Fraters Libertas

Welcome to the Big Leagues

Congratulations go out to former Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek upon his induction into mainstream cultural significance. From yesterday’s nationally syndicated Tribune Media Services Sunday crossword:

112 Down: Hrbek or McCord

Sure there are a lot of Minnesotans and a few obsessive baseball fans who remember Big Herbie’s career. He was an above average left handed hitter, with 293 career homers (highlighted by a Grand Slam in Game 6 of the 1987 Word Series). He was also an ace defensive first baseman despite his girth (he was rumored to be one of the few specimens capable of gaining weight during a baseball season).

I’m sure a few remember him as a Hall of Fame character too, encompassing both the good (not so subtly wrestling Ron Gant off of first base in game 1 of the 1991 World Series to record a crucial out) and the bad (injuring himself for the season while attempting to body slam the team cook in the clubhouse after an early season game in the mid 1990’s), which the word “character” implies.

But I suspect the other Kent, Mr. McCord, probably carried the recognition load yesterday, for all those bookish shut-ins and crazed loners who spent a beautiful holiday weekend Sunday trying to knock out a crossword.

Since the most recent Fraters readership survey indicated about a 50-50 split between obsessive baseball fans and crazed loners, I suppose I’ll have to explain to the first group that Kent McCord starred in the seminal 1970’s television cop show Adam-12, (as Officer Jim Reed). His distinguishing characteristic as an actor being a zombified glazed over expression, with eyes that attempted to bore directly into your soul, though only succeeded making the viewer really uncomfortable. To experience this sensation for yourself, check out his personal Web site.

If you poke around enough, you’ll find Kent McCord even has a blog of sorts, although he hasn’t posted in over a month. Given his commitment to producing fresh material, I expect him to be added to the City Pages Babelogue shortly.