Thursday, January 5, 2012

Al Ferrara Had No Matches

My nephew and I were spending an evening making Coke bets on old games shows and we came across a classic episode of the Match Game.  Really though, aren't all episodes of the Match Game classics?  I digress.
Match Game was a hilariously typical game show of the 1970's which featured two contestants attempting to match silly answers with the panel of six celebrities.  Even as a kid, I sensed that this show was a bit different.  Looking at it now, one only can guess what went on back stage.
We clicked over to the Game Show Network, just as the Match Game's host Gene Rayburn announced the next contestant, Al Ferrara.  Ferrara stated that he was a piano salesman, but it also came out that he had played pro baseball.
In fact, Ferrara was an outfielder for parts of eight seasons, mostly for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  He hit .259 with 358 hits in his career.
On this episode, Ferrara went hitless.  In fact, his opponent, the reigning champ Marlena Cruz, also went hitless.  They went to a tie-breaking round and Ferrara again came up empty.  Cruz connected on one to retain her title.  Like all losing contestants on the show, Ferrara sat forlornly as the stage spun him back into who knows where.  If Al ever reads this, please contact me with any updates.
I am not sure if Marlena won the big match on this show.  I know she won at least one big match ($5000) and one mid-match ($2500) over the two shows, but I am not sure which was which.  Marlena was quite cute and funny.  Of course, now she would have to be about 60.  If Marlena ever reads this, please email me an update on yourself.
Anyway, Ferrara went away with some unknown consolation prizes.  He eventually went into business for himself, starting Major League Construction, which he ran for over 30 years.  In retirement, he has gone back to the Dodgers in their Community Relations department.  There is a great bio on Ferrara at The Baseball Biography Project by SABR.
So the moral of this story is you can learn stuff, even from an odd game show of the 70's.  Now, if I can learn whatever happened to Marlena Cruz, the story would be complete!

14 comments:

Hackenbush said...

Match Game was the king of the double entendre if I'm not mistaken. Kind of naughty. ;)

night owl said...

That's too cool. I watched The Match Game all the time as a kid, along with just about every game show that was around then. Our favorite part was when the loser was spun back to whatever horror awaited him.

Matt Runyon said...

For us The Match Game was a forbidden pleasure. We weren't allowed to watch it, but we did anyway when we thought we could get away with it.

gonzo40 said...

Sure would love to know what Marlena was doing today...... She was the best contestant Match Game had.......

Peggy said...

her first episode is airing now:-)

J\/\/ said...

I Googled Marlena on Match Game and up comes The Beat! She needs to be found, or at least whatever happened to her.

herbie53 said...

I saw this episode today and I fell in love with Marlena. I too googled her and this is the only site that really comes up with her.

What happen to you Marlena?

NHL said...

Watching show on Buzzr network. It seems to me that She is the real life funny ditzy cheerful plus that voice. I believe Hollywood used Her as the poster child for that type of character in TV shows and Movies. As a adult now watching Match Game it is hands down the funniest non scripted or in some cases scripted show on TV

Unknown said...

Now it’s 2020 and I just need to know whatever happened to Marlena! She is an absolute hoot.

Unknown said...

Yes, where is she? Step up Marlena.....

Anonymous said...

it's now 2021. any updates

Johngy said...

Unfortunately not, but we're trying.

Anonymous said...

#WhereIsMarlenaCruz

Unknown said...

Marlene... Come out, come out where ever you are!!!