From around 1996 to 2000, Larry Beil was one of the countless anchors to host SportsCenter, ESPN’s daily and nightly and extremely popular highlight show devoted strictly to the games people play. It debuted on day one with the network in 1979 and has always been considered the channel’s flagship program. So many catchphrases were born on that plain-Jane set in lovely Bristol, Conn., all those years ago. Although it looked nothing like the hi-tech production produced now, the creativity still ran amok, like gypsies in the palace.
Since I slayed my television nearly 25 years ago, I haven’t caught many episodes of SC in this 21st century, so my list of anchors is undoubtedly dated, at best; and therefore, Kenny Mayne’s “He’s Choppin’ Broccoli,” (after a swinging strikeout) still makes me laugh aloud.
But without question, the all-time #1 in my book was a staple in Dan Patrick’s vocab – “He is listed as day-to-day, but then again, aren’t we all?”
Then there is the big sack fulla sayings uttered by the immortal Stuart “Booyah!” – Scott (RIP).
Back to Beil, whose phrase that stuck with me the most, actually, it is the only one of his I recall – “Aloha means goodbye!” I haven’t half a clue as to how something he said stuck with me. But I’m not the only one. When asked if he ever tires of folks repeating this phrase, he replied, “That’s my homage to Hawaii, so I’m all in on that and more than happy to hear people saying it and repeating it.”
So it is with great pride that I, Hall Closets, still of predominantly sound mind and body, introduce what will no doubt become a permanent part of the baseball vernacular – “Aloy Means Goodbye!”
You see, Wehiwa and Kuhio Aloy are two of the baddest baseball brahs to ever hail from an island located within the Ring of Fire and are two of only four islanders to ever play for coach Dave Van Horn. Another Hawaiian, Nolan Souza, is also on the roster and holding down second base like the Three Billy Goats Gruff did that bridge in the nursery rhyme with a 1,000 fielding percent.
The Aloys led the Razorbacks in most offense categories, including batting average, total hits, homers, RBIs and slugging percentage. If not for Australian Brent Iredale crossing the home dish 22 times, driving in 25 runners, boasting a gaudy .557 on-base percentage, all the while blasting six taters to tie the brothers Aloy for the team lead in big flies, it’d be a clean sweep for the 50th state.
Even if America’s favorite pastime ain’t your cuppa tea, keep up with these guys, cuz these two studs might just rewrite the entire Arkansas offensive record book with their immense batting prowess before they begin their ascent through the professional ranks.
Over the weekend the baseball Hogs welcomed to town and promptly stomped/swept the Portland Pilots in a three-game series – 20-3, 10-0, and 5-3, belting more taters during a breezy Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Fayettenam.
Meanwhile, Coach Cal and Co. handled bidness, sneaking by #21 MS St. on Saturday in a most-unnecessarily close ballgame, all but assuring a March Madness bid. If Adoo Thiero can rebound from his hyper-extended knee before tournament time – lookout for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
And speaking of health, I heard a rumor that Boogie Fland might be ready to play sooner than later.
WPS!