…and with the passing of former Steeler Tunch Ilkin there is not much more you can say at this point that hasn’t been already been said. You would be hard pressed to find a man who gave so much of himself to help other people. While I didn’t know Tunch during his playing days our paths crossed many times during his broadcast career. It really took off when he joined the broadcast team of Bill Hillgrove and the late Myron Cope. It would be Myron’s shoes that Tunch eventually had to fill and did an admirable job too. It was habit in my home on Steelers Sunday to turn down the TV sound and crank up the radio side of the broadcast. The memorable moment for me came during the 4th quarter of the Steelers Colts divisional playoff game in Indianapolis. It was the Steelers Super bowl XL run. The Colts were attempting a comeback with 1:27 to go. It was 4th and 16 at the Colts 12 yard line and Tunch says “this is the ballgame”. Just before hiking the ball Tunch says “got to go after them” and Steelers Linebacker Joey Porter did just that and sacked Payton Manning at the 2 yard line and Tunch yell’s “that’s the game baby!’ Then says “we are off to Denver”! And why wouldn’t he be correct to say so. It’s Steelers ball, and were now just 2 yards away from adding another touchdown to their lead. But on the very next play Jerome Bettis fumbles the ball and you hear Tunch saying in disbelief, “Oh… fumble! Oh no they picked it up…oh no…oh my gosh…oh my gosh…somebody’s got to tackle him…oh my gosh”! The Colts Nick Harpers got the ball heading the other way for a touchdown but is stopped by Big Ben with 1:09 to play. Tunch continues “oh my gosh…okay you got 1:09 left on the clock, Colts got the ball on the 42 yard line…the game is not over cancel the reservations to Denver” The Colts get close enough to try a 43 yard field goal to tie the game but Mike Vanderjagt kicks it wide right and Tunch screams “call up the travel agency, remake those reservations we’re going to Denver”! Thanks for the memories Tunch. You were one of a kind. R.I.P
It’s the Kielbasa kid…
…and is forgetting to zip up your pants a problem for you? I have on occasion forgotten to zip up and can only remember one time where it had to be pointed out to me. It was unfortunately an embarrassing moment. While at a funeral, I was standing, talking to my Aunt who was sitting…
Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden Residency To End!
Billy Joel is ending his residency at Madison Square Garden after more than a decade! The Long Island native says his last show, set for July of 2024, will be his 150th performance at the Garden! The Piano Man has sold more than one-point-six-million tickets in that time! Since 1978, Joel has set records for…
It’s the Kielbasa Kid…
…and after seeing the billowing blue smoke rising to the skies from more than a few back yards and state parks over the Memorial Day weekend signaling the first of what will be many cookouts and picnic’s this season. For me it was a weekend that for the first time I realized I was saying…
Who’s ready for a three day weekend?
Memorial Day Weekend is coming up. Three days to rest, relax, spend time with your family and friends. But also to remember those that paid the ultimate price so that we can have these freedoms. Happy Memorial Day to all. Froggy will be playing lots of real country variety and we have Jelly Roll hosting…
It’s the Kielbasa Kid…
…and with summer slowly creeping its way back into our lives so have the thoughts of how to enjoy most of what it has to offer outdoors but this year it also includes watching TV. Since the start of baseball season if the Pirates had a Saturday afternoon game my buddy Frank would come over…
It’s The Kielbasa Kid…
…and if you happened to see what looked like a crazy guy trying to fill up his gas can over the weekend that was me. What made me look crazy was the way I was trying to fill up the can. I was holding the can up in the air with my left hand while…
It’s the Kielbasa Kid…
…and the fastest 2 min in sports but the longest pre game show in history well except for maybe the Super Bowl but only by a nose has come and gone. My wife loves the Kentucky derby. It’s the only sporting event she will not miss. Now she doesn’t watch the entire pre race festivities…
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced!
Four first-time nominees are among the inductees into the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael and Willie Nelson are joined by Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners in the “Performer Category!” Elton John’s longtime songwriting partner and the host of TV’s “Soul Train” will be…
It’s the Kielbasa Kid…
…and here we are less than a month away from the unofficial start to summer and the Memorial day weekend and the start of the grilling out season. For some folks like me the grilling out never really stops even during the middle of winter. When it comes to marinades there are many bottled flavors…
It’s the Kielbasa Kid…
…and for the past week my cars been in the shop because a deer decided I needed to modify my front end but all he or she did was make things look worse. So, I have been at the mercy of a rental. The first thing I did when I got it home was to get adjusted to…