In “reviewing” Sal Maglie’s no hit game, which was in a crucial game, in another great pennant race (the likes of which we are denied by the wild card presence), in 1956, I learned what I think are incredible/”wow” facts/coincidences.
Simply and for once succinct here, Maglie’s no hitter in a Brooklyn Dodgers’ September 25, 1956 win vs the Philadelphia Phillies, occurred 13 days before Don Larsen’s perfect game vs Brooklyn, whose starting pitcher in that (2-0), pivotal game 5 Yankees’ win was Maglie.
In the ninth inning of Maglie’s no hitter, the great catcher and player, Roy Campanella makes a very good catch on a foul pop up near the Brooklyn Dodgers’ dugout. It is Dale Mitchell, (cited here just days back in another juxtaposition/coincidence regarding the ’48 W.S. and of course the Larsen perfect game) who helps him from falling.
The “of course” an exaggeration and it refers to the fact Larsen got Mitchell on a called third strike to complete his perfect game.
After “Campy’s” nice play, the Phils next batter, a pitcher, but a good hitter was Harvey Haddix. Need I “type” more.
Of course I do, as Rabbi Wise often intoned “do not confuse ignorance with stupidity,” and I add that while some younger people today knowing so little about history, not sports history, but say this country’s history is not good–not knowing that about two and a half years later, Harvey Haddix lost in what was not so arguably the best pitched game in big league’s history.
He hurled 12 perfect innings, but mound opponent that May 26, 1959 Lew Burdette also allowed no runs, in fact he did so for 13 innings and when his Milwaukee Braves’ team, (have to?– cite they were the team Brooklyn beat out in the above referenced, great N.L. race in 1956 and that the second year version of L.A. Dodgers, did same in a playoff that ’59 season. In between they won it all in ’57 and were denied in 7 by the Yankees, reversing the ’57 result, except that the Yankees overcame a (3-1) W.S. deficit to do so. No matter, despite underachieving, those Braves teams which included such as Henry Aaron, Ed Mathews, and Warren Spahn were truly great) scored B13 (the rather strange details another time), Haddix and his Pirates, who were to be World Champions the next season, also in a 7 game W.S. but one whose game 7 was so dramatic, and with Harvey Haddix getting the win in a relief pitching role, lost the game.
Oh do I have stuff for you, suffice now that one needed only to look at ’91’s Clarence Thomas, swallowing hard and I will not say the rest. He is, in my unsolicited opinion, a traitor to the cause and to his race, not to mention one of the utmost hypocrisy. Add “Squeaky” BARRETT and there is hate, perhaps, even likely, too much and misplaced, but dealing with these types and having barely (if we did) survived Trump, “being an activist vs these,” means NEVER relaxing.”
Alas I wish there was love, a love story, so since there is not, but as an ode, I say I am (at least a bit) SORRY.
OK it is #3, 1948 World Series and you will only get these notes here. Juxtapose ’56 with ’48, another presidential election year.
That year, (’56) Don Larsen hurled a perfect game, as the Yankees took a (3-2) W.S. lead with a (2-0) victory in game 5, en route to a 7 game triumph, vs the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Larsen fanned pinch hitter, Dale Mitchell to end the classic and soon after, was embraced by “10 player titles” Yogi Berra.
It was a called, perhaps questionable, third strike. In his last game behind home plate, the umpire was Babe Pinelli.
Back to #3, ’48 which was so different, but again involves Mitchell and Pinelli. Dale starts for the game and series winning (their last to this point) Indians. Pinelli, at the most active umpiring position (home plate) in ’56, is on the right field line for this one.
Bob Lemon is on the winning team in both American League non scheduled, at least one fourth/one game playoffs (I think any # of games), thirty years apart, as a Cleveland Indians’ pitcher in ’48 and Yankees manager in ’78. Each was at Fenway Park, vs the Boston Red Sox.
After winning the one game ‘off to win the ’48 A.L. Pennant, Lemon and the Indians (hint and so help me, not pitching and in the middle, Lemon is cited as I type regarding him. My “Cheese” “The Stranger” comparison is a tough NO this day.”) stayed in Boston, to meet the Braves in the World Series.
Lemon’s Indians lost game 1, but won #’s 2,3,4 and 6, the first and last of those on the road, to claim the title.
In ’78, the Lemon managed Yankees were in the ALCS after the heart stopping and for me, still heartbreaking, win in the one game ‘off at the Red Sox. The (ALCS) was best of 5, the Yankees claiming their 32nd pennant, winning game 1 on the road and #’s 3 and 4 at home.
Next Lemon’s Yankees won games (3-6) to win their 22nd title. They raised their W.S. record to (8-2) at that point, vs the Dodgers. They clinched it on the road.
“Holy cryptic, Andy,” (ode to Robin speaking to Batman, sorry it is not on tonight and you do not get 55 or so years back) but why this and the 1935 and 1945 (each Tigers wins vs the Cubs) World Series notes? Well–llll as that conservative, who reaped the harvest set by Mr. Goldwater 16 years earlier (this is a bit about being Jewish, or part as Goldwater was and he did allow officers to use his “facilities” while in N.Y. along the ’64 “trail.”) would “start,” he is still The Man, though it would SEEM the juxtaposition of others so much less talented flourishing while I “live below the line” despite TALENT, does not matter to him.
The well put perspective on ’35, in the ’45 Wikipedia recap reminds me the Cubs were somewhat if not highly competitive in both ’35 and ’45 in World Series play. Next paragraph to read it.
However, their title frustration, though lasting 22 years longer than the Red Sox 86 year one, pales in intensity, as while the Red Sox were highly competitive in 3 of their 4 seven game World Series losses (two were won by the opposition in their last at bat, another was the second in which they led a 108 win team (3-0) middle innings of #7 and again all 4 losses were in 7 games)–the Tigers “early and often’d” the Cubs, winning decisively in the one game the Cubs played in over 108 years, in which a victory would have yielded a world crown.
So why this? Maybe a weak retort, as he was all in for the ’16 Cubs even vs the Indians (never mind changing that name, the Washington football change was long overdue–free Leonard Peltier, who even if he murdered those, which he did NOT, the scorebook reads all U.S. establishment leaving the always overlooked Native people here, in a “trail of tears”–mine included). Within a week after the Cubs with their Trump backing owner and abusive to a fan (yes similar regarding the superb hitter, Bill Buckner, but that while also terrible was not quite as. Alas I doubt their owner would have/did back Trump) titled.
Below regarding ’35 and ’45 World Series from Wikipedia.
The (the 1945) Series was a rematch of the 1935 World Series. In that Series’ final game, Stan Hack led off the top of the ninth inning of Game 6 with a triple but was stranded, and the Cubs lost the game and the Series. Hack was still with the Cubs in 1945. According to Warren Brown’s account, Hack was seen surveying the field before the first Series game. When asked what he was doing, Hack responded, “I just wanted to see if I was still standing there on third base.”
Next and I once sang along with Mr. Gooding’s better known son, Cuba Gooding Jr. for a bar or two of his dad’s (as lead singer) group, “The Main Ingredient’s” big hit to remedy “being heartbroken” and to have resolve.
John Garfield’s character in “Gentleman’s Agreement” talked of the satisfaction in “fighting back,” and though probably it would be better to “play it safe,” I must “fight” the injustice, but will do so with guidance and perspective.
The great Hank Greenberg, pictured above, did fight back.
On the last day of the 1963 baseball season, in the last game either the Detroit Tigers or Baltimore Orioles played with then President John F. Kennedy (I will go along with some and say L.H. Oswald killed the President, however, the “Your Honor” ending– SPOILER ALERT, although it has aired at least twice— let’s just say reeked of reality, the New Orleans mobster, more or less getting away with it) on earth, two superb announcers, George Kell and Ernie Harwell are on the Tigers’ broadcast. Kell, by the way, was also a superb player.
In consecutive years, (Kell in ’62 and Harwell in ’63), each man broadcast with Joe Garagiola, that year’s World Series. Each was on the air as the World Series ended, the Yankees splitting the two, winning in 7 games, (1-0), when Kell intoned “here’s a liner straight to (Bobby) Richardson in ’62 and falling in 4 straight games, Ernie on air, as Sandy (Koufax) got Hector Lopez to ground out shortstop Maury Wills to first baseman, many time Yankees’ champion, Bill “Moose” Skowron, to end ’63 baseball.
Lopez, by the way, snared Vada Pinson’s fly ball to left (Vada a guy/player, never considered for “Hall” honors, despite being better, in my opinion, than a # of whom are there), as the Yankees clinched the 1961 baseball crown.
The 1969 New York Mets, of course, won it all, an unbelievable feat by what truly was a great (not as great as Baltimore, whom they 5’d in the World Series, but that is a function of what is baseball, that is a short series et. al) team.
However, the Mets, who did not win an opening day tilt until their next and ninth season in 1970, (starting with the opening day win in ’70, the Mets compiled a (22-3) mark in 25 such tilts from (’70-’94), lost the ’69 opener to the first year, Montreal Expos.
The Expos’ right fielder that day, was Daniel “Rusty” Staub, a key, if not the key player, on the 82 win-1973 N.L. champion Mets, who were denied by the Oakland A’s second of three straight titles, in a 7 game World Series.
Finally, I note that after pitching a superb game, as his Giants clinched the 1971 N.L. West crown on the season’s final day/night (I stayed up late listening for updates, as I believe in New York, Marv Albert had something to do with the “presentation,”), Juan Marichal’s final regular season record stood at (18-11).
When before that season, the Giants last won a regular season entity, that the 1962 N.L. Pennant, Marichal’s record was also (18-11).
Need I comment how great the ’62 pennant race was and that with the bogus wild card presence, can not happen again?!!
“Famous last words,” but in the near future, I believe it will be the Democrats, who prevail, and many of the cowardly Republican senators, who voted against the justice, that would have assured that a truly ill, evil, bully that incited an insurrection, as he cried over a decisive loss, would never even attempt elective office, will lose, certainly when the REAL time comes, maybe, even likely, in their next office bid.
Yet, I must express rage and direct it at the preeminent Trump enabler, (think of a parent and a damaged kid, making all of it so much worse) Mitch McConnell.
Now a McConnell and his beliefs would have never “flown” with me, but did not this man emulate Henry Clay?
Yesterday, would not have been the compromise, Mr. Clay often undertook. No, yesterday was about justice and thanks to McConnell and others, lack thereof.
Some heroes have “feet of clay,” you McConnell are no hero, no Henry Clay and will go DOWN (way) in history, as enabling, not only a “sicko” who “built-from people’s utter indifference and stupidity, by among other things saying “you’re fired,” to become president, but set it up for future presidents, maybe even one who is a Democrat, to abuse power, the way Trump did so.
Why Not? Maybe some day, but clearly not yesterday, justice will prevail.
It has been a while since I posted a “What’s My Line?” episode.
Today we slightly rectify that with an appearance by the great Harry Belafonte, as the mystery guest, on November 6, 1955.
The panelists are Dorothy Kilgallen, Fred Allen (that rhymes), Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s host.
Ms. Francis’ husband Martin Gabel is appearing in “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?”
Mr. Allen praise both Gabel and the show at the Lyceum Theater.
Arlene Francis thanks him, upon Mr. Allen’s introduction, saying “you did fine, except the show is at the Belasco Theater.”
Enjoy watching.
It appears that in 4 Chiefs’ Super Bowl appearance seasons, not once did both the Chiefs and their eventual Supe opponent lose on the same day for the entire season.
This was the first time in their 4 Super Bowl appearances that K.C. “entered” (think of the classic “Sunshine Boys” scene when Mr. (Walter) Matthau’s character exponentially annoys George Burns’ by saying “ENTERRR”) the Supe as the team with the better record.
K.C. only lost 2 in the past year’s “reg,” one on October 11th, a day and week, their eventual Supe opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a bye/off day.
Last season, K.C.’s final loss was at Tennessee, whom they eventually “semi’d/AFC title tilted” at home, was on Sunday November 10th while their eventual Super Bowl opponent, the S.F. 49ers, lost their first game the next night.
For the record, last season, current title holder, Tampa Bay (Buccaneers) opened its season with a loss at eventual Supe “non-winner,” S.F. (49ers).
In neither ’66 or ’69, did the Chiefs or their eventual Supe opponents, (Green Bay in ’66 and Minnesota in ’69) come even close to losing on the same day.
Last week, around this time I cited a comparison between the 2019 and 2020 K.C. Chiefs with the football team from Washington D.C. (1981-1983).
I imparted the following:
Recall the (’81-’83) Washington football team. They won their last 3 under first year, and eventual 3 time Supe winning coach, Joe Gibbs in 1981. In the strike marred ’82 NFL season (Wash won two strike year NFL crowns and also 2 following baseball crowns won by the Minnesota Twins nee Washington Senators, first in strike marred ’87 and again in ’91), the team went (12-1) (4-0) in the ‘offs, winning it all.
They were superb in ’83, going (14-2) in the “reg” (K.C.’s record this season) and won 2 more in the ‘offs, thus going into the Supe vs the Raiders, that season the L.A. Raiders, having won 31 of its last 34 games.
I recall the Raiders so loose on the sideline as they were routing Sea Seahawks in the AFC title game, mocking the “Fun Bunch/Wash team.”
As 3 plus point underdogs, (same margin K.C. is favored by this time) the Raiders ripped “Wash” (38-9). Thus Wash was a “Lefty Grove/1931” (31-4) in its last 35 and as was the case with Grove’s 2 time champion Philly A’s in 1931, a final round non winner. Wash had one title in the (31-4) run.
K.C. enters the Supe having won an incredible 25 of its last 27 games, (25-1) in Mahomes games.
Now add, that the “Wash” record fell to (31-4), a great record, one Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove, the last pitcher, who probably was as great or better than Sandy Koufax, had in 1931–(31-4).
After two titles in a row, those great and largely forgotten, Philadelphia Athletics were denied a third straight by the John “Pepper” Martin led St. Louis Cardinals, who took the ’31 W.S. in 7 games.
That ’83 Wash team and this year’s Chiefs, each bidding for a second crown, were nowhere close in the final.
Both games/Supes were played in Tampa, Florida and in defeat both “Wash” and K.C. were held to 9 points. Oakland (38-9) and limited home team, Tampa Bay (31-9) as final scores.
Why not?!, as I have such fond memories of the first AFC/NFC configuration season (1970), one of now, 13 with the current calendar. (calendar and 13 evoke Friday the 13th, the rough year, 2020 had two such) and a game for the NFL crown. (Title games in 1936, ’42, ’53, ’59 and ’64), Super Bowls in ’70, ’81, ’87, ’92,’98, 2009, 2015 and 2020)
In the 13 NFL seasons with this calendar and a game for its title (The first NFL Title game was in 1933), one of the game’s participants city name or nickname “b”egan with a “B.” in twelve of those thirteen seasons.
The list follows:
1936 Green Bay Packers defeated the “B’oston “Inappropriate nicknames”
1942 (Now) Washington and with the great Sammy “Baugh” at the helm, the above referenced franchise “b”eat the Chicago “B”ears, the latter “b”idding(this is not eating potato chips, I can and will stop the quotes around the B’s unless said B’s are in the name) to cap an undefeated season with a third straight crown. To this day, only the 1972 Miami Dolphins went undefeated and won a game for the NFL crown while the (1965-1967) Green Bay Packers are the only team to cop 3 straight NFL titles. In a well remembered relatively recent tilt, the New York Giants, who denied another Chicago Bears team an undefeated season and title in 1934, repeated the feat, denying the undefeated New England Patriots in a game for the 2007 NFL crown.
1953 Detroit Lions defeated Cleveland “B”rowns
1959 “B”altimore Colts defeated New York Giants
1964 Cleveland “B”rowns defeated “B”altimore Colts
1970 “B”altimore Colts defeated Dallas Cowboys
1981 San Francisco 49ers defeated Cincinnati “B”engals
1987 Washington “You know what’s” defeated Denver “B”roncos
1992 Dallas Cowboys defeated “B”uffalo “B”ills
1998 Denver “B’roncos defeated Atlanta Falcons
The lone exception follows:
2009 New Orleans Saints defeated Indianapolis Colts A “McCovey,” (alas Willie was known as “Stretch”), the Saints quarterback then and in fact now, was/is Drew “B”rees and the Colts’ more famous and title filled, the latter (3-1) in less seasons, home WAS “B”altimore.
2015 Denver “B”roncos defeated Carolina Panthers
2020 Tampa Bay “B”uccaneers with Mr. “B”rady and (not Major, but) Mr. “B”owles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.
