The LuLac Edition #3520, May 31st, 2017

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

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Frank Deford (Yahoonews) 

FRANK DEFORD’S LAST COMMENTARY

Frank Deford, gifted Sports Illustrated columnist, founder of The National Sports Daily in the early 80s as well as a regular commentator on NPR died on Memorial Day. His wit, flowery prose as well as his stunningly accurate humor was one of a kind. We present to you his last commentary on NPR given in early May.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. I always wanted to use that in a commentary. That wonderful circus introduction, ballyhooed by the splendid ringmaster. But I could just never find the ideal spot.
Of course had I, there would be some people who’d say that a circus doesn’t belong in with sports. But hey, just because there’s clowns around doesn’t disqualify certain daredevils from being certified athletes. Equestrians, tightrope walkers, and those who fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
That’s why I was so upset to learn that the grandest big top ever, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, was going out of business later this month. The greatest show on earth. And it probably was exactly that, once upon a time.
Well, by coincidence, this particular tiny show on earth that consists of me talking about sports on NPR, is also folding its tent flaps this May of 2017. Yes, this is my swansong, my farewell, my last hurrah. Adieu, adios, arrivederci, auf wiedersehen.
I’ve been delivering these little homilies since 1980. That’s 37 years, and altogether, NPR’s statisticians tell me, my bloviation total is 1,656 commentaries. And I trust you’ve hung onto every word. I have survived so long because I’ve been blessed with talented and gracious colleagues. And with a top brass who let me choose my topics every week, and then allowed me to express opinions that were not always popular. Well, someone had to stand up to the yackety-yak soccer cult.
And perhaps just as important—I’ve been blessed with you, with a broad and intelligent audience, even if large portions thereof haven’t necessarily given a hoot about sports. Nothing has pleased me so much as when someone, usually a woman, writes me or tells me that she has appreciated sports more. Because NPR allowed me to treat sports seriously, as another branch on the tree of culture.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for abiding me. And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. I bid you goodbye, and take my leave.”