Reds/Astros Notes And Memories

Yesterday, in what was perhaps a meaningful game in the long, wild card presence baseball season, the (34-38),  Cincinnati Reds rallied for two, two out runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, to (3-2), the almost certain A.L. West winning, (48-27) Houston Astros and complete and a 3 game sweep.

The game evoked some Reds/Astros history, as these were the first clashes between the teams, who from (1962-2012) were in the same entity (National League (1962-1968), National League West (1969-1993) and N.L. Central (1994-2012), since the American League Astros, won their first title in 2017.

One memory is following the game (no television, radio, internet etc.) of July 4th, nearly 40 years ago, when the Astros held on for a (3-2) win at “Cincy,” and moved 10 and a half games ahead of the Reds in the one quarter/you had to finish first, N.L. West.

Cincinnati eventually won the division.

That day, I sojourned to a kosher delicatessen “over the bridge.” (Maybe “somewhere over a rainbow,” Mr. (Harold) Arlen and Mr. (E.Y.) Yarburg can get a pastrami sandwich into the song).

NBA official, Manny Sokol was there. I asked him, those forty years ago, who was the best player he had seen. Without looking up, on a napkin, he wrote Havlicek and Oscar (John Havlicek and Oscar Robertson).

The Astros likely will at least, win the A.L. West

“Over the bridge” yields “Over the rainbow,” Click below as Judy Garland’s Dorothy sings and Toto, the dog is so well behaved, now 80 years ago.