one of the greatest runners ever, and the last American to hold the world record in the mile run. Continue Reading
Posted in Features, Where Are They Now?
Posted on 15 February 2010. Tags: 1000 meters, 1984 Olympic team, 500-meters, Bonnie Blair, Dave Cruikshank, Dave Silk, gold medal, Jack Sikma, speed skating, United States Olympic Hall of Fame, Winter Olympics, world record
When competition began in Vancouver last Saturday, Bonnie Blair was the most highly decorated American Winter Olympic athlete in history with six medals in speed skating, five of them gold. That’s even though Bonnie retired in 1995. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 01 February 2010.
Why aren’t defensive stars rewarded more frequently in football? It’s a fair question. But, let’s face it, the glamour positions are quarterback and running back, and it’s always going to be that way. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 11 January 2010. Tags: Horse, Kentucky Derby, Pincay, Racing
Where are they now?
By Ross Porter
January 11, 2010
Laffit Pincay, Jr. is 63 years old, but when I saw him at Santa Anita the other day, he looked as good as he did when he was one of the world’s finest jockeys. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 06 January 2010. Tags: Rory Markas
We were shocked to learn that Rory Markas had passed away on January 4 at the age of 54.
Rory had broadcast Angels’ games for eight seasons on radio and was about to become their lead television announcer to begin the 2010 season.
In late 2008, Rory underwent brain surgery which removed a blood clot, and he returned in time for the 2009 season. I visited him in the broadcast booth several times this past year, including once in Arlington, Texas.
Rory Markas was well-liked by everyone who knew him, and a very good play-by-play sportscaster who also aired USC basketball games.
Rory’s father, Gary, was the director of KNBC newscasts in the 1960’s and 1970’s when I anchored the 6 PM and 11 PM sportscasts on the station, and like Rory, one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. Unfortunately, we lost Gary to cancer when he was 47. At the time, Rory was 16.
RP
Posted in Rest in Peace
Posted on 04 January 2010. Tags: Football, NFL
Where are they now?
By Ross Porter
January 4, 2010
One of professional football’s coaching legends is celebrating his 80th birthday today.
Don Shula retired at the end of the 1995 campaign, but he remains the NFL’s all-time leader in wins with 347, games coached at 526, most successive seasons coached with 33, posting only two losing records, and six Super Bowl appearances. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 21 December 2009. Tags: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Joe Cribbs, Joshua Cribbs, NFL, Pro Bowler, San Francisco 49ers
When I learned Joshua Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns had set an NFL record Sunday for career touchdowns on kickoff returns with his seventh and eighth (100 and 103 yard runbacks against Kansas City), my first reaction was a question. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 14 December 2009. Tags: Johnny Lujack
A total of 74 men have been presented college football’s most important award—–the Heisman Trophy—-with Archie Griffin of Ohio State the only man to win it twice. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 30 November 2009. Tags: Roger Staubach
Only four football players have ever won the Heisman Trophy ( given to the outstanding collegian) and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award. Roger Staubach was the first. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?
Posted on 09 November 2009. Tags: Bobby Richardson
On the final night of this year’s World Series, Hideki Matsui of the Yankees drove in six runs in the first five innings to literally usher the Phillies out of contention single-handedly. In so doing, the Japanese star tied the Series record for runs-batted-in during a game. Continue Reading
Posted in Where Are They Now?