Well it seems i'm losin' friends and associates at a rapid pace.George Carlin was special and in my life since the early 90's when i was immersed in  the Las Vegas entertainment community. He was a fixture at Bally's and i was a permanent fixture at The Aladdin.

It was a time in Vegas that no longer exists late nite saloons and lounges where the stars mingled, drank ,laughed amongst the promoters ,media and fans .I got to know Carlin and truthfully can say .he had the quickest wit and mind of anyone i had ever met.

.The more he drank the funnier he got . He was from New York and grew up in the fifties and believe me he had a passion for New York sports and could rattle off all the old Brooklyn Dodgers along with the Yanks.Knicks and Rangers.

He called the Knicks the Knickerbockers and the Mets the Metropolitans. He did it in a very funny but sophisticated way.

 His seven dirty words skit is not only a classic, but a social commentary on our lives in America . HIS HBO PROJECTS ARE CLASSICS AND HE HAS OVER 20 CD'S OF MONUMENTAL WORK FOR THE AGES.

Since this is a sports blog I would like to get George in your head by quoting his sports routine verbatum.

"There are only three sports:baseball,basketball and football everything else is either a game or activity."

What about soccer?

Anything where you can't use your arms can't be a sport."

Running ?

Running isn't a sport because anybody can do it. my mother can run."

Hockey is three activities taking place at the same time; ice skating,fooling around with a puck and beating the (expletive) out of somebody.If these guys had more brains than teeth,they'd do these things one at a time."

"Another reason why hockey isn't a sport is that it is not played with a ball .Anything not played with a ball can't be a sport.. The only other place you'll find a puck is in the urinal to control the smell in the bathroom."

Swimming.?"

Swimming is a way to keep from drowning"

Boxing?

Boxing is a way to beat the (expletive ) out of someone"

Golf?

"Golf is a game that might possibly be fun if it could be played alone.But its the vacuous, striving .male bonding joiners one has to associate with that makes it such a repulsive pastime."

There are many more sports quotes that he rendered , but my favorite was his hunting shot....

Hunting?

"You think hunting is a sport? Ask the deer."

POINT BEING HE WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A SOCIAL COMMENTATOR  extraordinaire AGREE OR NOT AGREE HE MADE YOU THINK IF YOU HAD THE BRAINS TO LISTEN..HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF THE SO-CALLED POLITICALLY CORRECT THINKERS . HE KNEW DEEP DOWN ALL THEY DO IS DIVIDE AND MAKE BAD BEHAVIOR AND SULLEN LIFE STYLES ACCEPTABLE AND FAIRY TALES A WAY OF LIFE .

FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS AND IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF CARLIN ... PLEASE DO ...YOU MAY COME OUT A BETTER PERSON

FARE THEE WELL GEORGE CARLIN ...YOR BODY OF WORK WILL BE DEBATED AND ENJOYED UNTIL THE END OF TIME .....THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES....

POSTSCRIPT; HIS LAST PERFORMANCE WAS AT MY LOCAL HANG-OUT THE ORLEANS IN LAS VEGAS .MARGARET AND I GAVE MY TICKETS TO HER NIECE AND HUSBAND ...IN FROM PHOENIX. WE BABY SAT THEIR LITTLE GIRL CECELIA . I  FELT GOOD WHEN THEY GOT BACK AND TOLD US THANKS AND THEY WERE NOW FANS. HE WOULD OF LIKED THAT HE WAS REACHING OUT TO A NEW GENERATION.

I was as shocked as most of the the USA when Tim  Russert died last week of an apparent heart attack.

Life seems to be cruel at times and for this great country to lose Tim  Russert 's voice at a relatively young age is especially disturbing. The entire country mourned his death and the media types ,politicians and power brokers all paid their respects . It was like a who's who of the politico elite.

Enough has been said by the politicos some of whom are breathing easier .they wont have Tim astin' tough questions and demandin'  the truth.

His death was a bad beat for me.

BY CHANCE...we met on a trip to Washington DC i was laid over at Indianapols .I up graded to first class Lo and behold my new seat mate was Tim Russert .as always he was readin' and researchin'.  he looked up at me from drug strore readin' glasses and before he could say a word . i bellowed  "Ain't you Big Russ's kid?"  we laughed loud and long his face lit up like a Xmas tree when i told him i was from Hibbing, Mn. ...VIKING fan and a long time Las Vegan.

That's all we needed this guy was amazin'  for the next few hours we dissected all 8 super bowl losses .no politics . he went to my website and was kind ....He told me to go for it ...He had a way of opening you up . He ast a thousand questions ...i didn't dare not answerin' honestly ....He loved the BOSS (Bruce Springsteen). but was enamored with (Frank Sinatra ) and when he knew i knew THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD we were bonded .

His love of country, sports and family and his enthusiasm for the truth will be his legacy . but i cant but wonder how many lives he touched in a positive way. BY CHANCE... my life is better for meetin' him......THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

FARE THEE WELL TIM RUSSERT / GO BILLS........

POSTSCRIPT...my heart goes out to his family... To his son ...think of your dad often and listen for advice... there will be signs... his good soul will be ever present and with you always

 

Yes sports fans you are finally indulged with the crowning of a champion that is not your normal pedigree....

The Big 10 LEFT THE BIULDING ,as DID  Dukeless,... North Carolina is HISTO  as is the storied and overated UCLA. The only chance that the basketball establishment has is ever present Kansas ....their chance of beatin' the Tigers are slim and none.....Kansas is a very good basketball team a noble team with years of  banners and championships under their belt s .The Jayhawk fans in flyover country are avid and crazy ....for some their whole being ...for those people.... i will feel your pain ....

It was historic that Memphis buried UCLA at the Alamo-dome . Davey Crockett must be turnin' in his grave..i witnessed the best guard in the tourney , freshman.Derrick Rose .His quote will  be college and pro folklore . Rose said "we were just out their HOOPIN". if your HOOPIN" 'you got nothin' to worry about."  

ANY WHO , the Tigers Johnny Cal is an underrated coach who has never been given his due by the conservative basketball world .... he is not an outcast but not an insider ....Memphis is by far the superior team in all categories ....they could actually beat many NBA squads

the line is pick-em which means whoever wins ... in my book it's a steal . I would of put the line ... Memphis -6 ...they should go HOOPIN' and win this National Championship by double digits on Monday Nite.......EASY MONEY......

BACK UP THE TRUCK... MEMPHIS 84... KANSAS 73

IT started a long time ago, yesterday to me...WOW!...What a journey.

Pete's dream ...Lombardi's Packers... McGee went stepin' out... the football angels made the Texan a legend... arm extended crossin' the field. it's Starr to McGee... Star to McGee... TD...TD...

 Broaway Joe...Colts lease...Stram's piece...fish squared 16&0..Fran scrambles, the old trapper glares and nobody cares...

Steelers win,win, win, win...Bradshaw to Swan down the lawn...Joe was mean and Franco clean...

Al says, "just win baby"... The Raiduuuzz...

Another Joe's time to shine... its Joe to Clark..., then Rice in the park..., five rings make Kings...

Hail to the Redskins...How bout them Hogs...

DA BEARS...

Tuna does Gotham... L.T.KEPT IT ON THE Q.T...

ROD SERLING ( TWILIGHT ZONE ) SPOTTED DRIVIN' A BUS WITH LARGE EIGHT BALLS PAINTED ON ITS SIDES ...FULL OF MINNEAPOLITONS AND BUFFALONIANS GOING SOMEWHERE BUT HEADIN' NOWHERE...

The Boyz talked the talk, and walked the walk. Troy,Emmett and Michael stood tall that's all...

Three QB'S came to play to be part of history this day... they made their bones these three clones... Young , Farve , and Elway... they all stood tall and will be in the hall...

Those nasty birds with a man named RAY scared everyone that day...

We cheered and cried with Vermeil and arena Curt side by side ...

HEEEERE'S CHUCKIE....TOOK TONY'S TEAM UPSTREAM AND FULFILED HIS DREAM...

The Brady Bunch got three rings in four years ...losers got tears....

ALL TEAMS GET MENTIONED ...THESE DITTOS WERE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION...

                                     LOST AND FOUND ON THE GROUND

BOOK OF MORAL... NAVY JACKET...LANDRY HAT... SNAKE OIL,...  POLISH RIFLE,... FERRAGAMO SHOES... MARINO GLOVES... BOOM BOX... CAN OF JAKE GUMBO,.... HUMPTY DUMPTY...  STUFFED EAGLE...   MATTHEW'S MOMMY'S PICTURE,... AN OLD BUS... A PRE-HISTORIC CHIN...  XL TEDDY BEAR,... ARCHIE'S DIARY.....PEYTON FINDS A BATON PASSES IT TO ELI, ...BRADY SEARCHING FOR THE 4TH RING ... THE SPY FINDS HIS CAMERA ....

GIANTS VS PATS TOUGH TO CALL.. ITS A PUBLIC GAME AND MIGHT BE A SHAME.. THIS CAT WILL PARTY HEARTY AND PLAY A FEW OF THE PROPOSITION BETS...GOOD LUCK ...STAY SAFE....BET ONLY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE ....

 

 

 

  Pete Rose is in Las Vegas from time to time signin' stuff at the "Field of Dreams."..for those who truely believe he belongs in the hall please sign this petition and if you want  leave a positive comment . i dont care your pen name and avatar are okay ....

 I WILL PERSONALLY HAND OVER THE FOX  BLOGGERS PETITION TO PETE , AS WELL AS SENDING A COPY TO MLB AND   bud selig    HIS - SELF...

Its your chance to say hello"Charlie Hustle" and to give support  to the all time hits leader...

FOX BLOGGERS UNITE... SIGN PETITION... PETE ROSE FOR HALL OF FAME...

YOUR COMMENTS AND AVATER ARE GOOD ENOUGH . I NEED AT LEAST 100 COMMENTS.... LETS WORK TOGETHER..I  KNOW PETE WHEN HE SEES THIS TYPE OF SUPPORT . WILL GO OVER EACH AND EVERY COMMENT WITH HUMBLE  EMOTION ....  YOUR COMMENT IS YOUR SIGNATURE...... THANKS, T. V......

 

 

 

Yes sportsfans i like Da Chargers today. I just left the Orleans Sports Book in Las Vegas the line was Pats - 141/2  I bet Da Chargers .. here's why ....

+ 141/2   really means in all probability New England must win by 3 touchdowns...

LT not 100%....as good as he is, Tomlinson can be replaced....San Diego has impressive depth at running back with Michael "Burner" Turner he's so good team owner Spanos paid him 2.5 million to sit on the bench.,throw in Darren Sproles and the running game is advantage da Chargers...

Hopefully Rivers will sit on the bench... Billy Volek could start on 1/2 of the NFL teams . the genius Titan head coach Jeff Fisher  told Billy, " i'm playin' vince young .. your trade bait."

Chargers WR Chris Chambers has really emerged as a terrific postseason WR with 9 catches , a 20.9 -yard average and 1 td....Antonio Bates is ready to play...

ICY  road to trhe Super Bowl....not really... a windy road will favor Da Chargers . Brady needs to be accurate throwing the ball to his cadre of recevers .they are predicting windchill between 11 and 16 degrees ... but the killer for New England and Brady is the gusting winds ... lookin' at between 14 and 20 mph .. advatage Da Chargers...

Da Chargers have the most underated defense in the NFL they will come at Brady like they did at Indy....turnovers will be key..

Da Chargers play ....run the ball and stop the run ...that will keep Brady off the field  and wind or no wind is key...no Brady no scoring...

I Iook for the Chargers to cover in this game and an UPSET would not surprise me ....lay +141/2 on Da Chargers ...

Postsrcript:: if there is a New England blow- out , I  for one will endorse this team as argueably the best ever .. good luck and good fortune ....

 

 

YES SPORTS FANS, THIS IS AMERICA AND ITS CALLED THE BLAME GAME ...VINCE YOUNG WHOM I HAVE WRITTEN GREAT THINGS WHEN HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING TEXAS QB .. HAS STRUGGLED TO LEARN THE PLAYS AND READ THE DEFENSES. ITS OBVIOUS THAT HIS MECHANICS ARE POOR ....SAME AS MY GOLF SWING..

HE WAS PAID BIG MONEY WHILE THE MAJORITY OF HIS TEAMATES ARE PLAYIN' AROUND MINIMUM..... HIS SUPPORTING CAST IS PLENTY GOOD ... VINCE GOT A FREE PASS THIS YEAR HOPEFULLY HE'LL BE ABLE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE GAME AND PUT OUT AN ALL-OUT EFFORT IN THE OFF SEASON ...

NORM CHOW IS A VERY GOOD OFFENSIVE CO-ORDINATER HE WILL GET A GOOD JOB AND DO WELL.  HE HAD GREAT LINE AND RB PLAY .. THE TITANS HAD A GREAT DEFENSE. YOU GO FIGURE WHERE THE WEAK LINK IS.....

COACH JEFF FISCHER THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU THREW A FRIEND  UNDER THE BUS ... STEVE MCNAIR IN HIS PRIME,  WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE WARRIORS AND YOU #### ON HIM TOO

COACH I'LL BE WATCHIN' YOU....

Its amazing that certain media types fail to get the message concerning coaching and playin' all out a game at a time for 16 straight weeks .

1....They owe it to the fans and season ticket holders ...

2...The game is so fast that it takes your breath away..... timing is everything... it was obvious that Indy, Tampa bay and Dallas took the last month off and they went from the penthouse to the outhouse.

3... You get hurt more often when your not playing all out.....

4.... The reason they have 40 men on the roster is to fill in for the injured person ,and in most cases ceptin' qb and a monster defensive player the elite teams drafted well enough to proceed with the game ...its an equal playin' field for all teams... Turner the Burner , who can out play LT between the tackles.IS A FINE EXAMPLE AND ITS WHY SPANOS PAYED HIM 2.5 MILLION.

5...Final results are in all 4 playoff survivors played all out ... and to me that means a lot..THEIR FANS AND SEASON TICKET HOLDERS DID NOT GET CHEATED.....

 

 

  IT WAS THE FALL OF 1955 AND THE  LEAVES OF THE MAPLE TREES MADE FOR A COLORFUL COUNTRYSIDE.... BACK THEN YOU  WERE EITHER A YANKEE OR DODGER FAN ...THE TV'S WERE SNOWY .... EXCITEMENT PERMIATED THROUGH OUT THE COMMUNITY ...CHURCHBELLS RANG ....IT WAS THE 7TH GAME....  IT WAS DA BEST OF TIMES....

 I was a Yankee and bled that navy blue. Mickey Mantle had GOD like status .the startin' pitcher for da Dodgers was 23 year old Johnny Podres .it was the 7th game of the World Series. THE POD  wasn't even close to bein' the star of the team .they had guys like Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese. Roy Campanella.Gil Hodges and Junior Gilliam.  The star pitcher's were Big Don Newcombe and Carl Erskine this powerful team in later years was memorialized as the Boys of Summer .

On October 4th 1955 , a sunny breath taken' day in northern Minnesota, i did the unthinkable . At 8 years old i booked da dodgers to beat my heroes from Gotham. the kids on the block took my bait and got their quarters together and put them on the Bronx Bombers. not a bad choice since the Dodgers never won a World Series. and the last 5 loses where at the hands of da Yankees.

My change of heart was an interview prior to the game with  Hall of Fame pitcher and TV commentator  Dizzy Dean he said,  "the Pod tole his teammates i only will need one run."    POD got 2 and the Brooklyn, Dodgers went from the out house to da penthouse.... they win 2-0 and the Pod is named most valuable player.ironically 22 players, coaches,managers and club officials from both teams  would go on to the Hall of Fame but not the Pod.

As the autumn shadows approached  home plate in Yankee stadium he went from curves and change-ups ,to live fast balls. he stopped the Yanks and retired them in order in the ninth... he threw an 8 hitter . i collected my money . and learned a valuable lesson don't bet with your heart. ( I break that promise to myself from time to time with the Minnesota Vikings )

in any event at 1:43 pm Hibbing, MN.  time ... the Pod and his gang broke open the champagne and celebrated Brooklyn's one and only World Series...he retired in 1969 at age 36 with a life time record of 148-116...t.he lefthander threw a beautiful game on a storied day in Yankee Stadium . A day for the ages ....thanks for the memories....you done good...fare thee well Johnny Podres ...dead at 75 ...fare thee well ....

YES sports fans lon Kruger took our runnin' rebels to the sweet 16 and the program has turned ,an headin' north...but more important he and his wife Barb  have extended their time,hearts and pocketbook to the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. in a place called safe place.

Can you even imagine that there are thousands of homeless children roamin' sin city . the bright lights of the strip must seem like greenstreet to these unfortunates who spend scary days and nights on meanstreet .

Coach Kruger and wife barb are tryin' to turn this problem around and make it a reality... i coined the program ...

      STREET KIDS RESCUE

ya Las Vegas style....

Today marks the basketball tourney   "duel in the desert"  at the Thomas & Mack center.IN VEGAS  i'll be at the game between the Minnesota Gophers and UNLV on sunday with my cousin Jim Whitmas . he's from Minnesota's Iron Range... the AD at Minny is his high school class-mate  Joel Maturi from Chisholm. He did a great hire by bringin' in Tubby Smith...  i'm from Hibbing and this gumba will not be cheerin; for my homeboys,  but for my adopted town and team ...ceptin' i look at Kruger different now ... and i'll lay ya 10 to one he gots some kids in the buidin' who usta live on Meanstreet , Nevada .....

PostScript;  special thanks to Ed Graney for bringin' this issue to my attention...he can be reached at edgraney@reviewjournal.com

for info on the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth call 866/827/3723..

get to know me at www.tigervidmar.info

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE NEW YEAR..... SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TROOPS OF ALL FAITHS DEFENDING THIS GREAT COUNTRY, AND YES GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU....

  Commish i know you felt it was important to do something about the drug issues in your sport. ,unfortunatley the Mitchell Report is a weak document with no substance . The majority of the work  was public knowledge and could of been compiled by a handful of interns from any college in this great country.The names published are  a joke as were the credibility of your snitches .The 27 million blown to conduct this witch hunt is a travesty and  insult to the baseball public.. a certified audit should be conducted and the appropiate action from your office should be taken. Gettin' Congress involved is another bone head move ,.they have a lot of stuff to get right and spending time and more money is foolish at best

Havin' said all that i would like to commend you on at least trying to do somethin' about this issue , which is much more complicated then people think.

The PR move of the century ,for yourself,baseball and this country would be to re-instate Pete Rose....he done the crime but did the time, and i think 18 years for bettin' on his own team is a long enough sentence.   The issues and problems we have in the great pastime called Major League Baseball.far exceed anything concerning Pete Rose.

Pete Rose played like no other baseball star in the history of your sport. Charlie Hustle gave his body and soul to the game and his all-time hits record was achieved without any performance enhancing substances. His record will never be broken.

That's right Mr. Commish you have a chance to make things right and the timing is perfect the baseball buyin' public needs a feel good story . Pete Rose's reinstament would be your legacy... Not the Commish who played the fiddle while the drugs ran wild ,nor the dude who blew 27 million on A nothin'   REPORT   ... the choice is yours .

Mr. Bud Selig time for you to Man-up... Pete Rose has paid da pi[per...

 

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS FACE THE RIVAL BEARS OF DA WINDY CITY TONITE AT THE METRODOME IN DOWNTOWN  MINNEAPOLIS...THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER'S VIKS WITH TOMMY KRAMER GUNSLINGIN' AGAINST MCMAHON AND DITKA BEIN' THE FOCAL POINT..... NOT EVEN YOUR GRAND DAD'S TEAM WITH 4 SUPER BOWL LOSES AND MEMORIES OF THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATERS WITH FRAN AND BUD GRANT LEADIN' DA CHARGE ... NO THIS IS A NEW ERA .... THIS IS BRAD CHILDRESS' TEAM....

YES PURPLE BLEEDERS THE SAME COACH I BEEN BAD MOUTHIN' FOR 2 YEARS . THE TRUTH IS I WAS OUT OF LINE . THIS GUY HAS PROVEN TO ME THAT HE HAS THE ABILITY AND PATIENCE TO MAKE IT TIN THIS LEAGUE. WHAT TURNED AROUND FOR ME IS WHEN ADRIAN PETERSON, KNOWN NOW FOREVER AS AD  (ALL DAY) STARTED DOIN' HIS THING ...AT THAT TIME THE MEDIA LOVE AFFAIR BECAME FRENZIED . TO MY SURPRISE COACH BRAD DIDN'T PANIC AND THROW CHESTER TAYLOR UNDER THE BUS ...HENCEFORTH THIS TANDEM AT RUNNIN' BACK GIVES THE VIKS A FORMIDABLE RUNNIN' GAME, BUT TO ME THE SIVER LINING WAS THE FACT THAT HE SHOWED LOYALTY AND PATIENCE . HE DID THE SAME WITH TARVARIS JACKSON WHO HE IS CAREFULLY GROOMIN' TO BE A FUTURE STAR .... IT'S PAYIN' OFF.....

THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THEY CALL THE SECOND SEASON ... MY POINT IS THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER  IF THEY EVEN GET TO THE PLAY OFFS... SURE IT WOULD BE NICE, BUT THE FACTS ARE THIS TEAM IS BEING RE-BUILT AND UNDERWAY . IN THE YEARS TO COME THE VIKINGS WILL ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AS DA TEAM TO BEAT ... MAYBE EVEN ELITE STATUS..

WOW !!! BADA-BING MERLIN... DO DA VIKS GOT A CHANCE TO GO TO DA BIG GAME ??? UNFORTUNATLEY YES THEY DO ....DALLAS HAS TURNED OUT TO BE SUSPECT AS SEATTLE 'AND TAMPA WHO??? ... HOLY COW CHEESES-HEADS YOU MIGHT BE SEEIN' DA VIKS ON DA FROZEN TUNDRA AND FAVRE IS DUE FOR A BAD GAME .... NO NO NO .. WAKE-UP TIGRITO WHAT YOU PRAY FOR COULD COME TRUE ..... VIKINGS WIN ... VIKINGS WIN ... VIKINGS WIN NFC CHAMPIONSHIP.... HEADIN' FOR DA SUPER BOWL TO PLAY THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LAS VEGAS RADIO PERSONALITY AND HANDICAPPER SETS PRE-GAME LINE AT A RECORD -28 THE LARGEST SB LINE EVER ... VIDMAR IS ASKED WHO HE LIKES AND WHAT'S THE PREDICTED SCORE  VIDMAR SAYS, "SPORTSFANS I BLEED PURPLE , BUT I LAY THE POINTS AND MY FINAL SCORE  PREDICTION IS ...NEW ENGLAND 63 MINNESOTA 3.."...

LETS NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES DONT GO PRAYIN' TO ST' JUDE OR DA NEW GUY ST. EXPEDITE JUST YET...LETS JUST BE LOYAL AND PATIENT JUST LIKE DA COACH. .. YOU ALL ENJOY DA BIG GAME WITH DA BEARS ... ALSO THE REST OF THE SEASON AND SAY  HEY... I WISH YOU AND YOURS A BLESSED AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.....

 

 

 

 

 

   EXTRA EXTRA read all about it.... legendary boxing trainer big AL Lewis has passed away in las Vegas a town he help build .... yes sports fans for over 40 years big AL was involved in the mayhem and glory of the Vegas boxing world. his most notable warrior was the tough Irish kid Jerry Quarry . AL guided the game Quarry into a heavyweight contender.. HE  fought all of the notables in his era of the 70's and early 80's. to include Ali, Ken Norton and smokin' Joe Frazier.

   AL was the last of the Damon Runyon type characters who roamed the Las Vegas casino's and nightlife. He was a two fisted beer guzzling' great guy. who was always in a good mood and full of life . He enjoyed tellin' stories about his 40 years in boxing.. To the day he died his heart and soul was about people and sports . over the years i had the pleasure and honor to know this noble man, in fact over the last 10 years i saw him daily . he always wanted to know who Vinnie liked against the point spread. our hang-out was the Orleans. and Big Al was a permanent fixture at all the bars and da  sports book... he will always be remembered as the guy with the photos of himself with Jerry Quarry, Ali and Frazier. we would pump up crowds with our famous rendition of Howard Cosell's call on the Foreman vs. Frazier fight,........DOWN GOES FRAZIER...

   AL didn't have a lot of money but he was a wealthy man full of memories and good times.that he shared with friends and strangers. its rare you meet someone for the ages and that someone to me Is, Was and always will  be Big Al Lewis.

    FARE THEE WELL MY FRIEND ...BIG AL LEWIS...THANKS FOR THE GOOD TIMES ...

      DOES THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME AND I'M CONFUSED WHAT IS THE CRIME ? 30 YEARS ..... I DONT EVEN LIKE THE GUY ,BUT THIS INDICTMENT BOTHERS ME ...THE FEDS CAN BURY ANY ONE THEY CHOSE TO ... IT'S SCARY .... THEY GOTS HIM ON A PINNOCHIO.... HOPEFULLY A JURY OF HIS PEERS WILL SORT THIS AWEFUL THING OUT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND BASEBALL.........I FOR ONE FEEL HE DID AT ONE TIME USE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING PRODUCTS AND ITS WRONG ........, THERE WERE NO RULES UNTIL AFTER THE FACT...A JUDGE SIGNED THAT INDICTMENT AND WAS SURELY AWARE OF THE SEVERE SENTENCE GUIDELINES ... YES,  I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE PLEA BARGAIN SYSTEM ...THE FEDS WANT BLOOD AND A GUILTY PLEA .... MAYBE I'M GETTIN' SOFT BUT THIS WHOLE THING BOTHERS ME ......PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION THAT IS THE QUESTION...