My good friend Nick Tagliaferri and I were somewhat celebrities. OK. That was many moons back. We simply took advantage of our impressive basketball coaching resumes and candid personalities. SPENCE TAG RADIO was well before its time. This weekly gig had many listeners. But no major sponsors. Our successes were very short-lived. I truly believe that we were the very first PODCAST. Our chemistry was fantastic. Both of us have the gift of gab. We were hilarious in our banter and chats. We often invited guests, but it was usually a conversation between two old hoops friends. Coach Tag is hilarious.
The program was based around sports, but we would occasionally discuss trends and current events. We stayed away from the local politics. Basketball dominated our discussions, but we know some things about the others. Tag didn’t like to chat about soccer. No worries. We helped promote the game of pickleball. We had many great shows before we were canceled. One of my favorites was when we reached out to our audience to name the greatest sports movies. It was epic.
This show aired fifteen years ago. My list has not changed. I own all of these movies on DVD or Blu-ray. I have every line memorized. I am not kidding. I don’t have one favorite in particular. I love them all. Here is my personal breakdown in six different categories. You may disagree. That’s fine. But it is my list. My column.
BASKETBALL. Hoosiers. No brainer. Gene Hackman. Barbara Hershey. Dennis Hopper. A basketball coach with a checkered past and a local drunk trains a small-town team to the Indiana State Championship. Based on a true story. Fantastic movie. I WILL MAKE IT.
BOXING. Rocky IV. Sylvester Stallone. Talia Shire. Burt Young. Rocky Balboa is the world heavyweight champion, but a new challenger has stepped to the table. A 6’6″, 270-pound fighter named Ivan Drago, who is backed by the Soviet Union. Goosebumps. Incredible movie. I love the different training venues. IF HE DIES. HE DIES.
BASEBALL. Field of Dreams. Kevin Costner. James Earl Jones. Ray Liotta. Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by the voice he cannot ignore. Supported by his wife, Ray turns an ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams come true. Splendid. IF YOU BUILD IT- HE WILL COME.
FOOTBALL. Rudy. Sean Austin. 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 at the University of Notre Dame. Tom Cillo. Motivational tale. Love Rudy. ARE YOU READY, CHAMP? I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT MY ENTIRE LIFE.
HOCKEY. Miracle. Kurt Russell. Pat Clarkson. Nathan West. Coach Herb Brooks leads the US Olympic Hockey team to an incredible victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet Union. Bravo. True Story. I like it when Russia loses. GREAT MOMENTS ARE BORN FROM GREAT OPPORTUNITIES. AND THAT’S WHAT YOU HAVE HERE TONIGHT.
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.
Several others were honorable mentions. I encourage you to do this with your family. Put a list together. There are so many fantastic sports movies. Stay warm, friends. Cheers.
