I, not a fan of this thing called artificial intelligence, am never the less proud that it cited the fact accurately that I have written often about the great player, Bob Pettit, who died days back at age 93.
Excerpts from previous posts will follow.
Pettit was the first 20,000 points scorer and when he retired after the ’65 season, Bob was the all-time leading scorer in NBA annals, soon to be passed by Wilt Chamberlain.
His incredible 50 point(s) game in the St. Louis Hawks #6 title clinching win vs the great Boston Celtics stands as the greatest of not only Bob’s feats, but as one of the greatest clutch performances in any sports annals.
Also a very fine man, Bob need not throw any elbows to gain entrance to a good place.
An honor to have written about and often referenced Bob Pettit.
Bob Pettit, the legendary Hall of Fame power forward and the NBA’s first-ever Most Valuable Player, passed away on September 23, 2026, at the age of 93. [1]
The independent sports blog Andy B Sports recently featured Pettit in several historical retrospectives, highlighting his enduring status as one of the game’s earliest dominant forces. “It” was more effusive in its details, but a link with Pettit, a true great, is fine.
Bob Pettit, pictured as an L.S.U. player.
More “B’s,” As “B”ucks Title, Giannis Antetokounmpo Ties “B”ob Pettit With 50 In A Title Clincher.
July 20, 2021
Giannis Antetokounmpo tied Bob Pettit’s record, hitting for 50 points in a title clinching, (105-98) Bucks’ game 6 home win,
Finally, this past season, when Ja Brunson had 45 in the Knicks’ title clinching win.
The great Bob Pettit, now 93 years old, is pictured below.
Above Brunson’s 45 points is cited as having tied a record for the most points in a road NBA title clinching win. It does not cite Mr. Jordan did so in ’98, the last two points on a dramatic game winning shot in the last two seconds of play at Utah vs the Jazz in game 6.
Pettit shares the record for the most points scored in any NBA title clinching game (50) at home St. Louis (Hawks) vs the Celtics in 1958. 63 years later, Giannis Antetokounmpo matched that points total as the Milwaukee Bucks 50 years after their other title in ’71, 6’d Bridges and the Suns, clinching in Milwaukee.
Giannis is now no longer “in Milwaukee,” shipped to Miami (Heat) in a ten or so player trade.
Yesterday at the wonderful Society For Ethical Culture (1 West 64th Street), I thoroughly enjoyed and was moved tremendously, seeing a performance/reading of another great Susan Charlotte work, “Last Chance Cafe.”
Previously I had seen “The People Versus Lenny Bruce,” a true work, detailing a reality, so unfortunately beyond relevant again, the first of Ms. Charlotte’s trilogy about the great, determined, brave attorney, Marty Garbus, who was at yesterday’s event.
“Last Chance Cafe” performed by a stellar cast was about the horrible treatment of a very brave Black woman, Mrs. Wright in 1965 Mississippi. Once said by a brilliant actor Maximilian Schell in the seminal film, “The Man In The Glass Booth,” RELEVANT!!
Jeremy Webb skillfully moves the work along as the narrator/Marty Garbus. Gene Castle is a superb tap dancer/choreographer. Ditto (ode to “Ghost”) regarding Michael Citriniti and his guitar playing.
Darlene Hope shines brightly as Mrs. Wright. Though playing bad, a skill in itself, Jerry Gallagher, Scott Gunner and Ian Lithgow give fine performances.
Susan Charlotte adapted the work and story for the stage with Antony Marsellis directing.
Mike Osgood, also a man with a long record of excellent, selfless contributions, co-produced and with Mr. Garbus took part in a brief, but truly revealing Q&A.
It was a great experience and I look forward to and suggest strongly seeing Ms. Charlotte’s final part of the trilogy, “Unlucky Gal: The Jane Doe Story” on November 19th at The New York Society for Ethical Culture.
What an honor for me to have spoken with the fabulous Marty Garbus, pictured above.
I told him, I know as we all do, you put your pants on one leg at a time, but it is extraordinary to have done as much brave good, as you have.
The New York Society for Ethical Culture
Please click above for more information about The New York Society for Ethical Culture
There are five games remaining in “reg” baseball 2026 and the (78-79) Houston Astros, with the same record but with the tiebreaker, as the Texas Rangers, are battling for the A.L. West less than one eighth crown, which comes with an ‘offs spot and all potential 3 games, in a best of three 12/8 ‘off.
Elsewhere, it appears to be a “safety net” race for the A.L. Central, as it seems Cleveland currently with a one game better record than the White Sox, but Chi has the tiebreaker, and the South Side “Chi” team will be in the ‘offs, one almost certainly as the “2” the other likely the “6.”
Today ought to be about the Tampa Bay Rays who clinched the A.L. one seed and have a 6 game better record than the next best such, the Yankees, who will be the A.L. “4” and likely, but now not all that certainly, “best of 3” vs Boston, for a second straight season.
| Ernie Accorsi | Tue, Sep 1, 11:27 AM | ||
to me | |||
Hi Andy:
I miss Beano every day of my life. He left a void that can’t be filled because there has never been anyone like him
I must quote him at least five times a week.
I’m thankful for John Lukacs for the book which has all the good lines preserved
I hope you’re doing well. I’ve had some health challenges but I’m 85, I have to expect that.
Thank you for the kind words about GM. Tom Callahan is one of America’s great authors.
All the best. Hail Beano
Ernie
It was less than three weeks ago that the classy, friendly, so accomplished Ernie Accorsi wrote the above, as I had sent him my post on the 95 year anniversary of Beano Cook’s birth.
One can see regarding health challenges and 85 (actually 84), yet this is still, the fact, great NFL executive and Renaissance Man, Ernie Accorsi died, a not good, unexpected event.
I will go to something, appropriate to the near middle and now end/eternity question of Ernie’s extraordinary, accomplished life.
What a day— (41-0) Giants vs the Minnesota Vikings in the 2000 season NFC Title Game. Of course, Ernie was at the tilt and when he got home there was Beano’s message on the answering machine.
Simply and beyond emotionally put: “He Knows.” –I guess G-d (it is Yom Kippur), however, Beano was referencing Ernie’s late father and how proud he would have been, knowing.
Try reading “The G.M.” about Ernie, written by Tom Callahan, the latter cited with great praise in the above letter.
Tonight, exactly 56 years since the first “packaged” NFL Monday night game: the Giants at the Rams. Accorsi got Eli Manning to the Giants and retired as team general manager and addressed the team, after a late Sunday afternoon wild card round loss, at Philadelphia, vs the Eagles in ’06.
’07 and the ’11– certainly no “craps,” not the best team, but a pair of title teams, with a core of players Ernie Accorsi drafted.
There was much else he did. Ernie loved baseball had Mickey Mantle and John Unitas as his sports heroes, plus was public relations director for the ’70 title winning, then Baltimore Colts.
Last night, 8 days shy of the second packaged game, when the supposed to be “NFL team of the ’70’s” Kansas City Chiefs ripped those eventual champion Colts, ’twas K.C. by 3 at home vs the Indy Colts.
Oh the NFL then and people such as Ernie Accorsi.
Out to dinner, the night before the ’96 NCAA Basketball semis. Beano got tickets for those semis for Ernie. I went to the final. Ernie liked that I recalled Jim O’Brien winning the Colts first game, the one before K.C. on a field goal. His 32 yard field goal called on radio, by the great Ted Moore, for so long the Packers’ broadcaster, won the Super Bowl.
Read the book “The GM: The Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares that Go with It’
by Tom Callahan, as it is chock full of both great tidbits and wisdom.
Just as Ernie hailed Beano, I hail both with memories flowing, including the precious letter/I guess e mail above. Imagine Ernie, Beano, Johnny U and Mickey telling stories!
Go easy Ernie, the plane landed, you got the luggage, that for a great career and a life so well lived, with kindness.
The magnificent Ernie Accorsi, pictured above.
Last night in a tilt so far removed in importance than the earlier one, Notre Dame a big “fave” won (27-10) at home vs Michigan State.
That earlier one was 60 years ago, a so called “game of the century” that produced Dan Jenkins great headline/story lead which was Notre Dame ties one for The Gipper.
Alas they were rewarded, something I disagree regarding, though then not now I favored Notre Dame.
Anyway 60 years and two names, each an eventual NFL great go round the memory bank, Alan Page of Notre Dame and Charles “Bubba” Smith of Michigan State.
That is Jackie Martling pictured above. The talented comedian did attend Michigan State. I believe he was at the famous tilt, very likely enjoying himself, win, lose or tie.
NEW YORK CITY — The New York Yankees clinched a 2026 Baseball postseason berth with their latest victory. It’s the ninth time in the last ten years, and the third consecutive time the Yankees are headed to the Playoffs.
Rick’s Cabaret New York, the famous adult club that is a favorite spot for sports fans, couples, and pro athletes, threw a VIP party saluting the team, hosted by the beautiful Rick’s Cabaret girls.
Rick’s girl Athena said, “There is nobody like the Yankees. We love all the hometown sports teams, but the Yankees are just the best ever.”
“The stunning Rick’s Cabaret girls hosted the party and there was non-stop fun on all three floors of the club and even on the Roof Top,” said Rick’s girl Sophia. “The Yankees will go all the way to the World Series and there is no better place to celebrate than Rick’s.”
Rick’s Cabaret New York features the world’s most beautiful dancers, the best in VIP treatment, luxury skyboxes, and a Roof Top Lounge where you can light up a cigar. The Rick’s Steakhouse serves lunch, dinner, and has a late-night menu served all the way until 3AM.
Rick’s Cabaret New York
50 West 33rd Street
RICK: NASDAQ Listed
Beautiful Dancers
VIP Suites, Skyboxes
Rick’s Steakhouse, Open Late
Roof Deck Cigar Lounge
Nick Saban won 7 college football titles while Bill Belichick procured 6 head coaching Super Bowl/NFL crowns.
Only once, in 2003 when Saban at L.S.U. shared the title with U.S.C. did each win it all in the same season.
Today, Belichick guiding North Carolina hoping for a bounce back season after last year’s (4-8) record is at Clemson facing a coach Dabo Swinney whose 2 titles came in seasons Belichick and his New England Patriots took the crown (2016 and 2018).
Today those “Clem” fans who stuck it out (there was a long weather delay), were “rewarded” as their team down (20-15) mid 4th, rallied to win (28-20). Both teams are now (2-1).
The 1954 World Series produced a big upset as the heavy underdog New York Giants won 4 straight games from the 111 wins Cleveland Indians.
In #1, a game best remembered for Willie Mays’ incredible catch and throw on a drive hit by Vic Wertz to the cavernous center field of the Polo Grounds, Vic had 4 hits in his other at bats.
Another game 1 and eventual entire series hero, “Dusty” Rhodes, who hit a 3RHR to win game 1 caught Wertz’ fly ball in left field to end game 2.
John Antonelli, who finished on the mound in #4, got Wertz with “corners” two outs and the Giants leading (3-1) in game 2.
A truly great broadcaster, Jack Brickhouse is pictured above.
He is the play by play television voice one hears on the play in which Willie Mays makes a great catch and throw. Russ Hodges adds commentary.
If the Cleveland Guardians nee Indians (dare I cite “Wounded Knee), hold what is a significant late innings lead in today’s tilt vs the White Sox, they will lead “Chi” by a half game in the standings.
That lead would be in the win column and the White Sox have the tiebreaker.
“Cleve” with just 3 ‘offs appearances in their first ninety possibilities (1903-1993, no completed season in ’94), is bidding for a sixteenth ‘offs appearance, in double that many (32) seasons (’95-2026).
Orestes “Minnie” Minoso, a tremendous player, denied “Hall entry,” while alive, played for both above cited teams and is pictured above.
Playing in his third major tennis tournament final of 2026, Alexander Zverev scored his second win (also second lifetime win in a major tennis tournament) “four setting” upstart Ben Shelton, in yesterday’s U.S. Open final match.
Again Zverev, who has bravely battled diabetes with good care and shots, avoided both Sinner and Alcaraz in gaining the major tournament win.
Down the road, helped by the fact he has these two 2026 major title wins, Mr. Zverev will likely face one or both and maybe he will prevail.
This year my friends and I ably guided by an usher walked a good distance to watch eventual tournament winner and pictured below Alexander Zverev practice.
For now, kudos to him, 2 major crowns this year is a fine accomplishment.
