Playing right into the thick of it
Canadian actor Alan Thicke has played with a roster of greats from Carter to Gretzky to Jordan
You could say Joe Carter and Alan Thicke are almost like family. The actor’s son, 19year-old Carter Thicke, is named after the Toronto baseball legend.
“I named my son after him so it’s no coincidence I attend his tournament,” the elder Thicke says. “We knew we were having a boy and we didn’t have a name yet. The eureka moment came when we were watching a special on the greatest moments in Canadian baseball, and two of the names that popped up were Gary Carter from the Expos and Joe Carter. I said, ‘Bam, that’s it! I love that name.’ ”
Thicke, 69, is in the thick of the celebrity sports tournament scene. In fact, his prolific attendance record prompted the sports website Grantland to write a profile calling him “the most interesting man in the sport’s world.” He can add that badge to “America’s favourite dad,” which he earned — despite being Canadian — starring on the TV sitcom Growing Pains (1985-1992).
Thicke’s most memorable celeb golf partner ever was PGA legend Jack Nicklaus at a Palm Springs’ event. “We won the tournament and I played one key hole that helped us a lot . . . and he sent me a bag of Jack Nicklaus clubs with my name on it. I can go to golf heaven now.”
The most important tip Nicklaus offered Thicke over four days on the fairway: “Whenever you can use a putter, do it.”
Given his vast experience, it’s no surprise that Thicke is quick to name his “dream” golf foursome. For starters, Wayne Gretzky (the actor plays in the Great One’s Fantasy Camp almost every year) and Michael Jordan (Thicke played in his basketball tournament for 15 years).
But Thicke cautions that it’s easy to lose your shirt when playing against the NBA great: “He has proposition bets for anything . . . (like) how many cigars you can smoke on the first nine.” The final slot would go to either his son’s namesake, Joe Carter, or iconic Hollywood bad boy Jack Nicholson.
“He’s absolutely hilarious. Just the way he plays the game and keeps score . . . if he doesn’t like a shot, he’ll take another one. He has swagger. If he’s done putting, he’s on to the next hole. It doesn’t matter if there are three guys left. I love the swagger he brings to the game.”
As for this year’s Carter classic roster, Thicke would love to tee off alongside NBA legend Julius Erving, hockey hero Doug Gilmour or NBA great Dan Marino, one of the few sports celebrities he has never met.
“I am an enthusiast versus an actual player,” he admits with an easy laugh. “I have my own level of mediocrity that I am happy to bring to any sport.” Still, Thicke admits his best efforts are usually reserved for hockey, softball and tennis — and are aided by the luck of his celebrity draw. “You win your share along the way, depending on how good your partners are.”
Thicke, originally from Kirkland Lake, Ont., is just thankful his entertainment career has allowed him to play alongside his idols for charity.
“I’m happy to be out there with whatever athletes he rounds up,” he says of Carter. “It’s such an important cause to support, everyone has fun and I’m such a sports fan. So it’s a win-win-win.”
Thick has played with all the living greats in almost every sport — from baseball to hockey, and tennis to basketball. He even has a contract with ESPN Radio to do sports commentary 20 times a year.
“I have a long history of being a sports groupie and, consequently, I am a big fan of anyone who can achieve in the world of sports,” he explains. “It’s a remarkable and extraordinary endeavour.”