Dear Steve
How are you doing?
I got your letter today. I checked my e-mail this morning and saw it. I was thinking in writing to tell you about the last partido in Gernika. Yes, the one Arbe and Lopez played against Goikoetxea and Aimar.
(The following is the letter my pal Steve wrote me)
“Hi Buddy Juan,
It’s Monday 5:15 and I just put on Majic City H2H. Today Goixerri will play Douglas. The match is about to start and Douglas its a slight betting favorite on Bet rivers. The first match set just went to Goixerri 6-4. Douglas over served twice on same point. I just finished watching the second set and Goixerri won 6-3. Now it’s time to talk about you”.
(I missed that match, Steve. I saw two matches, early quinielas, this week. Carvalho, Bradley, Robin… let me tell you something. These guys look pretty good. A lot of effort. They hardly miss a point. I´m going to try to find on YouTube that match that you talk about between Goixerri and Douglas. You know what? I´d would like to see players like Erik, Barandika, Jon, Goixerri and Douglas playing against each other on a regular basis. We all know the difference between early and late players.
Can you imagine too old timers in their best of their career like Mendi brothers, Saez or Bolibar playing in a court like that of Fantasy Jai-Alai?
As you can see I´m trying to fall in love with MC (Magic City). I’m a romantic, I can’t help it)
“I watched the video from 1980. It was the final game in the TOC (Tournament of Champions) in Tampa. Watching the match Asis was to good, Jesus just didn’t have a good enough Picada to put them on defensive.
You remember I said you were a defensive player, after watching the video, I think I am right. You took every ball left side, except on right side and one rebote. The video for being 42 years old was very clear, your hair was jet black. I think if you guys didn’t fall behind so fast, it would of been much closer.
And in the video Alfredo García did make a jackass of himself”.
(Let me tell you something, Steve. The partido you’re talking about me and Jesus (Elejabarrieta I) against Asis and Soroa, was a real challenge for us. I must admit that they were superior. They were in such good shape that they would beat any team even at Miami or any part of the world. However, pal, we won the first partido in Tampa, 15-13. That was something! You should see Alfredo´s face…
You are right, Steve. I was a defensive player. I used my right hand only for inconfesable private matters. Not everybody has all the tools, as you know. And, yes! My hair was jet black).
“Watched the partido that you attended with the boys. Looks kind at the picture, it looked pretty cool in the fronton. I think the turning point in the final match was Berendika threw the caron on the wood.
I just read that Barandika and Leke will be there at the Palace. Someone on tiger chalk talk said they will announce a team every day”.
(You’re right, Steve. Barandika and Leke will be at Dania for the “Battle” tournament. I see that Hormaetxea and Basque will be in there as well. This kid, Basque,is a French basque player. They are going make a nice team. Watch out!
Iturbide and Arta will be together so Jon and Ubilla are. Don’t ask me about the big guns like Erik, or the top players from Gernika. Why they won’t travel. Ask Benny)
“It’s good to see that the winter season in Gernika is a success. I don’t know enough about what it takes to make a profit over there without gambling. I did notice that the French frontons have casino’s”.
(Let me tell you something, Steve. I doubt that over in Gernika they are making any profit. They can hardly get sponsors and I’ve heard small local business are supporting. If they come even, not bad at all. Yesterday they put an extra 800 tickets for sale for the final. They were gone in ten minutes. Gernika has become Roland Garros for jai-alai.
I made a phone call to Gernika. I needed two tickets. I told them that I´m an accomplished writer. Sorry. No way they said. All is sold out.
You are wrong about the frontons in France having casinos. They don’t).
“I don’t remember the Zulaica and Pierre win but I know I would of been there. Those Wednesday nights! I witness some great play”.
(Yeah! Steve. Miami in the seventies was something. Like I told you, my brother and Pierre won the match against Uriarte and Arratibel. A surprise for everybody the way it was when Jesus and I won against Aramayo II and Laka at Tampa, 15-8).
“As far as Goixerri playing Douglas at Dania, I think it would take 3 months of playing only at Dania for Douglas to compete. Tomorrow I am going to try and watch the partido from Gernika. So far I haven’t missed Jai Alai since I am busy with the business in the Keys. That will end in the middle of April and I have more time on my hands. I know that
Jon probably keeps you informed on what’s happening.
Stay well and enjoy Gernika.
Your friend,
Steve”.
(Let me tell you something, Steve. I’m thinking in sending an email to the CEO of Jai Alai News see if they can pay for my trip expenses so I can go over to Dania and cover the “Battle” tournament. We both could write a daily column for the Basque fans. And if that doesn’t work you can get in touch with with Stu (Neiman) or Scott from MC. I know that you know everybody. I’ve heard that they’re nice guys and love jai-alai . You can offer them our speakers services based on Jai Alai expertise.
“Steve and Juan: jai-alai wisdom from the Magic City Box!”
We can discuss in private about our caché. Cuban food must be included.
One last thing, pal. You know that I know world famous writers. There ´s a guy over in L. A. A good friend of mine. His name is Arturo Bandini, great guy and a hell of a writer. He says that if I go to Dania for the “Battle” thing he will travel to Florida. He wants to meet you. We can take him over at Tropical Comida Cubana in Fort Lauderdale).
Take care, pal, and keep in touch.
Juan