On Wednesday, I celebrated ó or suffered, depending on how you look at it ó birthday No. 54.
The latest anniversary of my birth fell on 09/09/09 ó an ominous date that provided material for amateur numerologists all over the world. The odd birthday made me the subject of no small degree of shock and awe in the newsroom.
I reminded anyone who’d listen that 54 breaks neatly into 5 and 4. Add those numerals together and you’ve got another 9.
Amazingly enough, 09/09/09 was the 252nd day of the year, and as any adult who isn’t a sportswriter can tell you, the sum of 2, 5 and 2 is yet another 9.
More than one helpful person advised me 09/09/09 was the ideal day to purchase the first lottery ticket of my life, but, alas, such an outing would have cut into the time I budgeted to study this week’s picks.
Several angry readers offered the opinion that additional study was advisable after the picks were weak last week. I was only 4-2 and way off on two games that were technically Ws. Common Sense (14-4) predicted Carson-Salisbury would be tight and assured everyone Davie-West would be a snooze-fest.
Not.
Locally, Mike Cline, the walking encyclopedia of Southern rasslin’ and Hollywood movies, shares the Sept. 9 birthday. So does Phillip Goodman, a former North Rowan and Legion hero in the 2000 state tournament.
In the football world, former Redskins QB Joe Theismann and former Redskins pass-rusher Ron “Dancing Bear” McDole turned a year older on 09/09/09.
Dick LeBeau turned 72 on 09/09/09 but is still coordinating the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. LeBeau is somewhat feistier than feisty. I won’t be picking football games, much less coaching them, if I make it to 72.
In baseball, Garry Maddox, once the world’s top center fielder, had a birthday on 09/09/09. If they were still with us, Hall of Famers Frankie Frisch, who fueled the 1930s Gashouse Gang, and Waite Hoyt, ace hurler of the 1927 Yankees, would have celebrated as well.
Other deceased legends who were born on Sept. 9 include Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, Harland “Colonel” Sanders, who made Kentucky Fried Chicken a household phrase, and soulful singers Otis “Dock of the Bay” Redding and Billy “Will It Go Round in Circles?” Preston.
In basketball, noted Caucasian dunker “Thunder Dan” Majerle enjoyed an 09/09/09 birthday.
So did ex-UNC star Walter Davis and ex-Duke star Shane Battier. It’s a shame those two were born so far apart. It would’ve been fun watching Battier guard Davis ó or at least try.
Celebrities who blew out candles on 09/09/09 include Michael “Batman” Keaton, Rachel “S.I. Swimsuit Edition” Hunter, Tom “Luke Duke” Wopat and Adam “Happy Gilmore” Sandler.
Cline reminded me literary great Leo Tolstoy was born on Sept. 9, but that didn’t get me rushin’ to the library to check out “War and Peace.”
While the Chinese believe 9s bring wonderful good fortune, the Japanese consider 9s terribly unlucky, but those nations have a history of disagreement.
Paris Goodnight and Mark Wineka, who have been at the Post forever, sided with the Chinese. They grabbed golf clubs, ventured to Rolling Hills on 09/09/09, arrived at the counter at precisely 9:09 a.m. and were certain it was their lucky day.
Any eagles or aces?
“Nope, we shot a bunch of 9s,” said a groaning Goodnight, who claims to have fired a 99 on the nose.
A highlight of the 09/09/09 experience occurred when Hall of Fame Salisbury soccer coach Tom Sexton phoned in his late-night update on Hornet goals, saves and bicycle kicks.
“It’s 09/09/09,” Sexton announced after a victory against West Rowan. “And you won’t believe this, but it’s my birthday.”
I believe it. After all these years, it’s good to know Sexton and I share something besides late hours.
The best thing about 09/09/09? That was the e-mail from Jim Miles, father of Maverick, the South Rowan baseball star, to let us know Maverick is OK.
Maverick had four hours of open-heart surgery to repair a hole Wednesday, but he’s started on the road to recovery.
He’ll be on the shelf two months, but then he’ll be back batting .999 or close to it.
As for the picks, it’s not a week for the faint of heart. Six games; three tossups.
The picks:
West 29, Salisbury 19
Hornets looked great last week. Should be fun.
South 39, Robinson 9
Raiders should bounce back with no problem.
Hickory Ridge 19, East 14
Tough call. Two 2-1 teams. Mustangs on the road for the first time.
Lexington 29, North 0
Not a tough call.
One computerized Internet system rates North 348th out of 350 football-playing schools in the state.
Carson 19, W. Davidson 17Toughest call of all. Carson finally at home and looking for redemption. Key game for the program.
Davie 39, Providence Day 29War Eagles made strides last week and should score enough to get first win.