Karl Wallenda 1978, as mentioned by Paul in the write-up, very bad.
Karl Wallenda 1976, as witnessed by yours truly in person, ASTONISHING.
I assume Paul was referring to the fall that killed Wallenda on March 22, 1978 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was attempting to walk a tightrope 121 feet in the air connecting two 10-story towers of a hotel WITHOUT A SAFETY NET. According to Wikipedia, Wallenda fell to his death due to high wind and an improperly secured wire.
This brought to an end the amazing career of the German aerialist. I just have to ask what the hell was Wallenda doing still performing at AGE 73???
Let's turn the clock back to May 31, 1976, with Wallenda AGE 71.
He walked across Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in between games of a doubleheader between the Phillies and the Cubs. I was there with my buddies from high school. IT WAS ASTONISHING.
Because we were sitting in the top level of the stadium, the infamous 700 Level, it seemed like Wallenda was right at eye level. There was no safety net. And at no time do I remember Wallenda faltering although he did some tricks, such as standing on his head on the wire.
(For me, only one other thing in my life was similar. When I lived in San Francisco, CA, the apartment building I was in was on one of the steepest hills in the city, Clipper Street. So when the Navy Blue Angels performed during Fleet Week, I could sit on my balcony and the planes seemed to be right at eye level. They were a few miles away over the downtown area and San Francisco Bay. But they were at eye level.)
The event took place just a few weeks before the nation's bicentennial on July 4, 1976. Thus, Wallenda was wearing the Phillies bicentennial cap in the photo below.
I am amazed to see Wallenda SMILING in the photo!!!
This was the second time Wallenda successfully walked across the top of Veterans Stadium. The first time was on August 13, 1972, in between games of a doubleheader between the Phillies and the Expos.
Here is link to an article that provides some insight into the first successful walk by Wallenda at Veterans Stadium.
http://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/august-13-1972-expos-win-nightcap-after-great-wallenda-walks-across-veterans-stadium