I agree that Knepp's comments were reprehensible and just neanderthal, but it's scary to me that generally folks are remembered only for what's worst about them.
well, he was a fairly mediocre pitcher. and, really, what he said was just flat-out crazytown: that's some major league hatin' right there. you throw that kind of looney down on the public, they're gonna remember it for a while.....
True and true. But far greater athletes are more remembered for their wickedness than their performance, and I'm not saying that's bad. What I meant by "scary" is that one can really screw up a good legacy by making bad choices.
Lets get this thread back on track. Knepper is a dumb ass! Dave Smith was a Bad Ass! As a long time Astro fan I'd have to say Dave Smith is my all time favorite closer. No one hear might remember Jim Ray before him, but he would be #2 favorite. RIP Dave, and Thank you.
Do you mean Fred Gladding? Ray never even led the team in saves. Did he finish up a lot of games the starters lost?
No MSN, I mean Ray... Just a personal favorite for some reason as a kid. What was that Astro anouncers name? Lowell? Something Lowell.... I would listen to the games on the radio and I think he used to refer to Ray as The Stinger and inevitably say 'now your chucking them in there'. Fred 'Flinstone' Gladding.... Ha
Lowell Passe. He said that about Dierk a whole bunch, too. "NOW you chunkin' 'em in there!" Elston/Passe. Good times. Harry Kalas was in there for a while, too. He was "third string".
When I was a kid we lived near Dave Smith. My little brother would go over to his apartment and get baseball cards signed all the time. He was a really nice guy. RIP
