Five cities/areas have a team in both the NHL and NBA playoffs.
One can say six as the Anaheim area has the very local and named Ducks.
Only Colorado/Denver has home advantage in both series,which their Avalanche vs teams in each, L.A.(Kings) and Nuggets vs teams in each, Minnesota (Timberwolves), lead (1-0).
Aforementioned “Minne” has the Wild, who lead once Minnesota team as the North Stars (1-0).
Another aforementioned and teams in each city, Los Angeles has the once Minnesota, Lakers up (1-0) vs the Houston Rockets as big series opening and still underdogs. The Ducks begin the only one of the 16 NBA and NHL prelims that did not start this past weekend, tonight at Edmonton vs the two time final round losing Oilers. The two time champion Florida Panthers did not qualify, surely a rarity, for such an accomplished feat/team.
Meanwhile, both Boston and Philadelphia, whose NBA Celtics and Sixers franchises are clashing in the ‘offs for a 13th time have teams in each league’s ‘offs.
Philly’s Flyers won at the series fave, higher seeded (more regulation game wins)–recalling Pens getting Meehan miracle and then a tiebreaker to get in at the Flyers’ expense in ’72, Penguins in game 1 while the Atlantic Division “reg” winning Buffalo Sabres won their first ‘offs tilt in 15 years, overcoming an (0-2) hole and (4-3 ing) the Boston Bruins in game 1.
The Celtics, (15-7) in previous series vs the Sixers franchise (they were the Syracuse Nationals until ’63-’64), ripped the Sixers by 32 points, in game 1 of their prelim.
The great Dolph Schayes, pictured above, played 14 of his 15 seasons with the Nationals, while his last season was as a Sixer (a team he later coached), scoring over 18 thousand points and averaging 15 per game in his 15 seasons.
A tremendous player, who delivered the decisive hit in the 7th and deciding game of the 2002 World Series, Garret Anderson died suddenly and so decidedly, too soon at age 53.
Oh does this one hurt, though I never met Garret, having evoked Garrett Morris when Anderson batted and it often “worked,” most notably, when he delivered a 3 run double for the game’s final runs in the Angels (4-1) win in #7, vs the San Francisco Giants in the aforementioned 2002 World Series.
It was only the third inning, however, Garret’s hit was THE hit putting him with such as Kiki Cuyler, Yogi Berra and in terms of importance yes, Miguel Rojas, last season.
Clearly noteworthy is John Lackey’s 1 run 5 innings start followed by Brendan Donnelly (2 innings) and both Francisco (vs San Francisco) “K. Rod” Rodriguez and then Troy Percival each hurling a scoreless “inn,” as the Angels, now in their very likely 65th completed season, (’61-2026—no completed season in ’94) won in their lone World Series appearance, to date.
Days before I was walking alone, as is my life plight (maybe Garret can help in that regard, after all he could be a double angel) and thinking about (among much else) how a truly good man, one I so often spoke with, Dusty Baker has a book circulating.
My tangential mind went to that #7 (you see Dusty in the video of Anderson’s hit above) and whether Dusty had a LHP for Garret and other tough losses for Baker managed teams, before 20 years later, with some rightful tears in my eyes, I called the last out (somewhere it is, I hope) when the Astros, under Dusty, won the title.
Now days later, news Garret Anderson has died. It “spins” and we have to do and also hope the “bad pointing” does not come in our direction.
In 1971, the NBA season had a so reasonable last game on the last day of April, a fact accelerated by the Milwaukee Bucks 4 game sweep of the then Baltimore Bullets in the final round.
The New York Knicks were defending champions and their first series was a quarterfinal such vs the Atlanta Hawks. There were no preliminary series at that time, now there are these ridiculous –cha ching play in games and best of 7 prelims that follow.
This season, the Knicks are solid but not overwhelming favorites vs the Hawks whom they “5” ‘d those 55 years ago, but not before a superb Bill Bridges (he was in “The Gong Show” movie), 36 rebounds effort led a Hawks series squaring win at New York in game 2.
More 5 and 10 or multiples thereof—In a relatively renowned “semi,” now forty years in ‘el’ rear view, Ralph Sampson’s game and series ending field goal (it is a field goal and many recall “Coop” the tremendous Lakers player, Michael Cooper, falling to the floor in disbelief but I still a Lakers’ fan was glad to duck what was a tremendous Celtics team) lifted the Houston Rockets to a 5 game series win before they lost to the Celtics in 6 games (Andy B. telling the great baseball player and hoops fan, the not surprising result in #6).
Put a 5 on and ’twas 45 years ago that as was also the case, in that ’86 semi, Houston eliminated a defending champions Lakers team, that 2 games to 1 in a prelim.
Tom Henderson, as a Bullets player, is pictured above.
Earvin “Magic” (per the old ad you can call him Johnson and also an all-time great player) cited Henderson’s fine defense on let’s just call it a huge play in that Houston decisive third game prelim win vs L.A. in ’81.
Henderson “titled” in ’78 with the Bullets and did Yonkers/Roosevelt High Marty Gonda play with Tom at The University of Hawaii?
Another Henderson (Gerald) played a big part in one of the 5 “denials” of a Lakers title in the ’80’s with a steal and bucket in #2 for the Celts in the final round. Boston won in OT(B) man had $line not ‘el’ spread another “horseshoe,”), and went on to “7” the Lakers making it 8 of 8 vs Lakers teams (7 vs the L.A. version) in NBA final rounds. That now stands (9-3).
There was a repeat Masters Golf Tournament winner for just the fourth time in the once restricted, revered (not to me) golf event in the person of Rory Mcllroy.
He joins the great Jack Nicklaus (’65 and ’66), Nick Faldo (’89 and ’90), Elbert “Tiger” Woods, who needs a driver and not the club–alas “Ish” used “the club” to lock the steering wheel, and I guess was great in 2001 and 2002 as repeat winners.
Scottie Scheffler “roared” to highly compensated second place finish.
Rory Mcllroy, pictured above.
The current Texas Rangers (2023) at L.A. Dodgers series matches the last three World Series winners.
(11-3) L.A.– the first to 10 wins team, has won the first two games of the 3 game series, dropping Texas’ mark to (7-7).
Additionally, the series has two managers who rank high on the list of World Series winning, managed teams, Texas’ Bruce Bochy with 4 while Dave Roberts has 3, one more than a bit tainted or < — , that in Covid affected 2020.
Only Casey Stengel and Joe McCarthy (7) and Connie Mack (5) have managed more title teams than Bochy.
Joe Torre and Walter Alston, the latter had but one big league at bat, the former was a tremendous hitter, each of whom never played in a post-season tilt, also guided 4 title winners.
Torre’s 4 crowns all with with the Yankees (’96 and ’98-2000) and Alston’s with the then Brooklyn Dodgers in ’55 then three more odd year crowns, with the L.A. version in ’59, ’63 and ’65.
Bochy won 3 “even year” titles with the San Francisco Giants (2010, 2012 and 2014) before getting an “odd” such, with Texas in 2023.
Roberts is one of five managers with 3 titles, the others being John McGraw (1905, 1921, 1922), Miller Huggins (1923, 1927 and 1928–incredible, it seems, that the Yankees were “only” (4-3) in W.S. with Babe Ruth, who I consider the greatest player ever. They were just (3-3) in W.S. play with Ruth and Huggins as the manager, obviously still quite impressive), George “Sparky” Anderson (1975 and 1976 with the great “Big Red Machine” (Cincinnati Reds) and the “wire to wire”/off (35-5), ’84 Detroit Tigers, and Tony LaRussa who won it all in ’89 with the Oakland A’s and in 2006 and 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals also “helmed” 3 title winners.
(You) possibly “know me by now” (ode to Simply Red and see below), as to why I cite the fine broadcaster, Bruce Roberts, pictured above. (Bruce for Bochy, Roberts for Dave= again a fine broadcaster, Bruce Roberts.
Unfortunately, he died far too young (early fifties) in 1981. Above a WBBM, the Chicago CBS affiliate station, newscast from 1971 with Bruce Roberts fine effort appearing for 4 minutes, beginning at say 2:30
Around the midpoint of what is a virtually meaningless (even in basketball terms) “reg,” Michigan was touted “head and shoulders” (recalling Ally Sheedy’s head shake in I think “The Breakfast Club”) above, a brief slump, certainly ATS, followed, before a good finish despite a BIG Ten tournie final loss to Purdue.
In THE Tournament, obviously (6-0), first 5 an unprecedented over 90 points scored, at least (5-1) ATS and under Dusty May (fifty years earlier, another Big Ten’er, Indiana with Scott May as important as anyone, (Kent Benson was M.O.P.), completed the last college basketball undefeated season with a final round win vs Michigan) their second ever crown, the first 37 years (where do they go?!!) ago in 1989.
Elliot Gadeau was named Most Outstanding player as was UCLA’er Laura Betts, though no trophy at the presentation in the women’s tournament. (Another “Betts” title was garner’d (Phil had 1, Mookie Betts has 3, but bets, as seemingly always, fell short -with “friends like these….” not heeded.
Elliot Cadeau is pictured above and above.
Lauren Betts is pictured below.
UCLA, with South Carolina “paving” won the title.
A first for UCLA women.
The Pushover, (now through April 26th at the Chain Theatre 315 West 36th Street) is a rollicking, staged so well, with crackling, meaningful words, excellent show.
It is, as advertised, about three strong, so interesting women.
In the performance with John Patrick Shanley’s script and directed by Kirk Gostkowski, the still so lovely, and more important, a humorous, intense “force,” Rebecca De Mornay sparkles, as the powerful New Mexico spa owner,”Evelyn.”
There are the compelling characters, “Pearl” and “Soochi,” played so well by Di Zhu and Christina Toth respectively. All three women “touch” in dynamic, complex a/b, a/c and b/c fashion (i.e. all 3 possibilties).
Helping to sort out, what is again, a finely weaved script by John Patrick Shanley (“Moonstruck” among others, in a tremendous career) is a therapist, who appears at intervals, played by Christopher Sutton. He also appears as a character who does “work” for Ms. De Mornay’s Evelyn at the resort spa.
This is a highly recommended, dynamic show which moves well, requires imagination and in a much needed, timely message, points out the financial hole “Soochi” has dug, stems from sports betting.
Click below to gain more information about the show including that involving tickets purchase.
Tip: After the Thursday April 16th performance, both John Patrick Shanley and Kirk Gustkowski will be on hand to discuss the show.
Michigan (they -7’d U.Conn by 6, ergo Hurley and U.Conn are (18-2) st. up and (19-1) in tournie play) and U.C.L. A. women (ease job for OTB/BTO ) won the titles.
UCLA men’s have 11 titles, 10 in 12 seasons under John Wooden.
Would you not think and hope that the NCAA basketball lead broadcaster would know its truly important history, certainly the fact while Kareem, then Lew Alcindor, did win 3 titles, the also great Bill Walton, did not, having been denied by N.C. State with another great, David Thompson.
Sorry folks, Eagle can’t fly or “Joby” out of this one. He said Walton won 3 and nobody corrected him. Makes you wonder, why him?
Today, three college basketball title games including South Carolina (-3 plus) vs U.C.L.A. after South “Caro” upset big tournie fave, U.Conn/Connecticut in one semi and U.C.L.A. (“plus 1 and changed”) Texas in the other such Women’s Tournie tilt.
The Connecticut Men’s team, an incredible (18-1) (18-1) face it (Elroy’s record in ’59 and then 2 W.S. saves as the Pirates 7’d the Yankees in ’60, though, will bid for a third crown in four seasons, as a 7 plus point(s) underdog, vs a seemingly juggernaut Michigan team, which easily “tossed” Arizona, in what was supposedly a “toss up” game.
Tonight’s NIT final game matches favorite Auburn and Tulsa while the in between scheduled CBC event has an Oklahoma/West Virginia event.
Danny Hurley, pictured above, and his Connecticut teams are (18-1) in the last four tournies.
U.Conn is (6-0) in previous title tilts, while Michigan is say 160 degrees apart at (1-7) in such games.
Remember “Moose” Moryn?
June 17, 2019
“Moose” Moryn of the Chicago Cubs made as good a catch, as I can recall, to save a no hit game thrown by Don Cardwell. Enjoy the videos shown below.
That was in Cardwell’s first start after being traded to the Cubs in 1960.
Now watch Moryn’s great catch to end the game, preserving Cardwell’s no hit game. The great Jack Brickhouse makes the call on WGN Television in Chicago.
Somewhere I have a picture of Don Cardwell, his wife and me.
WGN with director Arnie Rosenberg (where have the Harry Coyles gone, now they stay on the batter!!) televised almost all and did it so well.
Andy B Sports 