<![CDATA[Deadspin: johnny lawrence]]> http://tags.deadspin.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/deadspin.com.png <![CDATA[Deadspin: johnny lawrence]]> http://deadspin.com/tag/johnnylawrence http://deadspin.com/tag/johnnylawrence <![CDATA[Boomer Esiason Will Sweep The Leg]]> Boomer Esiason interviewing Ralph Macchio on the enduring legacy of The Karate Kid? Yes, sign me up. Oh, and did you know they're doing a remake? Wax on. Wax off.

Daniel-San appeared on the Boomer and Carton show on WFAN radio on Tuesday, and it didn't take long for the topic to land on our favorite 1984 film. Macchio:

"I'm not so sure I'm out of that mold outside of the fact that I'm aging enough that I don't look exactly as I did twenty something years ago. That movie came about at a certain time and it was a pretty big hit and it sort of stood the test of time through generations. It's a tough thing to shake, I was in the films "The Outsiders" and "My Cousin Vinny" and these other films that found their place, but I think on my tombstone, The Karate Kid will be between my first and last name."

Of course you knew that Will Smith is directing a remake, to star his son, Jaden. Hmm, is this wise?

"So one day I get this phone call and it's Will Smith asking for advice. I told him that if you can find your own way to carve your own angle into the story, the story will work forever. It's whether you guys choose to do a copycat version. ... I think it's going to be a tall order and I think replacing what Pat Morita, the magic of Mr. Miyagi is going to be a huge task."

And who will play that role? Oh no.

Why must all of out favorite cult movies be despoiled? And more importantly, who will play Johnny Lawrence? Oh, this thing has disaster written all over it. I can't wait to see it.

Wax On Wax Off [Sports Radio Interviews]
WFAN
Will Smith Calls Ralph Macchio For Karate Kid Advice [StarPulse]
Jackie Chan: Karate Kid's New Mr. Miyagi? [The Huffington Post]

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<![CDATA[Johnny Lawrence Can Still Sweep The Leg]]>

It's time for Minor Enterprise, which celebrates Minor League baseball and all else that is good and great about America. And now, please rise as William Hung sings his rendition of our National Anthem ...

May 15 was Totally Rad '80s Night with the Fresno Grizzlies, and by all accounts it did not disappoint. Front and center was Cobra Kai menace Johnny Lawrence (aka Billy Zabka), in the middle in this picture here, taken on Thursday with his new gang. Johnny really hasn't changed all that much from the looks of this photo. Bobby; I want him out of commission! Looks like he could still grab your boom box at the beach and throw it violently into the sand.

Here's a report on the festivities by Grizzlies director of media relations Paul Kennedy:

First of all, Billy was awesome, just an extremely cool guy. We had our best Thirsty Thursday crowd of the year, tons of people got into it and dressed up in 80’s outfits, and Zabka signed autographs for what seemed like forever. For the past three weeks, to hype the event, we’ve done an in-game contest where we bring someone on top of the dugout to answer trivia questions about Zabka. He was cool enough that we were able to do “Zabka on Zabka” last night and ask him trivia about himself, which the crowd loved.

Get him a body bag, yeah!

Taking a look at upcoming promotions and other swell stuff:

Indiana Jones Night. Tonight, Ft. Myers Miracle (Class A Florida State League). One of many such promotions tonight around the minors, fans will, oh, I don't know, maybe punch a Nazi. Got your tickets for the midnight showing of Crystal Skull?

Internet Safety Night With Erik Estrada. Saturday, May 24. Potomac Nationals (Class A Carolina League). You'll be pleased to know that Poncherello is now a spokesman for the Safe Surfin' campaign, which educates youngsters on the dangers of surfing the Internet. Of course the fact that you're here means that Ponch has already failed. They're also giving away "Internet safety-themed literature," which seems like an oxymoron.

Tap Dance Day. Sunday, May 25. St. Paul Saints (Independent American Association). The Saints break new bobble ground when 2,500 lucky fans will receive the Sen. Larry Craig Bobblefoot doll. The toy features a bobbing foot extended below the partition of a bathroom stall, meant to commemorate the day that Sen. Craig was arrested for tapping his foot at an undercover police officer in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. I can hear Robert Klein singing I Can't Stop My Leg as clear as anything.

Soybean Night. Monday, May 26. Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (Independent Northern League). The glory. The pageantry. (Plenty of seats still available).

We Love The Drake. June 12. Ft. Myers Miracle (Class A Florida State League). Help the Miracle celebrate the TV sitcom Seinifeld, which left the air 10 years ago this month. Serenity now!

The Modesto Nuts Reprise Great Baseball Movie Scenes. Members of the Modesto Nuts (Class A California League) reenact a scene from The Sandlot. That one guy has Squints pretty much nailed.

Bobblehead Of The Moment. Pat Sajak Bobblehead Giveaway. Sunday, May 25. Bowie Baysox (Class AA Eastern League). I must have this item! Mr. Wheel of Fortune himself makes his first public appearance at Prince George's Stadium, and will sign autographs. Pat Sajak will sign body parts!

Please send all minor league tips, including photos, game reports and promotions, to RickChand@GMail.com. Or, you can choose to solve the puzzle.

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<![CDATA[On May 15, The Fresno Grizzlies Will Sweep The Leg]]>
Time once again for Minor Enterprise, a celebration of God's gift of Minor League baseball promotions, mascots and fans. Also, The View's Joy Behar dishes celebrity gossip.

We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. A man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy. What do we study here? THE WAY OF THE FIST, SIR. And what is that way? STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY, SIR. And when the Fresno Grizzlies stage a promotion, they also take no prisoners. Thursday, May 15 is Totally Rad '80s Night at Chukchansi Park, where the honored guest will be Cobra Kai karate dojo bad boy Johnny Lawrence. Yes, Daniel-san's nemesis, in person. Not for the meek!

In case you question his credentials, Mr. Lawrence was voted No. 1 in Star Pulse magazine's list of Top Movie Dicks of All Time in 2006. Not only did he sweep Daniel Russo's leg in a pivotal scene in the 1984 film The Karate Kid, but let us not forget that he was also responsible for smashing Daniel's boom box at the beach, and trashing his bike. We will never forget his sneer and his solar panel hairstyle (see video below).

His real name is Billy Zabka, and he appeared in several films subsequent to The Karate Kid; among them the 1992 classic Shootfighter: Fight To The Death. Now 42, he's still active in films and is a creative director for a music publishing firm.

"When we decided to have an '80s night, and learned that Billy Zabka lived lived in Grass Valley (near Sacramento), it was a natural to try and get him," said Grizzlies' Vice President of Marketing Scott Carter. "He was glad to do it. We asked him if we could recreate a Karate Kid fight scene and have our mascot, Parker, kick him in the face. He said sure." Totally Rad '80s Night will also feature a tribute to Garbage Pail Kids, '80s music, and other things yet to be dreamed up. Grab your body bag and come on down. Yeah!

Other promotions you're not going to want to miss:

&#8226; Tree Sapling Giveaway. Friday, South Bend Silver Hawks (Class-A Midwest League). Who can resist a promotion in which the first 3,000 fans receive trees? Kind of like a do-it-yourself bat day. (Note: No, ESPN employees may not keep the trees).

&#8226; Who Wants To Be A Mexican Millionaire? Monday, May 5, Huntsville Stars (Class-AA Southern League).
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo the good, old-fashioned politically incorrect way, as the Stars will hand out "green cards" and take whacks at a "human pinata." Plus, for two bucks, Gen. Santa Ana will let you drink a beer from his artificial leg. [Thanks to Benjamin Hill]

&#8226; Chris Snee Day. May 18, Binghamton Mets (Class-AA Eastern League). The Mets honor the New York Giants offensive guard and Montrose, Pa., native, who will sign autographs before the game with the Erie Seawolves. Please form an orderly line. Mr. Snee will not sign body parts.

&#8226; Bobblehead of the Moment. Ross Grimsley Bobblehead Giveaway. Saturday, Augusta GreenJackets (Class-A South Atlantic League). The GreenJackets salute the 1970s with $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon in 16oz. cans, disco dancing, twister, afros and Ross Grimsley, the former Reds, Orioles and Expos pitcher who is their current pitching coach. The doll should be a very interesting and sought-after item.

We're looking for your Minor League tips. Send all photos, game accounts, promotional news and recipes to RickChand@GMail.com. Thanks!

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