The 1969 Chronicles: A Sports Writer's Notes  By Stan Isaacs

Other off-beat efforts that appeared from time-to-time were my Muted Cries from Faces in the Crowd. These stemmed from a book of short pieces by the comedian George Jessel. This was a good form for putting my own spin on the thoughts of sports figures in the news. May 28: Muted Cries from Faces in the Crowd Bob Beamon Yes, I jumped To the moon. Now what? Bob Beamon Eddie Yost I am The third-base coach of the New York Mets. You could Look it up. Wilt Chamberlain Where did I all go wrong? Bowie Kuhn Some day I may even become as famous as Pete Rozelle. Dancer's Image Who won The 1968 Derby? You can bet it wasn't my Friend Flicka. Gil Hodges When in doubt, look strong. Al Oerter The beauty of throwing the discus is throwing the discus. Joe Namath When you're feeling groovy, you can lick the world. Joe Pepitone I have my faults, but I do have fun. Ring a-ding ding. Muhammad Ali Everywhere I go People listen To me. Sometimes, though, when I get to the part about the honorable Elijah Muhammad they walk away. Joe DiMaggio "Where have I gone" and "a nation lifts its lonely eyes to me" ? ? ? People keep asking me what the words to that song mean. Hell, I don't know myself. "Hey-hey-hey"??? Henry Aaron Henry Aaron Some day somebody might say, "You know, when you come down to it, Henry Aaron -- in many ways -- was a better ball player than Willie Mays. Howard Cosell I'm an expert on only one thing. And that's everything. Ron Swoboda I get so mad; Sometimes I'd like to squeeze the sawdust out of the bat. Grrr. Richard Nixon Washington has Vince, Ted and me. . . Wow. Lee MacPhail I am a baseball fan. I really like baseball. .. Sue me. * * * Because of the lapse in time some explanations may be in order. Wilt Chamberlain never realized his tremendous potential and frequently was a frustrated figure. Dancer's Image was disqualified from the 1968 Derby, which was awarded in a controversial decision to Forward Pass. President Nixon, a fan, seemed to be awed by new Redskins coach Vince Lombardi and Senators manager Ted Williams. * * * It's a Non-Stop Trip Around All the Bases This is a game for Juvenile Delinquents

Chapters Home Page Introduction 1. The Amazing Mets 2. Yankee Fans 3. Music to My Ears 4. Ali & Friends 5. People Are Funny 6. The Poetry Corner 7. The Glorious Knicks 8. Bill Bradley & Others 9. Horsing Around 10. An Angry Mother 11. Political Baseball 12. Fun and Games   The Greatest Athlete of Them All Was…   The Games Children Play Never Change   It's a Non-Stop Trip Around All the Bases   Muted Cries from Faces in the Crowd   This is a game for Juvenile Delinquents   Will the Jim Dandys Inherit the Earth?   Down on the Farm with Bret Hanover 13. The Sweet Science 14. Baseball, Gentlemen 15. Some Immortals 16. A Galleria 17. Ladies First 18. The Irrepressible Jets 19. The Sporting Culture Email Stan Isaacs at sibelch@optonline.net I'm not a mean man by nature, but I get paid good money for hitting people. I like to give my employer his money's worth. — Gridder Deacon Jones