Eight of the thirty major league baseball teams are at least ten games under the .500/break even mark and are out of contention for a playoffs berth.
Four of the teams, all in the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals are playing under .400 baseball and are an astounding, aggregate 130 games below .500.
The above phrase may be alliterative, however, these teams, being this relatively bad, is not a good thing for baseball.
Two other A.L. and two N.L. teams more than 10 games “under” and “out” are the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners of the American League and the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League.
A happy memory, though now nearly forty years ago, Willie Stargell, a true great, pictured above, led the Pittsburgh Pirates to the 1979 World Series title.
The “Buccos” have won their last 3 World Series (1960, 1971 and 1979) last losing one in 1927 to a superb Yankees team that featured among others, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
The Oakland Athletics won three consecutive World Series titles from (1972-1974). No team/franchise, other than the vaunted New York Yankees, has ever won as many as three straight baseball crowns.
Now what does that have to do with the first Mets’ game at the Astrodome in 1965?!
Three different, excellent Astros’ starters in the 1965 tilt, played on teams that lost to the A’s, in the aforementioned three straight World Series from (1972-1974.)
Joe Morgan, who became a truly great player, the Astros’ second baseman and leadoff batter in the ’65 game, (he singled in his first at bat) was on the 1972 Cincinnati Reds team, that lost in the maximum 7 games, to the first Athletics’ title team, while based in Oakland.
The next World Series in 1973, manifested in another 7 game A’s triumph, this one vs a low wins, New York Mets team, that included ’65 Astros right fielder, Daniel “Rusty” Staub and for that matter, a ’65 and even ’62 New York Mets player in that ’65 tilt, namely Ed Kranepool.
Finally in my Strat-O-Matic baseball league, so long, in so many ways, ago, Jay Larry Rader wrote little cannon balls, on Jim Wynn’s card.
Wynn, known as “The Toy Cannon” was in center field for Houston in that 1965 game and a vital cog on the L.A. Dodgers’ 1974 N.L. pennant winning team.
The “boom” and World Series, however, went to the remarkable A’s in 5 games. Rollie Fingers got the last out, did not blow a big game and stuck to baseball talk.
The great, Rollie Fingers, shown, about to deliver a pitch.
It was early in the 1965 National League season ( April 27th), when the New York Mets made their first visit to the famed Houston Astrodome, aka “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Jack Fisher was the Mets’ starting pitcher, while Don Nottebart was the Houston hurler, throwing the game’s first pitch.
Roughly two years earlier, Nottebart pitched the first no-hit game in Houston Colt 45’s/Astros history in April 1963, six days after the great pitcher, Sandy Koufax, pitched the second, of four career no-hit games.
Five days before the game in Houston, the Dodgers with Sandy getting the win, handed Jack Fisher and the Mets, a tough (2-1) loss.
Mr. Fisher once told me about losing many tough games, as he battled pitching greats, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal. The game vs Nottebart was a tough team loss and no decision for Fisher, as again he pitched very well but did not get a victory.
The Houston Astrodome, pictured above. Tomorrow more notes from that Mets/Astros game at that venue.
It was interesting and uplifting to see two “Dallas” cast members, when watching “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza” this week.
Morgan Woodward, a veteran of so many western type shows and Marvin “Punk” Anderson on the great television show, “Dallas” was in both episodes, the latter titled Bonanza episode being Lothario Larkin, with guest star Wallace Beery Jr.
Jim Davis, so great as “Jock Ewing” on Dallas, had a prominent role in the “Lothario Larkin,”Bonanza episode.
Seeing all three, Woodward, Beery Jr, and Mr. Davis plus the regular cast, provided some nice “throw back” entertainment.
Perhaps, somewhere Jim Davis, pictured above and Larry Hagman are having some fun, as among other things, recalling their great roles as “Jock” and “J.R.” on the great show “Dallas.”
The title above, is homage to the very talented actor, Arte Johnson, who died recently at age 90. He made the quoted phrase a big part of the great television show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In.”
Some notes will follow, as I have enjoyed watching MeTV at different hours of the day.
Late Wednesday/Thursday morning on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” an episode from 1961, stars actor Ronald Howard, the son of legendary “Gone With The Wind” and other classics performer, Leslie Howard. (His sister was named Leslie Ruth Howard.)
Howard, best known as “Sherlock Holmes” on the 1950’s television series of the same name, gives a very good performance, as a man, who hires a private investigator, to report on his wife’s activities.
Arte Johnson stands out, explaining his role and references a “Mr. Johnson,” (played by Addison Richards), who filled him in on the situation.
Additionally, Johnson’s character is named “Bates,” certainly an Alfred Hitchcock name, if there ever was one.
Of course Tony Perkins starred as “Norman Bates” in the great Mr. Hitchcock directed film, “Psycho,” just a year before in 1960.
Arte Johnson, pictured above.
Today at their home arena, The Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey, the New Jersey Devils are holding a “Welcome to New Jersey” press conference for three time all-star player, and one time Norris Trophy winner (best defenseman) P.K. Subban.
Additionally there will be a chance to view the retirement banner, honoring Patrick Elias.
Elias was an integral part of two New Jersey Devils’ title teams (2000 and 2003). He stood out with 2 goals in game 7 of the semi-finals in 2000, scoring two goals as the Devils won at Philadelphia, vs the Flyers.
Patrick Elias, pictured above.
I fondly recall the excellent pass receiver, Buddy Dial, who played in the NFL for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.
He had some big seasons with the Steelers in the early 1960’s. Dial was drafted by the New York Giants, but never played for them.
Most notable: Dial and the Steelers with 3 ties, had a chance to win the NFL Eastern Conference crown, but were denied by the Giants, in the 1963 regular season finale at Yankee Stadium.
Also, Dial in 1962 scored a touchdown for the home team, Steelers and is stunned when a small “celebration canon” shoots off, in front of him.
A photo image of that moment, after Buddy’s (number 84 and the player to the right) touchdown.
Last Sunday, the Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed 6 new inductees.
The first Hall of Fame “class” in 1939, was comprised of 5 members.
Congratulations to all.
Paraphrasing and nearly quoting the late broadcaster and “Hall” member, Harry Caray–“As the days wind down to a precious few, one accelerates his appreciation of Stan Musial, not only a great player but also a tremendous person.”
Stan was a mainstay at the “Hall” ceremonies, It is nice they continue, but alas how much time must pass, until the man who passed Stan for most National League hits, namely Pete Rose is allowed?!
In the decisive game 5 of a “quarterfinal” in baseball’s first “tournament” in 1995, ’19 Hall of Fame inductee, Edgar Martinez, slammed the game ending, 2 runs batted in hit.
Earlier in the tilt, a little known pitcher named Mariano Rivera, pitched effectively and seemed to have no fear, despite the pressure.
His team, the Yankees, denied in ’95, won 4 of the next 5 World Series, with ’19 inductee, Rivera a big part of the team.
Rita Rudner, a marvelous performer and comedic stalwart, leads the exceptional cast in her return to the New York City stage, in “Two’s A Crowd” now playing at 59E59 (59 East 59th Street).
Two’s A Crowd written by Rita and her husband, Martin Bergman, who also directs, is a truly humorous, but also relevant, moving look at relationships as the earth does what it does–revolves!
The performance is a great vehicle for Ms. Rudner and her comedy, which has made her a legendary performer. She plays “Wendy Solomon” reeling from husband Gus’ infidelity and due to computer error (of course the hotel is not financially liable), essentially forced to share a room with Tom, played very well by Robert Yacko.
Kelly Holden Bashar and Brian Lohmann, each stand out in multiple roles.
There are eleven songs with music and lyrics by Jason Freddy. Mr. Freddy appears on stage, helping the story along with some smooth guitar playing. The show is produced by Impro Theatre in association with Ritmar Productions, Inc.
A tidbit of the fine writing/Rudner as “Wendy” humor. “I was thinking of taking one of those anger management classes. But when I phoned to inquire about it, the woman who answered the phone was so irritating, I just got …..”
You will only get angry, if you do not see “Two’s A Crowd.” It was a great pleasure seeing the performance, even on a stifling hot day.
Click below for ticket information and the 59E59 website. Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 7PM, Saturday at 2PM and 7PM and Sunday at 2PM. The last performance is Sunday August 25th.
The marvelous Rita Rudner, pictured above.
I always enjoyed watching Dick McAuliffe, a member of the 1968 World Series winning, Detroit Tigers’ play baseball.
He was such a solid fielder, playing different infield positions in his career.
McAuliffe, who had a unique batting stance, had 6 hits in the ’68 World Series and 198 home runs in his career.
Dick was an American League All-Star player for three straight seasons (1965-1967).
Andy B Sports 