Somehow I recall it being “a day after” Tuesday, when I first heard, that despite pitching 10 and one third innings of no hit baseball, the excellent, hard throwing Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher, Jim Maloney, had lost the game (1-0) to the New York Mets, 56 years ago (Monday night June 14, 1965 at (as Lindsey Nelson intoned) “Crosley Field in Cincinnati–I guess in some ways Lindsey and other greats are “still living on the air in/from Cincinnati) , in same calendar 1965.
There is so much to this tilt, not the least of which is a fond reminder of why baseball WAS so great and despite all its leaders have done in diminishing its greatness, perhaps and clearly, in at least some aspects, still is.
Let’s go negative, a largely futile, veritable “Ethiopia spears against Mussolini’s bombing.” (In the end, I believe Selig, Manfred and all the bottom line whores will have to answer).
Yes, the negative derived from the game involves a Reds’ third year second baseman, who pointed out by Bob Murphy, runs to first base after drawing a walk, named Pete Rose is still and likely always will be denied entry to a so cheapened, (but again baseball oh baseball–how I once loved thee)–Baseball Hall of Fame.
Pete goes out, R-Fielder “F. Robi” (Frank Robinson) comes in, catches the ball for an out.
When Pete joined the Cincinnati team in 1963, a year Reverend Dr. King gathered “a start” to a better situation at the (need I say Abraham, I hope not, but fear I do) Lincoln Memorial, for people so long denied basic rights in this hypocritical, money is all, but still hope for it, me and potential, he was shunned by many players, who resented his bidding for the fine player, but no Pete Rose, Don Blasingame’s second base job.
Leaving out the end, when Frank, who I truly loved as a player and was at least cordial, the couple of times I met him, was against Pete, how great it was that Pete, Frank and Vada Pinson “hung out” a bit, transcending racial barriers, that despite what you see in commercials, are still quite prevalent, these 58 years later.
OK baseball. Maloney is facing Frank Lary. Neither pitcher allows a run for 8 innings. In an ultimate Lary/Larry (tip of the hat to another Larry and all of Jesse and Arlene’s wonderful family) 11 inning shutout win, it is Larry Bearnarth, who relieves Frank Lary.
Meanwhile Maloney, which rhymes with Toney (see Hippo Vaughn vs Fred Toney, in baseball’s only no-hitter by each team’s pitcher, also almost by definition, not decided in 9 innings. Imagine, if Manfred was involved and put a runner on second to start an inning!!), hurled 10 and a third, no hit innings, eventually tying Warren Spahn (at 44 years old Spahn was the next night’s Mets’ pitcher), N.L. (Tom Cheney still holds the major league record with 21, continuing the link to civil rights, but perhaps doing so in annoying and certainly highly tangential fashion, James Chaney was a civil rights worker slain), record 18 strikeouts in an extra inning game, set on the same date, 13 years earlier.
I can go on with the coincidences and facts culled from this game. Perhaps I will some day.
Earlier, the great civil rights leader, M.L. King was cited, now another, one John Lewis.
Another with that name, going by Johnny, made at least one night history, as it was Johnny Lewis, cited as being in a slump, as was the team with 10 straight losses, (the current Mets have lost 7 of 8 and last week went from 3 and a half ahead to two and a half out and in third place, in their “one eighth” division), whose 1 out home run handed Maloney, an eventual crushing defeat.
More on this game and time with perspective and yes opinions (you know what they say about opinions and a specific part of the body, however, I add that I feel as a caring person, entitlement to at least some portion of the moral “higher ground.”)
Cue Stevie Wonder and maybe we can, each of us/U.S./ (I have to get off at the exit, citing it and see the General Grant Memorial), SEE a bit better.
Johnny Lewis, born 82 years ago on this date and one year before John Lewis, is pictured above.
When I chose to “post” regarding the Mets/Reds June 14, 1965 game, I had no idea today is the anniversary of Lewis’ birth.
A bit disturbing, the all powerful, in this case, I believe Yahoo, lists a same name department store before the great civil rights activist, John Lewis.
This despite a current book, which I will “link” (is that the term?) below.
There were three repeat matchups from August 5-August 8, 44 years later.
In 1977, August 7th was a Sunday, in 2021 it was a Saturday.
The Reds, reeling under .500, having lost “Doggy,” (the great Tony Perez) and Don Gullett from their awesome 2 straight title teams, after losing the opener vs Pittsburgh on Friday August 5, 1977 won the next two.
These 44 years later, Cincy won all 3 from the Pirates (Friday August 6-Sunday August 8) and have a realistic shot at playoffs qualification.
In 1977, the eventual World Champion, New York Yankees began an incredible run of 40 wins in 50 games (the Reds did similar, if not the same in ’75 and also won it all while one of the full season non title winning Dodgers team may have won 41 of 50 in the last 5 or so years) with a Sunday August 7th win at Seattle vs the Mariners.
44 years later, the Yankees made it 10 of 12 after three home wins vs “Sea,” before losing yesterday (Sunday August 8th), 44 years to the day after the surge starting win on August 7, 1977.
Finally the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos were each completely out of the then much better “one quarter” division race when the Braves won 3 of 4 from August 4-August 7, 1977.
“Henry Aaron”/44 years later, in this first ever Atlanta Braves season with Henry not on this angst ridden earth (yesterday despite sitting in traffic with bathroom need and the card saying “come in and get one, having filled out a survey” I was denied a 20 dollar Visa card plus 24 years later, the “Baba,” who wed 44 years ago on August 7th and had an (11-3) pro Yankees and probably telling, vs the Mets, week after his “not even appeasing regarding paying” call), Atlanta took the Washington Nationals (the Expos became the Nationals), winning on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and trail the Philadelphia Phillies by 2 games, (the Mets, who started the week 3 and a half games ahead are two and a half game out) in the relatively weak, one eighth N.L. East.
Ward Bond had a prolific movie and television career which included “The Searchers,” in the former category and “Wagon Train” in the latter one.
Mr. Bond died far too young in Dallas, Texas on November 5, 1960.
Three days later, John F. Kennedy was elected president.
Tragically, 3 years and 17 days later, Mr. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
Ward Bond, pictured above.
In remembering the superb pitcher, J.R. Richard, who died today at age 71 and had suffered a horrible stroke years back, that for at least a veritable second shut up the doubting media, I choose a positive story relayed to me in 1988 by then aspiring manager, Dusty Baker.
Eleven years earlier, on the last day of that ’77 season, Dusty still needed one home run to join teammates Steve Garvey, Ron Cey and Reggie Smith with 30 or more home runs, making that eventual baseball runner up team, the first to have 4 such homer hitters.
As Mr. Baker tells the story, he was glad that his manager Lasorda had confidence in him to do so but worried that his proclamation he would do so (hit #30), would give J.R. Richard, already a superb pitcher, more incentive.
Richard did yield the homer #30 to Dusty and also struck out 300 or more batters the next two seasons.
Sadly his career was cut short by a stroke he suffered in 1980. The media speculation criticizing J.R. without knowing the facts is a sad reminder of the event and a portent of even worse such media “speculation” that permeates today’s airwaves and print outlets.
On a positive note, it is the tremendous respect Baker had for one of his peers/opponents, J.R. Richard that resonated then and to this day.
Go easy, throw hard, J.R. Richard.
At his best, J.R. Richard, pictured and headed above, was one of the best pitchers in the last 50 or so years.
While I still opt for the 1980 NLCS as the best such entity, by a decent margin, the 1972 ALCS between the A’s and Detroit Tigers was not only not “chopped liver,” (I do not know why chopped liver is demeaned, as prepared right, is delicious), but an all-time great one.
Twice in the best of 5 series, eventually won by the Oakland Athletics, en route to the first of three straight titles, a home team, the A’s in inning 11 of #1 (Gonzalo Marquez’ hit and the great Al Kaline’s throwing error, after Al had hit a solo homer in the top half of the frame, ended the tilt) and the “Tigs” in #4, to set up a great #5, (2-1) Oakland win, overcame last at bat deficits to win.
Detroit down (2-0) in the series and by 2 runs in game 4, scored 3 runs in their last at bat, game 4 win.
In a future post, more on game 5, in which “Blues,” John “Blue Moon” Odom and Vida Blue combined for great 1 run allowed pitching, to (2-1) Detroit, and advance to an eventual 7 game W.S. triumph vs the Cincinnati Reds.
Vida Blue, pictured above, is a Rivkah favorite and friend.
He pitched brilliantly, in a 4 inning relief stint, in game 5 of the A’s pennant clinching win in 1972.
It was their pennant in 41years, a span of time that included years in Philadelphia, Kansas City and Oakland.
They went on to capture their first World Series wins in 42 years.
Today is a good day for ViSN, as after a pretty long absence Pauly Howard returned and after a two week vacation, Gill Alexander comes back.
Thus far, there has been no discussion of why Howard missed so much time.
Concerning both talented individuals, Alexander and Howard, I would like to hear a “review” of the playoffs from each one.
Let’s sway away from the Cubs’ “fire sale,” save the link at the end and the fact that both Bryant and Rizzo, 108 years after catcher, Germany Schaeffer caught a pop up, involved in the title clinching play, are GONE. (Cue Hall and Oates and my cryptic link to Eddie Brown of “Wash” scoring a Monday night return touchdown as “She’s Gone played, probably via rewind/play).
It is May 4, 1971 and while the Cubs with Milt Pappas (born on a May 11th, and sadly his wife disappeared on a 9-11) are visiting the Mets, whose starter is Nolan Ryan (Ryan debuted on a 9-11)–the Chi Blackhawks are hosting the Montreal Canadiens in game 1 of the NHL final. (This year, 50 years later and later is operative due to the still around pandemic, as “ignorants/stupids” refuse vaccination, while “Chi” did not qualify for the ‘offs, Montreal as an even bigger upstart than in ’71, when they won the final, went to the final, however, the Lightning for the “barring Bellman,” struck the Habs and me in 5).
Pappas was 18, Ryan 19 when they made their big league debuts in ’57 and ’66 respectively. One or the other hurled in the “bigs” for 36 seasons as one adds, Pappas sans Ryan (9) to Ryan’s modern record 27 year career.
Ryan got the Cubs in a top of the first, which did not have a fair ball. Typical of his career, Nollie, as the great broadcaster Bob Murphy called him once during that frame, struck out Glenn Beckert, a man truly tough to do so “vs,” Ron Santo and John Callison, while walking Don Kessinger and the great player, Billy Williams.
Mr. Ryan hurled 7 no hit games while Pappas pitched one. I doubt Ryan was ever close to a perfect game (I would have to check), while Pappas came, oh so close, on September 2, 1972 (I know it was a Saturday, which nets me nada) when after retiring the first 26 “P-Pad” (Padres) batters, he had a (2-2) count facing Larry Stahl.
Each of the next 2 pitches were close, but called balls. No perfect game, but a no hit game for Pappas.
The Chicago Cubs Are a Baseball Travesty – slate.com
You, still loyal to teams, ought to be aware by now, that you root for “laundry.”
The Cubs ended a 108 year title drought in ’16, soon followed by their owner’s backed candidate, D.J. Trump gaining the presidency. I wanted Hillary Clinton and the In”dians,” soon to be the Guar”dians,” which I think, unlike the change of the truly offensive Washington NFL team nickname, was/is not necessary, which it would seem “flies in the face” of my liberal views. More on such another time, but I add that though I suffer for my idealism, logic and lack of greed–I have always “Bill Klem’d” it and as with the legendary umpire, been right much of the time.
Now less than 5 years later, they are breaking up that ’16 Cubs’ title team. Those spoiled North Side fans got their title as did the Dodgers in 60 game 2020, though Cubs fans (far too many) abused a fan while a few Dodgers’ fans beat a Giants’ fan. I still have nightmares that a young man, so long ago was beaten that way, for no reason, in my home time.
Unlike Henry Fonda, who did positive regarding the horror of seeing a man lynched, I have suffered regarding it and other things in virtual and often cowardly, maybe practical silence.
So much less important, but I will not retract it:
Cashman, whose special place of greed, might eventually get him a seat next to Steinbrenner and not in the better place, is NOT going to win this one.
He and his kind know about the “wood,” the edge and live easy lives, while quixotic types such as me suffer the slings, arrows and overall time consumption of not having enough (Mr. Roosevelt (called Frank, in the excellent film, “Paper Moon,” by then 9 year old, Tatum O’Neal and his lousy treatment of her, is another reason I dislike McEnroe so intensely. His (McEnroe’s) picture is prominently displayed next to “spoiled brat.”) the latter, “poverty being so time consuming” which Franklin Roosevelt cited.
See Mr. Cashman, as you shop, in rich lilly WHITE, Izod, Polo Shirt, on your cell phones Connecticut, in your spoiled rich hedge fund, aided life, the A’s have the “wood,” in the form of a 3 plus game(s) lead and I say and unfortunately will PAY, so that you do not catch them and qualify for the prostituted post-season tournament.
It speaks to the utter ineptitude of Michael Kay (I am perhaps out of line “attacking” Cashman as I do not know him and also he did “architect” along with the far classier, now deceased Bob Watson and Gene Michael, multiple Yankees’ title teams adding the likes of O’Neill, Brosius, Polonia, Chili Davis and a sure thing, great named Knoblach, among others. Steinbrenner, as with a broken clock, was right at least twice, concerning Reggie and “Bet on” Wade Boggs), a person I know to be bankrupt of morality, but of course rich with money, that he failed to note the (5-4)/last out on a pop out to third, symmetry, when Boston virtually assured the Yankees would not win the one eighth division last Sunday. Of course that October 2, 1978 was the end with no wild card. That referenced July 25 tilt was then and with the horrible wild card presence, thus let’s face it, Cashman and the Yankees, though so greedy, did what they had to do.
However, and believe me I no longer really care that much, though you would not know that by this rant, they loom, to at least make the wild card.
Once in sick, sick, “ruin my life” fashion I battled the Yankees’ “windmills,” suffering unfairly, not so much when they won, but when they annexed so many players, in the cases of Reggie and Boggs, two I had liked so much, with their previous teams.
Again it is laundry. I am too tired and ADD’d to expand on it, but you get it.
My once loved Lakers are pigs also, the latest “ejemplo Sp? and of course in Spanish) getting Westbrook. Ditto the Dodgers with Scherzer and many other teams. What chance do the Pirates have?!!
Anyway I say A’s, Astros, Rays, Red Sox and White Sox. Try Giants, Dodgers, Padres, Brewers and Mets, as I chalk it, perhaps with the exception of the Yankees.
They ruined baseball, it is laundry, bogus wild card, too many ‘offs teams, ridiculous rules this season that I will not dignify with comment.
May 11, 1965 a Tuesday then and this year, a Cards at Mets (I almost yielded to the overwhelming technology and typed “@”) game, matched two of the great pitchers of all-time, albeit neither in their prime.
Certainly Warren Spahn, 42 years old and with the fourth year Mets was not, as he and his 358 career victories (62, more than vs any other team, (29 losses) against the Cardinals), with defending World Champion St. Louis, starting Bob Gibson.
Now Gibson, an alumnus of Creighton University (it was around talk by others, regarding Bob’s basketball exploits there, that I finally achieved a picture/”nice Bob Gibson,” however, it and his great pitching/determination is treasured, even if he was not close to always being nice about it) as Lindsey Nelson intoned, was nearing his prime and that night received the Babe Ruth Award from the Baseball Writer’s Of America, from N.Y. chapter president, Leonard Koppett, for his outstanding (2-1) including the #5 and 7 wins pitching, in the most recent World Series, as Nelson eloquently stated, “in competition with the New York Yankees.”
Gibson entered the 5-11-1965 tilt with a (5-0) record and 3 shutouts, for a Cards’ team, that was off to a disappointing start, in what would be a disappointing season. Their “MacArthur vow,” if they took one, manifested, as they “returned” to pennant winning glory in both ’67 and ’68 and title winning such in 1967.
At that point, Gibson had a (7-2) lifetime record vs the Mets, the same as his eventual career World Series mark. (Bob lost his first and last World Series starts with Mel Stottlemyre and Mickey Lolich, the latter in #7/’68 W.S. gaining victories) but in between, won 7 straight World Series starts/decisions, as one of the Fall Classic’s all-time great performers.
Both his losses to the Mets, at that May 11, 1965 “point in time,” were by (1-0) scores, each to Al Jackson.
The great, great pitcher Warren Spahn, pictured above, and I once discussed the relative greatness of he and Sandy Koufax.
He was standing near a wall at an event and first I remarked that it was a disgrace that people did not know him.
Less diplomatic but politely and clearly extolling Mr. Spahn’s greatness, I told him that my favorite Sandy Koufax was better.
I knew what he would say and I said it first. Spahn won 363 games, sadly for all of us as Sandy’s career was cut short, 198 more than Sandy won.
Next a “reporter,” (likely no worse than those who succeed today) “Sam” Marciano, approached Mr. Spahn and clearly knew “nada” about him.
Both Mr. Spahn and I knew it was so typically sad of current media and society, so far removed and opposite (virtually polar) of the greatness demonstrated by the likes of Warren Spahn, Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax, among a select group of others.
Andy B Sports 