Many Losses But Titles Notes

En route to winning four best of seven series and their second straight NHL title, the Pittsburgh Penguins had to win 16 games.

They also lost nine, which has to be at least close to the most ‘offs losses by a league champion in either the NHL or NBA.

On a Carson Show aired on Antenna T.V. some 29 years later, I knew Johnny would talk about the ’88 Lakers’ repeat title clinched the night, or 29 years and a night before.

That L.A. team had to win four series, one a best of five prelim and did so while also losing nine games.

Perhaps more research will follow. Some editing help in Bill Pennington’s otherwise fine book about Billy Martin (Billy Martin Baseball’s Flawed Genius) would have yielded Phil Rizzuto was A.L. MVP in 1950, NOT 1948, by the way one of just to seasons the Yankess did not win the A.L. pennant from (’47-’64) so that alone should have demanded better editing/research.

More notes tomorrow.