One can make the case Ed Walsh had baseball’s greatest pitching season and that Harvey Haddix turned in the greatest pitched game.
Surely each feat is among the best.
I link Ed Walsh and Harvey Haddix, as stated in yesterday’s post, (Dorothy Schiff has “spun” more times than any hit record), because Walsh died on the day Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitched 12 perfect innings (vs the 2 time N.L. champion, hard hitting Milwaukee Braves) only to lose, on May 26, 1959.
Walsh hurled a post 1900 record sure to last many moons, if not forever, 464 innings and won 40 games in 1908.
Harvey Haddix, pictured above, won 2 games in the 1960 World Series, including game 7.
Something called the coronavirus has made it “necessary” to cancel many events, including all in the world of major sports. That includes the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
I “react” with lots of sports nostalgia, which I am wont to do anyway.
Upcoming, as I pondered “distinguish between Ed Walsh and Ed Plank,” two great early twentieth century pitchers, I noticed “Big” Ed Walsh died on the same day (May 26, 1959–I noticed the date and thought correctly) Harvey Haddix lost a game, despite hurling 12 perfect innings.
Tomorrow, more to link Ed Walsh and Harvey Haddix with other notes.
Meanwhile, NOW seems a good time not only to reflect, but to read and expand one’s horizons, certainly beyond sports and especially beyond the incessant, “same thing” sports talk, that permeates the airwaves.
Ed Walsh, pictured above, both once won 40 games in a season and hurled well over 400 innings in another. More on this great, tomorrow.
It is almost certain that once again the Montreal Canadiens (The Habs) will not only fail to win the Stanley Cup, but also fail to make the NHL playoffs.
The once great, great franchise is not on Bettman’s/NBC favorite list but alas the problems and ineptitude of the Habs does go deeper.
After news of Henri Richard’s death, the Canadiens lost at Florida. Worse, in a home game when surely Richard was honored at least briefly, Nashville (Predators) doubled the Canadiens (4-2).
Alas and this applies to much else, but where?!
Of course, what counts are the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs, however, “no matter what” kudos go out to the St. Louis Blues for a fine regular season performance, following their underdog run to their first title last season.
St. Louis, is in a battle with the Colorado Avalanche, not only for the Central Division crown but also the NHL Western Conference top seed. Only the Boston Bruins, whom the Blues 7’d in last year’s NHL final, are relatively certain to finish the regular season with more points than the Blues.
Again, the ‘offs are what counts and fine regular season play has meant little as far as determining good playoff performances.
Yet after last year’s title, this is a “house money” season for the Blues and to this point, it has been an excellent one.
Blues head coach Craig Berube pictured above. He guided the Blues to their first title last season.
He is pictured above as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers, an old Blues’ rival from the days of the expansion NHL West (1968-1970) and a team also having a fine regular season.
Today, another wonderful episode of the television show, “What’s My Line?”
The beautiful Jayne Mansfield is the mystery guest.
Panelists are Dorothy Kilgallen, Martin Gabel, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s host.
The dramatic play, “Drift” (at New World Stages 340 West 50th Street), written by William Francis Hoffman is riveting, entertaining and ultimately sensational.
A stellar cast which includes Emmy Award winner Joe Pantoliano (“Ralph” on “The Sopranos” and his character in “Risky Business” said “time of your life kid,” long before a current Domino’s pizza ad does same) provided superb, searing performances.
That cast is Alex Mickiewicz as middle brother “Angelo,” Patrick Brennan as older brother, “Joe” and Griffin Osborne as youngest brother and hope against the tide of destruction, “Vinny.”
Richard R. Henry and Mark Lotito round out what again, is a superb cast.
One feels 1957 Chicago, the neighborhood, the tough times and the searing emotions. The story moved me tremendously, thoughts of my family racing out, swirling in my brain. Quite an experience!
Award winning Bobby Moresco is the director.
Click below for ticket information.
Joe Pantoliano, pictured above, and the entire cast of “Drift” help make it a tremendous dramatic work.
One way to look at the great Henri Richard, who died days back at age 84, is the fact he had more than half as many Stanley Cup titles, all with the Montreal Canadiens, than he had actual birthdays. (Henri, who died on March 6th, a scant 6 days after turning 84, had 21 actual birthdays, having been born on February 29, 1936).
Eleven Stanley Cup titles! That is more than any other player, the classy, great Jean Beliveau, whom I did meet, played on 10 title teams. Only the great Bill Russell, who played on 11 title winners with the Boston Celtics matches Henri Richard’s 11 playing crowns in any major or for that matter, minor North American sports league. Also it is a record that may never be broken.
Back to Beliveau and 10 titles, he gained it and Henri’s 10th as well, in a (3-2) win at Chicago in game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup final vs the Blackhawks.
Henri Richard scored the tying goal in the second period and the last goal/Stanley Cup winning goal in the third period. Has anyone ever been “that clutch” in a “winner take all game?!” In any sport?!
The man known as “The Pocket Rocket” (his legendary older brother Maurice was “The Rocket”) also scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in game 6 at Detroit vs the Red Wings, in the 1966 Stanley Cup final.
Others have 2 Stanley Cup winning goals but theirs do not match Richard’s in terms of importance to the overall result.
It is that fact, the winning, the skill (twice leading the league in assists) and most of all the determination, that makes Henri Richard an unforgettable great.
Some say Henri got his chance from Canadiens’ executive, Frank Selke, as a favor to brother Maurice, with whom Henri would play on 5 consecutive Stanley Cup winners, in Maurice’s last 5 seasons (’56-’60). Maybe so, with Henri, of course proving to be great.
That “favor” will not be necessary if and when God/G-d picks his hockey team, as Henri Richard easily makes the grade.
Below the great broadcaster, Danny Gallivan calls Henri Richard’s Stanley Cup winning goals in 1966 and then 1971. Dick Irvin, also a great, adds commentary in 1971.
Henri Richard, pictured and headed ABOVE.
Last night’s L.A. Lakers’ home win vs the top ranked Milwaukee Bucks, keeps L.A. in the race for the top NBA seed.
Milwaukee is but 3 games ahead of the Lakers in the loss column and I think that the Lakers would have the tiebreaker, should the teams finish with the same record.
There is a relatively long way to go and I think the Bucks will still get the best record.
Surely, the Lakers led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis and almost certain Western Conference top seeds, are a viable title threat.
Lucius Allen, pictured on the right played for both the Bucks and Lakers. A great player, Walt Frazier is also pictured with I believe Tom Meschery in the backround.
The season twelve (1971) “Bonanza” episode, “The Stillness Within,” which aired this week on MeTV, was compelling and featured superb acting by guest star Jo Van Fleet and series regular, Michael Landon.
Van Fleet plays “Ellen Dobbs,” who comes to Landon’s character “Little Joe’s” aid, when he loses his sight in an explosion.
As you might expect, he regains it.
It is the interaction, especially in the the final scene between Landon and Van Fleet, that makes this such a memorable episode.
The amazing actress, Jo Van Fleet, pictured above.
Today, a truly interesting episode of “What’s My Line?”
Jim Piersall is a mystery guest as is Paul Douglas. Jim was a great defensive outfielder while Douglas had many excellent roles/performances, including those in “Angels In The Outfield,” and “It Happens Every Spring” both baseball movies.
Panelists are Arlene Francis, then Florida senator, George Smathers, Dorothy Kilgallen and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s host.The video runs over, repeating parts and seems to have “cut off” part of the segment with Paul Douglas.
Despite that, this is a really fine episode from the iconic show.
Andy B Sports 