04/23/24
September 26, 2003
George Plimpton, the author whose participatory journalism stunts included boxing with Archie Moore, pitching to Willie Mays, and playing quarterback for the Detroit Lions, has died at age 76. For me, his biggest claim to fame was Intellivision spokesperson.
I had never heard of this guy, but judging by his resume, he's my new hero. RIP George, I hardly knew ye.
posted by Succa at 01:29 PM on September 26, 2003
Get thee out to a used bookstore and read "Paper Lion" by Mr. Plimpton. Then rent the movie, also titled "Paper Lion", starring Alan Alda. I haven't seen the movie since I was a kid, so it may actually suck. I do remember enjoying it though.
posted by NoMich at 01:36 PM on September 26, 2003
I HAD Intellivision... Cool video game at the time... The hockey game is what i remember most. That and some strange WW2 bomber game. I heard Robert Palmer died today. Johnny Cash, Charles Bronson, John Ritter. Lots of (famous) people dying these days. My Uncle died 2 weeks ago too...
posted by StarFucker at 01:39 PM on September 26, 2003
Oops, that should've been, "...and read 'Paper Lion' by Mr. Plimpton."
posted by NoMich at 01:39 PM on September 26, 2003
Condolences, SF.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:00 PM on September 26, 2003
Plimpton was such a great figure - so hard to explain in a few sentences. He seemed to be present at so many seminal events, and played a role in writing them. Truly a man of the 20th century. There were few like him - Kerouac, Ginsberg, Thompson. Plus, he had a wicked sense of humor and was a man of privledge without a shred of pretention. Last thing I saw him in was "When We Were Kings". Bon Voyage Georgie.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:04 PM on September 26, 2003
Geez - I act like I know the guy. I don't, though I did have dinner with Kermit the Frog and God last night.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:05 PM on September 26, 2003
That Sidd Finch article kills me every time. Weedy, what did God eat?
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:37 PM on September 26, 2003
He ate peas, probably year-old, apricots, pears, in lightly fried orange oil, lettuce spread daintily around. Yes.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:01 PM on September 26, 2003
This thread gone crazzee.
posted by vito90 at 03:23 PM on September 26, 2003
Sammy - God ate Kermit.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:52 PM on September 26, 2003
So, you're saying that God doesn't share? He's a greedy SOB? Or is God a she? Spill the damn beans!
posted by billsaysthis at 06:12 PM on September 26, 2003
...and a hotplate!
posted by NoMich at 12:53 AM on September 27, 2003
From the Boston Globe: Bruins scout Gerry Cheevers was saddened to hear author George Plimpton died at age 76. Cheevers was with the Bruins when Plimpton played a period in the Boston net in a late '70s exhibition game at Philadelphia. Cheevers was his tutor and pal. "Just a wonderful, wonderful man," said Cheevers. "One of the nicest people I ever met." Cheevers recalled a night at the club's training camp in Fitchburg, with most of the team at a local pub, when Plimpton insisted on getting back to his room early enough not to disturb his roommate. He didn't want to be unfair to Jim "Seaweed" Pettie. "Don't worry about it!" said Cheevers, imploring the noted author to remain past closing time. But back went Plimpton, carefully tiptoeing through the room in the dark, not wanting to wake the slumbering Pettie. "I'm guessing George got back, oh, around 2 o'clock in the morning," recalled Cheevers. "And then you know what happened next: about 4 o'clock, here comes Pettie, right through the window."
posted by Samsonov14 at 01:35 PM on September 27, 2003
Let's hear it for Sidd Finch too then. I can only think of two things I knew about Plimpton. The Intellivision thing and the Sidd Finch article. I heard Robert Palmer died today. Johnny Cash, Charles Bronson, John Ritter. Lots of (famous) people dying these days.