Mike White’s high school sports chat: 10.13.26
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Mike White
11:57
Getting back to more on Ditka. Former Aliquippa coach Don Yannessa was a good friend of Ditka's. They played together on WPIAL championship team. Yannessa is a master story teller. I remember he told me a story once about Ditka when Ditka I think was playing Pony League baseball. Ditka's brother was on the team playing center field. Ditka was pitching. Last inning, there was a fly ball to center and Ditka's brother dropped it. Winning run scored. Mike Ditka took off after his brother. His brother climbed the outfield fence to get away from him Mike Ditka and Mike climbed it, too, chasing after him. Don didn't know if Mike ever caught his brother. Hilarious story. That showed how much Ditka hated losing.
X
11:58
Are the 2 Catholic schools, I think Canevin and LaSalle, way better than the rest of 2A?
Mike White
11:58
I would say yes.
12:02
Back to Don Yannessa. Great story about him. In the early 90s, I would golf with Don once a year at Beaver Lakes. One year when Yannessa was then at Baldwin, we played with former Steelers kicker Roy Gerela. Roy was special teams coach for Don at Baldwin. We were on a par 3. Roy, who was a good golfer, hits a high shot and says, "Oh that's way left." While it's in the air, Yannessa says, "No, it's not, it's a good shot." Gerela quickly chimes back, "No, it's left." Well the ball hits the green and goes about 15 feet from the pin. Remember, when Gerela missed the extra point against Cowboys in 1977 Super Bowl? Well, Yannessa says, "Holy hell Roy, no wonder you missed that extra point in the Super Bowl. You can't god damn see." I didn't know whether to laugh or feel bad for Gerela.
And there's the final horn. That does it for today. Thanks, everyone. Good questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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