Baugh, Humbug

(Accolades for Don)

Or
When the Baugh Breaks

Or
Sling Low, Sweet Chariot
(Kudos to Mark)

Or
Passed and Kicked
(Props to Shawn)

Or
The Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune
(More merit for Don)

Or
Stinkin’ Sammy Baugh
Former mediocre minor league shortstop Sammy Baugh, starting quarterback for the loser of the worst blowout in pro football championship history, has died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, double pneumonia, kidney problems and low blood pressure. Baugh is best remembered as the Washington Redskins quarterback who revolutionized the novel concept of the forward pass, somewhat akin to the landmark decision to use a stick in hockey, or to pitch overhand in baseball. In 1937, he set a record with 81 passes, about the number that Andy Reid attempts in a game and a half. Baugh was a one man pass, punt and pick competition, adding defensive back to his duties as quarterback and punter, once throwing 4 TDs and intercepting 4 passes in the same game. He still holds the record with a 51.4-yards-per punt average in 1940, one of his record 4 punting titles, to go with his record 6 passing titles. The last surviving member of the inaugural class inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, Baugh led the Redskins to the 1937 championship over the Chicago Bears, the aforementioned 73-0 pasting by the Bears in 1940, the measure of revenge against the Bears in the 1942 title game, and the equalizer as the Bears beat them again in 1943. Baugh holds the Redskins record with 187 career TD passes, and his #33 is the only retired number in team history.



Baugh was the 200th hit in GHI history, and 6 Pooligans expected Baugh to touch down, Jon, Terry’s While My Heart Gently Stops, Shawn’s Team Old, my Peace Corpse, Joe’s Drop Dead, Gorgeous and Mark’s Team Life Alert move into a 4th place tie.