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Items included in this column are things that I have heard, seen or have been reported to me. I cannot vouch for their veracity.

Which Minnesota Twin all-time great was such an all-around athlete that he had been recruited to play for the Harlem Globetrotters?

Keep reading.

As a kid, I can remember how excited I was when we (Minnesota) got our own Big-League baseball team. Harmon “Killer” Killebrew, Bob “Mr. America” Allison, Rich Rollins, Bernie Allen, Zoilo Versalles, Earl Battey, Camilo “Curveball” Pascual and Pedro “Gopher Ball” Ramos were larger than life. These guys were heroes to hundreds of thousands of kids.

We didn’t hear about contract disputes, wife beatings and rumors of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire shooting up with all kinds of illegal substances. When Harmon hit one of those towering flyballs that landed deep in the left center field seats, we knew it was because of that powerful, compact swing. When Bob Allison raced across the outfield grass at The Met and made a sliding catch, we knew it was because he was a good guy and a great player.

What do kids know today?

Every year we hear about some phenom who’s bound to be the next baseball superstar. I’m not sure who it will be this year, but the Twins have a 7’1” pitching prospect. Could he be this year’s unknown destined for stardom?

Drungo Hazewood

In addition to being a great name, Drungo Hazewood was a baseball player who was called up to the Baltimore Orioles in the early 1980’s. He was touted as the next Frank Robinson. His stay in “The Bigs” lasted six games. He played in two. He went 0 for 5, including four strikeouts.

Back to the Olympics

You may remember that, during the Olympics, Italian police were searching the Austrian ski team for, what we assumed were, banned substances. They initiated the searches after a coach who was banned, was spotted in the Turin area. After being apprehended in Switzerland, following a car chase through much of southcentral Europe, he explained his intentions. He said he infused the athletes’ blood with ultraviolet light to ward off colds and other diseases.

A woman in Churchill, Manitoba was watching a group of kids playing street hockey while she was walking home. She noticed a polar bear licking his chops at the sight of the kids. She approached the bear and kicked him. He swatted her out of the way. Local authorities took over and dispatched the bear, but they credited her with delaying the bear long enough to save the kids.

Things happen in threes...

I have a real good friend who’s 92 years young. I got real nervous when I heard that two well known 92-year olds had died. Ray Meyer, the fabled basketball coach from De Paul University died. He’d been around so long that he was Minneapolis Laker superstar George Mikan’s college coach. The next day, I heard that the last original member of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band had died. He was 92. Then, 92 year old Oleg Casini died. Just to be sure, I went over to check on my friend. He’s fine!

Three More! In a span of a few days, three of my favorite actors died. Everyone knew Don Knotts. His portrayal of Bernard P. “Barney” Fife is legendary. Thank goodness that the star of The Andy Griffith Show was smart enough to make Barney the comedic axis of the show. As originally scripted, Andy was supposed to be the funny one. I hope fans can obliterate Mr. Furley in “Three’s Company” from their memories.

Dennis Weaver also died. I never liked McCloud, but his “Chester,” the gimpy-legged deputy to Mr. Dillon was a classic. Don’t get confused, Ken Curtis, singer-turned- actor, played Festus Hagen in “Gunsmoke” after Chester departed. He always called Dillon “Matthew.” Weaver also starred as a motorist relentlessly pursued by a trucker in the 1971 Steven Spielberg made-for-TV movie, “Duel.”

The third dead thespian is Darren McGavin. In the old days, he played TV sleuth Mike Hammer. But, I remember him best as Carl Kolchak in the tongue-in-cheek creature feature “The Night Stalker.” And, who doesn’t remember McGavin as the foul-mouthed, “Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra singing” father in the holiday classic, “A Christmas Story.”

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The Kentucky Derby has been renamed. It will now be known as The Kentucky Derby Sponsored by Yum Brands.

I almost forgot! Earl Battey, who I remember being thrown out at first following a solid single to right, was recruited to be a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. I guess speed is not the most important skill necessary on the hardwood.

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That’s Golf. Australian Greg Owen was leading the Bay Hill Invitational last Sunday by two strokes on the 17th green. Faced with a 3-4 foot putt, he missed on the low side. He then rimmed the two-foot comebacker. On the 18th, he rimmed a 12 foot putt to lose to countryman Rod Pampling. It cost him $400,000.

You are invited to send interesting, unusual and/or humorous items that could possibly be used in this space. If you choose to do so, please send it to [email protected].

If you prefer, you may send it to

Chisago County Press

Attn: Dave

12631 Lake Blvd.

Lindstrom, Mn 55045

or, you may bring it in to the office.

Sports stuff would be great, but, please do not limit yourselves. Politics, religion, culture (pop or otherwise) are welcomed. Please do not feel offended if your contribution is not included.

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