Dick Tidrow, who died in the past week at only 74, deserved both a better fate and more praise for his baseball accomplishments.
I will both cite his achievements and in this perhaps inappropriate place, RAIL vs the media, that is so bad as to not credit nor know history and continually “blowhard” what is not only nonsensical, but also truly offensive.
Mr. Tidrow, a fine essentially relief pitcher, helped the New York Yankees win 3 consecutive pennants and 2 consecutive titles from (’76-’78).
Later, he was instrumental in securing for the eventual 3 straight alternate/even year, title winning, San Francisco Giants (’10,’12, ’14) incredible pitching, as that of Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and I believe Tim Lincecum (also others).
In disgraceful fashion, Mike Greenberg, another of the opinionated, knows little, organisms that the monolith/ESPN allows to run wild amidst the polluted (as is the earth because of such as ESPN) “jungle” of sports, did not know it was the great Oscar Robertson, sitting next to Kareem Abdul Jabbar, during #4, of the current, ridiculously, drawn out, NBA final.
Next, Stephen A. Smith, properly ripped to shreds, by Phil Mushnick, in a) a column per Phil’s right, but “RIGHT,” before Smith’s subsequent remarks and b) a blight on society, second only to Trump among the many recent “candidates,” put down Mr. Ohtani.
Rather than repeat or comment on it, I once again channel and evoke, of course with “license,” but willing to bet he would agree, Dr. Martin Luther King.
I believe that great man aware of 2021 and that since his death 53 years earlier, while assessing the still too slow “progress,” regarding those persecuted, would say “NOT dream, but NIGHTMARE, as Smith, who thinks the fact he endured eating tuna sandwiches before he attained sickening wealth, qualifies as suffering, fueled the fire, against already persecuted people.
The shame of what ESPN and face it, many if not all the others do in the name of 24 hour “news,” is something, as Mr. Mushnick once brilliantly wrote concerning Lou Holtz, (he always an unhinged lunatic and now right wing zealot), when he had “rubbed it in” vs Boston College,” the year before, that the “big guy” (I add the possibility of the “big guy”/ force being a woman or force) is taking “notes” and will eventually act regarding it.
Maybe a veritable David Gordon, instead of booting a field goal that so gloriously, sunk top ranked Notre Dame, a result that among other things manifested in another ESPN disgrace, Hannah Storen (Storm to most of you, a terrenchial downpour of welcome back to America West Arena in Phoenix during the Suns’ last NBA final “app” with the problem being, the game was in Chicago ineptitude, to me, which began ‘cauz daddy was/is Mike Storen. Alas, let’s throw in (I wish away) Rachel Nichols, the daughter in law of the late, great Mike Nichols, as a winy, spoiled, no talent (tell me what does she add?!!) as another ESPN “blight” the Taylor battle (who needs any sideline reporters?!!) an example) clamoring for her Notre Dame as #1, using a national forum in utter cheerleading lack of objectivity, that fortunately went for naught, will “BOOT” out Smith and some, if not all of the pollution.
Do not hold your breath, for at least two reasons. One, maybe we can rid ourselves some day of Smith, as the combination of his throw it against the wall/foot in mouth (lack of) “style” might get him, alas only when the bean counters say, but the hopelessness and real pollution/sick heat/global warming, makes each breath, so precious.
Toward that sentiment, I will try not to let this stuff get me. I look in the mirror, know and acknowledge what I did and did not do. I take responsibility.
However, I do such, adding I would have known and do love “The BIG O,” (Oscar Robertson), but G-d, as cited in the superb, Paul Schrader directed film, “First Reformed,” which features a brilliant Ethan Hawke performance, “is more creative than any of us” and has apparently given me another type, “BIG O,” as in ZERO, at least as far as enjoyment, from my once loved sports and its disseminators of information.
In a tale of two Khris/Chris (es), (Khris Middleton had 40, including the two field goals that broke a 99 all tie, while Chris Paul, still the fave to win the series MVP, had a bad game) the Milwaukee Bucks (menos 5) (109-103) “undering” the Suns, to get ABC/ESPN/Disney a (2-2) final that will go until at least July 20th, the 52nd anniversary of the first man on the moon landing. It seems that journey took less time to complete, than this spread out NBA final (next game Saturday).
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points for the Bucks, while Devon Booker, who had none of those ridiculous valued “3’s,” joined Antetokounmpo (#2 in this) and Jerry (West) (#7/’69), as 42 point scorers, in a losing NBA final tilt.
I tuned in 99 all, Middleton had hit to yield that score and he hit after a Booker miss, giving “Milw” a (101-99) lead. “A”n “A”ntetokounmpo block on “Aaton” “a”fter “a”n “a”lley-oop, two Middleton misses (no quotes for alliteration), then a horrible turnover by Paul, manifesting in a Middleton lay in, SERIES EVEN.
Despite the close game, ’twas another in which the spread did not matter and a 4th straight fave cover. Again so few win/no covers in NBA final entities for a good number of years.
The Suns were in both a (5-1) and (1-5) home team record final, while “Milw” was in both a (2-2) and (2-5) home team final. Thus the 4 home team wins in as many tilts in this final, put the home team over .500 (14-13) in the five Bucks or Suns’ final rounds.
Phoenix is a 4 point home fave in the Saturday night (when if ever was there a Saturday night NBA final game ?!!) pivotal game 5.
The ridiculously scheduled and SPREAD out (someone ought to check how few NBA final round games have been “spread affected” i.e. the fave wins but does not cover, in say the last 6 or so, including all 3 this year and I believe just one, at most 2, in the highly over rated Warriors vs Cavs 4 entities and 22 tilts) NBA final continues tonight in Milwaukee, after a second straight Giannis Antetokounmpo 40 plus game resulted in a Bucks’ win/cover after the opposite in #2, thus Phoenix has a (2-1) series lead.
It opened Tuesday to Thursday (fine) then 2 days off but at least Phoenix to Milwaukee travel. Next the current 2 days off with no travel, then 2 days off and Milwaukee to Phoenix travel. If a 6th is necessary, it is 2 days off but at least Phoenix to Milwaukee travel. Finally the coup de whores they are, for what would be a “little thing” like #7 for all the marbles and con travel, just one day off.
Each city/area won in its first World Series in 7 games vs a defending champion New York Yankees team, doing so 44/”Henry Aaron years,” apart, the Milwaukee Braves in 1957 and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.
As stated, Mr. Djokovic won Wimbledon, his 20th major crown, tying Roger Federer and Raf Nadal.
In the upcoming U.S. Open, he will attempt and be the wide margin plurality, if not actual favorite, to pass the above cited players for the most major crowns, but also do what only the great Rod Laver has accomplished, namely win all 4 major tennis events in one year.
Mr. Laver did it twice, in ’62 and ’69 so liberal in most of life but archly old world in sports me can take solace in the fact, the great Djokovic, and he is great, will not accomplish that feat twice any time soon, if ever.
In fact I will bet on him at the U.S. Open so he may not even do so once.
Of course I still have to “stop” the so annoying Serena Williams (she has not won a major since I “decided” to stop her as she showed her shallow character, in more than one press conference/baby fit. (As a big baby myself, and one with little accomplished as opposed to Williams, it takes one to know one) and alas, as my dad often said, where will I get the money?!
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!!!
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.
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?!!
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.
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.
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, pictured above.
Andy B Sports 