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Started By
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Bobby Riggs was a truly fascinating individual
Posted on 4/16/14 at 10:29 pm
Posted on 4/16/14 at 10:29 pm
In 1939 Babby Riggs, who was at that point 21 years old, was playing in first Wimbledon. Before the tournament, he walks into a betting shop and sees that his odds to win the tournament are 25-1.
But instead of just betting on himself to win the singles portion, he bets 100 pounds on a parlay that he'll win the singles, the doubles, and the mixed doubles. The shop gives him 216-1 odds.
He then proceeds to win the singles, the doubles, and the mixed doubles. This has had never been done before, and I'm not sure if it's ever been done since. And did I mention he was only 21 and this was first Wimbledon?
What a badass. He deserves his own 30 for 30. (and I don't even want the Billie Jean King match mentioned. Everybody knows that story, and everybody knows he rigged that match. Old news.) He may well have been the most interesting ma in the world.
But instead of just betting on himself to win the singles portion, he bets 100 pounds on a parlay that he'll win the singles, the doubles, and the mixed doubles. The shop gives him 216-1 odds.
He then proceeds to win the singles, the doubles, and the mixed doubles. This has had never been done before, and I'm not sure if it's ever been done since. And did I mention he was only 21 and this was first Wimbledon?
What a badass. He deserves his own 30 for 30. (and I don't even want the Billie Jean King match mentioned. Everybody knows that story, and everybody knows he rigged that match. Old news.) He may well have been the most interesting ma in the world.
3
Posted on 4/16/14 at 10:44 pm to kidbourbon
quote:
He then proceeds to win the singles, the doubles, and the mixed doubles. This has had never been done before, and I'm not sure if it's ever been done since
It was done before and after
Posted on 4/16/14 at 11:52 pm to SPEEDY
quote:
It was done before and after
Not at 216/1! Kudos to the guy's vet savvy at age 21 for creating his own fat payday..long before the prize money was truly there.
Posted on 4/17/14 at 5:45 am to kidbourbon
He was a colorful personality, sure. But there were many colorful personalities in sport.
But 30 for 30 isn't about events from 75 years ago.
But 30 for 30 isn't about events from 75 years ago.
Posted on 4/17/14 at 3:52 pm to Sophandros
quote:
He was a colorful personality, sure. But there were many colorful personalities in sport.
But 30 for 30 isn't about events from 75 years ago
It can be about whatever.
Posted on 4/17/14 at 3:56 pm to kidbourbon
it's cool and all, but this is a story that you can tell in 5 minutes. not for a whole film
Posted on 4/17/14 at 3:58 pm to kidbourbon
The 30 for 30 series came 30 years after ESPN was founded so none of the stories were from before 1979 iirc.
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