So May 2nd in Polonia Day, where Polish immigrants the world over are celebrated. Poland being one of the leading nations in terms of displaced persons (that's what you get for living between Russia and Germany), Polonia Day is sort of a unique deal. Kind of like a St. Patrick's Day with less red hair, green beer, and exposed breasts. In part because of their large numbers, Polish-Americans have contributed greatly to the world of sports even if they haven't contributed to much to other sectors (who's going to elect a politician that can't change a light bulb?). So, without further ado; THE TEN GREATEST POLISH AMERICAN ATHLETES OF ALL TIME.
10. Alan Trammell
Possible Hall of Famer and professional Craig Biggio impersonater Alan Trammell won a World Series with the Tigers, managed them poorly and now coaches for the Cubs. A World Series MVP and a 6 Time Allstar, Trammell nearly had his number retired. Until Gary Sheffield started wearing it. This is why he's number 10.
10. Alan Trammell
Possible Hall of Famer and professional Craig Biggio impersonater Alan Trammell won a World Series with the Tigers, managed them poorly and now coaches for the Cubs. A World Series MVP and a 6 Time Allstar, Trammell nearly had his number retired. Until Gary Sheffield started wearing it. This is why he's number 10.9. Pete Stemkowski
Stemkowski, the Polish Prince, won a Stanley Cup with the Maple Leafs in 1967 and scored two overtime winners in the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals in a losing effort for the New York Rangers. In addition to that 'ski' at the end of his name and his rugged good looks, performing admirably in a losing campaign is a typical Polish trait. His game 5 OT winner was voted the Number 18 greatest moment in the Madison Square Garden history. Isiah Thomas calling that lady a bitch didn't make the cut. Stemkowski is a honorary member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame which must be quite an honor.
Stemkowski, the Polish Prince, won a Stanley Cup with the Maple Leafs in 1967 and scored two overtime winners in the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals in a losing effort for the New York Rangers. In addition to that 'ski' at the end of his name and his rugged good looks, performing admirably in a losing campaign is a typical Polish trait. His game 5 OT winner was voted the Number 18 greatest moment in the Madison Square Garden history. Isiah Thomas calling that lady a bitch didn't make the cut. Stemkowski is a honorary member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame which must be quite an honor.8. Hank Stram
Legendary Kansas City Cheifs coach and NFL Films superstar known for winning a Super Bowl and "matriculating the ball down the field." His father's name is Henry Wilczek. He looks sharp in those blazers and he reminds me of a successful George Costanza. He had a successful career as a broadcaster and is honored on this list for that as well (unlike degenerate Pole Billy Packer who will not be recognized). Stram died three years ago to the sadness of all Polonia.
Legendary Kansas City Cheifs coach and NFL Films superstar known for winning a Super Bowl and "matriculating the ball down the field." His father's name is Henry Wilczek. He looks sharp in those blazers and he reminds me of a successful George Costanza. He had a successful career as a broadcaster and is honored on this list for that as well (unlike degenerate Pole Billy Packer who will not be recognized). Stram died three years ago to the sadness of all Polonia.7. Phil Niekro
Unquestionably the greatest knuckleballer of all time (take that Wakefield and your Anglo-Saxon name), Niekro's 318 victories (with 121 after turning 40) rate pretty well. Niekro made being old and good sports in vogue before Barry took it over. 3000 strike outs, Hall of Famer, on the advisory board for a toy company in Cumming, GA. Not bad for a Polack. He is not the Neikro with that file in his back pocket.
Unquestionably the greatest knuckleballer of all time (take that Wakefield and your Anglo-Saxon name), Niekro's 318 victories (with 121 after turning 40) rate pretty well. Niekro made being old and good sports in vogue before Barry took it over. 3000 strike outs, Hall of Famer, on the advisory board for a toy company in Cumming, GA. Not bad for a Polack. He is not the Neikro with that file in his back pocket.6. Mike Ditka
Coach of possibly the greatest football team of all time, the 1985 Bears, and he was smart enough to avoid that Super Bowl Shuffle nonsense. He once got married to Ricky Williams. There is a rumor that he's Ukrainian but that is a lie spread by a bunch of jealous, thieving Cossacks. He's ours, Ukraine, back off! The most feared and terrible hurricane is Hurricane Ditka.
Coach of possibly the greatest football team of all time, the 1985 Bears, and he was smart enough to avoid that Super Bowl Shuffle nonsense. He once got married to Ricky Williams. There is a rumor that he's Ukrainian but that is a lie spread by a bunch of jealous, thieving Cossacks. He's ours, Ukraine, back off! The most feared and terrible hurricane is Hurricane Ditka.5. Steve Bartkowski
Overcame those horrible helmets to be the all-time leader in most offensive categories for the Atlanta Falcons (for a time). Led Atlanta to its first division title. Threw for 31 TDs one time. Had great hair. Born three days before my birthday in my hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. We are basically the same person.
Overcame those horrible helmets to be the all-time leader in most offensive categories for the Atlanta Falcons (for a time). Led Atlanta to its first division title. Threw for 31 TDs one time. Had great hair. Born three days before my birthday in my hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. We are basically the same person.4. Carl Yastrzemski
Yaz is one of the most loved athletes in the New England area, and its only partly because he's white. Speaks Polish, went to Notre Dame like a good little Catholic and was a valiant warrior against the Yankees. The last man to hit for the Triple Crown and has his number retired. 3000 hits, 300 homeruns, Hall of Famer. Milhouse once traded a baseball card of Yaz with the long sideburns for a Radioactive Man No. 1 Comic Book in a foolish move.
Yaz is one of the most loved athletes in the New England area, and its only partly because he's white. Speaks Polish, went to Notre Dame like a good little Catholic and was a valiant warrior against the Yankees. The last man to hit for the Triple Crown and has his number retired. 3000 hits, 300 homeruns, Hall of Famer. Milhouse once traded a baseball card of Yaz with the long sideburns for a Radioactive Man No. 1 Comic Book in a foolish move.3. Al Simmons
Simmons wins the award for most unpronounceable pre-acclimated name (Aloysius Szymanski). In the conversation for greatest first baseman ever, Simmons hit .334 over a career that included two World Series rings for Connie Mack's A's. 1000 RBIs, 1000 Runs, Simmons was an all around great who sometimes gets forgot because "when he played they didn't allow black people." Well integration or not Simmons was a great player who often times took off towards third after putting the ball in play. That's a Pole for you.
Simmons wins the award for most unpronounceable pre-acclimated name (Aloysius Szymanski). In the conversation for greatest first baseman ever, Simmons hit .334 over a career that included two World Series rings for Connie Mack's A's. 1000 RBIs, 1000 Runs, Simmons was an all around great who sometimes gets forgot because "when he played they didn't allow black people." Well integration or not Simmons was a great player who often times took off towards third after putting the ball in play. That's a Pole for you.2. Mike Krzyzewski
The foul mouthed Duke Coach, who looks like a cross between Dennis Kucinich and a donkey, is beloved by few, hated by many, considered successful by all. 3 Championships, 10 Final Fours, Krzyzewski is the gold standard for college basketball in the last 25 years. His empire is crumbling because he refused to recruit blue chip guys who will take off for the NBA after a year and doesn't get "gritty, hardworking," white guys like Tyler Hansborough but does get "lame, girlish" white guys like J.J. Reddick. Paulus sucks too.
The foul mouthed Duke Coach, who looks like a cross between Dennis Kucinich and a donkey, is beloved by few, hated by many, considered successful by all. 3 Championships, 10 Final Fours, Krzyzewski is the gold standard for college basketball in the last 25 years. His empire is crumbling because he refused to recruit blue chip guys who will take off for the NBA after a year and doesn't get "gritty, hardworking," white guys like Tyler Hansborough but does get "lame, girlish" white guys like J.J. Reddick. Paulus sucks too.1. Stan Musial
Stanislaw Franciszek Musial, born of a poor Warsaw farmer, is the greatest Cardinal who ever lived and the 3rd greatest baseball player of all time (I am the authority on this). He hit for average and power, he has nearly no statistical weakness (3000 hits, 475 home runs, .330 average, 1951 RBIs) slick with a glove and 3 World Series titles. Nicknamed "The Man" by Dodgers fans because he absolutely killed them, and also, you know, because it rhymes. My favorite stat, ever: of his 3,630 hits, 1,815 were at home, 1,815 were away. That's ridiculous. A great man and a great Pole.
Hug a Polack today!
Stanislaw Franciszek Musial, born of a poor Warsaw farmer, is the greatest Cardinal who ever lived and the 3rd greatest baseball player of all time (I am the authority on this). He hit for average and power, he has nearly no statistical weakness (3000 hits, 475 home runs, .330 average, 1951 RBIs) slick with a glove and 3 World Series titles. Nicknamed "The Man" by Dodgers fans because he absolutely killed them, and also, you know, because it rhymes. My favorite stat, ever: of his 3,630 hits, 1,815 were at home, 1,815 were away. That's ridiculous. A great man and a great Pole.Hug a Polack today!
2 comments:
MLB wants to preserve that tradition, apparently. With that Urban Initiative.
r u kidding me Where is RON JAVORSKI 1970-80 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES this list needs to be reworked
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