Forty years have passed since rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson scored 42 points and Jamaal Wilkes had 37, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their second L.A. crown, winning a delayed tape telecast, game 6, in Philadelphia vs the 76ers.
The Lakers were without their great center, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, but led by Johnson, who became an NBA great that night and eventually an all-time player, went to Philadelphia and won the crown.
Among the many Lakers’ contributors that night was reserve guard and rarely used, Brad Holland, who hit some big shots.
I was in room 302 of a Howard Johnson’s hotel, watching the game live as it was shown live in Los Angeles and Philadelphia and recall listening to the great Lakers’ broadcaster, Chick Hearn.
Hearn in calling the game with ex-Lakers player, Keith Erickson, intoned “the layup” properly raising his voice, as Mr. Wilkes shot. It was more than once and shots from twenty plus feet, but Chick called it, “the layup” and each time he did, Wilkes made the shot.
It looks like the great Jamaal Wilkes #52 is about to shoot. Greg Ballard, a member of the ’78 Bullets title team, is defending.
Yesterday I “battled” through the many commercial breaks to watch a fine 1955 film, “Illegal,” starring the immortal Edward G. Robinson, on Movies channel.
I was very impressed with the entire cast, especially two female performers, Nina Foch and an up and coming Jayne Mansfield.
The day before “The Diary of Anne Frank,” a superb movie about the extraordinary courage of Anne Frank and others, aired on TCM.
Research revealed that Nina Foch, so good in so many films, including the seminal, “An American In Paris,” was an assistant to director George Stevens on “The Diary Of Anne Frank.”
Foch born in Netherlands, part of the film that told Anne Frank’s story in that country was so much more.
Most notable, was Ms. Foch’s work, teaching, in a tremendous and inspiring life.
The inspiring, Nina Foch, pictured above.
The games were incredible, and watching the 1986 NLCS on SNY is definitely recommended.
It was a six game series and telecasts commence at 7:30 each night on SNY.
It was a thrilling series and I was fortunate to have attended the 3 games at Shea Stadium (games 3-5).
Treasured memories abound.
I have a nice memory of Frank Cashen, the ’86 Mets General Manager, coming into the ABC booth, all excited after Len Dykstra’s home run won game 3 of the ’86 NLCS.
Near the end of his long broadcasting career, which was almost entirely with the New York Mets (I had not known, he was part of the Chicago White Sox broadcasting contingent for one season), the great home run hitter, Ralph Kiner was seated at the same table as me, in the press room.
He, of course, was the center of attention and someone asked, against which pitcher did he get his first major league hit? The game was Ralph’s Pittsburgh Pirates vs the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.
Ralph could not think of the “St. Loo” pitcher and I took an educated guess that is was (John) Beazley. I felt very good, when Ralph remembered it was Beazley.
John Beazley won the 2nd game of the ’42 World Series, with a big assist from Enos “Country” Slaughter.
Adding to yesterday’s post regarding that game which turned the ’42 World Series toward and inevitably for the Cardinals vs the Yankees, Mr. Slaughter had a “literal assist,” throwing out pinch runner George “Tuck” Stainback, who tried for third with none out T9, on John “Buddy” Hassett’s single to right.
As cited yesterday, Slaughter doubled with 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth, and scored the game’s last and decisive run on Stan Musial’s single.
One of Stan Musial’s biggest base hits, (further research may reveal it to be his biggest), was his game winning/decisive hit in game 2 of the 1942 World Series for his St. Louis Cardinals, vs the defending champion and vaunted New York Yankees.
It was the first of four straight Cards’ wins that gave them the ’42 title in 5 games.
St. Louis had dissipated a (3-0) lead when the Yankees scored 3 runs in the top of the eighth inning, with Charlie Keller, who had delivered the key hit in the ’41 World Series, tying the game with a 2 run home run off still winning pitcher, rookie John Beazley.
However, in the bottom of that inning,Enos “Country” Slaughter doubled with 2 outs and Stan singled up the middle to “tune in” Slaughter.
If one tuned in, a “mad dash” by Slaughter was the description, one four years before a much heralded such “mad dash.” Stay “tuned” here, for more notes in and around #2/1942 World Series.
Today a very nice episode of the newer, “What’s My Line?” that aired in 1972.
Monty Hall of “Let’s Make A Deal” fame is the mystery guest.
One great panelist from the glory days of the show, the delightful Arlene Francis remains.
Others are Soupy Sales, Melba Tolliver and Jack Cassidy.
Wally Bruner is the show’s host. The legendary Johnny Olson is the show’s announcer. Enjoy watching.
Fifty years ago today, on another Mother’s Day, the great (one can make a strong case for the greatest) hockey player and true gentleman, Bobby Orr took a return pass from Derek Sanderson and scored an overtime goal, that lifted the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup victory in 29 years.
That Bruins victory came vs the third year, St. Louis Blues, who last season 7’d the Bruins at Boston, to win their first crown.
This past Friday night marked the 50th anniversary of the New York Knicks winning their first NBA crown, in what was their 24th season. They were led to a game 7, home triumph vs the L.A. Lakers by Walt Frazier, who tallied 36 points.
Time flies, certainly moves inexorably and as it goes, I cite the Blues’ goaltender in the Bruins’ ’70 clincher, was the great Glenn Hall. He once played in 502 consecutive games and as time does go on, I dare say that record will stand.
Glenn Hall, 88 years old and pictured above next to a photo of Orr after the goal, cited by Bobby (Orr) and others as one of the greatest goaltenders ever, is not bothered by all the publicity, surrounding the May 10, 1970 goal.
He jokes “I think it was the only goal Bobby ever scored.”
I truly enjoyed watching the immortal Bette Davis, guest star in an episode of Perry Mason, which aired this past Wednesday on MeTV.
The episode originally aired in January, 1963 (season 6, episode 16) and was one of four with guest stars, as defense attorneys, filling in for Raymond Burr/”Perry Mason,” “both” of whom were hospitalized.
Mr. Burr is shown in a hospital room as “Mason,” speaking with “Constant Doyle,” the character played by Ms. Davis.
Bette is great, playing the courtroom scenes, smoking, doing it all with the flair and acting acumen, that made her among, if not, our best actress(es).
Please click below for a fine post by a “Mason” fan, which offers nice detail and perspective on both the episode and series.
Objection Overruled: Confessions of a Twentysomething Perry .
Bette Davis with William Hopper (“Paul Drake”) on the iconic television show, “Perry Mason.”
Tonight, I am looking forward to watching game 5 of the 1969 World Series, in which the New York Mets completed their “miracle” title, with a victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
The game will be shown on SNY from 7:30 to 10:30.
In games 3 and 4 shown the last two nights, I enjoyed the excellent coverage by NBC, with its preeminent director Harry Coyle.
Curt Gowdy, Lindsey Nelson and roving reporter Tony Kubek all did a superb job.
Just before pinch runner Rod Gaspar actually scored to win game 4, recently retired United States Chief Justice, Earl Warren predicted that he (Gaspar) would score.
Gaspar was on second base with none out. (Earl) Warren like N.L. President Warren Giles, also interviewed by Kubek, was not impartial.
He told Kubek, he was rooting for the Mets.
Jerry Koosman, pictured above won 2 games for the Mets in the 1969 World Series.
Ken Stabler was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. I have many great recollections of QB Stabler and running back Clarence Davis.
In the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff Game, known for the “Immaculate Reception” that won it for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ken Stabler “The Snake” ran around the left end and went 30 yards for a touchdown. That gave the Raiders a (7-6) lead late in the game. Clarence Davis happily “greeted” Stabler after the play.
Much more in ’74 and ’76 involving Ken and Clarence that I will detail in upcoming posts.
Ken Stabler, pictured above.
So many “Fame” voters are overly impressed by statistics and “compilers.”
Those voters do not properly appreciate “impact,” which Ken Stabler had in great measure.
Andy B Sports 