Sports Scrapbook

Today's column gives me great pleasure and has caused me to reflect for years before I wrote it,  as I recognized how rapidly the event I am writing about has grown. It is a story about the development of an outstanding and truly American Sporting Event.

In particular, it is the story of a talented young lady who has been with the Amgen Tour of California since its original race six years ago. Just as the race has become an importance place in the calendar of International Competitive Racing, so has her role grown within the firmament of the organization and is now actually running the event..

 13 years ago when my son-in-law Danny Medford was teaching geography to my grand daughter Sarah... during that time while studying about the California Missions, an idea was hatched.

Danny pointed out that the founding Missionaries had placed their Missions up and down the California Coast following  the Camino Real,  the Royal Road.  They were each situated approximately 100 miles apart. At that time, to go from one Mission to the next, took one day's ride by horseback.

The idea was hatched, we  would do an event capturing the beauty of the Golden State going from San Diego in the South to San Francisco in the North.. It was here that my long-time friend and partner David Salzman joined us and together we settled on a Bike Race.

For years we worked hard to bring it about and made wonderful progress.  We enjoyed all the proper endorsements from all the governing bodies and were ready to go. When fate in a nice way intervened!

While we were plotting our course, another  group named California Cyclists , headed up by two young entrepreneurs named Jim Passantino and Tim Walsh, also was trying to do a race up and down the California Coast.  At this time, the powerful AEG seeing the potential, decided they had a need to expand their already large entertainment empire in California. At the time, they enjoyed a large footprint with Professional Teams  in Basketball, Hockey and Soccer, two Major Arenas and a World-Class Tennis Tournament.

Thus expansion into World Cycling was a natural turn of events. Tim Leiwicke proposed a partnership and all three entities were joined udder the AEG Banner. This immediately brought the power and resources of AEG into play towards making this the Premier Race in America.

As partners, David and myself were tapped for our TV and Entertainment Background while California Cyclists brought their Cycling acumen and contacts as part of the package.

None of this could have happened without the aid and support of a 90 plus year old  gentleman named Alex Baum. Alex who had come to me some 40 years earlier when I was at the Los Angeles Forum. He wished to have us do an 8-day-race indoors which at the time were so successful on the European Continent.

Alex, a Holocaust survivor, had been a World Class Cyclist himself in France.  Jack Kent Cooke, the owner of the Forum and my boss at the time shot it down without explanation. Something I never understood.

In the intervening years, Alex became known in World Cycling Circles, as Mr. United States Cycling. Nothing, no organizational endorsements, or political acceptance, could be achieved without Alex' nod of approval.  He walked into both the Mayor's and Governor's offices with equal ease He always enjoyed  a warm reception and would have  anxious ears, receptive to whatever he wished, or proposed.

Thus it began!  A commitment of countless millions of dollars and manpower. By the 2^nd year, it became known worldwide as the closest thing to the Tour-De-France. As such, the ATOC has enticed to "America's Greatest Race", all the world's best teams and riders to come and compete... Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landers, Levi Lepheimer have all worn the mantle of Champion.

More importantly, the average 2,500,000 spectators that have watched the race along the route, have been treated annually to a sports spectacular unlike any other American Event.

The lady, I want to sing the praises of in today's column, is the new Race Director, Kristen Bachochin. New as the Director but she has toiled behind the scenes since its inception for 4 other Directors she has always been the lynch pin, the trouble shooter, the organizer who made everything come out right even under the most trying of times.

Of the four previous Directors only Shawn Hunter, now moved on to other things in the world of Cycling understood the meaning of the word "team. Kristen learned this lesson well.

With the resignation of the last Director and morale at its lowest, facing the daunting task of mounting another annual race, AEG reached out to all our partners, us included, for recommendations as to any ideas for a replacement. They were thinking of going outside the organization once again.

David and I immediately put Kristen's hat in the ring for the job. She had been with AEG for over  8 years. In that time, she was also running AEG's Masters tennis Tournament and other endeavors while coordinating the entire ATOC.  

One of the smartest things Shawn  did, was delegating most of the organizational work to Kristen. She benefitted from his mentorship and  in turn worked with another bright young lady, (I do not think they are 30 years old yet), Kelly Staly.  Kelly holds the title of VP, Partnership Activation.

During this time, Kristen got married, had a beautiful daughter named Olivia and commuted every week from her home in Chicago to Los Angeles. Kelly held down the fort in L. A. They are a dynamic tandem.

Last week, Kristen called a Board Meeting of all the partners. She  and Kelly showed us all the plans for this coming year. They brought in all the key members of the team... the head of merchandising, the marketing people, the TV people, the design people, the digital tracking people as well as the P.R. staff. 

We viewed everything from the start lines to the finish lines.  We learned of all the ancillary happenings planned at the start and finish of each leg.  There are 8 legs, or stages. The race starts approximately at 11 A.M  on May 13^th from Santa Rosa with the final leg ending at L.A. Live (Downtown L.A.) around 12 noon on May 20th.

Every step of the way is being and will be choreographed by Kristen and her team.

To quote Kristen when asked how the tough Economic conditions have affected the race, in her own words she has said, " It has been a tough couple of years, no doubt, but the race provides very attractive benefits to the host cities. For this year's race, we had a record number of cities apply to be involved, which is a huge testament to the success of the race itself.

No other event shines an international spotlight on these cities like the Amgen Tour of California. For eight days, people are treated to a postcard of the state. Each year, the ATOC and related activities have had an estimated economic impact of more tan $100 million on the participating host cities throughout the course of the race."

This year, TV Distribution will reach 164 countries and 216 Territories. In addition, for the first time, the ATOC will be live on Canada's Rogers Sportsnet. Ireland's Setanta network will have dedicated coverage and there will be complete news coverage in Belgium on two competing networks.

In the United States, the 2012 ATOC will be aired live on NBC and NBC Sports Network May 13-20... check local newspapers for times.

It can also be watched online with the Radioshack Tour Tracker on amgentourofcalifornia.com. Or there is a free app that you can download for IOS and Android devices!

So that's it! Right after the finish in May, most of the racers will be heading over to London to compete in the Olympics.  The United States team should be strong.

In conclusion, while you are enjoying this spectacular multi-million dollar event, it is easy to be awed when you think how capable this youthful team headed by Kristen, supported by Kelly does such a seamless job.

Hell, I have shirts in my closet older than them!

I am sitting down at my computer to alert you to what I feel is an important Television Sports Event.

It was with great pleasure that I was contacted by Jennifer Dargan, the Director of CNN Public Relations.  She not only suggested a program I might like to watch this weekend, (CNN PRESENTS... Sunday April 1^st at 8 P.M. and again at 11 P.M. EDT, to be repeated Monday at 2 A.M.), but sent me an advance copy.

As we all know, April 1st is commonly called April Fools Day. I assure you this is no prank.

It has been over 30 years since I first worked with Ted Turner and his embryo CNN during the NFL strike. At that time, I remember it well as we were being followed around by an ENG Unit (large hand-held Television Camera), how I pointed out to Ted that he needed identification on the side of the camera.

He recognized the need, so I quickly rushed out and had a local sign painter do a cardboard sign to fit on the side of the camera identifying it as "CNN". To paraphrase the once popular ad, "you've come a long way... baby!"

So when I heard from Jennifer and found that she had enclosed the advance copy of the CNN PRESENTS Program, I immediately reviewed it.

It felt good to me as I watched the one-hour program in which Drew Griffin investigated the lengths which some colleges go in pursuing their dream of making the NCAA Tournament. Drew particularly singled out the UCONN story.

 This story has lots of meat on its skeletal frame. Drew pointed out that only 25% of UCONN's players graduate within six years. Anchor Randi Kaye added to this report by emphasizing  that the report did not include players who have left early to go to the NBA. Also, that UCONN is not alone in their misguided direction.  There are also very low graduation rates for players at other schools, which were covered.

As I pointed out in previous articles, " THE INMATES ARE RUNNING THE ASYLUM", March 21^st and "UCONN BANNED: KUDOS TO THE NCAA" which I wrote on February 13^th, something has to be done to better the situation.

CNN PRESENTS in a clear, decisive and distinct fashion, calls attention to the seamy side that we, as both fans and alumni, tend to sweep under the carpet. They have pulled no punches in taking on the "Sacred Cow".

They highlight the strikingly low graduation rate of Basketball Players at major athletic schools everywhere.  They suggest an answer to the problem.  It is well thought out and thorough.  However, will it once again fall on deaf ears?  I hope not!

It is not brain surgery.  It is putting Athletics vis-a- Vis a college education in the proper perspective.

I found the hour well done. As well as informative.  I urge you to take the time to not only view the case presented by the CNN team, but to reflect and see how you can help move this mountain that is all pervasive.

TVO this important program if you cannot view at the time it is aired!

CNN PRESENTS

Sunday, April 1^st ... 8:P.M and 11:P.M.

Monday, April 2^nd ... 2: A.M. (Both EDT).

In fact, I say to CNN, the  deserves  to be repeated more than twice.

  One of the advantages of growing older is that you have been able to experience a great many things...  good, as well as not so good. Along the way you meet many people.  In my case, I have been blessed.  I have walked, not only with the great and near great, but I have also had the privilege to rub elbows with many of the wonderful and legendary characters of my lifetime.

Today, I learned that a dear friend and long-time associate has passed on. His demise simply said "Boxing writer Bert Sugar dies of cardiac arrest." That is a true statement, but hardly tells what he meant to sports.

Bert was my friend.  The last time I talked to him was approximately 3 months ago. There was no indication that he was sick, or that he was battling lung cancer. Instead, we talked about all the times we had worked together and what we might do in the future.  Obviously the future never game.

In his lifetime, Bert wrote and had published somewhere between 60 and 80 books.  As a man who has only had five published books, I can certainly attest to not only the difficulty of coming up with something not only worthwhile to write about, but also how meaningful it has to be to get a publisher to say "I want to print that".

More impressive was the fact that in this day of modern technology, Bert never owned a computer and shunned the proprietorship of a cell phone. He did all his work either longhand, or on his longtime friend, a typewriter.

My young readers should know that a typewriter is an ancient, now obsolete, non-electronic  term for the computers. During my early years, computers never existed.

The hailed Bert on radio and in TV as a Boxing writer and historian. That was only a small part of his persona.  He was a true sports historian versed on every facet you could name, especially when it came to Baseball, Horses and Boxing.

Bert was familiar to everyone in the Boxing World.  He was a pleasant caricature with his white fedora perched at a rakish angle on top of his, I think, bald dome.  I never knew! 

As a joke, I once asked him if he even wore his hat to bed.  His answer was only my wife and I know and neither us will ever tell.

In his career, Bert had a great many "ups" and "down". At one point he was the owner and publisher of the venerable Boxing Magazine... Ring. Unfortunately, this creative genius only wanted to write and unscrupulous associates wrested control of the publication from him.

During those dark days  many in the fight game considered him a Pariah.  He would hold court with his typewriter on the table, at a favorite Sports Watering hole in lower Manhattan ... Runyons.

In those days, I was traveling between Los Angeles and New York at least once a month.  I would have lunch with Bert each time while he continued to bang out column after column and orchestrated his return to Ring Magazine Stewardship.  He fought a costly court battle and finally won his right to own and publish Ring, ( the Bible of Boxing, the maker of the rankings,  once again.

During this hiatus period, I put Bert in quite a few of my productions where his wit and knowledge was astounding. Eventually it established him as a Boxing Spokesman...leading to many other opportunities.

Back at Ring, although the Publisher, all he wanted to do was write. He drove his Managing editor "bonkers".  Fortunately, this time he was in with people who respected him and although they fought his desire to write, they relented and at the same time protected his ownership interests.

My situation at FOX was similar. I had originally cut my broadcasting teeth as a blow-by-blow announcer Whenever we did fights from the Olympic and our regular announcer Tom Kelly was unavailable, I desired to be the fill-in. Here, even though I was the boss, my beloved Janice Cassazza, the Executive Producer, never wanted to hire me. Thanks to Clair Higgins who spoke for Eileen Eaton, the late wonderful female promoter, I prevailed.

In 1974, I had the opportunity to be the Toastmaster (The Emcee) of a roast for Bert at the Touchdown Club in Washington, D. C. The outpouring of affection was overwhelming. Here was a native Washingtonian who never forgot where he came from as he scaled the heights of Sports Journalism.

In 2005, Bert was inducted into the International Boxing hall of Fame.  He constantly astounded all of us with his vast knowledge and encyclopedic memory of events, places and times.

On a few occasions, I had lunch with Bert at another of his favorite Manhattan Watering Halls ... Gallagher's Steak House. It was here, on at least three luncheons when Bert was accosted by Howard Cosell, he being the self-proclaimed all knowledgeable sports maven.  He was forever questioning Bert's awareness of a particular sports subject.  It eventually would end up in a bet for something like dinner.  I am here to tell you, Bert ate free at Howard's expense many times.

Bert. when he was your friend, never turned away if you needed help.  One time, when I was still doing Publicity I mentioned in passing that I had an event that in need of placement and I was short on media names. I mentioned it only once and then forgot about it. 

A week later, I was living in Palm Desert California at the time, when a bulky overnight mail envelope arrived at my house. Bert had heard my plight and had taken upon himself to supply me more than 500 names with addresses and phone numbers (e-mail didn't exist at that time)  all in longhand. This proved invaluable and made me indispensable to my client. When I wished to repay him, he wouldn't hear of it. In fact.felt insulted!

Bert was a showman and he reveled in creating that impression. His public persona was that of  a gregarious, flamboyant Damon Runyon character. But in fact, he was pensive, studious as well as modest. He had a wit and a sense of humor without parallel. He never took himself seriously.

I apologize that it has taken me such a long time to finally getting around to writing this article.  I hoped to write a simple thesis about the one institute of higher education that never has fielded a sports team, yet has more influence on Amateur, Collegiate and Professional Sports than those that win championships and supply the high draft choices.

I still plan to get there in this column. However, while doing my research I came across a great deal of material that dovetails or parallels into what I wished to write about.  Thus, I have included what I have learned and thereby express my opinion as a result.

Growing up in New England and coming from a family of immigrants, my mom was from Bessarabia, it was instilled in me that there never was any doubt that I was going to go to college. To hear the people who came from "the old country", "America provided a great opportunity and to be educated was the foremost route to success.

However, somewhere along the line, Education at many Colleges and Universities seem to have become a second-class citizen.  Scholarships for the best kicker, the finest shot maker, or the elite passer apparently have taken center stage.

Alumni, encouraged by the schools would rather provide Scholarships to athletes than have a hand in molding the future of our country and the world by endowing future chemists, biologists, doctors and physicists. What a shame!

Then along comes John Calipari, University of Kentucky's successful Basketball Coach who openly expresses what other coaches think. His theory is to give a kid a Scholarship and even if he stays for only one year and then turns pro because of his talent, he will make Calipari a winning coach.  He becomes one to be fawned over by overzealous alumni because he has made old school tie something to be proud of.

THIS IS WRONG!

Many of these one-year athlete's leave school to ply their wares in the professional world.  If they don't make it, they have nothing to fall back on. All too many Scholarship athletes cannot even read, or write when they leave school.  They are ill prepared for the outside world.

My pal Rene Henry who in his day was one of America's foremost Sports Public relations Experts, called my attention to a rule that the NCAA passed last October.  Simply stated it is a requirement that college teams must be on track to graduate 50% of their players.  If they don't, they will become ineligible for post-season competition.

If the rule had been followed, UCONN, Florida State, Indiana, New Mexico State, Colorado State, Norfolk State, Ohio University, St. Louis, Syracuse and Southern Mississippi would not have been in March Madness.

Jonas Salk never caught a pass. Albert Einstein never diagrammed a play (although I am sure he could) and yet, the way Scholarships are doled out to athletes one would think they were on track to make a major contribution to humanity. With Scholarships going to athletes whose eye is on a pro career and who after just one season might leave the school team after making a mark for pros to notice, the next Mark Zuckerberg who may need aid might be out of luck.

Therefore, I feel if these young athletes are looking for a career and selling their talents to a College, or University, they must, in a business fashion, sign a four-year contract. Should they void this contract and enter the pro ranks after one year, they would be penalized by having to pay the school back the total cost equivalent to what it would have taken for the University to have them graduate with a degree.

You might ask, "What if they are struggling to make ends meet and turning pro is an instant solution, why should you penalize them?"

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE!

 They should be punished since they used their presence on the school team as a display case for their talents. If they don't want this opportunity instead of taking a scholarship on what I consider false pretenses, then they should attempt to turn pro right out of High School.

As for the 50% graduation requirement, it brings me to the many letters I receive from readers.

 Recently, I received a note from an old friend Chuck Young, the former Chancellor of UCLA.  Chuck for years spent much time on NCAA committees trying to push for a National Football Championship similar to March Madness. 

Chuck pointed out to me, after reading my March Madness column that J.D. Morgan, UCLA Athletic Director at the time was instrumental along with Eddie Einhorn in putting together the Houston v. UCLA game I wrote about. It was a game that pitted two great four-year students and eventually great pros, Lew Alcindor and Elvin Hayes.

Chuck still advocates for a pure elimination-style National Football Championship.  Something, I also advocate.  However, if the NCAA implements their 50% rule, we would have a true championship based on the real principles of education.

This brings me to why I wanted to write this column in the first place.  As I said in my first paragraph, there is one Institute of Higher Learning that combines all the fundamentals of a

Academics and Sport.  It has more influence on American sports: amateur, collegiate, or pro than any other entity. It is the United States Sports Academy.

The vision of one man, Dr. Thomas Rosandich, the USSA now starts its 40^th year housed on a majestic campus located in the sleepy town of Daphne, Alabama. It is today the only freestanding accredited sport university in the Untied States. This year, the USSA will confer its 4000^th Master of Sport Degree.

In 1972, when The U.S. Olympic Team had a more than mediocre performance in the Munich Olympiad coupled with a devastating report commissioned to study what caused our failure, it prompted five men meeting in Milwaukee under the leadership of the visionary Dr. Rosandich to do something dramatic.

Working out of Advertising Executive Bob Block's donated Board Room, they recognized that the answer to improving skill levels of coaches and performance of athletes was better Sports Education. Thus, on April 22, 1972, the Academy was born.

It quickly became known around the world, as America's Graduate School of Science. It has grown into, "America's Sports University".  Offering Bachelor's, Masters and Doctoral degree programs.  Thousands have benefitted from its program and the Academy has had a profound impact of sports in this country. It is a fact that over 75% of its graduates works in the Sports Profession.  ... Quite an achievement for just 40 years of growth!

The curriculum covers the entire gamut of sports... everything - Coaching, Fitness and Health. Business and Management as well as the overall study of Sports. At the Academy, the emphasis is on fair play and success by personal achievement.  Unlike the Super Bowl New Orleans, Saints, USSA graduates carry the meaning of sportsmanship toward victory as their prime banner.

Over the 40 years, Universities and Colleges in 60 countries throughout the world have joined with USSA and implemented the Academy curriculum into their own programs. A shining example of American Achievement through Sport, the USSA is a welcome visitor wherever it plants its banner.

Isn't it wonderful, in a Sports World damaged by constant scandals, there is the USSA and its shining light?

I love listening and even singing the Baseball National Anthem, "Take me out to the Ball Game".  Teams everywhere have incorporated it into the fixture of the game in the middle of the seventh inning. To me, however, they forgot an important declaration in the lyrics where they only say, "Buy me some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks".

That represents a good thing to do at the Ball Park. But to me, any game I attend is incomplete unless I have at least one Hot Dog, maybe two.

The other day I was talking to my friend Stan Fridstein who has written a terrific book "Going Yard". It describes the adventures of he and his son Eric visiting every Ball Yard. As part of it, he talks about the pleasures of Hot Dog eating on a bright sunny day with the green manicured grass and the left and right field over 350 feet away from Home Plate. It's a glorious feeling to be alive and sharing with your son.

Here, he and I differ!  He claims the best Hot Dogs are in Cincinnati.  Along with my son Steven, I, too, have visited a great number of Parks on pleasure, not work excursions. We feel that the Dog served in Chicago's Commiskey Park is without parallel.

So I got to thinking, I asked others where their favorite Dog was.  The answers were varied. Many said they had no favorite, but liked them all. As you may have guessed, most of them were unanimous in saying although not a Ballpark comestible, Costco had the best dog.

As a result, I called on research as well as personal decisions I had made in the past to see if I could get to the bottom of this mystery.  Here's what I learned. The wieners (another name for Hot Dog) are prepared many different ways... boiled, grilled, fried, steamed, broiled, baked or microwaved.

I have tried them every way! In fact, when I was at the Forum (former home of the Lakers and Kings) in 1971, it was my task to change the Hot Dog Brand, which was not selling well.  I scoured Los Angeles to see what might be the best fit.  You could find me at Pink's, The Wiener Schnitzel, The Hot Dog Shack, Dodger Stadium, Flooky's, Cupid's and The Hot Dog Show, constantly tasting their wares.  Of course, I had a bottle of Alka Seltzer at the ready.

When I made my selection, I presented it to the Forum Board .We sampled them every known way of cooking.  In fact, in my own house, there is a constant battle.  I like it one way and Susan plus her friend Marlana like them both grilled and burned.  Guess who wins?

So what is all the fuss about? It is about a delicacy whose history is well disputed. Some people believe it functions as a sandwich invented by the 4^th Earl of Sandwich in 1762. Others say it all began in Frankfurt, Germany where Pork Sausages served in a Bun similar to Hot Dog Buns originated, thus the name Frankfurter.

Around 1870, on Coney Island, German Immigrant Charles Feltman began selling sausages in a roll.  I don't really care where it was invented, all I know it is as much a fixture of Baseball Stadiums as the bleachers. Pennants, scoreboards and organ music.

My friend Nino Cristofoli entered the fray and asked what about the Bun. Well sir, the invention of the Bun is credited to a wife of a German immigrant named Antonine Feuchtwanger, who originally sold Hot Dogs on the streets of Saint Louis.

In 1890,because of the heat generated by the Dogs, he gave his customers white gloves to hold the Dogs so they could eat without burning their hands.  As the white gloves kept disappearing, Mrs. F decided to bake Buns to replace the white gloves.

Since then, the Bun has become equally important. Hot Dog Buns are essentially a light and fluffy bread baked in specially formed baking pans that allow for a specific shape.

Hot Dogs at ballparks began as early as 1893 when the then owner of the St. Louis Browns put them in his concessions. Harry M. Stevens Inc founded in 1889 had already served many major sports venues became the first purveyor and became known as "the King of Sports Concessions in the US... having a monopoly for years at all Ballparks.

IN 1916, an employee of Feltman, Nathan Handwerker was encouraged by celebrity clients Eddie Cantor and Jimmy Durante to go into competition with his boss out in Long Island.  He started by charging 5 cents a dog while his former boss was charging 10 cents.  He opened a place on Long Island and now, on July 4^th of every year, his success is showcased to the world.  He expanded and today, Nathan's Hot Dogs are sold worldwide in Sports Venues.

In case you didn't know, there are two basic types of Buns.  In New England, they are top loaded and called either Frankfurter rolls or New England-style rolls In the rest of the country, side-loading rolls are common, and they are called American Style Buns.

Okay, enough of the history let's get down to the eating.

The dog that Stan and Eric enjoy the most is in Cincinnati. What makes it unique is its distinctive chili topping. This chili is spiced chili powder paprika, nutmeg, chocolate and cinnamon.  It is a Vienna Beef Frank, which in addition to the chili has mild cheddar, diced onions, and Ohio's own Bertman Mustard considered by many fans to be the US finest stadium mustard.

In Los Angeles, the pork Frankfurter by Farmer John is served steamed on a foot-long Bun with mustard and relish.  It doesn't rank in the top ten in  "Hot Dogs As America."

The Fenway Frank is both boiled and grilled Fenway-Style.  It is served on a New England-Style Bun and covered with Mustard and relish.  I grew up with this one, but it is not my favorite.

The Milwaukee Brat, is really not a Hot Dog, but a Bratwurst. The Brewers' sausage is considered one of the country's best. It has both Pork and Beef, is dipped in a Secret Stadium Sauce then served on a crusty roll topped with sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard.

In Texas, the Corn Dog invented in 1942 is a fan favorite. Dipped in a corn batter and fried crisp, it is served with honey mustard and coleslaw.

The Orioles have a brand new pit beef and pepperoni topped Birdland Dog. Meat toppings have become the rage. Dogs are being topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce drowned brisket or cheesesteak meat, most of which are also wrapped in bacon and possibly Fritos. 

Many of these dogs are available on gluten-free Buns.

Regional confusion seems to be a trend. California Cheesesteak Dogs are in Arizona, Chicago Dogs in New York etc.  Many stadiums offer some variety of Mexican Hot Dogs from uber-authentic Sonoran Dogs to ridiculous hot dog nachos.

Steve and I personally like the dogs we got in Chicago's Commiskey Park.  Others prefer Pollock Johnny's in Camden Yards, Ben's Chili in Nationals Park, the Hot Dog Torta that the Mariner's feature is also a favorite.

Did I prove anything?  No! But I pointed out that there are as many different dog styles and toppings and opinions as there are stadiums.

What is your favorite?

            In my last column, I wrote about how the actual players were not the only ones who trained for the season.  I talked about the mascots and although I receive a great deal of mail after each column, this last column was on overload.

Among the people who wrote to me was Bob Perlberg.  He called attention to an Al Schact- like character named "Batting Stance Guy'." So, I did research on him.

Here's what I found out.  His act is called the "Least Marketable Act in America, but not really!  He has perfected the art of copying various Major League and Minor League stances in a humorous fashion.

He has mimicked players such as Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez. Eddie Murray, Evan Longoria and Andre Beltre to mention a few.  Teams look on him as a good luck charm and invite him into their locker rooms.

But over the years, Baseball Clowns have been a staple. When my friend, the late Stan Greeson was President of the Harlem Globetrotters, he pointed out that Reece "Goose"Tatum then the Clown Prince of Basketball before Meadowlark Lemon, would rather have played Baseball, his favorite sport other than Basketball.  In fact, before the Globetrotters, he had signed with the Memphis Red Sox in the old Negro Leagues. Although a talented first baseman, he made his mark by clowning around with opposing players and thus a legend was born.  They said he was so limber that he looked as if he had no joints.

In the Negro Leagues, even though they had great ballplayers and the games were always competitive, by it were the side attractions that brought in the crowds. The name of the game was fun!  As a result, entire teams such as the Indianapolis clowns although loaded with talent, not unlike Basketball's Globetrotters, used a menu of different antics to insure as few empty seats as possible.

Entertaining the fans at a ballpark with activities other than the game itself has long been a part of Baseball. Many years before the Philly Phanatic made his appearance, Baseball clowns were hired to entertain crowds before games and between innings. The owners wanted the fans to have a good time even if the home team was getting beat badly.

A mediocre player named "Germany" Schaefer back in 1912 was considered the first practitioner of the art form.  He made impromptu speeches to the spectators, wild imitation of Umpires' play calling and often walked the baselines as if they were tight ropes.

Any story about mascots, clowns and preparation for the game would be incomplete without talking about Jackie Price. His repertoire was multifaceted and varied. Unlike others who relied on comic routines to draw laughs, Price used his outstanding baseball skills to delight fans.

One of Price's most famous tricks was to hang upside down and take batting practice for 15 minutes or more. Batting either right, or left-handed Price could hit fastballs from opposing pitchers while being suspended by his ankles from the backstop or a pole.

In another trick, he would shoot a Baseball out of an air gun and then jumping into a Jeep and speeding into the outfield to catch the quickly descending orb.

Over the years, many of the Baseball Mascots have had Dance-offs and fights to the delight of the fans.  One that had a surprising ending was when the Triple-A Reno Aces, an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate played an exhibition with the University of Nevada. The Aces Mascot Archie and the U of N Mascot Wolfie danced on top of the dugout for the fans.  Wolfie started the dance atop the dugout; one misstep saw him finish the dance inside the dugout.

Sid Silver wrote how much he enjoyed working on The Chicken and the Cheerleaders Pilot bringing to mind that Chicken was always in trouble with opposing teams wherever he went. Not only did he have dance-offs and battles with the famous Barney of PBS fame, but also he was forever being attacked for his antics by opposing teams... sometimes en masse. In fact, he set the Unofficial Major League for ejection from games by Umpires.

Fred Gasser commented that there must be spring training for fans as well...Hmm? So I consulted my pal, Jerry Berger, the Budweiser man and together he helped me study fan seasonal preparation.

It all begins at the local Sports Bar where the veterans meet.  Since the season is young they start with a pitcher of beer, roughly 32-40 ounces.  Each one has to work up to more beer consumption as the season progresses.

When rookies join them, they are placed in the back tables away from the TV Sets until they prove they can earn the right to get up close with the veterans.  Their initiation is very simple. Immediately, to show their capability, they must chug-a-lug at least one pitcher.

When they pass that initiation, in order to get a place in the rotation, they must on the first day, in the course of a game be able to consume at least two more pitchers before the seventh inning... and those pitchers, have to be hoisted at least one with each hand. This will show if they are really serious on making the Sports Bar team.  It will also show what kind of shape they kept in during the off-season.

By the way, there are no "Shortstops" on the Sports Bar Team.  When a waitress, or Bartender acknowledges an order, it must be delivered to the fan requesting the call. Any derelict movement, or "Shortstop" by the Rookie, on the way to its appointed destination can result in immediate banishment to the Minors

That's the physical part, but the initiation also has a mental side.  They must be prepared to have an opinion and be ready to discuss various facets of the game.  For example, they must be capable of yelling at the manager, or the umpire on the screen when they disagree with a move, or a call. They cannot be shrinking violets.

As the season progresses, they are required to eat an ample quantity of Hot Dogs, (not like Nathans on the fourth of July), so many slabs of Pizza at each game and to show they really know their stuff, they can't forget Buffalo Chicken Wings.

Any fan that rests and starts drinking  from glasses instead of pitchers is usually sent to the dugout, or down the street to a Minor League Sports Bar. The veterans show no mercy!

If they are real fans and have finally made the team when entering the Sports Bar, they must display their team colors.  Like my friend Bob Klingensmith who would not be caught dead without his Pittsburgh Colors.

Caps, T-Shirts and Sweatshirts are okay.  A banner is not acceptable.  The veterans look on that as a cop-out. Since if the game were not going the rookie's way, the rookie would have the option of folding the banner and hiding it. Such a maneuver is considered "Bush League."

Also, a real fan has to be prepared to back up his statements and if his words are challenged he cannot be afraid to reach in his pocket, pulling out some crinkly green paper ... never coins and slapping down in front of his adversary.

 A true fan and believer is one that has perfected the single motion move during the off-season ... reaching into his pocket and without breaking stride, placing the instrument of his challenge in front of the disbeliever, or doubter.

The preferred off-season exercise is "Bending the Elbow."

So I say, "Play ball."... and oh yeah!  "Bottoms Up."