Francisco Churruca

Francisco Maria Churruca Iriondo Azpiazu Alcorta (born 1 April 1936), also known as Patxi, is a Spanish former jai alai player. A native of Mutriku, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country,[1][2] he is regarded as the game's greatest player[3][4] and has been called "the Babe Ruth of jai alai."[5] He retired in 1983, saying "I knew it was time to quit when my eyes were quicker than my legs."[3]

He was referenced in the television series Mad Men (set in the world of 1960s American advertising), in a storyline involving a client's elaborate plan to promote jai alai as the "new national pastime" with Patxi as its figurehead.[6]

  1. ^ Olsen, Jack (March 29, 1965). "Jai Alai: Fury At The Fronton". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  2. ^ Churruca Iriondo, Francisco, Eusko Ikaskuntza (in Basque)
  3. ^ a b Tierney, John (16 March 1993). "OUR TOWNS; A Fast-Paced Sport's Fast-Paced Demise". The New York Times. p. 1.
  4. ^ Tributo Al "Sultan" (Patxi Churruca) [Tribute to the "Sultan" (Patxi Churruca)] (in Spanish), Zulaika's Jai-Alai Blog, 26 January 2010
  5. ^ Calabria, Pat (April 17, 1992). "Larger Than Life : The World Hasn't Forgotten Babe Ruth. If Anything, the Fascination With the Bambino Has Increased". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  6. ^ Week 4: Will This Be the Funniest Season of Mad Men Yet?, Slate, September 6, 2009