Back in your day, how did you define “cool?” What were some items that would be categorized with the term?

Or did you use the word “groovy?” Whatever the case, you know what it meant.

In your sports world, sneakers had to be near the top of the list of your “cool” or “groovy” items.

If you were born in the 1940s or the 50s, you certainly remember the legendary P.F. Flyers hightops - and Keds also surfaced. Those classic Converse Chuck Taylor hightops were a must for our playground battles and basketball practices.

As we got into the 70s, we were all fascinated by the arrival of Pumas and Adidas, even though they made their appearance in the late 60s. Nike and its Air Jordans began to take over the 80s.

In this week’s edition of my Yesterday column - reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond - I’ll take a look at some of the “cool” sneakers we grew up wearing, as well as other “cool” or “groovy” related items in the sports world and beyond.

Some thoughts ... what movie star made Keds famous? Who really was Chuck Taylor? And who was the Phillies “Moon Man?”

They Were One of Our Cool Outlets ... In 1937, the B.F. Goodrich tire company became one of the pioneers in the sneaker industry. They developed the legendary P.F. Flyers, and the high-top sneakers were an instant success. I believe I did have a pair of those somewhere along the line. Did you?

We all had a pair of Keds at one point, and they didn’t become popular until Marilyn Monroe wore the Keds champion in her 50s movie, “Clash By Night.”

I always remember the royal blue Keds, as well as the standard black-and-white model.

Cons and Clyde ... In the 1960s, Converse had captured about 80% of the basketball shoe market, with Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars being worn by 90% of professional and college basketball players. Converse also infiltrated the wrestling market by designing a wrestling shoe in the early 60s. Did any of you grapplers ever wear them?

The one fact I’ll remember about the Chuck Taylors were the blisters I would get after a long session on the playground with them. There was little support, but you had to wear them to be “cool.” I still have a pair of them. Do you remember the pure-white, low-cut Converse?

One of my favorite sneakers was the Puma “Clydes” (after the Knicks’ Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and I still have a pair of those) that captured the market in the early to mid 70s. The only setback with them is that they are mostly flat, but the “Clydes” had a tiny incline.

When you think of “cool” sports icons, Frazier has to be near the top of the list in the 1970s with his flamboyant dress and lifestyle. He later developed his unique vocabulary and enunciation.

The Big Stripe ... Along with the others, we all also likely dipped into the Adidas market.

I first came across them in the 70s, and the sideline stripes were initially a little much. But they were considered to be a fashion statement, and do you remember how we had a sense of importance when we wore them with jeans or chinos? Adidas also made a splash with their running shoes and spikes.

Something in the Air ... In the late 60s and the 70s, Nike crawled along among the rest, and they slowly crept into the market, initially with running shoes.

They made it big with Air Jordans in the 80s, and it was the foundation for their current sneaker empire. In the 90s and beyond, you made your statement by wearing Nikes. I never had a pair of Air Jordans, maybe you did.

From Head to Toe ... Aside from sneakers, you could wear a few other things to be “cool.”

If you didn’t wear a leather headband, you likely had a terry cloth one - how about a red, white, and blue one? - with the matching wristbands. To complete your outfit, you had the short white shorts and the high, colored tube socks.

On a more formal or social outing, you had to wear those Jordache jeans to a big event. Besides Levi’s that dominated the market in the 60s and 70s, how about a pair of Sasson?

Who Was This Guy? ... We all had or have sneakers named after him, but who was Chuck Taylor?

The Indiana native had a brief career with the pre-NBA Columbus Commercials. After they disbanded, he played for several semipro teams.

When his career ended, Taylor began working as a salesman for Converse. Taylor then coached the company’s “All-Stars,” a Chicago-based team which was also the name of their redesigned sneaker. The company liked his contributions and added his name to the ankle patch in 1932.

Phillies Phodder ... What former Phillies were known as “The Moon Man,” and “Shake N’ Bake,” both of whom I thought epitomized “cool?” You may know, but don’t look it up. Answers are at the end of this column.

Cool Court ... From the 1960s, the Sixers certainly have had their share of “cool” characters. Some of them who come to mind are Chet “The Jet” Walker, Archie Clark, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins, Maurice “Mo” Cheeks, and of course, Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

How about “Sir” Charles Barkley, Allen “A.I” Iverson, Luke Jackson, and Wilt?

Feelin’ Groovy ... If you say the term in your head, you should remember the Simon and Garfunkel song. “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling’ Groovy)” from 1966, Lou Rawls’ ‘77 hit, “Groovy People,” or the Young Rascals’ “Groovin” from 1967.

There were plenty of others in the mix.

Cool Cats ... Aside from the previous songs and athletes mentioned, some other “groovy” situations and players can be Joe Morgan’s arm-pumping stance, Bobby Tolan’s high bat stance, Dick Allen and Horace Clark both wearing batting helmets in the field, ABC’s Monday Night Football’s animated opening with “funky” music (check it out on YouTube), and how about the Harlem Globetrotters?

Readers Write ... Richard Ochs from Walnutport wrote in about last week’s column:

Hi Jeff!

“Rocky is still the most popular and recognizable sports movie character. During the past 75 years, Hollywood has turned out numerous baseball movies in black and white and in color. Most of the movies, both fiction and nonfiction, seem to be “lost” on TV today. With the opening of spring training around the corner, some of the TV cable channels should make an effort to show them throughout the season. There were more movies made than some people realize.

Let’s hope that Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins get their spots in the Hall of Fame. I wouldn’t be surprised if Curt Schilling isn’t elected due to his politics, which should not even be considered.”

On the Tube ... There have been plenty of TV shows that can be categorized as “cool” through the years.

Some that come to mind are “Starsky and Hutch” with their informant “Huggy Bear,” “Baretta,” “Kojak (with the lollipop), and “Happy Days” with “Fonzie.”

He Was Cool ... In 1971, Snoopy emerged as the new character “Joe Cool” in the Charlie Brown episode, “You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown.” The character also was in the Peanuts comic strip.

If you’re in my age range - low 60s - you can recall a part of the song, “Joe Cool ... he’s standing by the water fountain ... Hey, Joe Cool … he’s back at school.”

Phillies Trivia Answer ... The Phillies’ “Moon Man” was Jay Johnstone, and “Shake n’ Bake’ was Bake McBride.

Johnstone, a colorful prankster, spent five years with the Phillies in his 20-year career, and the outfielder hit .303 with 33 homers and 200 RBIs.

Overall, he hit .263 in his career, and had other stops with the Angels, Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees, White Sox and Padres. Johnstone passed away from COVID complications at the age of 74 in 2020.

McBride also had four-plus years in Phillie pinstripes, hitting .292 with 44 homers and 258 RBIs along with 98 stolen bases. Overall, McBride played 11 seasons, four-plus with St. Louis and two with Cleveland. He hit .299 in his career with 183 stolen bases.

Feedback ... What was “cool” and/or “groovy” in your world?

Your comments, thoughts, and ideas are welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com