Ramble On

Since my last two blogs have been of a more personal nature, I thought I had better change things up this time. At first I considered pulling something out of the Koos Vault or doing a 400 Club blast. I even thought about writing a new tale from my days at American Air Filter. Then I was reminded that tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and that the Green Bay Packers were not participating. Thanks, Patty. This prompted me to write a column of inane blathering. So please read on, as I ramble on.

Even though the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs on January 15, the NFL is insisting on playing the Super Bowl. Though I couldn’t care less who wins the game, I will be watching.

Intently.

Yes, I will be glued to the set from the moment Kelly Clarkson finishes singing the word “brave”. While I don’t care which team wins, I definitely have a rooting interest. I have invested a few shekels in a playoff pool and need Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw and Wes Welker to have big games.

Should that trio of players do well tomorrow night; I stand to finish “in the money”. The top four places pay off and I am currently in third place. Of course we are talking about “for entertainment purposes only”. It’s all for fun. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Yes, it’s all about the numbers. A friend of mine, who just happens to be a Bear fan, will be watching and rooting for these numbers: 4 and 8, 1 and 9, 8 and 7, and 6 and 2. Those are her numbers on the pool she is in – again, “for entertainment purposes only”.

So while she roots for those combinations to come up during the big game tomorrow night, I will be pulling for 10, 44 and 83 to shine. Why those numbers, you ask? Those are the uniform numbers of Manning, Bradshaw and Welker. You are welcome to root along with me for all of these numbers.

Numbers. That reminds me of something I am cursed with. I will elaborate as I continue to ramble on.

I am cursed with the unusual ability to recall an athlete’s uniform number. That is, as long as I can visualize the player in my mind. And I’m not just talking about current competitors.

For example – 50, 23, 14, 17, 4, 19, 24, 20 and 22.

That is the starting lineup for the 1982 American League Milwaukee Brewers. I did that without looking it up. Honest. So that you don’t have to look it up, the players were: Pete Vuckovich, Ted Simmons, Cecil Cooper, Jim Gantner, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Ben Oglivie, Gorman Thomas and Charlie Moore.

Not impressed?  Here’s a tougher example: 86, 84, 81, 75, 64, 50, 63, 76, 15, 5, 31, 82, 74, 77, 87, 89, 66, 60, 26, 25, 24, 40 and 34.

Those numbers represent the offensive and defensive starters from the 1966 Super Bowl Champion Green Packers, complete with kicker. Once again, I promise, I did not look them up.

Here are the names that coincide with those numbers: Boyd Dowler, Carroll Dale, Marv Fleming, Forrest Gregg, Jerry Kramer, Billy Curry, Fuzzy Thurston, Bob Skoronski, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Lionel Aldridge, Henry Jordan, Ron Kostelnik, Willie Davis, Dave Robinson, Ray Nitschke, Lee Roy Caffey, Herb Adderley, Bob Jeter, Willie Wood, Tom Brown and Don Chandler.
 
Pretty cool, huh?

Speaking of Bart Starr, did you know that isn’t his real name? Oops, time for me to ramble on.

Here are the real names of some famous people.

Athletes:
Bart Starr, Packers – Bryan Bartlett Starr
A.J. Hawk, Packers – Aaron James Hawk
B.J. Raji, Packers – Busari J. Raji Jr.
Hulk Hogan – Terry Gene Bollea
Randy Hundley, Cubs – Cecil Randolph Hundley
Chipper Jones, Braves – Larry Wayne Jones
Pelé – Edison Arantes Do Nascimento
Tiger Woods – Eldrick Woods
Coco Crisp, Athletics – Covelli Loyce Crisp

Politicians:
Mitt Romney – Willard Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich – Newton Leroy McPherson

TV personalities:
Chumlee, Pawn Stars – Austin Powell
Fannie Flagg, Match Game – Patricia Neal
Alan Alda, M*A*S*H – Alphonso D’Abruzzo
Chuck Norris, Walker, Texas Ranger – Carlos Ray
Mr. T, The A-Team – Lawrence Tero

Movie Stars:
Michael Keaton – Michael Douglass
Bo Derek – Mary Cathleen Collins
Cary Grant – Archibald Leach
Rock Hudson – Roy Scherer Jr.
Raquel Welch – Raquel Tejada
John Wayne – Marion Michael Morrison

Musicians:
Alice Cooper – Vincent Furnier
Dean Martin – Dino Crocetti
Favor Flav – William Johnson Drayton Jr.
Freddie Mercury – Farrokh Bulsara
Gene Simmons – Chaim Witz
John Denver – Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.
Jon Bon Jovi – John Francis Bongiovi Jr.
Kid Rock – Robert James Ritchie
MC Hammer – Stanley Kirk Burrell
Meat Loaf – Marvin Lee Aday
Lady Gaga – Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

Okay, now that my head is all gaga, no more rambling. Oh wait; there is one last thing. Make sure you have February 15 marked on your calendars. That is the date for the premier of Survivor: One World, the 24th season of the award-winning reality show.

As an added bonus for all you Fellow Survivor Geeks, the Official Survivor Recap Trilogy returns by popular demand. That’s right, after some tough negotiations, Jamie and Mary Beth have agreed to join me for another season of the trilogy. You won’t want to miss it.

Now, that’s it. No more rambling. Until next time…from the booth.