My selection of Jesse Whittenton as UTEP’s best football player ever drew quite a few comments from readers — and not a single
one disagreed with the selection.
C.J. Hill, a statistician at UTEP football and basketball games and longtime follower of the Miners, did point out some other outstanding players, however. Here’s what he wrote:
“THANKS FOR the article on Jesse Whittenton. I defer to your wisdom about Whittenton being UTEP’s all-time greatest player as I never got to see him play in person. I do remember seeing him play for the Packers in the early 60’s and he was a great player. I can’t say that I remember all that much as I was only 7 or 10 years old at the time.
“UTEP has certainly had its share of great players. Fred Carr was probably the best that I have seen and he was also a gifted basketball player that played for the Bear in the year following the NCAA championship.
“Other great Miners that I have seen were George Daney, Thomas Howard, Seth Joyner, Quintin Demps, Chuck Hughes, Don Maynard, Charlie West, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Bob Wallace, Billy Stevens and many others. I would say that Fred Carr and Charlie West were the best Miners that I have ever seen in person. I didn’t get to see Don Maynard in person but of course I remember his great career with the (New York) Jets.”
ANOTHER READER, Alton Setliff, wrote, “He (Whittenton) was an absolute stud! He had great presence about him as well, but not the arrogant type; he was just a plain ol’ great athlete.”
Jose L. Torres, who inspired my column on Whittenton, wrote, “Ray: That was a superb story on Mr. Whittenton. The things I learn about El Paso sports from you are great. That is why I always sat next to you while we both were covering Miner games. I’m so glad you are still writing books.” He added that he rates Chris Jacke as the best field goal kicker the Miners ever had and Tony Tolbert as the best defensive end.
THE MOST touching email came from Whittenton’s wife, Barbara:
“I just came across the article you did about Jesse in El Paso Inc. I can’t thank you enough for remembering him. He was such a special person who I still miss every day. He always said you were one person who supported him throughout his career. Again, thank you so very much.”
Jesse Whittenton passed away two years ago.
TRIVIA QUESTION: With this year’s World Series just over, this is timely. Can you tell me who was the winning pitcher in the longest World Series game ever? Answer at end.
WAYNE KNOX, 76, a well known bowler from El Paso, passed away in Temple, Texas, on October 22 of pancreatic cancer. Wayne was the son of Jo and Leonard Knox and was an outstanding bowler who during his career bowled four perfect games of 300. He is survived by his wife, two sons, five grandchildren and his sister, Evelyn George Seybold of El Paso.
GOOD NEWS concerning my latest book, “The Good, the Bad and the Funny of El Paso Sports History.” People still tell me they want to buy a copy, especially with Christmas coming soon. You can still get the book on Amazon.com or at Barnes and Noble Booksellers but it’ll take a while.
However, Mesa Publishing, located in El Paso, is now offering to hand deliver an autographed copy to your door anywhere within the El Paso city limits. You can call me at 584-0626 or email me at rayf358@yahoo.com, and I’ll sign it, tell Mesa Publishing and you’ll have it in a day or two.
Now that’s what I call service.
ANSWER to trivia question: Believe it or not, it was the immortal Babe Ruth. He pitched a 14-inning complete game for the Boston Red Sox and beat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 2-1, in 1916.