I love history. But even more so, I love the history of basketball. In reading Peter C. Bjarkman's Biographical History of Basketball, it's hard not to develop a fine appreciation for the cast of cagers that performed during pro basketball's infancy.You know, way before 'Amazing' (resources) happened;
Teams criss-crossed the country on trains. Fans were few and far between. The money, though well above average at the time, was very much bush-league by today's standards. And all of the players hustled, on and off the court.
If you moonlight as a basketball blogger (dare I use that word?), you'll enjoy the story of Tom King.
As a player for the Detroit Falcons in 1946-1947, King commanded a salary of $8000, plus a $500 sign-on bonus; a hefty sum at the time. That was his day job. Granted, playing hoops for a living even if it entails 1,000 mile weekly train rides, still beats (insert your day job here).
Right?
But, if you're like most digital natives, it's what you do at night that satisfies your passion. Tom King was no exception.
In his autobiography, King states,
"When I reported to the Falcons training camp, it was obvious to me they had a coach, a gym and that the uniforms were ordered. What they didn’t have was a publicity director or business manager. I had a B.S. from Michigan University in business administration. I knew how to write and type. In high school I’d been a stringer for the Lansing, Michigan State Journal Newspaper – and I knew how to keep books. So I asked for the jobs of publicity director and business manager of the Falcons and was hired by Arthur Wirtz and James Norris, who owned not only the Falcons Olympic Stadium but also the Chicago Stadium and St. Louis Area, home of the Chicago Stags and St Louis Bombers (two other BAA teams)."King's night act earned him another $8,000 on top of his hoops salary. According to Bjarkman, "He carried his typewriter on road trips and banged out game reports and press releases while still clothed in his dripping uniform."
Tom King went on to become a wealthy businessman and worked his way up to become President of Merchandise Mart and Appeal Center in Chicago. There's no question his hustle helped him.
So, what's your hustle?
