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Optimum Power Failure (Don’t Ask/Refund/Getting Through/Live Operators As Dinosaurs) Of Course, ‘Twas The Great Djokovic

I could not even watch it as Optimum/Cablevision/all the $ to and vs them over these 41 years and Beano re their ineptitude, and of course it was the great “Djoko” in 4 sets vs “my” 12 to 1 future, Berretini.

Will I get a refund from all powerful Optimum? The frustration, but alas people are starving.

Thus relax, do not cross that line and maybe take devices out of the box and try the technical!

Did Norman really call “Arthur?” If so, what is the big deal, other than what could have been, juxtaposed with this empty, abysmal failure sans family and specifically “The Mand?”

She admonished regarding my parents, so look in the mirror and others heed the warning, with few exceptions, nobody will care for you as your parents do!!!

McLain Has His 30th Victory Of The 1968 Season, However …..

In today’s break from the ‘offs (yesterday Ashleigh Barty copped her second major tennis tournament win, in about an hour “Mar” Djokovic is “top heavy” vs Berretini to tie Federer and Nadal in major wins and get a shot at matching Rod Laver. I like Djokovic, but in an already bad year, let’s hope he is denied, preferably, but it is not likely today. One can hope. Beyond hope is that the (dis)likes of Fowler and McEnroe, at least the latter played tennis–the former acted/is of such arrogance that I reveal his escorting of Julie “Who is Kelvin Bryant” Anderson. My knowledge of certain skeletons and an associative memory, that links Trump, the USFL, racism, reverse hiring, utter ineptitude and most of all, this “non spy,” left out in no A.C. heat and veritable, but seemingly permanent COLD is too much to take.)

One day I will be succinct on these matters as it does matter, not only to me, but to any hope of resolving the utterly hypocritical, who you know and yes in essence at least figuratively, whose butt you kiss (you thought I would evoke the great, classy Lauren Bacall, see I have a bit of class so I did not. I add that my bitterness at being a withered raisin, is at least somewhat offset by my dreamer/idealist/help others thoughts, if not ways.

“Make up” writing, it is Saturday September 14, 1968 and among the 44 thousand or so at Mr. Fetzer’s Tiger Stadium to witness if McLain can, as Ernie would eventually beautifully invoke, “get his 30th win of the 1968 season,” are Dizzy Dean, the last pitcher to do so, half of 68–34, as in 19″34,” which already virtually certain at game time also had a Cards/Tigers Fall Classic. The great Sandy Koufax, in his second year of arthritis forced retirement is there working for NBC television. Ditto, a lovebirds word in “Ghost,” are Julie Nixon, whose father would complete his comeback from the political dead, cited in David Krell’s superb book “1962 Baseball and America in the Time of JFK,” 2 months hence and I believe husband, David Eisenhower, whose father, (he preferred to be addressed as General), yet warned of the power of the U.S. Industrial Military Complex, a fact also cited in Mr. Krell’s book. A “feel good,” is over ten thousand kids were guests of the Detroit Tigers Baseball Club that historic day.

More on the game, perhaps, in the days to follow. McLain was far from great and he and the “Tigs” as the great Ernie Harwell at times, called them, trailed (4-3) headed to B9, as future great and then rookie, Reggie Jackson hit two homers/3 rbis (fellow game 7/’73 W.S. 2 run home run hitting, Bert Campaneris drove in the Oakland A’s, under Bob Kennedy (alas, the ’62 book, Eisenhower, Nixon and I add another Kennedy), which exceeded Norm Cash’s 3rhr by that one run.

Al Kaline pinch hit for Denny and walked vs eventual losing pitcher, Diego Segui. After McAuliffe could not bunt/sacrifice (I am, as are the way too powerful current day analytics crowd, vs a “sac” in that situation at virtually any time, but especially so that day as the needed goal for the Tigs, who entered play that DAY (day games abounded, including a second place Orioles’ win that still left them 9 or so games behind with precious few games remaining, was to “national tv” McLain’s 30th win if possible, thus not conceding an out), he popped to another future A’s star Sal Bando.

However, Mickey Stanley, soon to famously play shortstop in a winning 7 game W.S. vs the Cards (they “day’d” a win at Houston that day, another Jackson, Larry pitched a shutout win also in the glorious daytime), a reverse of the ’34 W.S. when Dean and the Cards (11-0)’d Detroit in #7 and “Hanging” Judge Landis removed Joe Medwick for his own protection, singled up the middle sending Mr. Kaline to third.

Ernie Harwell said his greatest “call,” at least moment was on the national radio broadcast of #7/’68 W.S. when Jim Northrup’s triple vs the great Bob Gibson put the Tigers up (2-0) T7 behind Mickey Lolich (Ernie hoped the audience would attend the next day’s “L”olich vs “L”ew Krause pitching matchup, that Sept. 14th), who went on to a (4-1) win.

That September 14th, Harwell called Northrup’s grounder or one hopper to Danny Cater, whose errant throw set up Denny’s 30th as Kaline scored beating Cater’s throw home and Stanley scampered to third.

Tears welled for many reasons, not the least of which being loneliness and this game at 2 A.M. but they were tears of joy as I heard again, Willie Horton’s single “over the head of Gosger,” and Mr. Harwell’s beautiful laugh when instead of hello this is Andy B, I started my call to his hotel room years later with “it’s over the head of Gosger and McLain has his 30th victory of the 1968 season.

Yes, in tragic 1968, that day with seeing Denny’s 30th and my subsequent Bar Mitzvah, 2 months later, some went well in this innocent’s/dreamer life, though I already knew bullying, anti Semitism and that I was no “magnet” for/to the opposite sex, but alas were not all our heads, especially mine, in the sand?!!

Sadly, they still are.

“Mason” Football “Tie Ins”

Let’s get away from the “might have been” (add the “r” for the annoying Breen and no comment on Van Gundy’s hoodlum words, save to say I already thought very little of him and that negative opinion has increased) (those saddest of words) ‘NHL and NBA ‘offs, which so likely will yield Lightning then Sun(s), though I will count on the NBA/ABC/ return home for the first Bucks’ home final tilt since ’74, to at least offer “Milw” hope, with a #3 win.

I get away from the ‘offs with 4 football “tie ins” I have mined, with some license and mucho tangents, from a “Perry Mason” episode, titled “The Hesitant Hostess.”

There are characters and actors named “Joseph Gibbs” (namesake of the 3 time Supe winning coach), “Larry Coles,” (Larry Cole was a Dallas Cowboys standout player and was shown rolling on the ground but not from the game NFL Films (unlike almost all in sports broadcasting, NFL Films did, maybe still does a good job, but had a misleading moment regarding Cole), actor Don Anderson (better known as Donny Anderson, a Dallas Cowboys related, as is Joe Gibbs having coached the rival Washington football team. Arrogant VsINers, still refer to them by the horrible nickname, adding to my personal “trail of negative tears,” as Anderson made big plays in his Packers’ Ice Bowl winning, “Bart Starr led and Chuck Mercein major contribution,” drive (sorry but contribution and drive are linked, think charity), touchdown drive), and finally actor Brick Sullivan, evoking Paul Newman’s role as once football star “Brick,” in Tennessee Williams’ seminal, “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.”

As Usual, Only I, This, The “118” winning score

Simply, the Bucks lone title won on April 30, 1971 was attained with “Milw” scoring 118 points. (The Bullets had 106 in defeat).

Next Milwaukee advanced to their first final in 47 years, (118-105) at Atlanta in game 6 last Saturday.

In the two Suns’ home wins in the 2021 final, they outscored the Bucks, who they also edged by 1 point (no not with 118) in both “reg” meetings, Phoenix won 118-103 and then 118-108.

All 4 118’s were Bucks’ road tilts, now in a home 3rd, it “Can’t” be another 118 for the winner, can it?!!

Lightning Then Sun(s) Is So Likely

Appropriately, there is heavy rain, though I have not seen lightning, adding to the doom and gloom, of not having the Suns, now huge “faves” to win their first title.

In #2, the Suns, who won their first two home final tilts in ’76, then lost 4 straight home final tilts, now have 2 home final wins and a (2-0) final round lead vs the Milwaukee Bucks, the latter seeking their second title and first in 50 years.

Devon Booker, a standout some years back, in the one NBA game I have attended in so many years, hit for 31, Mikal Bridges, who played on Villanova title teams in ’16 and ’18, added 27-Chris Paul 21, as Phoenix bet vs (-5 plus to minus 4 plus) won (118-108) in game 2.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a “Jerry like” (West) 42 in a final round game loss for the Bucks.

Jerry had 42 in defeat vs the Celts’ 11th title in 13 seasons in #7/’69 final on May 5th, a year after, sadly, the excellent actor Albert Dekker passed away. 

The Bucks are not “dead” in this series, my chances for “bucks” as almost always are, but need the ABC fix and are 4 point “faves” in #2 at Milwaukee Sunday night.

No more Sunday afternoon tilts, as was the case in 3 1974 NBA final tilts, two wins by the Celts at Milwaukee, including the John Havlicek win in a Mother’s Day #7.

 

20170213 Villanova-Depaul Mikal Bridges on the move.jpg

Mikal Bridges pictured above. I cited Bill Bridges regarding Hawks/Knicks, “knew” this, however, nada!!

There will be sun later, at least all day on TCM with “The Sunshine Boys” airing at 2 P.M. Eastern Time and “A Raisin In The Sun” at 5:45.

 

Lightning Do Strike Twice, More Than That For “Champa Bay”

Facing elimination just once, (they won that (1-0) and the Cup clincher (1-0) vs Montreal, a 5th straight series clinching shutout for Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Andrei Vasilevskiy) the Tampa Bay Lightning now have 2 straight titles, winning them a record low, just over 9 mos. apart.

The Lightning join the Tom Brady led Tampa Bay Buccaneers,  as current Tampa/Champa Bay champions. 

Ross Colton scored the game’s only goal, taking a pass from David Savard. Colton and Savard are the only first time title winners on the Lightning squad, which by the way, will lose a number of key players in the upcoming off season.

Pat Maroon, who played on his home town St.Louis Blues’ lone title team in ’19 has now played on 3 straight Cup winners, the last 2 with T.B.

Nikita Kucherov, who was less than generous in his comments about Montreal,  is a brilliant player who led the ‘offs in points, without a tie situation for the second straight year. He joins the great Mario Lemieux (for the ’91 and ’92 champion Pittsburgh Penguins) as the only players to do so. 

Brayden Point, who started “all this” with a goal in the 5th overtime vs the Blue Jackets of Columbus (where is Amy, either “Mc” or Winehouse, my ’89 interviews with such as Sandy Koufax and “Dons,” Drysdale and Sutton?!), again led in points during the ‘offs.

 

Ross Colton hockey player photo

 

 

Ross Colton, pictured above.

 

Suns Opener

The Phoenix Suns, as is the case with their final round opponents, in their 53rd season, are now over 3 to 1 “faves” to cop their first NBA crown.

Chris Paul, now a favorite, in this his 16th season to not only win a title but also to be final round MVP, hit for 32 as Phoenix won (118-105) (in an) over the Milwaukee Bucks in the final round opener.

The Bucks do have one title, that clinched in a (118-106) win on April 30, 1971 (this series is so extended, which of course is TV driven, with Tues, Thurs, Sunday, Wed. Sat, Tues and Thurs,) and also clinched its first final “app” in 47 years scoring 118 at Atlanta last Saturday, but are on the wrong end of a 118 for the winner in this final round opener.

The home team is now an incredible (16-1) counting the bubble designation of L.A. as the home team last year, (15-1) not counting it and (15-2) vs the spread or (14-2) in the last 17 final round openers. The lone loss by Miami, which eventually Ray Allen’d and Leb James’d the Spurs in 7, in ’13.

By the way, “Horse,” aka Brent Musberger, touted a Bucks/under wease, which lost bucks for those who backed Brent. Maybe for old time sake, I can “inform” Phil Mushnick of this “tidbit/nugget,” when he is the guest on the New York Giants Preservation Society “Zoom” tomorrow night.

The Suns broke a 4 game home final round loss skein and are now (3-4) in home final tilts. The Bucks fell to a still very good (4-2) road final record. Normally, I would root for 4 straight and certainly (2-0) but I so messed up the Suns and their opposition injury aided run to a likely, but far from certain title, that I hope “Milw” makes it at least a bit tough for the Suns (likely it is Lightning then Sun(s)), by winning game 2.

Only 9 times in now 75 NBA final series, has the home team both lost game 1 and the series (’04,’95, ’93 when the Suns did, ’82, ’75, ’74 when the Bucks did, ’58 when the Celtics did, ’50 and ’48). 

Assorted “Nutty?” Notes

Some assorted and I am “nuts,” in a good way, but often driven “nuts.”

Does every sports telecast have to have excessive analysis and a “must have” woman on the premisis?!

I am a feminist, think women should have run it, (the world) however, that does NOT qualify them as good broadcasters.

In fact, most broadcasters today, green, man, woman or other, lack skill and as the great Marty Glickman lamented, “TALK TOO MUCH.”

Nada vs Italy, but a little too much celebration after their penalty kicks win, in the “semi,” vs Spain. The latter outplayed them, tied it on a great goal but lost on penalty kicks.

Just the facts: The 2 to 1 series “faves,” the Phoenix Suns hope to end a 4 game final round loss skein (3 as either slight faves or underdogs, with big mouth Barkley–another reason he should keep his big mouth shut, but this “down the drain” society backs him) in the opener vs the Milwaukee Bucks.

I do not know the record, just that the Suns do not hold it, at least not yet and not likely to. (Bucks will be happy with 5 and (1-1) back to Wisconsin), as the Lakers after going (12-3) at home in 5 winning final rounds, starting in ’80 and (14-6) counting their title round losses in ’83 and ’84, lost 5 straight final round home tilts, two vs Detroit (Pistons) in ’89 and all 3 home tilts vs Mr. Jordan’s first title team, coached by Phil Jackson in ’91.

Then under Jackson, L.A. went (11-2) in 5 winning final rounds and (14-4) counting final round losses to Detroit in ’04 and the Celts’ lone title in 35 seasons (’87-2021), that in ’08.

Since the Celtics had 16 of the NBA’s 40 crowns after their Sunday afternoon clincher vs Houston in ’86 (I informed the great player and then Orioles coach, Frank Robinson that they were way ahead in that clinching #6 and he was nowhere near surprised), they remain tied with the Lakers, each having amassed  17 titles.

I “vibed” the Cubs as a home team final round bust, but what I researched is “ridiculous.” They could afford the ridiculous, (ode to the great John Marley) as they were (4-4) in their 3 World Series wins, but are a brutal (4-18) AT HOME, in their 8 World Series losses.

 

In one of those 18 Cubs’ home World Series losses, perhaps Babe Ruth hit a “called shot home run,” as the Yankees swept the Cubs in the 1932 World Series. 

On the above video, the great Lou Gehrig talks about it on The Rudy Vallee Show.

There will be a 5th game

There will be a 5th game, meaning ‘offs tilts at least 4straight nights as the NBA final opens Tuesday with game 2 Thursday.

The Canadiens in OT on Josh Anderson’s second goal of the tilt, the second time he had 2 goals in a Habs’ win including one in overtime (the other after the Fleury give away, #3 semis vs Vegas).

Thus no NHL final sweep for a 21st consecutive season after there had been sweeps in 4 straight (’95-’98).

Speaking of ’95, that was the first of 3 New Jersey Devils’ crowns, the first two clinched on a Saturday matching Chicago’s first two, each a Tuesday in ’34 and ’38 before their next on a Sunday in ’61.

The Lightning won their first two titles on Mondays in ’04 and 2020, but failed to Monday clinch tonight.

Good Article But A Factual Error, By ESPN “Can’t” count from 50 to 51

I will put a link to a nice article about the current Toronto Maple Leafs title drought.

 

As for ESPN and its sickening, but oh so popular, sports highlight show (I will not dignify it by name) the Clippers nee Buffalo Braves now have a 51 year not 50 title drought, encompassing the seasons from (’71-2021). They “graphic’d” 50.

https://fansided.com/2021/07/03/nhl-when-last-time-toronto-won-stanley-cup/