There was a man that Played the tuba around the stadiums during sports events. He was a good dude. I saw him several times and always gave him money. He was robbed, beaten ,and murdered.
I usually always give to street musicians. I respect their hustle, and I mean that in a good way. Best I have ever seen was a blues musician on Beale Street in Memphis.
Always bought a couple of his jokes books every winter at the Eugene Holiday Market. Used them as gifts to mail to old friends around the country. The market will seem a little less bright and eccentric without him.
I know you are a sports journalist, but I love it when you include human interest stories, a slice of life that’s off the court, off the field. Thank you!
Hey John, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I attended the UofO in the late 70's, I'm not sure Frog was hanging around campus then, but I saw him all the time while living in Eugene. I also remember Uncle Ray, a cantankerous guy who was pretty much always inebriated, he lived outside my apartment building for a time while attending Oregon, always panhandling for the next bottle.
My two kids went to Oregon 2003-08 (twins), and after I sent them the story of Frogs passing they both said they bought joke books from him and brought a bit of sunshine on those gray winter days. I remember seeing him often before football games, said hi to him and went on my way. Soft soul. An icon and I do think a statue of some sort close to the book store would be fitting, along with a plaque tell one of his jokes.
Frog! I graduated in 1997 and he was already a long-time fixture in my day. Thanks for this memory, John. We had a house on Ferry street with a back porch that attracted all types for short and longer stays; he stopped by a few times. Btw, how does one submit a question to the mailbag?
You said nearly 40 years. But at the risk of aging myself, I started at the UO just over 40 years ago and Frog was already a fixture. Or at least it seemed that way.
John, I didn't know Frog....never lived in Eugene. But now I know him, or at least of him. Glad you wrote this column. It has added to my day. Thank you.
There has been a lot of colorful people over the years that have graced the great state of Oregon. Frog is another example of Oregon’s wonderful hippie culture.
“He brought people joy.”
All any of us can ever hope to be known by
John, thanks for the uplifting story on a somewhat dismal day.
Thank you.
Thx. I was trying to figure out how to say exactly that without offending anyone.
*sigh*
Very dismal.
Great story. Quite like the Tuba Man in Seattle. Unfortunately that story had a dark turn. I am feeling pretty damn optimistic today.
Now I need to know more about Tuba Man.
There was a man that Played the tuba around the stadiums during sports events. He was a good dude. I saw him several times and always gave him money. He was robbed, beaten ,and murdered.
In Seattle.
I usually always give to street musicians. I respect their hustle, and I mean that in a good way. Best I have ever seen was a blues musician on Beale Street in Memphis.
Lifting the fog on Frog - RIP
Another great take going well beyond the world of sports. Thanks, JC.
Your headline was better.
You nailed it. I loved going to school in Eugene with all of the eccentric characters roaming around. It added a lot to the university experience
Thanks S.
Always bought a couple of his jokes books every winter at the Eugene Holiday Market. Used them as gifts to mail to old friends around the country. The market will seem a little less bright and eccentric without him.
Those are collector's items.
I know you are a sports journalist, but I love it when you include human interest stories, a slice of life that’s off the court, off the field. Thank you!
Kevin
Thanks Kevin. I like telling these stories. Appreciate you.
Hey John, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I attended the UofO in the late 70's, I'm not sure Frog was hanging around campus then, but I saw him all the time while living in Eugene. I also remember Uncle Ray, a cantankerous guy who was pretty much always inebriated, he lived outside my apartment building for a time while attending Oregon, always panhandling for the next bottle.
Flavor... everywhere.
Thanks John. Definitely a staple of Eugene. Always brought a smile to your face and made your day better. Such a loss for future Ducks.
Thanks Matt.
My two kids went to Oregon 2003-08 (twins), and after I sent them the story of Frogs passing they both said they bought joke books from him and brought a bit of sunshine on those gray winter days. I remember seeing him often before football games, said hi to him and went on my way. Soft soul. An icon and I do think a statue of some sort close to the book store would be fitting, along with a plaque tell one of his jokes.
Institutions...
Frog! I graduated in 1997 and he was already a long-time fixture in my day. Thanks for this memory, John. We had a house on Ferry street with a back porch that attracted all types for short and longer stays; he stopped by a few times. Btw, how does one submit a question to the mailbag?
Thanks Jason.
John,
Great piece of writing. Gives one pause when considering the eccentrics in our lives. Without such individuals our humanity is diminished.
The scenery matters. Thanks PH.
You said nearly 40 years. But at the risk of aging myself, I started at the UO just over 40 years ago and Frog was already a fixture. Or at least it seemed that way.
Interesting... I'd heard 38 years. But who is counting. :)
Frog will quack you up!
RIP 🐸
Well played.
Another wonderful article beyond sports that you do so well.
May Frog RIP as his quirky self will be missed on the Bookstore street corner.
Thanks Jill. Appreciate that you are here for it.
John, I didn't know Frog....never lived in Eugene. But now I know him, or at least of him. Glad you wrote this column. It has added to my day. Thank you.
Thanks Al.
There has been a lot of colorful people over the years that have graced the great state of Oregon. Frog is another example of Oregon’s wonderful hippie culture.
Appreciate this. Thanks Todd.
I appreciate it as well. People like Frog makes me ache to leave Texas, after 31 years, and move back home. I really miss Oregon and Portland.
Last night wasn’t a good one at our house…