What would sports be without colorful individuals saying the most outrageous things? There is a never ending list of one-liners, zingers, and downright awful comments out there. Some are anecdotal while others are just plain ridiculous.
Submitted for your approval, in no particular order, are some of the most fascinating things said by our favorite figures in sports.
Jim Mora (Coach; Indianapolis Colts): “Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I’m just hoping we can win a game, another game.”
After a 40-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Mora was exasperated. The Indianapolis Colts had fallen to a 4-6 record and his offense turned the ball over five times. In his post game press conference, Mora went on one of the most comical rampages ever captured on the camera. While he probably was not laughing at the time there is no question that Mora gave us one of sport’s most entertaining post game addresses ever.
Mike Milbury (General Manager; New York Islanders): “He’s depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot”
There will always be tense negotiations between general managers and agents. During the late1990’s, Milbury was under intense pressure by the Islanders brass to cut salary. Feeling stonewalled by Ziggy Palffy’s agent Paul Kraus, Milbury publicly uttered his famed quip. Palffy was soon traded to the Los Angeles Kings. The New York Islanders soon became an irrelevant shell of their former championship teams. Early Wynn: (Pitcher: Cleveland Indians)“Mother was a pretty good curve ball hitter”
How competitive was Early Wynn? When he coached the Minnesota Twins, long after his career had ended, Hall of Famer Rod Carew was quoted as saying Wynn would brush back batters if he got hit too hard during batting practice. The intolerant Wynn was feared on the mound known for throwing at batters on a whim. When asked if he would throw at his own mother, Wynn added he would throw at his grandmother, too, if she dug in against him.
Mike Tyson:(Boxing; Heavyweight champion)[He] called me a ‘rapist’ and a ‘recluse.’ I’m not a recluse.”
Iron Mike Tyson, former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, may have wanted to have this bizarre statement back. When asked to respond to a piece written about him in 2002, Tyson disputed he was a “recluse” but never refuted being a rapist. Some may question if Tyson knew the meaning of the word ‘recluse.’
Unknown: “He can speak seven languages, but he can’t hit in any of them.”
One of baseball’s most fascinating characters was Moe Berg. Known to be among the most charming and educated of players he frequently rubbed shoulders with socialites and was long-rumored to be a spy. The career back-up catcher had degrees from both Princeton and Columbia. He spoke seven languages fluently. He was coined by one of his coaches, Mike Gonzalez, as “good field, no hit.”
Bob Uecker as Harry Doyle(“Major League”): “Just a reminder, fans, comin’ up is our “Die-hard Night” here at the stadium. Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant.”
There is no better gut-busting baseball movie than 1989’s “Major League.” With a bevy of one liners, the film captured the funny side of baseball and he Cleveland Indians. Uecker, playing broadcaster Harry Doyle, stole the show.
Vince Lombardi:(Football; Green Bay Packers)“A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.”
A devout Catholic, member of the Knight of Columbus, and faithful attendee of daily mass, Vince Lombardi was rumored to have seriously considered the priesthood. Why didn’t he? Perhaps he felt character on the football field would better serve his talents than teaching high school.
Jack Dempsey: (Boxer; Heavyweight Champion)“A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.”
A ferocious and menacing competitor, Jack Dempsey ruled the heavyweight division from 1919 – 1926. Winning 62 contests in 84 professional bouts, Dempsey’s life was turmoil filled. Yet he lived to box. One of the ring’s all-time tough guys his last word’s before his passing in 1983 were, “I’m too mean to die.”
Jim Valvano:(Basketball; retired coach) “Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.”
No one shook the sports world in such a meaningful way as Jim Valvano did on March 3, 1993. Accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first ESPYs, he exclaimed, “don’t give up….don’t ever give up” when introducing the world to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Sadly he passed on April 28, 1993 at the age of 47.
Al Michaels: (Hockey; announcer) “Do you believe in miracles? YES!”
His journalistic touch and ‘matter of fact’ mannerisms in referencing the tensions between the United States and Soviet Union was a brilliant backdrop to the Miracle on Ice. However, his proclamation of victory as the U.S. went on to a 4-3 victory over the heavily favorite Soviets is pure sports broadcasting mastery.
