not specifically soccer although I seem to recall he was a fan of the game. News of George Plimpton's death reminds me of a lot of hours of great reading as a youngster. The way he would describe his experiences as an amateur thrown in with high-level athletes was quite enjoyable to me. Later on when I became more interested in writing, I loved reading Paris Review, including back issues with Hemingway, Faulkner sharing insights. Great stuff always. If you ever get to see the footage of him playing goal for the Boston Bruins against the Broad Street Bullies in an exhibition, it is quite funny. Rest in Peace, and thank you.
Yes-very sad day. I used to him see walking along the East River Esplanade from time to time. The interviews in "Paris Review" are worth looking into-tremendous stuff. Much like Dick Schapp, he had a wonderful balance re: sport/non-sports world. And like Dick, he seemed to have known or met everybody. I saw him speak at the 92nd Street Y-he could just tell story after story. (Perhaps C-Span will reply a lively interview he did recently with Douglas Brinkley.) Seems like there are a group of writers-Schapp, Plimpton, Mailer, Halberstam, Schulberg-to name a few, who have passsed or are near that age. These are the last of a generation; men of letters who could float in and out of sport. Plimpton and Mailer are great in "When We Were Kings." And of course on "Greatest Sports Legends," he interviewed Pele, if I remember right. He will be missed.
ooh, i had forgotten about that show, you are right about Pele. those writers who could float in and out of sport seem to be a thing of the past. George Will comes to mind but he's not nearly as accomplished a writer. Not sure if today's public provides much of a market for that kind of thing.