Episode: “Bar Wars” (1986)
REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
Back when TV shows had distinctive theme songs, Boston-based “Cheers” had one of the most recognizable of the 1980s.
“… sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. … and they’re always glad you came. … you want to go where everybody knows your name …”
Yet apparently, if you were Red Sox All-Star third-baseman Wade Boggs, they may have known your name, but they wouldn’t recognize you if you were standing right in front of them face-to-face.
The episode begins with the crowd at Cheers bar celebrating the second anniversary of their bowling victory over rival Gary’s Old Towne Tavern. It seems Gary and his crew have almost always bested Cheers at just about everything imaginable from softball and touch football to darts and even an “ugliest coat contest.” Cheers proprietor Sam Malone says “the current tally is 173 to one.”
Then when the Cheers bunch realizes their bowling trophy is missing, all eyes focus on Gary’s bar. Soon it’s Cheers vs. Gary’s in trying to outdo each other in the prank department. (Fake rat exterminators show up at Cheers and drive away all the customers, while “someone” adds prune juice to the Kahlua at Gary’s, etc.)
Finally, when Sam happens to be gone, Gary makes a peace offering. He claims to be a personal friend of batting champ Wade Boggs and promises to send the future Hall-of-Famer over to Cheers to sign autographs. But caustic Carla, the barmaid, convinces the Cheers crowd that Gary is probably trying to trick them with a fake Boggs.
1 9 8 3 • T o p p s
1 9 8 9 • D o n r u s s
Soon Boggs walks through Cheers’ door and announces to the bar “Gary sent me over to sign some autographs, I’m Wade Boggs.” Suspecting a Gary prank, skepticism as to Boggs’ true identity abounds. Perennial barflies Norm and Cliff sarcastically respond by saying “… and I’m Babe Ruth … and I’m Dizzy Dean.”
Not knowing the back story of the bar feud, Boggs looks at them quizzically with a perplexed “say, what?” look on his face. By then, even the typically cynical Carla, wonders “are you guys sure that’s not Wade Boggs?” Of course, he’s not a fake. But still convinced that he is, the Cheers gang not only chases the ballplayer out of the bar and into the street, but also steals his pants.
Later on, the bar patrons begin to question their doubts about Boggs and realize they may have been victims of the ultimate double-cross. Perhaps Gary suspected all along they’d be suspicious and hoped they would assume it was a phony Boggs and do something stupid.
Chalk up another one for Gary?
Both Wade Boggs and Cheers enjoyed great success beginning in 1982. Cheers was a staple on NBC for 11 seasons (275 episodes) until 1993. While Boggs played 18 terrific seasons of major league ball through 1999, ending up in Cooperstown in 2005.
Boggs was a 12-time All-Star, who hit .300 or better in 15 of his 18 years in the majors – ending with a lifetime average of .328. He won five batting titles and is a member of the 3,000-hit club. During a phenomenal seven-year period from 1983-89, the third sacker averaged 211 hits, 110 runs scored and 43 doubles per season, while hitting a whopping .352.
(As a sidenote, Boggs was unbelievably superstitious. One thing he did before every game was eat chicken. In fact, he wrote a book in 1984 entitled “Fowl Tips” – My Favorite Chicken Recipes.”)
“Cheers” to his baseball career.
• • • • • •
NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch CHEERS” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN
EXCLUSIVELY FOR BaseballCardFun.com
• • •
Text Copyright © 2024 by BaseballCardFun.com / Mark A. Larson
No article appearing on this website may be reproduced without written consent of the Editor/Publisher
To keep up-to-date on additions to BaseballCardFun.com, subscribe below*
* Your email address will never be shared and is only used to announce new articles
BaseballCardFun.com 