The 1939 major league baseball All-Star Game was played at Yankee Stadium on July 11th, a scant one week after Lou Gehrig was honored and made his famous and great speech, in which he proclaimed his “luck,” despite the fact, he was to die, at a far too early age.
Mr. Gehrig was cheered at the “Star” game when he came out to home plate as American League team captain, joined there by N.L. manager Gabby Hartnett and soon after by Bill Terry, as with Gehrig, a great first baseman playing in New York. (Of course Gehrig with the Yankees and Terry with the Giants. Neither man ever played for another team.)
The American League starting lineup was two thirds, New York Yankees and why not as they were on their way to a 4th straight title. Tomorrow, more notes on the 1939 All-Star Game.
Last week, I watched “The China Syndrome” (it warned regarding safety at a nuclear power plant) on Turner Classic Movies, (TCM) and appreciated it even more than I did the Sunday night in late March, 1979, on which I saw it “at the movies,” with my parents.
What flows here are my memories and the fairly well known fact that not long after the movie’s release a real life “nuclear situation” occurred at a place called Three Mile Island.
I need not or perhaps do need to wax poetic about causes, however, today it is the fine performances and eventually juxtaposition with sports.
James Bridges directed and the trio of Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas, all mega stars and performers, led the superb cast.
I noticed Peter Donat and Wilford Brimley, among others in excellent supporting roles.
Forty years later, “The China Syndrome” remains a truly outstanding film.
Of course, Michael Douglas is the son of legendary actor, Kirk Douglas, pictured above.
For just the second time (’09 was the other time), in the 35 possibilities since the NCAA Tournament expanded to at least 64 teams starting with the 1985 event, the top twelve seeded teams (i.e. the top 3 seeded teams in all four regions) have advanced to the “Sweet Sixteen”/Regional semis.
While most of the top teams won easily (after underdogs sprinted out (21-11) vs the spread in the first round, “faves” not only won but covered three quarters of the 8 games each day, in the second round), there nearly was and appeared to be a shocking upset, however, tournament favorite, Duke made the big plays to survive, vs Central Florida.
Last night, I really enjoyed and was tremendously moved by a performance of “Surely Goodness and Mercy” at the Clurman Theatre (412 West 42nd Street).
The play’s theme was multi faceted however, through humor and strong dialogue, the primary message of how great it is to give was clearly and effectively conveyed.
I would like to cite Chisa Hutchinson the playwright and the fine cast in alphabetical order follows next:
Sarita Covington, Jay Mazyck, Brenda Pressley, Courtney Thomas, Cezar Williams.
Click below for ticket information. I highly recommend seeing this play.
Surely Goodness and Mercy – Clurman Theater New York
Jay Mazyck and Brenda Pressley, pictured above.
For the record, in that April 23, 1964 game in which Ken Johnson lost despite hurling a no hit game, the victorious Reds scored the game’s lone run when Colt 45’s second baseman, Nelson Fox made another error, his second of the inning, on a Vada Pinson ground ball.
That play enabled Pete Rose to score. Editorial comment: Both Rose AND Pinson deserve Baseball Hall of Fame status.
With two out, the great and recently deceased, Frank Robinson made a serious bid for the Reds’ first hit, however, his long drive was hauled in by Jim Wynn.
Reds hurler, Joe Nuxhall, the youngest player to appear in a big league game, (he hurled two thirds of an inning, in such an entity, just shy of age 16, in 1944), completed a 5 hit shutout victory, striking out Colt 45’s cleanup hitter, John Weekly to end the game.
Jim Wynn, pictured above.
On April 23, 1964, Houston Colt 45’s pitcher, Ken Johnson became the first pitcher in baseball history to pitch a no hit game, only to lose the game in the regulation nine innings.
There are many interesting notes associated with that game in which the Reds prevailed (1-0), vs the Colt 45’s.
In an interesting juxtaposition, in the game the night before, Pete Rose led off the game and was thrown out by Nelson Fox.
The next night in a far more dramatic situation, the game was scoreless with the Reds batting vs Johnson, who had a no hit game going, and Rose advanced to second base on Fox’s error. (By the way Nelson Fox was a tremendous player and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.)
That led to Cincinnati scoring the game’s only run and Johnson losing, despite pitching a no hit game. Joe Nuxhall pitched a shutout, gaining the (1-0) victory for the Cincinnati Reds.
Ken Johnson, pictured above.
Fortunately, I was awake to watch the fine film, “Alice,” written and directed by the brilliant Woody Allen, on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) last night/early morning.
The film starred Mia Farrow and the ensemble cast included Joe Mantegna, Gwen Verdon (she delivered a great line concerning salt/margaritas etc) and Keye Luke.
“Alice” was Mr. Luke’s last film as he died three weeks after its release in 1990, at age 86. He had a great career and stood out as “Dr. Yang”in “Alice.”
Mia Farrow seated and Keye Luke, pictured above in the film, “Alice.”
Last night, Belmont University, guided by Rick Byrd, who is in his 43rd season of coaching, won its first NCAA Tournament game, albeit a “first four” game, defeating Temple.
It also was Byrd’s first NCAA Tournament win, coming in his 33rd season at the Nashville, Tennessee based university.
Fran Dunphy, the Temple coach is retiring, hence last night’s tilt was his last. He coached for 30 seasons in the Big Five of Philadelphia, first at The University of Pennsylvania and for the last 13 seasons at Temple after replacing John Cheney.
Another long time Big Five (the Philadelphia based quintet consists of Penn, Temple, St. Josephs, Villanova and La Salle) coach’s career seemingly ended yesterday, when Phil Martelli, in at St. Josephs for 24 seasons, was fired by the university.
In ’04 Martelli guided St. Joes to wins in their first 27 games and into the Elite Eight/Regional final, before losing to Oklahoma State on John Lucas |||’s basket.
Some interesting teams won Conference Tournaments, to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Those include Cincinnati University, the 1961 and 1962 champions, winning it all, after their great player Oscar Robertson had graduated, St. Louis University, which won the Atlantic 10 Tournament, evoking memories of their glory days with Ed Macauley and Cal Irvine which had a (30-5) record.
Elsewhere, Michigan State now 40 years removed from the Earvin “Magic” Johnson/Greg Kelser led 1979 title won the Big Ten Tournament defeating in state rival, Michigan, whose only title was 30 years ago.
The defending NCAA Champion, Villanova, also the 2016 title holder, won an unprecedented third straight Big East Tournament, winning a thriller vs Seton Hall.
The Pirates (Seton Hall) were the 1999 NCAA Tournament second place team, losing a heartbreaking game to Michigan. They did qualify for the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Yesterday in New York, the significantly more publicized L.A. and New York teams met in what was a meaningless game, between the highly disappointing Lakers and the New York Knicks, the latter with the worst NBA record this season.
At night in L.A, the Less publicized L.A. Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, each middle to lower pack, but likely (the Nets are likely, the Clippers almost certain) playoffs bound teams clashed.
Not that it really mattered, but the Knicks and Clippers won games that were not decided until the very end.
The really sad reality is that often hitting bottom helps in sports, sometimes through a great draft (see the Pittsburgh Steelers circa 1970), but often by buying players without fair return compensation.
Yesterday the NCAA Tournament first round and “before” games were set, soon so will the NBA and NHL.
Andy B Sports 