Old-School Media Bar Yesterday: Oakland's Kings X: Doug Murphy, Kate Kelly, Lou Grant, Regulars --Me Too; Saturday Memory

The Kings X bar in Oakland was a throwback. It wasn't just a good drinking tavern with a plethora of characters. It was the birth place of Fantasy Football and trivia contests --and even more than that.

The Kings X --located on Piedmont Ave near the Rockridge/Piedmont neighborhood, boasted a huge media following, Oakland's version of the M and M but better.

Doug Murphy, from KPIX, was a regular. Lou Grant, the award-winning political cartoonist for the Oakland Trib and the inspiration for the TV series, held court there.

One night, Murphy's girlfriend, (at the time) Kate Kelly (PIX anchor) were having a quiet conversation in a booth. Nearby, George Williamson, a moody, but great reporter for the Chronicle was talking politics with KTVU's Bob Wilkins, yeah, the "Creature Feature" host.

I began going to the X in the mid 80's. Andy Mousalimas was the owner and a truly nice man. Andy treated you like a son/daughter and he made everyone feel comfortable. He didn't play favorites. One time Andy told Reggie Jackson to shape up or take a hike because Reggie thought his celebrity was bigger than everyone else. Andy didn't give a damn. Reggie subsequently understood and checked his ego at the door.

Murphy was old-school. He was a fan of Amstel Light beer and endless cigarettes. Doug could talk a good game and was a character. Man oh man, what a guy. I thought I was unique.

The media was the message at Kings X and sports too. One of those places like a Cheers but significantly more edgy and real. You had to be there.