|
|
Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 30, 2011 15:29:21 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, dude! Sorry we won't be able to celebrate it like the old days, but hopefully you will get some sushi out of it anyway!
Bret
|
|
|
|
Post by blacknigel on Oct 1, 2011 18:25:16 GMT -5
Actually dude, I completely missed out on the sushi, but had a really great day otherwise. I played hooky from work and drove up to Pottsville, PA - which is famous for two things; Yuengling Brewery, and the 1925 Pottsville Maroons (the rightful 1925 NFL Champions).
The drive was about a hour and half, and I took the Brewery tour. It was way more "up close and personal" than the Anheuser-Busch tours. When you see the brewing room, you're in the brewing room, leaning up against the brewing kettle. When you're watching the filling lines the cans are flying past within arms reach. I was tempted, for a second. The obligatory two small samples afterwards was nice. The balance of the day was touring around Pottstown checking out the history of the Maroons.
The Maroons had the best record in 1925 and beat the 2nd best Chicago Cardinals team by a landslide. The league took it away because the Maroons had played and won an exhibition game in Philadelphia against the famous Four Horsemen Notre Dame team. It was a close game decided by a late Field Goal. The League Commish complained that the Maroons had violated the home territory of the Frankford, PA (now part of Philly) Yellow Jackets, so stripped them of the title. Never mind that no one could prove that there was a "home territory" rule, and it was utter crap because the NFL had 2 teams in Chicago, the Bears and the Cardinals. Typical NFL ruling and Philly complaining - but I digress. I recommend the book, "The Breaker Boys" for more info about the maroons.
So I visited the local historical society that had some of the artifacts. They had the bronzed cleat that kicked the game winner against ND, some old leatherhead helmets and a bunch of pictures of the team and town. So I got directions from the folks there to where I could find various landmarks in the Maroons story, including the football field where they played their home games.
It's now a small time shopping center, with a historical marker out by the road. The little supermarket has pictures of the marker dedication ceremony and a huge team picture up on the wall over the produce. "Doc" at the Historical Society said, "The entrance is about where the 30 yard line was." So I guess that makes 'The Beer Shack' next door about the 45. I bought a case of Yuengling Lager there, just 'cuz.
|
|
|
|
Post by mister frau blucher on Oct 3, 2011 11:22:00 GMT -5
Chris, that is awesome! I was never into the real early days that much until I visited the Hall. One of the first rooms you get to there has a lot on the history of the game, and I was really captivated by those times, looking over atrifacts and reading the old stories. I remember something about that controversy - there were several in those days, as you might imagine.
I'll get a few Yuenglings and hoist 'em for the Maroons!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Inar on Oct 4, 2011 12:13:34 GMT -5
I played hooky from work and drove up to Pottsville, PA - which is famous for two things; Yuengling Brewery, and the 1925 Pottsville Maroons (the rightful 1925 NFL Champions). I drank a good bit of Yuengling when I would go to Westminster, MD a few years back. Funny how I never really heard of it when I lived in Pennsylvania. |
|
|
|
Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 30, 2013 8:36:48 GMT -5
It's that time of year again - farmers, lock up your malts and hops!
Happy Birthday, amigo! I'll raise a few in honor of you tonight! Or maybe this afternoon, depending on how work goes. ;D
|
|
