Beverley's demand reminiscent of Ben Hogan

Dolphins in the cold usually wilt and generous move by Ron Diorio

Good morning, all! I hope your week is off to a terrific start.

I could not help but notice the story about the Milwaukee Bucks’ Patrick Beverley, host of The Pat Bev Podcast. When ESPN producer Malinda Adams asked Beverley for an interview, following the Bucks elimination from the NBA playoffs, he asked Adams if she subscribes to his podcast.

“Do I subscribe? I do not,” Adams answered.

“You can’t interview me then. No disrespect,” Beverley stated.

The incident reminded me of the time golfing great Gary Player was trying to impress his buddies. As the story goes, while sitting around a table in Player’s native country, South Africa, Player said he could call up Hogan and ask for a golf tip. When Player made his connection with Hogan and started asking his question, Hogan - owner of the Ben Hogan Golf Club Company, interrupted Player, asking which clubs he used.

“I golf with Dunlop clubs,” Player responded.

“Then call Mr. Dunlop,” Hogan answered, before hanging up on Player.

Player, as classy as they come, did not take the slight personally and continued to praise Hogan. “I studied his every move and analyzed his career. Never has there been a golfer who influenced the swing more than Ben Hogan,” Player stated, after Hogan’s death in 1997.

Dolphins wilt in the cold

In his weekly football notes column in the Boston Globe, Ben Volin had an interesting tidbit about the Miami Dolphins. Under coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins have a 16-4 record from September to November, averaging 28.2 points per game. From December through January, under McDaniel, the Fish are 4-10, averaging 22.7 points per game. They also have not won a playoff game the last two seasons.

Something tells me the Dolphins need to make some adjustments, once the calendar flips.

Diorio learned from many, including Father Blanchfield

When I was the manager of the Torrington High School basketball team, it was always a battle, when Torrington played at Sacred Heart of Waterbury. Planting himself below the Sacred Heart basket was the school principal, Rev. John P. Blanchfield. Father Blanchfield was an imposing figure, standing over six-feet tall with bright, bushy, white hair. He usually chomped on an unlit cigar. Standing below those basketball hoops, he always looked 10-feet tall to me.

Torrington lost many of those games at Sacred Heart, usually by close scores. I could not help suspect some divine intervention was involved.

Enter Ron Diorio, who went on to pitch in the major leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies. Mark Jaffee of the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper wrote an interesting piece about Diorio and his career on Sunday. Diorio recalled the time he skipped detention at Sacred Heart to pitch for the high school baseball team. Diorio made it through the first inning, but before the second inning, he noticed a 1962 Chevy driving down the right field line. It was the Rev. Blanchfield.

“You had detention. You are coming with me,” Father Blanchfield ordered Diorio.

Diorio was forced to remain on detention until 5:45 that afternoon and had to walk home.

“Don’t tell me that didn’t have a lasting impression. It was a good lesson that actions have consequences,” Diorio told Jaffee.

Now 77, Diorio still works as a real estate appraiser. I remember him officiating high school basketball games, when I was broadcasting scholastic hoops on the radio. He recently donated his memorabilia to the Mattatuck Museum in his hometown of Waterbury.

Father Blanchfield, a trooper to the end, died right after saying Mass one morning. He was experiencing a heart attack but insisted on completing the Mass. Father Blanchfield left his mark on many, including Ron Diorio and me.

That is going to do it for this week’s newsletter. As always, thank you for your support and have a terrific week.

DAN LOVALLO