Does anyone know the "Knock it out, John!" guy?

sparky39762

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Jan 27, 2009
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Yeah I know him

I sit right in front of him and his name is John - great guy. Sits on the top row right behind home plate. Same guy that yells "Stand up double, Mitch" and has been yelling for 1 or 2 players for as long as I've been sat there.
 

Bud.sixpack

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Aug 24, 2012
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The orginal guy was a man named John

From Shuqualack. He died a year and a half ago.

He once went to Omaha in a Ford Escort with a window unit A/C installed. He slept in that little car all week.
 

MSUDC11

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Aug 23, 2012
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Gotta love those Jerry Clower references. The "Knock It Out, John" guy always makes me chuckle.
 

gtowndawg

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Jan 23, 2007
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Wasn't that a Jerry Clower bit?

Someone would say that coon hunting...something like that.
 

Wicked Pissah

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Aug 22, 2012
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He sits under the press box about one section from me. I think it started with jon knott.

does anyone remember the "thou shalt not steal" guy on the right base side?
 

cook book john

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Apr 7, 2013
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john

I don't think he's missed a Wes Rea at bat yet.
John Gilbert retired math prof. at MSU. The original caller was Ray Strowd started with John Mitchell.Mitchell was interviewed on TV and ask if he heard that old man " yes" does it bother you "no, I don't even dig in until he says it" do you know him "yes , Mr. Ray Strowd". Ray died after long illness 2001
I started while he was sick at his request. John Cohen followed Mitchell. His parents frequently sat with us when his father wasn't roaming.Jerry Clower attended one super Saturday and stood up and said "knock it out John" to a loud applause after which Ray Strowd stood and called him the "true original". They were good friends. After Cohen we had a dry spell of John's but we did have a Ron (Brown) who was along ball hitter.Ray was a purest but did finally say knock it out Ron a few times.
I started calling " Stand up double" when Barry Winfred was catcher .He was the fastest man on the team and hit a lot of stand up doubles. I also started bust that ball with Tommy Raffo, Richard Lee,Matthew Brinson and other first baseman if name is not John.I continued " knock it out John" with John Knott ,Jon Mungle and Wessley John Rae. Some people still tell me Wes Rae is not John but I asked him if he minded and he said " no, I love it". I sit on top row exact center touching press box.I live in New Mexico except during MSU baseball season.
PS My wife Kathie, of 50 years knows if I am at the game because she can hear me on the broadcast where ever she is.
 
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AHSDawg

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Sep 18, 2012
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Easily one of the best posts in SPS history. thank you for your service, sir.

NM
 

dawgatUSM

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Apr 6, 2008
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To illustrate the influence of the phrase, I was at a Redbirds Triple-A game sitting 3 feet from the visiting team on deck circle. This was easily 5 years after Jon Knott was done at MSU. But he stepped into the on deck circle and I calmly told him "knock it out John" --- he yanked his head back and I just tipped my state hat at him and he gave me a huge smile.
 

#Hailstate16

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Sep 3, 2012
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Awesome post. I grew up at Dudy Noble in the Jon Knott and John Mungle days and always remember the "Knock it out John" call.

Have a brother that's several years younger than me with a John name. I've always joked with him that you'd be there to holler that for him one day... Here's to hoping that happens.
 
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CowbellTales

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May 7, 2012
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My grandparents were best friends with Carlene and Ray Strowd. They were two of the greatest MSU baseball fans I've ever known. For my 9th birthday, they have me a baseball signed by John Cohen, Burke masters, Jeff Brantley, Tracy Echols and the rest of that years team. I still have it to this day. I can still hear Ray yelling "Knock it out John"! Thanks for the memory today.
 

sparky39762

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Jan 27, 2009
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Nice to hear the history of it, John.

We sit in front of John and my 2.5 year old son gets all excited when it's time for Mr. John to yell.
 

awalkerdog

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Feb 18, 2007
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You knocked it out the park with that first post....awwwweeeessssommmeeee.
 
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DerHntr

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Sep 18, 2007
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Fantastic story and a hell of a first post. Keep on keepin on old timer.

DH