featured-image

‘Big George’ Was Baseline Bums Ringleader And Friend To Spurs

George Gervin remembers seeing his friend in Section 20 of HemisFair Arena, waving a giant Texas flag and riling up opponents. It’s one of Gervin’s favorite memories of home.

That friend was “Big George” Valle, a ringleader of the Baseline Bums and one of the most visible Spurs fans of all-time.

Valle often stood front and center of the Bums, and when he would motion to "The Sound of the Spurs,” trumpet player Al Sturchio to play “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” Valle waved the state flag and got fans out of their seats.

Big George passed away on Saturday at his home in Devine, Texas. He was 64.

“Big George was the man,” Gervin said. “He was the Bums, and they were our sixth man on the court.  They sat above the visitor’s locker room and brought so much havoc at HemisFair, and we really felt he was part of the organization.”

Visitation will be Thursday at Hurley Funeral Home Chapel, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, from 2 p.m. to 6:45 pm, with rosary to be recited at 7pm at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 108 S Washington Dr, Devine.  Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with interment to follow.

Gervin said opposing players would often point out Big George in the stands and tell him how envious they were that the Spurs had fans as passionate as him.

“People would always be telling me, ‘those guys are crazy, they never sit down,’” Gervin said. “A lot people wish they would have their own Big George in their arena.”

Big George joined the Bums in 1975, when tickets cost $1 per game. He remained a key member of the organization and a Season Ticket Member until 2003.

Joe Clark, Vice President of Spurs Ticket Sales and Services, says Big George might have missed only four home games in his time as a Baseline Bum, driving in 35 miles from Devine every night.

Big George also made trips to the NBA All-Star Game every season and became friends with many players, coaches and referees.

“He was a loyal and dedicated supporter,” Clark said. “He really embodied the passion of the Baseline Bums, and that passion is still there today, thanks to the group he helped create.”

Cathy Snyder, a Bum since 1985, said she remembered Valle as the Bum who would unite fans with players thanks to his big personality and his ability to cook “the best damn brisket you’ve ever had.”

Valle was part of the group that famously tossed avocados at then-Denver coach Larry Brown in the 1970s when Brown said the only thing he liked about San Antonio was guacamole salad.

While the Bums would heckle opposing players all night, Valle would buy them a drink after the game at Gambit’s in the Marriott Riverwalk across the street from the HemisFair.

“I was over at the Marriott, sitting with Utah coach-general manager Frank Layden and Jazz announcer Hot Rod Hundley and all that bunch, and someone said, 'Why are you sitting talking to these guys?” Valle said to the Denver Post in 1985. "I said the ballgame's over, and these are my friends."

[[{"fid":"87245","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

Valle was close with former Spurs coaches Doug Moe and Stan Albeck. Even though he stopped attending games, Big George still remained close to many former Spurs and Baseline Bums. He would still exchange emails with players such as Artis Gilmore, and Snyder said he called her every year on her birthday.

“If you were his friend, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for you,” Snyder said. “He was known as this larger than life fan who waved the Texas flag. Away from the arena, his personality was just as big.”

lchan@attcenter.com

Twitter:@lornechan