Random 90s Athlete of the Day: Dennis Rodman

This post is for our boy lil' Naz who recently got in the ring with Captain Casper. Kid's got balls.

Is there a player that personifies random more than Dennis Rodman? Just look at this guys existence. His middle name is Keith. He was one of his father’s 27 children, split between 4 wives. He went from a scrawny 5 ft. 6 in. frosh that couldn’t make the football or basketball team to a 6 ft. 6 in. monster by his senior year.  He then flunks out of community college and gets a second chance at Southeastern Oklahoma State, probably because they had a couple Bio majors down on the block and the janitor running the point. He goes on to play 3 solid years for the Savages (yup that was their mascot, no surprise that they are now the Savage Storm, which really doesn't make sense, like is it raining indians or what?), and ends up staying in school long enough to get drafted and play in the NBA. He then winds up on two of the best teams of the decade, the two time NBA champion Pistons in the early 90’s and Jordan’s Bulls later on, and wins 5 rings. He wore the numbers 91, 70, and 73, probably the most remarkable achievement of his career. He dyed his hair every one of Crayola’s 133 colors. He got with Carmen Electra and Madonna. He wore a wedding dress to promote his book, and he was a part time-wrestler who got in the ring with Macho Man Randy Savage. There is nothing normal about this guy.

Despite what you may think of Rodman, he was a great player. He was a 5 time champion and is arguably the best rebounder ever. His achievements were recently recognized when he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, receiving validation for a very decorated career. 

Random 90s Athlete of the Day: Joe McEwing

Super Joe broke into the league in '99 with the Cardinals and had a remarkable rookie season. The guy was as scrappy as they come, playing every position but pitcher and catcher in his rookie campaign. He slugged .275 with 9 home-runs and 141 hits, a third of his career total. Joe also had a 25 game hit streak and finished 5th in NL Rookie of the Year Voting. He was traded to the Mets the next year where he played for 5 seasons and even made a World Series appearance in 2000 before calling it a career.

Joe is known for the way he just abused future hall of famer Randy Johnson throughout his career. The legend started in 2000, when Joe went 4-6 against the Big Unit with 3 doubles, a homerun, and 4 RBI's.

I'm talking about him today because he might have one of the sickest highlight reels of all time. Check it out.

The combination of the Foo Fighters grunge guitar and the action pics of Joe are just majestic.


If after reading this post Joe McEwing became your favorite player, you should sign this petition, and send Joe to Cooperstown where he belongs.


HoundDog

Random 90's Athlete of the Day: Eric Moulds

Moulds is one of the greatest players to ever lace ‘em up for New York’s third team (the only one really in New York). After three years at Mississippi State in which he tallied over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, Moulds bolted from Starkville, Mississippi and entered the NFL draft.

Moulds was picked up 24^th overall by Buffalo, and the rest is history. Moulds was named All-Pro twice, went to 3 Pro Bowls, and was named to Buffalo’s 50h Anniversary Team, not bad for a late first round pick.

        
 Moulds was a consummate professional. The complete opposite of the man selected first overall in 1996, Keyshawn, or MeShawn, Johnson. Mould went to work everyday, caught touchdowns, and went home.  He didn’t have any of the off field shenanigans that Keyshawn had, and as a result Moulds remained under the radar.

Interestingly enough, in roughly the same amount of games, Moulds recorded 764 catches, 9,995 yards, and 49 scores, while Keyshawn recorded 818 cathces, 10,571, and 64 scores. Not as far apart as you would think given their name recognition. Moulds reminds me a lot of the man drafted at 19 in the same round, Marvin Harrison. Both guys were pro's pros.

Moulds formed a deadly 1-2 punch with the burner out of Knoxville, Peerless Price. Moulds and Peerless Price spread out wide with Doug Flutie behind center led the Bills to a couple of their most successful seasons in recent memory. They made back playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999. They  haven't made it back to the big dance since.

Moulds finished up with stints in Houston and Tennessee, but he will always be remembered as a Bill, it just looked wrong seeing him with that strange looking bovine creature and then that asteroid with a "T" on it on his helmet.

-The HoundDog

Random 90's Athlete of the Day: Keith Tkachuck

How great is this jersey?

Keith Tkachuk was the Phoenix Coyotes in the 90s. After his team relocated from Winnipeg in 96, Keith led the desert dogs to four straight playoff births to end the decade.  A standout at BU, Keith left the Terriers after two seasons, can't say I blame him, and joined the Winnipeg Jets, now known as the Phoenix Coyotes (soon to be know as the Winnipeg Jets again unless the team starts getting better attendance), for the 91-92 season. Keith went onto score 292 goals in the decade and became one of only 4 American born snipers to hit 500 goals in a career.

To me Keith is remembered for a few reasons. First his name. I would like to buy a vowel. I mean how many people do you know with a silent K in their name, pretty sweet right? 

Second, the consonant cluster graced the cover of one of the most underrated N64 games of all time,  NHL Breakaway 98. I ran train in this game, dangling kids with Keith on the 'Yotes, Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg on the Avalanche.
    But I think I remember him best for playing in arguably the greatest jersey of the era. This thing is live as hell. The away maroon and black was the better of the two jerseys, but the home white was nothing to sneeze at either. The hieroglyphics looking coyote and border make this thing a classic. Instant 40 swag points to anyone that owns this thing.

-The HoundDog

Random 90's Athlete of the Day: Jeff Bagwell

Wikipedia lists Jeff Bagwell’s nickname as "BagPipes".  Now I hate to go against the site that basically put me through high school, but for once I’m calling Wikipedia out. I mean has anyone ever called him BagPipes. That’s pretty lame. I mean did pitchers not throw inside to Bagwell because they didn’t want him to charge the mound in his kilt and beat their brains in with an outdated woodwind instrument?  


His nickname should clearly be Jeff Swagwell. This guy just oozes swag. Look at his batting stance. He basically told Tom Emanski and his back to back to back AAU National Championships to back off when it comes to prototypical batting stances. Swagwell dominated the National League in the 90’s alongside arguably the scrappiest player of all time, Craig Biggio. I miss waking up before school, turning on Sportscenter, and watching Swag absolutely tattoo a ball out of the Astro Dome. 




-The HoundDog