Gene Tenace’s Real Name
Fans of that excellent film Anchorman may recall an appearance by erstwhile Athletics, Padres, Cardinals, and Pirates catcher/first baseman Gene Tenace. You’re forgiven, of course, if you missed it, as it’s really snuck in there. From the opening scene as the news team introduces themselves to the audience:
CHAMP KIND: Champ here! I’m all about havin’ fun. You know, get a couple cocktails in me, start a fire in someone’s kitchen, maybe go to Sea World, take my pants off. Anyway, I’ve become kinda famous for my signature catch phrase, “WHAMMY!” As in: Gene Tenace at the plate… and… WHAMMY! WHAMMY! [laughter]
Little known fact: Gene Tenace’s real first name is actually Fury. Don’t believe me? Sounds too ridiculous to be true, right? WRONG. Baseball-Reference is about to slap some sense into you.
Fury Gene Tenace. Got damn, I wish that were my name. And judging by his given name, Fiore Gino Tennaci, I wouldn’t be too surprised if he were some sort of distant relative to Carson Cistulli, no?
I am curious as to what inspired this post. I am presuming you recently watched the most excellent Anchorman, heard the Gene Tenace reference, and then decided to look him up. If this is just a spontaneous knowledge bomb, however, then I am substantially more impressed.
Also, is his “real first name” actually Fury or Fiore?
Thought about Gene Tenace, looked it up, realized I had to watch Anchorman, then wrote this post.
You just sit around meditating on Gene Tenace? Cool.
Agreed. My Jack Moore admiration just increased 10% after learning this.
“Gene Tenace” was already a pretty badass name. Adding Fury to it is just unfair.
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