My good friend Nick Tagliaferri and I WERE somewhat celebrities. We took advantage of our impressive coaching resumes. SPENCE TAG RADIO was well before its time. A weekly part-time gig had many listeners. No advertisers. I truly believe that we were the first local PODCAST. But our success only lasted for one season. We broke up and went our separate ways. Started having kids. No worries. Man. We were hilarious. We loved to banter and chat about sports. Our chemistry was fantastic. It was a great show. It was simply a conversation between some old hoops friends. Coach Tagliaferri and I both have the gift of gab. He is the man.
We occasionally discussed trends and current events. Those shows created the most buzz. We refrained from politics because our opinions often made our listeners mad. Basketball dominated. Tag didn’t like to talk about soccer or swimming. One of my personal favorites was when we asked our audience to name the greatest sports movies of all time. That show aired almost twelve years ago. My list has remained the same. I own all of these movies on BLU RAY. I don’t have one particular favorite. I love them all. Here is my breakdown. I did it by sport. You are more than welcome to disagree. But it is my list. My column. I reached out to a few of my social media chums. Even some of my work buds. They also had some impressive thoughts. I will give a few of those an honorable mention. Unless they paid me $20 bucks. Times are tough.
BASKETBALL. “Hoosiers.” Gene Hackman. Barbara Hershey. Dennis Hopper. A basketball coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small-town team to become a top contender for the Indiana State Championship. Based on a true story. Fantastic movie. So many great lines. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU GUYS? I WILL MAKE IT. The best period. Many of the current hoops teams should give it a try. Others? White Men Can’t Jump. Glory Road. Love and Basketball. Coach Carter. Blue Chips. Teen Wolf. Space Jam. Above the Rim. Hoop Dreams.
BOXING. “Rocky IV.” Sylvester Stallone. Talia Shire. Burt Young. Rocky Balboa is the world heavyweight champ, but a new challenger has stepped up. A 6’5″ 270-pound fighter named Ivan Drago is backed by the Soviet Union. Goosebumps. Love the difference in training venues. Splendid. IF HE DIES. HE DIES. Incredible. Others? “The Cinderella Man.” “The Hurricane.” “Million Dollar Baby.” “Creed.” “Raging Bull.”
BASEBALL. “Field of Dreams.” Kevin Costner. James Earl Jones. Ray Liotta. Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by the voice he cannot ignore when pursuing a dream. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning an ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true. Unbelievable movie. IF YOU BUILD IT- HE WILL COME. EASE HIS PAIN. GO THE DISTANCE. Splendid. Others? “Bull Durham.” “A League of Their Own.” “Major League.” “The Sandlot.” “42.” “The Bad News Bears.” “The Natural.” “The Rookie.” “Eight Men Out.”
FOOTBALL. “Rudy.” Sean Astin. Jon Favreau. Ned Betty. Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome all odds and fulfill his dream of playing for the University of Notre Dame. Holy motivation. Love Rudy. ARE YOU READY CHAMP? I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT MY ENTIRE LIFE. Others? “Remember the Titans.” “Friday Night Lights.” “The Program.” “Any Given Sunday.” “Brian’s Song.” “The Blind Side.” “The Longest Yard.” “We Are Marshall.” “The Replacements.” “Varsity Blues.” SEVERAL OTHERS.
HOCKEY. “Miracle.” Kurt Russell. Pat Clarkson. Nathan West. True story of Herb Brooks, who led the US Olympic hockey team to an incredible victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet Union. Well done. Bravo. I like it when Russia loses. GREAT MOMENTS ARE BORN FROM GREAT OPPORTUNITY. AND THAT’S WHAT YOU HAVE HERE TONIGHT. “Slap Shot.” “Goon.” “Mystery, Alaska.” “The Mighty Ducks.” “Youngblood.”
GOLF. “Caddyshack.” Chevy Chase. Bill Murray. Rodney Dangerfield. A very exclusive golf course has to deal with a brash new member and a destructive gopher. Classic. I can’t tell you how many times I have watched this great movie. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE CINDERELLA STORY. THIS UNKNOWN COMING OUT OF NOWHERE TO LEAD THE MASTERS. Others? “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” “Bobby Jones.” “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” “Tin Cup.” “Happy Gilmore.”
Merry Christmas to my family and friends. Watch a sports movie. Cheers.
