Join host Bill Donohue as he welcomes former MLB pitcher George Culver, who shares insights from his career in baseball and discusses his new book, The Earl of Oildale: "Why Me?". Culver reflects on his journey through the major leagues, highlighting his experiences with teams like the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds, and the thrill of pitching a no-hitter. Later in the show, Bill is joined by Joe Unitas, son of legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas, who offers a glimpse into his father's life lessons and their lasting impact. Joe discusses the importance of discipline and perseverance, values instilled in him by his father. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of sports history, personal triumphs, and the legacies that shape our lives.

Show Details:

The latest installment of Sports Talk New York presents a compelling conversation with former MLB pitcher George Culver and Joe Unitas, son of football great Johnny Unitas. Host Bill Donohue engages Culver in a discussion that spans his career highlights, the challenges faced during his time in the majors, and his newly released book, "The Earl of Oildale: Why Me?" Culver reflects on his career journey, detailing memorable moments such as his no-hitter and the camaraderie he experienced with fellow players. He candidly discusses the highs and lows of being an athlete, including the pressures of performing in front of thousands and the impact of mentorship in shaping his career.

Transitioning to Joe Unitas, the conversation shifts to the personal legacy left by Johnny Unitas. Joe discusses the life lessons his father imparted, emphasizing the importance of discipline and resilience. He shares anecdotes that highlight how Johnny's upbringing shaped his character, which in turn influenced Joe's own upbringing and values. The foreword of Joe's book, which features contributions from football legends Joe Namath and Dan Fouts, solidifies the respect that Johnny earned throughout his career. The discussion brings to light the parallels between baseball and football, showcasing the shared experiences of athletes in both sports.

This episode encapsulates not only the essence of sports but also the enduring values of determination, humility, and the significance of mentorship. Through rich storytelling and personal insights, both guests offer listeners a glimpse into the world of professional sports while reinforcing the idea that the lessons learned on the field are just as valuable off the field. Donohue expertly navigates the narratives, ensuring each guest's journey is celebrated and appreciated, leaving the audience inspired by the power of resilience and the importance of legacy in sports.

Takeaways:

• George Culver discusses his journey from high school athlete to Major League Baseball pitcher, emphasizing the importance of education and discipline.
• The emotional impact of being inducted posthumously, as in the case of Dick Allen, is a poignant reminder of baseball's legacy.
• Joe Unitas shares insights into his father's values, particularly the significance of discipline and perseverance for success in life.
• Culver reflects on facing baseball legends like Mickey Mantle and Roberto Clemente, highlighting the respect and awe he felt as a player.
• The episode underscores the role of mentorship, as both Culver and Unitas credit influential coaches for shaping their careers.
• Culver's experience pitching a no-hitter while overcoming personal challenges demonstrates the unpredictability and thrill of sports.

The views expressed in the following program do not necessarily represent those of the staff, management or owners of wgbb.

Live from the WGB studios in Merritt, New York, this is Sports Talk New York.

All right, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are back with Sports Talk New York here on WGBB in beautiful downtown Merrick.

The Classic Baseball Eras Committee has, as we've heard, chosen two former greats enter the hallowed portals of the hall of Fame next July.

They are Richie Allen and Dave Parker.

Really two deserving men.

I just feel bad that Dick Allen's election comes posthumously.

He was one of the most feared sluggers of his era.

I always remember him killing the Mets, but everybody killed the Mets.

As I said to Mark Metcalf earlier, talking about Freddie Freeman, he was a tremendously strong power hitter, a rookie of the year and an mvp.

And Dave Parker, again, was a feared slugger of his generation.

He had a cannon for an arm in right field.

Seven time All Star, two batting titles and himself an mvp.

The Baseball Writers association of America, their vote takes place in January.

Well, we're gonna.

We're moving on here like bad company.

Let's go.

Our next guest, he played in the major leagues for the Cleveland Indians, the Cincinnati Reds, the St.

Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

That was from 66 to 74.

He has a new book out titled the Earl of How God Bless Me.

With an Incredible Life, In Spite of Myself, I.

Welcome to Sports Talk New York tonight, George Culver.

George, good evening.

Hi.

How you guys doing, man?

Thanks.

Thanks for the opportunity to come on your show.

It's a real pleasure and it's an honor.

No worries, Georgia.

Glad to have you aboard.

Now, we, growing up in California, who were your favorite players and teams while you were a kid?

When I was a kid about the, the games you saw on TV was almost always the Yankees in the World Series.

So obviously, like all my buddies, Mickey, man, was our big hero.

And then when the Dodgers moved West in 57, I guess it was 57, 50, 58, 58.

Then of course, you hear the name Drives Koufax and those two idols also, you know, so it Was, you know, I listened to Ben Scully from the time I was probably a sophomore in high school.

And so the Dodgers, Dodgers, Dodgers.

And also listen to Giants.

I heard Willie Mays, because we got the Giants broadcast here also, and they was in the Bay Area, so, yeah, it was.

Those are my guys.

Not a bad bunch, George, that's for sure.

Yeah.

Now, you were offered $1,000 to sign with the Phillies following an outstanding high school career at Northside High School in Bakersfield.

You played five sports in high school.

That's pretty good.

Yeah.

Well, there's kind of like, if something was.

Anybody want to do this, I'd sign up for it.

One of the toughest thing ever showed up for was.

I don't know how I thought of this.

I guess because my buddy was doing it was cross country.

And I.

When I see some of these kids run down the streets practicing for cross country, my whole body hurts because I know what it was to run in one of the races.

And, you know, I played basketball for three years.

I played football for a year and a practice session because I hurt my back my first.

The first week of practice on my sophomore year.

And then, of course, I played baseball for three years.

I kicked off the basketball team one year, so only played three years of that.

But baseball, I quit baseball my freshman year, go off of the track team because my best buddy was on the track team.

So I went out for track.

So I was just doing a little bit of everything, you know.

Yeah.

When I was in eighth grade, eighth grade, they asked one of the questions in the yearbook was, what do you want to do when you grow up?

And I said, I want to be a professional football, basketball or baseball player.

Now, who could ever think of that?

That was my dream from those days, even.

Well, you made it.

You made it, George.

Most people can't say that you turned down that offer from the Phillies and you went to Bakersfield College for two years.

You played baseball there.

What made you want to turn down the offer from a big league club to stay in college?

Well, first of all, my last high school game was against a team from Roosevelt High School here in Fresno.

And they had a pitcher on the team by the name of Wade Blassian, who was 27.

And, oh, in high school, he's the number one pitching prospect in America.

I remember him.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, he was dynamite.

And so we played him in the semifinals of the Valley championship.

There was 30, 30 scouts at the game.

29 of them watched him and one of them watched me.

And so I held My own against him.

We both pitched 14 innings, if you can believe that.

Don't ask when, pitch me through, but I wouldn't have probably 300 each.

We played 14 innings and I got beat 42 and 14 on a kind of a controversial foul ball called by our own Bakersfield umpire, Bob Engle, who you've probably heard of.

Yes, Bob Angle, it's from here.

And so anyway, so later, blessing him signed with the Braves for 150,000.

So the Phillies called me and made me an offer of 1,000.

And I thought, oh God.

I mean I catch fortunate guy and he gets 150 and I get one.

So anyway, I called my mom, I said I got offered $1,000 on my ticket.

And she said, have you talked to the baseball college coach, Jerry Collis?

And I said no.

So I called Jerry and told him or talked to him in person, I can't remember.

And I told him about the offer.

He said, thousand dollars, there's no way you're going to sign for $1,000.

He said, you come to DC and I'll get you 10,000.

And my mom said, okay, you're going to BC.

So that was the end of that.

And the best thing ever did.

Jerry College was absolutely the greatest thing ever happened to me.

I didn't have a dad growing up and he was just like, just like my father.

So I was just honored to, and lucky and blessed to have him as a coach.

All worthwhile then.

We're speaking with George Culver tonight on Sports Talk New York.

Now, eventually, you must have been thrilled by this, George.

You got signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 63, but they only gave you 2,500.

Yeah, no coach lied to me.

Well, what happened was when I signed with the Yankees, that was my sophomore year, I wasn't, I wouldn't, I didn't do very well as a sophomore.

I started goofing around, going to parties and drinking and not paying attention while.

I was doing it.

I just thought I had a really good freshman year.

And I thought, well, this secondary be easy.

Well, that was not the case.

And so a lot of, a lot of people who were interested as a freshman kind of backed off of me.

And so but in the contract he said if you play double A for 90 days, you get a thousand thousand dollar bonus.

So I did all those.

Guess what the total was.

$10,000.

Yeah.

Now do you remember your major league debut, George?

I remember very well.

There's probably three or four thousand people at the game to see me.

And so I got through the first four innings okay and then I left a couple guys on in the fifth inning and they brought my best buddy in to relieve me and he served up a three run home run person.

I'd given up like five runs and I really pitched a lot better than that.

But anyway, I got lost and that was the only game I got start the whole time I was never really ever.

And they put me in a bullpen.

Yeah.

Oh boy.

Now I read the first battle you face was good old Jose Tartable.

Yeah, Jose was.

I played against him in winter ball so I kind of knew him and he was a great player.

I mean he wasn't, you know a hall of fame guy or he probably made some all star teams, I don't know.

But he was tough out and 67.

They played in the World Series.

So this, this, this team was pretty good.

Especially that left handed here they had number, number eight.

Oh yeah, wore me out, wore me out.

And he wore the whole staff out in Cleveland.

In 67 he hit over 500 against us.

Our whole team over 500 against.

So he was in that lineup.

It was a good lineup.

Really good.

For folks who may not know who you're talking about, George.

Folks, that is Carl Yastremski, a local boy here from Bridgehampton, Long Island.

Number eight on the Boston Red Sox.

And talking about Tartibel.

Tartibel also was a member of that 67 Impossible Dream Red Sox team that won the American League pennant that year.

And just a great ball club now you're no hitter, George.

Yeah, well that I was sure.

But you know what?

The good Lord looked down at me and said this is your day, don't screw it up.

Everything worked out.

I mean I went to ballpark sick second game of double header.

I didn't go out for the first game because when you in those days they would tell you to stay back and come back out for the second game.

So I came back out for the second game.

Well, the game was one of them three and a half hour marathon.

So when I sat, sat, sat, sat and finally the second game started, I must say right around 11 o'clock at night.

Oh boy.

And warm up and Lee May, my first baseman, we were teammates in winterball that year.

He stepped on my toe in winterball and the toe kept getting worse and worse so became infected ingrown toenail.

So I went down to warm up and I couldn't even put my shoe on.

And without, without the pain.

So I ran back up in the locker room.

The guy trainer shot me for Nova Cane.

I go back down the field.

By that time the umpires are out and both manager out giving up the lineups.

I ain't even throwing a ball.

And so I grabbed Pat Kraus, who's my catcher.

And I don't know if you remember this or not, but in those days a lot of the dugout, a lot of the bullpen warm up mounts were in front of the dugout, right?

Yeah, I remember right in front of the pan.

And so I grabbed him.

I probably threw 15 pitchers and then the game started.

So I started out the game just kind of, kind of careful about how I was doing it.

And after the first inning, second inning, Richie Allen hit a ground ball to Tony Perez, our third baseman who wasn't really a third baseman, but Lee May was our first baseman.

So they got them both in the lineup that way.

And it bounced off of Tony and went to Woody Woodward, our shortstop.

And Woody threw in the stands.

So Philadelphia, Richie Allen and three left a hit.

And there never thought about, never thought any.

So I think third or fourth thing I look up and they don't have any hits yet.

And I said they're going to change that for sure.

And they never did never change it.

And they got to run, they got to run that inning.

And there's one nothing for a couple innings and we finally got some runs and.

They're behind our dugout rooting for me.

Nice.

Yeah, so.

So anyway it was, it turned.

I just.

The last hitter was Cookie Row House, who was my manager in winter ball the year before.

We're good, we just go drinking together after the games and in Puerto Rico and go drinking beer.

I don't mean like drinking drinking, but we.

He's the last hit.

Cookie, please don't screw this up.

This may the only chance of my life right there or something like this.

So I tell him a little dinky little slider down the way and he popped up to first base and I would, I could have Caught the ball in midair.

That's how high I was jumping.

And so tremendous thrill.

I mean, what a thrill for anybody.

And I never pitched one in my life, ever.

No.

That's great feet.

Yeah.

And so I really didn't know how to act going, you know, as the game went on, I didn't know you're supposed to act.

And so I know guys wouldn't talk to me and stuff like that.

So I thought, well, maybe I'd have bad breath or something.

Nobody would come around me.

And so, anyway, it turned out as a big blessing from the big man upstairs and very thankful, because that's what people kind of remember me for.

But people will ask me all the time, what's your biggest drill in baseball?

You know, my biggest thrill was saying my name on a major league locker every day for nine years.

Now that's a thrill.

How many people get to do that?

Not many, George.

Yeah, that's a.

That's a great point.

A great thing to mention.

Now, talking about Lee May stepping on your toe.

Lee May was a big guy.

Oh, yes.

He was a tough guy, you know.

So he stepped on my toe.

Boy, that hurt.

But it took forever.

We kept doing all these different things to try to get the infection.

I never did get.

Never did get it out until then.

Once I got back to Cincinnati after the game, they took me and did surgery on the toe, and it was okay for the rest of the year.

So it wasn't really a big surgery, but it was.

At least it got rid of the problem.

I think he was involved with the Joe Morgan trade, bringing Morgan to the Reds.

I think they sent Lee May to Houston for Joe Morgan, if I'm not mistaken.

I'll have to look that one up when I get home.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I was with the Astros, and they sent Lee May, Tommy Helms, Jimmy Stewart to the Reds for.

To Dennis, Mickey, Joe.

Joe Morgan, Sam Fielder, I can't remember his name, who left a hitter and a couple other guys.

And I always tell people that's what made Joe Morgan a Hall of Famer, because he got around Pete Rose.

Yeah.

And Pete was a.

Pete was a.

One of the guys that could, you know, push a button and leader.

And Joe was just.

He was a good player, Houston, but not that kind of player.

And when he got around the Reds and Sparky Anderson and P.

Rose, I mean, he turned into a great player.

Yep.

You're right, George.

Probably made him a Hall of Famer.

A good point.

Now mention Woody Woodward.

People may not know Woody Woodward was Paul Newman's brother in law.

He was.

He was.

Yeah, he was married to or not married to his sister was Joanne Woodward, the actress.

So.

Yeah, so.

So that's a piece.

I'm able to tell you something, George.

That's a new one for me.

How many times you marry this girl with the same last name?

Yeah, yeah.

Well, you know what's funny about that reds team on 68 and 69.

I can't.

I.

There were so many guys off that team that were managers in the big leagues.

Pat Corral, Pete Rose, Tommy Helms.

Right.

Tony Perrette.

Bobby Toland actually managed management.

And we had.

Tony Clonje was a major league pitching coach.

It was.

Lee May was a big league hitting coach.

And so all these guys were, you know, smart guys.

I mean, it's amazing we didn't win more because we're miss.

We're hurt for pitching.

And they didn't give Dave Bristol.

Dave Bristol, the greatest guy ever, best manager ever.

Dave Bristol, his hands were tied.

He couldn't.

He couldn't do anything because we didn't have enough fishing.

Right.

And you know, that was.

But then, remember.

And I got traded in 70 to the.

To the cardinal.

But in 69, that was really the makings of the Big Red Machine.

Right.

And.

Yeah, so they were contenders.

Did you play with Vader Penson, George?

Yes, I did.

He won my best friends.

Beta was one of my best friends.

And that's funny because every time I pitched, he'd set some kind of a record.

You know, we should laugh about that because he set a record.

His individual record or a team record every time I pitched.

I'm surprised he never got more attention from the hall of Fame.

No, I don't.

I don't really know what his record was.

I saw when I was a kid growing up here in Bakersfield, he played in the California League for Visalia.

And I saw him play.

He was a.

He could fly.

Man, could that guy run.

But, yeah, speaking of hall of Fame and you mentioned Richie Allen.

There's one.

Another one of my teammates.

Yeah.

And I played with him and against him.

And you know those.

Both those guys were good selections.

Somebody explained to me why Tommy John and Maury Wills are not in the hall of Fame.

Somebody.

Somebody give me a good explanation because I don't understand it.

I understand some of their selections.

George, I agree with you 100%, especially with Tommy John.

I think he's got 288 wins.

In fact, I have written down here, he mentioned you that the Dodgers traded you because you didn't get into a lot of games, but you held a vital role as team comic.

Well, you know, I'm a big country western fan.

And so we, the Dodgers were a bunch of milk drinkers.

They were the team I came from later, the Astros.

I mean, these guys, they were wild Indians.

And so the Dodgers were a bunch of milk drinkers, you know, so we just on bus one day and I just put my Merle Haggard thing in the tape and started playing it.

And person said, hey, play that again.

So we'd go on a road trip, we'd win the game.

And they say, hey, play it again.

That's good luck.

So we start playing Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Glen Campbell.

And.

And so I, I pitched quite a bit.

I, I was, I was one of their main guys out of the bullpen.

But they, I think they brought up, they needed another infielder utility.

They traded, traded me for Jerry Royster, brought up Jerry Royce, I guess he was.

So, yeah, but I pitched quite a bit.

And that was a heck of a pitching staff.

If you look up that pitching staff, that starting rotation was Don Trenton, Claude Osteen, Andy Messerschmitt, Al Downing and Tommy John.

Yeah, not too shabby.

Yeah.

And so the Reds just got hot towards the end of the year and just overtook them.

We had a 13 game lead on the Reds in July.

13 game lead.

They overtook us.

We are speaking with the great George Culver tonight on Sports Talk New York.

Now, George, was there any coach or manager that you met along the way who really had a great impact on your career?

Well, like I said, Dave Bristol was by far okay, because you know why?

Because when I got.

I was told you I was a starter in wire leaves.

When I got caught up by Cleveland, I got one start.

When I first come up, the last start I got in 66 in the middle of the year.

In 67, he gave me one more start right in the middle of the year.

I'm the closer.

And all of a sudden they say, okay, you're going to start again.

And so now back to the bullpen I went.

And I wanted to start.

I don't want to be in the bullpen.

I wanted to start.

So when I got to the Reds, Dave Russell gave me an opportunity to start.

And so that's when some of the good things happened for me.

And unfortunately, in 69, I got sick halfway through the season.

And so I was doing okay in 66.

I'm sorry, 60, 69, I was in okay in 69, I got sick and so.

But Bristol was by far the best.

I mean, there's not even.

I had a lot of respect for Walter Austin.

He was terrific.

And but those two guys really say they're top of the list for me.

Both those guys, great baseball men, George.

That is for sure.

Now, when you first came to the big leagues, was there ever a time that you were really in awe of somebody?

Like, holy crap, that's so and so and, and I'm playing with them or against them and anybody like that?

George.

Oh yeah, because when I was a kid, I used to say baseball cards, like everybody, they call them bubblegum cards in those days.

And so like I said, my big hero is Mickey Mantle.

And the first time we go to Yankee Stadium, I'm in the bullpen and the game's late in the game and they bring me in the pitch and so I'm warming up and then that's my name.

And everybody started applaud.

And I said, how the heck do people know me, you know?

And so I heard, I looked on my shoulder and the Yankee dugout and there's this guy, looked like a weightlifter, swinging about eight bats and getting ready to come to that.

And I think his name was Mantle.

I think it was Mickey Mantle.

Yeah, number seven.

So here I am, this is my childhood idol and I'm going to get to face this guy in a major league game.

What are the odds of that happening?

What are the odds?

That's why in my book, right near the title Earl of old is why me.

And that is the true story.

Why me.

So he comes up, tie game, Bob and ninth inning, and I can't even the ball feels like a 20 pound shot put.

I can't, I can't even reach.

Don't play with.

So I throw ball one, ball two, ball three.

And I said, okay, now just, just throw us, just throw a strike.

Don't walk the guy.

So I threw a strike and he hit the ball about 700ft up in the air and about 380ft towards center field.

Our center fielder snagged it up against the wall.

Wow, right out.

And so he's limping around the bases and I look at him.

You're not that bad.

I wasn't that tough, you know, I scared to death.

And so that was, I mean, there was a lot of guys that, you know, I got to pitch against Maze.

Well, I played with or against 41 hall of Famers.

So you can imagine how much money would somebody pay for that much?

Yeah, there were Some great ballplayers back in those days, George, that is for sure.

Now, a batter who gave you fits, who was a guy came up owned you.

Who was that?

Well, yeah, it was in the American League.

And then of course, Roberto Clemente and McVeigh in the national League.

And Elrose didn't scare anybody.

Got a lot of hits.

He's one guy just pester you.

They have basically over here, basically over there.

And there's some guys like that.

Clemente.

Clementi was a.

Was not a.

The guys I had trouble with were guys that made contact.

Yeah, the power.

You know, I.

I faced Aaron 39 times, the most I faced anybody, and he had one home run off me.

And.

And so the guys that were home running, I made trouble with, but the guys were contact hitters.

Some of the guys hit seventh and eighth give me as much trouble as some of the bigger guys.

But yes, for sure.

And McCurvey.

McCubey was a terror.

I mean, you saw him down Dexter where he was already shaking, you know, and then.

I'm serious.

And then Kliment.

You never know what pitch he's going to hit.

He hit the ball over his head one time, it went down the dirt the next time.

So he just didn't know really what pitch to throw him.

He was a tremendous bad ball hitter.

Yeah.

Oh, God.

And he was such an outfielder and great arm and he could fly and I mean, this guy was.

He could dominate a game.

Yep.

And the great one.

I just admired him so much.

And I think.

I can't find out.

I can't find out anywhere.

But I think I gave up his last home run.

I think he pinched in against me.

I can't find out.

I know I gave up a home run in the last game of the year to him or lass at bat, but I know he got.

His last hit was against Wayne Simpson.

That was a 3,000 hit.

And I think the series before that I was with the Astros.

I think he hit a pension home run against.

I think that was his last home run.

So, yeah, he was something out there.

Those guys.

Like you said, there's so many great players.

Mid 60s to mid 70s.

Yeah.

Just an honor to be in the same ballpark with those guys.

Honestly, some tremendous names that we've talked about, George.

That's definitely right.

Now, George, it's been a pleasure having you with us.

I thank you for taking time out of your Sunday night to spend it with us here in New York.

The new book, folks, you got to read it.

Good Christmas present.

Good for yourself.

The book is titled the Earl of Oil Dale, available on Amazon.

George Culver is the author.

Thanks again, George, and all the best to you.

Thank you very much.

And be happy.

Anytime you want to call me back, I'll be available, buddy.

Thank you so much.

Merry Christmas to you too, George.

That is George Culver, ladies and gentlemen.

Up next on Sports Talk New York, we will speak to the son of the great quarterback.

Joe Unitas will join us.

Stay with us, folks.

You are listening to Sports Talk New York.

You're listening to Sports Talk New York on Long Island's wgb.

And now back to the show.

You never break in until the drums start.

Remember that, folks.

If you hear me talk before the drums start, it's not me.

It's an imposter.

Right, Brian?

Someone has taken over the studio and manhandled us.

That's the end of that.

Well, we're back with Sports Talk New York here on wgbb.

I thank you.

Thank you, folks, for stopping by and hanging with us tonight.

Chilly Sunday evening here on Long Island.

The jets won.

Yeah.

When was the last time you heard that the jets won?

They played pretty well.

Granted, they played the Jacksonville Jaguars, but a win is a win, folks, and we will take it.

Aaron Rodgers finally looking like the guy that they envisioned running the offense when they signed him.

Not that many cringes today, but it's been a cringe full season, if you can put it that way.

For those counting, 58 days until pitchers and catchers, folks.

So stay tuned for that.

Our next guest, he is the producer and writer of the upcoming film Unite Us.

The movie is a tribute to his father, who taught him the values of determination, perseverance and a work ethic that enabled him to envision the story, write the screenplay, develop the business plan, and assemble a team of industry professionals to bring his father's story to the world.

His latest book, it's titled Unite Us to Unite Life's Lessons Passed down from father to son.

I welcome to the show tonight, Joe Unitas.

Joe, good evening.

Hey, Bill, how you doing?

We're doing wonderful.

Oh, it's great to have you with us, Joe.

It's an honor and a pleasure.

Now, what was the impetus for this book?

Somebody bugging me to do it.

I originally didn't.

Didn't want to do it.

I, you know, just.

You were talking there about the movie.

We had just finished a big rewrite on that, and I didn't want to start writing again, but Christine Clark, who we worked on together, you know, kind of kept.

Kept after me, and I was like, you know, if we could figure out a way to tie in, you know, my dad and, you know, the film and, you know, we can do something.

So we kind of came up with the life lessons, and now that we've actually done it, it's out.

I'm super glad that she did stay on me because it's, you know, it's something I have tangible now to pass on to my.

My own kids.

It was, you know, while it was emotional to go back and think about a lot of the different things, it was.

It was great to kind of relive some of those memories and just kind of see what a huge impact, you know, my dad did have on me growing up.

Now, the foreword of the book Joe, is by Joe Namath and Dan Fouts, two greats.

Just give the folks a little insight, Joe, about Joe Namath and John Unitas.

I mean, they faced off in Super Bowl 3.

Joe had to have respect for your dad.

Talk a little bit about that.

Yeah, you know, Joe's from Western Pennsylvania, just like my dad.

A few, you know, my dad was obviously older than he was, but he grew up, you know, really like, liking.

My dad is one of his heroes.

He says.

You know, they used to call him Joey you when he was a kid.

And then, yeah, they got to know each other over the years, played against each other.

Both had a tremendous amount of respect for each other and were actually good friends off the field.

So, yeah, I mean, Joe was just.

They had that iconic game against one another where the jets were victorious, but, yeah, I know Joe was nervous in that game, hoping that they wouldn't put my dad in at all.

Yeah, I bet.

To give you a little solace there, Joe, the Jets haven't won since, so.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's been a tough road, especially these last two years of how excited everybody was with Aaron coming in.

But it's a shame.

I know they tell me it builds character, though, Joe, so that I have to have more character than anybody in the country here, because I've been sticking with him ever since.

But you know, the deal with that.

We digress.

Now, as a football player, your dad, of course, is known for his crew cut and the black High top cleats.

And now I read where he wore the high tops when cutting grass.

Yes.

Yeah, we, we had a few pairs at the house that were left over from his playing days.

And he said, you know, they were, they were pretty broken in and comfortable.

So that's what he did, that's what he would wear.

Yeah, why not?

Now he had a great arm, of course.

Never really gave into the pressure.

He remained kind of unemotional in the tensest moments.

To what do you attribute that, Joe?

Probably just the way he was.

He was raised, you know, they had a tough upbringing in the depression era and his dad passed away early when he was a kid and mom had to work three jobs to support the family.

So I didn't think it was that big of a deal if he had to march down the field in two minutes and get a field goal or a touchdown.

Right.

And as I was going to mention my next question, he's credited with inventing and also perfecting the two minute drill.

Yeah, they spent a lot of time on that.

Him and Raymond Berry and Lenny Moore and Jim Mutchler was kind of in the early part of his career and John Mackey came along later.

But yeah, that was, that was a big, big thing, right.

You got to know how to get it done that, you know, that's a part of performing under pressure.

They worked on it so much and that the teams do it nowadays as well.

So when you get into that situation, right, there's no more thinking.

We just go execute and win.

That was important to Johnny.

You.

I know winning was, was the utmost.

Now John Mackey is a local kid.

I don't know if you knew that.

Joe, Joe.

John Mackey's from Long island, played his high school ball here and a great tight end.

It's a shame the way his life turned out, but they're making strides now and taking care of head injuries.

But John was a great football player and we remember him quite often here on the program.

Yeah, I got to know him and his wife Sylvia and their kids.

All of us, Colt's kids were all family friends over the years.

So yeah, Mr.

Macking is an incredible man.

Yes, a great guy.

The essence of Johnny Unitas.

Joe, tell us about that and how you really got to know the essence of the great man, John Unitas.

I think just being there firsthand to see how he was around, you know, everybody that came up to him, you know, he's always very humble, you know, polite.

He always said, you know, it doesn't cost anything to be Nice.

You know, you can make somebody's day with a simple wave, a shake of a hand, you know, taking 30 seconds to listen, you know, to a story they wanted to share.

So just, you know, how you treat people.

Yeah.

Was a huge thing.

Great.

Yeah.

Very important for Johnny Unitas to take time with his fans like that.

He really did.

And as you said, treated people as people, as valued friends almost, and that's the way the man was.

Now, the life lessons that he passed on to you, Joel, give us an example of some of the things and how would he incorporate this.

How would he bestow upon you some of some of his values?

Well, I think one of the biggest ones was about being disciplined.

You know, most kids, when they're, you know, kindergarten, first grade, they're learning how to spell, you know, dog and cat.

I was learning how to spell the word discipline.

Yeah, that was a big one.

That was a big one for him.

But, yeah, you're not going to, you know, you're not going to be successful in life if you don't have discipline to put in the time and the work day in and day out, you know, to achieve whatever you're trying to achieve.

Another thing that was really big with him was, you know, once you start something, you do not quit.

Right.

There's.

He was.

His line was, you know, quitting is a horrible habit.

People do it every single day.

Yeah.

So don't even get into it.

No, that's.

That's why I've been, you know, started working on this movie back in 06 when I wrote the script, and it's 20, 24, almost 25 now, and haven't quit and won't quit.

There you go.

We're all looking forward to that, Joe.

Now, many of your successes in life, and there have been many, have been built upon the foundations that Johnny laid for you.

Give us an example of something there.

I would say, one is just how important getting your education is.

He was very, very big on grades because he wasn't the best student.

There were a couple of schools he couldn't get into for college because of his academics.

He would tell us that you can get a lot of things taken away from you in your lifetime, but your education isn't one of them.

So get that.

Use it to build upon whatever you want to do after that.

And then implementing the don't quit being disciplined.

You'll be super successful if you kind of do those things.

And now it's not so much for me about implementing those now.

It's trying to instill those in my three boys to hope that they can go on to be successful.

Now, when he was with you, Joe, maybe in the off season, would he talk football to you or would he.

Was he more open to other things maybe that you were interested in?

Did he talk football a lot to you?

No, never.

Not unless we brought it up.

If we came to him with questions and, you know, we needed answers or advice on, you know, things, then he would talk about that specifically.

But football was not something that he would push on us.

He actually discourage us from playing football.

He wanted us to play other sports.

He said, you know, football, it's going to beat you up, right?

You're going to have to deal with, you know, things down the road.

He was always like, play golf.

The sun is shining, the weather's nice.

There's usually pretty girls around.

Yeah.

So good.

My younger brother, he listened.

He went and played golf in college.

I played football, obviously, and lacrosse.

But, yeah, anything that we wanted to do as kids, sports, music, drama, whatever it was, he and my mom were both always right there behind us to support us.

Now, the book is really a collection of 20 lessons.

How could you break it down to 20, Joe?

Were they clearly defined, or was it something that really stuck with you, that your father inculcated in you?

How did you come to 20 lessons?

You know, it was just.

I'd never ever, like, written anything down.

It was just as we were.

I was going through my life knowing some of the things he had taught.

What are the different experiences we had?

And, okay, well, what lesson was kind of drawn from that experience?

That's how we kind of came up with those.

I think there was maybe like 22 or 23 in total, but the publisher said, you know, 20.

20 is a better round number.

So that's what we went with.

Yeah, why not?

Now, did Johnny.

You ever bring the game home with him?

No.

So for me, I'm the oldest of the second marriage, so I wasn't even born when he was playing.

He retired in 73 and I was born in 74.

So he was always around for what we were doing.

Unless early on, when I was a really little kid in the mid to late 70s, he would go and he worked for CBS for a couple years doing color commentary on the games.

But other than that, he was always around.

He would make sure that if we had a game or a practice or whatever, he would get us there.

He'd be there to watch the game.

He and my mom both were big on that, being there to support and show your support being on the sidelines.

But no, he didn't bring any of that stuff to us.

Wonderful.

Now, Joe, I tell you, it's been a pleasure having you with us.

Thank you for taking time out of your Sunday night to spend it with us here in New York.

Again, folks.

The book is titled Unite Us, To Unite Us, Life's Lessons Passed down from Father to Son.

It's available on Amazon.

Barnes and Noble have it, Joe.

Yep.

Yeah, they have it, too.

Yes, sir.

Barnes and Noble, folks.

Great Christmas gift for the football fan in your life or for yourself?

Treat yourself to a wonderful collection of life lessons from Johnny Unitas and his son, Joe.

Thanks again, Joe.

All the best to you with the book and all the best down the road.

Thank you, Bill.

I appreciate all your time and, you know, Merry Christmas to you and all the listeners.

Happy Hanukkah.

Whatever you're celebrating, enjoy it.

Thank you.

You too, Joe.

Take care.

That's Joe Unitis, ladies and gentlemen.

We will be right back after this on Sports Talk New York.

All right, folks, we're back.

We are back with Sports Talk New York here on WGB in Merrick, Long Island, New York.

It's a pleasure to have you with us tonight.

The pleasure to be in front of such a learned and wonderful audience as you folks are week after week.

And I appreciate you being with me.

Great talk tonight.

Great talk tonight on some tremendous literature, tremendous books from Mark Metcalf, from Animal House, from the Twisted Sister videos, from Seinfeld, the maestro giving Kramer a Chinese bomb to put on his burn.

We'll never forget that.

Also, George Culver, the former Cincinnati Red Philadelphia Phillies pitcher with a great book on his life in baseball, Joe Unitas with a book about life lessons from his great father, Johnny Unitas.

And of course, Basketball 101, the 100 greatest players in NBA history.

All great books that would make great Christmas gifts.

If you want to know where you can get them, just drop me a line.

I'll certainly let you know.

Just wanted to in our final minutes talk to you about the hall of Fame vote.

Coming up in July will be the induction for these guys along with the Baseball Writers association of America vote which will be announced.

I was correct.

Any electees will be inducted during hall of fame weekend on July 27th at 1:30 on the grounds of the Clark Sports center in Cooperstown.

There's a possibility that nobody will be elected, but we always looking forward to welcome new hall of Famers into the hallowed portals of the hall of Fame.

Taking a look at who's up for election from last year's vote, Billy Wagner missed by a couple of votes.

He had 73.8%.

He needs 75 to get election and Billy looks like he's heading toward that way.

We will see.

Andrew Jones at 61% needs 75.

As I said, Carlos Beltran with 57%.

Billy Wagner.

It's his final year on the ballot, so if he doesn't make it this year he'll have to enter through one of the veterans committees.

Andrew Jones is in his eighth year and Carlos Beltran only in his third year.

The only definite one, I would say out of that folks is Ichiro Suzuki.

First ballot hall of Fame material if there ever was one.

Ichiro should make it in and perhaps Cece Sabathia as well.

As far as the rest of the guys, don't believe they're hall of Famers, but stranger things have happened so we'll have to keep an eye on that.

As I said, among the players returning to the baseball writers ballot, Billy Wagner, 73.8% of all ballots cast.

He of course is the most of any returning inductee.

Jones Andrew Jones from the Braves, the Yankees at 61.6%.

Carlos Beltran.

Will he shake the stigma of the Astros cheating scandal and make it into Cooperstown on his third year?

They are all the only candidates to receive 50% or more of the Baseball Writers association vote.

David Wright.

He got 6.2% in the second year of eligibility.

David's not really a Hall of Famer, but the reason I mention David Wright is because he is a New York Met and he will have his number retired this year.

I believe it's in June at Citi Field and he will also be inducted into the New York Mets hall of Fame on that date.

So a big year notwithstanding for David Wright.

Other players Torri Hunter, Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Burley, Andy Pettit, Jimmy Rollins, Bobby Abreu, our friend Omar Visquel Chase Utley, Manny Ramirez, who's got the stigma of performance enhancing drugs on him, as does Alex Rodriguez, who garnered 34.8 out of 75 needed in his fourth year of eligibility.

Don't see him getting in anytime soon.

Again, the writers will release the results of their voting on 21st January.

It will be carried on the MLB Network.

That's about it.

What do you say, Brian?

Call them tonight?

Yeah, we'll head home, folks.

That'll do it for me tonight on Sports Talk New York.

I'd like to thank my guests one more time, Mark Metcalf, John Hollinger, George Culver and Joe Unitas, my engineer, Brian Graves, and also you guys for joining us.

I'll see you Next on Sunday, December 29 for more great Sports talk.

Hopefully, that'll be our holiday show where I'll have some surprises for you.

Till then, happy, happy holidays.

Merry Christmas.

Be safe, be well.

Bill Donahue, wishing you a good evening, folks.

The views expressed in the previous program did not necessarily represent those of the staff, management or owners of wgbb.