Mr. Elbel

June 20th, 2017 at 5:53 AM ^

To give context, it's about the selling and closing of a store for referee clothing that was apparently famous amongst refs and not far from Michigan Stadium. The founder is retiring and they wrote this story

Joined: 03/02/2014

MGoPoints: 21395

m1817

June 20th, 2017 at 6:16 AM ^

Before the web, Honig's made its mark with a mail-order catalog and a steady stream of sales over the phone. The whole family, his wife, Lee, and their four daughters, all fielded calls and packed orders. This took some customers by surprise in the early days, especially one Southern gentleman who got Mrs. Honig on the other end of the line when he rang in search of a new jockstrap.
 
"I'd like to purchase the A33," he mumbled, blushing through the phone.
 
"You need a jock," she replied. "OK. What size?"
 
Long pause. "Um, regular?"
 
"No, sir," she said. "I need the size of your waistband."

Joined: 01/15/2011

MGoPoints: 21361

Everyone Murders

June 20th, 2017 at 9:21 AM ^

Interesting that Honig built this business so close to the Big House.  Wrestlers will recall Cliff Keen both as a UofM legend and a supplier first of wrestling gear but then also officiating gear for many sports.

Interesting that both Keen and Honig got their starts in Ann Arbor.  Props to the OP - I had never heard of Honig, despite living in A2 for many years (all of which the Whistle Stop was open).

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

Alton

June 20th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^

The story does not mention, but it should be noted here, that Honig was the starting shortstop on Michigan's 1962 NCAA College World Series championship team.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 13309

Zoltanrules

June 20th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^

but did not win the Big10 title. The 1961 team with Honig and Bill Freehan did win the Big10 title.

Fritz Fischer was a pitcher on the 1962 team. He had a 108.00 ERA in the majors pitching only 1/3 of an inning for his entire career! Crazy stuff...

 "During Detroit's fourth game of the American League campaign, on April 19, 1963 at Tiger Stadium, Fisher made his debut in relief the ninth inning with the Tigers trailing the Minnesota Twins, 8–3. The first batter he faced was a future Hall of Famer, Harmon Killebrew, and Fisher struck him out. But that was the only out he recorded; he walked the next two batters and gave up run-scoring hits to Jerry Zimmerman and Camilo Pascual before being relieved by Ed Rakow, who allowed the inherited runners to score."

Joined: 08/23/2009

MGoPoints: 21149

bringthewood

June 20th, 2017 at 10:43 AM ^

I believe he used to also rate officials for the Big Ten. I rmember my family sitting close to him at games in the 70's at Crisler. He would be charting the officials performance for the Big Ten. I think I may have has his brother as a gym teacher at Tappan junior high. 

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5554

MGoBernie

June 20th, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^

Dick Honig brought officials from the era of "gym teacher shorts" to professional uniforms befitting sports' TV era. Although their quality slipped over the last few years as they sought manufacturers for their own lines, I'll always remember being able to call or stop in and talk Michigan football as I geared up for my season.

Joined: 09/24/2011

MGoPoints: 47

Zoltanrules

June 20th, 2017 at 5:09 PM ^

Damn! That place and the folks there were great. Nice people.

The internet and mail order is changing most every business but also making it less personable.

ps. it was on Jackson Road west past Webber's towards Dexter, almost to Baker Road.

Joined: 08/23/2009

MGoPoints: 21149