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Jack McCallum

@jackmack12.bsky.social
6.6K followers 166 following 583 posts

Author of 13 books, most of them acknowledged; Sports Illustrated writer for 1,523 years. Latest book about the largely unknown story of Oscar Robertson's high school team.

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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Headline from The Onion, which always comes through Cornell Vows That Rapists Will Be Forced To Write Much Longer Essays In The Future
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Okay, now THAT'S funny.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It was a pleasure for me to review Peter Gammons new book about--what else?--baseball for the Wall Street Journal. Few in my profession crawled more inside the sport they covered than Peter did. (Sorry for probable paywall.) www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
wsj.com
‘It’s All About the Players’ Review: Covering the Bases
Peter Gammons sat in the visiting dugout when a 17-year-old Cal Ripken Jr. started ‘driving bombs’ over the wall during batting practice.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Exactly like the vacations of many humans except for the making things part
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
When contemplating Things I Think We Need, I have never once contemplated this. But what cnawan I? Or something.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Absolutely as frightening as all other species
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
They had terrific people, Howard … says the dinosaur
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
“So, anyway, I had these dogs…” your memory is impeccable, Steve.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Today's vocabulary words are "vestibular" and "schwannoma." Which is not a tasty Middle Eastern sandwich. No, it's a growth in your brain, and I have one. Without boring everyone with details--and there are many--I'll be having brain surgery on Oct. 7. If anyone cares to share a story about it--
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
They're just not that into each other.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
In an ideal world I would (A.) praise @chrisballard33.bsky.social for his amazing work on the book "Plunge" and (B.) proclaim that it so inspired me I will follow my former Sports Illustrated colleague into the bone-chilling world of cold-water swimming. But I'm stopping at A. Congrats, Chris.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Eagerly awaiting DJT's heartfelt post about Gloria Steinem.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Pablo Torre stat line after NBA ruling verified his Kawhi Leonard reporting: 117 points, 68 rebounds, 42 assists, 13 blocked shots
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Why, it's almost like political operatives would deliberately lie.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
What vinyl was he listening to?
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I haven’t checked—has DT said anything offensive about Dolly Parton yet?
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Well, that was nice of you
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Amen
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Almost 40 years ago t took a summer trip with the Atlanta Hawks to the Soviet Union. One player stood out for his cooperation and enthusiasm. Congrats Comrade Doc Rivers on making the Hall of Fame.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
One of these men designed the Seven Seconds or Less offense. The other sat on his butt and wrote about it. Congrats to Mike D’Antoni for his Hall of Fame nod.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Did all hotel room sinks decide at once that they would stop draining, or was it a gradual thing?
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
One of my enjoyable experiences on the NBA beat, besides covering Don Nelson, was talking to his son, Donnie. Donnie always referred to his father as "Nellie," and frequently had to undo something Nellie had done or said. The child was father to this man. RIP to one of a kind.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Cars have gotten better in my experience but maybe it's because I only bought crappy ones in the past.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
If the study of science involved learning factoids like these, I wouldn't have gotten C's.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
So you can react. But no one else can?
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Completely disagree with your evaluations. But, hey, that's sports. And it's time to move on.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
But I WASN'T reacting to the hyperbole of the coverage, so why are you? My point was how absurd it is that she would be considered the 11th best guard in the league. A dozen different things can be true without invalidating a point. Many would say that Miles and Bueckers, to name two, are better.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Okay. It’s great to be defined purely by generational classifications.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I don't have to "admit" anything. The point was, it's a joke that she was ranked the 11th best guard in the league.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Her offensive efficiency is good. Not sure what is meant by "not great," a vague description that could apply to 90% of the league's players in 90% of categories. Yes, her defense needs work. The point here is that it was a joke she was considered the 11th best guard in the league.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
My worry is ... almost every Boomer I know is playing the games.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
The last three games for Caitlin Clark, the WNBA's 11th ranked guard according to some screwy league voting poll that came out a while ago: 26-10-10 32-7-4 27-11-2 I can't imagine how well the 10th best guard must be playing.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Genuine question: Should I be concerned that I know nothing about “Connections,” play no word games on my phone and don’t engage friends in crossword puzzle contests? I mean, my life seems full but …
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
If you said to yourself, as I did: Self, "Will Farrell's starring in a golf comedy and it's got Molly Shannon and Luke Wilson, so it's gotta be kind of funny, right?" And then you actually watched the absolutely dreadful "Hawk," you then said to yourself: "I shouldn't have said that to myself."
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Reposted by Jack McCallum
Kelly Dwyer @kdonhoops.com · 29/07/2026
gonna finish the lawn in a second but I thought of something while I was outside and now I have to look up the win shares from the 1988 draft, doesn't matter what sport
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Great piece by Dan, Chad. Thanks for posting. Nothing brings out the old softie in a writer like a Cooperstown weekend.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
LeBron is apparently going to live in NYC, at least much of the time, and commute to Philly. Wilt Chamberlain did the same thing while running a Gotham blues club, Big Wilt's Smalls Paradise, in the early-60s. Now, if LBJ helos to Philly ... that would be new. Wilt drove. Usually at 100 mph.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
By the way, Corghi racing is on now. Swear to God. And if you're wondering ... no I'm not watching. Just passed by is all.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
On one of the ESPNs right now, You can watch Pillow Fight Championship. That is followed by BBA Bubbleball, which is itself followed by the National Dodgeball League Championship. And you tell me we're not on the Eve of Destruction? (Barry McGuire, 1965)
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
So why charge all-star prices? Give the game away if it's not a game. Same with the NBA, a worse offender.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The WNBA had a chance to distinguish itself by playing a legit All-All-Star game. But it followed the NBA model, and, like the men’s game, it sucked.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Yeah, I missed the downhill designation by a couple years. It used to be you just took it to the basket. It's like Lindsey Vonn has control of the chalkboard. Wait ... do they still use a chalkboard?
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
I may be watching too much WNBA commentary since I told my wife she’s gotta “get downhill” more.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
The memorable thing about Rory's (deserved) torching of DeChambeau is that a pro athlete used the word "performative." Reminds me of the time I asked David Robinson, after his FIRST GAME, about his shot blocking and he said he couldn't let guys come into the lane "with impunity." bit.ly/4yA3Nsy
bit.ly
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Trump is angry over the crazy haze that has been sent us by Canada, proving that where there's smoke there's ire. Thanks. Here all week. bit.ly/4yApIzN
bit.ly
Trump Threatens Canada With Tariffs for Wildfire Smoke Over U.S.
The president said on Friday in a social media post that Canada was failing to manage its wildfire response as smoke has blanketed U.S. cities including New York and Chicago.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Old hoops fans will remember the surge of excitement when Pistol Pete had the ball in his hands. Same thing when Messi has it at his feet.
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Patti LaBelle is 82 and just nailed the SSB. Philly treasure. The All-Star game pregame stuff is the only pregame stuff I can stand. (I usually give up on the game after an inning or so.) That's nostalgia at work. My dad and I would watch it and say profound stuff like, "Hey, there's Ernie Banks."
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
That’s more like extricating yourself from a cave
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I was totally on the extreme left side of this photo and got cut off, next to the guy who went unidentified, who is probably somebody’s accountant
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Jack McCallum @jackmack12.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Guy must've buzz-killed some Norwegian parties in his day.
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