The Round Table Spring 2008 A Semi-Annual Initation Fee $15 Publication Yearly Dues $25 of the Old Time Athletes Old Time Athletes Association Association 1245 Merdian Ranch Dr. Reno, NV 89253 The new website www.otanc.org By Ray Wilson 4 and 8 season, he was named NFL This is the way it was . when Rookie of the Year. Eddie LeBaron and the Washington Eddie played several seasons for Redskins arrived in Manhattan for the Redskins, remembering now that a game with the New York Giants, it was a different era in many ways. new coach Curly Lambeau, late Contracts were insufficient then to of Green Bay, handed each player sustain players throughout the off- a quarter with strict instructions season and finding a job or pursuing to use it to take the subway to the further education was often necessary. Polo Grounds. The year was 1952, For an instance Eddie himself became Eddie’s rookie season; and the owner a lawyer and his two halfback mates of the Redskins, George “Hotwash” in the Washington backfield became Marshall, was well known for his doctors. somewhat penurious practices. Eddie worked for, and played with But Washington in those days a colorful cast of characters. There was a long way, both in miles and was the Redskin owner, George mentality, from Stockton and the Preston Marshall, called “Hotwash” College of the Pacific where the new (or perhaps it was “Hogwash”) by his Redskin quarterback had starred for first wife, the actress Louise Brooks, four years, making All-American in Eddie Le Baron owing to his ownership of a chain of his final season. At COP Eddie was laundries in and around Washington. on the field for sixty minutes and smaller. A born promoter, he added a marching on offense had done it all: pass, run, Moreover Eddie probably didn’t look like band to the team; a rarity among NFL kick, and punt. Staying in the game a safe bet, being relatively smaller in size teams, and a fight song, “Hail to the on defense, he played safety. and therefore presumably less durable over a Redskins.” Marshall wasn’t always The Korean War had broken out longer pro season. Nevertheless the Redskin so miserly either, paying for team in the summer of 1950 and following 10th rounder was very athletic, quick dinners at “21” in New York City. graduation our speaker joined the thinking, and resourceful - someone who When the Redskins traveled to San Marine Corps. Commissioned a could turn a broken play into a solid gain. Francisco to play the 49ers, the team second lieutenant, he was sent to the Besides, Marshall and his coaches probably always stayed at the Clift Hotel, not fighting zone almost immediately. liked the extra value he delivered with his exactly an inexpensive hostelry. Wounded twice, he was awarded the punting and kicking. After a few seasons Curly Purple Heart and Bronze Star – the 1952 was Sammy Baugh’s last season. Lambeau was replaced by the veteran latter for helping to rescue and rally One of the greatest of all quarterbacks, college and pro coach Joe Kuharich, a stranded and leaderless platoon on college and pro, Baugh graciously (we one of Eddie’s favorite mentors, Heartbreak Ridge. assume) made way for a youngster fresh “Big Daddy” Lipscomb, the huge Selected in the 10th round of the from the West Coast. Probably in deference Baltimore defensive tackle, was an 1950 NFL draft by the Redskins, to a great veteran, Lambeau allowed Baugh occasional dinner companion of Eddie, returned from Korea, decided to start the first five games, giving way after Eddie’s who was probably hoping to to give pro football a try. One should a few minutes in each case to the new man. promote a spirit of collegiality. Such bear in mind that in those days the NFL Eddie played in all twelve games, starting a spirit only lasted as long as did the was a much smaller league with only the last seven. Passing, running, punting, dinner, our speaker says. thirteen teams and that consequently and kicking extra points brought him to the In 1960, after leading the league in draft rounds were correspondingly notice of the sportswriters and in spite of a (Continued on page 4) Members & Al Romero Guests Marv Rossi at the 2007 Joe Rotenberg Fall OTA Ed Rothman Meeting: Seb Saia Jack Scramaglia MEMBERS: William Sheehan Manny Agorastos Louis Signer Ray Arata Bob Simi Lou Aronian J. R. Skidmore Gary Bader Ray Solari Fr. John Bain Jeff Stahl Keith Barnes Bill Stevenson Dewey Barron Gerry Stratford Jim Bass Tony Stratta Eliot Bartholomew Dave Taylor Art Belcher Bob Tobener Duncan Benas Jim Toso Maurice Bessiere Allan Tripp Ken Bianchi Bob Unruh Bob Borghello Chuck Vanoncini Paul Velasco Dick Boyd Last month’s speaker Gary Plummer knows how to reach his audience. He had humor, inside Bob Braghetta knowledge of football and some players and answered many questions from the floor. Frank Verducci Frank Brady Dick Verling Bud Bresnahan Jim Dresser Joe Hare Tom LaGrave Al Mootz Joe Vollert Dallas Brock Jere Driscoll Jack Hayes Ed Lampe Al Morales Charles Wagner Bob Brown John Drocco Jerry Heckert Vic Lampe Rich Moresco John Wagner Craig Brown Bob Ellingson Frank Hedley Mike Landridge Rich Murphy Howard Waits Ed Browne Alonzo Emery Walter Heim Charley Leach Jon Nakamura John Walsh Andy Burke Ron Ertola Allan Hitchcock Bob Lee Steve Negoesco Ray Warman Serge Burenin Bernie Esser Jim Hodges Art Lidstrom Mauro Novara Terry White Sam Carini Warren Fannin Dick Hoedt Walt Lightner Dennis O’Connor Ray Williamson Mike Carson Bob Farber Marvin Hoffman Bob Lockwood Thomas O’Connor Ray Wilson Dan Casey John Featherstone Bill Hooy Mario Lombardi Ed O’Connor Gil Ybarra Edward Cassilagio Don Feehan Don Hourigan Gus Lopez Chuck Osborne GUESTS: Al Casten Roger Ferrari Rod Hughes Richard Lucchesi Gary Plummer Joe Annuziato Eugene Cattolica Chuck Figone Dick Huxley John Lyman Pat O’Shea Milton Axt, Jr. Lynn Chapman Marcel Fiore Dr. John Iocco William Lynch Manny Pariano Gerald Bachecki John Chiarenza Jack Fitzpatrick Bill Isetta Bob Macaluso Jack Phelan Chuck Barberini Mark Christensen Jack Fleming Bob Isola Dave Mackin Jim Placak Steve Barnes Art Citron Bob Foley Charlie Iverson Larry Maciborka Howard Poblitz Brett Barron Tony Clifford John Fracchia Art Jepsen Mike Maffei Nick Poppin Ed Binetti David Clisham Alan Fraser Gary Johnson Al Marinai Bob Powers Jim Calgaro John Coates Richard Friedman Thomas Johnson Allen Martino Howard Powleson Ken Cherry Bill Cody Dave Friedenberg Warren Johnston Joe Martino Mel Prescott Jim Connoly Bill Collins Jim Gallagher Charles Jones Mario Maso Fred Quinn Bill Curran Don Collopy Elmer Gallegos Bob Kahl Al Massucco Ted Rademaker Rich Di Conte Dan Costello Norm Gard Bill Kaplan Hamp Mauvais Dennis Ragan Mike Dotterweich Bob Cunningham Fred George Mic Kelly Robert Max Bob Randall Joe Fernando Pete Dalton Jack Gleeson Al Kent Jim McDonald Harry Redlick Fred Flowers Frank Damon Fred Glosser Andy Kerr Ray McDonald Buck Reed Liam Frost Bob Datwyler Jerry Gosland Herb Kessler Tom McGraw Gil Ribera Shawn Frost Bob Dawson Jeff Graff Kris Kimball Don McPhail Tony Ribera Frank Halldorson Tom Dee Jack Grealish Bill Kingsbury Robert Micheli Baxter Rice Ken Haukom Jim Deignen Jim Grealish Jim Kirby Mike Mihalek Bill Richardson Oddie Hoffman Don De Meyer Bob Guerrero Gilbert Kirwin Bob Mitchell Jerry Richardson Mel Johnson Vince De Nevers Tom Gumina George Korte Al Monaco Cliff Righetti Mike Keck Joe Desmond Bob Hagler John Kristovich Richard Moresco Gene Roberts Jim Keller Larry Doherty Tom Hall Ed Kurz Ray Monteroso Tony Rodriquez Steve Landridge “Mike” Leads Lively Q&A By Ray Wilson Gary Plummer, former 49er Superbowl “Mike” or middle linebacker was our fall dinner guest and speak- er. Presently Gary is the color analyst together with play-by-play announcer and OTAer Joe Starkey for KGO radio. Dispensing with formalities, Gary gave an insider’s account of current 49er woes. Relaxed, but animated and spontaneous, he began with some stories from his Gary Plummer and his lady Corey Stein. own football background. There was the coach from as Gary responded in a candid and straightforward man- Stanford who Gary remembered “laughed in my face” ner. Like his playing days, he didn’t duck anyone and when told of his ambitions to play in the PAC-10. Much said what was on his mind. Naturally most questions later that same man, George Seifert, was head coach of revolved around the 49ers current problems. Gary de- the 49ers and conceded that while he had thought Gary fended the 49ers present administration, but had some didn’t have the size or speed at that earlier time to play strong feelings about some players who weren’t play- in the college ranks, he thought enough to sign our speaker ing up to their potential. It was a rewarding no-holds- to a pro contract and start him in the 1994 Superbowl. barred session beginning with the usual fine dinner and The question and answer period was especially lively some warm fellowship thrown in. MOVERS&SHAKERS Bob Maloney Kevin Maloney Greg Marinee Gene Mullin Gene Noble Frank Noonan Bill Phillips Bob Placak Peter Quevedo Phil Ryan Mike Saia Dave Smith Corey Stein Jim Storer Carl Sundquist Joe Wagner Jeff Wrench Liam Frost Officers: Lincoln H.S. ‘77. 3 years Soccer, All City, President, Tony Ribera Honorable Mention Vice President, Frank Brady NewKIDS Arthur Gerrans Treasurer, Don Hourigan Balboa H.S. ‘57, 4 years Football, All City, Secretary, Tom McGraw We Welcome the following New Members Honorable Mention, 2 years, Balboa Athletic Gerald Bachecki Hall of Fame Member Directors: Riordan ‘58, 3-years.