This week's conversation with Rich Maison begins normally enough. He shares how his fascination with sports began with a long-ago Detroit Tiger and Pittsburgh Pirate first baseman, Jason Thompson. Nicknamed "Rooftop" during his Detroit days for a pair of prodigious shots in 1977 that he deposited on top of Tiger Stadium, he captivated young Rich in his childhood home. (No footage of either shot is readily available, but enjoy this full Tigers-Blue Jays telecast from June 20, 1978.)
From there Rich takes us on a journey into competitive swimming as well as fishing. Yes, fishing! We learn more than we have to this point about both sports and how Lake St. Clair has some of the best bass fishing in North America. Along the way, Rich shares how technology has changed fishing (especially competitive fishing such as the Bassmaster Elite Series) and the tale of an epic hunting and fishing trip he took several years ago to Kodiak Island, AK.
We eventually return to more mainstream spectator sports when Rich notes the one event he'd like to go back in time to witness in person was the 2006 American League Championship Game between Oakland and Detroit at Comerica Park. It's the game best known for Magglio Ordonez's game-tying 6th inning homer and his walk-off in the bottom of the 9th.
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