The St. Louis Blues’ series squaring win in game 4 (Ryan O’Reilly both “opened” in the game’s first minute and snapped a (2-2) game tie, manifesting in a (2-2) series tie, with a third period goal) means among other things, the Boston Bruins will host game 5 of a (2-2) NHL final, for the first time in their history.
While playing in and being denied in 4 road, game 5/(2-2) series, NHL final tilts, never before, in 16 previous best of 7, NHL final series, have the Bruins hosted such an entity.
In winning their last title in 2011, Boston recovered from the game 5 loss at Vancouver, to win #6 at home and ease in #7 at “VAN” to win the title. The other three times that the Bruins played a road 5th game of a (2-2) NHL final, they lost in 6 games and were eliminated at home.
Though this is the third straight Bruins’ final series to be (2-2), (’11 and ’13 vs “Chi”), it is only the fifth in 17, best of seven Bruins’ final series. Montreal (Canadiens) won a third straight title vs Boston, twenty years apart in ’58 and ’78, winning at home in #5 and at Boston in game 6 to take the crown.
St. Louis Blues’ final round history is exponentially simpler as they lost in 4 straight games in their previous 3 NHL final series (’68-’70).
Game 5 is tomorrow night in Boston, #6 is in St. Louis on Sunday night and game 7, if necessary, would be in Boston a week from tonight.
In the above referenced game 5/1958 NHL final Montreal win vs Boston, the legendary Maurice “The Rocket” Richard tallied in overtime, lifting the Canadiens to victory.
Yesterday, word began to leak out that the phenomenal Jeopardy champion, James Holzhauer was going to have his 32 episode win skein snapped.
Another time, regarding the lost drama for one watching. It was reminiscent of the tape delayed United States Olympics hockey victory, vs the heavily favored and great Soviet team on a February, Friday night, 39 plus years ago.
I watched yesterday’s Jeopardy episode wondering about certain things (host Alex Trebek wondered regarding “enough already” and acknowledged Mr. Holzhauer’s daughter’s kindness, in writing him a get well card).
Yet despite some “give me Art Fleming/let the contestants keep the $, resentments, that often manifest while watching this great, Merv Griffin created show, yesterday’s episode became special.
First off Emma Boettcher won, denying Mr. Holzhauer, who finished second and fell short of Ken Jennings’ record winnings. Jay Sexton was also solid, finishing third and I believe was correct on “answers” that were in Holzhauer’s “zone.”
Most special was James Holzhauer acknowledging Ms. Boettcher’s lead, entering the way too powerful Final Jeopardy and then coming across, to congratulate Emma on her victory.
While Mr. Trebek, as cited here more than once, the narrator of the official NHL Stanley Cup playoffs film, the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won the title in 1967, congratulated Ms. Boettcher first, his extra “hand” on James’ hand, in their subsequent handshake, was a touching moment.
James Holzhauer, pictured above.
Merv Griffin, pictured above.
The Golden State Warriors went on an (18-0) run that transformed a 5 point halftime deficit (the fact that deficit was only 5 points, augured well for G.S, which is seeking a third straight crown and fourth in five seasons) into a 13 point lead, and won game 2 at Toronto (Raptors) to even the ’19 NBA final.
Golden State, in their fifth straight final, led (2-0) in the last three and have only trailed (2-0) in two of their eleven final round series, both times, to great teams, the ’64 Boston Celtics and ’67 Philadelphia 76ers, each of those teams led by great centers, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain respectively.
The ’15 final was (1-1) and manifested in Golden State winning the series in 6 games with Andre Iguodala, named series most valuable player.
In game 2 last night Iguodala sealed the Warriors’ win with a 3 point shot, accounting for the game’s final points, with 6 seconds remaining in the “GS” 5 point win.
Speaking of 5, the Warriors have opened as 5 plus point(s) favorites, in game 3 to be played Wednesday night, at Oracle Arena, the Warriors home since 1971, in this the Warriors’ last season playing at that storied venue.
Andre Iguodala, pictured above.
The Boston Bruins, bidding to make Boston just the second city (Detroit with the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings in 1935-1936) to win consecutive baseball, football and either hockey or basketball titles in the same year/season, routed the Blues (7-2) in game 3, to take a (2-1) NHL final round series lead.
It is just the second time in their last 8 Stanley Cup/NHL final round appearances, that the Bruins have as much as a (2-1) series lead after three games.
After not doing so in 5 consecutive final round losses (’74,’77,’78,’88 and ’90) and in a final round win in ’11, the Bruins took a (2-1) final round lead vs Chicago (Blackhawks) in ’13, however, “Chi” rallied to win the next three games and the title.
Torey Krug became the first Bruins’ player to amass as many as 4 points in a Cup final game, while Patrice Bergeron opened the scoring with a goal, accounting for his 100th playoffs point.
Torey Krug, pictured above.
Opening sentences of any kind, especially those in obituaries are very important. In the case of the superb baseball player, Bill Buckner, who died days back at age 69, you likely know of one important, but vastly over publicized play, ( among other things, THE GAME WAS TIED, which I have pointed out so many times in the nearly 33 years since), what follows is some of the rest, about “Billy Buck.”
There are few if any players from his era (he played from ’69-’90), I would rather have at bat for my team, in a big situation, than Bill Buckner.
He amassed over 2,700 hits, more than two of the greatest players/hitters, namely Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. He was not nearly as great as those two, but in my opinion, he belongs in the Baseball Hall, ahead of some that are there.
Two memories involving 1986 which featured incredible post-season play:
Somewhere, I have a tape of Buckner homering as a Cubs’ player in 1981, vs a Mets’ pitcher named Mike Scott, the latter, a dominant pitcher for the Houston Astros vs the Mets in a great 6 game NLCS, won by the Mets in 1986.
In #6/1986 World Series, I was there and the Mets staged an incredible rally to win the game and won the title two nights later in game 7, despite trailing (3-0), entering the bottom of the sixth inning.
Roughly two weeks earlier, Buckner started the incredible 4 run Red Sox 9th inning, down 3 runs and 3 games to 1, at the Angels, as I drove to Shea Stadium for #4 of the aforementioned 1986 NLCS, matching the Mets and Astros.
Alas Donnie Moore, Dave Henderson and now Bill Buckner, all prominent names in the classic 1986 post-season, are gone.
The memories of that incredible baseball, if held in the proper perspective, are ones to appreciate–win, lose or not care, regarding the result.
Bill Buckner played the great game, the right way, excelled in it and it is that, particularly his superb hitting, that I will remember and appreciate the most.
Bill Buckner, at bat, a beautiful sight, pictured above.
ABC needed it, the Toronto Raptors needed it and got a win in the NBA final opener, at Toronto last night, vs the two time defending champion, Golden State Warriors. It ended a 5 game Warriors’ win skein in final round opening games, that encompassed over 42 years. (See below).
Toronto sans a title since the baseball Blue Jays repeated as champions over 25 years ago, has not lost a final series since 1960, going (6-0). (Jays in ’92 and ’93, Maple Leafs from ’62-’64 and ’67, the latter in their long ago last final round appearance in a year the NHL playoffs official film was narrated by Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek.)
It was the Raptors’ first final round game while the Warriors fell to a still very impressive (8-3) in final round opening games (wins in all three as the Philadelphia Warriors in the first two league final round series in ’47 and ’48 as well as 1956. Out west, as the San Francisco or Golden State Warriors, they lost road openers and eventually the series to great teams the ’64 Celtics and ’67 76ers. Next as cited above, the Warriors won five straight final round opening games, in ’75 at the favored Bullets and vs the James led Cleveland Cavaliers (’15-’18).
The NHL/Stanley Cup final series is tied at a game apiece, as for the second straight year, a team sans a final round victory and down (1-0), won a one goal game on the road, to get even in the final round series. (Last year the Washington Capitals, (0-5) in previous final round games won by one goal in #2, recall Braden Holtby’s big save, and eventually won the title).
After Sean Kuraly’s third period goal put the Boston Bruins, once down (2-0), ahead to stay and give them an 8th straight win, that in game one, the St. Louis Blues rode defenseman Carl Gunnarsson’s first ever ‘offs goal, occurring early, in a Blues dominated overtime period, to win game 2 and end a 13 game final round losing streak, that had continued 49 years later in game 1.
Back to the Boston/St. Louis final round series history, the teams are even after two games for the seventh time in the ten such series, as three of the four NBA and baseball final round series between the cities, also stood at a game apiece.
In the other hockey final matching Boston and St. Louis, the Bruins swept the Blues.
Last night, the Blues won an ‘offs game vs Boston, for the first time in 10 tries.
“Toni Stone” (playing at Roundabout at Laura Pels Theatre 111 West 46th Street), written by Lydia R. Diamond is a superb, humorous and meaningful play about Ms. Stone, who was the first woman to ever play baseball in a professional league, having done so in the so called Negro League, in 1953.
Obie-award winning, April Matthis leads a tremendous cast, telling Toni Stone’s story, her great pursuit of and love of playing baseball with humor, insight and a beautiful moving, “get with it” pace.
Again it is a superb cast. Their names follow: Eric Berryman, Harvy Blanks, who played “Alberga,” the older man Ms. Stone married and stayed such until his death at age 103 in 1987, Phillip James Brannon, Daniel J. Bryant, Jonathan Burke, those are alot of B’s and the buzz for this show is big and well deserved), Toney Goins, Kenn E. Head, Ezra Knight, and Ms. Matthis.
Click below for ticket information:
Toni Stone – Roundabout Theatre Company
Left to right, Toni Stone with her idol, the great Joe Louis.
I begin with the great Green Bay Packers’ radio announcer, Ted Moore’s legendary broadcast “Starr begins the count” and then /now let’s “count” the many great feats of the superb quarterback Bart Starr, who died days back at age 85, in addition to the most memorable, that frigid last day of 1967.
Bart Starr led the Packers to a still unmatched five NFL crowns in seven seasons, compiling the highest winning percentage .900 (9-1), as a quarterback, in “win or go home,” playoff games.
He was brilliant in the (37-0) Green Bay win over the New York Giants in the 1961 NFL Title game and even better, throwing four touchdown passes, in the Packers’ less heralded, but also great title game win vs Dallas, that the 1966 title tilt.
In less than ideal conditions, Bart, Jim Taylor, one of so many sports greats to die in the last year, and Jerry Kramer, finally put into the NFL “Hall” in the last year, led the offense (16-7) at Yankee Stadium vs the Giants to win it all in 1962.
It was deemed too cold for 7 year old Michael Santasieri Jr. to attend that game so he, my dad and me listened on the radio (no television). Ray Nitschke led the defense and appeared on What’s My Line that night, while depite the bitter cold, Mr.John Costas took his 10 year old son, Bob to the game.
In years to come, all three then (ouch!) younger ones, (Bob Costas, Santasieri and Andy B) would see football for something far less, Costas doing so publicly, yet hold good memories of games, from its past.
Bart had bad ribs and it was Zeke Bratkowski, who was in at quarterback in the Packers’ more than somewhat fortunate, (13-10) overtime win vs the Baltimore Colts to win the 1965 Western Conference crown in a playoff game.
No it was not greats, Bart Starr vs John Unitas that day but able back up Bratkowski vs Tom Matte, the latter having last played quarterback in college, before injuries to “John U.” and Earl Morrall, forced him into action at the position in 1965. (Trivia: Bob Costas did work for CBS before a long and great career at NBC and Tom Matte was an analyst, Costas on play by play, for at least one NFL game telecast by CBS.)
A week later in the mud of Lambeau Field, vs “my” defending champion Cleveland Browns, in what would be the great player, Jim Brown’s last game, Bart directed the “Pack” to a (23-12) win as Jim Taylor and especially Paul Hornung ran, as Ted Moore invoked “as if the days of yore.” It was the first of the still unprecedented three straight titles won with playoff game(s), by Green Bay.
I rooted both for and against the Packers, more against, and can tell you how Mr. Starr was as good as any, on third down or any clutch situation.
Bart does not get enough credit for the great quarterback he was. The Packers were great, so great, but people often forget how great a quarterback Bart Starr was.
His daring long passes to the likes of Carroll Dale or Boyd Dowler on third and a yard or less! They seemed to always work!
Starr was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls, each an easy Green Bay victory vs an upstart AFL team.
Oh yes, as the classic NFL Films presentation voice stated (not John Facenda) the Packers traversed 68 yards over a polar ice cap.” It was December 31, 1967!
My friend “Cheese” came down from upstairs. Dad, he and I watched, Bart talked to Vince Lombardi after first down, NOT right before the decisive play which was on third down.
Much happened, the names Jethro Pugh, Jerry Kramer, Ken Bowman, Chuck Mercein, the latter so great on the classic drive, resonate.
“Starr begins the count, he takes the snap, HE”S GOT The Quarterback sneak and HE”S IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN–And the Packers are out in front (20-17). There’s 13 seconds showing on the clock and the Green Bay Packers are going to be World Champions, NFL champions for the third straight year.
Click below to hear that moment with a much more informative set up and others all broadcast by Ted Moore.
Please read the words from Bart Starr’s family by clicking below. Many pictures of Bart and others (66, Ray NItschke’s #) are included.
A message from the family of Bart Starr – packers.com
Bart Starr, pictured above.
The 2019 NHL final series, the eleventh final round entity between teams from Boston and St. Louis, begins tonight in Boston as the home team Bruins host the Blues.
This will be the first time in the six baseball or hockey final entities between the cities, in which the team with the better regular season record will have the series home advantage and also the first time that the better record team would automatically get home advantage, as was the case in all 4 Boston (Celtics) vs St. Louis (Hawks) basketball final rounds.
Boston has the home advantage/home opener for the eighth time in this, the tenth final round series between the cities. An eleventh entity, a one game contest/Super Bowl was played at a neutral site and won by Boston/New England (Patriots) vs the then St. Louis Rams, coincidentally now in L.A. and again denied by the Patriots, in the most recent Super Bowl.
In 1946, the Boston Red Sox had the better regular season record, however, the Cards of St. Louis had home advantage, riding it to the title in 7 games with Enos Slaughter racing home with the go ahead to stay, W.S. winning run, (B8) on Harry Walker’s double (not single as is often reported).
The Cardinals had the better record but opened at Boston, which had the home advantage in both the ’67 and ’04 World Series won by “St. Loo” in 7 and the Bo Sox in 4 straight, respectively.
In 2013, the year of the other Red Sox/Cardinals World Series clash, the teams had the same “reg” record. Boston had home advantage because the American League won the All-Star game (for this and other “brilliance” Bud Selig is in the Baseball Hall?!). They “titled” in six games.
The NHL West Blues had home advantage in their 1970 final vs the Bruins, however the heavily favored and “better record” Bruins won in 4 straight games.
Boston is (7-3) vs St. Louis in final round play; both the Pats and Bruins (1-0) vs the Rams and Blues respectively, the Celtics (3-1) vs the Hawks and the 4 W.S. split, 2 each, involving the Red Sox and Cardinals.
Boston is (6-3) in previous openers vs St. Louis, winning in ’46, ’04, ’13 World Series, ’60 and ’61 NBA final, and ’70 NHL final and “title-ing” in 5 of those years, failing in ’46, Mr. Slaughter’s “dash” (I do those from Starbucks and these type notes) referenced above.
St. Louis won openers in the ’67 World Series and ’58 NBA final at Boston en route to eventual crowns. They also won at Boston in the ’57 NBA final opener, but the Celtics prevailed in 2 overtimes to win a classic 7 game series, the first of an incredible 11 titles in 13 seasons for the Boston Celtics.
The great player, Bob Pettit, pictured above, still holds the record for the most points scored in a game that clinched the NBA title.
Bob scored 50 in game 6 as his St. Louis Hawks won the franchise’s only crown either in St. Louis or in Atlanta, where they have played the last 51 seasons, vs the incredible Boston Celtics.
Andy B Sports 