Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 15 > Entry
12-Pack: Starting with ex-Bengal Fletcher Smith
TAKING NO PRISONERS; 12 NOTES OFF THE CUFF
(Roman Numeral Style, just like the Super Bowl)
I. MY TELEPHONE RINGS …
On the line is former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Fletcher Smith, calling from Dallas, Texas, with an update on his situation.
Fletcher Leon Smith, a 6-foot, 178-pounder known for his clothesline tackles, was a member of the “Original Bengals” (modern era), selected in the 1968 AFL Expansion Draft after spending two years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He’s driving a beat-up Chevy Suburban, working off-and-on in construction — his specialty is mixing, pouring and laying concrete — and searching for an apartment that fits his meager budget.
Fletcher, who turns 65 on Oct. 10, 2008, tells me he’s “getting by, but just barely” on about $1,000 a month, which includes monthly pension checks of less than $200 for six years spent in pro football (1966-67 with the Chiefs, 1968-71 with the Bengals).
He said he got my home phone number from former Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe “Turkey” Jones, a Dallas native, who I last spoke with in 2000. I’m hoping to hook up with “Fletch” and “Turkey” on the Bengals’ trip to Dallas in October.
“If I ever make it back to Cincinnati,” Fletcher told me, “I only want to see one person — you,” he said.
II. I CAN’T WAIT …
Until Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson arrives at training camp.
Imagine the zoo and media circus at Georgetown College?
Chadly can’t afford a $14,000-per-day fine for not showing up.
III. FOR THE RECORD …
If Chad sits, he doesn’t get paid.
His base salary is $3 million, which gets paid out over the 17 weeks of the regular season (16 games plus the bye week).
That’s $176,470.59 per week for 17 weeks (before taxes, of course, and his agent’s fee is 3 percent).
Chadly ain’t about to pass up those rather large chunks of cash.
IV. ABOUT THE REDS …
I refuse to feel anything but apathy for professional baseball’s oldest franchise until GM Walt Jocketty calls outfielder Jay Bruce up to “the show.”
Joey Votto made it. Paul Janish made it. But the best damn player in all the minor leagues still hasn’t made it.
V. DON’T YOU WISH …
Golfer Greg Norman would just go away?
He’s taking up valuable space at the AT&T Classic in Duluth, Ga., this week, and embarrassing himself by kicking it around TPC Sugarloaf.
Greg needs to get off the course and go back to the love of his life, Chris Evert.
Greg dumped Laura, his wife of 26 years, for Chris. Chris dumped Andy Mill, her husband of 18 years, for Greg.
Norman and Evert deserve one another.
Check out their photo and story at:
VI. I’LL NEVER ROOT …
… for the Boston Celtics.
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever.
My Cincinnati Royals — The Big O, Jerry Lucas, Wayne Embry, Odie Smith and Bob Boozer — gave the Celtics fits. But Boston was always a little bit better.
I’m still upset, after all these years, that ex-Celtic Bob Cousy was hired to coach the Royals only to systematically dissect, dismember and dismantle the Royals so they could be sold and moved.
From Rochester (1945-57) to Cincinnati (1957-72) to the Sacramento Kings … long live Arlen “Bucky” Bockhorn and the Cincinnati Royals.
VII. BACK HOME AGAIN …
… in Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
The gleaming candlelight, still shining bright,
Through the sycamores for me.
The new-mown hay sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
Then I long for my Indiana home.
VIII. WERE YOU THERE …
At the 1982 Indy 500?
‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ wants to know.
I covered 16 Indy 500s and 1982 was easily the most memorable, most unforgettable and most regrettable.
I’ll always remember Gordon Johncock’s victory over Rick Mears by 0.16 second.
Re-live the final laps at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piqMiQWMrww
And I’ll never forget Gordon Smiley’s fatal crash in Turn 3 in pole-day qualifications.
I interviewed Smiley just days before his death and we talked about the danger that faces every driver in a race car.
“I’m willing to accept the risk,” Smiley told me.
Here’s Smiley’s crash (Warning: For Mature Audiences Only):
http://www.truveo.com/Gordon-Smileys-fatal-Crash-Indy-500-1982/id/3986842752
IX. LOVED THIS MESSAGE …
From a caller to Paul Daugherty, host of WLW SportsTalk, on Thursday night:
“Chicago Cubs fans are Pittsburgh Steelers fans without the mullets.”
X. THE PERFECT STORM …
Shame on Trotwood-Madison High School for ousting head boys basketball coach Larry Ham.
Ham did a fantastic job in two seasons at the Rams’ helm. His reward was getting kicked to the curb.
Trotwood bills itself as “The Quiet Community.” But that’s not the case with its athletics. When it comes to sports, Trotwood is the most volatile school district in the Miami Valley.
Piloting the Rams’ ship is like navigating a stormy sea with all the turmoil involved with the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students. Patience is not in their vocabulary.
I wish the school board good luck in finding its next victim. I’m sure it won’t be very long until we yell, once again, “MAN OVERBOARD!”
XI. MANY, MANY THANKS …
To Dr. Brian Cron and his bride, Dr. Diana Dornbusch Cron, for their loyal readership of ‘LUDWIG AT LARGE.’
The Crons, who met while attending veterinary school at Ohio State and married in the fall of 1994, own and operate Glenway Animal Hospital on the west side of Cincinnati.
The Ohio State University Marching Band is known as “The Best Damn Band In The Land.”
And I say this without hesitation or reservation …
The Crons are “The Best Damn Vets In The Land.”
Check ‘em out at:
http://www.glenwayanimalhospital.com/586181.html
XII. UNTIL NEXT TIME …
This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: General
Comments
By Jebs
May 15, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
You never interviewed Gordon Smiley…I did!!!! Love always, JLBy ed
May 16, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
You forgot the stop in Kansas City. That’s when they started calling the Royals the Kings…Remember when the Royals were in the western division and were moved into the east with the Chamberlain 76ers and the Russell led Celtics.. and John Havlichek was not considered a great prospect and ended up with the Celtics…you know the rest of that story………..Did I say that the Celtics took Dave Cowens before the Royals ended up with Sam Lacey…..Tiny Archibald ended up with the Celtics as were after starring for the Royals………