(Editor’s Note: As we close in on the fourth anniversary of the launch of Conversations with Sports Fans [June 9th] we’re counting down the top four most-listened-to episodes in the show’s history. This is the third most-listened to episode.)
My wife’s cousin, John Gola III, owns a wildly popular and successful sports card and collectible shop in Phoenix, AZ, aptly named, AZ Sports Cards. I thought John would make a fantastic Conversations’ guest as someone working in the ever-changing and growing sports collectible industry.
John was squeamish about joining me, but offered up a worthy substitute in one of his store’s employees: Don Drooker.
In parlance Don (and many others) will understand, as a guest he was a Gem Mint.
To that moment, his was the longest episode I’d done. It clocked in just under 90 minutes and I was worried how it would be received.
Turns out, it was received very well!
Don shared stories of his fandom dating back to the time he saw Hall of Famer Ted Williams make his triumphant return from service during the Korean War. Yes, you read that correctly, Don was in Fenway Park that day in 1953 and witnessed Williams receive a standing ovation for simply appearing as a pinch hitter and then again after popping out.
From there, the recollections continued to flow, including those of Bill Russell in Boston Garden, Lew Alcindor in Pauley Pavilion, Vin Scully calling Dodger Baseball, George Brett‘s 3,000th hit, and seeing the California Angels play in Wrigley Field … Los Angeles’ Wrigley Field!
No wonder this episode’s had so many listens!
Haven’t listened to the Don Drooker episode yet? Check it out below.
Similar episodes to Don Drooker:
- Season 2, Episode 18 Dennis Hafeli – One of my former high school English teachers, Dennis Hafeli was heavily into sports collectibles (especially cards and autographs) and during our Conversation he shares tales from his 25 years attending the card show in Cooperstown, NY, each Hall of Fame Induction Weekend; being present for Hank Aaron‘s record-breaking 715th home run; popping in to visit Mark Fidrych when he and his family happened to be in Northborough, MA, on a vacation; and serving as entertainment for the Detroit Lions’ 1980 training camp.
- Season 5, Episode 22 Conversations Live at AZ Sports Cards – This one actually features more Don Drooker and an assortment of other hobby heads when I took the show to a remote location for the first time.