RIP: Marvin "Bad News" Barnes

[HRBAKER]

Dead @ 62
What a character.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s172/hrbaker/AUTOS/spiritsyb001.jpg

[GoldenAge50s]

Some of the last basketball Marvin played was in the early '80's as a member of our barroom team in a city rec league.

One evening Marvin showed up @ my bar, ready to go to the game. We got almost to the gym & had to turn around & go back to Marvin's house---he had forgotten to bring his sneakers!

A character for sure, but a very likeable guy w/ a great personality. I last saw him 2 yrs ago @ a PC-Syracuse game. I was shocked when I heard the "Bad News" on my TV last eve.

Here's a pic of Marvin & my wife:

[Econteachert205]

If you're not from Rhode Island you couldn't understand how legendary he was in every way. What an interesting life.

[Griffins]

If you've never read Terry Pluto's history of the ABA, "Loose Balls", you're missing a good book. Lots about Marvin, including the time the team had a flight from Indiana to St Louis. Due to the time zone change the arrival was a few minutes earlier local time than the takeoff, and Marvin refused to board, saying he "wasn't getting on no time machine". Lots of great stories in that book.