Big Mike update

**deacon Mark** · 07-08-2024, 06:16 PM

Got off the phone with Mike a while ago he said to send an update if I wanted. He sounds good seems to be in decent spirits. Going to go to Rush Hospital to have a few things checked out in the next few days that might make things easier for him. He then told the story I never heard how he is got the name big mike.

Seems back 30 years ago he was working as a Chef in a high-class place, I believe in the Bay area. They had retail operation too that sold all kinds of cooking supplies and books, gadgets and ect. Seems that was where the real money was made not so much the restaurant portion of the business. Well apparently, a guy was shoplifting books and hiding them in a rolled newspaper and Mike got word. He then chased him down on the streets and caught up and demanded that he return the merchandise. The guy was pretty scared and basically dropped in all and gave it back took off.

Mike returns to the business and the owners told him that he certainly could have gotten hurt or shot or whatever in that situation. Then another employee comes up and says, it was quite a thing to do and after he is Big Mike right? So, the name stuck. In today's world that would be crazy and possibly a fatal error.

Now back to guitars I have not played all day.

**Gitfiddler** · 07-08-2024, 06:53 PM

I've known Big Mike for over 20 years and never knew that story! He's always been an interesting, tough, multi-talented guy with a big heart.

**teeps** · 07-09-2024, 02:40 AM

Thanks to Big Mike for sharing. I love this story and how that name became part of Mikes person and how our doings in general tend to define us.

I come to think of another similar kind of story which is one of my sketch favorites, and that is the scene where W.C. Field explains how he got the name "Honest John". I hope that it is not seen as bad taste to post it here but it may bring out a smile. Hopefully also for Mike, if he sees it.