HAUNTING MEMORIES…

One of the greatest pleasures of my bridge career was kibitzing and being all ears as hands were discussed by the experts of the day.   I had been playing for a few years (though it really was far from the game I know today) but most of my time was well spent at Norman’s side as he competed.  Norman was always fortunate to be included on formidable teams (originally Edgar and the New York contingent until 1960) when he was asked to join the “Big Team” partnered with Sidney Silodor  — and included Becker, Crawford, Rapee, Roth, Stone, et al for three short years until Sidney’s death in 1963 (two weeks prior to our wedding).   He played in the interim with a few top players but it was just not the same and he was still grieving the loss of his dear friend Sidney.  A year later, Bob Jordan played matchmaker and got Norman and Edgar back together, a partnership and love affair that ended when Edgar died in 1997 (a few months after winning the Dallas NABC open teams with a last minute tack-on of a fifth and sixth to the original four man team — Brian Glubock and Geir Helgimo who had never played together until that fateful weekend).   In fact, part of the condition of Geir’s acceptance was that he had to be “off” the last session and catch his scheduled flight back home.  No argument — done deal!   After their very popular victory (especially because of the public knowledge of Edgar’s impending death after a grueling three year illness), Norman innocently, but in all sincerity, commented to Edgar in the privacy of his suite, “You really played great,” to which Edgar immediately retorted. “Norman, I have cancer of the colon — not the brain.”   Edgar was both articulate and prolific and though it is over twelve years since his death, I can still hear his voice and envision him as it was just yesterday.  Knowing, enjoying and loving Edgar was one of the highlights of my life.

In the early years of our marriage, I rarely played, seeming to derive more pleasure (and less aggravation) from watching the big boys.   One pair of Norman’s regular teammates were no doubt the best duo to ever descend from Canada — Sami Kehela and Eric Murray.  Not only were they sensational players individually and a top partnership but they treated each other with admiration and respect — though there was quite a bit of humorous banter back and forth during discussions of hands.  Also, I remember many a time, after the evening session, where Eric would hold everyone captive (willingly) in Edgar’s suite until the wee hours of the morning — relating one hilarious tale after another — and no one could tell a story better than Eric Rutherford Murray.

After Edgar’s death, Norman and I still stayed in contact with Eric and that so-called ‘contact’ with Eric served a very practical use for me, who for twenty years was running a baseball card business.  I was dealing with a Canadian card company who had committed to sell me ten cases of a certain product which I pre-sold at a pretty good profit.   I later received notice from them that because of great demand and reduced production, my order would be halved.   I contacted Eric immediately, who by coincidence was a very effective and successful barrister, and an hour later I got a call from the Manager of the card company stating that all ten cases were en route to me as we spoke.   Eric refused to accept a fee for helping a damsel in distress but settled for a date in an Open Pairs with Norman as cancellation of my debt.

Norman is gone nearly eight years but I always had a warm relationship with Eric (who was also a good friend of Bobby) and I routinely checked in with him around the holiday season.   Incidentally, It was Eric who honored Bobby by writing the Foreword to The Lone Wolff so I had occasion to speak to him more frequently (especially because of Bobby’s hearing problems).   I looked at the calendar the other day and picked up the phone to call Eric who now lives in his country home on an estate with a beautiful pond and lots of birds.   His lovely wife, Helen (a successful attorney also) passed on in 2007 after a very long illness and it has been a rough number of years for Eric — but you would never know it by the exuberance of his tone when he picked up the phone and recognized my voice.    I am sure we share the same wonderful memories of his teammates and their many successes in days of yore.   Although Eric is primarily retired from ‘serious’ bridge for many years (though he did qualify to play for Canada in Shanghai, declining the trip), he does still play a little — but usually only if drafted for some local team games.    I can personally assure you his mind is still unbelievable and his sense of humor better than ever.  

Do you remember the famous telegram he sent to the American Captain, Alfie Sheinwold, in Bermuda when the Foot Soldiers’ alleged cheating incident was being examined by a Committee for tapping each other’s toes under the table (before foot screens)?  It was read aloud to a roaring audience:

          Dear Mr. Sheinwold:

          I would like to volunteer for the North American Team.    I play a reasonable game of bridge and take a size 14 shoe.

          Sincerely,

          Eric R. Murray

Naturally, our conversation drifted back to the world championships. Though Eric is now 81, he vividly recalled an experience which still haunts him.  It is 38 years later and he is now able to laugh about how outrageous it was!  Bobby well remembers the incident but I will relate it through Eric’s eyes and you judge for yourself.   It occurred in the 1972 Bal Harbour Olympiad in the Round Robin.   Eric had the session off and was Vugraph Commentator while Bobby was in the audience just enjoying Eric’s remarks and watching the hands on the screen.  The last hand arrived and this was the actual auction (a real classic) in a match which featured Germany against the ‘exalted’ Italian Blue Team.

The German North opened 3D, East (Giorgio Belladonna) doubled, South passed and it was up to the West hand, Walter Avarelli (pardon me, Judge Avarelli) who held the following hand:    94   AQ109743  10743  VOID.     Holding the hand just presented, Judge Avarelli PASSED with the result minus 800 for Germany while in the other room, the normal 4H contract was reached (down one for minus 100 for Germany) — a total of  plus 900 for the Blue Team,   As Eric recounts it, he met Benito alighting from the elevator as he had not played that session (and in those days there was no BBO) so Benito was totally unaware of the hand or the results.

Eric recalled to me the conversation going something like …..”Hi, Benito.”   I’ve got a bidding hand for you.   May I ask what you would do?”   He replied, “Sure,” whereupon Eric gave Benito Avarelli’s West hand with seven hearts to the AQ109XXX (as above) and related the auction.   “What do you do over the double?”  Benito smiled, shrugged and said “4H.” “What is your second choice?”  “I don’t have a second choice.”  “What if someone made you have one?”  “5H, I guess.”   What is your third choice?”   “6H, but that is ridiculous.” “What is this all about?” asked Garozzo.    Eric continued, “Walter passed.”    “Walter passed Giorgio’s double???”   “Yes.”  “What was the result?” inquired Benito.   “+800.”   Benito quickly replied to the effect  —  “You know, after thinking about it, he is probably right.”   INDEED HE WAS!

Eric’s concluding words to me were — “If this is not an indictment, I don’t know what is!”   Enough said!