Maybe I was playing stick ball and had a portable radio in those glorious, but tough to get the out of town scores days, when news came the Reds had rallied for a ninth inning victory vs the team I once rooted so passionately for–no longer and for a long time not the case now—the L.A. Dodgers.
It was Sunday July 1st and a pinch hit, game ending home run by Hal King lifted “Cincy” to what was a key victory as the Reds eventually overcame a huge deficit and overtook the Dodgers to win the ’73 N.L. West crown.
Surely Reds manager Sparky Anderson and other key Reds’ players credit that King home run and other big hits by Hal, for their eventual division triumph.
The 2019 NHL playoffs are the 80th that will have a best of seven final series (1939-2019, no playoffs in 2005).
In that first series, the first of what will be nine years of “9” year best of seven final series, the Boston Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the crown/Stanley Cup.
Those two original six franchises, the only two to qualify for the ’19 offs are meeting in this year’s first round. The winner (Toronto, sans an NHL final appearance or title since winning it all in 1967 when long time Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek narrated the Stanley Cup film, leads that series (3-2) with #6 in what should be a rollicking Toronto tomorrow night), might be the only previous “9” year/best of seven Cup final winner in the 2019 quarterfinal round.
Last night the Colorado Avalanche scored 5 goals and 5’d the Western Conference top seed, Calgary Flames, the 1989 champions.
Already, the New York Islanders had “dismissed” the 2009 champion Pittsburgh Penguins, while despite a great improvement, the ’59,’69 and ’79 champion, Montreal Canadiens, failed to make the ‘offs.
In addition to the Leafs (Toronto won it all in 1949) vs Bruins winner, only the Dallas Stars, currently in a (2-2) series vs the Nashville Predators, are a previous “9” year/best of seven final champion, with a chance to make the NHL quarterfinal round.
Dallas won the ‘1999 crown, affecting a party in that city (if father Bobby Hull was/is king, son Brett, who had the still disputed Cup winning goal in overtime of game 6, at Buffalo (Sabres), is “Prince.” Alas, the great performer Prince was from Minnesota, which was the Stars’ original home, when they were known as the Minnesota North Stars).
Dick Duff, who also played on 4 title teams with Montreal, was a member of two Leafs’ title teams.
Prince – 1999 (Official Music Video)
Click above to view Prince perform “1999”
Though I was largely indifferent to the result, as the daytime crowd in Philadelphia stood (’twas Phils eventually holding on (3-2) vs the New York Mets) some of that long dormant spark that is sport, especially once beloved baseball, returned to me.
Surely, I have learned and still must learn perspective, regarding competition, however, a one run difference, the trailing team with the bases loaded, a full count and I looked at that crowd.
Then, seeing the players from each team react, I knew why I went “there,” both literally to Philadelphia two days ago and figuratively so long ago, when 1962 National League Rookie of the Year, Ken Hubbs hit a foul ball near me.
I did not get that ball nor ever “get in the ball game,” but a day at the park, was/is a very nice experience.
The Columbus Blue Jackets swept the top ranked and near record breaking regular season, Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
This was certainly a surprise, however not near a shocking result to me. One need merely look at hockey history and understand the “upsets are clearly possible, even probable,” nature of the sport.
14 to 1 choice, Tiger Woods (apparently a bettor who called himself financially “responsible” wagered all of his money and won “mucho” as Woods triumphed. That person is extremely lucky, IF “responsible,” which he clearly is not, will walk away, but likely, sadly, even tragically–so many must learn the hard way), winning his 5th Masters golf title, was also not a big surprise.
Certainly Mr. Woods’ nice feat, being blown completely out of proportion, especially by CBS lead golf commentator, Jim Nantz, was (pun intended) “par for the course.”
As holidays in two major religions of this world approach, maybe some will reflect on what is important.
Wishing joyous holidays and on we go.
It is the determination and dedication that the great offensive lineman Forrest Gregg demonstrated, as he plied his craft, that I admire most about the Packers’ great, who died recently at the age of 85.
Surely he had great skills, as his legendary Packers’ coach, Vince Lombardi called him the finest player he ever coached (high praise indeed!).
Mr. Gregg played on all five Packers’ title teams as they won a still best, five crowns in seven seasons from (1961-1967). He was also a reserve player on the Dallas Cowboys, when they ended years of frustration by winning the 1971 title.
Today, I present a nice video, which promotes the then fledgling network, ABC’s, 1961 prime time programming.
Among other parts, I like the “Leave It To Beaver” introduction, as done the way the show started that season/year.
Would you believe a bowling program (“Make That Spare, the great bowler, Dick Weber is in the promo) on Saturday night? Enjoy this look back.
Click below to look at 37 ABC shows for the 1961 season.
One can “stretch it” both in imagination and geography and cite 5 cities/areas, with teams in both the NBA and NHL playoffs in 2019.
Clearly, Boston with the Bruins and Celtics, each having home advantage in their first round series, qualifies.
So does Toronto, whose NBA Raptors have home advantage, while the NHL Maple Leafs, facing the aforementioned Bruins, do not.
Denver,Colorado or Denver/Colorado has the NBA Nuggets with home advantage, being the Western Conference “2′ seed and the Colorado Avalanche in the ‘offs, as the lowest seed from the NHL Western Conference.
The extended metropolitan area of New York is off to a good ‘offs start, with its NHL and NBA representative.
As was the case in 1975, but reversed, there is a (3-0) series involving the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. Then the Pens led (3-0) only to lose in 7, now the Islanders with series home advantage, are ahead by that 3 games to none margin.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets walked into Philadelphia and won fairly easily vs the 76ers in game 1. They are still series underdogs, however, nowhere near to the degree they were when the series began.
Finally a “stretch” for the same area, but clearly different cities, as the two time NBA champion Golden State Warriors, playing their final season at Oracle Arena in Oakland and hoping, perhaps against hope, not their final season with potential “double dipper” Durant (Kevin), have home advantage as the NBA West top seed.
The NHL, close by, San Jose Sharks, have now lost home advantage and in fact trail, last year’s first year NHL finalist, Las Vegas (Golden Knights), two games to one.
En route to an eventual final series loss to Washington last season, (Capitals) the amazing first year Golden Knights 6’d the Sharks in the NHL quarterfinal round.
So many memories, including many great ones with Durant for the Warriors at Oracle Arena.
There will be only one “original six” team in the NHL quarterfinal round, as only the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, currently clashing and tied a game apiece, in the first/preliminary round, among the six, qualified for this season’s “‘offs.”
While the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers finished well out of playoffs standing, the Montreal Canadiens were not eliminated from post-season qualification until the penultimate night of the regular season, a victory by the John Tortorella coached Columbus Blue Jackets vs one of his former teams, the aforementioned Rangers, doing the trick.
Currently, in a very surprising, however, not shocking first two games (see the playoff failures for top rated regular season NHL teams in the past. There are so many!), the Blue Jackets walked away with wins at top ranked and record tying Tampa Bay (Lightning), a franchise “Torts” (Tortorella) guided to their lone crown, 15 years ago in 2004.
Last season, the Capitals were also down (2-0) after first round home losses vs Columbus. They rallied, not only to “6” the Blue Jackets, but win their first Stanley Cup.
The Lightning could do the same, but their work is cut out for them. Also do not look now, but the Caps up (2-0) after a Saturday afternoon overtime win vs Carolina, are a viable threat to repeat as champions.
DeAndre Hunter’s tremendous final game performance evoked memories of another “Hunter,” (Les), whose 1963 Loyola of Chicago team also won the NCAA Basketball title, in an overtime final game.
The memory stirred research and below from Wikipedia is a glaring error, as the great player, Oscar Robertson not only was NOT on the 1963 second place Cincinnati team, as written, but also was NOT on the consecutive Ed Jucker coached “Cincy” title teams in 1961 and 1962.
Read below for the incorrect portion concerning Oscar Robertson, plus some good notes as Wikipedia often delivers, these concerning the 1963 NCAA Basketball title tilt.
” Hunter then scored 16 points with 11 rebounds in the 60-58 overtime NCAA Championship game against Cincinnati and Oscar Robertson.[7][8] In the championship game overtime,(I add Vic) Rouse scored “The Shot Heard ‘Round the Basketball World,” as he rebounded a Hunter missed shot from 12 feet (after a pass from Jerry Harkness) and make the game-winning putback at the buzzer.[2][9].”
The 1962-1963 NCAA Champion, Loyola of Chicago team, pictured above. Les Hunter is fifth from the left, wearing number 41.
Last season while Virginia lost in the first round in a shocking upset, an upstart Loyola of Chicago team made the national semi-finals.
A year later, after a great regular season and some heart pounding tournament wins Virginia won it all while Loyola failed to make the NCAA Tournament.
The Brooklyn Nets have made the playoffs, and nobody thought they would! They started the season at a woeful 9 wins and 18 losses and the stretch run to the playoffs was not an easy schedule. But things are looking good for the team now–and they have some great fans.
The girls at Rick’s Cabaret New York, the upscale gentlemen’s club known to be a favorite with celebrities, most notably pro athletes, love basketball, and they are rooting for the Nets.
“The Nets are great at 3 point shooting,” explained Rick’s Cabaret girl Julia, “and they could surprise a lot of people in the playoffs.”
The three-story Rick’s Cabaret is a great place to watch the NBA games. The Rick’s Cabaret girls provide the ultimate in warm hospitality, and the “Rick’s Steakhouse” on the second floor, under the direction of acclaimed Chef Jayson Margulies, features late-night dining.
Highly recommended.
Rick’s Cabaret New York, 50 West 33rd Street
*** Over 100 Showgirls Daily
*** VIP Suites, Deluxe Sky Boxes
*** Roof Deck Cigar Lounge
Andy B Sports 