The great pitcher, Bob Gibson was on the mound for the Cards, vs Roger Craig, who the very next year (1964) would help the Cards win it all, his second title (’55 Brooklyn Dodgers) in a 10 year span. Twenty years after that, Craig was the pitching coach for the “wire to wire” (35-5) start, George “Sparky” Anderson managed 1984 title winning Detroit Tigers.
In what the great Bob Murphy calls one of the best games of ’62, Al Jackson won (1-0) for the Mets vs Gibson and the Cards.
In aforementioned 1964, Jackson again won (1-0) vs Gibson and the Cards on the final Friday in the third to last game. Gibson came on in relief on the final Sunday and with help from Dick Allen’s 2 homers vs the Reds, St. Louis gained a game, a 3 way tie was avoided and it was the first pennant, eventually a first World Series win for the Cards since 1946 (64 are the reverse digits).
Bob “4 Count” Murphy greets us from St. Louis, Missouri (I love that he added Missouri) and the hindsight facts flow.
The day before, Gene Oliver hit a home run (Mitch “Futures” Moss said solo homer as I typed this early morning) to lift the Cards (1-0) vs the Cubs, behind Ernie Broglio. (I will let you research Broglio and the Cubs).
On the final day of the 1962 season, Oliver’s homer lifted the spoiler Cards (1-0) at L.A. yielding the second unscheduled playoff between baseball’s greatest rivals (do not look now or maybe do look, but there is an excellent chance of a “scheduled” playoff series between the teams and in fairness, either a one game or even a series behind another pair of great rivals, the Yankees and Red Sox) the Giants and Dodgers, won in dramatic fashion exactly 11 years after Bobby Thomson’s game ending clout, also on a Wednesday October 3rd.
Tomorrow I will add to these notes, you are very unlikely to find anywhere else. Yet I have nada, others have millions and one I respect breaks my heart and not only “allows” my failure but lies with fleas ….
It is rare that “the after death accolades” apply toward the good, the way they do, regarding the superb player and person, Rod Gilbert, who died days back, at age 80.
I received a number of calls and something called texts (oh for the 6 team league, when even the perennial non ‘offs teams such as the Rangers, with Rod Gilbert and Andy Bathgate, among others, had stars) from Rangers’ fans praising and commemorating the classy Gilbert, who starred on excellent, albeit non title winning teams from (’70-’74), in an 18 year career, spent entirely with the New York Rangers.
More telling in my opinion, two anything but Rangers’ fans, “The MLW Guy” and me both recall meeting Rod, one of the most friendly celebrated people, I have ever encountered.
He was part of a brilliant line called the “Goal A Game” line with Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield in 1971-1972 and was part of the Canada team, that won a classic “Summit Series,” vs The Soviets, later in 1972.
My fondest memory is meeting Rod, as I sat with “Ent,” known to many for other, but a true hockey fan, at an event celebrating the return of NHL ‘offs in ’06.
He sat with us, talking hockey and loving it. He truly was a great ambassador for the game.
Among his gems that night, the rather obvious citing of Bobby Orr’s greatness (I add that Mr. Orr is also a classy, friendly person), his love for his encouraging childhood friend and future NHL player, (Noel was a fine one and is best remembered regarding Bobby Orr) Noel Piccard and the importance of Mike Richter in the Rangers’ ’94 title. (He cited the the myriad Devils’ 2 on 1’s, Richter stopped with the Devils already up (2-0) in #6/semis and (3-2) in the series).
I will always cherish that talk with the great player/person, Rod Gilbert.
Rod Gilbert, pictured above.
An object goes up, it must come down–we live/we die, as sadly, Bill Freehan, who grabbed an object that came down, to clinch the ’68 World Series, did at age 79, having suffered with dementia.
I hope Bill had many years to recall the fabulous moment for the “Tigs” and Detroit, the latter torn by riots the year before, but united with the Tigers’ glory.
Freehan was an 11 time All-Star (when the All Star tilt meant something!), who famously blocked the plate in notable big game moments, getting the great Brock (yesterday I watched “Saw of Grass” with a character named Brock) in #5 of the ’68 W.S. but Reggie (Jackson) and Hendrick (George) were safe, despite Bill’s efforts in the decisive 5th game of the ’72 ALCS.
What a group those Tigers were and the memories last.
Bill was also the go between when Denny McLain, on his way to his 31st, 1968 “reg” win decided to groove one to the great Mickey Mantle.
Mickey having been told by Freehan, still took the first pitch, but subsequently hit #535 to pass another immortal, Jimmy Foxx.
Rest in peace, Bill Freehan, a tremendous player and part of a great time in baseball!
Bill Freehan, pictured above.
Let’s just say my financial position, sans income since March 2020, is not good. I am nowhere near going to the bridge, certainly not to jump, and not even to beg. (The G.Washington, he could have been king, but took the higher road, maybe that is why there are lower and upper levels on the bridge named for this country’s first president)
What does gall me, among many other things, in a world that makes kings of (to me and many others, but does it matter as they rake it in, while still tall and reasonably weighted me, eats, eats and does little) bad, such as S.A. Smith and Michael Kay, is a person I know for 50 years, who “borrowed” a thousand dollars and does not even consider paying it back.
He called on August 2nd, he a decidedly anti Mets fan and still a Yankees fan.
Since that point, games involving the two teams have gone his way to a tune of (25-9), propelling the Yankees, then about 5 games out for ‘offs qualification, into a one and a half game lead for such, while the Mets, then ahead by 4 games, now trail by one game more than that.
Already recoiled and sickened by people’s far too high prejudice, specifically vs dark skin (not only is that mean and disgusting, but it is so utterly stupid!! Somewhere, a higher form is not happy with this prevailing attitude) I am informed the epitome of a “taker,” (I gave him movie passes, a small amount of money and much else to his so little) lowlighted by his buying me a gas station bagel, after I accompanied him a great distance and encouraged this talented singer (as with me and my talented broadcasting, it is a shame, he does not do better. Alas, he is not a giving person, I am) with him winning 1500 dollars), did indeed marry the so attractive woman, I had seen with him.
Of course it is envy, but as I received another cold rejection text (not even a phone message, no less a live call), I cry,(cry is the operative word and right or wrong this idealist has to stop doing so) it is unfair.
Long ago, had not I learned that life is NOT FAIR!!
No NFL team has ever won more than 18 games consecutively in regular season or I believe regular season/playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens have “rewarded” their bettors, but nobody else, having won 18 straight exhibition games (no Roman numerals or preseason for this heavily marketed, indication of a failed civilization/ “stuff”).
They did it again (-2 plus),winning by 3 in the first of 3 exhibition tilts last week. They are, I believe an incredible (16-1-1) vs the spread in those 18 games.
Next (-3 plus) at the Carolina Panthers.
(Don) Shula’s Dolphins once won 18 straight, 17 of them to win the ’72 crown and Mr. Cosell, once sang “Shula never dogs it, I will take Miami by 3.”
My first ’21 pig pick, I will take the Ravens (Harbaugh, a John, never dogs it but why in exhibition games?!) by 3.
Perhaps the best way to remember Tony Esposito, a superb goaltender, who died last week at age 78 and also unlike in other obituaries from far more read sources, cite his big bad play in a “slightly important,” game 7 of the ’71 final, is to imagine Tony’s “heaven meeting” with Bill Buckner.
Before that, again Tony was a superb goaltender, I recall best, being brilliant, “radio only” at New York, vs the Rangers in #’s 3 and 4 of Tony’s Chicago Blackhawks’ team “semi” in ’73.
Buckner greets Tony and cites the amount of “ink” on his error in #6/’86 W.S. juxtaposed with seemingly, no mention of Tony not only losing despite a (2-0) lead in #7/’71 final vs Montreal (Canadiens), but allowing a long goal from center ice or so, from the great Jacques Lemaire, that cut the Habs’ deficit to (2-1).
Tony laughs and it is on to other things.
Tony Esposito, a marvelous goaltender, pictured and by all known standards, headed above.
Robert Dubac’s insightful, humorous, mind opening show, “Book Of Moron,” playing at Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street in New York City) is simply fantastic!
It was well worth my harrowing, poor directions/ mucho traffic/not good GPS, experience, that mercifully, did not keep me from seeing this superb talent and show.
Mr. Dubac took us in and “out of the box,” dropping quips, one liners and also insight, that may just help us circumvent the utterly disappointing, hypocritical, “how did this happen” world of 2021 and seemingly beyond.
Most of all, “Book Of Moron,” originally directed by the late great Garry Shandling and evoking memories of the legendary George Carlin, is truly hilarious.
In addition to the rapid fire, truly plentiful great satire, Mr. Dubac, also known as Bob (I talked with him and he is quite friendly and insightful, a tonic for today’s stress) displays some really good sleight of hand in the 90 minute. beautifully paced and poised performance.
Click below for more information and an easy way to purchase tickets.
The Book of Moron | SoHo Playhouse | Theater in New York
A brilliant talent and performer, Robert Dubac, pictured above.
You can take my word for it, currently ESPN.com in its standings with current win or loss streaks, lists the Washington Nationals (by the way, they will rank as an all-time value team–see both the NY and SF Giants–having won it all 2 years back in the last real baseball/whoreball season and now are a give up, 15 games under .500 team) as having lost 3 straight games.
Sorry. Monolith, the fact is they have lost 4 straight games.
I could watch the Alfred Hitchcock directed film, “Strangers on a Train,” over and over, as its great cast, led by “villain” Robert Walker and “supporting sister,” Pat Hitchcock, the daughter of Mr. Hitchcock and film editor Alma Reville, who died days back at age 92, leaves an indelible, great impression.
Pat Hitchcock, who later would appear in 10 “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” episodes and “hit it out” with her “he probably noticed my wedding ring” line in “Psycho,” showed great versatility within her “Barbara Morton” character, the sister of Ruth Roman’s Anne (Farley Granger played Anne’s lover and “Hitch’s” cameo was carrying a large musical instrument onto a bus) in “Strangers on a Train.”
Ms. Hitchcock, who later was executive producer of the documentary, “The Man on Lincoln’s Nose,” about Robert F. Boyle’s great career, did much to preserve and promote her father’s immortal works, truly had “acting chops.”
At the end of her first episode on “Presents,” which aired in October/1955, Mr. Hitchcock peaks through the curtain after walking off the screen and says “I though the little leading lady was very good.”
Hopefully, in line with what Patricia’s upbringing taught, she is hearing praise for her wonderful “earth life,” in a better place now.
Patricia “Pat” Hitchcock pictured above.
Andy B Sports 