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Tom Whalan, a true Over-The-Line legend

Posted at 10:45 PM, Jul 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-14 09:02:10-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Everyone in the in the Over-The-Line community certainly knows the name Tom Whalan. 

"I played my senior year in high school in 1962 and then probably straight through since 1969," Whalan said. 

He certainly deserves the title OTL legend, but he's modest. 

"I've got the most wins," he said. "But you do anything for 50 years you're going to get a few wins."

Whalan has more OTL championships than anyone ever to play the sport. 

"I've got 16, Merrill cummings -  who doesn't play anymore - has 14, but there are some very good players in double figures," Whalan said. 

Like Whalan has said, he's played the sport for over 50 years - but it was really just a progression from baseball. 

"Back in the 60s a lot of the over-the-line players were high school or college baseball players," he said. "We'd come down to the beach and it was a way to pass the time at the beach and just kept playing."

With the OTL world championship underway this weekend, what keeps this legend coming back?

"I like it because the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club has given guys a chance to continue," he said. "I'm 73, I mean you can play it your whole life there's not many sports where you can do that."