Today, the exploits of the military will be front and center on NFL coverage all day long.
Please remember today the 100th anniversary of The Armistice ending the bloody, first World War, was supposed to mean the beginning of peace.
One hundred years later, despite a great general’s warning (Dwight D. Eisenhower) regarding the military, industrial complex, we still are only hoping, regarding peace!
The time has come to throw out some of the newspaper articles I have saved over the years.
One thing is an interesting column by Maury Allen in 1979 as the 10th anniversary of the New York Mets’ “miracle” title was about to be celebrated.
Joe Torre, referenced in the article as having made the last out in the Mets’ division clincher eventually managed the rival Yankees to 4 titles in 5 seasons and also managed the Mets with almost no success.
Soon, before the next spring arrived we anticipated the new cards for “Strat O.”
Of course the networks, as they so often do, “guessed” wrong in thinking the Giants and 49ers would be worthy of prime time games this season.
However, it is interesting to note that this Monday night’s tilt between the Giants (at) Niners is taking place, one year to the date after last season’s Niners’ (31-21) win on Sunday November 12, 2017.
It is a footnote to a game that the network powers wish they could take back.
In reviewing a tape from 1994 or 1995, I noticed some coincidences or perhaps interesting notes.
A CNN reporter covering the famed Orenthal James (better known as O.J.) Simpson trial, had the surname Vito. (Robert?)
The judge in the case was named Ito (Lance).
Also just before the trial commenced, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy died at age 104.
The CNN reporter imparting that news was named Kennedy (Kathleen, also the name of Rose’s granddaughter, a current elected official.
Tomorrow night there is a good tilt as the (6-2) Carolina Panthers visit the (5-2-1) Pittsburgh Steelers.
Each team is a viable threat to make the Supe, however at the moment “Pitts” is only third in the AFC and Carolina, behind (7-1) New Orleans in the NFC South is only fifth.
The Steelers are 4 point favorites at home tomorrow night, in a rare night game I will consider watching. Sound off of course!
After tragic events in each area, one caused by nature, the other not–we can do more than hope, certainly not hate.
Of course this scenario discounts the (7-2) and great New England team (among others), but what if the eventual Super Bowl entrants are current 1 loss teams.
Those teams are (8-1) Kansas City from the AFC and the (8-1) Rams and (7-1) Saints, the latter having 45-35’d the former last week.
If it is K.C. vs the Rams then it will be two teams once coached by Dick Vermeil.
If it is K.C. vs the Saints, then the Supe would match two teams, once coached by Henry “Hank” Stram.
My mind wandered as I thought about the 1942 World Series, especially game 2 when the Yankees’ great shortstop and eventual broadcaster Phil Rizzuto led off at St. Louis vs the Cards’ 21 game winner, John Beasley.
I long for the days when the likes of Rizzuto and Ralph Kiner were New York broadcasters.
Kiner came to mind as I recalled a day, late in his life I was fortunate to sit at a table with him at a Mets (I believe to add to the story Cards game) game.
Someone at the table asked Kiner against whom he got his first hit. He knew it was the Cardinals but could not recall the pitcher’s name.
I named John Beasley among others and Ralph said that is who it was.
It is a nice memory helping a great player recall his first major league hit.
Ernie “Tiny” Bonham also a 21 game winner, was the Yankees starter in game 2/1942 World Series vs Beasley that now, long ago day.
Last Sunday, on the exact eleventh anniversary of their 2007 title (Sundays October 28th), the Boston Red Sox won their ninth World Series title.
This Sunday title was in sharp contrast to Boston teams being eliminated on Sundays, earlier in 2018.
My post on the losses is below.
- Boston Sunday Season Ending Losses, Notes on June 23, 2018
Nine of the eleven (those numbers!) Boston titles since 2001 or even the events of 9-11-2001 (the last Boston title before that was the Celtics’ 1986 crown) were won by the Patriots (5) and the Red Sox (4). The Celts and Bruins have one each.
Nine of the eleven (the Celtics in ’08 and the Red Sox in ’13 are the exceptions), need I say “those numbers”–were won away from Boston i.e. the road, though the Pats’ titles were at neutral Super Bowl sites.
Tonight on CBS television, top ranked and defending champion Alabama led by likely Heisman Trophy winner, Tua Tagovailoa and of course, coached by Nick Saban (he has guided both schools/teams to titles), is a two touchdown favorite, at third rated, L.S.U. (Louisiana State University).
That is great testimony to how good Alabama is or at least considered (both!).
I believe ‘Bama (8-0) is (5-3) vs the spread.
Saturday night in Baton Rouge, the LSU Tiger Stadium home, is a tough time and place for the opposition.
Alabama wins but does not cover.
Let’s say Alabama 30 L.S.U. 20
Willie McCovey, one of baseball’s greatest sluggers, part of a contingent of greats that made the National League transcendent for a long period of time, died this week, at the age of 80.
The memories flow, the fans at Candlestick Park running behind the fence to possibly catch a McCovey home run, his 521 home runs, Gil Hodges, then the Mets’ manager playing four outfielders vs him and his home run into the swimming pool at Jarry Park in Montreal.
Those are among the many great McCovey moments.
One not so great emotionally, but no matter dramatic and McCovey did hit the ball hard (ask Bobby Richardson, who caught it, giving the Yankees an incredible half of the 40 World Series wins garnered (James, anyone?) by major league teams from (1923-1962), was when Willie, after hitting a long foul ball, lined to Richardson, ending the 1962 World Series.
Paraphrasing and virtually quoting the superb announcer and player, George Kell, “had that ball gone over (Richardson’s) his head, it WOULD HAVE been the Giants, but now it is the Yankees.”
Charles Schultz, the famed cartoonist, lamented the deprived distance and title thrice in a Charlie Brown/Peanuts cartoon (see below).
Alas, it is above where Willie McCovey is headed, perhaps to see his liner go over Bobby’s head, while Bobby now and when his time comes, will have always caught it!
Go easy, “Stretch.”
One season, (1963–another fantastic home run hitter, Harmon Killebrew led the majors in home runs from (1962-1964), Willie and the immortal Henry Aaron tied for the National League lead in home runs with 44, a number each wore on their uniform.
An indelible memory is that of Ralph Kiner, another great home run hitter, on a New York Mets’ broadcast saying they should change their uniform numbers to 54.
Andy B Sports 