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DEL.ICIO.USMy five most interesting interviews
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
By popular demand, Journal-Constitution columnist Furman Bisher, author of the new book "Face to Face," gives us the five most interesting subjects he’s ever interviewed:
Shoeless Joe Jackson: Not for his personality or warmth, but for the historical significance of it. It was the only time he ever talked on record about the Black Sox scandal of 1919, the World Series “fix.” This was for a story in Sport Magazine in 1949. I’d seen him twice before, but never had a conversation with him. He was glum, low on personality, but he did let me have a swing with his famous “Black Betsy” bat.
Red Grange: I have never met a more humble immortal. He had retired to Florida, given up broadcasting, and was living modestly in one of those created resorts near Lake Wales. Coaching? "How could you coach running, when you didn’t know how you did it yourself?" He didn’t even possess an "I" sweater from his days at Illinois.
Bobby Jones: All I can say is, no man ever gave more generously of his time, and no man ever shot straighter. I never saw him swing a golf club. He was already crippled by the time I came to know him in the 1950s and got about with the help of a cane or crutches.
Pete Rademacher: "Pete who?" you say. He’s the only man who ever turned pro the night he fought for the world heavyweight championship. Floyd Patterson was his target, and he had him down in the second round. A former soldier and Olympic champion who organized his own pro campaign, raised money for the purse, was delightful, intelligent, all those things, and is still promoting one thing or another in Ohio.
Ted Williams: First met him when he was a pilot in training at Pensacola in 1945, and I was a Navy Lt. (SG) doing a story for The Sporting News. Then, 35 years later, we shared a hotel suite for a baseball blowout in North Carolina, and for three hours we sat and swapped tales. I’ll say he turned out to be a pretty good interviewer himself.
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By Ala. Jim
November 3, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this
I must be old! I remember Pete Rademacher.
By Jim Rhodes
November 3, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this
Furman, although you have a few years on me (I’m in late 50’s) I have long admired your comments and continue to admire your wit and writing skills. Thanks for all the great stories.
By PHIL DAVIS
November 3, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this
Remembering Pete Rademacher makes one old? I remember America Field & Bill McCain, the infamous 3-way accidental phone connection with Wally Butts and Bear Bryant, and the arguments with you (Furman) over the respect due to Florida State in the late 50’s at Channel 2.
By Ala. Jim
November 3, 2005 10:37 AM | Link to this
Phil, I remember all that too. We’re not old, we’re damn old.
By John
November 3, 2005 10:58 AM | Link to this
Shared a suite? You mean the Journal was too cheap to give you your own room?
By Strick
November 3, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this
Furman, you make my day. How could you pick just five? Somehow, I thought Norm Van Brocklin might be in that group.
By clint ellison
November 3, 2005 12:01 PM | Link to this
Furman Bisher—-a national treasure. I have long loved your columns, but I guess the one closest to my heart was the story you did on Bob King, the legendary Furman University football player from Ranger, Texas in the 1930s. You told how he rode the rods to Greenville from Texas and went on to become all Southern Conference, at a time when that meant “all-South”. Those Furman teams, with King and other great players, routinely beat Georgia, south Carolina, etc. Bob King then went on to become head coach at Illinois, and then head coach at Furman. Great story of an American original.
By Toby Cash
November 3, 2005 02:56 PM | Link to this
Furman, I have been reading and enjoying your comments for years. Thank you for making my day with your thoughtful insights.
By rhett manning
November 3, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this
good afternoon: mr bisher, i thought it was great to know that someone was around to tell stories of some of sport all time atheletes. just the fact you came in contact with those people maid my day.
By Rell Suggs
November 3, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this
Sir, You Are A Legend!!!
By LT Al Burchfield
November 3, 2005 05:06 PM | Link to this
One of my alltime favorites was getting the chance to meet Furman Bisher years ago. Can’t wait to get the book.
By Bill
November 3, 2005 09:47 PM | Link to this
I hate to think what the AJC will be like when you retire!
By Lee
November 3, 2005 09:50 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, I met you over twenty years ago and told you my favorite article was your annual Thanksgiving column but that just goes along with a lifetime of reading about the Braves, Falcons, UGA, Tech, Hawks, countless personalities and moments that make being sports fan really worthwhile! Thanks!
By JOHN BUNTIN
November 4, 2005 08:19 AM | Link to this
FURMAN, YOU ARE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SPORTS WRITER. I HAVE READ YOU FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS. WISH YOU WOULD DO A BOOK WITH COMPLILATION OF YOUR FAVORITE INTERVIEWS AND SPORTS CHARACTERS. YOURS IN THE BONDS. AAD’69
By JOHN BUNTIN
November 4, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this
FURMAN, YOU ARE MY FAVORITE ALL TIME SPORTS WRITER. I HAVE BEEN READING YOU FOR 40 YEARS. I WISH YOU WOULD DO A BOOK, COMPLILATION OF YOUR FAVORTIE SPORTS INTERVIEWS AND CHARACTERS. YOURS IN THE BONDS AAD’69