Adams’ Packers connection dates to Marquette days

Doc Adams had a special interest in the Green Bay Packers this season and all of it was not connected to the players on the field.

He thought earlier that the Packers might be performing in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in Arizona. An upstart New York Giants squad ended Adams’ dreams, however, when they turned back the Packers in the NFC championship contest, 23-20, in overtime.

Adams, a former employee of The Vindicator and The Herald in Sharon, is now living in San Antonio where he is enjoying retirement with his wife, Eileen.

So why this special interest in the Packers?

Doc, in his college days, attended Marquette University where his roommate was Bob Harlan, the president and chairman of the Packers. He talked of his college days when he and Harlan used to sneak into the Packers games when they played at Milwaukee’s County Stadium.

“We both majored in journalism at Marquette,” continued Adams, “and to think we used to sneak into some of those games and look where he is today. No more sneaking in for him.”

Harlan, who’s been with the Packers for more than 40 years, is retiring this season. He will remain with Green Bay with the title of “chairman emeritus” at Lambeau Field for the rest of his days.

Doc and Harlan have remained good friends since their college days at Marquette. Although many miles apart now, the two make the most of the situation.

“I hadn’t seen Bob much since he was public relations director for the St. Louis Cardinals,” said Adams, “though I’ve talked with him periodically over the years.”

But last November the two were reunited at the Packers-Cowboys game in Dallas. Said Doc, “Bob got tickets for me. It was a brief but pleasant reunion.”

As we stated earlier, Harlan was public relations director for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team for about four or five years before he joined the Packers as PR Director.

“When the Cards played in old Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.” Adams related, “I’d get tickets from Bob and we’d meet at Forbes Field before the games.”

One can understand why Doc wanted Harlan and the Packers to go all the way.

“He’s a great personal friend, and a great guy for the Packers,” said Adams.

It would have been a sweet way for Harlan and the Packers to go out in style with a possible Super Bowl victory looming. Maybe the Packers are only a year away.

LaRoche agrees

With less than a month to go before spring training gets under way, Pirate fans were beginning to wonder if first baseman Adam LaRoche was going to with the team.

Well, they can now rest. LaRoche bypassed arbitration the other day and agreed to a $5 million one-year contract. The two sides are continuing to discuss a multi-year deal which could provide a long-time deal.

LaRoche, who signed with the Pirates in 2007 and made $3.2 million, got off to a putrid start last year. In late May he was hitting a mere .191 and fans were beginning to wonder when he was going to get the hook. He turned things around in the second half and hit. 272 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs.

LaRoche came to Pittsburgh in a deal with Atlanta when the Pirates traded pitcher Mike Gonzalez.

LaRoche, now 28, has averaged 24 homers and 85 RBIs in three seasons with Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

He carried a .326 average with the Pirates over the Bucs’ final 77 games last season after the unimpressive start.

A smooth-swinging power-hitter, LaRoche was expected to team with Jason Bay to provider the Pirates with the long-ball.