RIP Curly Neal

[Exhibitman]

Age 77.

[ClementeFanOh]

True story- when I was playing summer baseball in the mid 80s, Curly Neal was the national spokesman for the company that sponsored our team. I had no idea of that fact until, when we were in the dugout before a game, the manager introduced Curly as our "celebrity first base coach" for the game! Curly came from behind the dugout, talked to us, and coached first base a couple innings- all while dribbling a basketball in the first base coaches' box! I reached first and he told me, "Do what you normally do". So I stole second, lol...Rest In Peace Mr. Neal. Trent King

[bdk1976]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

True story- when I was playing summer baseball in the mid 80s, Curly Neal was the national spokesman for the company that sponsored our team. I had no idea of that fact until, when we were in the dugout before a game, the manager introduced Curly as our "celebrity first base coach" for the game! Curly came from behind the dugout, talked to us, and coached first base a couple innings- all while dribbling a basketball in the first base coaches' box! I reached first and he told me, "Do what you normally do". So I stole second, lol...Rest In Peace Mr. Neal. Trent King

That’s awesome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[roarfrom34]

never knew his first name was Fred

RIP

[commishbob]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

True story- when I was playing summer baseball in the mid 80s, Curly Neal was the national spokesman for the company that sponsored our team. I had no idea of that fact until, when we were in the dugout before a game, the manager introduced Curly as our "celebrity first base coach" for the game! Curly came from behind the dugout, talked to us, and coached first base a couple innings- all while dribbling a basketball in the first base coaches' box! I reached first and he told me, "Do what you normally do". So I stole second, lol...Rest In Peace Mr. Neal. Trent King

Terrific memory!


And i suspect there are some actual 1B coaches that have told players the same exact thing.

[ClementeFanOh]

Thanks Bob and Brett- it was cool indeed. He was a GREAT ball handler and, in my experience, a nice man- full of smiles. Trent King

[LuckyLarry]

[hcv123]

I saw Curly as part of the globetrotters at least 2 times when I was growing up. He was the star of the show - incredible ball handler and equally incredible on court comedian! Thanks for the wonderful memories. RIP

[ValKehl]

When I was growing up, I really enjoyed watching the Globetrotters on TV - I never got to see them live. One of my favorites was dribblemeister Curly Neal. Here's the link to his obit in today's Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...rs-curly-neal/