WristScan

. . . which brings to mind another facet of our lives we rarely broach on this forum, namely, sports.  We've shared our favorite films and film scenes, and musicians and concerts, before; let's share our favorite athletes this time around, along with the watch gracing our wrist at the moment. 

The one athlete I knew personally, way back when, is Mike Stone.  Not a household name, granted, and unfortunately better known today for his involvement with Priscilla Presley rather than his accomplishments in the ring.  Still, he is, as far as I know, the rarest of competitors: undefeated, over the course of his long career as a black belt . . .

[Stone on the left, roughly fifty years ago]

. . . practitioner of Okinawan karate.  He had an air of self-confidence impossible to describe, let alone overestimate.  The rumor is that Presley tried to hire someone who would beat him soundly, either in the ring or out, but found no takers. 

Even while I was acquainted with Stone, there's been one competitor for whom I've an admiration that approaches reverence: Mark Donohue.

There are countless drivers considered greater for their feats on the track - Clark, Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Moss, et al. - but Donohue was more akin to a test pilot than a pure driver.  His engineering background enabled him to dial in the cars he raced to a level no one has really matched.  The 1973 Can-Am series, in which he won every race save one, established him in my estimation as a competitor of the highest order, combining intellect with raw ability that led to success over others with greater physical skills. 

The athlete that inspires me most today, though, is Efren Reyes . . . 

. . . who is widely considered to be one of the best pool players of our time.  His ability to perform kick shots . . .




. . . is the stuff of legend.

Please share your favorite athletes with us, as well as the watch you're wearing this weekend.  My contribution to the thread will come later this weekend.

This message has been edited by Dr No on 2015-01-22 12:18:16

... Watch usable in sports, this is

HAGWE!

Ken

. . . sporting one, too, but we're missing the athlete!  Isn't there at least one that you admire, Ken?

"I" in my ID, KIH, is the same as his name.




Ken-Ichiro

Unforgettable, in my book.  Being from Queens, New York, we practically worshipped the Knicks, who beat the L.A. Lakers and Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain in 7 games with the likes of players like Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, and Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe.  We had the New York football Giants (playing at the old Yankee Stadium), the New York Jets who won the Super Bowl with Joe Namath, and the Amazing Mets who had won the World Series in 1969, but there was nobody like the Knicks. That's classic; those were the days, my friends.  : )  From Wikipedia (about the 1970-71 Knicks, but close enough): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970%E2%80%9371_New_York_Knicks_season

Doing this 3 shots in a raw
in a game that means winning a match



is surely something to admire
I'm sure he has a pair of brass

Cordially
Pool buddy D
P.S. Love the reactions of his opponent

. . . where the object ball is positioned mid-way on the short rail, but only off of one bank; to make that shot off two banks is just unbelievable.

Bata's the best, no doubt about it . . .

Or was that shot lucky? I'm unfamiliar with him. 

when you look at number
of his "lucky" shots
you realize it has nothing to do with luck

Cheers
D

. . . off of one bank isn't overly difficult, Jed - I've made that shot in game situations, although admittedly, it's a low-percentage shot for my skill level.  To make it off of two banks, like Reyes does in the video clip, is something else altogether.       This message has been edited by Dr No on 2013-09-06 14:40:59

amazing, really amazing the sporting spirit of his opponent, he is amost barracking for Efren Reyes "Bata" in admiration! Good old time hey!

Cheers

Francois from Down Under

but that 2nd one is not a shot
it's magick
Anyone who made on purpose
"only" 2 cushion shot will agree.
More amazing is when you know his opponent
another legendary pool player
the bad tempered Earl "The Pearl" Strickland
Cheers
Damjan

played Pool few times, its fun but I am not very good at it...at all and don't really know anything about the game. I just found the shots on the videos proposed...amazing!

Wishing you a lovely weekend

Cheers

Francois

No wonder he is called The Magician after seeing these videos. Spectacular with a touch of physics. Love it!

Andrew

A simple homage to the best racing car driver ever:

James "Jim" (or "Jimmy") Clark, Jr OBE (4 March 1936 – 7 April 1968)

According to some sources, Jim Clark, wore a Gallet MultiChron model 12 to track his winning on the 1965 Indianapolis 500.

I don't have a Gallet but I believe that he could drive an Audi and wear a Speedmaster if he was alive.

I had, sold and got again this watch. Now it is here to stay.

A wonderful weekend to all,

Nilo

Note: OBE means "Order of the British Empire". I love those British titles.

. . . in the driver's seat.  Never saw him, of course, but familiar with his exploits.  It's the rare driver that's successful in every venue, and Clark was as adept at American oval track racing as he was in road circuits.  sportsillustrated.cnn.com m

Great photo of the Speedmaster, and an excellent nomination. A legendary driver. It's funny but the sportsmen than inspired me as a teenager were all drivers.

Andrew

Andrew,

Where I live, don't know why, convertibles are very uncommon.

As a fact, I never had or even considered one.

Another point is that I'm a serious businessman meaning that I must drive a sedan.

My case: A4, 2.0 Turbo Multitronic.

Cheers,

Nilo

... the angles to reflect trees and sky in the Speedy with a hard top. Impressive photography.

Andrew

The pic was taken inside my garage, that opens to a park in front.

Cheers,

Nilo

... viewing them!

(The car not bad either! Lol!)

Best cordial regards, Abel.

Sports watch today .... No diving , but certainly lapping the pool

. . . is? . . . 

My list ... and apologies

My Fav in NFL (and by far my fav) .... Mr Elusive himself ..

in NBA (No, not his Airness .. ) ... Twin Peaks ! Twin Terror ... All Goodness !!! How I miss those days ...

In the NCAA  .... Anyone recalls the FAB 5 ? My Grandmama was not too impressed though .... LOL

The other ball and stick ..... Efen Reyes is cool .... But this fella wasn't half bad in his time ...

The Other other ball and feet .... Before a Chap named Beckham changed the face of Soccer ... Men played REAL FOOTBAL !

The all conquering class of 84 from the Merseyside , England !  "You will NEVER Walk Alone !"

The only reason(s) to watch Tennis & buy Adidas ....

The shiluoette that is 4ever etched in History ...

 

As u can see I was / am very involed in sports ......... and quite the athelete ..... :P

 

Want Proof ? Here u go  ..... Tough Life ...

 

 

 

 

. . . have expected to come up in this thread!  Truth be told, I was also taken aback by Iceman's pick, Walter Payton; like Emmitt Smith, both their careers go far enough back that it's difficult to remember how great they truly were.  Same goes for my sentimental favorite running backs, Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson - no matter how many times I watch their incredible runs on Youtube . . . 

Art, I've given up on hero worship in professional sports.  The scandals, the arrogance and the money have left me fairly jaded.  I used to take refuge in college sports, and I still get fairly emotionally charged about my alma mater, but even among so-called amateur collegiate teams, it is tough to find true heroes.

She's driven toward excellence, she's quick to praise her teammates for their hard work, she eats all her veggies, drinks her milk and gets all her homework done, even on the nights she practices for four hours after a full day at school. Keep an eye out for her in 2020!!
HAGWE!

Walter Payton was not the biggest or fastest player in the NFL. But his determination , work ethics and integrity is unsurpassed. He was a member of the CHICAGO BEARS when i was studying in california in the 80s. MY success in Business is because i try to impliment the same values as he. MY TRUE HERO.

Pls welcome my newest member of the family

HARWE everyone This message has been edited by Iceman on 2013-09-05 18:41:54

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You got it!  Many, many congratulations -- looking forward to seeing much more of this one...