As I've said in previous posts...and I have been 'outed'
several times. I received all the attention I could ever need
in 26 years of play...so I choose to post with an anonymous handle.
From a Sports Illustrated interview June 23, 1975
with Pele's U.S. debut on the cover to many videos and newspaper
articles till my retirement in the 90's, I learned at first innocently
and at the end with veteran savvy. But now is the time for the
present and future of today's pelotari to be in the spotlight.
The only purpose I wish to serve is to elaborate, correct or add
to observations that pertain to the era that I know and experienced
firsthand. I am able to do this thanks to Tiger's website.
I started playing amateur at 14 and like most of the chalkies
I join here, I became enamored with the sport of Jai-Alai at an
early age...from sneaking into Miami Jai-Alai at 16 years of age
to watch the immortal Churruca, Chimela, Ondarres, Orbea etc...memorized
their player numbers & full names. Played in Mexico (Olympics
1968), Spain, France...did it all, wouldn't change a thing...
being the 'first' American, I witnessed firsthand the
transition from all Spanish to Americans trickling into the sport.
From debuting 1968 in Miami before Jai-Alai expanded into the
Northeast...I played at all WJA frontons. When Joey, Kirby, Mazza
I & II, Kent, Charlie, Owens (his father too), J.J., Benny,
Jimmy, Sergio, Echave, Paul I, Ramon, Mark & Paul Bournazian,
Pete, Daniel & Butler (their father also), Marshall, Corky,
King, James, Luis IV, Freddy & Teddy, Leif, Art, Ron made
their debuts, I was there waiting with open arms of respect...I
felt I always received the same respect in return as 'the
veteran American'...some showed me right away they were special...others
didn't make it...forgive me because I have left out more Americans
than space allows me to list here. You know how it is said competition
brings out the best in everybody...Well, I just played my game
and I feel we all had fun. If anybody named above disagrees...then
I was naive and wasn't aware of any disrespect...please feel free
to enlighten me.
I played many quinielas with Joey, Juaristi, Asis, Rufino, Bolivar,
Echeva, Jesus, Uriarte, Arra I & II, Mendi, Zabala, Michelena
as well as all the Americans listed above, and too many more to
list here, playing opposite. No, most of the time I was a side
note, I wasn't special...I lost more points against them than
I ever won, but I endured as best as I could. I was just lucky
to be there.
Roommates over the years included Juaristi, Salazar I, Cortarena,
Rufino, Romo, Elorrio, Renedo, Mondra, Solaun, Mendi, Zabala,
Echaniz II, Gondra I & II as well as a variety of the Americans
I have already mentioned. I learned Spanish fluently on my own
and was well accepted after living three off seasons in Gernika,
Spain.
After the strike, a whole slew of Americans started. Most had
no experience and were ill-prepared for what was in store from
the fans. But I had already been booed & cheered by the best
of fans at all frontons from Miami to Hartford. So for the most
part, as a veteran, I was a favorite...and I would be remiss not
to mention playing with Lively, Phil, Rabak, Greg, Lenny, Massaro,
Dale, Dave, Dennis, Chris, Dan, Darrell, Jimbo, Brock and so too
many more replacement players to list...forgive me. Thrust into
a bad situation, they did the best they could. I felt they looked
up to me once again as the veteran American. I respected them
tremendously also. I won many games with some of them. Again,
if any of them didn't feel my respect, please let me know.
The last performance I attended was closing day last year at Ocala...I
am not up on all the current happenings at the few frontons that
are still open. It is sad...but through this channel and the people
that post here...I try to keep up as best I can with what is happening
in the world of pelota vasca today.
But please...this started out about Marshall, whose memory is
much more important!! For I am most blessed to be alive and healthy.
I am excited about Big Bend and Texas. I pray and hope for the
best.
