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#42 Alan Balthrop

How He Got Here

Saw the announcement of the team's formation in newspaper on January 8, 1984.

Take a Number

The number 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, according to the late Douglas Adams sci-fi/comedy classic "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." No player has actually worn the number for the Sidekicks.

Always Remember the First Time

• First Home Game Attended: January 8, 1986 vs Cleveland
• First Home Win Witnessed: February 22, 1986 vs Los Angeles
• First Road Game Attedned: September 29, 1993 at San Diego.

Banned From the Road

After witnessing three consecutive Sidekicks losses (two of them playoff games) from 1993-95, Balthrop was formally banned from attending any Sidekicks road game by the Sidekicks Booster Club.

Overheard

"We're in a Shootout in San Diego. Oh My God, Alan's not here is he?"

--an unknown Sidekicks Booster Club member asked this question during the Sidekicks 6-5 (SO 3-2) win over San Diego on September 9, 1995.

It's Bad Luck to be Superstitious

Although Balthrop claims not to be supersitious, he maintains a firm belief in certain cause and effect relationships. Among them:

• During a game in which the Sidekicks have held thier opponent scoreless, the "s" word (shutout) must never be uttered.
• Brooms should never be brought in by fans
  • 1994: The Sidekicks lost the final home game of the year when Balthrop brought a broom as part of the "Sidekicks Survival Kit" bag of props and signs. A win would have "swept" the home season with a perfect 14-0. A similar 4-0 run through that season's playoffs was also beaten by the Las Vegas Dustdevils and was similarly blamed on the presence of a broom in the SSK.

That Was Him...

• 1992: ...was part of the group that unfurled the "You're Not in Kansas Anymore" banner welcoming the Wichita Wings to Reunion on December 6, 1991.

• 1992: ...throwing the 5 foot tall "mime-dummy" dressed in a San Diego Sockers jersey in a hangman's noose over the Section 121 goal after Game 5 of the MSL Championship series that the Sidekicks players (especially Kevin Smith) took turns punching and kicking as they took their final victory lap of the season around the arena).

• 1993: ...wearing the purple tuxedo and sequined top hat to every home game of the 1993 playoffs.

• 1993-2001: Led the reply "What Officials?" when an Official Time Out is announced.

He Denies that...

• 1994: ...he started a fight in Las Vegas during the CISL Championship series. Balthrop claims he merely responded in kind after a local heckler turned an air-horn on him after a Dustdevil's goal. The fact that Balthrop sounded his own horn in the direction of the local fan when the 'Kicks regained the lead in the match, and the fact that he was restrained by fellow Sidekick attendee David Coursey (and thus was saved from being ejected along with that same heckler) is pure coincidence.

• 1996: ...that he even considered having his wedding service at halftime of the 'Kicks 12-5 win over Portland on September 21, 1996.
  • His Bride, however, did offer to allow him to keep his then-74 home match attendance streak alive if they both attended that night in their Wedding clothes. He considered it briefly, but wisely decided not to take her up on the offer.

What He Does When Not at Reunion or creating this Site

Balthrop is an avid follower of news and politics. He is also a fan of science-fiction and alternate history literature, a ham radio operator (technician class: KC5PDJ Plano, Texas), and a league bowler (152 average at the time of this page's creation).

Family Status

Balthrop has been happily married to his wife Sylvia since September 21, 1996. They live in Plano, Texas with their two dogs, and two cockatiels.

Where Did He Go?

Balthrop worked for CitiFinancial Mortgage begining September 11, 2002 in thier Irving, Texas office. He joined Bank of America in July of 2005.

On September 28, 2002, Balthrop joined the Sidekicks has their radio statistician and Team Historian. When the Sidekicks returned on May 1, 2012, he resumed his duties as Team Historian.