Tomorrow night in West Los Angeles, an extraordinary film about the life of the wonderful, talented, compassionate performer, Kellyann Chippendale will be shown at 6 P.M. at The Revive L.A. Theater located at 12420 Santa Monica Blvd.
The film is being screened as part of the PTAFF Film Festival.
Ms. Chippendale told me, that “at its core, the film is about the positive effect one teacher can and does have on a student’s life.”
We will keep you posted on other screenings of this film, all around this spinning world.
The Houston Astros, about whom I have fond memories when they entered the National League as the Colt 45’s in 1962, won their first title, in what was their 56th season (the great DiMaggio referenced by Mr. Hemingway, who would not like these tangents in my writing, but loved Joe, saw his hitting streak end at 56 and the “value” S.F. Giants ended their title drought after 56 years) winning (5-1) at Dodger Stadium, in game 7 of the ’17 World Series last night.
George Springer, who hit 5 home runs in the 2017 World Series, tying a record for a player on the Series winning team, set by Reggie (you know what the obstinate “Can” “can” do with his Reggie criticism and the fact his ways hurt so) 40 years ago, also vs the Dodgers, doubled and scored in the 7th game’s first inning, the latter part occurring when Cody Bellinger (a far worse than Reggie 16 strikeouts in this series) threw the ball behind starter and losing pitcher Yu Darvish–(the acqired Dodger pitcher getting routed in both his W.S. starts).
A “Springer/ 2 run “rhymes with Springer,” with 2 out, T3, made it (5-0). Astros pitching, no pun “dodged” L.A. threats, with Charlie Morton, perhaps the first to win #7 of an LCS and W.S. in the same season.
This is the third major professional sports league crown for the city of Houston, the first in the city’s only other “winner take all game” in a major sports league, that #7 of the ’94 NBA final, when the Rockets beat the New York Knicks.
Coincidentally, last night when the Astros “titled,” the Rockets easily defeated, you guessed it, the Knicks.
Stranger/coincidentally, the night before when the Dodgers, hoping to join the ’88 and ’10 Lakers, who came home to L.A. and won games 6 and 7 to “title,” won to make them over 3 to 2 faves to accomplish that feat, the Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons, you guessed it, the team, they the Lakers overcame to win the ’88 crown.
2017 World Series MVP, George Springer pictured above.
The Los Angeles Dodgers/Fox Network won (3-1) in game 6 to force a seventh and deciding game vs the Houston Astros, as the 2017 World Series, the first since 1970 with two 100 wins plus teams (that one in glorious daylight with Curt Gowdy, Chuck Thompson, Jim McIntyre and Tony Kubek only went 5 games as the great Brooks Robinson and the Orioles “picked” the Cincinnati Reds) goes to the first ever home L.A. Dodgers seventh game of a World Series.
Chris Taylor, who solo’d in the L.A. team’s (L.A. won its only other #7 World Series game behind Sandy Koufax, shown last night and while I do not root vs L.A. with anywhere close to the ferocity with which I “loved” them far too long (’63-’85, surprising my father, who came home from work and said “I heard that before” when after Tom LaSorda pitched to Jack Clark, I said I would no longer root for the Dodgers and have kept my word) first W.S. at bat and tied the insane #5 game at 12, with a 2 out T9 single, delivered a 1R2B, that scored Austin Barnes and sent Chase Utley (believe me, Utley batting left handed “scared” me, but losing pitcher “Just” very good NOT great, you know how I feel re Kershaw, but oh do I “fear” him tonight, Verlander, now (0-4) in W.S. tilts, “SINNED” and hit Utley in the foot on a (1-2) pitch no less) to third, whence he scored on Seager’s long fly out to right (speaking of right, Fox execs could celebrate then, as I knew ’twas to be L.A. in #6 and a big $$$ 7th for Fox).
Houston “tried to win (1-0)” but Verlander as is the case with all of them, I say since Lefty Grove are not Sandy (I still “love” Sandy, not so Vin Scully or even Earvin Johnson, each also shown, though I once did.)
The Astros had a (1-0) lead (I had my 4’s note, recall my Snider post yesterday, as Springer, Dykstra and Snider all had/have 4 HR’s in one W.S. and all wear or wore the #4 when doing so, I believe) on Springer’s 2 out, T3 homer but failed 2nd and 3rd none out T5, “lowlighted” by Josh Reddick, being fanned by starter/no decision Rich Hill. Alas could not Verlander squeeze, as Hous needed 1 run there but did not get it!)
Thus #7 tonight, I will watch, my money on L.A. my heart and quixotic sickness vs them. Each team is very good, not great and I am guilty of thinking it is title or failure. The team that scores less runs tonight may be denied the ’17 crown, but they are NOT losers.
When I feel down, such as thinking about Joe Buck, in his 20th world Series getting his 5th seventh game and this year getting a 7 game LCS and World Series for the first time, I recall Jim McIntyre’s call of the last out of the ’70 W.S.
I can’t get his voice here, but in honor of his call and Brooks Robinson, tonight’s tilt will end on a ground out, third to first, it will not be “Robinson to Powell, the Orioles win,” but it is nice to recall that moment.
At an event commemorating the 50 year anniversary of the great 1951 pennant race won by the New York Giants over the Brooklyn Dodgers, I interviewed the outstanding Dodgers’ player Edwin “Duke” Snider.
He was so modest, when I mentioned he hit a “multitude” (my word) of home runs in the 1955 World Series, the lone Fall Classic won by the Brooklyn Dodgers.
“A multitude?” he said being modest. I said few hit more, he said “Reggie (Jackson) did, but I believe nobody else has ever hit more in one World Series.
Enjoy “The Duke of Flatbush” on this classic episode of “What’s My Line” by clicking the link below.
Whats My Line Duke Snider
Last night, for the second time in what has admittedly been a fabulous World Series, albeit one playing out far too late into the night and morning, I marveled at the incredible (13-12) Houston Astros’ win that gave them a three games to two World Series lead, vs the Dodgers.
The teams now travel to Los Angeles, where they will play game six tomorrow night and a seventh game, if necessary, on Wednesday night.
Alex Bregman’s run scoring single in the bottom of the tenth inning ended the five hour, seventeen minutes game, which featured Houston coming back from 4, 3 and one run deficits, only to dissipate a 3 run lead, they took to the ninth inning.
For the second time in this World Series a Dodgers’ player delivered in my book, THE clutch hit, knocking in the tying run, down to their last out, with a runner in scoring position, but in an eventual loss. Kike Hernandez did so in game 2 at home, but Houston won, while despite Chris Taylor accomplishing the great feat in game 5 last night, in the end it was in a loss.
Houston got three runs or more batted in performances from Yuri Gurriel, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, with Gurriel and then Altuve smacking game tying 3 run home runs, to tie the mind blowing tilt, in the 4th and 5th innings.
Additionally, George Springer was on base 5 straight times and as was the case with Brian McCann, both homered in the tilt and also reached base before Bregman, who has also played so well defensively in this post-season, delivered pinch runner Derek Fisher with an historic hit.
The irony of the name Derek Fisher (a namesake played on 5 Los Angeles Lakers’ title teams and remember L.A. has 20 major North American sports league crowns while Houston has but 2) and great efforts by Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger (4 runs batted in) and the aforementioned Chris Taylor are cited, deservedly so here.
A truly great game, I missed “(3-0) L.A,” but am so glad I watched it. It was well worth, though it should not be necessary, staying up past 2 in the morning, having seen something great and winding down afterward.
I’ll say it was an over!
Three slots on Fox and a two/two W.S. (I am a two plus two equals 5 guy, questioning and vs the networks and their control, but alas two/two equals $$$$$).
It “had to be” and was L.A. in #4, (at Houston vs the Astros), and now they went from a nine to five underdog to an eight to 5 series “fave,” after TWO big TWOb’s (aka doubles), by out of his slump, Cody Bellinger and an all important game tying hit by Logan Forsythe, led the Dodgers (6-2) in #4 and got Fox a TWO/TWO, definite profit, World Series.
As was the case in #4 of the ALCS, Houston relief pitcher Ken Giles took the loss, yielding a (Corey) Seager single, a tough walk to Justin Turner and Bellinger’s big blast/double, that scored Seager and set up an eventual 5 run L.A. 9th, capped by Joc Pederson’s 3rhr, his second home run of the series.
Did you see the look on Kershaw’s face as now he does NOT face pitching a potential 4th game Dodgers ousted loss with him losing and is a “bit much” (minus 146 and likely to climb, (perhaps) “fave” as the chalk bettors, after they lose in football, will bet more on Kershaw. Yesterday the bettors won as Alex Wood, who pitched so well as did Charlie Morton for “Hous,” was bet from plus 126 to plus 103) ‘fave” in the pivotal 5th game. (In referencing the 5th game John Smoltz, who was a great pitcher and has vast technical pitching knowledge, but is so sloppy and unprepared regarding names, keeping score et al –called it the 5th “INNING” not game, perhaps a “nit pick” on my part, but the Buck/Smoltz combo does not have the “good taste” of pastrami/corned beef, but the negative of it, “turning my stomach”).
OK— my perhaps offensive opinions, to facts you may not care about, but are both accurate and not likely to be found anywhere else.
Only once (’88) have the Dodgers lost #3 of a W.S. and still won the crown.
No L.A. sports team and they have won 18 or 19 in a final series (the ’51 Rams won a one game final), depending on whether you count the ’02 Angels, but the note applies for all L.A. titles, has ever “titled” after losing game 3 of a (1-1) final. They have won #3 of such a final and still lost, but never won when losing the third game of a (1-1) final.
One more, the Saturday game winner of an L.A. Dodgers World Series went on to win the crown in all of the previous eight L.A. Dodgers World Series with a Saturday game (there was no Saturday game in ’59), the Dodgers splitting the eight. Yesterday was Saturday and I should (there is that dreaded word again!!) have cited the above facts yesterday, but I did not!!
More: En route to the ’59 Dodgers and ’02 Angels’ W.S. wins L.A. baseball teams won #3 of a (1-1) World Series.
Six times en route to titles, the Lakers won #3 of a (1-1) final, doing so in ’72, ’80, ’85, ’88, ’01 and ’10.
I have some strong opinions about the college football playoff and the history involving so called titles in their competition.
Facts thus far today include two previously unbeaten teams falling, first Iowa State at home (recall the great movie, “The Hustler” “this is Ames”) defeating T.C,U.
Next Ohio State about a touchdown favorite rallying to defeat previously unbeaten Penn State.
Last night, I had the privilege to watch a poised, humorous (that makes sense), beautiful inside and out, Melissa Rivers present and sign copies of her book “Joan Rivers Confidential” at the stunning Barnes and Noble store, located in The Vernon Hills Shopping Center (680 White Plains Road) in Scarsdale, New York.
Surely in the midst of a frenetic promotional pace, Ms. Rivers took the microphone and talked about her amazing mother, Joan Rivers adding “take with you” comments (one was buy another/different book, as we need to support reading actual books), while glowingly showing a timing and humor, that made me, a “kindred spirit,” fellow only child, glow with pride.
She answered questions, explained the emotions and process of culling great “archival material,” regarding Joan Rivers (“not junk,” another “good one,” from Ms. Rivers), found out from one of Joan’s Barnard classmates that her mom was a philosophy major and raved about another lovely woman’s boots (from a distance I admired, inquired and will include Lori Silverman’s website regarding the boots, Melissa admired).
The night put me in a really nice place, watching Melissa talk about the book she and family friend/ publicity executive, Scott Currie combined to bring us. I can not wait to read it.
Somewhere, perhaps, my parents are able to convey to Melissa’s parents (Joan and Edgar) how grateful I am to Melissa, for being so cordial, talking to me regarding parents, her lacrosse playing son Cooper and her mother Joan’s role in a truly ahead of its time film, “The Swimmer.” Our time talking rounded out a great night.
The incredible, Melissa Rivers pictured above.
Click below for information on how to buy Joan Rivers Confidential
Joan Rivers Confidential – amazon.com
Melissa raved about Lori Silverman’s boots. You can gain information about them. Click below to do so.
Even I, once a “no matter what,” lover/watcher/listener of every pitch of the World Series, who truly has missed “mucho” W.S. action in the past say 20 years, admits last night’s game 2, Astros’ first ever Series win, that squared this, the ’17 version, was incredible.
However, the extremes and lack of perspective by television announcers Joe Buck and John Smoltz smack of that Fox thing, claiming “fair and balanced,” when only a little research or just listening, proves otherwise.
Your key words or comments regard Buck unabashedly worshiping at the shrine of Vin Scully, evoking his father Jack Buck and ignoring the fact/strong opinion by me, which I know I can back up, that Scully and Buck, while hometown icons, had styles, certainly Buck, less so Scully, not of saint status on national broadcasts. In fact, neither were ever deemed even great, no less at the point we are now where Scully is called the “no doubt about it, best baseball broadcaster ever.”
Far worse, as still what Buck said is an opinion, was Smoltz’s relative terms, completely missing the words/concepts of both “more important” and “ideal,” but in fairness, though it does not take away from my point, having the proverbial “horseshoe” somewhere, as his inane comment regarding getting ONE run, down TWO runs, top 8 and say one run, top 9 manifested.
Smoltz with Bregman (only regarding Smoltz’s points will I “game detail,” but again what a classic game, 6 home runs as late as the ninth inning, being one incredible note) at second, none out, top 8, vs reliever Kenley Jansen, talked of ideally tying the game, (I think he said one swing, so I will pass on that, but Smoltz and almost all of them continually use terms of the “it could not be better,” variety, when that is not the case), but get this, “MORE IMPORTANT,” getting one run.
If you do not see the gravity of that error, even though eventually “Hous” got the “one and one,” I still “cry foul” on Smoltz’s usage, evoking the recently passed Connie Hawkins (the book, “Foul” and the Hawk’s moves) by calling it a bad, even ridiculous, move on Smoltz’s part.
Later, in again what was a fabulous tilt, Smoltz used the word ideal regarding a situation that was not.
Thanks for listening, having endured my opinions, some andybsports.com typically unique (an opinion?) facts will follow.
Marwin Gonzalez, who hit a game tying home run top 9, without which it is very unlikely that a) Hous wins its first W.S. game ever and b) baseball gets a truly classic game, became the tenth player to hit a game tying World Series home run as late as the ninth inning (I believe, but am not sure, all 10 were in the 9th inning).
Six of the previous nine times, twice in the ’01 W.S. the team that got a game tying, ninth inning World Series home run, lost the series.
Four of the six times they still lost said game (twice the Yankees, who were the team to get two 9th inning, tying home runs in the referenced above, ’01 W.S. but eventually lost the series, also lost the game. Another time the Yankees after yielding a game tying, 9th inning homer, (Carl Furillo connected to tie the game for the Brooklyn Dodgers), won the game and in fact, clinched a still and long to be record, 5th straight title when Alfred “Billy” Martin singled home Hank Bauer in game 6 of the ’53 Fall Classic).
The Yankees got game tying home runs from Elston Howard in 1957 (#4) and Tom Tresh in #5,’64 off respectively two pitching greats, Warren Spahn and Bob Gibson, but lost the games and eventually the series in 7 games, first vs the Milwaukee Braves and then vs the St. Louis Cardinals.
In ’01, after first Tino Martinez in #4 and the next night Scott Brosius in #5, hit 9th inning tying 2 run home runs, the Yankees won the game but Arizona with, coincidentally a player named Gonzalez driving in the Series winning run (lost by far too many is Tony Womack’s far better and slightly more important hit, also in bottom 9, game 7) took #’s 6 and 7 and the title.
Twice great Philadelphia Athletics’ teams, their greatness, also largely lost by too many, in the midst of great multiple titles and certainly pennants, eras, won both the game and series after a game tying ninth inning home run.
In 1911 Frank “Home Run” Baker homered off the great, great Christy Mathewson to tie game 3, a game and series the Athletics won, to claim a second straight title, en route to three in four seasons, a span of time in which they notched 4 pennants in 5 seasons (1910-1914).
Before the stock market crash of 1929, (there are bears and bulls regarding “the market”) “Mule” Haas hit a game tying 9th inning, 2 run homer for the A’s in game 5. Subsequently in the inning, Bing Miller “tuned in” the great Al Simmons with the W.S. winning run. The A’s titled again in 1930, lost in 7 to a great Pepper Martin performance in 1931 and did not win another title or pennant, until 41 years later when the franchise having moved twice, first to Kansas City, and now in Oakland, won the first of three straight crowns (1972-1974).
It was the next year, in the glorious 1975 World Series, that Dwight Evans, so good a clutch hitter and not in the “Hall,” juxtaposed with non clutch, Dave Winfield, who is, homered to tie #3, a game and series in which both cases the Bo Sox were hard luck losers, albeit to a great, 108 regular season wins, Cincinnati Reds’ team.
The other time, (we shall see what transpires this time) a team won the series after a 9th inning game tying home run was after Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals tied #1 of the ’15 W.S.
Subsequently, K.C. “titled” in 5 games.
Recently at a great discussion at 92 Y, “instead of judgment, curiosity” was stressed, concerning opposing views.
I temper my strong opinions clearly stating I am curious regarding your opposing ones.
Concerning Mr. Scully pictured above, I was subjected to even greater “opposing views” when I hailed Vin as the best.
I am taken to a dream place when I hear Scully intone “Parker’s gottt it,” when Big D (Don Drysdale), somewhat fortuitously recorded a record tying 5th straight shutout, in volatile 1968.
This is what I wanted to do and that man did it so well.
However, was the wheel, the printing press or other, history’s most important invention?!!
Get the point, nothing is absolute and I feel when “it” tilts too far (Scully as the absolute best from a gushing Joe Buck, who respectfully based on his broadcasting, now doing a 20th W.S. (talk about a “well placed” horseshoe), knows mediocrity and as with any of us, including me, does not know what is absolute best!!
Once, at an event I attended, a long time Dodgers’ pitcher, John Podres was “holding court.”
I knew what others were surprised about and it is one of many reasons that although Clayton Kershaw who “7 innings’d” a World Series opening game win last night (if anything talk Justin Turner and yet another essentially game winning home run, as L.A. “opened” Houston and now are nearly 3 to 1 series “faves”) is an outstanding pitcher, he is not as good as Bob Gibson and maybe not even Tom Seaver. Comparing him favorably to Sandy Koufax, as Kershaw was routed in 2 elimination games and had other P.S. failures, is absurd.
Podres cited the National League he pitched in and for example going to or facing the eighth place Chicago Cubs. Easy, right? Wrong!
The excellent left handed pitcher, by the way not better overall than Kershaw, but to this point and maybe no matter what transpires in the future, a better post-season pitcher than Kershaw, cited facing that eighth place Cubs team, whose lineup included 3 future Hall of Fame players, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo.
The rest of the loop was loaded with great talent, pitching yes but even more so, hitting. There were only 10 teams two more than 8, but EVERYONE was allowed to play, making the quality of play in that league, at that time, not so arguably, the best in baseball history.
Andy B Sports 