Frank Gifford and Buddy Baker passed this last week. Both made their mark in professional sports. Gifford was known to just about every American as the play-by-play man on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell, and “Dandy” Don Meredith. Frank Gifford was born on August 16, 1930 in Santa Monica. Calif. His dad was an oil driller and he had an older sister, Frances Gifford who was a Hollywood actress in the 1940s. He went to Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield Junior College before entering USC. Gifford started his gig with MNF at the start of the program’s second season in 1971. Gifford won an Emmy as Outstanding Sports Personality in 1977, much to the irritation of Cossell. They feuded and after 1982 they never spoke to each other off camera. In 1984 Al Michael took over as the play-by-play announcer and Gifford moved over to the color man’s spot. Gifford was with MNF until 1998 He covered a variety of sporting events and was a frequent talk show guest. He met his third wife Kathy Lee Gifford when he appeared as a guest on Good Morning America.
As a football player he played college ball for USC and pro ball for the New York Giants. At Southern Cal in his senior year of 1951, he moved from quarterback to halfback and ran for 841 yards on 195 caries for 7 touchdowns and was named a first team All-American.
In 1952 the New York Football Giants made Gifford their first round draft pick. Gifford played in the defensive backfield his first two seasons and in his second season, 1953, he was named to the Pro-Bowl as a safety. In 1954 the Giants’ offensive backfield Coach Vince Lombardi, remembering Gifford’s versatility, moved Gifford to the halfback spot on the offensive team. Frank Gifford became a sensation as a triple threat back who could run, catch, and throw the halfback option pass. He was named to six Pro Bowls as a running back and was a member of the Giants’ 1956 NFL Championship Team. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1956 and went on to appear in six NFL title games, including the 1958 game against the Baltimore Colts which many experts claim is the greatest professional football game ever played. Gifford played until 1960 when he was seriously injured in a divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He didn’t play during the 1961 season but came back for the Giants in 1962 as a flanker back (wideout). In 1963, as a part of the NFL Eastern Division Champions he was named to his eighth Pro Bowl as a flanker back, making him one of the very few players to be named to three different positions in the Pro Bowl. He retired from active play after the 1964 season. He was voted to the NFL Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio in 1977 and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
His Hollywood good looks got him a lot of work as a clothes model and commercial spokesperson during his football career. Being a famous athlete in New York City didn’t hurt either. He was New York City’s favorite pro football player until Joe Namath came along. After his football career was over he continued as a model and commercial actor. He appeared as a guest star in some TV shows and movies. He also did some radio sports broadcasts and did the color for the local CBS Radios broadcasts of Giants and Yankee games. In 1968 he signed a deal with a ABC Sports to be a color commentator on Wide World of Sports and College Football broadcast analyst. He even did Ivy League soccer and baseball. In 1971 he replaced Keith Jackson on Monday Night Football and became a sports icon. He died last Sunday August 9, at the age of 84.
Buddy Baker was the son of NASCAR royalty. His father Buck Baker was one of the original moonshine runners who helped form NASCAR in 1949. Buddy was born Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. on January 25, 1941 in Florence, South Carolina. Buddy was a genial, calm, and even-tempered fellow as opposed to his hot-tempered and feisty father. At 6’ 6” Buddy earned the name the “Gentle Giant.” Young Buddy played high school football, worked as a garage mechanic, drove a school bus, and drag raced in the Carolina Coast Hot Rod Association before moving to NASCAR in 1959. He drove his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Columbia South Carolina that year. In the Sprint Cup series, Buddy collected 19 wins, including a win at the 1980 Daytona 500. Buddy raced two years in the Grand National Series in 1972 and 1973 and won four races before returning to the Sprint Cup series. In 1970, he became the first race car driver to exceed 200 MPH on a closed course test run. He raced until 1992, with the 1992 Winston 500 at Talladega as the last race of his career. In 1998 he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers.
Buddy became a racing analyst and commentator in 1991 with the Nashville Network’s racing division — he was with them until 2000. He worked with CBS Racing and TNN, calling the American Speed Association races. He worked at his father’s race driving school as a manager and instructor. He joined Sirius Satellite Radio NASCAR channel as a commentator and color analyst in 2007 and 2011. He was hosting the Late Shift and Tradin’ Paint on the Sirius EX Channel up until recently. On July 7 of this year Buddy announced that he had inoperable lung cancer and that he would be resigning from the show. His last words to his radio audience were “Don’t shed a tear for me. Smile when you say my name. I won’t say goodbye but just that I’ll talk to you soon.”
Buddy Baker died August 10 at his home in Catawba County, North Carolina at the age of 74.
Colts Notes
Right now the Horseshoes strongest group seems to be the receivers. There will be a great deal of competition for the starting positions. Rookie receiver Phillip Dorsett has raised some eyebrows with his speed and deep receiving ability. Andre Johnson looks to be in great shape. Donte Moncrief has impressed. T.Y. Hilton wants to get his contract extension done. Tight end Dwayne all is looking sharp in what will be his contact year.
Safety Dwight Lowery is looking good after being signed away from the Falcons. The eight year vet is looking to win the starting free safety job. Rookie safety Clayton Geathers has looked good coming up in run support. Pro Bowler Mike Adams has the strong safety position right now. Arthur Jones seems to be at full strength on the defensive line
The bad news is Robert Mathis is still not physically ready to practice or play. His Achilles tendon injury has not yet fully healed and the Colts cannot predict when he will be ready to join the defense. It may be late in the season or perhaps not at all this year. That’s really hard news for the Colts to take.
There is a big battle for backup running back behind Frank Gore. Vic Ballard has a tough job ahead of him to make the Colts roster this season. The Mississippi State grad was a stand-out rookie in 2012, leading the team in rushing and making some game winning plays. In both 2013 and ‘14 he missed almost the in entire season with injuries suffered in the first half of the first game of the season. Boom Herron, Zerlon Tipton, and rookie Josh Robinson, also of Mississippi State are in the mix.
44th Wedding Anniversary
As you read this Friday, August 14. The Boss and I are celebrating our 44th Wedding Anniversary. While the time has gone much more quickly then I could may imagined, walking through life with that incredible and magical lady has been a journey of joy, pride, sweetness, and love. Happy Anniversary to you my Dear, Dear Wife!
snicewanger@yahoo.com