Considered by some to be the greatest shortstop of all time, Ozzie Smith came up through the Padres Organization and played for the single A Walla Walla Padres in the late 70s. He is shown here doing one of his famous back flips. I hope to have a more in depth story on Ozzie at a later date. 
Other Walla Walla celebrities include Dirk Benedict from Battlestar Gallactica and the A-Team TV shows. Republic Pictures put Walla Walla on the map in the early 50s with the comedy "The Wacky Wac from Walla Walla" with Judy Canova and Andy Devine. Cousin Burl Barer said locals complained that the city was potrayed as some backwoods anachronism. Wonder if Republic is planning a sequel?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget TV Batman Adam West, who also hailed from Walla Walla. Although his career has fallen on hard times, I am sure Wallaites keep him in their memories. Walla Walla is also a line in a Danny Kaye song that included other cities with double names like Baden Baden. Too bad Butros Butros Galley of the UN wasn't from WW. Spokane is known for Bing Crosby and there is a BC collection at Gonzaga University. Bingles was part owner of pioneer radio TV stations KXLY, Spokane. Singer Patrice Munsel was a Spokanite.
ReplyDeleteAdam West has hardly fallen on hard times. Lesser seen for a man his age in film. But does cartoon voice acting and cameos on shows regularly. I think he's doing better than say you or I
DeleteSpokane heroes from my generation would be Ryne Sandberg, John Stockton and Tom Sneva.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering why you were talking about Adam West on an Ozzie post. After looking at all the comments, I can see.
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