AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > June > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFirst-rate class joins Atlanta Sports Hall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
It was like rifling through the pages of an old scrapbook, though in this case, the clippings came to life and they had voice. The Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame was into its third class, “third class” only numerically. There was no question about the first, Henry Aaron, three Bobbys (Jones, Dodd and Cox), Tommy Nobis and Dominique Wilkins, but this group moved a little nearer the present, and so the hall at Emory Conference Center was aflow with memories.
This all began with one man, a Realtor named Larry Winter, obviously a man of sentiment, and has developed support with each passing year. It’s a work of heart, for Winter is quiet of nature and in pursuit of no personal acclaim. First, the roll call of this class: Tommy Barnes, Gayle Barron, Lou Hudson, Ernie Johnson Sr., Dale Murphy and Jeff Van Note. What they did and why they were chosen is easily identified by each name. Only Tommy Barnes, best of Atlanta’s amateur golfers for years, was unable to make the scene, and for Lou Hudson, “SuperLou” in his days as a dominating Hawk, it was an ordeal.
Historically, Barnes registers as one of the three men who played Bobby Jones’ last round of golf with him, and later on was one of those who saved the grand old East Lake Club from extinction, until Tom Cousins could move in and create a new community around it. Ironically, it was Barnes who broke Jones’ East Lake course record with a round of 62, 11 strokes less than his age 73 at the time.
The two more moistening moments developed when it came Hudson’s and Johnson’s turn on the podium. “SuperLou” took the time to speak to “stroke awareness,” with strong conviction. He was stricken a few years ago and could speak from experience.
“Watch your blood pressure, watch your cholesterol, check your family history,” he said.
He was determined to leave his wheelchair and walk to the podium. “I was going to walk up to this stage, and I did,” he said, with justifiable pride. To see a great athlete stricken by some crippling ailment is heart-rending. Here is a man of admirable determination, unwilling to compromise with his cruel adversary. “I’ll be back in the fall, and I shall play golf,” he pledged. Oh, that he makes it.
It was a teary moment, as was one of a more sentimental nature involving the Johnsons. Ernie Jr. spoke of admiration for his dad, when Ernie Sr. broadcast Braves games. ” ‘Wow! That’s my dad,’ I’d say when I heard him,” and introducing his family, he came around to Ernie Sr. “Wow,” he said, “here’s my dad.”
When he first met his wife-to-be, Ernie Sr. said, “Lois asked me what I did. I told her I played baseball. She said, ‘But what do you do for a living?’ That’s it, I play baseball. When she saw my first paycheck, she said, ‘You call this a living?’ “
It was not an evening short in mutual admiration. Phil Niekro was Murphy’s presenter — as was Wilkins for Hudson, and Nobis for Van Note, three incumbents standing up for their comrades — and spoke of a time not many of us recalled, when Murphy was his catcher. Niekro’s knuckleball, Murphy said, “was a pitch that couldn’t be caught. I had five passed balls in one game. Then they tried me at first base, where I led the team in errors. Then they finally found a place they could hide me in center field.”
When seriousness took over, Niekro said, “If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I want to come back as Dale Murphy, the finest person I ever knew in baseball.”
Now, how did Lou Hudson of Greensboro, N.C., wind up at the University of Minnesota? “Bones McKinney,” Lou said. “He coached at Wake Forest, and that was before integration. He couldn’t recruit me, so he called John Kundla in Minneapolis. They’d played together in the NBA, Kundla called the coach at Minnesota, and that’s how I got there.”
From Greensboro to Minnesota to Atlanta, where 17,940 points later he’s still revered. That’s a service the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame provides, memories that should not be allowed to fade away.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Furman Bisher
Comments
By Brian, Sandy Springs
June 10, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher,
I have lived in Atlanta for over 20 years now and so look forward to reading your insight into athlete’s and the days when they “played for the love of the sport”. Today’s athletes with their big paychecks and bigger ego’s, must make it more difficult to keep finding ways to bring out the positives, but you always do.
Thank you for your many contributions to not only sports in Georgia, but across America.
By Philip
June 10, 2007 6:45 AM | Link to this
What a great thing for “Sweet Lou” to be honored this way.When he says he will be back..and play a round of golf…no one should bet against him.Oh..by the way….you guys will NEVER see a sweeter jump shot than Lou’s.A GREAT man and helluva basketball player.
By Craig Virgin
June 10, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Um, why no mention of who introduced Gayle Baron?
By Gene
June 10, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
It is nice to see a piece about athletes who gave something back to the community. I didn’t see Steve Bartkowsky mentioned, and I think he belongs in that group. Present atheletes come up a little short, except for John Smoltz.
By SoCal Hal
June 10, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
I still miss Murph!
By Willoughby
June 10, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
You rascist piece of crap! Why do you even bother writing such @#%!. Why don’t you just…oops, sorry. Wrong blog
By humbug
June 10, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Re : The entry above by Willoughby….He must have ignorance as his and foul mouth his only strong points.
By Beach Dawg
June 10, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Furman Bisher belongs in the Hall — a true sports icon!!!
By Fla GT
June 10, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Those were the days! Thanks for the memories Furman!