WATN? - Pascual "I-285" Perez

To be honest, I have no idea why this fool popped in my head this week. Maybe it's because I've had a lot of time with no TV while I have been moving? Maybe it's because I'm just about fed up with basketball? Or maybe it's because I was sitting in Atlanta traffic the other day and that always makes me think of one, infamous athlete...

Pascual "I-285" Perez!

My first MLB experiences were the early 80s Braves teams with Dale Murphy, Bob Horner, Brett Butler, etc. But when it came to pure comedy, it was usually Pascual.

Whether it was him peeking between his legs to check runners on first, 'finger shooting' batters or his trademark sprint to the dugout...he was always good for a laugh. Nevermind the fact that he missed a scheduled start because he was circling Atlanta and couldn't find the stadium, hence the nickname.

I'm pretty sure ol Pascual is either dead, incarcerated...or possibly an international drug kingpin by now. No matter what, he was funny as hell to watch and the most entertaining part of some truly terrible Braves baseball.

So, wherever you are Pascual...please do not get in touch. I don't want to be an accessory to whatever it is you have gotten in to since you left baseball. I have a feeling there are felony charges associated.

Where are they now? E. Gay Baylor

Normally, I would pick some obscure person from a random point in history, but in honor of this week’s NBA Finals I am choosing one of the truly great players the game has ever known: Elgin Baylor.

Can you imagine how much different basketball history would sound if Elgin had gone by his middle name, Gay? That would be odd.

Elgin came to mind because he was a part of the first Lakers-Celtics finals series in 1959. Of course, the Lakers were in Minnesota back then…for those of you that always wondered why the hell a team was called the ‘Lakers’ and are nowhere near any kind of lake, there you go. The Lakers lost that series, but went on to be pretty good for a while.

Elgin was the #1 overall pick after a career that included stops in the Washington DC rec league, College of Idaho and Seattle University. All basketball powerhouses for certain.

He scored over 23,000 points and grabbed over 11,000 rebounds in his career before being elected to the NBA Hall of Fame in 1977.

In 1974, Elgin was hired as an assistant coach and later ascended to head coach for the New Orleans Jazz (yep, that explains the Utah thing, too…see, this is a history lesson folks!). He sucked as a coach and left after the ‘78-’79 season. He disappeared after that, but from what I can tell he made an appearance as the father of a dysfunctional family in the Chicago projects while starring in the TV sitcom Good Times. Like most big stars, he used a stage name…but that had to be him.

In 1986, he was hired as an executive with the Los Angeles Clippers where he still works today. They have had one good year in all that time, but I guess he’s waiting for the reunion movie before he gives up the basketball gig.

Where are they now? Western Finals edition

While watching the Lakers wrap up the Western Conference title against the Spurs last night, I started thinking back about some of the great championships from both teams. I started reminiscing about some of the great players in the history of both clubs. Then I started thinking about great players who played for both teams. I ended up with one name who stands above them all.

This week’s ‘Where are they now?’…the legendary Chuck Nevitt.

No, dumbass, I didn’t say Chuck Norris. Chuck Nevitt. You remember him don’t you? 7’5” of pure athleticism and grace.

Chuck played with 5 teams in his 12 year career. Well, played may be a stretch. He was the ultimate 12th man. When Chuck checked in at the scorer’s table, it was a sign that you can finish your beer and head for the car. Once named ‘The Human Victory Cigar’ by Sports Illustrated, he played a total of 826 minutes in his career. To put that in perspective, it may take Kobe Bryant 20 games to play that much…but only if he gets major bench time in a couple of games.

But how does Chuck relate to the Lakers-Spurs? Well, Chuck was a member of the 1985 Lakers championship team. He took that championship experience and taught Michael Jordan a thing or two (during his 10-day contract during the 91-92 season). Chuck then went on to an illustrious career with the San Antonio Spurs. He shot 3-6 free throws during a one minute appearance in the season opener for San Antonio in 1993…then they cut him. Those unappreciative bastards!

Today, we look up high and salute you Chuck. You were a goofy looking dude with a bad, porn ‘stache…but you were at least tall. So that’s something.

Where are they now?

Today's selection was prompted by last night's Pistons win. It made me think back a few years to the 1989 Pistons team that won the title. Then it made me think one year further back to the 'Cowboy State' of Wyoming and the sharpshooter named Fennis Dembo!

Dembo is my hero for a couple reasons. First, he survived growing up with a name that sounds like either a drunk or a crazy clown...or maybe a drunk, crazy clown. And, he was one of only four black guys in the entire state of Wyoming. That's kinda cool.

Second, Fennis knows when to quit. He was a 2nd round draft pick after a legendary career at Wyoming. He averaged over 27ppg in the NCAA tournament leading the Cowboys to the Sweet 16. He 'led' (jokes people!) the Pistons to the NBA title and said 'That's it bitches, I'm out!'

Fennis was quoted a couple years ago and seems to think people still remember him. Dembo said, "I still hear a lot of it. People enjoy talking about it. You go to Cancun and people recognize you. I just went down to Progreso, Mexico, over the weekend, and a guy remembered the UCLA game."

I'm calling bullshit on that one Fennis. Seriously? You are trying to tell me some townie in Mexico was tuned in when you played a game in 1988 and remembers it? Nah, I doubt it.

Anyway, supposedly Fennis lives in San Antonio. I'm sure he's a legend there too.

Sure Fennis, whatever.

Where are they now?

Occasionally, we'll have a 'Where are they now?' with a random former professional athlete. These are more of a call of 'Hey, if you are still alive...let us know!'

Today's selection, former Maverick/Raptor/Celtic/Nugget/Wizard/Warriors great Popeye Jones!

At 6'8", 265lbs he was a force to be reckoned with as a collegian in the OVC. He dominated the competition at Murray State like no one since...well...um...nevermind.

Sure, he was a little scary looking...kinda fat...and not very athletic. But other than that, he was truly one of the great hired guns in the NBA. If you needed to stack your roster with a dependable 7pts-7rebs per game guy...you called Popeye. If you needed a post player to shoot 44% from the field...you called Popeye. If you needed someone to package with Dwayne Schintzus in a trade to get them the hell off your roster...YOU CALLED POPEYE!!!

So, Popeye, wherever you are...let us know you are OK. We miss you.