jerseyshorejohnny
Well-known member
There aren’t too many of us left who know Frank McGuire coached baseball at St. John’s, as well as basketball. Two of his more prominent players — other than Lou Carnesecca, who was allowed to coach third base, and Jack Curran — were Governor Mario Cuomo and NBA official, Richie Powers. Both shared a distinct common bond — they were kicked off the team.
Mario’s expulsion was explained this way. Unexpectedly, the (then) Redmen lost both their catchers; one joined the Army, the other signed a major league contract. Thus, McGuire called designated Cuomo the team's new starting backstop.
“But, coach, I’m an outfielder,” Cuomo squawked.
“Well, you’re a catcher now,” McGuire replied.
“But I don’t want to be the catcher. I’m an outfielder!”
“Well, forget about being either now,” McGuire barked. “You’re off the team.”
Mario cleaned out his locker and signed the next day with Pittsburgh, banging around the minors several years before packing it in for a political career, and fathering a family of Democrats.
Powers owned a real live fastball, from what I was told, but didn’t feel McGuire was using him properly. One afternoon, again overlooked for a starting assignment, Richie was instructed to throw batting practice.
Incensed at being asked to perform such menial duty, he began throwing at his teammates. When it became apparent what he was doing, McGuire terminated Powers, who went on to build an impeccable NBA reputation of having an answer for everyone and impersonating an authority on everything.
Mario’s expulsion was explained this way. Unexpectedly, the (then) Redmen lost both their catchers; one joined the Army, the other signed a major league contract. Thus, McGuire called designated Cuomo the team's new starting backstop.
“But, coach, I’m an outfielder,” Cuomo squawked.
“Well, you’re a catcher now,” McGuire replied.
“But I don’t want to be the catcher. I’m an outfielder!”
“Well, forget about being either now,” McGuire barked. “You’re off the team.”
Mario cleaned out his locker and signed the next day with Pittsburgh, banging around the minors several years before packing it in for a political career, and fathering a family of Democrats.
Powers owned a real live fastball, from what I was told, but didn’t feel McGuire was using him properly. One afternoon, again overlooked for a starting assignment, Richie was instructed to throw batting practice.
Incensed at being asked to perform such menial duty, he began throwing at his teammates. When it became apparent what he was doing, McGuire terminated Powers, who went on to build an impeccable NBA reputation of having an answer for everyone and impersonating an authority on everything.