You know what they say about opinions! They are like a certain part of the body, everyone has one.
Recently, I heard the very knowledgeable baseball reporter, Suzyn Waldman opine that Mookie Betts, recently dealt from the Boston Red Sox to the team they 5’d in the ’18 World Series, the L.A. Dodgers, is as good as any player in today’s game, adding she had not seen Mike Trout, the consensus top choice, play all that much. I can “live” with that statement.
However, Ms. Waldman called Mookie Betts “a 27 year old Willie Mays” and that is in my (strong) opinion going way too far.
Even to this point, Betts, a truly outstanding player, has not approached the level of Willie’s greatness.
I seriously doubt he will do so over a 20 plus or say 10 to 12 peak season span, in the future.
Again, you know what they say regarding opinions.
“Daniel Cainer: Jewish Chronicles,” at SoHo Playhouse (15 Van Dam Street, through February 23rd), is a humorous, highly creative and entertaining show.
Mr. Cainer weaves his real life family stories into some of the most creative and humorous music, I have enjoyed in a long time.
Without revealing too much, let’s just say Daniel Cainer’s family history provides some great material and as if the material was “pitched in,” Cainer hits it “out of the park,” doing so without “stealing signs.”
I highly recommend seeing this highly creative, excellent show.
The very talented and personable, Daniel Cainer, pictured above.
Click below for more information and discount tickets.
Last week The Best Picture Academy Award/Oscar went to “Parasite,” the lone upset among the major awards. It is an excellent film.
I have a “link” to another Best Picture winner, a true classic, an all time great Casablanca, that category’s choice 76 years earlier (1943-the film premiered briefly in ’42, won for ’43, getting the award in ’44).
Among the great scenes in Casablanca is one involving star Humphrey Bogart, who won the Academy Award for his performance in “Casablanca,” and the superb actor, Peter Lorre.
There are references to and usage of the word “parasite,” most notably Bogart’s “Rick” objecting to a “cut rate one.”
It would appear that college basketball is wide open this year, as many teams are considered to have a legitimate shot at winning the crown.
Last year’s tournament results were questionable, as Virginia won so many close games, especially when one of their players (Kyle Guy) was sent to the line for three shots. That occurred after what should have been a violation vs Virginia and almost certain victory for Auburn in that national semi-final game.
Auburn man and usually outspoken, Charles Barkley did not protest all that much, as one time I tuned in, hoping he would, he did not.
Anyway hail Virginia from last year, and we shall see regarding this year.
To his everlasting credit, Kyle Guy, pictured above made all three free throws. Kyle is now with the Sacramento Kings.
Today, a really special episode of the fabulous television show, “What’s My Line?” that first aired in 1954.
It was Fred Allen’s first appearance as a panelist on the show. Other panelists already were regulars and would be for a long time. They were Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly was the show’s host.
On this episode Buffalo Bob Smith brought out Howdy Doody, as the mystery guest.
Also interesting the first “challenger” as to his occupation was Daniel James Jr. a renowned member of this country’s military service.
A player to watch in the N.L. East this season is the Philadelphia Phillies’ Didi Gregorious.
I believe more than any current Yankees player, Gregorious hit in the clutch in post-season play when with the team that has 27 titles (of course the Yankees), but only one in the last 19 seasons.
That title was under current and new Phils’ manager Joe Girardi.
One big hit by Didi was a home run at Cleveland in the decisive 5th game in 2017, which helped sink the Indians, when the Girardi managed Yankees, won the division series.
Didi Gregorious, pictured above, while with the Yankees.
There is quite a contrast in the two Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl crowns which are fifty years apart.
In winning the title in 1969, the Chiefs had to win two AFL road playoff games, first at New York vs the defending champion Jets and then at Oakland against a Raiders team that finished ahead of them in the AFL West.
Next K.C. a double digit underdog, won the fourth Supe defeating the Minnesota Vikings, who are (0-4) in such games.
This season K.C. had the road to the title largely “paved,” first avoiding a wild card round game, which also meant no game at New England vs the defending champion Patriots, when Miami upset New England in the final regular season tilt.
Subsequently, the Chiefs avoided New England altogether, when Tennessee “Saturday nighted” the Pats, played at home vs “not so hot” Houston and overcame a (24-0) deficit, to gain a spot in the AFC title tilt.
They got more help from Tennessee the night before their comeback win vs the Houston Texans, when the Titans (Tennessee), upset the top ranked Baltimore Ravens.
You know the rest, down 10 points but at home, they beat Tennessee and again down 10, they overcame the San Francisco 49ers, as slight Super Bowl favorites.
A highly skilled, well coached Chiefs’ team was very good, but also very lucky, (most title winners do need both elements) to win it all.
Left to right coach Hank Stram and receiver Gloster Richardson of the 1969 champion Chiefs.
Mr. Stram called being backed up deep in your own territory ” being in the soup.”
On a cold day at Shea Stadium, at a key juncture in the playoff game vs the Jets, Len Dawson threw deep and completed a pass to Gloster Richardson, getting the Chiefs “out of the soup,” in the first of 3 ‘offs wins en route to the “Supe” title.
Barra Grant, the daughter of Bess Myerson, gives a spirited, humorous and pathos producing performance in a play she wrote, “Miss America’s Ugly Daughter: Bess Myerson and Me,” now through March 1st at Marjorie S. Dean Little Theater (10 West 64th Street).
Ms. Grant plays herself as she goes over what was a difficult mother/daughter relationship with Ms. Myerson, to date still the only Jewish woman to win the Miss America crown.
Anna Holbrook is not seen until the curtain call, is splendid as Bess Myerson’s voice, making “middle of the night” calls to Ms. Grant.
Humor abounds (Shavous as a Jewish holiday, but most Jewish people (I add others) do not know when it is) but also the depth of hurt Barra Grant endured does the same.
There is more, I will not spoil it, as I highly recommend people see the splendid performance. I will say I still feel good about Bess Myerson and all she accomplished, flaws and all.
Much admiration goes out to Barra Grant for enduring and evolving the pattern in raising her daughter, Samantha.
Eve Brandstein directed this truly fine show. Click below for tickets information.
Bess Myerson
Last night’s not so hot, often “doubled up, still too short Academy Award’s “In Memoriam” did get it right by ending with the incredible Kirk Douglas, who died last week at the age of 103.
Mr. Douglas gave and left us an incredible body of work in film and in a number of books that he wrote. He endured despite suffering a stroke and made the most of the longevity granted him.
Critic and friend Chris MacLeod, not given to gushes even for the just deceased, was bereft at the loss and heaped high praise on Kirk Douglas.
Ms. MacLeod cited the transition by Kirk Douglas from a milquetoast character in his debut film, “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” (1946) to the snarling boxer he played three years later in “Champion,” which garnered him his first Academy Award nomination.
Other highly assertive roles included Oscar nominated performances in “The Bad and the Beautiful” and “Lust for Life.”
Somehow in “the apples/oranges” Oscar process, Kirk Douglas was not nominated for his performance in “Spartacus.”
The list of Mr. Douglas’ accomplishments is long and incredible.
I saw him once and stood on the other side of the room, as he signed copies of one of his books.
From that distance I thanked him for putting the blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo’s name on the screen credits for “Spartacus.” (1960).
The distance made Mr. Douglas’ “thank you,” not all that audible.
However, his action in fighting that injustice, rings loud, so loud and so relevant, as history arcs on.
The one and only, Kirk Douglas, pictured above.
Andy B Sports 