by Ray Sanchez 09.06.15
I’ve found that one of the most popular features in this column is the “Did You Know Dept.?” item. People seem to enjoy learning new things. Our trivia question seems to go over big, too.
So:
Did You Know? Dept. – UTEP started a Sports Journalism class this fall with KVIA-TV general manager Kevin Lovell as the professor. It seems to have gone over well. Lovell reports:
“The class has 18 students, which is great for an undergraduate nighttime course. We have a couple of athletes (one UTEP football player, one softball player). We have three students who live in Juarez. The Prospector Editor and Sports Editor are both in the class. We have nine young men and nine young women. The students will be reading two of your books (“El Paso Sports History” and “Basketball’s Biggest Upset.”).
TRIVIA QUESTION: Which pitcher holds the Major League record for most consecutive victories? Answer at end.
JIM PAUL is one of the most important figures in the history of baseball in El Paso. He deserves much credit for turning professional baseball into a national phenomenon and he must feel pretty proud about that. And I can imagine how proud he must have been to see his son, Taylor Paul, inducted into the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame last weekend. I asked him about that. His answer:
“Taylor grew up at Dudley Field and Cohen Stadium and sometimes worked as a bat boy, in the souvenir stand, give-away booth, tarp crew, etc. as did his brother Robbie. But they both also got to hang out with the players until the gates opened and we had them do other assignments.
“The current manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Mike Matheny, was a catcher with the Diablos for a whole season and would work some with Taylor since he wanted to become better at catcher at Franklin High School. The most gratifying thing to me about Taylor is that it was totally his choice to play baseball; he was not pushed into it. My proudest moment was when he was named All American Academic. There are 450 D-3 NCAA schools and he was selected! Southwestern University in Georgetown is a highly respected academic school in Texas and to play baseball and be a Dean’s List Student every semester says a lot.
“P.S. — He now joins others of the Diablo family in the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame: Me, his aunt Karen Paul (only woman in the Hall), Rick Parr, Paul Strelzin, Ken Schrom, trainer Rick Smith, and, of course, Moose Stubing!”
MY CRYSTAL Ball said last week that UTEP would win at least six games this season. Some readers are even more optimistic.
Charles Hill writes, “I see the Miners winning eight games if they, as you stated, develop a quarterback and if Aaron Jones stays healthy. Hopefully, they will survive the first two games without sustaining any significant injuries. The Cowboys should make the playoffs and maybe this year the crucial calls will go in their favor.”
Former high school coach Julius Lowenberg went even further with the Miners. “Mark my words,” he said, “the Miners will win eight or nine games.”
EL PASO INC. is widely read — but as far away as England? I got the following email this past week:
“Dear Ray, I am writing to you from London in regards to your article in the El Paso Inc. In your article you discuss the honouring of Vietnam War vet Isaac Camacho.
“We are producing a series about incredible POW escapees on behalf of the Discovery Channel and I was wondering if you might be able to help with any contact information or whereabouts of Mr. Camacho.
“Kind regards. Sam Roberts.”
Of course, I quickly obliged. Capt. Camacho certainly deserves all the credit he can get.
ANSWER to trivia question: Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants with 24.