They made it pretty tough on the rookies in those days; the tough times are what I remember the most but I never let it bother me. There was a chopper to the mound and he was on third and Im thinking I cant block this guy. I got a little notoriety in Earl Weavers eyes, Dempsey said. The Van Nuys Valley News said he was considered a definite Major League catching prospect and the Twins agreed, drafting him in the 15th round of the First-Year Player Draft. The new spot is named after Orioles fan favorite and 1983 World Series MVP, Rick Dempsey. I was skating to the ball and the organist started playing rain drops keep falling my head. One time in Toronto, one of the Blue Jays staffers called me and asked me to do it. He was a one-man diversion during a rain delay. Cionel Prez contributed beyond our expectations in 2022. I loved it at eight years old and told my mother I wanted to be a professional baseball player, Dempsey said. 2. Rick Dempsey Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Same deal -- it was a rainy day, and Babe Ruth called his shot. [7] He sometimes did this while wearing a pair of underpants over his uniform, making fun of teammate Jim Palmer's famous advertisements for Jockey brand briefs. The Business of Baseball: In Praise of Peter Angelos? He held it until the next day before the gag was exposed. View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies after brain aneurysm, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, Sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Clippers win waiver bid for Chauncey Billups, Brendan Burke, son of Brian Burke, dies in a car crash. Last night, our good. The coaches thought I might run a four-minute mile by the time I was a senior but I said no, I wanted to be a right fielder when I was a junior.. 2023 Orioles vs. projections: Cionel Prez. When I was a kid, 'This Week in Baseball' hosted by Mel Allen would occasionally. During a delay in the UConn-USF game, during the Big East Tourney, both teams decided to take to the field and potentially "serve" the other squad. We ended up winning the World Series with what was the worst team, on paper, in history.. The 40 Greatest Orioles of All-Time - No. 31 - Rick Dempsey Im 175 pounds and hes 235 with world-class speed. Rick Dempsey of the Baltimore Orioles at bat during a game from his 1985 season with the Baltimore Orioles. Now Dempsey as an "O's Extra" announcer? Which is why such a swing of emotions unfolded when Indians center fielder Brad Komminsk seemed to take a home run away from Ripken Jr. on this September night at Memorial Stadium, only to have his momentum carry him over the center-field wall. Top 40 Orioles of All Time: #20, Rick Dempsey. I was the most brutal manager ever for Bakersfield, Dempsey said. There, he would pantomime Babe Ruth hitting a home run, complete with called shot. He liked the fact that I always went to the games when I told him I would and they gave me a shot. It ended when the second baseman and right fielder pulled up short on a fly ball between them. He was the first of four players from Crespi Carmelite to get drafted and is one of nine from the school to reach the Major Leagues. Loved it! Just opened in Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Dempsey's Brewpub and Restaurant! Ricky Dempsey - Veripages Later in 2006, he became the first base coach again when the team reassigned Dave Cash. Nfl Colts. Rick Dempsey Rain Delay Theater, Part IIOct. Dempsey would expand his act in the years to come, incorporating supporting actors and costume changes into his performances. He has been teaming with Jim Hunter and Tom Davis during this time hosting the "O's Xtra" pre- and post-game shows on MASN 30 minutes before and immediately after each game. With that in mind, were taking stroll down memory lane to highlight the times in Orioles history that did just that. Soon after, his teammates arrived, quickly setting up a poker game. Rick Dempsey's tie game - Baltimore Sun 13, 1969In this rare footage, a glimpse into the inner workings of the Orioles clubhouse when Frank Robinson ran it -- and its Kangaroo Court. John Rikard Dempsey (born September 13, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player. Yes, that's where it all began. Rick Dempsey Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac John Lowenstein leaves the field a hero, on a stretcherJune 19, 1980There arent many scarier moments on a baseball field than when a player is hit in the head, but Lowenstein -- true to his nature -- was able to provide some levity when he found himself in such a situation. Shortly after completing the lone no-hitter of his career in an 8-0 win over the As, Palmer was accused of poor baserunning by Judge Robinson, despite the fact that hed finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI as well. Dempsey first performed his act during a rain delay at Fenway Park in 1977, well short of the YouTube and DVR generation. But I held on to the ball. I saw Sparky a year or two after I did it the first time and said, "I finally did what you wanted to do." Rick Dempsey Rain Delay Theater, Part I Sept. 30, 1977 A singular figure in Orioles lore, Dempsey remains beloved to this day as much for his personality as for his on-field accomplishments. Gambling problem? With his players, and himself. Earl Weaver was known for many things, among them his temper and penchant for getting ejected from ballgames. , Next Funny, they don't remember that once in a while I got a hit. Should the teams play become exceedingly sloppy, Dempsey might occasionally launch into a postgame tirade, but he prefers to instruct rather than belittle his players. Attempting to score what wouldve been the tying run, Cust lost his footing not once, but twice, before he was tagged out inches away from the vacated plate, having tumbled face-first down in front of it. He signed with the Dodgers and played three seasons there as a backup (two of them dreadfully bad), then moved to Milwaukee to catch 61 games in 1991. From that point on, every time it got gray or cloudy everywhere we went, one of the team officials would call me up and say, "Can you do your pantomime of Babe Ruth?" At Bakersfield. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. Copyright (c) 2017. When I was with the Orioles, we were tied with the Red Sox one year on the last day of the season and we were playing for second-place money. For me, languages are fascinating. The Orioles won 10-3. So as I skated around the tarp, everyone started to sing with me. Rick Dempsey Scouting Report 30 HITTING 40 POWER 30 RUNNING 60 FIELDING 60 THROWING 20 = NOT MLB CALIBER 30 = WELL BELOW AVG 40 = Below Average 50 = MLB AVERAGE 60 = ABOVE AVG 70 = EXCELLENT 80 = RARE, ELITE They wanted me to stay but they said I wasnt going to play. And weve given him a lot more reasons to do it than that. Palmer told me I had to stand up to him otherwise hed bury me. \"I got tired of the same old stuff.\"About 45 minutes after the game was to have started, Dempsey ran onto the tarp and slid across the infield. Rick Dempsey Autographed Signed Baltimore Orioles Jersey Inscribed MVP 83 Ws (JSA COA) BIG. Tommy [Lasorda] had a little heart attack around that time and there was a lot of speculation as to who would replace Tommy. Weaver had history with Haller; years earlier, hed publicly said Haller shouldnt be allowed to call Tigers games because his brother, Tom, was their backup catcher. He has been teaming with Tom Davis for 4 years hosting the "O's Xtra" pre- and post-game shows on MASN 30 minutes before and immediately after each game. [8] In the 1979 World Series, the Orioles won three of the first four games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and seemed to be on the verge of winning the championship, when the Pirates, led by Willie Stargell, rebounded to win the final three games. Otherwise, he said, he would have to use his gun. Rick Sutcliffe - Baseball-Reference.com Palmer had been doing commercials for Jockey underwear, so Sammy wore briefs outside of his uniform pants. I wanted to be like Earl Weaver. The incident earned him a one-game suspension from the league. The Yankees were a game out of first heading into the final two games. Author of the popular blog The Bobblist, which covers everything A to Z in the world of bobbleheads. He hit .206 in 102 at-bats with nine RBIs. Dempsey ended his career in 1992, at age 42, with eight more games as a Baltimore Oriole. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies after brain aneurysm, Harvard-Westlakes Bryce Rainer fires out 92-mph fastballs in first start since 2021, UCLAs senior trio has persevered in restoring Bruins to national prominence, Hes taken the next step: How Boogie Ellis found his game as USCs point guard, Even after Gavin Lux injury, Andrew Friedman hints at patient approach with roster, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, Sheriff says, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Best coffee city in the world? 1 catcher for the Orioles through the 1986 season. Nov 18, 2011 73 Dislike Share Save TheHalocodplayer 8 subscribers This montage was shown during a Boston Red Sox rain delay back in 1983. Date: July 23, 2009 Score: Chicago White Sox 5, Tampa Bay Rays 0 Site: U.S. Cellular Field Pitches (Ks): 116 (76 strikes) Game Score: 93 In 2009, Buehrle, a durable soft-tossing lefty, threw his team's first perfect game in 87 years. [2] In 1997, he was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame. Stories about how he used to pull pranks on his teammates. It was really foreign to me, Dempsey said. Available for purchase from the publisher, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. People who heard him say he was great. Weaver managed the Orioles from 1968-82 and 1985-86. The crowd gave Dempsey a standing ovation. I knew I could be a part time catcher for them but they had Chris Holies at the time, said Dempsey, who was eventually activated in June. He played both ends of a doubleheader the next day. Rick is now in his fourth year as a member of the Orioles broadcast team after spending five years on the club's coaching staff. 10. [2] He usually did not make a large contribution offensively. Daniel Okrent describes Dempseys efforts: He was an intense man, who concentrated mightily on the game. Earl was not an easy guy to get along with. He did get a pair of September callups but they were mere cameos. The people were screaming as if I had just hit a home run to win the seventh game of the World Series. I used to listen to him and Jim Palmer battling. Rick Dempsey's tie game - Hartford Courant [1] He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1992, most prominently for the Baltimore Orioles where he played for 10 years and was a member of the 1983 World Series winning team. Rick Dempsey Autographed Memorabilia | Signed Photo, Jersey The place was packed because we were still playing for second place. That was that.. Dempsey also served as first base coach for the Orioles for several seasons, first as a third base coach in the 2005 season after bench coach Sam Perlozzo was promoted to interim manager. [1] Dempsey spent a few more seasons shuttling between the Twins and their minor league teams, before being traded to the New York Yankees for Danny Walton on October 31, 1972. Cleveland was one strange organization, Dempsey said. [16] After only one season with the Indians, he became a free agent once again and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he would be a member of another World Series-winning team in 1988, this time as a backup catcher to Mike Scioscia. When we got back to Baltimore, I was dropped off at a hotel on I-695 and went to the desk to get my key. What made that tarp act even more special was that Sammy Stewart came out and pitched to me, as if he was Jim Palmer, who had given up those two home runs. rick dempsey rain delay - peterstellpickupdropoffandmoving.com Dempsey grabs the mic1986Dempsey turned his act musical in 1986, when he serenaded a rain delay crowd to Chuck Berrys classic Johnny B. Goode. Soon, Dempsey & the Invisible Orioles Magic Band was born, complete with Eddie Murray and Floyd Rayford on the drums, Mike Boddicker on bass and John Habyan and others handling backup vocals. I said, "Why would you want to do that? [21] He then joined the New York Mets organisation, managing the Norfolk Tides in 1997 and 1998. But Dempsey is also remembered as the man who turned rain delays into interpretive theater. The other half was as MiLB.coms staff historian. This time they won, topping the Phillies in five games with Dempsey earning the Series MVP after hitting .385 with four doubles and a homer. The image of Dempsey sliding across a soaked tarp to entertain drenched fans is still a legendary one in baseball. [1] Dempsey was known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. Dempsey broke his thumb and missed the rest of the season. Then, in the late 1980s, he moved over to play near his familys home in Agoura Hills, becoming a lovable and laughable Dodger Stuntman. He helped the young pitchers, kept the clubhouse loose and won games by driving in a run once in a while. So, to pigeon-hole Dempsey as simply the guy who ran around in the rain would not do justice to someone who was one of baseballs most durable and dependable players for 24 seasons. I took two mighty swings, twisting my body as far as it would go. Despite a strong camp, though, Claire said he needed to send him to Triple-A for a bit until he could find a place for Alex Trevino. He still wanted to do it, but by that time, he was too old. [17] After three seasons with the Dodgers, he played one season with the Milwaukee Brewers, before returning to the Baltimore Orioles for his final season in 1992.[16]. We were childhood friends, and I made him give it to me. Rick Dempsey - Age, Bio, Personal Life, Family & Stats - CelebsAges Which leads to this piece on Rick Dempsey's rain-delay entertainment: We could have sold it, split the money and been very happy., Rick Dempsey while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.(Getty). In this conversation. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Then, in the late 1980s, he moved over to play near his family's home in Agoura Hills, becoming a . Dempsey & the Invisible Orioles Magic Band. "Everyone tells me that," he replied . There is another side. Dempsey s words proved to be prophetic. Oh, that Rick Dempsey. Nfl Football Players. About Rick Dempsey : Baltimore Orioles : 1983 World Series MVP Santarone would pour a layer of vinegar over the mix and let it set for a few days, then drain it and do the same with oil. Still, it took time for Dempsey to get any consistent playing time. Combined, the five current and former players who sit on USA Basketball's 15-person board Seimone Augustus, Jennifer Azzi, Harrison Barnes, Sue Bird and Durant have 13 Olympic gold medals, eight FIBA gold medals from World Cups and world championships, and a pile of other honors from their time wearing the red, white and blue. [3], Dempsey was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 1967 Major League Baseball draft out of Crespi Carmelite High School. Search Reddit posts and comments - see average sentiment, top terms, activity per day and more All the pitchers enjoyed having me behind the plate. They packed their guts with pillows to mimic the Hall of Fame duo in absurdist, legendary style. He has established a kangaroo court that levies fines on players for unacceptable actions. They were chanting, "We want Dempsey! Enberg hosted the pregame show alongside Dempsey (who was still active with Baltimore at the time). Dempsey was named World Series MVP and was an Oriole hero for all times. @busfield google "Rick Dempsey rain delay" for the greatest o's rain delay moments of all time. Babe Ruth used to be with the Red Sox. Rick Dempsey Rain Delay Dance Framed Photo 12"x15" Hammer Price: Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot Auction Date: Nov 06, 2020 10am ET Auctioneer: Paul E. Saperstein Co., Inc. See item details . Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users In Wilton, residents dig their way out after 7 inches of snow falls. Then I met Bo Jackson at home plate. Think throwing a no-hitter got you a free pass in those days? Rick McCormick - Facebook Dempsey spent 1991 with the Brewers and hit a respectable .231 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 147 at-bats. [1] Dempsey led American League catchers twice in fielding percentage, twice in baserunners caught stealing and once in assists. Rick Dempsey was a catcher for 24 MLB seasons and MVP of the 1983 World Series in which the Orioles beat the Phillies. She was also charged with trespassing and spent eight hours in jail, according to the Baltimore Sun. Rick Dempsey: What Inspired His Rain-Delay Theatrics It felt like I hit whipped cream.. So, he left and 40 minutes later he came back and said you made the club. Spent eight years at MLB.com, more than half of that as the Mets beat writer. I said, "I don't think it's going to work this time.". John Rikard Dempsey (September 13, 1949 - ) played major league baseball for 24 seasons as a catcher for the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. Dempsey spent all of 1974 with the Yankees, serving as Munsons backup for most of that time. "Yeah, sure you did!". Really. Rick Dempsey - Society for American Baseball Research May 31, 2020 - Three-time AL Cy Young winner, six-time All-Star, and eight-time 20-game winner Jim Palmer turned 70 years old on Oct. 15, 2015. One punch. Rick Dempsey Phone Number, Address, Public Records | Radaris In Baltimore it was hard to break the ice, Dempsey said. No one ever interviewed me about being the Dodger manager but my name showed up in the L.A. Times about it and that upset someone, so I left the Dodgers. He then went 2-for-12 in the ALCS against the White Sox, but then came the World Series. I went around the bases and slid into home plate, making a big wave as I sloshed across the tarp. [2] After three and a half seasons with the Yankees, he was acquired along with Scott McGregor, Tippy Martinez, Rudy May and Dave Pagan by the Orioles for Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander, Elrod Hendricks, Grant Jackson and Jimmy Freeman at the trade deadline on June 15, 1976. He will enter 2006 as the bullpen coach, replacing Ellie Hendricks. Uploaded: 25 Jul, 2010. [19] He is the uncle of former major league catcher Gregg Zaun. Rick Dempsey was a catcher for 24 MLB seasons and MVP of the 1983 World Series in which the Orioles beat the Phillies. Dempsey would point to the outfield seats, then hit an invisible pitch with an exaggerated swing. I knew at that point they just wanted me to come in and quit so they didnt have to pay me but I refused to do that. It was genuinely funny, and while impatient fans waited for the rains to end, theyd applaud Dempsey lustily. We were having a good time, but then it started to rain. He went on for more than an hour, Lund says. But whatever, he's Rick Dempsey. Dupree crumpled to the dirt in a heap, several bones in his face fractured. The ball was worth $6.5 million. I declared myself safe, the crowd went nuts, and I walked off the field completely drenched. Hiserman has been Sports editor of The Times San Fernando Valley and Orange County editions. I did another version of it in Milwaukee one night. Dempsey was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 23, 1969, with the Minnesota Twins. That was one of the saddest days for me ever. The Comedic Stylings Of Rick Dempsey Published on 5/9/2007 by GC When Gary Thorne is the one embarrassed at your poor choice of words, something has gone horribly wrong. The Rainout Blog: Dempsey A RoBHoFer? Sure, you remember Dempsey. The Orioles potential superstar battery got off to a great start in their first spring pairing. We had our share of arguments, too. "No, really! Dempseys line for the season was just about what he told Claire it would be. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. At 7 p.m., I was still sitting there. What does a successful 2023 look like for the Orioles best hitters? The next time he would see Minnesota would be as a visiting player. The Twins traded Dempsey to the Yankees for outfielder Dan Walton, a journeyman who would appear in 297 games with six teams over a nine-year career. I loved Billy; he was a little guy like me, Dempsey said. A steady rain postponed the Milwaukee Brewers-Baltimore Orioles game at County Stadium, but it didn't stop Rick Dempsey and Sammy Stewart from reenacting the final game of the Orioles' 1982. Had one beat writer from another newspaper threaten to kill him in an elevator at the winter meetings. Duprees glove skinned Dempseys cheek. All of a sudden, the people in the stadium started pounding on the grandstands with their feet. Rick Dempsey's age is 73. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images), A PITSTOP ON THE WAY TO ANOTHER WORLD SERIES. The work ethic that was so prevalent during Dempseys playing days remains. [1] He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1992, most prominently for the Baltimore Orioles where he played for 10 years and was a member of the 1983 World Series winning team. He played for Billy Martin, Earl Weaver and Tommy Lasorda and, along with Tim McCarver and Carlton Fisk, is one of only three catchers to play in the Major Leagues in four decades [1969-92]. Basketball Players. With the worst record in minor league baseball. When I first got traded, I met them in Chicago and I didnt start a game for quite a while. He possessed a cannon for an arm and was a magician who helped guide some of the games greatest pitching staffs to a pair of World Series titles, picking up a World Series MVP for himself along the way. [5] During his tenure with the Yankees, he served as a reserve catcher to Thurman Munson, and received tutoring from Yankees coach and former catching standout Jim Hegan. He and Billy were a lot alike. Dempsey was back in upstate New York in 1973, spending the majority of the season with Syracuse of the Triple-A International League, where he hit .248 with 47 RBIs. In 2001, Dempsey was named the first base coach, replacing Eddie Murray. Ranking MLB's perfect games: 20-16 - theScore | Ways Udin I went to the summer league in 67 and played half a game every other day. I told him I can go home and start my managing career and that Id be okay, Dempsey said. I yelled and screamed and Fred told me we want you to be Rick Dempsey and not Earl Weaver. He appeared in eight games, had nine at-bats and collected one hit, a single against the White Sox on July 6. Either way, thinking of the guy puts a smile on my face. The mic caught every word. He also got in a late September fight with teammate Bill Sudakis, a volatile sort who was also one of New Yorks backup catchers. Dempsey was, too, when he earned a late-season call-up to the Minnesota Twins at age 19. He said, "I want to do a pantomime of Babe Ruth calling his home run and then I'll run around the tarp and slide, and that will be the end of it." Now that is entertainment! They say, "That's the guy who ran around on the tarp." Weaver wont go quietlySept. It was pretty neat because my teammates kept throwing me balls so I could keep tossing them into the grandstand. Presenting an unusual Rick Dempsey bobblehead that talks and plays music.Rick Dempsey was the Baltimore Orioles' catcher from 1976 to 1986, and was well loved for his sense of humor. My brother [who was his ride] was a high hurdler so I became a miler on the track team and ran a 4:36 mile. Baseball Park. The competitive side. [7] He became known for his exceptional ability to handle pitching staffs, his strong throwing arm, and for his agility behind home plate. But I learned how to handle a good staff with Baltimore and ended up being the everyday catcher for 10 years. $269.99. He, McGregor and Martinez became part of a nucleus that kept the Orioles as perennial contender for the next decade. [2] In 1979, the Orioles defeated the California Angels in the 1979 American League Championship Series to reach the World Series. After throwing out several runners in his first start against the Red Sox on June 22, Dempsey had gained an in with his manager. Redskins. The Comedic Stylings Of Rick Dempsey - Can't Stop The Bleeding And you'll have a blast at the Rick Dempsey Rain-Delay Sliding Puddle. Dempsey had five hits in the World Series, four doubles and a homer, and the Orioles beat the Phillies in five games. Thanks for sharing your memories, Enchanting Sunshine. 3.4K views, 33 likes, 5 loves, 3 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Here's to the Night: Rick Dempsey has officially been dethroned as the king of the rain delay. But I would like to be involved with a team in some respect.. Dempsey spent all of 1975 as Munsons backup and was also reunited with Martin, who took over for Bill Virdon midway through the summer. Your email address will not be published. I went into the clubhouse and was drying off because it was pretty wet out there. Houston Mitchell is an assistant sports editor, writer of the Dodgers Dugout newsletter and editor of all of the sports newsletters for the Los Angeles Times. People remember those gags during the rain delays, Dempsey says, toweling off in his office after catching in the bullpen. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images). It started to rain and everyone left the field and when they covered it up, there was one baseball on the tarp. They quarreled over how to pitch to batters and over virtually any other subject. [1] He played more games as a catcher than any other player in Orioles history (1230). The lone bench player for New Bedford at the start of the game was infielder Dan Haugh, who, along with pitcher Aaron Messier, did their best Rick Dempsey rain-delay imitation. When I was with the New York Yankees before I got traded in 1976, I was in right field, speaking with relief pitcher Sparky Lyle. It is supposed to bring joy, every night a chance to escape for nine innings. No one liked you and most of the veterans were cold and didnt want to talk. Instead, he chose to manage. Were not talking about wins and losses so much as were trying to get guys who are supposed to be prospects to start playing the game the way its supposed to be played.. To Dempsey, baseball, and Bakersfields place in it, is not a humorous matter. 1983 Topps Rick Dempsey | PSA CardFacts You might get hurt." Bakersfield is an equal-opportunity loser, having blown games in almost every way imaginable. But Dempsey is also remembered as the man who turned rain delays into interpretive theater. 20; No. Baltimore became the first visiting team to win Games 3, 4 and 5 since 1961, when the New York Yankees did so vs. the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Dempsey also served as an Oriole color commentator in 2000 and began another stint in 2007, as the studio analyst for O's Xtra on MASN, the cable channel that carries Orioles games. Some too-early Week 1 spring training reactions. For example - "C'era una volta" means "Once upon a time" in Italian and "I yli dago i . I used to go to all the semi-pro games in Los Angeles and they played for a guy who was a scout for the Minnesota Twins, Dempsey said. But as she often did, Morganna stole the show. True story. Rick Dempsey has officially been dethroned as the king of the rain