Archive for category Exclusives
‘Lotta Broadcasting – A Boy’s Dream – From Go-Karts to NASCAR Exclusive with Landon Cassill
Posted by 'lottasports in Exclusives, Lotta Sports on KWQQRadio, NASCAR on April 14, 2016
Part of my exclusive with NASCAR’s Landon Cassill during his recent visit in Texas.
This aired on 1610am 106.3fm KWQQRadio.com this week. Hope you’ll tune in for ‘Lotta Sports and Sports Snapshot — Daily on KWQQ Radio!
‘Lotta Sports from the Women’s POV – America’s Pastime
Posted by 'lottasports in Baseball, Exclusives, Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country on March 5, 2016
My column appears in the Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country — distributed quarterly throughout the Texas Hill Country.
I love baseball. It actually started back in the 60s in New England. I was raised in a neighborhood consisting primarily of boys my age so I quickly learned what baseball cards were used for. I exceled in a game where you flipped a card against another person and the best combination flip would get to keep both cards. I won some great cards and I kept them in one of my Dad’s cigar boxes … Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Brooks Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Harmon Killebrew. In the late 60s, we moved to Houston as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome, finished completion. I became an Astros’ fan and revered legends such as Rusty Staub, Jim Wynn, Joe Morgan, Bob Aspromonte and Larry Dierker.
Fast-forward to the fall of 1986 when I moved to the DFW area and started working the Texas Rangers’ baseball charters for Delta Air Lines. The following spring found me talking hubby Rick into replacing our ski vacation with spring training in Port Charlotte, Florida. Spring training provided a more relaxed atmosphere where you got to meet the players. In late 1988, to the thrill of Ranger fans and to the dismay of Astros fans — especially my Mom — Nolan Ryan signed on with Texas. That man’s arrival created almost as much excitement as winning the lottery. The Rangers’ charters became “prime real estate” on the bid sheet and flight attendants senior to me who didn’t even care about baseball were infiltrating my turf! Nolan was self-conscious with all the attention coming from the media and fans.
The following year, Mom, who was in her late seventies, asked me to take her to spring training. We flew into Sarasota-Bradenton. I got goofed up leaving the airport and after some time found us heading south toward Naples instead of north to Port Charlotte! By the time I got turned around, we had reached the city limits just before nine p.m. The restaurant on the wharf wouldn’t seat us, as they were trying to close. Needless to say, we were now pretty hungry even by central time standards! A good flight attendant (as well as former Brownie/Girl Scout) always has a Plan B to put in place. I knew of a small restaurant that the players frequented and stayed open late. As we perused the menu, Mom excitedly told the waiter how I worked the Rangers’ charters for Delta. He smiled and told us that one of the players was there — Nolan Ryan. I quickly scribbled a note and gave it to the waiter to give Nolan. A few minutes later the waiter returned and said Nolan wanted to meet Mom. He then escorted us back to a banquet room. Mom was finally going to get to meet Nolan Ryan! She was beside herself! There stood Nolan and another gentleman. I introduced Nolan to my mom. He, in turn, introduced us to Craig Reynolds, a former shortstop for the Astros. Mom immediately dropped Nolan’s hand and threw her hands up to her face. “Oh, my! Craig Reynolds! I can’t believe it!”
Now, according to Nolan, Craig never let him forget that moment — a fan getting more excited over Craig than Nolan! Later that year Mom had knee replacement surgery. When she died and I went through her things, I found in her mementos a Get Well card Nolan signed for her. Yep… Mom dumping Nolan for Craig was just a momentary lapse in judgment.
Mom at Rangers Spring Training in Port Charlotte FL – 80’s
Mom posing by Nolan Ryan cutout.
‘Lotta Happenings — Exclusive with NASCAR’s Chris Buescher
Posted by 'lottasports in Exclusives, Hill Country Happenings Articles, NASCAR on December 1, 2014
On Friday of race week was my interview with rookie Nationwide driver Chris Buescher. I was set up to meet Chris at Fuzzy’s on the infield. Fuzzy’s was packed and it was a gorgeous day, so I opted for an outside picnic table. There was no doubt when he approached the fence around Fuzzy’s that it was him. Like a baseball pitcher having that distinctive solid arm, Chris had the race car driver build. His 22nd birthday was two days before so I greeted him with a Tootsie Pop and apologized for it not being a Bit-O-Honey (Chris’s sponsor). We sat up on the picnic table with the wind occasionally flapping the umbrella behind us.
I congratulated him on his win in August at Mid-Ohio, one of NASCAR’s few road course races. I love road racing as it’s not the norm of “Turn Left.” It truly tests a driver’s racing skills on hills, curves and straightaways. The race Chris won was particularly exciting as he was on fuel conversation the final laps of the race. I shared with him that I was on my feet the last five laps — standing just a couple of feet away from my TV monitor when the announcer said he was racing on fumes. Chris laughed. “Yes, driving changes when you’re shifting fuel on each turn and each hill. Coast and save!” The last three laps seemed to last forever with his fuel pressure light flashing and Chris expecting to run out of gas at any moment! On the last turn, he jiggled the Mustang just right and crossed the finish line ahead of Regan Smith and Brian Scott. His crew greeted him from atop a barricade and shared in the jubilance of the driver’s first Nationwide win. “So, do you like racing road courses?” I asked the rookie. He laughed and replied, “I do now!” What was even more meaningful to him that weekend was bonding with the kids from Children’s Hospital, the race’s sponsor. Chris was paired with Patient Champion Luke Benner, a six year-old diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The boy’s picture was displayed on Buescher’s car. I had predicted on Twitter for Chris to win that race. “You did?” he replied surprised. “Yes and I also picked Brendan to win the road course at Road America,” I shared. “So, how are you feeling about the Texas race?” he inquired. I smiled. With the Cup drivers participating, I felt a top 10 was a possibility. His hope was to do better than the Texas race in April where he was involved in an accident. I asked him if he had ever flipped over. He had but it was not in a stock car. One thing that fascinated me during our chat was when Chris explained how his driver’s seat is custom made to his body. It’s similar to how a cockpit is made in a fighter jet where the body is restrained and protected in case of impact. (However, the custom fit also has a disadvantage which was evidenced the following day when Elliott Sadler took ill before the race and the search was on for a driver with the same tall build as Sadler so they could replace him.)
When he’s not racing, Chris is consumed in his 1955 classic truck rebuild. It was evident he just loved wheels. He was already looking forward to attending an automotive show in Vegas and in his next life; he would come back as a race car driver. Unlike married-with-kids cousin James (also a racer), Chris is single but “in a relationship.” Although he didn’t share any details, I learned that she’s a Carolina Panthers fan and is trying to get Chris into following football. I couldn’t resist asking him about his cook when on the road — since it’s a friend of mine. “So, tell me… how is Eloy’s cooking?” I probed. “It has its moments…… but his French fries are on point!” he laughed.
‘Lotta Happenings — Rangers Baseball — Woof Woof Style
Posted by 'lottasports in Baseball, Exclusives, Hill Country Happenings Articles on August 1, 2014
This is my August column published in Hill Country Happenings magazine.
There is no fun more than taking man’s best friend to a ballgame. Roxie and Rex could sense that event was nearing days before the game as they watched me pack Rex’s Rangers bandana, Roxie’s red and blue tutu, traveling bowls, treats and a soft, fleece blanket. Unlike last year’s forty-one degree May freeze fest, this year’s June event was in the nineties! Did that keep the dogs from wanting to go? No… All seven hundred and seventy mutts of all sizes and breeds lined the 3rd base building side for ticket pick-up, and then proceeded to the ramp area to “chill” for about thirty minutes. Soon it was time to start the trek through the bowels of the stadium. For Rex, who was alternating his nose between the ground and air, something was missing this year. No hot dog smell — just a lot of human and dog sweat. Meanwhile Roxie was thankful I had nixed the blue T-shirt for her; the layers of blue and red netting were quite enough of a fashion statement. Finally we reached the huge left-field door and both our dogs wagged their tails and yapped. They knew! Showtime! About a quarter of the way into our walk on the perimeter, a Rangers representative pulled us aside and asked if Rex would mind wearing the doggie cam. Rex was all ears as he explained the pup would be filming the walk for the Rangers Insider. (Keep in mind — this is the same dog that got spooked by a moving pod last November!) How could we say no and let the dog down?!? Rex stood stoic as a stature while the cam was strapped on and we couldn’t help but laugh as he looked so official when he started his gait. At one point in the walk Roxie turned around and placed a big slobbery lick on the camera! The remaining stroll around the field was uneventful (unlike last year’s with someone’s dog getting loose and pooping in center field!). I guess it was just too hot for getting in trouble.
Before the game started, Roxie and Rex sprawled under a picnic table watching other dogs splash in inflatable water pools near the concession stands. Meanwhile I hiked to the media elevator to meet up with Susannah, wife of Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland. I was glad Rick had to stay with the dogs as there was no doubt why the striking blonde was a former Miss Alabama beauty contestant. She and Mitch had met when they were thirteen and fourteen while on vacation. How romantic can you get — he was on the beach throwing a football to his dad. When their vacations ended, he went back to life in Mississippi while she stayed in Alabama. As in all good fairy tales, they dated others and went to different colleges before linking up again on Facebook several years later. They had a storybook outdoor wedding at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort in Hoover, Alabama — complete with a wedding party of twenty-six!
The Morelands have a two-year old son. Mitch wanted him to have a baseball name with a unique spelling so he came up with the name “Crue.” The couple also has two labs. The fox-red named “Sage” is a couch potato. “Judd,” a black lab, is a “duck dog in training” since Mitch’s other sport is Bow Hunting. Mitch has tradition at each game — he nods to the stands — that’s his “hi” to Susannah. Her favorite baseball cities when the wives get to tag along? Chicago and Tampa. Our chat then got cut short as player introductions were streaming over the PA system.
Again, a hike back to an impatiently waiting Roxie and Rex. Once at our seats in left field, I was immediately pleased when I spotted Rex’s favorite hot dog vendor working our section. (Last year Rex howled as the guy ignored his request for a wiener. The vendor had chanted, “Ain’t no dogs for you, bud!” Ironically, Rick’s nickname for Rex is “Bud.) This year was another story — it was too hot to bark for the team, much less a hot dog. It was better to just lay on the pavement panting and save the effort for when the crowd cheered. In the bottom of the first, the Rangers struck fast with two runs including a Mitch Moreland RBI. The second inning, we were again on our feet when a homerun was hit just a few feet away from us. It sure got all of our attention and had us deciding who would go after the ball and who would protect the dogs should it happen again. There was a cute brown and white Cocker Spaniel named Cooper to the right of us, two Scotties behind us and a huge Weimaraner a row in front of us that sat in the chair most of the time when he wasn’t rubbing noses with Roxie. We left after the 7th inning stretch with the game tied 5 – 5. By the time we got to the car, the Rangers had erupted with three more runs.
The following night we watched the Rangers Insider to view Rex’s work. Although his name was never mentioned in the piece, we knew that the wearer of the cam was Rex. Did he do a good job? He sure did! Among the classic shots — the up-close view of Roxie’s tongue and the flying slobber. A shot only a proud Boxer Mom would cherish!
‘Lotta Happenings – Brendan Gaughan Exclusive
Posted by 'lottasports in Exclusives, Hill Country Happenings Articles, NASCAR on May 2, 2014
This exclusive with Brendan Gaughan appeared in the May Hill Country Happenings
The first time I met Brendan Gaughan was June 2013 when he was in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in Texas. It was my first truck series to cover and a press conference was held with him and Joey Coulter, fifteen years his junior. When I asked him what was considered as “old” in truck racing, he grinned and replied, “Me!” To me, mature drivers were more reliable and less apt to do something dumb “to make something happen.” I knew I had found “my” driver. Brendan did well during the race until he spun his tires on the last re-start and settled for 5th place. Our paths crossed again last November when NASCAR was back in North Texas. I was at Brendan’s truck and an inspector was clarifying to me that what I thought was the engine was actually the carburetor. I heard a snicker and turned to find Brendan standing there. Wanting to overshadow my naivety of car parts and knowing he had played basketball at Georgetown, I switched subjects to the hoops. I was defeated there also when Gaughan reminded me about how his Hoyas had taken the “slama” out of my Houston Cougars “jama” in the National Championship in 1984. He did very well in the race with a fourth place finish and ended the season in seventh place for the truck standings. For the year he had thirteen top ten finishes with ten of those in the top five.
I was pleasantly surprised when the announcement came that Gaughan would be driving fulltime in the Nationwide series this year. He was keeping his number 62 and his father’s hotel, South Point in Las Vegas, would be his sponsor. Last month when NASCAR returned to North Texas, I had the opportunity to sit down with Brendan and I learned there’s a lot more to him than his stock car racing. I began the interview with presenting him with my “Phi Slama Jama” tee-shirt from 1984 and a black sharpie. He chuckled as he scribed, “Hoyas AXA … Brendan 62 Gaughan .“ That out of the way, we started our chat. It was like two old friends at a high school reunion.
Growing up in Vegas, his dad, who dirt-raced as a hobby, took Brendan to desert races and the boy was immediately hooked on off-road racing. I asked him, “Have you ever flipped over and thought while airborne… now I’ve really done it!?!” His face lit up. His first rollover was at age fifteen. He not only turned upside down, he did it several times! “I knew, thanks to JC Dean, to get that seatbelt released right away!” Not only was Brendan into racing during his teenage years, he also was an All-American in high school football.
His college years found him at Georgetown University earning a business management degree. Between studies he shared the court with NBA great Allen Iverson when the basketball team made it to the Elite Eight. He also kicked for the Hoyas football team. He was their placekicker and very good … perfection almost every time the ball left his toe. “Almost?” I questioned. “I couldn’t believe it! I missed the last kick of my career!” he groaned. Brendan’s talents don’t end there; he is also certified to teach scuba diving. One of his favorite places to dive is Socorro Island off of Mexico. He showed me a picture of himself with a Manta Ray, an underwater creature which appeared much bigger than him. I cringed. I told him I still had my fear of man-of-war and jelly fish lurking in the gulf at Galveston. He assured me that the Manta Rays are not like that.
As you can see, Gaughan could have gone many directions with a career including working in the family casino business. Instead Brendan followed his passion for racing. How lucky to be making a living doing what you love, not many can. He loves it all – desert riding, dirt tracks, ovals and my passion, the road courses. He even likes the pesky bumps at Texas Motor Speedway at Turn 2 and between Turns 3 and 4 caused by the tunnels under the track. What he doesn’t love are re-paved tracks like Michigan’s. His Crew Chief, Shane Wilson, provides a seamless transition from trucks to cars, as the two worked in tandem last year. According to Brendan, the car is practically the same as the truck with the exception of the position of the windshield. Gaughan’s goal is to bring Richard Childress Racing their second consecutive championship. “Speaking of winning, what about times you have a teammate who is in position to get a win? Do you give them the push which will enable their victory?” I asked. “If I have a good enough car to win, I race to win,” he replied. “You earn respect,” he continued. “There are those out there that don’t have it.” “Any names?” I prodded. He shook his head sideways.
Although Brendan grew up listening to Classic Rock like the Doors thanks to his older brothers, his heart has always been with Classic Country. He also loves “spaghetti westerns” and treasures moments when he can catch Bonanza reruns. Off-season, he enjoys time with his wife Tatum and two boys Michael and William at their home in Vail. He bragged that his son Michael is already quite a skier. Athleticism has carried on to the next generation. In March, Brendan lost one of his biggest supporters. His grandfather, Jackie Gaughan, who was the last of the founding fathers of Las Vegas, passed away at the age of ninety-three. Jackie was buried in true Irish fashion with bagpipes on St. Patrick’s Day. As we got ready to end the interview, I asked Brendan what was on his bucket list. With a smile perfect for a toothpaste commercial, he responded, “Life is….”
‘Lotta Happenings – Chatting with Fellow New Englander Tom Grieve
Posted by 'lottasports in Baseball, Exclusives, Hill Country Happenings Articles on November 1, 2013
‘Lotta Happenings — Chatting with Tom Grieve
Flying for Delta Air Lines provided me numerous opportunities to meet and interact with sports personalities throughout the years. One of my favorites was Tom Grieve, former baseball player as well as General Manager of the Texas Rangers and now TV Analyst for Fox Southwest Sports. Tom and I reconnected during the playoffs last month and chatted about the good ‘ole days.
Tom is from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, which is only twenty-one miles from my hometown, Williamstown. During one of our annual trips back there, Rick & I were watching the Texas Rangers on TV at a pub. I was telling one of my childhood friends, Mike Haddad, how I worked the Rangers charters. Mike was all excited. “You must know Tommy Grieve then!” he responded in that distinct Yankee accent. Rick and I snickered as we never heard Tom referred to as Tommy, but we quickly found that not only was he known as Tommy, but also thought of as a local hero! Tom’s father passed away at the age of ninety-five this year. My dad, a Vermonter, lived to the same age. I told Tom both men had those hardy New England genes. Tom’s mother, in her nineties, still resides in the same house that he grew up in. Our hometowns are almost the same distance to both New York City and Boston. Because of this, fans in the area are split between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Tom remembers at the age of five while “helping” paint the house, a man said to him, “I’ll bet you’re a Red Sox fan.” Being at that age of doing the opposite, Tom thought a moment and then said, “No, I’m not.” The only other team he knew of was the Yankees so he told the man he was a Yankees fan. His favorite player in baseball …. Mickey Mantle, of course.
What did Tommy want to be when he grew up? Not a doctor… not a fireman…not a policeman. He wanted to be a baseball player, just like his idol, Mickey Mantle. He was one of the kids gifted with the ability to hit the ball and was a star at Pittsfield High School. Upon graduation, he was drafted by the Washington Senators, the sixth pick of the first round. His parents were cautiously supportive of his career choice – his mother giving him sage advice “while it’s a nice dream to have, think of other things to do just in case things don’t work out. “ After playing a few years in the minor leagues, Tommy’s dream came true – the call to the majors – July 5th, 1970. When the franchise was moved to Arlington, Texas the following year and became the Texas Rangers, Grieve was the outfielder. The transition from Tommy to Tom occurred. He also picked up another nickname, TAG, his initials. Many ballplayers are known for their superstitions like stepping on one of the bases before running off the field at the end of an inning or spitting into one’s hand before picking up the bat. Tom limited his to if he had a great game, he would wear the same shirt the next outing. Off the field, he kept (and still does) his bills in descending order facing the same way. In 1976, he was Rangers Player of the Year thanks to an abundance of doubles, homers and RBIs. He was injury free except for getting hit by a pitch and being out with a broken wrist for one month in 1977. In addition to the Rangers, he played with the Mets one year followed by the Cardinals.
Charity Golf Tournament
Tom was lucky that his dream for a career in baseball continued with the Rangers even after his playing days ended. His stints included Group Ticket Sales and General Manager. It was in 1986 that I met Tom while working the Texas Rangers Charters. Our paths also crossed at several of the charity golf tournaments as well as at spring training at Port Charlotte, Florida. One spring I took my mom, in her early seventies, and she was so excited with our seats right off the first base line. As I was introducing mom to Tom, he diplomatically explained that the location of our seats was a pretty popular area for line drives and then relocated us to seats behind home plate. Sure enough, several hard hits were driven toward our previous seats. One year, three of my friends and I were scheduled with the charters taking the team to Milwaukee and bringing them back, so we stayed there at our own expense for that series. Tom let us sit with him in his box at the games. I was thrilled to be talking the mechanics of pitching with him while the other gals shivered in chilly fall temperatures. 
After Grieve’s stint as GM, he went on to become a TV analyst for the Rangers and has been in that capacity for nineteen years. He watched his boys also follow a path through baseball. Older son Tim pitched in AA ball and has been a scout for the Detroit Tigers several years and Ben was Rookie of the Year for the Oakland Athletics as well as spent nine seasons in the majors. What was his advice to his sons and others who yearn for a life in the “national pastime”? It’s very similar to what his mother gave him; “Pursue it with all your heart, cover the academic side and don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
‘Lotta Happenings — Golf Stories
Posted by 'lottasports in Exclusives, Golf, Hill Country Happenings Articles on September 3, 2013
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My article below appeared in the September issue of Hill Country Happenings.
My first experience with golf was at age ten at a miniature golf course in Western Massachusetts. I remember standing behind a girl watching what she did as I was next. Apparently I was too close as the next thing I remembered was a clunk to my head. It was as painful as my playing turned out to be. My next exposure to golf was in college when I had psychology classes at the University of Houston with golfing great John Mahaffey. While the football team was just OK, the golf team, all tanned and preppy-dressed, was solid, winning twelve NCAA championships between 1956 and 1970. The athletic dorm, Baldwin House, was just across the street. Did I have any desire then to learn golf with so many talented students so close? No, I was too busy in the Cougar Den playing Spades with the hippies.
A few years later I was working a DC-9 Delta flight from Augusta to Atlanta. We always enjoyed flying in there as the earlier airport, Bush Field, was formerly an old flight school barracks. Between the terminal and tarmac was an area beautifully landscaped and tables where people sat sipping iced tea (and perhaps a mint julep) while waiting on flights. Locals referred to it as “The Country Club Airport.” This day in particular was special as our load consisted of an airplane full of golfers who had just played in the Masters Golf Tournament. I was immediately cognizant of the aura in the airplane. Again, all were tanned, but this time most were decked out in plaid pants and bright-color blazers. I spent the next thirty-five minutes conversing with the likes of Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Ray Floyd, Tom Watson and even a familiar face, U of H alum John Mahaffey. It was on that flight I learned about the celebrity of playing in the Masters.
Fast-forward to the late 80s when golf again crossed my path. It was when Rick and I were vacationing and we passed a miniature golf course. I got this brilliant idea to stop and play some holes. Considering I hadn’t held a golf club since I was ten, I thought I was doing pretty good — that is until we got to one hole where I hit the ball so hard, it soared to the next hole knocking the blade off of the windmill! Rick was speechless. There was no more miniature golfing (nor will there ever be).
For the next few years, I had the opportunity to work several charity golf tournaments. It was fun watching Texas Rangers favorites like Geno Petralli, Mike Stanley, Tom Grieve, Bobby Witt, Jeff Russell and Curtis Wilkerson knocking the ball around. We would joke with them not to quit their day jobs. My fondest memory was a tournament at a course west of Ft. Worth. Not only were Rangers players participating, but many other baseball greats. Rick was immediately envious when he heard that one of his childhood heroes, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians, was playing. When I saw the list, I focused in on one name — former Baltimore Orioles third baseman, Brooks Robinson. My girlfriend Nancy and I were assigned a hole where we had to sit and witness if anyone made a hole-in-one. Behind us was parked the prize, a pick-up truck. A few hours went by — still no Brooks. By now, I was in need to get rid of all the water I was drinking. Someone told us that Brooks was two holes away. Nancy assured me if I hurried, I could make it back before he got there. As I was running back from the port-a-potty, I spotted Brooks at our hole. Breathless upon arrival, I found Brooks grinning from ear to ear. Nancy had managed to stall him and of course, she just had to share what I was doing!
Carlotta meets Brooks Robinson
My favorite golfer of all time? He’s right here in the Texas Hill Country. Frank Boynton, now a financial guru, played on the PGA Tour in the late 50s and the 60s. A couple of years ago I was visiting his wife Betty. Frank was, as usual, watching golf on TV. He raised his hand and signaled for silence. We obliged. A shot came close to the hole on the 16th at Firestone, looked like it might go in for an eagle, but that was not to be. A groan went up from the spectators. Frank grinned; he was (and is) still the last golfer since 1966 to eagle the famous 16th also known as “The Monster” – 610 yards long with a lake in front. He explained that he and Bob Rosburg are the only pro golfers to ever eagle that hole! For a brief moment, I contemplated sharing my claim to the double-bogey at the windmill, but some things are better laid to rest.
‘Lotta’s Favorite Golfer – Frank Boynton
‘Lotta Happenings — My Johnny Story
Posted by 'lottasports in Exclusives, Football, Hill Country Happenings Articles on January 7, 2013
My article below appeared in the January issue of Hill Country Happenings.. Click here for more articles and information about happenings in the Texas Hill Country.
In my column last month, I wrote about Johnny Manziel’s name being in the mix for the Heisman and the comparison to past Heisman winner Doug Flutie. At that point, it still was unthinkable that even Johnny could sway a voting history who never gave a freshman the nod. Who would have thought? Personally I wanted it to happen but even this lover of Cinderella endings had her doubts. Ye with little faith…
It’s the Texas Hill Country and most everyone living here has a Johnny story. Mine started when my husband and I attended a tour of homes at Comanche Trace. At one of the houses we were greeted by the owner. She proceeded to proudly show her home. We came to a doorway. “This is my son’s room.” She stepped back. I immediately fell in love with the room. It was decorated to perfection only a sports fanatic like me could understand. At that moment, I visualized my own room when I was in high school. Leaning in the corner were my batons and tasseled drill team boots. On the dresser were cigar boxes containing my baseball card collection. There was a Dallas Cowboys pendant as well as an unexplainable framed photo of Ole Miss Quarterback Archie Manning on the wall. Yes, I appreciated the tour room I was in —oh by the way — the tour guide was Michelle Manziel and the son’s room was Johnny’s.
A couple of years passed. My boss came to work one day and proudly announced that his son was named the kicker at Tivy. My husband and I attended the next home game for the Antlers. My boss Mickey was high fiving and after each great kick, he’d stand and say “That’s my son!” Yes, Tyler was a fun kicker to watch as his willowy leg nailed each kick. However, there was another player who garnered my appreciation even more. It was the Tivy quarterback. He was a machine. He found his wide receivers and when he couldn’t, he kept the ball himself churning up major yardage with most of his runs. I knew then that number two was special.
Fast forward to December 2012. It’s Heisman week. Every lead story both on TV and in the papers was all about Johnny. Even Texas Longhorn fans were giving thumbs up to the Aggie. Watch parties were on tap for several eateries and bars. I knew better and stayed home to stand one foot from my TV screen and take in every moment. I also didn’t want other fans to witness the mascara running down my cheeks as Johnny was announced the winner. Yes, I’m the whole package when it comes to being a fan!
The next moments were endearing as the cameras panned the room while Johnny, visibly shaken, gathered congratulation handshakes enroute to the stage. After he reached the podium, he took a deep breath and began one of the most professional acceptance speeches I have ever witnessed. He acknowledged the members of his team, especially the offensive line. He talked about pretending to be Doug Flutie when he was a kid. In the background the Boston College star beamed proudly. I chuckled as Johnny confessed to playing football in the hallway with his Grandpa then issued an apology to his Grandma for “for all of the things we broke in the house.” He even accredited his Tivy days – how he was taught “about passion and about heart and what it truly meant to say that Tivy fight never dies.”
Way to go Johnny! ‘Lotta Sports hopes this is only the beginning!
‘Lotta Happenings – Nolan and Mom
Posted by 'lottasports in Baseball, Exclusives, Hill Country Happenings Articles on September 10, 2012
As the baseball season approaches its conclusion I look back on some of my fondest memories. It actually started back in the 60s in New England. I was raised in a neighborhood consisting primarily of boys my age so I quickly learned what baseball cards were used for. I exceled in a game where you flipped a card against another person and the best combination flip would get to keep both cards. I had some great cards and I kept them in one of my Dad’s cigar boxes … Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Brooks Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Harmon Killebrew. In the late 60s, we moved to Houston as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome, finished completion. I became an Astros’ fan and revered legends such as Rusty Staub, Jim Wynn, Joe Morgan, Bob Aspromonte and Larry Dierker. Dad and I attended several games and even sat through the longest shutout ever played. The Astros beat the Mets as Houston scored the only run in the twenty-fourth inning at one-thirty in the morning!
Fast-forward to the fall of 1986 when I moved to the DFW area and started working the Texas Rangers’ baseball charters for Delta. Needless to say for this sports nut, it was fun being around players who shared my passion of sports. Rick, my husband of less than a year then, would rather have cooked his latest creation or garden over my watching ESPN. The following spring found me talking Rick into replacing our ski vacation with spring training in Port Charlotte, Florida. Spring training used to provide a more relaxed atmosphere and you would get to meet the players. Rick surprised me and actually enjoyed the experience so much that we returned every year until their move to the Cactus League in Arizona.
In late 1988, to the thrill of Ranger fans and to the dismay of Astros fans — especially my Mom — Nolan Ryan signed on with Texas. That man’s arrival created almost as much excitement as winning the lottery. The Rangers’ charters became “prime real estate” on the bid sheet and flight attendants senior to me who didn’t even care about baseball were infiltrating my turf! Fortunately I flew “In Charge” (a position many avoided) so I was able to keep my foot in the door.
Nolan was embarrassed with all the attention coming from the media and fans. I felt sorry for him, as one night we witnessed a fan interrupting his family meal to ask for an autograph. That same year, Mom, who was in her late seventies, asked me to take her to spring training. We flew into Sarasota-Bradenton. Without Rick with us, I got goofed up leaving the airport and after some time, I discovered we were heading south toward Naples instead of north to Port Charlotte! By the time I got turned around, we had reached the city limits just before nine pm. The restaurant on the wharf that I had bragged about to Mom wouldn’t seat us, as they were trying to close. Needless to say, we were now pretty hungry even by central time standards! A good flight attendant (as well as former Brownie/Girl Scout) always has a Plan B to put in place. There was a small restaurant that the players frequented and stayed open late. As we perused the menu, Mom excitedly told the waiter how I worked the Rangers’ charters for Delta. He smiled and told us that one of the players was there — Nolan Ryan. I quickly scribbled a note and gave it to the waiter to give Nolan. A few minutes later the waiter returned and said Nolan wanted to meet Mom. He then escorted us back to a banquet room. Mom was finally going to get to meet Nolan Ryan! She was beside herself! There stood Nolan and another gentleman. I introduced Nolan to my mom. He, in turn, introduced us to Craig Reynolds, a former shortstop for the Astros. Mom immediately dropped Nolan’s hand and threw her hands up to her face. “Oh, my! Craig Reynolds! I can’t believe it!”
According to Nolan, Craig never let him forget that moment — a fan getting more excited over Craig than Nolan! Later that year Mom had knee replacement surgery. When Mom died and I went through her things I found in her mementos a Get Well card Nolan signed for her. Yep… Mom dumping Nolan was just a momentary lapse in judgment.
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