In addition to the two baseball final/World Series meetings between Boston and Philadelphia, cited here last week, there have been two other such clashes between the two cities/regions.
One of course, was a Super Bowl/NFL final won by the Patriots (once Boston, now New England) vs the Eagles of Philadelphia to win the ’04 NFL title.
That win gave the Patriots an astounding 3 NFL crowns in the first four seasons, in which Tom Brady (“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” with his “of late” personal hype, leading to right, wrong, somewhere in between “Vivian,Vivian, Vivian,” which by the way is a beautiful name) was their quarterback.
Ten years passed before “The Butler did it,” Malcom’s interception, the most important play, as N.E. won another title.
Last season, they overcame a (28-3) deficit to win a second title in 3 seasons, more due to “shoddy minus,” Atlanta Falcons’ play and decision making, but also due to New England greatness.
Now again vs the Eagles, 13 years later, “N.E.” bids for a third crown, in FOUR seasons.
Thirty years before that ’04 season New England Supe win vs the Philadelphia Eagles, who are still seeking their first Supe win, the NHL Philadelphia Flyers, in just their seventh season, beat the Boston Bruins in the 1974 NHL final to win their first NHL title.
The greatest Boston/Philadelphia action/playoffs of any kind, came in basketball, most of it semi-final play between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Warriors and then even more so by a wide margin, vs the 76ers, of the city of Brotherly Love.
Tomorrow some words on those great sports moments.
No opinion, likely, not to have one with or regarding “the spread,” Sunday.
Rarely if ever, do I comment on the NHL or NBA regular season.
However, now one game after the all-star break in the NHL, it is time, no matter what happens the rest of the way or in the ‘offs, to hail the amazing expansion team, the Las Vegas Golden Knights!
Last night “Vegas” overcame a late deficit to win at Calgary vs the Flames, and are 11 points ahead, in a bid to become the first expansion team to win its entity, in a non all expansion team entity, in major North American Sports League history.
They have the most points in the Western Conference and in Las Vegas, where much is about odds, the Golden Knights, incredibly, a first year team are the “plurality” faves (4 to 1 against), to win the conference.
L.V. is only one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the most points in the entire NHL, with a game in hand.
The Golden Knights, barring a major collapse, will join the 1966-1967 Chicago Bulls, who did so way down in the standings, in a league, the NBA, where at least 80 percent of the teams qualified for the ‘offs that season, as the only first year expansion teams to make the ‘offs, without being in an all first year expansion team division (that was the case in the NHL in ’67-’68).
This pace and performance is incredible!
On Sunday, six days hence, the four plus point underdog Philadelphia Eagles hope to make it just the third time in history, that in the same year/season a first time champion defeats a previous champion for both the major league baseball and the NFL Super Bowl crown. (The Eagles won 3 NFL crowns before the Super Bowl commenced in the 1966 season).
The two times it happened, were in consecutive years/seasons 2001 and 2002 when in baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks and then the next season, the Angels were first time Fall Classic winners defeating respectively, the 26 time champion Yankees and the 5 time champion, Giants.
Those same 2001 and 2002 seasons manifested in first time Super Bowl winners, the New England Patriots (whatever became of them?!) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeating previous Supe winners, the St.Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders respectively, to win the big prize.
Thus far in ’18, the greats, first Alabama and now Roger Federer, have won respectively, “the big one” (a 5th national title in 9 seasons) and a major tennis crown, (Mr. Federer’s 6th Australian Open).
I am not sure how much credit to give the runners up, Georgia and Marin Cilic, as not for the first time, they were denied by Alabama and Federer respectively.
Mr. Federer, clearly an all-time great, perhaps if there is such a thing, the all-time great in tennis, made it 9 of 10 vs Cilic, repeating his Wimbledon 2017 Final win, this one after a (6-1) win in the final set.
Federer won his latest major crown at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Mr. Laver, pictured above, was/is one of, if not the greatest tennis players in history. The fact an arena is named for him, is pretty good testimony to those assertions.
I am so moved by all that the Shriner’s Hospitals do.
Once, there were North/South and certainly East/West Shrine games.
I recall the great announcer Lindsey Nelson broadcasting them.
Today was the Senior Bowl. It is usually The South and today, incredibly plus five plus, they put the dogs on an insane (13-1) run, ripping the North squad.
Please GIVE to charities, but especially of late, TAKE the points.
There are many great causes, The Shriner’s Hospital is certainly one of them.
The cities of Boston and Philadelphia have a tremendous history of post-season clashes, however, their final round/game meetings are few and far between.
They met in consecutive World Series, with different teams from each league,the only time it has happened and also something extremely unlikely to happen again, as evidenced by the fact it happened 102 years ago.
In 1914, the miracle Boston Braves, since departed for first Milwaukee and currently in Atlanta, swept the powerful two time World Champion Philadelphia Athletics, since departed for Kansas City and currently in Oakland.
The following season, again 102 years in the past, the Boston Red Sox took the Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games.
Thus 102 years ago, in their only baseball final clashes, Boston won both vs Philadelphia.
Before the Supe, 9 days hence, a look at other Boston/Philadelphia final round/game meetings and “separate but better,” the great postseason basketball history between the city’s teams, none of it, in the final round/game.
Hank Gowdy, pictured above, led the Braves to a stunning World Series sweep over Connie Mack’s great Philadelphia Athletics.
Curt Gowdy was a long time Red Sox broadcaster, before going national, leading the announcing in two Red Sox 7 game defeats, in which they played so well, vs tremendous teams, the ’67 Cardinals and beyond great, 108 win, 1975 Cincinnati Reds.
The MVP of the ’75 W.S. Pete Rose, is still not in the Baseball Hall. I probably should face the fact, he likely never will gain entry there.
Shouldn’t and will Bob Costas, who knows the injustice therein, cite it, when making his speech this summer?
Click below to view the 1974 “Hues Corporation” hit.
Rock The Boat 1974 Hues Corporation – YouTube
I am so glad to have met the immensely talented, truly caring and giving, Vince Pacimeo, before last Sunday’s NFL title games began.
He wants to get the message out that “we must give each other the proverbial hug.” His engaging manner as well as that of his wife, Vicki and friend Gloria illustrated to me, there are people, successful people, who want to give and help us get together.
Certainly a renowned musician and actor, looking twenty plus years younger, a veritable Richard Corey, Vince wants to get his message out there.
No time too soon, as Hillel said,” if not now, when,” and “Mr. P,” who “wowed” me with great stories, including some regarding Frank Sinatra’s kindness, is doing so with a compact disc out now called “Tug of Hearts.”
In future days, I will have more on this accomplished “Renaissance Man.”
For now, I plan to listen to his music, knowing he talks courteously to all people and his determination through song, will “move the needle,” toward better understanding.
That alone, a marvelous career, he gives back. I am so glad he and Vicki have been rewarded with each other, a good thing happening to good people.
Click below for more information and how to purchase Vince Pacimeo’s “Tug of Hearts.”
Vince Pacimeo | Tug of Hearts | CD Baby Music Store
Today, I will cite a coincidence below, in this the first of at least two posts, that will not involve football, a topic that has been dominant in number, of late here.
Tomorrow’s subject will be a on a one of a kind, caring, extremely talented human being, named Vince Pacimeo.
The coincidence is that today’s episode, airing on ME TV, so many years (49 or so), after doing so originally, on CBS, was titled “Waco.”
Tonight at the Paley Center, a great venue for broadcasting past and present, and named for long time CBS head, William S. Paley, a screening and discussion regarding a new series called “Waco,” will take place at 6:30
It matters NOT, that the “Gunsmoke” episode was named for a character “Waco Thompson” and the current series is named for the city in the state of Texas.
The coincidence is there, made so much more intense to me, by my knowledge of Mrs. Paley’s love of the show “Gunsmoke,” her likely “nudge” to Mr. Paley to keep it on, and most of all, my pressing the wrong floor button on a Paley Center elevator.
On the floor, on which I accidentally arrived, there were reminders, many, many of the show, the Saturday and then Monday nights, the CBS ratings glory and star James Arness.
Cue the great announcer, George Walsh —- “GUNSMOKE!!”
Victor French, pictured above, as “Waco” in the 1968 Gunsmoke episode of the same name.
Click below for more information on tonight’s screening and discussion of the new series, “Waco” at The Paley Center.
Waco: World Premiere Screening and Discussion | The Paley Center
The wins by the home team, Patriots and Eagles set a record as the home teams have won both title tilts for 5 straight seasons. This breaks the record of 4 straight seasons the home team prevailed in the semi round from (’81-’84).
This comprises a streak of 10 straight wins by the home team in the title tilts/semis, also a record.
Philadelphia (Eagles) and New England have played on the same day in the ‘offs 8 times (this does not count the N.E. “no cover” Supe win vs the Eagles after the ’04 season, a third such win for the Pats in the first four Brady/Belichick seasons, a feat they hope to duplicate, again vs Philly in this the 17th Brady/Belichick season), and New England is (8-0) on those days, while the Eagles have a very good (6-2) record.
In the slots, (’01 Saturday, ’04 Sunday and ’17 Saturday) both teams won thrice, in the wild card round, each beat a New York team on a Sunday in ’06 and this is the second time each won title games in the same season, as cited the other occasion was in ’04.
The Eagles lost title games after Patriots title game wins in ’01 and ’03.
Tom Brady, pictured above, headed to his 8th Super Bowl in the 16 seasons in which he played more than one game.
The great “Automatic Otto” Mr. Otto Graham of the original and great Cleveland Browns, played in the league’s equivalent game, the one for the “all the way” NFL crown, in all six of his seasons in the league (’50-55), he and the Browns splitting the six tilts.
Brady and N.E. go into this final/Supe vs the Eagles, with a (5-2) record in such games.
Both Tom Brady, who rightfully gets acclaim as at least “an,” if not THE, all time quarterback and Nick Foles, who was unfairly disrespected by most of the media, threw multiple touchdown passes as their respective one seed, home teams, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, won title games yesterday.
Thus, the teams will meet in the 52nd Supe, 2 weeks from yesterday in Minneapolis. “N.E.” has opened as a 5 plus point “fave,” a bit low, but dogs, not mine (plus I never had one!) have barked an incredible 9 of ten times, in these ‘offs, after doing so just twice in 11 such tilts last season, including a mind blowing favored Pats’ cover in the Supe.
Mr. Brady again showed his greatness, his Pats down 10 points early in the fourth quarter, Rob Gronkowski out (he did not play in last year’s ‘offs) and facing a third and 18 at his own 25, yet overcoming and leading N.E. to their 10th Supe, 8th with Brady and the great coach Bill Belichick, at the helm.
Danny Amendola hauled in the third and eighteen pass, then two touchdown passes, the latter one preceded by his fine punt return, giving Brady a “short field” of thirty yards to traverse, which he/N.E. did, on the decisive drive.
Stephon Gilmore made an outstanding defensive play for N.E. to all but seal the win, deflecting a last ditch Blake Bortles pass.
Meanwhile Nick Foles threw 3 touchdown passes as the underdog Eagles, who are now (4-0) vs the Vikings in ‘offs play, scored 38 straight points and routed Minne, once (4-0), now (4-6), in title tilts/semis, (38-7).
In ’00, the Giants scored all 41 points in shutting out Minne, in the same round.
Alshon Jeffery had two touchdown catches, while LeGarrette Blount, Torrey Smith and most of all, Patrick Robinson, whose interception return turned the game around, were the Philly” touchdown makers.”
Chris Long, (my cousin said “long” in a different context, as I typed the word) as is the case with Blount, a member of last year’s New England title team, put pressure on Minne QB, Case Keenum on Robinson’s interception and recovered a fumble with Phil up (14-7) and the Vikings deep in Eagles’ territory.
Derrick Barnett forced the Keenum fumble, on which Long, made the key recovery.
Apparently, Mr. Amendola pictured above with Olivia Culpo, makes other seemingly great catch(es.)
Andy B Sports 