OK, I’ve got one more copy of the new paperback version of John U. Bacon’s epic ‘Three and Out’. I’m guessing I might even be able to convince Bacs to sign it for you. Want it? Write a caption for this and I’ll pick a winner: That’s the Grand Old Man Fielding H. Yost on the left tossing a ridiculously large and awesome pigskin to U-M Legend (and Top 25’er all-time) Benny Friedman. They were attending a coaching convention together back in 1937. Contest ends next Saturday. Creativity scores big points. FYI – This pic is also up for bid on eBay right now. Follow MVictors on Twitter
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The S.S. Schembechler Sails!
Arrrr, she can sail around your man cave: Nicely done. And it comes tricked out with nautical flags in what appears to be a personal hall of fame that the builder pulled together: Not to nitpick, but where’s Leach? (The 7 is for Henne). Benny Friedman? Harry Newman? Willie Heston should be honored in some manner. Rob Lytle? Germany Schulz? Someone needs to build an M pirate ship, the S.S. Yost, with the names of the forgotten Wolverine greats. <deep breath> Many would consider this a no-no, but he did leave a spot for a current player: You gotta love it.
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On Honoring Michigan Legends
I’ve had a few days to think about the newly unveiled ‘Michigan Football Legend’ program. Bottom line–I really like it. My whole thing about the history of U-M is whatever gets people talking about former players, coaches, seasons, or games is a 99% of the time a good thing. (Glen Rice). The BTN Icons series, for example, had everyone talking about Harmon and of course this was a big couple weeks for Desmond. Another thing we learned is that it’s clear Michigan will not be retiring any new numbers and on Sunday, Angelique caught up with Dave Brandon who told her this: Brandon intends to offer the families of the players whose numbers have been retired — Tom Harmon, Bennie Oosterbaan, the Wistert brothers, Ron Kramer and Gerald Ford — to have those numbers re-established but with the "Michigan Football Legend" patch associated with those players. I’m hoping the families of the guys who have already have had their numbers retired agree to join this program. The fact is no one really talks a whole lot about Kramer, the Wisterts and even Oosterbaan (unless of course we’re talking about retiring a jersey). And I’m with Brian, it’d be cool to see someone wearing #98 on the field and have a tricked out Harmon locker. Someone get Mr. Shoop on the…
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eBay Watch: Hand Him the Hustler Award (1990+)
While Wolverine fans tend to toss any great individual performance that occurred during a loss in the circular file, there are a few that stand out. One of those is tailback Jon Vaughn’s 201-yard rushing performance in Gary Moeller’s coaching debut, a thrilling 28-24 loss in South Bend in 1990. Thanks to eBay, we now also know that Vaughn had a little more than game film and the occasional ache/pain to remember that great effort. Evidently Vaughn was the game’s ‘Offensive Hustler’: Yes, apparently Coach Mo not only dealt out helmet stickers, he also handed out Little League second place trophies for individual efforts. Per the auction description: Very rare one of a kind John [sic] Vaughn offensive hustler award for the game on sep 15 1990 vs the notre dame fighting irish. The trophy stand approx 14 inches high. The trophy does have some wear in areas. Please note that this trophy does not specifically mention his name. However i just recently purchased a memoribilia [sic] grouping from John [sic] Vaughn. Vaughn earned more prestigious honors at the end of the season, particular co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Against Moeller’s advice, Vaughn bolted to the NFL after the season and had a short career in the bigs. Other Hustlers eBay Here’s a couple other guys who deserved…
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Fielding Yost’s New Packard (1927)
Check out this wonderful signed photo of Fielding H. Yost posing next to a vintage car in front of the original Michigan Stadium press box (photo above).
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Silver Balls, Silver Balls
Congrats to BG. Via U-M Media Relations this evening: Graham Shares Chicago Tribune Silver Football with Penn State’s Daryll Clark CHICAGO, Ill. – University of Michigan senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) became the 16th player in school history to be awarded the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, sharing the honor as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player with Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark. Voted upon by the league’s coaches, it’s the first time the conference’s top honor has been awarded to co-recipients. The Chicago Tribune Silver Football has been presented to the best player in the Big Ten annually since 1924. Graham is the seventh defensive player in Big Ten history to receive the Silver Football. He joins former Wolverine and 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson as the only defensive players to win the award in the past 25 years. The only other defensive players to win the award were Illinois defensive tackle Don Thorp (1983), Michigan State defensive tackle Larry Bethea (1977), Illinois linebacker/center Dick Butkus (1963), Illinois middle guard Bill Burrell (1959) and Wisconsin defensive end Dave Schreiner (1942). Graham is believed to be the first player in Big Ten history to post 20 or more tackles for loss in league play. He led the conference with 21 tackles for loss in eight league…
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Yost Retirement Rumors? All Bunk, As Usual (1923)
Prior to the season word got out that the season would be Fielding Yost’s last at the helm of the Wolverines. Beat writers weren’t convinced, even up to the final game of the season. Earlier in October, the Chicago Tribune ran a column titled, YOST’S RETIREMENT ALL BUNK, AS USUAL: Apparently, the reports of old Yost calling it quits were a bit of a theme, enough so to go with the snickering headline. Perhaps headlines like this one in the New York Times all the way back to 1907 explain: Despite the skepticism, Yost really did hang them up at the conclusion of the 1923 schedule. The players made sure they sent ‘Hurry Up’ out on a high, running the eight-game table while outscoring opponents 150-12. The Wolverines were recognized as national champions, sharing the honor with Illinois. After the season Yost threw on a fine suit and posed for the team photo next to captain Harry Kipke, who would go on to coach the great Michigan teams of the early 1930s: After watching Illinois’ Red Grange legendary six-touchdown performance against his Meechigan, Yost decided to return to the sideline for the rematch in 1925. As described in Bruce Madej’s book Champions of the West, “For 12 months, Yost schemed how to bridle Illinois’ Galloping Ghost. He replaced Michigan’s unsuccessful…
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eBay Watch
Season Post Title Memorabilia featured 1879 Michigan Football Turns 100 1879 Did Irving Pond really Score 1st? Accounts of first Michigan game 1895 Driving a Tally-Ho Through It Old, old wire photo repro 1896 1896 Lehigh Program Vintage program 1896 Climate Controlled in Chicago Playing indoors in 1896 1896 The H is for Handlebar Pic of Yost rocking Mustache 1897 Vintage, Vintage Yost Yost, Ohio Wesleyan Team Pic 1898 The Inspiration of 1898 Win that inspired The Victors 1898 Send that to the Bentley Library Unrecorded 1898 Team Photo! 1899 Can You Spot the Ringer? Heston, 1899 San Jose St Photo 1900 Elephants at Michigan & Trumbull Iowa vs. Michigan in 1900 1900 How about Willie Heston? Willie Heston history, Yost 1900 Turn of Century Walking Cane Cane with Football, U-M logo 1901 Cryptanalyst Needed: 1901 Menu 1901 Team Menu – Awesome 1901 Baird Calls Cal, Stanford Yellow 1901 M Athletics Schedule 1901 1901 Season Football Pass Season pass to Yost’s inaugural 1902 1902 Usher’s Ribbon Vintage M Usher’s badge 1902 Rah-Rah-Rah Rose Bowl Rout First Rose Bowl pin? 1902 Some Vintage Rose Bowl Cheer Entire team in Rose Parade 1903 Brown Jug Lore: Spinning Myths Little Brown Jug history 1903 Pioneering Play-by-Play Wiring in game updates 1904 1904 and the Mountaineer Romp The Victors sheet music 1904 Was ‘The…
