Yesterday, the Supe 1 (it was not called the Super Bowl then) entrants, the defending champion (12-1) Kansas City Chiefs and (10-3) Green Bay Packers had “no cover” victories and when the (11-2) Steelers and (10-3) Saints lost, moved into the lead for their respective conference top seeds, seemingly the only one that matters.
K.C. which was on an incredible “cover” run, won for the 21st time in their last 22 tilts, which includes their required 3 wins that vaulted them to the 2019 NFL crown.
Now they lead in a bid to get the AFC “1” seed and thus need 3 NOT 4 ‘offs wins to repeat as champions.
The Packers, who as was the case with the Chefs, failed to cover when a kicker was “sent on,” to “cut” what really was an insurmountable deficit, own the tiebreaker with the Saints, who are a 4 point “home” underdog vs K.C. next week, in a likely “Pooh/Hedge Fund/Nantz” CBS late afternoon game.
In remembering the great player, Dick Allen, yet another of that vintage who died in 2020, in his case, at age 78 days back, I choose, at least initially in my tangential writing, not to rage about his dying, without having been put into Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Unable to truly express it, the racism Allen faced and my naivety regarding media/games and the view through the lens of a 13 year old will be referenced , but how in the world, this cruel world, could I walk in Allen’s shoes and feel what he felt.
Instead it is Sunday June 4, 1972 and after I believe three televised Yankees’ games vs the White Sox in a 4 game series, the second game of a doubleheader is radio only, with the great, but decidedly pro Yankees, Phil Rizzuto, calling the bottom of the ninth inning.
Allen, who once hit a home run that left the worldly, “seen so much,” late Dave Reichberg, with his mouth wide open, a story “Stone” has repeated “quite often” (ode to Jim Brown’s praise of Sam Huff as he attached himself to the real “J.B.” “quite often”) hit a game winning 3 run home run off the excellent relief pitcher Al “Sparky” Lyle that yielded a two run Chisox win and 3 of 4 in the series.
The 13 year old me was happy Allen was a no show for a June twilight night doubleheader vs the “to be,” miracle World Series winning, Mets, that my dad took the “Strato League” (Strat-O-Matic) baseball) (5 of us) to see in June 1969.
Later in the year, Allen helped the Mets again, hitting some big blows vs the Cubs, the team the Mets overtook to win the N.L. East.
In 1964, as a rookie of the year player, though his Phillies essentially “blew” the pennant, his team still had a chance on the glorious, no wild card garbage, final day.
Allen had a home run that helped sink the Reds and at the time the Cards, the eventual winners, were struggling to salvage one win vs the then lowly, third year Mets.
Dick Allen was great in his one year as a Dodgers player and was glorious, winning the 1972 A.L. MVP with the White Sox.
I believe God/whatever force will back Mr. Allen’s positive view on real grass. (About artificial turf he said “if a horse will not eat it, I do not like playing on it).
After all, did not God/whatever force put grass here?! History and such will praise him for standing up to the personal injustice, he suffered and while Mr. Allen, as with all of us, was not perfect, he was an incredible talented figure.
I treasure the great memories and you know what they can do with a Hall of Fame that denies Pete Rose and likely will even after his death, and did same to the magnificent player, Dick Allen.
Please click below for a fine recollection/obituary notice by Richard Goldstein from The New York Times, detailing some of the bigotry Allen faced and more of his great baseball achievements.
Dick Allen, 78, Dies; Baseball Slugger Withstood Bigotry …
After a while, a classic episode of “What’s My Line?” returns.
It originally aired on December 1, 1957 with the legendary, great movie star, Errol Flynn as the mystery guest.
The panelists were regulars: Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf and another on quite often, Martin Gabel. Mr. Gabel amd Ms. Francis were married.
John Charles Daly was the show’s host.
Enjoy watching.
A la the singer/storyteller in Bobby Vinton’s “Roses Are Red,” last week I “wrote into this post:
In one, the Raiders, then in Oakland and now in their first year as Las Vegas and in contention with a (6-5) mark, meet the (0-11) New York Jets. In ’70 both George Blanda and Daryle Lamonica threw touchdown passes to Warren Wells in a (14-13) Oakland victory.
I believe the winning score was in the waning seconds, with Wells catching the ball after a deflection. Mr. Blanda, whose game ending/game winning exploits that season were/are legendary, booted the decisive extra point.
Incredibly, on a ridiculous Jets’ coverage, Raiders’ Derek Carr to Henry Ruggs, waning seconds touchdown, it happened again, as the (7-5) Raiders stayed in the AFC ‘offs race, winning vs the (0-12) Jets.
In the other two exact 50 year anniversary tilts (Browns/Titans nee Oilers was a day later, 50 years earlier), the same franchise won, as the (9-3) Browns won at the (8-4) Titans nee Oilers and the (11-1) Chiefs, (16-0) victors vs Denver in ’70, won (22-16), as 13 plus point(s) “faves” last week.
There were 26 teams, thus 13 games each week in 1970 NFL. That was the first of what is now 51 years of the AFC/NFC configuration.
Ten of the thirteen teams that won on December 6, 1970 (again the Browns/Oilers was on Monday night. That week one non Sunday day game, last week there were four) won last week. Only Dallas, S.F. and Cincinnati did not. Only Cincy played on Sunday December 6th last week.
Among the 13 teams/franchises that lost in the referenced week in 1970, only four won last week, (Pats, Bills, Wash and New Orleans), with the Bills and “Wash” each doing so on Monday, not Sunday.
Jorge Santayana, you know what he said about history, if not as my mother often said “look it up,” is pictured above.
Forty years ago, I wrote “Just as John Smith was getting ready to attempt a potential game winning field goal for the Pats vs the Dolphins, Howard Cosell on the Monday Night Football telecast, announced the shocking, tragic news that John Lennon had been killed.”
It still resonates and hurts that this great artist and man of peace was taken away. So many in this country, need I cite John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King?!
40 years and John was only forty/40 years old. “Imagine” what he could have contributed had he lived.
Give peace a chance!
The inspirational, charitable, Rafer Johnson, so much more than an Olympic champion, died days back, at the age of 86.
While any of us, so called sports fans rightfully marvel at Johnson’s athletic feats and prowess, which includes a gold medal in the decathalon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and a silver medal in same at the Melbourne, Victoria, Australia event in 1956, a man denied his Olympic chance by politics (a euphonism for the hate and terror of Hitler and the utter hypocrisy and “goose step following’ of the U.S. Olympic Committee headed by Avery Brundage), Marty Glickman talked of what the Olympics could be and that is great comradery between the competing athletes.
Rare if ever, in any sport, was it better demonstrated than in the 1960 Decathalon final event when Rafer’s U.C.L.A. teammate and lifelong friend, but also competitor, urged him on and he captured the prize.
There is a prize in victory, especially in glorious competition, however the real “prize” of friendship in that event, has always resonated far beyond what lists Johnson and Yang’s 1-2 finish.
Additionally, Rafer worked tirelessly on behalf of the Special Olympics and in a perhaps related, “you do what you can but bad, real bad” does seap in, helped along with football star Roosevelt Grier get the gun away from Sirhan Sirhan, but tragically, not before his shots entered and eventually killed Robert F. Kennedy, a final, sick blow from a society that condones and promotes senseless violence.
Through it all, Rafer stood tall, a beacon of light and help, as we all go on, now 60 years after his Olympic moment with Mr. Yang and without either still on this angst ridden planet.
Memories include his brother Jim, #37 with the San Francisco 49ers, more than a Hall of Fame player, so good they rarely threw at him.
A tribute or two can be “linked” below, the silent footage of Johnson, Yang and the Russian bronze winner, Vasily Kuznetsov on the stand is moving and priceless.
Thanks for being and giving so much, Rafer.
First of all, a remembrance of Val Pinchback, who for many years led the NFL schedule making process. One day, more on Mr. Pinchbeck, who met a tragic death, when he was struck by a New York City cab.
I like the fact this year’s schedule has “paid some attention” to the great and same calendar, 1970 season, the first of now 51, with the AFC/NFC configuration.
This week, three same week reduxes, two on the exact date Sunday December 6th, the other 1 day shy of exactly 50 years after a December 7, 1970 Browns/Oilers tilt.
Starting there, as this Sunday December 6th, the Cleveland Browns, albeit the expansion Browns and NOT the franchise of Jim Brown and Otto Graham, though the NFL records say it is, and Tennessee Titans nee Houston Oilers, a pair of (8-3) teams, clash at the Titans/Oilers venue.
In the next to last Monday night tilt of the first year of the “package” in 1970, the Browns stayed in the ’70 ‘offs race, winning (21-10) at the Astrodome, vs the Oilers.
As he did in the first Monday Night Football “Package” (package— because there were other occasional Monday night NFL tilts, most notably one in which the Packers unveiled their great return man, Travis Williams, one who “lived” (existed is a better word for it) on the streets years later) game on September 21, 1970, the great Gary Collins, perhaps on his patented “post pattern,” scored the game’s first points.
Also tomorrow, two more exact 50 year rematches at the same team’s venue, albeit at a different location, 50 years later.
In one, the Raiders, then in Oakland and now in their first year as Las Vegas and in contention with a (6-5) mark, meet the (0-11) New York Jets. In ’70 both George Blanda and Daryle Lamonica threw touchdown passes to Warren Wells in a (14-13) Oakland victory.
I believe the winning score was in the waning seconds, with Wells catching the ball after a deflection. Mr. Blanda, whose game ending/game winning exploits that season were/are legendary, booted the decisive extra point.
Finally, tomorrow night, again at the home of a defending champion Kansas City Chiefs team, the Denver Broncos provide the opposition.
In winning the 4th Supe, now close to 51 years ago, Jan Stenerud kicked 3 field goals before Mike Garrett “TD’d” on a run, to give K.C. a (16-0) lead in an eventual (23-7) triumph, vs the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings.
On December 6, 1970 the Chiefs got the touchdown first, (Ed Podolak ran 65 yards for the score) then 3 Jan field goals and that was all the scoring in a (16-0) win.
In ’70 both the Raiders and Chiefs were in contention while the Jets and Broncos were not. That is the case now, fifty years later. Then, while the Browns were in contention, the Oilers now the Titans were not. Now both with (8-3) records, not only are in contention, but also likely ‘offs qualifiers.
I need not be specific (content on file) regarding the latest spewed by non stop talking Cris Collinsworth and Kirk Herbstreit. Possibly you read “re” it.
The duo on the ESPN telecast of Michigan State’s upset win vs Northwestern made unbelievable errors in perspective, 2 by each of the pair, just at the end of the tilt.
Clay of the so called play by play, (Matvick) said “I guess we could call it an upset” regarding a win by a 24 point underdog earlier this season.
The commentator (Rocky Boiman), twice called both Northwestern and Michigan State “great teams.” Additionally in obvious run situations, he talked as though a pass was certain. Of course “Mich State” ran.
Most of them just blabber on. Sound off, from now on.
One was great. His name was Al DeRogatis and he only came in when the also great, Marty Glickman called for him to do so. As with so many things, “they” ruined it, with the latest a new low.
It took an unprecedented 7 days (Thurs. to Wednesday) to complete the NFL’s 12th week of action.
Really, only the one seed matters, as far as seeding for the ‘offs and in the AFC, Pittsburgh (Steelers) with an (11-0) mark leads the (10-1), defending champion K.C. Chiefs. I will try to find out more about tiebreakers between those two teams.
In the NFC, New Orleans, currently without the superb, yet over rated quarterback, Drew Brees, leads at (9-2) while the Green Bay Packers (they won at New Orleans, hence have a tiebreaker advantage vs the Saints) and Seattle Seahawks are (8-3).
All three should win their “divs,” (which other than betting means little as there are no fans and but one bye in a 7 team ‘offs field), certainly New Orleans and “G.B.” will.
Three AFC teams are (8-3) and likely playoff(s) qualifiers. They are the South leading Tennessee Titans, the East leading Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.
In the long week of pro pig, there were 11 clashes between a team that both lost outright and did not cover the spread vs one that at least won or covered.
After Houston (Texans) a week before “winner/winner” ripped previous week loser/loser Detroit, in front of “Houston lover/Hedge Fund “Pooh” Jim Nantz, in the first of the sick, long week’s NFL tilts, the next 10 previous week loser/losers either won or covered, doing the latter 9 times. (Only “Minne” vs Carolina did not cover).
First off, The 1965 (listed as released in 1964) Sidney Lumet directed film (he also directed the 1988 film, “Running on Empty,” part of which I saw the other day on TCM. Those two and so many others in a magnificent career) “The Pawnbroker,” is just about the most powerful and well made film, I have ever seen.
Rod Steiger is absolutely magnificent and uncompromising in his role as a Holocaust survivor, yet in the apples/oranges Academy Awards that year, he was denied, by Lee Marvin’s excellent performance, in a lighter film, “Cat Ballou,” which starred Jane Fonda.
In a classic “make up call,” Mr. Steiger, was awarded the best actor award two years later, for his also great, but not as great performance, in director Norman Jewison’s “In The Heat of the Night,” in which his southern sheriff/police chief teams with Sidney Poitier’s “Virgil Tibbs,” to solve a murder, amidst racial overtones.
At the end, Mr. Steiger’s “Gillespie” says “you take care Virgil,” to Mr. Poitier’s “Tibbs.” It is beyond moving.
Now fast forward, 20 plus years to the excellent television show with the same name/title, which airs each weekday, at 11 A.M. Eastern Time on MeTV.
The great Carroll O’Connor scored a second seminal role (he was of course, “Archie Bunker” on the one and only “All In The Family”) as Gillespie, with Howard Rollins playing “Virgil Tibbs.”
“Gillespie” has evolved, as has his relationship with “Tibbs.” In the first of the two part episode (the second part today), in which among other things, “Gillespie” is kidnapped, Rollins’ “Tibbs” is moved to tears, as he looks at pictures and other items in “Gillespie’s” office.
It is a beautiful scene and illustrates what can happen, when one does not see or at least does not evaluate another, by the color of their skin.
The late Arthur Curry of HBO Sports once paid me that compliment, (he said “you don’t see color” to me), one the great running back, Larry Brown paid legendary coach Vince Lombardi, when they were together with the Washington football team.
On we go, though it gets tougher, when good happens to bad. I had to see it, I guess I did.
Again, keep going!!
Mr. Steiger in “The Pawnbroker.”
Andy B Sports 