After the 1976 Presidential election and World Series, the correlation cited in the next paragraph, had manifested in two thirds of the possibilities, (12 of 18, remember no World Series in 1904, thus 18 possible— (’08-’76).
Said correlation being if the National League team wins the World Series, the Democratic Party candidate wins the Presidency. (Note until now one needed to differentiate Democratic Party from Democracy as the Republican Party also adhered to democracy, though of course this country is a republic and NOT a democracy, certainly not a true one. That is a subject for another day.)
However, since that point in time, the correlation has just a (5-5) “record.”
Another correlation, this one with a great “record” but also in a slump that I fervently hope continues this year, is if the Lakers make the NBA final–the Republican candidate ascends to become U.S. President (of course two and if it happens this year, a third would have manifested, though losing the popular vote).
That record, not counting 1948, when the Lakers, then in Minneapolis were not in what became the NBA, is (14-3), with losses in two of the last 3 possibilities (’08 and ’16).
For the record, the exceptions are 1956 (The Lakers were not in the NBA final but Republican, Dwight D. Eisenhower was re elected), 2008 (the Lakers were in the final but Democrat, Barack Obama was elected) and 2016 (the Lakers were not in the final, but Republican candidate, Donald J. Trump became president, despite losing the popular vote.
Of course George W. Bush “did same” in 2000, a year in which that “upheld” the correlation.
I thought Jimmy Stewart for a much needed “What’s My Line,” and found one appropriate for many similar to me.
The episode aired on my birthday in 1963 and in a scant, less than 2 weeks time later, the world cracked, when “they”/L.H. Oswald/combination thereof? (we will almost certainly never know for sure) senselessly killed a President, John F. Kennedy, who gave us hope. Now look!!
Any”who,” Jimmy Stewart was the mystery guest and the distinguished, great Joseph Mankiewicz joined usual panelists, Dorothy Kilgallen (overtones with she, regarding President Kennedy’s death), Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s host.
Enjoy and hope.
Numbers, death (Kathy and I sang a Spinners’ hit walking down the street), numbers “up,” as now 3 greats from the Packers’ defensive unit, all of whom played on all 5 title teams under Vince Lombardi, have died in 2020.
The most recent is the great cornerback, Herb Adderley and only he, Fred “Fuzzy” Thurston, Forrest Gregg and Tom Brady have played on as many as 6 NFL title teams.
Adderley played on the first of 5 Dallas Cowboys’ title teams in 1971 and the aforementioned 5 with the Green Bay Packers, under Vince Lombardi.
Mr. Lombardi praised Herb, as his best athlete. Similar to Willie Wood’s interception and return to the Chiefs’ 5, from where Elijah Pitts scored, to essentially break open Supe 1, Adderley’s interception touchdown return was a big play, in another Green Bay rout, this one, (33-14) vs the then Oakland Raiders, in the second NFL/AFL championship game/2nd Super Bowl.
Earlier this year, which has yielded far worse than “the willies,” we lost greats Willie Davis and Willie Wood.
That unfortunate turn leaves only the two men involved in the ’66 NFL Title game clinching play, vs Dallas, as 2 of the 11 still alive from the consensus starting defensive unit of the glory days Packers. (9 of 11, those numbers,— hopefully unlike in ’16, the poll numbers are right and we rid ourselves–there I wrote it— are dead).
Dave Robinson, who made the play, draping himself around Dallas quarterback, Don Meredith and Tom Brown, who had an interception on the play are still alive.
Somewhere Dick Schaap, who wrote about them and Ray Scott/Ted Moore, each of whom broadcast them, await Ray’s “familiar names most of them.”
That defensive unit, an immortal one, except as a good president whom “they” killed said–“we are all mortal.” Indeed we are, some of us great, Herb Adderley, one of that standing.
The Dodgers have now won in one third (7) of their 21 World Series. If they had lost, a less valued and used fraction “2/7” would have manifested. (And) You thought you were finished with fractions. I am for now and paraphrasing “as Bullwinkle or Rocky said to the other, now time for something really esoteric,” regarding Dodgers’ last games of World Series.
In their first 8, all but the last of those 8, a World Series loss, a home run did not account for the first run(s) in such a game (again the last game of a Dodgers World Series).
Since that time a home run has opened the scoring in now 10 of 13. Seven times (Yogi Berra and the Yankees in ’56, Duke Snider, Frank Howard and Lou Johnson all for the L.A. Dodgers in ’59,’63 and ’65 respectively, Frank Robinson for the Orioles in ’66, Mickey Hatcher “for” and Steve Pearce (Red Sox) against, 30 years apart in ’88 and 2018) the home run was hit by the winning team/World Series winning team.
Thrice, including 3 days ago it occurred in a loss. Randy Arozarena joined second basemen Davey Lopes (Dodgers) and Willie Randolph (Yankees) as having done so.
In six of their 7 World Series wins, a home run opened the scoring in the Dodgers’ final World Series game.
In 1988, I had a very pleasant experience, being a contestant on a show called NFL Trivia, hosted by Gabe Kaplan. A highlight “involved” the great NFL safety, Larry Wilson, who died weeks back and who is being honored by his team, the Cardinals, wearing his number 8 on their uniforms.
It was obvious to me that Larry was an answer to my question. I knew of him as he and his safety blitz, revolutionized the position.
Larry was rightfully named to the NFL team of the first 100 years.
At any rate, my team on NFL Trivia was destined to finish second, which was fine. The first place team was very loud with their answers and considerably louder, if not better than us.
We were going to the lose the finale and when I gave my answer of Larry Wilson, as “Wiiiilson,” I was lauded by many, including the other team. It is a nice memory.
I have similar fine memories involving Larry Wilson, especially during the 1966 season, when he was so great, leading a contending St. Louis Cardinals football team.
Larry maintained his greatness and while I am not a big fan of those long introductions where names are extended, perhaps when Larry entered a better place?, which he deserves, an angel used “Wiiiiilson” as an introduction.
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays (3-1) in game 6, to win their seventh World Series crown, sixth as the Los Angeles Dodgers, after leaving Brooklyn and its fans heartbroken, after the 1957 season.
Down (1-0) and having been stymied by Rays’ starter, Blake Snell, the Dodgers went ahead B6, when after Austin Barnes singled with one out, Kevin Cash opted for Nick Anderson to replace Snell.
Mookie Betts “greeted” Anderson (hey “they” keep unfairly knocking Bill Buckner, so I cite another Nick Anderson, a good player, but one who missed 4 free throws, I believe somehow in one sequence at a crucial time in game 1/’95 NBA final for an Orlando Magic team, which like fellow North Florida team, the Rays, stands (0-2) in final round play, at this moment and probably for a long time) with a double, that sent Barnes to third.
Next, Anderson uncorked one of the most damaging wild pitches in baseball annals, (alas though maybe it should have been a Rich Gedman passed ball, I “must” cite that Bob Stanley was charged with a fateful wild pitch, that enabled the Mets to tie #6/’86 W.S. vs Boston, yet that is cited exponentially less, than the play involving Buckner) as Barnes scored the tying run and Mookie (another Mookie, namely Wilson, was at bat for both the tying and winning runs in that #6 Mets’ win en route to a title clinched 2 nights later and 34 years to the date, before Mookie and the Dodgers “titled” last night) went to third with just one out.
Corey Seager, who was named W.S. MVP (I would have opted for someone else, maybe Mookie or Max Muncy) hit a fielder’s “choi”ce as T.B. first sacker, Choi threw home, but too late, to get a “pumping” Mookie Betts.
Since they won, all the L.A. pitchers deserve “mucho credito,” even starter Tony Gonsolin, who survived the first inning, yielding one run as Randy Arozarena hit yet another home run. As I watched that part, I missed most of the rest–did see the end, but my recording did not manifest, I scoffed at the telecast, which continually showed Arozarena.
A key spot was T2, when “Mr.” Roberts, just the third Dodgers manager to title, (they have played 115 seasons with a title possibility)— the great Walt Alston and the highly over rated Tom Lasorda, being the others—lifted Gonsolin and opted for Dylan Floro, who fanned Arozarena.
L.A. got an insurance run B8 (Mookie homered) and Mr. Urias, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth up a run in #7 NLCS vs the Braves, hurled 2 and a third scoreless innings.
Only the Chicago White Sox, 114 years earlier, other than 2020 L.A. last night, won games 1, 3, 5 and 6 of the World Series.
There is so much going through me, certainly the fact I once loved both the Lakers and Dodgers, now each is an “anti” team, although now that they won again, the Lakers after 10 years and for the 5th time in a “0” year and the Dodgers after my #, 32 years–I will not root, but might bet vs them, as I would advise “you,” at least, as far as repeating titles.
It is the third time the Lakers and Dodgers are simultaneous champions (’81 baseball, also a shortened seasons whose World Series dates were the same through 5 games as the one 39 years later followed by ’82 basketball and then ’88 basketball followed by baseball), the Lakers staying 10 titles ahead (17 to 7) and now with twice as many crowns in L.A. as the Dodgers (12 to 6).
It was just the fourth time that the game 4 winner in a Dodgers’ W.S. failed to win the World Series, that following just the second time in 14 Dodgers’ NLCS that the #4 winner failed to win the pennant, awarded to the LCS winner.
That’s all folks, maybe more esoteric tomorrow.
Dodgers’ title winning manager, Dave Roberts, pictured above.
After a (4-2) game 5 win, exactly 39 years (that one was played during the day) after another that put them up 3 games to 2 in a World Series, the L.A. Dodgers can win their 7th title with a win in game 6 tonight.
In #5, the Dodgers (6-14) in World Series play (5-6) as L.A.), got a (3-0) lead vs now 2 time World Series losing pitcher, Tyler Glasnow of the Rays (0-1) in previous W.S.).
Glasnow again made it easier, for long time playoffs bust/regular season great, Clayton Kershaw, the latter getting far too much credit. (Someone named Passan wrote these 2 wins by Kershaw, make up for his many post-season failures. It does not just as it does not for Alex Rodriguez, who somehow gets a free pass in life or Barry Bonds, who does get criticism and unlike Rodriguez, did not even win one title).
Mookie Betts doubled and Corey Seager drove him home. The Dodgers led (1-0) before they made an out, achieving an “L.A. ” first inning “prop” win for a third straight tilt. The Rays won the first inning of game 2 in the Snell/Gonsolin matchup, which has a redux tonight.
Cody Bellinger “tuned” in a second first inning run while Joc Pederson and Max Muncy (I would consider Muncy the series MVP through 5 games by a close margin) added home runs for the Dodgers, who led (3-0), (3-2) and won (4-2) in the tilt.
Kershaw coughed up two thirds of his lead and faced a “corners” none out situation in the bottom of the fourth. Credit him for getting the next 2 batters, no advance and then he stepped off the pitching rubber and despite his “high set” threw home to catcher Will Smith to get Mr. Margot, who attempted a steal of home.
Muncy homered with 2 outs in the top of the 5th vs Glasnow, who is on track to be a “reg” good/’offs bad pitcher (certainly World Series) and that ended the scoring.
Even long, red haired, hard throwing Dustin May was effective and now the Dodgers, with their fans making the Arlington Texas setting, far from neutral are likely, but not certain to title in Arlington, where they overcame a (3-1) NLCS deficit to “7” the Braves and where their long time arch rivals, the Giants ended a 56 year title drought, just under 10 years ago.
The first 5 games of this series were played on the exact same day/date as the first 5 of the 1981 World Series. #6 was scheduled for Tuesday October 27th (today’s date as well) but was postponed. The Dodgers won their 5th title, the next night, Wednesday October 28th.
That season was far from a full one due to a player’s strike while this one, of course spanned but 60 regular season games due to the coronavirus, which sadly is still very much in evidence.
The last six times and in all but one (1906) of the seven times (1997,1962, 1946, 1940, 1924, 1909 1946), that teams alternated victories in the first 5 games of the World Series, the trailing team won game 6. The ’97 Marlins vs the Cleveland Indians, ’62 Yankees vs the Giants and 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates vs the Detroit Tigers “recovered” and won game 7. In ’46, the Cardinals won both games 6 and 7 to beat the Boston Red Sox. Ditto the Cincinnati Reds also vs the Tigers in 1940 and the Washington Senators vs the New York Giants in 1924. Only the 1906 White Sox vs their intra city rivals, the Chicago Cubs won game 6 in that scenario.
Corey Seager,pictured above.
Of course last night’s thrilling (finally!) game 4, a Tampa Bay Rays’ (8-7) win on Brett Phillips’ 2 out, 2 strike rbi single that coupled with 2 L.A. players’ miscues, transformed a 1 run deficit, into a series squaring “T.B.” win made this World Series compelling, even in a 60 game regular season.
In addition the exciting ending evoked memories of other game 4 Dodgers’ World Series games classics.
Start with the fact, that exactly 39 years earlier, on Saturday October 24, 1981, in a season that was also considerably shorter due to a player’s strike, the Dodgers held on for an (8-7), game 4 win vs the Yankees, that squared a series, L.A. eventually won in 6 games.
In that tilt, the trailing team, as was the case in #4’s in 1941, 1947 and last night, had runners on first and second two out, facing defeat in at that time, a last at bat.
Exactly 39 years ago yesterday, (that tilt was in the glorious day, think how many missed last night’s conclusion, as it was too late), Steve Howe got Willie Randolph on a long fly ball, that Derrell Thomas caught against the centerfield wall at Dodger Stadium, to end the (8-7) L.A. win. Of course last night, they lost (8-7).
Players named Charlie Keller (he on the road, but his team down a run, runners at first and second two outs, albeit up 2 games to 1 in the 1941 World Series), Cookie Lavagetto in 1947’s #4 and now Brett Phillips all delivered clutch hits on plays that resulted in 2 runs scored and either victory (last night and in ’47 game ending victory) or eventual victory as the Yankees actually added 2 more runs on Joe Gordon’s double and (7-4’d) Brooklyn to take a (3-1) World Series lead, as cited on the road in 1941.
The Yankees went on to “5” the Dodgers in 1941 and despite the game 4 loss in ’47, in which Floyd “Bill” Bevens suffered the defeat, though allowing but one hit, that by Lavagetto, (they) 7’d the Dodgers.
We shall see what transpires in this one, the oddsmakers still have L.A. a (2:1) series “fave.” Tonight with Kershaw and Glasnow, a repeat of game 1’s starting pitcher matchup, L.A. is over an 8 to 5 favorite.
Brett Phillips, as an Omaha Chasers player just last year, pictured above.
The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2 games to 1 lead in the 2020 World Series, with a (6-2) Arlington Texas based win, in #3, last night.
Justin Turner set the tone with a 2 out, top 1, home run, vs losing pitcher, Charlie Morton.
The Dodgers added a pair of runs in the 3rd and 4th to back the excellent pitching of Walker Buehler.
The Rays are now (0-2) in game 3 of the World Series, as this series through 3 games is the same as the Phils, Rays, Phils and eventually Phils, Phils 2008 version. That was the only other Rays’ World Series appearance.
T.B. won game 3 and the series in both of their ALCS appearances.
The Dodgers, as L.A. played in their 7th Friday World Series game last night. They have been in one, 3 of the last 4 seasons and were in 3 in 5 seasons from (’77-’81). Counting a win game (that game 2 in the glorious day at Comiskey Park in Chicago), win series result in 1959, the Friday, World Series game winner in an L.A. Dodgers series is (5-1) and now a 5 to 1 “fave” to make it (6-1).
L.A. lost Friday World Series tilts in ’77,’78 and ’17 in eventual World Series losses. In addition to ’59, L.A. had a win/win (think Pesci’s comments to De Niro’s Jake LaMotta in “Raging Bull”) in ’81, while despite an 18 inning win in another excellent Buehler start (that a no decision for him but an L.A. win on Max Muncy’s home run—Muncy had a big 2 rbi single with 2 outs/T3 last night), L.A. lost that series to the Red Sox, who repeated a World Series triumph from 100 years earlier.
The game 4 winner of a Dodgers’ World Series is (17-3) and (12-1) starting in 1955.
Max “Friday night game 3” Muncy, pictured above.
The words from Joe Garagiola were “as expected the starters for game 1 of the 1965 World Series are Don Drysdale for the Dodgers and Jim “Mudcat” Grant for the Minnesota Twins.
There was no explanation, at least none in the pre game comments as to why Dodgers’ ace Sandy Koufax (Don was no slouch, having won 23 games, but clearly Sandy would have been the game 1 starter) was not the game 1 starter.
The reason was that Sandy decided not to pitch as game 1 fell on Yom Kippur. It is interesting, as Artie Johnson Might say “verrry,” that the reason Koufax was not pitching is not cited, at least not at the “top” pf the broadcast.
Andy B Sports 