Tomorrow baseball “camps” in San Francisco, with a redux of seven previous World Series, none since ’62 between the Yankees (27 titles, however, just one since winning an incredible 4 in 5 seasons (’96-2000), under their underappreciated by fans, Steinbrenner, and the media, manager Joe Torre) and San Francisco nee New York Giants (a so far lesser team than 1960’s teams with Willies, Juan, “Cha Cha” and Gaylord that was sans a crown, Bruce Bochy managed S.F. teams racked up a tremendous 3 titles in 5 seasons, all in the even years between 2010, when they ended a 56 year title drought and 2014, however, not a serious or really any whiff since).
Neither Torre or Bochy (tied with Walt Alston with 4 titles, all with the Dodgers–Dave Roberts and the Dodgers are big plurality favorites, still odds against underdogs, to tie them behind only Casey Stengel, Joe McCarthy (7 each and Connie Mack (5)) are there, though Bochy got “his fourth” with Texas (Rangers) in 2023, he is still there, (“Tex” being the team S.F. 5’d in 2010 to end their title drought).
After the Giants won the first two W.S. clashes vs their then tenants at the Polo Grounds in 1921 and 1922, Yankee Stadium opened in 1923 and that year the Yankees began what is a current 5 W.S. wins streak vs the Giants, beating the New York version again in ’36,’37,’51 and ’62.
In a redux of the Clyde Lovellette led Kansas ’52 final game triumph, these 74 years later — ’twas S.O.S. Pitino coached St. John’s, reversing that result. They led almost the entire game, however, needed Darling’s game winning lay in hoop, to win (67-65).
Next St. John’s faces Duke in a rematch of the memorable, second round, St. John’s shocking win vs them in ’79, with Reggie Carter’s shot, at game’s end, decisive. That also was a 2 point win.
Also in these East region semis, Tom Izzo (17th “final 16,” but one crown) coached Michigan State, which won it all under Jed Heathcote in ’79, “semi-ing” Penn (101-67). Penn had won by 2 vs “Johns” in the regional final, after St. Johns won by 2 again in the “reg” semis vs Rutgers.
The other East region semi qualifier will be the Connecticut vs U.C.L.A. winner, in a tilt beginning soon. By the way, I watch none!!
Reggie Carter, pictured above.
Below news that former big league player Larry Stahl died and included is the fact he walked on a close full count pitch, that denied Milt Pappas (sure he or almost nobody is fair value for the great Frank Robinson, for whom he was traded, however, Milt was a fine pitcher, winning 209 big league games, 110 in the A.L. and 99 in the N.L.
Milt died years back, the excellent umpire, Bruce Froemming, who called that ball four (ode to Jim Bouton), died less than a month ago and now with Stahl’s death, the trio involved in that baseball history on September 2, 1972 are all gone, the pitch denying the perfect game, Pappas getting the no-hitter and the WGN interview are shown in the link below. The great broadcaster Jack Brickhouse calls the historic plays.
That is Milt Pappas pictured.
Pitcher Jack Baldschun and Dick Simpson, an outfielder also went to Cincy when Frank went to the Orioles, before his great ’66 season.
Today back in time for a wonderful “What’s My Line” episode titled “The Best Contestant Ever.”
This epic long running show delivers some good “rays” so often and so needed.
Eamonn Andrews and regulars as panelists
“Real bonus trivia” 7 years plus later in another L.A. vs Cubs game, Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game while Bob Hendley lost, allowing but one hit. (1-0)– On 6/1/58–less than 4,000 “showed” at Wrigley (Field) to witness Stan Williams and L.A. also win (1-0) as Williams pitched a 2 hit shutout. Dick Drott, the losing pitcher that day, allowed but 4 hits.
Today an episode of “What’s My Line” called the best contestant ever, that aired on June 1, 1958.
The contestant was the personable Peter J. Lomagistro.
Panelists were Eamonn Andrews and essentially regulars, Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly was the seminal show’s host.
Click below to view the episode.
A measure of how powerful (also very good, some humor, but it is quality not quantity that counts, as I recall) Chasing Grace (playing at 502 West 53rd Street through March 29) comes across, a story with addictions at its core, manifested, as I vividly thought of the reasons I avoided the physical ones, as the performance went on.
In addition to the compelling storyline of the battle vs addiction, both musical prowess (quite often) and some great humor “amidst,” especially later in the performance, were on display.
“Chasing Grace,” starring Gabrielle Beckford and Harper Miles was written by Elizabeth Addison. Music direction was in the capable hands of Jacinth Greywoode and a stirring orchestra. (At one point from my vantage point I “Oz’d” it and could see, as the curtain was open. Before that, having heard the music, I knew they were indeed “wizards” in their craft.)
All of the cast members gave intense, beautiful, moving, complete with dancing and singing, efforts.
In addition to Ms. Beckford and Ms. Miles, they are Ladonna Burns, Indya Cherise, Tracey Conyer Lee, Chantelle Guido, Whitney McIntosh-Joseph, Theo Michaela, Marlaina Powell, Shamiea Thompson and Kiara Wade.
Click below for more information, including that involving ticket purchase.
www.shenycarts.org/ChasingGrace
Another reason to not be overjoyed, in fact enjoyed by the U.S. team, remember these teams are together what 2 weeks (as dumb as rooting for the laundry, I mean established, one of 124 in major North either U.S. or Canada based teams is, at least it plays out for a period of time though of course diluted exponentially by the tournament obsessed rules, making it about attrition) is the arrogant, overblown statement oriented coach of the 2 week team, Mark DeRosa.
He told the team they were in, they lost, needed help, got it, and now they are likely big “faves” to win.
There is no joy in Andyb-ville as the ideals and standards I uphold have struck out.
Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey (U.S. standards) has struck out.
Ernest Lawrence Thayer
There is the book and eventually the show, “Life of Pi.”
Yesterday, “Pi Day,” 3 14, some Pi “magic,” if you will, though not along the line of what trillions of decimal places, but a pretty interesting, if not good one.
At Burger King (names are spelled Berger, self proclaimed loser, the fictional “Hamilton Berger,” played brilliantly by William Tallman and ‘por ejemplo,’ Daniel Berger, a leader at 94 to 1, until last week’s last hole but …. Alas F. Berger was found age 70 under his clothes years back, Anita told me, Paul? and most of all, what to be “de” ME) a promotion spend $3.14 or more and get a free pie.
A chicken sandwich with tax cost $3.13, I had to add a donation to get that pie. It does not really warrant mention but though nowhere near wealthy, I tip in a generous way.
Pi and Hershey’s Sundae Pie shown below.
| mathematical constant π, the symbol for Pi |
|---|
| 3.1415926535897932384626433… |
Broadcasting greats, Merle Harmon, Curt Gowdy and probably Chuck Thompson called it, Matt Snell, who carried 30 times for 121 yards in the historic tilt, turned the left corner, “TDing,” from 4 yards out and the New York Jets, incredibly 18 point underdogs and less unbelievable, led (7-0) en route to a (16-7) third Supe win.
Matt Snell died days back at age 84 that game’s MVP (certainly a great case for Snell winning that award can be made), and everlasting legend due to it and prowess, Joe Namath’s touching words of remembrance, “Matt was not only a hell of a player — he was a terrific teammate and without him, we wouldn’t have had a chance to win a championship,” truly resonate with this non Jets fan and surely those who savor the lone time, the franchise as much as played for the title.
Those Jets had built quite a team, starting with Namath in ’65 and with Matt, Em Boozer, George Sauer, Don Maynard and others never ought to have been with seen so little chance at as much as staying close to an excellent, to that point, (15-1) Baltimore Colts team.
The story is known, Namath “guaranteed” victory and as much, if not more than anybody, (alas the Jets rise up defense and 3 “Toe” Jim Turner FG’s, the next year Jan Stenerud had 3, big “dog” which was even more ridiculous K.C. Chiefs (23-7’d) Minne, the merger was “justified” (never really was as at most 3 AFL teams were good enough but a common draft et.al, all leading to today’s mega success as structured), the determined running and performance of Matt Snell made it happen.
Matt Snell is pictured below.
Click to get to YouTube and see Matt Snell score the Jets’ lone Touchdown in their historic (16-7) win vs the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.
Curt Gowdy called it, excellent analysts, Al DeRogatis (he is referenced by Kyle as Al) and Kyle Rote are part of it.
Today another great episode of “What’s My Line,” in which the great Woody Allen was the mystery guest, leaving me thinking about just posting that segment in deference to his talent and the fact I, and so many, are denied his still greatness, because of let’s call it nonsense. (At the beginning I thought Mr. Allen’s mom “not crazy about it but it is his life,” attitude was fine but the fact ‘el’ relationship has flourished, –I should be so lucky–makes the resentment so much worse).
However, the full episode appears below, the first contestant a Nancy Pegolo, so similar to Nancy Pelosi and each with Baltimore roots/associations. Nancy Pelosi, born and raised there, the daughter of Representative D’Alesandro (ode to the local D’Alesandro family, missing the truly caring Ann).
Panelists are Tony Randall, Arlene Francis, Pamela Mason and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly, calling Pamela, Mrs. Mason, is the host with the great Johnny Olson as the announcer.
Click below to first view just the “Mystery guest” portion of this superb episode which aired on April 3, 1966 and then the full episode. Notice Woody’s hand in the “still” is higher on his cheek in the top photo. Symmetry? Nah—
It is one thing to bet small and not violate, however, Berger-Not Norwiegan- And At 63 and 94 to 1, could buy rings, is another.
Thus if you do not gamble, as regarding smoking, do not start.
’71– a big Monday night tilt that led to Allen’s Wash in (the ‘offs) and his ex team, the Rams out.
Gifford/Mr. Cosell call him Dave, most others say “Deacon.”
Last night I viewed “Colts Crusade,” edited beautifully by Dave Volsky and with the great broadcaster Ted Moore, Roy Jefferson is a key member of the Colts’ title team.
A year later in ’71, Roy takes in a Bill Kilmer TD pass that ties the tilt (7-7).
Cosell, (hey Alfalfa you could not shine his shoes yet keep working as the (dis)likes of Noah Eagle, ain’t the answer. Why the hype for this kid? A la his father, he could not “radio,” the true test), cited the time Morris Stroud was “Stram’d” in front of the goalpost to possibly block Mr. Blanda’s game tying FGAttempt.
Neither Giff, who was truly handsome and had replaced Jackson essentially because, or “Dandy” Meredith responded.
George Blanda, way back in 1954, is pictured above.
Andy B Sports 