I have to admit that I'm still reeling from the news--it doesn't take much for my eyes to well up just thinking about Bill.
I want to thank you, John, for providing a prior opportunity to allow a few of your audience to meet and have drinks with Bill, through your BFT auction. I won the auction bid three years ago.
I invited some family members and we spent the evening captivated by Bill's stories and him answering our questions. I even have a photo, showing all of us mesmerized during one of his stories--as wallpaper on my computer monitor! It was a magical night--one I will never forget!!!
When I am in church today, I will be praying for Dottie and the entire family!!
Dear God, please watch over Bill's family. Keep them safe; comfort them through this sad and difficult time. May your love settle upon them, that they may dwell in your acceptance and truth. May they experience peace and restoration in your care.
KEN WOODY:John, when I was in junior high school, I used to listen to Bill Schonley every time I could not go to a Seattle Totems hockey game in person. I remember a playoff game against the San Francisco Seals in the Bay area where he was broadcasting, it seemed from the stands--there was no separate press box. As the game wore on and the Seals were pulling ahead, Schonley became more and more agitated. Near the end of the game he got into a shouting match while on the air with an unruly fan who was agitating him from right behind him in the stands. He was famous for having an "always his" table at a restaurant, (the Derby I believe) near the Seattle Post Intelligencer, a newspaper I worked for in the summer as a substitute sports writer while I was in college. All the sports writers, including some famous ones, had an annual golf tournament called the "PI Sweeps" and Schonley was always an invited favorite. More than once he was observed missing his ball entirely, but not necessarily counting the stroke on the scorecard, earning the nickname "Whiff" Schonley. He was famous and my classmates and I listened to him on the radio when he came up with "Rip City!" covering the Blazers. He was good to me. It's not a surprise to see the extent of his good will and fellowship since I first listened to him; he was a generous superstar who gave from the heart. I smile every time I think of him.
John, I really enjoy your journalism - it's open minded, thoughtful and informative. I'm a UW Husky Alum who always looks forward to reading and enjoying your articles. Thank you.
Terrific Mailbag, thank you, and thanks again for yesterday's outstanding tribute to Bill Schonley.
Shawshank. Did you know that in the late 1800s prisoners at Shawshank, located in Maine, rioted over being served lobster meal after meal? In those days lobster was considered to be food fit for only the poorest of people.
Occasionally things do change. Lobster being considered 'gourmet food' today has dinged my wallet more than a few times.
Bowdoin College grad. Played D3 football, and we stunk. I also played ice hockey. We had terrific hockey teams. I was a mediocre 3rd, and 4th line guy and on the 1st penalty kill team.
Once a month our hockey fan lobster fisherman friends did an 'old fashioned' lobster bake for us at the frat. Dug a hole in the ground and cooked lobster, clams, and baked potatoes in layers of steamed seaweed. Sweet company to more than a few kegs of beer.
We gave the lobstermen a few bottles of scotch and they stayed up all night and made all-world lobster/clam chowder for us to scoff down and help with our hangover cure in the morning.
Our hockey coach, Sid Watson, made the Hockey HOF. Sid played 3 years at running back for the Steelers. Sid was the last guy to make the cut in his rookie season. The guy who didn't make the squad? Johnny Unitas. We all make mistakes.
Love your writing regarding sports and also the 'touching' takes. Please keep it up!
In reference to the question about where Bronny James will want to play, after seeing him at the Les Scheab invitational I think he is over rated. He turned the ball over a lot, didn't see the floor that well and made a lot of bad or no decisions. Hands are also questionable. Shelstad is much better though not as big.
I absolutely love college baseball. Glad you will be writing a couple of articles. OSU holds down their crowds with a tiny park, but there is a lot of decent baseball played in the Northwest. College is a lot more fun than MLB.
Always a pleasure reading what you write John. Regarding the Shonz....my dad was fond of saying that good things never last and there is good in all bad. Bill's passing highlights the first and reading how his listners feel about him highlights the second. Count me as agreeing with both.
If you are going to do a pickleball column make sure you look at the injury factor for adults. It is now one of the biggest causes of injuries among older Americans who play it. I live in a very young over 55 place and there are 200 players. I tried and fell on my ass. My fiancée fell the following week and hit her back on the old tennis net pole and had to go to the doctor. I have played tennis for years and never been hurt and the difference in risk is staggering...personally the game sucks, just like SC.
As a Utah fan, I can honestly say that. other than BYU, the team we love to hate is U$C. Too bad we won't have the opportunity to beat them regularly anymore after the 2023 season. Oh well, maybe we can meet them again in the expanded CFP?
Exactly...I have made that point before. Nebraska owned Big 10 schools when it was in the Big 12. Once it jumped to the B1G it also "jumped the shark" and became an also-ran program. They lost all their natural rivalries in the midwest. So will USC. They will end up being a laughing stock program like Nebraska has been the past 10 years.
Brian, this is just me, but it wouldn't surprise me if, after a decade of ignominious failure, both UCLA and U$C came back hat in hand to the PAC begging to be readmitted. You can put Texas and Oklahoma in the same boat once their move to the SEC is totally consummated.
I have to admit that I'm still reeling from the news--it doesn't take much for my eyes to well up just thinking about Bill.
I want to thank you, John, for providing a prior opportunity to allow a few of your audience to meet and have drinks with Bill, through your BFT auction. I won the auction bid three years ago.
I invited some family members and we spent the evening captivated by Bill's stories and him answering our questions. I even have a photo, showing all of us mesmerized during one of his stories--as wallpaper on my computer monitor! It was a magical night--one I will never forget!!!
When I am in church today, I will be praying for Dottie and the entire family!!
Dear God, please watch over Bill's family. Keep them safe; comfort them through this sad and difficult time. May your love settle upon them, that they may dwell in your acceptance and truth. May they experience peace and restoration in your care.
KEN WOODY:John, when I was in junior high school, I used to listen to Bill Schonley every time I could not go to a Seattle Totems hockey game in person. I remember a playoff game against the San Francisco Seals in the Bay area where he was broadcasting, it seemed from the stands--there was no separate press box. As the game wore on and the Seals were pulling ahead, Schonley became more and more agitated. Near the end of the game he got into a shouting match while on the air with an unruly fan who was agitating him from right behind him in the stands. He was famous for having an "always his" table at a restaurant, (the Derby I believe) near the Seattle Post Intelligencer, a newspaper I worked for in the summer as a substitute sports writer while I was in college. All the sports writers, including some famous ones, had an annual golf tournament called the "PI Sweeps" and Schonley was always an invited favorite. More than once he was observed missing his ball entirely, but not necessarily counting the stroke on the scorecard, earning the nickname "Whiff" Schonley. He was famous and my classmates and I listened to him on the radio when he came up with "Rip City!" covering the Blazers. He was good to me. It's not a surprise to see the extent of his good will and fellowship since I first listened to him; he was a generous superstar who gave from the heart. I smile every time I think of him.
Ken… this is just great. Thank you for sharing it!
John, I really enjoy your journalism - it's open minded, thoughtful and informative. I'm a UW Husky Alum who always looks forward to reading and enjoying your articles. Thank you.
Thank you. Means a lot. Really.
I put my money where my mouth is and subscribed:). Looking forward to it!!!
Terrific Mailbag, thank you, and thanks again for yesterday's outstanding tribute to Bill Schonley.
Shawshank. Did you know that in the late 1800s prisoners at Shawshank, located in Maine, rioted over being served lobster meal after meal? In those days lobster was considered to be food fit for only the poorest of people.
Occasionally things do change. Lobster being considered 'gourmet food' today has dinged my wallet more than a few times.
This is epic
Bowdoin College grad. Played D3 football, and we stunk. I also played ice hockey. We had terrific hockey teams. I was a mediocre 3rd, and 4th line guy and on the 1st penalty kill team.
Once a month our hockey fan lobster fisherman friends did an 'old fashioned' lobster bake for us at the frat. Dug a hole in the ground and cooked lobster, clams, and baked potatoes in layers of steamed seaweed. Sweet company to more than a few kegs of beer.
We gave the lobstermen a few bottles of scotch and they stayed up all night and made all-world lobster/clam chowder for us to scoff down and help with our hangover cure in the morning.
Our hockey coach, Sid Watson, made the Hockey HOF. Sid played 3 years at running back for the Steelers. Sid was the last guy to make the cut in his rookie season. The guy who didn't make the squad? Johnny Unitas. We all make mistakes.
Love your writing regarding sports and also the 'touching' takes. Please keep it up!
I was there this summer and had lobster, which I had memories of loving, and decided that I really like Dungeness better. Both awfully good, though.
David, if you get the chance try Lobster Savannah; delightful.
The most memorable John Williams work has to be the 'Jaws' theme. That leading tone brings chills, even hundreds of miles from an ocean.
I still hear it when I’m in deep water.
In reference to the question about where Bronny James will want to play, after seeing him at the Les Scheab invitational I think he is over rated. He turned the ball over a lot, didn't see the floor that well and made a lot of bad or no decisions. Hands are also questionable. Shelstad is much better though not as big.
Agree … Bronny overrated
Your mail bags always bring out your best “off the cuff” replies.
I get a little punchy
🥊👊🤜🤛🥊
I absolutely love college baseball. Glad you will be writing a couple of articles. OSU holds down their crowds with a tiny park, but there is a lot of decent baseball played in the Northwest. College is a lot more fun than MLB.
Some great stories in baseball.
don't forget Duck and Beaver softball. The early spring tournament in Tempe is fun to watch.
Always a pleasure reading what you write John. Regarding the Shonz....my dad was fond of saying that good things never last and there is good in all bad. Bill's passing highlights the first and reading how his listners feel about him highlights the second. Count me as agreeing with both.
Thank you for this
If you are going to do a pickleball column make sure you look at the injury factor for adults. It is now one of the biggest causes of injuries among older Americans who play it. I live in a very young over 55 place and there are 200 players. I tried and fell on my ass. My fiancée fell the following week and hit her back on the old tennis net pole and had to go to the doctor. I have played tennis for years and never been hurt and the difference in risk is staggering...personally the game sucks, just like SC.
No Border War - UO-UW??
That too!
As a Utah fan, I can honestly say that. other than BYU, the team we love to hate is U$C. Too bad we won't have the opportunity to beat them regularly anymore after the 2023 season. Oh well, maybe we can meet them again in the expanded CFP?
That too
Utes are going to be there a lot more than SC.
U$C should have heeded the cautionary tale of Nebraska...otherwise known as "The B1G or Where Former Football Bluebloods Go to Die."
Exactly...I have made that point before. Nebraska owned Big 10 schools when it was in the Big 12. Once it jumped to the B1G it also "jumped the shark" and became an also-ran program. They lost all their natural rivalries in the midwest. So will USC. They will end up being a laughing stock program like Nebraska has been the past 10 years.
Brian, this is just me, but it wouldn't surprise me if, after a decade of ignominious failure, both UCLA and U$C came back hat in hand to the PAC begging to be readmitted. You can put Texas and Oklahoma in the same boat once their move to the SEC is totally consummated.
R.I.P. City, Bill...
Yes you are having so much fun! I very much look forward to reading this so very much! My girls were both athletes in high school how I miss this!!
Thank you Sailee
Sorry to nitpick because I love your work, but the Stanford-Cal football game is simply “Big Game.” “The Big Game” refers to Harvard v Yale.
Harvard-Yale is just "The Game"
Editing now… nitpicking is ok. Needs to be factual.
Do you have an update on whether Portland Trailblazers will be sold? What are their plans?
Overdue… but will poke around on that front