A Hardball Back at Chris Matthews

Last week I learned that Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball" apparently dissed former middleweight champ Joey Giardello with a comment about "draining the swamp" to find a worthy apponent for Dick Tiger in 1963, my response:

Dear Chris Matthews,
For your information, Joey Giardello was a great middleweight fighter according to this boxing historian:

“… play them the films of Joey’s best fights, there’s inevitably comes that moment when somebody in the room lets out a little gasp and says, ‘My goodness, I didn’t realize how good this guy was.’”

“… at his peak, which was some years before he finally got his shot at the world title, he was a genuinely great boxer fighter.”

---Mike Casey

When Giardello beat Dick Tiger (December 7, 1963) Tiger had in the previous 10 months defeated Gene Fullmer twice, in addition to fighting the former champion between wins to a 15 round draw.

In 1963 Ray Robinson wanted the shot at Dick Tiger who told Ray that he’d have to go through Giardello. Robinson couldn't. As Joey tells it about that fight, “Yeah, Robinson was old but I was old too.”

In his title defense before a rematch with Tiger, Joey beat tough guy, Rubin Hurricane Carter. Yeah, the 2000 movie, “The Hurricane” showed Carter being robbed but Carter publicly stated afterward that he didn’t win the fight. Giardello successfully challenged Universal Studios for a misrepresentation of the fight.

Even if you believe Joey wasn’t a great champion, you’d have to search hard and long for a more successful, good-hearted, and heroic former champion.

During and well after Joey’s days in the ring, he used his celebrity for the benefit of children with disabilities. Not only did he fight exhibitions but he staged two events that brought the best fighters of the 50’s and 60’s together for these children. Joey collected boxing greats: Carmen Basillio, Tippy Larkin, Chuck Davey, Willie Pep, Charlie Fusari, Billy Graham, Rocky Graziano, Chico Vejar, Jake LaMotta, Paul Pender, Ernie Durando, Sandy Saddler, Billy Conn and others. Many would attend the “Carnival of Champion” just to see the referees: Heavyweight champions, "The Manassa Mauler,” Jack Dempsey; Jersey Joe Walcott; and “Cinderella Man,” James Braddock. He gathered these fighters twice (1969 and 1972) and donated all the proceeds to charity.

In addition, Joey met with Sargent Shriver prior to the first ever Special Olympics in order to stress the importance of physical training for children with Down syndrome.

He raised money for Saint John of God School, the first school in New Jersey and perhaps the country dedicated to children with special needs.

He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Italian-American Halls; a former member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. He’s ranked 14th among the middleweight champions of all times.

Now, Chris, aren’t you just a little sorry that you used that “empty swamp” line in connection with Giardello?

Charlie Redner

Chuck E. Cheese’s again, soon, please.

January 12, 2008 -- Another Tucson DS Connection outing, another huge success for organizer, hard-working Kathy Getman. The lunchtime gathering packed the establishment with DS children along side the general population of Tucson. All had fun. For those, like me, unfamiliar with Chuck E. Cheese, it’s a cross between an old fashion penny-arcade and a PlayStation 3 – Skeetball to electronic “Deal or No Deal,” -- games served along with pizza and other food stuffs. Nary a child was seen without a mile-wide smile, as well as their parents, and of course, me.

Thanks, Kathy
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Make A Difference: Write an op-ed

The account of how I stumbled onto the project, Down But Never Out is covered fully in the November/December issue of Celebrate Life. I had thought that I could simply hotlink you to the magazine's website but I learned from the editor that my story didn't make the cut to the web -- so write me if you just must see the whole thing. Part of the story can be found within the News & Info section of www.charlieredner.com

LA Buddy Walk a "Wow" event

Sunday, November 11, 2007 -- a day to remember! There were celebrities: John C. McGinley, star of SCRUBS and national DS Buddy Walk spokesman; William Petersen, star of CSI; and the stand-in for the late Seabiscuit from the movie of the same name. The Grand Marshal, Rosario Marin, former U.S. Treasurer led the Walk. There was a dance troop from Japan, "Love Junx" and a fabulous singers whose name I'll pass along as soon as I get it. Mark Wallengren of KOST handled MC duties and kept the program moving. And perhaps best of all, a young, new musical talent in the making, Alexander Arntzen who wrote the words and music to a song produced just for this year's DSALA Buddy Walk, appropriately called, "I'll Walk With You." Not too embarrassed to tell you that I shed a tear when I first heard it and probably will next time too. It's got a real emotional tug. The record was produced by Michael Woodrum, arranged by Bill Brendle, and sung magnificently live on stage by Jessica Purse. Held at Santa Anita Park it was truly a day I'll always remember. Naturally we walked and hopefully raised a lot of money for the Down Syndrome Society of Los Angeles. As my custom, a salute to the major sponsors: Santa Anita Park, U.S. Air Force, Nestle, SCRUBS, Farmer John, KOST FM 103.5, Arrowhead, Ralphs, Sound Moves, gv creative, and Excellent Entertainment. Also a major "well done" to DSALA executive director, Gail Williamson who seemed to be everywhere at the same time ensuring at that the program went off as planned, and it did. Can't wait for Number 14 next year.

Fun in Tucson II

The 7th Annual Tucson Buddy Walk sponsored by SANDS, Southern Arizona Network for Down Syndrome took place Saturday, October 27 at Reid Park (22nd & Country Club). Wrapped around the Walk which took place at 3:30 were some terrific entertainers: Lance Holm, magician; Marc Frederick, break dancer; and the Siglo 21 Players, a dance group from Hermosillo, Mexico. All the performers were children with Down syndrome and they were good! My friend from Rio Rico, Marie Scholnick and I met with the teacher from Hermosillo who invited us to visit with her. Marie wants to start a dance troop for Down children in Rio Rico. There were 17 information booths from advocacy groups including my new friends from the Down Connection. There also were many games for the children. It lasted until sundown and we were all sorry that the day had to end. Since it was a fund raiser, let's hope that they exceeded their goal. Hats off to the big sponsors: Desert Diamond Casino, Westin La Paloma, Diversified Building Supply, American Family Insurance, Tucson Fire Fighters Association, and Lennar/US Homes.

Fun in Tucson

Fun day for the kiddies -- Friday, October 26, spent the day holding down the fort for the Down Syndrome Connection's information table during Arizona's Division of Developmental Disabilities Annual Fall Festival. Held at the Community Resources Center (29th & Swan) in Tucson, this party brought families of children with many different disabilities together for an afternoon of fun. Costumed toddlers walked, strolled, and crawled around collecting goodies, playing games, and having their pictures taken. Some fifteen State employee volunteers dressed as Dalmations supervised the event.

Charlie Redner's Blog

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