"When he [Bradley] retired from the Senate, I sent a note congratulating him on his service to his country," Marin said. "Then I wrote, 'You were a far dirtier basketball player than a politician.' "
A left-hander, Marin played with a large red birthmark that ran from shoulder to elbow. Self-conscious? Not Marin.
"I told people that one night my shooting was so hot that I set my arm on fire."
In 1972, he was dealt to the Houston Rockets in a trade for Elvin Hayes, who would help the Bullets to a world championship in 1978. Marin holds no grudge.
"I met my wife in Houston," he said. "She wasn't into basketball. I told her I was with the Rockets. She thought I worked at the space center."
Married 35 years, Marin is an avid golfer, the champ at his country club and a favorite in celebrity tournaments. Last month, he defeated Mickey Tettleton, a former Orioles catcher, by three strokes to win the San Diego Celebrity Classic.
Marin also volunteers as a golf instructor at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he teaches the game to Marines wounded in combat.
"These are veterans who've suffered everything from burns to amputations to brain injury," Marin said. "Golf helps these guys get through tough times. Some say they want to be competitive players some day.
"That's very rewarding."
