“Best Six Players I Ever Saw Play Guts”

Thank you for taking the time to think about the “Best Six Players You Ever Saw Play Guts”, put them in print, and e-mail them to me. If you would like to add alternates or amend your list, or if you have not yet submitted a list, you can still do that, and we’ll add them later. Hey, we’re all qualified to name the best six players we ever saw play Guts. Have you not had at least six players clean your team’s collective clocks at least once? Or your personal clock? If you can’t name six, can you name one? Send your lists or updates to platterman@aol.com. – Steve Trauger

There are a lot of other folks that should be on the list because "best players" should encompass "best sports/people" as well as most effective but if you had to pick the most effective individuals on a Guts court, start with this list from the early to mid-70's. Johnny Hodges (Library Bar), Tom Cleworth (Highland Avenue Aces), John Connelly (Highland Avenue Aces), Tom Field (Air Aces), Keith Moher (Air Aces), Ron Arndt (Air Aces), George Defoe/Joe Youngman (HMCU/Library Bar), Jeff Dean (HMCU), Bob McCartney (HMCU/Air Aces), John Sappington (HMCU), and Victor Malafronte (Berkeley). If I had to pick the six that I would least like to face from that list I would have to start with Hodges, Youngman, Field, Connelly and Dean with Sappington as the alternate. That said, any of the teams mentioned above would beat them, because contrary to conventional wisdom, that is not how you pick a team. Teamwork matters. For example, let's say I am on the line with John Sappington and Bob McCartney, and Keith Moher is throwing. If Keith throws at John, I will break forward because I know John will be on top of Keith's thumber. If he doesn't catch it cleanly, it will be deflected forward and I will be waiting. If Keith throws at Bob, I will break backwards because Bob will be to the middle or low on a thumber. If he doesn't catch it cleanly (very likely with Bob), the Frisbee will go high and back. If I haul, I can get under it because I got a quick jump. Unless you play with people day after day, you don't know these things. (The scary part is that I still remember them after 30 years!) An "all-star" team would be competitive but unlikely to beat any of the teams mentioned above because of all of the hours those teams practiced together. – Vaughn Frick (HMCU)

As one of the new players who also joined the Frisbee ranks as the sport was getting smaller, it is kind of nice to see some of the older names. I remember talking to Sky King Richardson at the IFT two years ago and he told me that the quality of players who could both throw and catch was at a higher level than when he played. That being said, my six are: Billy & John Begoske, Bill DePetro, Gary Ciaglaski, Dave Young, and Roger Hill. – Dan Gannon (Bud Light, CRC)

Who are the top 6?? Well, I'm only 23 with 4 tournaments under my belt so I can't say I've seen that nasty thumber by so and so or that pair of hands so good they should be preserved to be witnessed by all long after he’s gone. So with that in mind, here are my top 6 I've seen play: 1. Frank Brady – the first time I played in the chi-town classic, he was just bagging everything. I, and the rest of the people there, threw at him and then he'd throw some weird ass shot. I'd be so puzzled; I would watch him and see what he was doing next. (Should be in the HOF after he’s done). 2. Johnny B. (Begoske). At first, he just looked goofy. Then he threw a forehand at me. He's the captain of Cupola and you can see it. 3. Dave Young. He’s probably the funniest person I've met and throws a backhand that isn't funny. 4. Number 2 on Katon from Japan: he had amazing hands and a fishhook. 5. Steve Buckley. I have seen him one time and the thumber he threw moved so much it was crazy. 6. Ron Blau. I remember talking crap to him down in New Mexico about how I was gonna bag his weak flipper. The next day my left ball was hurting so much from his "weak flipper." He’s good. I have 6 but I hope that one day my teammates and I can be up there. So with that in mind, I think Mike Banghart is a future nominee. I call him the man with too many great shots: a backhand that burns, a thumber that moves and burns, a flipper/turnover that moves and burns, and he can catch pretty well. By the time the worlds is near he'll most likely be the best in the world – Ryan Scott (Boomtown and Tsunami)

John Hodges. Victor Malafronte. (I received these two names from Thor about a week apart; no extra comments, no qualifiers. ‘Nuff said) – Thor Anderson (Foul Five)

The question is not as simple as it seems on the surface. For instance, I recall some “great” players who could throw with the best but couldn’t catch well. Or others who could catch straight on but couldn’t get off the line fast or bobble well. I’ve seen too many who had all the skills but wanted to spend their time arguing or being contentious jack asses. For me, a truly great guts player has great skill in all areas of the game AND is a quiet leader who adds quality of character to the sport. I wish I could quickly think of six such players but for the time being I’ll only offer four names. John Hodges. Jo Cahow. Tom Cleworth. Alan Blake. I’m sure it’s my bad memory that fails to recall more names. One aspect of the game that gets lost too often is that of having fun and being good sportsmen. Guts is not the NFL or MLB. We should aim at experiencing the joy that we had when we first discovered Frisbee. – Sky King Richardson (Foul Five)

Criteria: Great hands, great throw. Jay Shelton. Bob May. Victor Malafronte. Johnny Hodges & his teammate (the big blond haired guy with the great sidearm). Then 4 or 5 guys at last summer's IFT - At least 3 of whom I suspect would make my all time list of 6. Since I have a memory like unto a sieve, I'll have to get their names from Bradshaw. – Steve Shelton (California Masters)

I'm giving it some thought, as it's been 30 years...I know the best thumber ever was by George DeFoe (aka Joe Youngman) - I saw him open Roger Barrett's hand like a hammer hitting a tomato; his thumber had the biggest movement ever... Seems like it dropped 6 feet. (I was so impressed that I took him aside in '75 at Toronto and showed him how to throw a backhand. He promptly started beating me in Distance with it). Steve McLean was good; as were Tim Selinske's hands. One of John Hodges' teammates on Library Bar was good but I would need to see the names. Irv Kalb had the best run-up but his throw's effectiveness was mostly psychological. Thank goodness for the IFT; I might never have gotten seriously into competitive Frisbee had it not been for the '73 IFT. I had a great few years playing center for BFG but first played with Joe Essman in '73 - Man, could he throw a sidearm hard! Not as cool-looking as Victor's delivery, but faster. And I wasn't even aware there WAS a Guts discussion group. – John Kirkland (Berkeley Frisbee Group)

Realize that I'm only responding as a fan. Many, many people know much more about this than I do. I'd need some specific criteria to really respond to this. But, again as a fan, in my memory, I'd have to mention: Jeff Dean. Ron Arndt. Johnny Hodges. Steve McLean. Tom Field. John Connelly. Many others left out here but you only asked for six. – Dan “Stork” Roddick

From an old guy's perspective, my 6 best are: Dave Meyer. Johnny Hodges. Bobby Hansen. John Connelly. Steve McLean. Tom Field. – Tom Cleworth (Highland Avenue Aces)

Tom Cleworth: One of the first wicked thumbers. John Sappington. Don Wilchek: Most wicked thumber ever. Tom Field. Johnny Begoske: Thumber that isn’t a thumber. Dave Young. – Dave Bradshaw (Highland Avenue Aces)

Bear in mind I was very active from 1976-1979. Here are some ancient musings: Joe Youngman (I caught one of his best backhands once, cleanly. Boy, was I surprised! After 35 years, I can now admit that). Humblies ‘cause they were just plain nice and cool. PP (John Sappington) for his ability to scramble and stay cool under pressure. Chuck Schulze for his focus. They brought their families to the tournaments and that was great, too! Air Aces - A great clan. I still have the green shirt from the ‘76 IFT where Ken Salter got me on the team as the alternate and then I got to play all day Sunday :) Library Bar. Geez...I mean the Bar itself! But the team was very good, too! Leroy of the Air Aces had the best pants (white golfing bloomers). Ken Westerfield and Jim Kenner for their ability to walk onto a Guts court after freestyling and just burn your hand. Ken Westerfield for wryly explaining that it hurt less if you used a trailing edge catch. Ken Salter had about the second best thumber. I recall the pain and the face of the best thumber I saw hit me but I don't recall his name or the team he was on. Remember Jim “Honker” Sharp of the Air Aces 2? I'd like to think my finger flick was better than his but I just don't know. Them's the memories that came flooding back. – Phil Cheevers (Naturally Magnificent Humbly Canadian Aces)

Added 04-02-05: That’s a great set of lists. Brought back memories and also poses some problems. I'd agree with a bunch of the names others brought up as well but since one vote, one man, I'll stick to my list. And since it's a team sport, one of the notes mentioned "Great organizer" as a top skill. Indeed!! For example, finding your entire team on Sunday morning at the IFT is an art! There's also the challenge that classic hockey has brought to the surface. Was Bobby Orr or Wayne Gretzky the best ever? Different eras, different stages of the evolution of the game. And, if you were a player in the ‘90's, I wouldn't likely know you, and lots of new players wouldn't know the dinosaurs. We need a time machine, and your web page is about as close as we can get to it. In 1991, I did name my sailboat “Humbly Magnificent Champion of the Universe”. I just couldn't help it. – Phil Cheevers

In talking to Jerome (Meiswick), we recalled one who stood out...Johnny Hodges. There are undoubtedly others but we can't recall names at the moment. We're thinking it through. It was hard ‘cause so many times the good players were also a result of very well-balanced teams so one in particular didn't stand out necessarily...like the Highland Avenue Aces. They meshed so well, they played outstanding games. Guess that's what it was about - the teamwork. And, often one guy would appear, play brilliantly, and then we'd never see him again. Remembering those names would be a miracle at our ages! I look forward to perusing the site. Maybe some outstanding players will pop into our minds if we see names in print! If I can add info, I will. Yeah, pretty amazing to hear someone say they'd love to be older. We had such fun during those years. I bowed out of the second invite to the Rose Bowl - we had moved away from A.A. (Ann Arbor) and I had lost touch with the team a bit and was into something else, I think. But I remember thinking then that it was the end of a great era of my life that all started when Jerome saw this crazy ad in some paper about the International Frisbee Tourney. He knew it was his kind of inane humor and it sounded like a great way to spend July 4th. So he answered in like kind...challenging everyone, threatening all with destruction, and called his team the Humbly Magnificent Champions of the Universe! Got his old buddies together as a team and we diligently practiced - women, as well. We always treated it as the ultimate fun and the Humblies were never serious enough about winning to lose good friends and a good time over it. That's what made it wonderful. I don't believe we ever became number one, except in the Addendum 69B competition. We were the generation of beer drinkers...the smokers came in a year or so later. The mixed generations - what a great mix! – Margie (ex-Meiswick) Haven (Humbly Magnificent Champions of the Universe)

This is a very difficult assignment. I feel like I need to list the best 20 or so because it's hard to say this guy was definitely better than this other guy in all aspects of the game, all the time. For example, a list of best shots might not have any of the same guys as a list of best hands. And those wouldn't necessarily include some people who were better defensively because of their quick feet and smart tipping or those who ran their teams' offense even when they weren't the shooter. That said, here's my list: Dave Young. John Begoske. Bill DePetro. Jim Dinser. Bill Begoske. Roger Hill. I feel remiss in leaving out: Mike Flynn, Steve Trauger, Frank Herveat, Johnny Hodges, Bobby Hansen, Gary Ciaglaski, Joe Youngman, Dave Meyer, Victor Malafronte, Bob May, Steve Buckley, and Ron Blau. And a few others including Paul Liu and the entire Katon team from Japan (who could possibly beat my six picks). – Dan Thornton (Paul’s American Pie)

I would say the best would include: John Hodges. Bob Hansen. Bill DePetro. John Begoske. Dave Young. Jim Dinser. Steve Buckley. I have seen a few really talented players that would have been great if they played longer. – Duane Haralson (Paul’s American Pie, Blind Mules)

John Hodges. Bill DePetro. Gerard “Tuts” Newman. Duane Haralson. Johnny Begoske. Dave Young. Helluva f#%&ing team. – Dennis Walikainen (Paul’s American Pie)

Joe Essman - The wind-up and delivery of his sidearm was beautiful to watch. John Sappington - A gentleman player who embodied the spirit of the game. Keith "Green" Moher - I loved his thumber, and he always caught his glasses with his free hand. Joe Youngman - Those long arms could really accelerate a simple backhand. Paul "Sky King" Richardson - He just loved the game and kept it clean. John Connelly - Great attitude and skills. There are a lot of names I've forgotten - it has been too long. Honorable mention: Dick Fisher and Ted "Pipe Man" Tincher. They introduced me to Guts and took me to my first tournament (IFT, of course). Although not outstanding players as far as ability, they knew how to live the spirit of the game. – Bruce Willis (Indiana Gutsmasters)

The best six guts players I ever saw play? I would vote for the women of Some Girls and the Wild Things - the two best teams I ever saw on a Guts Court. How about the worst players of all time? More again, maybe. – Willie Leffel (Mr. Naturals, Heartland Heartbreakers, Video Sensations)

Added 04-02-05: The best six guts players I ever saw play? Depends on where I saw them play. The bar, beach, campfire, house, party, whatever. There was always the party - that’s where the best plays were made. Thought that Guts was a five man game? You must be a liberal Democrat, wanting to expand the best to six. Why not seven or eight? Let’s pick the worst players, and then the Cheese People could win an award. More insults later. Guts question? How many children did Mr. Naturals Guts Team father in the Upper Peninsula? How about the worst calls by an OBSERVER? – Willie Leffel

1. Mark Banghart: Intensity, hands, intelligent physics of throwing, gentlemanly manner of play - I know he's off most folk’s radar scope but he was on the 2nd place team at least once and was on an IFT winning team at least once. In 1971, he was on Foul Five when they lost to the Highland Avenue Aces in the finals. He was like 18 at the time. 2. Joe Youngman: Blistering thumber that moved more than most, also fine personal demeanor. 3. Current player who went to World's and has been to like 25 IFT's straight. Early year's on Al's Halfway team. My point is, he's been VERY good for a sustained period of time and his playing demeanor is honorable. He's even on the reflector but name escapes me at the moment. Paul? Or also played on Paul's. This one I feel strongest about and will have to track down the name if you haven't figured it out already (Dan Thornton). 4. "Tom" of WABX Air Aces. Long run-up led to a blistering thumber with good accuracy (I’m thinking he means Ron Arndt). 5. “Sky King” Richardson for hands and manner of play. 6. John Hodges. 7. I watched the Highland Ave Aces in those early years and John Connelly is the right guy to be "in". 8. Boy, John Sappington is a contender, good person, and for a period of time, a real leader of the Humbly's. I think you can see that I feel demeanor is an important part of the package. I had been away from the game for 25 years and upon my return last summer, I was not impressed with some of the bullying posturing - calling things vertical that were not or claiming hands were not raised fast enough. Fast throws and good catching are fine - but I think there is the added dimension of honorable spirit of play. – Bruce Richardson (Not 2 Yield)

Here are some picks from my limited experience: Frank Logosh - Got asked by the California all-star team to come and help them win the world Championships one year. Jamie Moldt - Great catcher and super hard thrower, almost as athletic and as full of the hustle that I named you (Steve Trauger) to the list for. Victor Malafronte - What little I saw of him playing Guts, I saw nothing but confident competence. His general skills with a disc made him uniquely adept at the Guts game. Keith “Green Man” Moher - It looked like a disc never got by him.” *This also received previously, which I am compelled to include :) “I haven't seen or watched Guts as much as the rest of the guys in this group but the one Guts player that I was most impressed with is one I saw in action at the big IFT reunion last June. This guy covered the field on defense like I never saw before, making diving catches that most players would never even attempted because they looked impossible to catch. Hustle, throws, catches, spirit of the game, he had it all. So the captain of my super star dream team would have to be one Steve Trauger! – Jim Palmeri (Jeremiah’s Tavern)

Since my Guts career started in Michigan in 1976, I am sure I missed a few good ones but here is what I remember. First of all, I would have to establish some criteria. This person would not necessarily be the best thrower or catcher but a combination of spirit, athleticism, and dedication. Gary Ciaglaski. Tom Matuzak. Ron Arndt. Jerome Meiswick. Joe Youngman. John Hodges. – Mike Guernsey (Jeremiah’s Tavern)

Tom Matuzak. Keith Moher. Bobby Hansen. Jeff Dean - What a shot!). Steve McLean. …a bunch tied just behind.... – Mike Daniels (Pinche)

Actually, I've been trying to give this some thought. And I'm finding it damn difficult. Truly, you (Steve Trauger) and David (Trauger) are pretty high up defensively. Gary Ciaglaski? Dave Young? Johnny B. (Begoske)? (Jim) Dinser? I don't know. Send me your list and let me pick at it. – Tim Trauger (Captain America’s All-American Guts Frisbee Team, Beer City Express)

My Guts experience began in 1977 when my brother Tim and I heard about a Frisbee tourney in Green Bay on the radio. I did get to see some of the top dogs of the ‘70’s in their prime. And, I know at least a dozen guys from the early to mid-eighties that we did not EVER intentionally shoot; either they could catch us or score on us. Still, somehow, it was not uncommon for their radar to track our shots right into their hands. Like reverse homing. Anyway, considering both offense and defense as finely tuned weapons, these guys, in their prime, on their best days, would be tough to beat: David Trauger - BCE put him in the middle and rode his big run up, turnaround thumber for years. Jim Dinser - Best I ever saw at bagging low smoke, and oh, yeah, remember his thumber? Dave Young - Don’t miss (and hit him), his turnaround lefty backhand continues to thrill and amaze. Roger Hill - “It ain’t over ‘til I say it’s over” determination and “Who do you want me to hit?” accuracy. Bill DePetro - Extremely excitable and to the point that Brock the Rock could completely take over a game. Gerard Newman - Solid, cool. Alternates: John Begoske, Gary Ciaglaski, Bill Begoske (“Go get it!”), Steve Buckley and Steve “Eyes” McLean And if I needed a point to win - Andy Lemann (Nasty fishhook from Hong Kong Fireworks Co.), Bob Hoffman (Hard-hitting Dead Dogs backhand), or Tom Matuzak. – Steve Trauger (Mill City Flyers, Luigi’s, Beer City Express, Queen City Flyers, Trauger Brothers, Dynamic Duo, Cupola Bandits)

John Begoske - Thank God he didn't shoot me more than about twice; I might have quit earlier. Jim Dinser - I remember him as the best. Al Bauman - Played hurt and played well for years (Gotta love that scowl!) Tom Matuzak - Are you kiddin' me? Gerard Newman - So consistent he was almost boring. Others given serious consideration: Bill Begoske - That thumber he had early on was awesome. Al Bonopane. Steve McLean. Steve Trauger - Probably one of the best three defenders. “Toledo” Joe Welch - All around fire and tenacity plus a nice smile and a hand shake when he beat you. Len Campagna - All the years and no one picked on Len - It was fruitless. Mark Barry - Almost made my top 6; when you think of guys that could flat out play the game, Mark had it). Brock (Bill DePetro) - He could take a bunch of drunk DePetro’s or DesJardins’ deep into a tourney. Now there was a Guts player! Dave Young - Was there a faster backhand, ever? (I bagged him 3 times in one game though. Ha!). Gary Ciaglaski - I don't think people really picked on him purposely; he scored and could hit his guy. Bob Hansen - A scoring machine (He was even good when he was old). 2 or 3 names just for sheer offense: Scott Smith, Don Wilchek, and Mike “Maynard” Colden, a guy that early on, had one of the scariest shots (I don't care who you are, It was scary!) Good thing he had that 'cause he couldn’t catch a goldurn cold! – David Trauger (Beer City Express)

That is truly a very difficult question. What are the criteria? Best shot? Best D? Pure hustle? Gamesmanship? I have been around for a long time and got to see many great players. Also, the rules changed while we were competing. In the beginning, an ace was returned by the team that was aced deciding who would return the shot. That later changed to the throwers determining the thrower from the team that got aced. Under the old rules, guys like Ron Arndt and Al Bonopane would be on any list. Our contemporary rules would put people like the Begoske boys and even you (Steve Trauger) on the list where accuracy was at a premium. But since you are asking who "I" think were the greatest 6 of all time, here are my choices: 6. Steve Trauger - If for no other reason, longevity. 5. Steve McLean - The best defensive hands of all time and great psych (with the bulging eye stare). 4. Al Bauman - Threw smoke, best quote of all time, "If you gotta shoot me, you're in a world of hurt”. 3. Gerard “Tuts” Newman - Simply the best all around player of his time. 2. Bobby Hansen - Mr. Guts Frisbee. I once brought a book about Frisbee, went to the chapter about Guts, and there was a picture of Bob getting the Julius T. Cup. 1. Tom Matuzak - Left handed thumber unlike anything else to ever rip a lip. Underrated D, plus the man pinned a tournament button through the bare skin on his chest and played all weekend with it there. Now, it's only my extreme humbleness that keeps me from putting the one guy we all know deserves to go the Hall, so I'll let it go at that. – Mike Colburn (Beer City Express)

Sorry, I need seven, and if you want ten, I would add Dan Thornton, Steve Trauger, and me (Tom Marusich). Tom Field. Joe Youngman. Al Bauman. Keith Moher. Jeff Dean. Joe Welch. Bill Begoske. – Tom Marusich (Killer Bees, FVB)

Good question! The best six...too tough without dialogue; nevertheless, here are some names - not in any particular order and considered with the state of their respective game at their prime: Johnny Hodges. Tom Matuzak. Al Bauman. Dave Young. Joe Youngman. Ron Seaborn. Jimmy Dinser. Gary Ciaglaski. Joe Welch. Pat Tower. Johnny Begoske. Steve Trauger. – Peter Turcaj (Labatt’s Heartbreakers)

John Hodges. Bob Hansen. Keith “Green” Moher. Tom Matuzak. Steve Buckley. Jim Dinser.” Others are worth mentioning but you only want 6. – Gus Weinhart (West End Scrap)

This is a very difficult task (as I’m sure you will agree) but here is a list for you from my memory: Steve McLean. Al Bauman. Joe Welch. Jim Dinser. John Begoske. Bob Rothman. Alternate: Bruce Wilk. – Dave Bolyard (Hong Kong Fireworks Company)

Realizing that I started as the sport was sliding; my names might be a little different. Gary Ciaglaski. Johnny Begoske. Billy Begoske. Bill DePetro. And I don’t remember his last name but the tall guy who played for Library Bar - I think it was Joe Youngman but not sure. – Dan Gannon (Bud Light, CRC)

John Begoske. Paul Liu. Johnny Hodges. Dave Young. Gary Ciaglaski. Alternates: Joe Youngman, Roger Hill, and Al Bauman. Paul Liu has the fastest right hand backhand I have ever seen, and maybe faster than Dave Young's. He is still able to throw it at 130 kph, just like Dave, and consistently place it where he wanted, most often above your shoulders. He also has incredible hands, as good as anybody in Guts really. He was a key reason ROC Guts took the WFDF Worlds so often in the 90's. He is also the key reason why guts grew in ROC in my opinion. He is the only int'l guts player I think worthy of consideration for a Guts Hall of Fame, where his standard of play on the int'l stage was top shelf for a long time, not just in his country, along with what he has done to expand the influence of guts worldwide. – Dave Nesbitt (Helter Skelter, Acme, Video Sensations)

That's a tough one. Obviously, these are from my era of play. Here are a few that come to mind: Joe Welch. Dave Young. Gary Ciaglaski. Bill “Brock” DePetro. John Begoske. – Doug Land (Helter Skelter, Acme, Bad Apples)

This is a great topic, got me going on lists. General great players: Keith “Green” Moher - Fierce competitor, one of the best shots of the time. John Hodges - Great hands, team leader on winning team. Steve Buckley - 2 shots w/different arms (right handed thumber, left handed backhand), greatest diver of all time, great thumber, one of best endmen ever, if not the best. Bob Hansen. Joe Youngman. Tom Matuzak - Thumber had more lateral movement than anyone and had great hands. Roger “Buzz” Doucette - Had great hands. Buck Buchanan - Great hands, founder of GPA, organizer of dozens of tourneys. Gary Ciaglaski - Shot and hands, competitor. John Begoske - thumber and 2 finger, good hands, desire to win. Dave Young - World's fastest shot, 360 spin, winner. Ron Arndt - Famous 30 yard run up. Obviously, I do not have many more recent Upper Peninsula people, I know. Mark Barry is always talked about - Great endman. Joe Welch was good. Best hands, in no order: Buck Buchanan, John Hodges, Buzz Doucette, Jim Dinser, Gary Ciaglaski. Best shots in order: Dave Young, Scott Smith, Tom Matuzak, Glenn Demers, Jeff Dean, Bob Hansen, Joe Youngman, Mike Flynn. Most unique shot or run up: Dan Thornton, Ron Arndt, Ron Seaborn (2-finger, 360 swing around with release at hip), Tom Matuzak, Al Bauman (Very low to the ground approach 2 finger with lots of speed), Bob Hansen (Very smooth), John Begoske (2 finger), Dave Young (360). Best shorts: Ken Salter (As proven at the last IFT). Best 5: Steve Buckley, Dave Young, John Begoske, Bill Begoske (Thumber years), Tom Matuzak, Keith Moher. Who is 6th?  I will go with Keith Moher. – Carson Buchanan

I put this together based on making a *team* of the individuals (not in order, and assumes the best by their best level of play, not longevity): Steve Buckley, left end - I want him going back and getting horizontal. Dave Hilger, left whip - Best hands, best bobbler I've ever seen by far, good cover for SB leaving. Johnny Begoske, middle - Make the other team pick an end to throw at. John “Bernie” Saam, right whip - Great hands, reliable throw. Gary Ciaglaski, right end - One hell of a competitor, will get to the disc on sheer will if necessary. Jim Dinser - Perfect 6th man, can play any position well, great gamesmanship. Alternates: Dave Young. Dave Meyer. Roger Hill. Bill DePetro. – Gene Marsh (Mental Toss Flycoons)

Added 04-02-05: Wow! I wasn't the only one to come up with a couple of “odd" names. Your brother actually mentioned Len Campagna! – Gene Marsh

Added 01-06-06: After playing with them in Japan and observing them for long enough to make a proper judgment, I have to say Frank Logosh and Frank Brady would have to make my top list.  Frank Logosh is a class guy, great sportsman, with a very good throw and hands as good as anyone.  Frank Brady is, in my opinion, the best player in the world right now – and he's getting better.  He is mastering all aspects of the game, and will someday be as fine a strategist as there is in the game. An observation on the Japanese players, specifically Katon (world champions): Not one of their players impressed me as good enough to make this list.  However, they *would* have to be mentioned as one of the best *teams* ever.  They proved to me again just how much of the game of Guts is about team play. – Gene Marsh

Remember, I am relatively young in this game and this list is very tough and just from what I actually watched, although it is hard to argue my first 3 choices! Jim Dinser. John Begoske. Dave Young. David Trauger. Roger Hill. Alternates: Steve Trauger and Joe Welch. – Scott Brooks (Cupola Bandits)

This is Hulk, and besides myself, there are a few I feel must be in the Hall of Fame. Al Bauman. Roger “Buzz” Doucette. Gary Ciaglaski. Jim Dinser. Billy Begoske. John Hodges. I believe Jim “Honker” Sharp should be considered also. Even with his disabilities, he still had great hands and a great two finger. Remember to keep us abreast of the IFT - we want to play. I am thinking we are nuts but what the hell. – Craig Frendewey (Guts Mountain)

Jim Dinser. Billy Begoske. Dan “Red” Beckman. Dave (Schmave) Young. Gary Ciaglaski. Steve (Desi) DesJardins. – Jeff Welcher (Guts Mountain)

I was really only on the Guts circuit from '80-'84 but here are my top six from that time period, not in any particular order. Women: Sue Begoske. Julie (Thompson) Letts. Shirley Dinser. Patty (Flynn) Abbott. Nancy Demers. Becky (Demers) Rokosz. Men: Terry Thiele. Bill Begoske. Steve Buckley. Mark Barry. Jim Dinser. Mike Flynn. – Linda (Morrison) Lovick (Dynamo Hummers, Strohling Rocks)

Not in any order. I could not take any 2 out of this line up: Steve Buckley. John Begoske. Dave Young. John Hodges. Bill DePetro. Rick LaRue.