Only time for quick hits today:
Panel 1: OK, so I guess I understand why Clambake draws a crowd (“Hey neat, an old man is telling stories! It’s like a live-action YouTube video!”) but why does Jim Gross draw a crowd? (“Wow, he’s missing his left foot. So that’s why he stands at an angle!”)
Panel 2: Heh-heh. He said “duty!” I’m so immature.
Panel 3: “The real reason Ted Radcliffe was so impressive is he pitched and caught at the same time! He once pitched and caught himself for a 61 inning scoreless game, uphill both ways, and all he got paid for his effort was a lousy nickel!”
Not to be a nitpicker, but wasn’t Double Duty before Clambake’s time?
Comment by Ennui Willie Keeler — May 16, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Nope, actually Radcliffe played into the early ’50s. He was old, but he still played. Tried to integrate the Negro Leagues to keep them alive.
I realize we’re trying to draw a contrast between the Good People of Milford and the despicable Ken Burger, but really now… how many teenagers are going to listen to stories about the distant past with big goofy smiles on their faces? In the absence of mood-altering drugs, I mean?
I think that’s Rick Bozich on the right in panel 3… and I do believe that’s his brother Prick on the left.
And speaking of panel 3, what in God’s name is that… THING… on the back of Clambake’s head???? Giant Brillo pad? Pet tribble?
Comment by johnw — May 16, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
Actually, no. Radcliffe hit .364 at the age of 50 (in addition to a 1-0 pitching record) in 1952. He was player-manager of several teams from the late 30s to the mid 50s.
However, Radcliffe’s stint with the Memphis Red Sox was well before Pop’s day.
The best chance for them to overlap is 1950, when Radcliffe managed the Chicago American Giants in the Negro American League’s last year. It’s not clear whether Radcliffe played that season.
More importantly, does this mean Ken Gross is going to start catching?
Comment by Scott de B. — May 16, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Clambake’s head is starting to mutate!
Comment by Doug Puthoff — May 16, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
What in Clambake’s name is wrong with Jim’s lower lip?
Comment by AndreaD and the Grandstanding Oddballs — May 16, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
Remember that creepy kid in camp– the one that sucked on his bottom lip until there was an angry red line under his mouth, as though he had given himself a hickey or mouth ringworm? That’s what Jim’s lower lip looks like.
Comment by Laura Jane — May 17, 2007 @ 5:20 am
Worse than Jim’s Hapsburg lip is Pop’s freakish left hand. The palm is dark yet the fingers are white.
Comment by Scott de B. — May 17, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Johnw–This is GT. If there’s any comic out there that would introduce an old man who tells pointless stories about the Negro Leagues, and then just forget about him without explaining WHY he told all the stories (subtle moralizing agenda? subtle dementia? who knows!), it’s this’n.
Comment by sam — May 20, 2007 @ 11:24 am