There have been 24 best of three baseball entities, twenty the bloated 12/8, now through five seasons (2022-2026), and four all N.L. , with the pennant on the line, two beyond glorious and exciting those in ’51 and ’62 and the other two in ’46 and ’59, with the latter’s game 2 a virtually forgotten classic game, and the game 1 winner has won 23 of those 24.
Only the 2025 Yankees, who this season 9’d in both home game, to eliminate the Red Sox for a 6th time ( I count ’49 as it was one game for the pennant and ’78 when it was an unscheduled one game ‘off for the “div’—Boston finally “returned the favor,” doing so down (3-0) in a best of 7 ALCS in 2004 and again in a “div” series in title winning 2018 and a one game 10/8 in 2021) lost game 1 and won a best of three baseball entity.
Elsewhere, only Atlanta/Philadelphia, “Atl” won and now will face L.A., went to a decisive third tilt. 14 of the 20 and all-time 16 of 24, were 2 game sweeps.
Both San Diego, though last year a (2-1) loser in an all Wrigley Field 12/8 with the Cubs and Chicago White Sox, (for so long the “other” “Chi” team (Doug is in the “Windy City” this weekend), continued streaks in dispatching the aforementioned Cubs and Astros.
Each won (2-0), the Padres now (5-0) all-time in home ‘offs tilts vs the Cubs (they came home down 0-2 in the last best of 5 LCS period as eventual champion Detroit had completed a somewhat tough 3 game sweep of the K.C. Royals 2 days earlier in the last A.L. such, and won all 3 stretching the Cubs pennant drought to 39 years, having last won one in ’45. Both the pennant drought at 71 years and the title drought at 108 years ended when the Cubs titled in 2016) while the Chi Sox, (they won their last 8 ‘offs tilts consecutively, starting with a home #2 win in the ALCS after then Illinois Senator B.H. Obama threw out the ceremonial first pitch) swept the then N.L. Astros in 4 straight games in the 2005 World Series to end an 88 year title drought a year after the Red Sox ended one 86 years in duration), made it (6-0) vs Houston in post-season, winning their first ‘offs entity since that ’05 World Series triumph.
Next in the 4 “div” series “best record in baseball,” Milwaukee, a 1969 A.L. expansion team as the Seattle Pilots, faces the San Diego Padres, a ’69 N.L. expansion team. Neither has ever won a baseball crown/World Series.
A.L. top seed, but slight series underdog vs the Yankees, who have won 27 but none since ’09–for them a long time, Tampa Bay (Rays) also have nary a title in their previous 28 seasons (’98-2025).
Elsewhere as stated above, two time defending champion L.A. Dodgers face the Braves while the Guardians nee Indians, meet the White Sox.
Higher seeds, the Rays, Guardians, Brewers and Dodgers have home advantage in the upcoming best of 5 entities, with all 4 series commencing (weather permitting) tomorrow.
Pictured above with a Cleveland cap, is Al Lopez.
Thoughts turn to Mr. Lopez, the Senor, as only twice were the vaunted Yankees denied the A.L. flag from ’49-’64 and Lopez first with the 111 wins Indians in ’54 and then with the ’59 White Sox(The “Go Go Sox” with among others, Luis Aparichio and Nelson Fox) was the pennant winning manager.
Now as they battled, not head to head and after announcements concerning the year before, for World Series entry 106 years ago, it is “Cleve” (the Browns are (3-1) vs “Chi” in a baseball “quarter,” the first post-season clash between the two franchises.
Last night again more or less easily the “8” seed 2024 WNBA champion New York Liberty ousted the 4 time such, Minnesota Lynx, winning their “quarter” 2 games to none.
After the 2023 NBA and WNBA seasons, fifty seasons of NBA (’74-2023) and twenty seven WNBA (’97-2023) such had been played with nary a crown for either New York pro basketball team, the NBA Knicks (they had but 2 titles in their first 79 seasons but now with their current title have three) or WNBA Liberty (none in all 27 seasons, currently one in 29 and though still a long shot certainly with a chance in 2026 as they have made the “semis” with the Atlanta Dream their likely opponent in that round).
Though they lost and as cited decisively, I note the Lynx winning four straight “odd year” WNBA titles (’11,’13,’15 and ’17). Additionally, they lost in overtime, at the Liberty home in Brooklyn, New York in overtime, playing in the decisive final round game, that Liberty title season of 2024.
Mainly because she played on 5 title teams (4 with the Lynx and in another “odd year,” 2005 with the Sacramento Monarchs, but also due to her name (I think the Knicks have a player named Brunson, by the way not related), current Lynx assistant Coach Rebekkah Brunson, is pictured above, though the Lynx lost (say it or just note it happened pretty fast).
There are five (3-0) teams in NFL 2026.
Long ago as great AFL and early AFC/NFC configuration rivals, Kansas City Chiefs vs then Oakland now Las Vegas, once verboten to the NFL, Raiders clashes, some late season, produced some memorable great tilts.
This season, both teams have started (3-0) and will meet in the fourth/this week in “L.V.”
One other AFC team is (3-0) that the Buffalo Bills, already 2 games ahead in their “div” and with a home win vs (1-2) New England this week, would take a major step to a return as AFC East winners.
In the NFC, only the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings stand at (3-0). It is “ridiculously” early, but I think these two teams will win the “divs” they currently lead.
Believe me, it is worth it–go to You Tube and watch the video, certainly from say 5:09 to 6:18.
The piece contains three great broadcasters, Pat Summerall introducing it, John Facenda narrating and the superb Bill King, on Raiders’ radio describing some incredible action that manifested in a (17-17) tie that helped the Raiders, who eventually won that first year AFC West crown.
Names such as George Blanda the focus of the video and Ben Davidson, whose penalized, really “dirty” play actually ended up being rewarded. A microcosm (originally I put an “i” after ‘el’ “s”) of life?!
Today in Brazil and fifty years later, another third week Dallas Cowboys “home” tilt vs Baltimore, not the Colts, but the Ravens, to be piped into most TV markets, with my expectation of “many” points.
I fondly recall talking to my dad the next day, about the Dallas option play/reverse TD pass in that (30-27) third week win, vs the Colts on September 26, 1976.
Roger Staubach handed to Doug Dennisson, who reversed it to the great receiver Drew Pearson.
Drew, a high school Q.B. at South River, New Jersey (ahead of future title winning such, Joe Theisman–real name Theeseman) then threw a touchdown strike to Golden Richards.
Dallas started ’76, (9-1) went (11-3) in the penultimate 14 game schedule but were slot 4’d out at home by the L.A. Rams.
Baltimore also went (11-3) and were “slotted” out (div round and the Steelers’ rout win emptied the upper deck, preventing tragedy, as a small plane crashed there) 12 weeks later on the same day Dallas was eliminated by L.A.
A narration of the Dallas/”Balti” ’76 tilt (again then the Colts, these 50 years later the Ravens and the Colts middle of the night move out of Baltimore hurts “forever more”) is a click away above.
At about 1 minute in, the Drew to Golden Richards TD pass is shown.
From Mr. Poe’s “The Raven” — “Nameless here for evermore.” Much relevance there.
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
