Dodgers At Mets August 1962 Notes

It is Saturday August 25, 1962 and the great broadcaster, Lindsey Nelson is promoting New York Mets’ broadcast sponsors, Rheingold beer and Viceroy cigarettes (not too strong, not too light, Viceroy has the taste that’s right–do not smoke and I never did, as I add that nearly 62 years later).

The Dodgers in their 5th L.A. season (they begin their 67th such, early tomorrow morning L.A. time, in Seoul, Korea, vs the S.D. Padres, who will improve this season), were in first place in the ten team National League, which that year expanded, with the admission to the loop of the Houston Colt 45’s and New York Mets.

Tommy Davis, a great player had already driven home 122 runs, while Maury Wills, also of the Dodgers had already “pilfered” (Bob Murphy, another broadcasting great, where have they gone?! — (cue Paul Simon about whom and his music, a film “In Restless Dreams, The Music Of Paul Simon,” has manifested), used that word and marveled at Maury’s incredible accomplishment, as he ended the season with a then record 104 stolen or “pilfered” bases) 69 bases.

The mind goes to nice places when hearing and recalling some of those 1962 names, including the sponsoring products.

Guy Lombardo, pictured above, sang in a Rheingold ad, asking who will be Miss Rheingold 1963?