Puttin' Up Numbers

• Number 17

  Jim Hart was undrafted out of Southern Illinois “The Harvard of the Midwest” but went on to play 19 years at QB in St. Louis and Washington.  Leading the “Cardiac Cards” of the 70s, he was a 4X Pro Bowler, NFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1974 and NFL Man of the Year in 1975.  When he retired, only Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton had thrown for more yards and he was 10th all-time in touchdown passes.  His 23 career game winning drives is on par with Hall of Famers YA Tittle, Ken Stabler, Dan Fouts and Terry Bradshaw. After his playing days he was a successful restaurateur, broadcaster and was Athletic Director at his alma mater, SIU.  He was enshrined in the Cardinals Ring of Honor in 2017 2:47 – “My friend. My mentor. My Quarterback.”Tom’s boyhood idol (and former boss) Jim Hart joins the final episode of Season 1 to talk about #17, acting in the movie Paper Lion, wearing Billy Kilmer’s #17 in Washington, practicing on Thanksgiving Day and much more.17:47 – “Let’s start with football in honor of Jim Hart.”We lead off with football which includes Braylon Edwards, Jake Delhomme and Dave Krieg along with Red Badgo, Charlie Ward, Billy Kilmer and Dandy Don Meredith. Contenders are Jim Hart, Doug Williams and Harold Carmichael.25:44 – “See if you can figure out which is one of my all-time favorite players.”Keith Hernandez, Dizzy Dean and Scott Rolen topline the list with nods to Mickey Rivers, Oscar Gamble, Dock Ellis, Mark Grace and others.33:34 – “Let’s get to basketball.”Handsome SOB Rick Fox is a sentimental favorite while lesser-known players like Jim Pollard, Don Barksdale and Gene Conley take Honorable Mention. Mullin and Havlicek make strong cases as Contenders.40:48 – “First Wendel Clark.”Three hockey guys. Wendel Clark, Rod Brind’Amour and Jarri Kurri. David Pearson also gets a shout out in NASCAR (again).42:27 – “The great Hollywood icon.”Our last Screen Stars lines up thusly:Steve Carlson as Steve Hanson in Slap Shot (1977)Alan Alda as George Plimpton in Paper Lion (1968)Jim Hart as Jim Hart in Paper Lion (1968)Charlton Heston as Cat Catlan in Number One (1969)Matt Stone as Doug Remer in BASEketball (1998)Sylvester Stallone (car) as Joe Tanto in Driven (2001)44:33 – “A freak injury sustained during a coin toss.”Derrick Rose AwardDenny McLainHall of ShameBob OjedaTurk Edwards Plaxico "Cheddar Plax" Burress50:15 – “Why not just totally change our format completely?”Top current #17’s (now by sport)Football – Philip RiversHockey – Ilya KovalchukBaseball – Kris BryantBasketball – Dennie Schroder53:16 – “Back and to the left.”The Hall of Fame list for #17:John HavlicekJarri KurriDizzy DeanChris MullinKeith HernandezOur sincere thanks to everyone who listened and supported season 1. We’ll be back at a time and place of our choosing, but feel free to hit us up on the Interwebs anytime!

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  59:19
• Number 84

  Billy “White Shoes” Johnson played 14 NFL seasons with Houston, Atlanta and Washington and 1 year in Canada. A wide receiver and return specialist, his famous “funky chicken” end zone dance made him an all-time favorite. He was also a 3X All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl 3X including winning the MVP of the game in 1975. He’s also a member of the College Football HOF and the NFL’s All-Decade teams of the 70s & 80s. He’s also on the NFL’s 75th & 100th Anniversary All-Time teams and is the only member of the 75th Anniversary team not (yet) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.3:12 – “Wow. I was glad it did.”Billy “White Shoes” Johnson talks about #84 as well as his college number (#46), #81 with the Falcons and his love for #24 which he wore in Canada. And there’s more. Much, much more.14:33 – “Let’s dive into number 84.”Tom starts with the hockey list which consists of Guillaume Latendresse and Mikhail Grabovski. That’s it.  That’s the list! Rudy then hops in the Ron Baker and Chris Webber in basketball and we round it out (literally) with Prince Fielder and JT Snow.19:32 – “Let’s get going with Bob Trumpy.”The football list for #84 is loaded with talent. Bob Trumpy, Webster Slaughter, TJ Houshmandzadeh (shout out to Michael Hoomanawanui), Jerry Robinson, Javon Walker, Jack Snow, Gene Washington, Brent Jones, Jay Novacek, Joey Galloway, Antonio Brown, Roddy White, Herman Moore, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson (again), Gary Clark (and Gary Clark, Jr.), Randy Moss and Shannon Sharpe.31:39 – “One is the aforementioned Jack Snow .”Screen Stars for #84:Mike Lookinland as Bobby Brady in The Brady Bunch (1 episode in 1973)Jack Snow as Cassidy in Heaven Can Wait (1978) 32:56 – “Let’s do the Derrick Rose Award first.”Derrick Rose Award for #84:Darryl StingleySterling SharpeHall of Shame for #84:Zeke Mowatt36:20 – “Anybody who went to Harvard and is in the NFL . .  .”Heat Check list for #84:Jack Doyle Cordarrelle Patterson Irv Smith Jr.  John Curtiss Cameron Brate 39:10 – “Let’s go to the Hall of Fame.” Hall of Famers for #84:Randy MossShannon SharpeSterling SharpeGary ClarkBilly "White Shoes" JohnsonThanks to David Fletcher from the Texas Bowl for helping us to get Billy “White Shoes” Johnson on the pod. Check out the Texas Bowl HERE.

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  44:46
• Panini EXTRA

  Sports memorabilia guru and all-around good dude Tracy Hackler of Panini America joins the fun to talk about the explosion in popularity of sports trading cards and memorabilia, the effect of uniform numbers on card value, cutting up a perfectly good rare Babe Ruth jersey and watching Ryan Leaf's NFL career implode before it began.Our GuestTracy Hackler has spent the majority of his career talking about sports trading cards. You know those 2 ½ x 3 ½ pieces of cardboard gold that many of us collected as kids. So yes, he’s got a better job than you do. For more than a decade now Tracy has been running point on all communications and marketing for Panini America, the collectibles giant based in Dallas-Fort Worth. Panini produces official trading cards for the NFL, NBA, college football and NASCAR as well as baseball and World Cup soccer cards. Over the past couple of years – and especially the past few months – Panini and the entire sports collectibles category has enjoyed a revival of sorts. Sports cards are super cool again and innovators like Tracy continue to push the envelope to make guys like us want to dig into our savings accounts to buy the next ultra-limited edition titanium-infused autograph jersey card of Zion Williamson. 3:35 – “I can retire now.”Sports memorabilia guru, and all-around great guy Tracy Hackler chops it up with Rudy and Tom. Rudy also takes a victory lap over his first-ever brilliant guest introduction.4:39 – “It’s been a pretty surreal six months.”Tracy talks about the resurgence in popularity of sports trading cards and memorabilia.5:50 – “Anaheim ’91 was kinda the Catalina Wine Mixer for card people.”The National as it’s known is THE event if you’re a collector. We’re dropping knowledge all over the place in this podcast!6:55 – “From the late 90s to 2010 . . .”The proliferation of products and innovations beyond just cards has moved the entire industry forward. Jerseys, bats, cleats, socks . . . Panini destroys it all and puts it in your hands.8:40 – “The more peculiar the item . . .”Tracy discusses NASCAR tires and other hand-made items that have become cards and collectibles.9:28 – “I really don’t die inside.”Tracy explains how players have become savvy to the value of their jerseys and memorabilia in general. He also relays the story of cutting up one of three known Babe Ruth jerseys which means he’s certainly going to be haunted by The Babe either now or in the future.11:20 – “How do they matter?”Rudy asks about jersey numbers and cards and how the two intersect. For example, a John Elway card that is #7 of 50 in existence commands a premium price. Again, the more you know.12:56 – “An education at a small liberal arts institution in the northeast.”The value of cards and memorabilia has exploded with collectors and even investors getting into the act.14:43 – “That is a great question and I’m glad you asked that.”Naturally a great question to Tracy about how a change of uniform number or a change of teams/uniforms affects both the sentimental and monetary value of cards and memorabilia for collectors.16:12 – “The NBA has always been really forward thinking.”Tracy discusses the NBA’s approach to appealing to an international audience and the effect of increased education from Players Associations.18:24 – “Tracy was at the crossroads of greatness and not greatness.”It is revealed that Tracy was the unnamed friend who had a front row seat to watch Ryan Leaf’s NFL career implode before it ever began at the Quarterback Challenge in 1998.Thanks to Tracy Hackler. Check him out on the Interwebs at https://www.paniniamerica.net

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  21:34
• Number 16

  Jake "The Snake" Plummer drops in to talk about #16, comparisons to Joe Montana, a near-miss National Championship, his friendship with Pat Tillman and life after football for a 45-year old retiree.  Plus, strong contenders in all sports, a Hall of Shame you can probably see coming down Main St. and a loaded Hall of Fame class.Our GuestJake Plummer came within 100 seconds of winning a National Championship at Arizona State in 1996. That year he was named All-American, Pac-10 Offensive Player of the year and finished 3rd in Heisman Trophy voting. He played 10 seasons in the NFL with Arizona and Denver. In 1998 he led the Cardinals to an upset win over the Cowboys to notch the team’s first playoff win in 51 years. And with Denver he broke John Elway’s franchise records and led the Broncos to the 2005 AFC Championship game. Since he retired in 2006 he’s been active in a variety of causes including Alzheimer’s and CBD research and he’s the Co-Founder of ReadyList Sports, an interactive playbook learning and testing technology. He’s a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and can beat you at any game you can come up with . . .2:50 – “Even if I might be greater at the sport, I might not care.”Jake “The Snake” Plummer shares the story behind #16, his 10 year NFL career, the life and legacy of Pat Tillman and his new business venture, ReadyList Sports.13:28 – “So Rudy, here we go.”We lead off with football and college greats Chuck Long, Chris Weinke, Gary Beban, Johnny U., Norm Snead, some Bears guys, Snake Stabler, Snake Plummer and Peyton Manning. Contenders are Jim Plunkett, Frank Gifford, George Blanda, Len Dawson and Joe Montana.21:03 – “Our lone contender.”Whitey Ford is the only contender in baseball, but that doesn’t stop us from talking about Hal Newhouser, Bo Jackson, Frank Viola, Rick Monday and Hideo Nomo among others.25:00 – “Wang Zhizhi.”Basketball sentimental favorites Wang Zhizhi, Al and Allie McGuire. Honorable Mention for Satch Sanders and Red Holtzman and Contender status for Tom Burleson, Cliff Hagan, Jerry Lucas, Peja Stojakovic, Al Attles and Bob Lanier.30:00 – “One of the greatest mustaches.”Hockey players of note are Brett Hull, Marcel Dionne, Bobby Clarke, Henri Richard, Pat Lafontaine and Michel Goulet.32:49 – “I’m watching soccer shows . . . and I’m liking ‘em.”Roy Keane, Greg Biffle and Jack Brabham get some love as do soccer and racing documentaries on Netflix.35:14 – “Screen stars, baby.”Screen Stars sporting #16 on the silver screen:Keanu Reeves as Shane Falco in The Replacements (2000)Warren Beatty as Joe Pendleton in Heaven Can Wait (1978)Vince Vaughn as Peter LaFleur n Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)Mac Davis as Seth Maxwell in North Dallas Forty (1979)Anthony Michael Hall as Whitey Ford in 61” (2001) 44:48 – “If you don’t see this one coming . . .”Derrick Rose AwardDwight GoodenJose FernandezHall of ShameRyan Leaf43:37 – “Which brings us to the Heat Check.”Top current #16’s:Pau GasolTrevor LawrenceJared GoffTyler LockettAlexsander BarkovShout out to Kolten Wong and Will Smith. Also, bite me Andre Ethier.48:12 – “It’s the old man of the sea.”The Hall of Fame list for #16:Joe Montana Whitey FordBob Lanier Brett HullGeorge BlandaOur thanks to our friends Jamey Crimmins and Jake “The Snake” Plummer for supporting the podcast. Learn more about Jake’s latest venture here: http://readylistsports.com

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  51:37
• Number 3

  Mark Hilinski discusses the life & legacy of his son Tyler, a former Washington St. QB who died by suicide in 2018 and the work of the Hilinski's Hope Foundation. Plus, Screen Stars, Heat Check and the Hall of Fame is not to be missed.Our GuestMark and Kym Hilinski have three sons, their middle-child’s name was Tyler. He wore #3 as a  starter at Washington State where he engineered one of the greatest comebacks in the history in program history against Boise State in 2017. Just 4 months after that memorable win, Tyler took his own life  - though he never showed signs of depression or struggle. That same year Mark & Kym founded The Hilinski’s Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization formed to promote mental health awareness and education for student-athletes. Last week, was Hilinski’s Hope’s inaugural College Football Mental Health Week, which culminated in the first 3DAY, where players raised three fingers in the third quarter in tribute to Tyler and to bring awareness to The Foundation’s mission to educate, advocate, and eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. 4:05 – “Thanks for having me, you guys.”Mark Hilinski shares his thoughts on the life and legacy of his son Tyler, the work of the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation and what more can be done to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. 14:39 – “Rudy, we’ve got a packed number 3 show.”Football Honorable Mentions go to Joe Montana, Carson Palmer and Daryle Lamonica. The Contenders are Jan Stenerud, Bronko Nagurski, Mark Moseley and Tony Canadeo.20:10 – “Basketball’s loaded with really, really good #3’s.”Basketball Sentimental Favorites include John Starks, Damon Stoudamire, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady. Honorable Mentions are Ben Wallace, Stephon Marbury, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Rex Chapman and Contenders are Dennis Johnson, Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson.28:16 – “It is a Who’s Who.”Baseball jumps next with Sentimental Favorite Ken Griffey, Jr. Honorable Mentions go to Dale Murphy, Alan Trammell, Harold Baines, Bill Terry, Earl Averill and Alex Rodriguez. Contenders are Harmon Killebrew, Jimmie Foxx and Babe Ruth.36:43 – “Let’s dive into hockey just real quick .”Hockey players of note are Pierre Pilote, Butch Bouchard, Marcel Pronovost & Harry Howell. Also, a NASCAR shout out to Dale Earnhardt “All I wanna do is race, Daddy.”38:27 – “We got 15 dudes . . .”Screen Stars wearing #3 on the silver screen:Jackie Earle Haley as Kelly Leak in Bad News Bears (1976)Michael Caine as Capt. John Colby in Victory (1981)Stan Shaw as Esquire Joe Callaway in Bingo Long (1976) Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)Mike Vitar as Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez in The Sandlot (1993)Rhys Ifans as Nigel Gruff in The Replacements (2000)John Goodman as Babe Ruth in The Babe (1992)Liev Schreiber as Ross Rhea in Goon (2011)Paul Newman (car) as Frank Capua in Winning (1969)Barry Pepper (car) as Dale Earnhardt in 3 (2004) John Candy as Spike Nolan in Brewster’s Millions (1985)Joe Massingill as Bo Gentry in Trouble with the Curve (2012) – Scott Baio as Buff Saunders in The Boy Who Drank Too Much (1980)Shad Moss as Calvin Cambridge in Like Mike (2002)Robert Downey, Jr as Leo Wiggins in Johnny Be Good (1988)44:48 – “From the sublime to the ridiculous.”Derrick Rose AwardDale EarnhardtDrazen PetrovicBob GassoffHall of ShameSebastian Telfair35:33 – “Number ten is home cookin’.”Awesome Heat Check list for #3:Russell WilsonChris PaulBryce HarperAnthony DavisStephen Gostows

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