Old friend of mine coined the Fat Lady quote in ’78/79 Spurs/Bullets NBA E finals but Spurs lost last minute stuff by Wes Unsfeld after were 3 to 1 up.

“The correct expression is that; “the opera ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” It is said that this expression was first used by a sports writer, Dan Cook, writing for the San Antonio News-Express, Texas, round about the year 1976. Dan Cook doubled up as a sporting commentator for KENS-TV and repeated the line in an attempt to raise the fortunes of the local basketball team, the San Antonio Spurs in a series against the Washington Bullets in 1978. This was to no avail because the Spurs lost. However, the bullets’ coach, Dick Motta, took up the phrase as a caution to fans for overconfidence. From there on it came into general use.”

Dan was one of the old time Sports Reporter greats and he’d say he’d look up from hunt and pecking typing and there’d be Rocky Marciano or Sammy Baugh dropping in to chat at his Exp/News 4th floor office. Me too, he liked my humor with a few quotes in the morning Express. He had stories to waste. One night Dorly and I were at old Sandy Shores in Corpus and wound up around close at the bar. Dan ‘s wife had bought a small table from Dorly in ’81 at her “Wood N’ You” ( my inspiration for a name at Tahoe Inn one day arranging for cousin John to make them in Placerville cabinet shop) ponderosa pine custom store and I’d asked about it at the pool that day. He had a few friends ending eve and we 2’d eaten late at the Yard Arm down on Bay Shore Dr. We swapped big ones and I later realized I was again Bubba Phillips in focus in the background but among all time greats. One time I pulled my “A conque in the head” gag at a funny story contest. Played a tune on my big shell after “practicing in the John” for good
acoustics! Oh yeah, was Air Force “Off we go”.

To
David Solomon

Today at 5:36 PM
My proof read Ch3

1st real job at Williams AFB as 2nd Lt was proof reading the ’61 Aviation Physiology syllabus. Every ATC base had one area responsible for and Willie was longest active fly trng base from WW2 . Made several changes and when I got to Waco James Conally Nav school ? I missed 2 on purpose as old syllabus I knew was incorrect . Called it who cares ? I’m right! . Retired , I met my Willie Alt Chamber instructor now head PHD at Randolph Physiology. Remembered and we had a good laugh. Aint always true as printed or believed . Good lesson! Keep well or at least better , Dave! Don