Now as promised the Hall of Fame players or managers from the day action of June 5, 1963.
The Mets sent the wonderful Edwin “Duke” Snider into the game as a pinch hitter.
Both Snider and Mets’ 1963 manager eventually made the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Take time to think of the at least 9 players (4 on the Cubs and 5 on the S.F. Giants) who were in uniform for that day’s, Cubs’ D.H. sweep of the first place Giants.
Answer and more notes tomorrow.
The superb player, Edwin “Duke” Snider, pictured above.
Though as stated numerous times here, the fact Pete (Rose of curse) is not in and that others I feel not deserving, are in, I think less, far less of Baseball’s Hall of Fame, than I once did.
However, having been once of awe of it, I still consider it a good gauge at players performance and contribution, to the great game of baseball.
Thus, I consider just the day action from June 5, 1963, in that regard.
In the already cited Milwaukee Braves (11-9) win at the “Polo Grounds” Mets, future Hall of Famers, Warren Spahn the Braves starter, Henry Aaron (rightfield), Ed Mathews (third base) and Joe Torre (pinch batter and replacement for Bob Uecker, alas, another Hall of Famer though not for his playing prowess) appeared in the tilt for the Braves.
Tomorrow, I will cite Mets and players from an afternoon doubleheader in which the first place S.F. Giants, the defending N.L. champions, visited the surging Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
It was (Arthur) Lee Maye, (later a menacing hitter named Lee May graced baseball), whose t 10th, 2 rbi single, produced the game’s last and decisive runs.
Maye was also well known as a rhythm & blues singer. He was the lead singer of the Los Angeles-based doo-wop group Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns in the 1950s.
I really enjoyed “happy would have been 100th birthday” films in tribute to Yul Brynner, yesterday, on TCM.
The films presented with good backround information from TCM host Dave Karger, were “Journey” and “The Brothers Karamazov,” the latter based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic novel.
In addition to Mr. Brynner, such acting greats as Deborah Kerr (in “Journey” three years after she and Brynner were brilliant together in the 1956 film, “The King and I”), Jason Robards Jr. and Lee J. Cobb were featured.
“Journey” was Robards screen debut, while Cobb played Brynner’s father in “The Brothers Karamazov.”
The great actor, Yul Brynner, pictured above.
There is so much “in and around” the Milwaukee Braves’ (11-9) win at the Polo Grounds vs the home team, New York Mets on June 5, 1963.
First an indulgence to numbers,sad ones. June 5, 1963 is 6/5/63 and on the day of an (11-9) game, I cite 6 and 5 equal 11, while 6 plus 3 equals 9. Oh those numbers, nine and eleven.
More positive is the game, not for the late great pitcher, Warren Spahn, I suppose. He amassed 363 big league wins, but was denied one that day despite his Milwaukee team leading (8-0) after 4 and a half innings and (9-1) headed into the Mets’ 6th inning.
In future posts, more on the game and other “around the game” details, starting with the Mets 7 run 6th inning.
The great pitcher, Warren Spahn, pictured above.
Last night TCM paid tribute to a wonderful actor, Max von Sydow, who died last March, at the age of 90.
Just after a promo in which the other TCM hosts trumpeted Ben Mankiewicz as a host, he did not disappoint, as his eloquence, factual information and sincerity, came shining through, in tribute to Mr. von Sydow.
First “Hannah and Her Sisters,” a great film directed by Woody Allen and then the incomparable Ingmar Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal,” were the first two films shown in tribute.
Mr. von Sydow was great in both and so much else. His role was that of Jesus in “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and his remarks about how Jesus would feel about televangelists in the ’86 “Hannah and Her Sisters,” (not favorable, not by a long shot), bookend his greatness.
The fact he went on in roles for another thirty years, adds to why Max von Sydow is on a short list of acting greats.
Click below to view a nice tribute to Mr. von Sydow from JoBlo Video.
Today I received what is a nice honor, certainly a “pick me up” amidst the conditions. as my post “Onlooker” which cites the great Rodney Dangerfield was posted on WILDsound Festival.
Below is the link, enjoy their fine site and if so inclined, read my original post from months back.
WILDsound Festival.
“Onlooker:” The Great Rodney Dangerfield — Andy B Sports
More in the days ahead.
Today a really nice, special episode of “What’s My Line?” from May, 1953, with the great Sid Caesar as the mystery guest.
Host John Charles Daly states with great prescience that television will always owe a great debt to Mr. Caesar for his contributions.
Panelists are Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf and husband and wife, Martin Gabel and Arlene Francis.
Enjoy the episode.
They really are going to play abbreviated seasons, (essentially playoffs) in the NHL (not that bad), baseball (horrible and ridiculous, think of past teams ahead after roughly three eighths of the season) and NBA (worst of all–no fans, no gain from regular season prowess).
This pales compared to other obvious problems, but look no further than the leadership in these sports and of course “the king/pro football,” to easily see evidence of this not having the glory of ancient Athens, alas nowhere near, despite the potential and natural advantages afforded us.
There is not only no Socrates or Plato, alas Pete is not to be in the “Hall” and they will play a 60 game baseball season.
The Acropolis of Athens as seen from the Hill of the Muses.
Tomorrow, my “muses” will take me to a more optimistic form, with a post revealing an episode of “What’s My Line?”
A few notes on that Mets/Braves game played July 9, 1967 and others that Sunday, before the All-Star Game and break.
In Pittsburgh, the great Pirates’ player, Willie Stargell homered off Jim Maloney, pitching in relief, (Maloney was an excellent starter, used in relief that day, as the All-Star break was next) tied (1-1) B9, lifting the “Buccos” (2-1), vs the Cincinnati Reds.
Frank Howard increased his major league home run lead with two that day as his Washington Senators won the first game at Cleveland (Indians).
Finally, in the Mets (5-4) win vs the Braves, the biggest moment was a 2 out, game tying, solo home run by pinch hitter, Jerry Buchek, in the two run Mets ninth inning.
A bases loaded walk to Ron Swoboda ended the tilt, one noteworthy for Mets manager Wes Westrum sending up Buchek to hit for Bud Harrelson, who as noted yesterday was 4 for 4.
The Mets needed a home run, thus no Harrelson, and Buchek delivered with a drive over right fielder and great home run hitter, Henry Aaron.
Jerry Buchek, pictured as a St. Louis Cardinals player, pictured above.
Andy B Sports 