The hits, all negative, just keep on coming–the latest being the death of a fine actor, Chadwick Boseman, at the so young age of 43, leaving remarkable work both behind and ahead of him.
In the movie “42,” in which Mr. Boseman played the indomitable Jackie Robinson, it is falsely depicted that a Jackie home run ends the game, in which the 1947 Dodgers clinch the pennant.
That, however, does not take away from Boseman’s excellent portrayal, one he also accomplished playing Thurgood Marshall. Less known but in the sports realm, he portrayed the great running back Floyd Little in “The Express” about another great, one who died tragically young, Ernie Davis.
In collaboration with Michael Santasieri, who went on to work, helping autistic adults, I named an “Electric Football” player, subliminally, Thurgood Marshall.
Once, that tiny quarterback figure took off, the little motor purring and seemed to go the wrong way, before turning around and breaking clear for a touchdown.
All of us, but especially in this “US,” face steps forward and back.
Chadwick Boseman took many forward and leaves us way too early, however, with much good work.
Maybe, we can turn and go forward again, however, even what would be a start toward rectifying the injustice, is now only “pick em.”
As Tom Bosley’s “Howard Cunningham” laments in an early “Happy Days” episode, prejudice, really racism, has been around longer.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning advanced to their 4th semi-final round in 6 seasons, riding Victor Hedman’s second overtime period goal in game 5 to beat Boston (Bruins), the Philadelphia Flyers, despite dissipating a two goal lead late in the third period, won game 5 in overtime, to force #6 vs the New York Islanders, in their “quarter,” on Thursday night.
History, which repeated when for the 5th time in 5 Flyers/Islanders series, one team had a (3-1) series lead, did so again, as now in all 5 series, the team first facing elimination, won that game to extend the series.
Most famous was ’75, when the Flyers needed a game 7 win to “semi” the Islanders, in a series they once led 3 games to none.
Teams facing elimination are (8-2) in Flyers/Islanders series.
Victor Hedman, pictured above.
Yesterday, while the Denver Nuggets forced just the second deciding game and first 7th game of this year’s basketball and hockey ‘offs, (16 NHL and 6 NBA series have been completed) three NHL teams joined the Tampa Bay Lightning with seemingly commanding (it appears that teams up (3-1) in NHL best of 7 series are (284-29) but I remember when no team had overcome a straight (3-1) deficit though the ’42 Leafs had overcome a (3-0) deficit) three games to one, NHL quarterfinal series leads.
Meanwhile the Clippers 6’d the Mavericks and the Celtics “opened” the Raptors, winning game 1 of their “quarter.”
The three NHL teams that took (3-1) series leads yesterday are the Dallas Stars, New York Islanders and Las Vegas Golden Knights.
The Dallas Stars are one win away from their 11th “semis” appearance and first since 2008.
From (1975-1984), the New York Islanders made the NHL semi-final round nine times. They were in just their third season when they made their first such appearance in 1975, losing in 7 games to the eventual champion, Philadelphia Flyers.
Currently the Islanders lead the Flyers, who have not won the title since that ’75 season 2 games to one in their quarterfinal series.
The Islanders (5-5) all time in semis, have made just one semi-final appearance after ’84, that a 5 game loss to the eventual and to this point last Montreal Canadiens’ title team in 1993.
Today a fine episode of “To Tell The Truth,” that aired in 1959.
One of the contestants was Don Drysdale, a pitcher on the recently crowned 1959 baseball champions.
Panelists were Kitty Carlisle, Don Ameche, Monique Van Vooren and Tom Poston.
Bud Collyer is the show’s host.
Enjoy watching.
It REALLY would have meant something, if instead of boycotting NBA games for at most, a few days–the players packed up and went home.
There never should have been this joke of a season (they actually played more regular season games) and even the tragic shooting(s) by authority figures could not outdo money.
Hint: The cops, by en large, like sports. Let them be without it. Let us all be without it, and get back on track.
Again, I will not hold my precious breath. Maybe and certainly tragically, somewhere George Floyd can relate.
Read a book, then go watch Orenthal James Simpson run on television, on the football field in 1968. I did.
All eight participants in the current NHL quarterfinal round have been to the final round, with only the Colorado Avalanche (they are down (2-0) to the Dallas Stars), not on a final round loss skein.
Only current “quarters” opponents, the Las Vegas Golden Knights (they are in just their third season and made the final round in their first season) and Vancouver Canucks, among the 8 have never won the title.
Vancouver, in its 49th to be completed season, is (0-3) in final round play. The Vancouver/Las Vegas series is tied at one game apiece, with “L.V.” still a big series favorite, but nowhere near as big, as before last night’s Vancouver series squaring victory.
In future posts more notes on the current final round loss streaks, of 7 of the 8 “quarters” entrants.
The great player, Mike Bossy, was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, when the Islanders won their third straight crown, sweeping the Vancouver Canucks in the 1982 final.
Vancouver lost 7 game NHL final round series to the New York Rangers in ’94 and Boston Bruins in 2011.
It was the Rangers’ first title in 54 years while the ’11 triumph was the first for the Bruins in 39 years.
In the NBA East, it is almost certain that the conference’s semi-final round will match the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics (that is certain) while the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Orlando Magic, 3 games to 1, will face the Miami Heat.
The Celtics (Boston is now 14-6 vs the Sixers franchise in ‘offs series and this was the first time in 16 best of 7 series between the franchises, 14 as Boston vs Philadelphia-there were two best of 7 series matching Boston and the Syracuse Nationals– either team swept the other), Raptors and Heat all swept their “prelims,” with Milwaukee, likely (12 or so point favorites) to make it 4 straight wins, after dropping their series opener to the Orlando Magic.
In Western Conference play, (can not say out west as this “charade,” which I fear will benefit the great player, but systemic “team switcher,” LeBron James–alas I hail his efforts to fight systemic racism, albeit with speech peppered with “double negatives,” is being played in a bubble in East coast Florida) the Lakers led by James and Utah led by Donovan Mitchell have (3-1) series leads vs Portland and Denver respectively.
The Clippers, a potential roadblock to another “King James coronation,” are (2-2) with Dallas, while Houston, I suppose the tougher potential Lakers’ “quarters” foe are (2-2) vs Oklahoma City.
I once loved the Lakers, suffering their many close call defeats and as my late father remarked, getting “is that all there is,” but relief from their 6 titles (’72 and 5 with Magic., Kareem and Company in the ’80’s, before no longer rooting for them). It has been a long, sick road and why do I care?!!
Donovan Mitchell has led the Utah Jazz to a (3-1) series lead vs the higher seeded favorite Denver Nuggets.
Denver and the Clippers are the only teams among the 16 NBA ‘offs qualifiers, never to have made an NBA final series.
Angela Buxton, who partnered with the great Althea Gibson, to win major Women’s Double titles at both the French Open and Wimbledon in 1956, died recently at age 85.
Significantly in an age of greater prejudice and restriction (of course its ugliness is still a big part of reality), Ms. Buxton of Jewish descent and Ms. Gibson a Black woman, stirred emotions as they teamed for tennis victories.
Angela Buxton’s career was cut short due to a severe hand injury when she was just 22.
Later, she was instrumental in helping Althea Gibson overcome financial hardship.
I just hope the players of today realize what the likes of Buxton and Gibson endured and for far less money. However, I will not hold my breath.
Angela Buxton, pictured above.
Today another fine episode of “What’s My Line?”
The iconic actor, Edward G. Robinson was the mystery guest in this episode from 1953.
Panelists are Dorothy Kilgallen, Steve Allen, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s host.
Enjoy.
