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.
Jan 22, 2023·edited Jan 22, 2023Liked by John Canzano
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.
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.
Jan 22, 2023·edited Jan 22, 2023Liked by John Canzano
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?
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.
The most memorable John Williams work has to be the 'Jaws' theme. That leading tone brings chills, even hundreds of miles from an ocean.
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.
Your mail bags always bring out your best “off the cuff” replies.
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.
No Border War - UO-UW??
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?
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!!
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.
Do you have an update on whether Portland Trailblazers will be sold? What are their plans?