Francisco Churruca

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Francisco Maria Churruca Iriondo Azpiazu Alcorta (born 1 April 1936), also known as Patxi, was a Spanish former jai alai player. A native of Mutriku, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, [1] [2] he is regarded as the game's greatest player [3] [4] and has been called "the Babe Ruth of jai alai." [5] He retired in 1983, saying "I knew it was time to quit when my eyes were quicker than my legs." [3]

He was referenced in the television series Mad Men (set in the world of 1960s American advertising), in a storyline involving a client's elaborate plan to promote jai alai as the "new national pastime" with Patxi as its figurehead. [6]

References

  1. ↑ Olsen, Jack (March 29, 1965). "Jai Alai: Fury At The Fronton". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  2. ↑ Churruca Iriondo, Francisco, Eusko Ikaskuntza (in Basque)
  3. 1 2 Tierney, John (16 March 1993). "OUR TOWNS; A Fast-Paced Sport's Fast-Paced Demise". The New York Times . p. 1.
  4. ↑ Tributo Al "Sultan" (Patxi Churruca) [Tribute to the "Sultan" (Patxi Churruca)] (in Spanish), Zulaika's Jai-Alai Blog, 26 January 2010
  5. ↑ Calabria, Pat (April 17, 1992). "Larger Than Life : The World Hasn't Forgotten Babe Ruth. If Anything, the Fascination With the Bambino Has Increased". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ Week 4: Will This Be the Funniest Season of Mad Men Yet?, Slate, September 6, 2009
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