On 25 nonClassmates

Sometimes I think about Cliff Clavin’s appearance on Jeopardy and the way he answered the final question. With that in mind, here are a few notes about people that weren’t in my graduating class.

1. I didn’t graduate with Tiger Woods, but I did see him play in his last U.S. Open as an amateur.
2. I didn’t graduate with Bob Seeger, but I did see him as a warm-up act.
3. I didn’t graduate with Joe Namath, but I did talk to him about the Orange Bowl loss 35+ years later.
4. I didn’t graduate with Sam Wyche, but I did see his team execute an onside kick to the side of the field without any players… oh yes, an untouched return for a TD.
5. I didn’t graduate with Otis Birdsong, but I did see him score 40+ points one night in a losing effort.
6. I didn’t graduate with Gerald Ford, but I attended his speech when the popping flash bulb was mistaken as an assassination attempt.
7. I didn’t graduate with George Carlin, but I did see a performance for a very close, front row seat … and he could do strange looks.
8. I didn’t graduate with former ESPN anchor Dan Patrick, but I know several of his siblings.
9. I didn’t graduate with CNN political analyst Bill Schneider, but he was gracious to converse with me at an airport several weeks before the election.
10. I didn’t graduate with Tom Seaver, but to this day I’m still bothered by the fact me that I decided not to go to the game that became his only no-hitter.
11. I didn’t graduate with Ben Davidson, but what a thrill being told by the NFL/Raider-great, “Thanks for remembering me.”
12. I didn’t graduate with Pete Rose, but I attended the game before hitting record-breaking 4192 – and the only time I’ve ever known a visiting relief pitcher getting a rousing ovation when heading to the bullpen.
13. I didn’t graduate with Harry Chapin, but that was the best-ever $2 concert.
14. I didn’t know Rembrandt, but I did fall asleep in front of one of his paintings at the Prada Museum in Madrid (due to jetlag of course).
15. I didn’t graduate with QB Dan Fouts, but he didn’t throw very well at the 1982 Freezer Bowl – the coldest NFL game ever … and I was there.
16. I didn’t graduate with any of them, but it was a thrill to see both Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino insist that Arnold Palmer be the first to walk up to the 18th green after playing a round together.
17. I didn’t graduate with Olympic gold medalist Dave Wottle or Scott Hamilton, but I saw them do their thing before their crowning achievements.
18. I didn’t graduate with Rob Bachman (BTO), but I have a pair of play-in-concert drum sticks.
19. I didn’t graduate with David Funk, but the man knows how to promote his blog.
20. I didn’t graduate with Bradley, but his occasional rants on The Coach Potato Chronicles are a hoot. Here’s a rant.
21. I didn’t graduate with Tim Valentine, but his blog entries (Thoughts, Ideas, and Suggestions) are very articulate.
22. I didn’t graduate with Lester, but his Lester’s Legends site in a must for fantasy sports participants.
23. I didn’t graduate with Mo Morrissey, but I’ve corresponded with him by e-mail.
24. I didn’t graduate with Shania Twain, but she did high-five my left hand. Did I ever tell you I now have a prosthetic left hand?