Until further notice, it is almost certain to be a redux of last year’s WNBA final, in which the second seed L.A. Sparks upset the top ranked, defending champion Minnesota Lynx.
This year the Lynx are again top ranked and favored to get back the title.
Both Minnesota and Los Angeles won easily in semi openers, vs the Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics respectively.
Game 2 in each series is tonight. The Lynx and Sparks are a combined (6-0) (6-0), the latter figure vs the spread, the past two seasons in the semis.
The Dick Cavett Show of days past is airing each night at 8 P.M. on Decades with two half hour episodes.
Many times one guest has occupied both slots.
Recent examples have been Richard Burton and Jerry Lewis.
Each day, I look forward to watching Mr. Cavett and his guests.
We can see great guests such as Debbie Reynolds, called indomitable not “unsinkable” by Cavett on tonight’s show. They were great together, Carrie Fisher cited as the show ended, a portent but let’s remember the magnificent talent and efforts as well.
True, the Indians are playing for something, at least the A.L. one seed , which they now lead by one and a fraction games over Houston (Astros) and in this the first year ever, in which W.S. home advantage will be determined by record, a “race” with N.L. teams L.A. (Dodgers) and Wash (Nationals), but why with 19 straight wins, are the Indians, perhaps and likely peaking now?
Of course, a lesser pace can get them the long sought title. Last year, “Cleve” went (10-2) in their first twelve ‘offs games, before losing the last 3 W.S. games to the Cubs, which ended the Cubs’ 108 year title drought while prolonging Cleveland’s to at least 69 years.
The Indians will be over 4 to 1 faves with ace pitcher Kluber at home tonight, vs Detroit, in a bid to tie the A.L. record win skein of the 2002 Oakland A’s, set around this time of year.
Those A’s and the A’s of that “Money Ball” era never even won a playoffs series, while the 1916 New York Giants, who won 26 straight games with a tie among 27 played, did not make the World Series.
The ’35 Cubs, who won 21 straight games, lost in 6 to the Tigers of Detroit, in that season’s World Series.
Goose Goslin pictured above, “tuned in” Mickey Cochrane, for whom Mickey Mantle was named, with the W.S. winning run in 1935.
Trust me, I am not anti-New England Patriots. In fact, I generally “pay money” to root for their victories.
They deserve credit, as one of the great teams in any sport, at any point in time.
However, the thought they were invincible and the ceremony before their opening tilt, a loss vs K.C. left me with a sour taste.
Showcasing Robert Kraft with his well known views and worse Mark Wahlberg, does not help the N.E. intangibles, already poor, having not only won the 51st Supe, but having done so with an amazing comeback.
They also went (16-3) vs the spread, but are (0-5) this season, of course counting EXHIBITION games, which the “rip off” NFL charges its suckers, I mean fans.
This is a great team, with both an all-time QB and coach. The fact, the ridiculous media will tone down their praise, will also help New England.
So NE is plus 4 and a half to 1 to win the Supe.
I will “book” a good chunk, saying they do not!
Since I am not in that “field,” nor want to be, I hope they do win it, but emphatically, with visions of Kraft, Wahlberg and even Tom running on the field last week, in my head, if not my heart, say they will NOT repeat as title winners!
The Pats are better than the Penguins but they will not repeat as champions, something the Pens did.
I wonder if Wahlberg would take 4 and a half to one that they do! I may not like him, but he is seemingly too smart to do that. Then again, what does money mean to him as he has so much!
There are at least two NFL games on this the opening Sunday, matching franchises, all four of whom have relocated at least once in the interim, that were incredibly important football games fifty years ago.
Today the Indy Colts, once the Baltimore Colts visit the L.A. Rams, who were in L.A. in ’67, moved to St. Louis where they titled in ’99 and have since moved back to Los Angeles.
On the last day of the ’67 NFL season the Rams went to 11-1-2 and won the Coastal Division crown beating the Colts in L.A.
In Tennessee today the Tennessee Titans host the Oakland Raiders, the latter the L.A. Raiders when they won the ’83 season Supe.
The Titans were once the Houston Oilers. In a ho hum, rout after the famed Ice Bowl/’67 NFL title tilt, in which GB took Dallas, the Raiders ripped Houston (40-7).
The Pack, hosting Sea, in an early season showdown pitting the two NFC teams perceived best, won it all 50 years ago winning the Supe vs Oakland.
Dallas hosts the New York Giants tonight.
Make it 17 straight wins for the Cleveland Indians, who are trying to be the A.L. one seed.
They will keep playing hard but very likely will not break the record of 26 straight wins set by the 1916 New York Giants.
Those Giants did not win the pennant and the streak included a tie.
The 1935 Cubs won 21 straight games with no ties.
Those ’35 Cubs lost in 6 to “DEE”troit, (Tigers) in the Fall Classic.
Another A.L. Central crown for the Indians.
Once Lou Costello was asked by a western figure how are the Indians doing? He thought of those/Native people of the U.S.
She/the western figure replied with some emotion, “not those Indians, the Cleveland Indians!!
One hundred years ago the Chicago White Sox defeated the New York Giants in that year’s (1917) World Series.
The two teams each experiencing woeful seasons, expected for the projected 69 win White Sox and utterly disappointing for the “projected” 88 win Giants, meet in a meaningless series beginning tonight in Chicago.
However each team especially the Giants has produced a great accomplishment in this century, each ending long title droughts.
The first of three straight “even year” Giants’ crowns in 2010 ended a 56 year title drought. Baseball things end at 56, at least regarding that drought and Mr. DiMaggio’s hitting streak.
Meanwhile, the White Sox ended an 88 year title drought, having not won since the aforementioned 1917 W.S. when they swept the Houston Astros, then in the N.L. and now leading for the A.L. one seed, in the 2005 World Series.
President Woodrow Wilson pictured above on a 1917 World Series program about to throw a ceremonial pitch.
Mr. Wilson, was the first U.S. president with alliterative initials for his first and last names. Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Ronald Reagan subsequently gained the distinction.
Tonight the NFL season begins thus I feel this is an opportunity to post some great recollections and comments regarding hockey sent to me by a friend named Anne. It follows below.
The Only Sport I Will Willingly Watch on Television is Hockey
I’m one of those “I’ll only watch the game if I’m sitting in the stands” type. And not just any seat – good seats. But my love for the game of hockey keeps me glued to the screen throughout hockey season. Hockey, I have to admit, is the only sport I religiously and willingly watch on television. The crossover season when the televised sports options are many, finds me glued to the screen watching Stanley Cup Playoffs eating popcorn, drinking beer and cheering.
I have my wonderful father to thank for encouraging my love for the sport. By age 7 I had ice skates on more than shoes and spent winter days searching for frozen bodies of water, hanging out at the local ice rink, and for one glorious winter we were members of the local “winter club” with indoor and outdoor rinks.
If we timed it right, my sister and I often had the outdoor rink to ourselves. And my father had no problem spraying our snow filled backyard with garden hose water to transformed the snow into slush then ice.
Season tickets to the NY Islander games for years in nose bleed seats (to better see the strategic plays, my dad would say) taught me how to play the game. I was the only girl the guys even considered letting into their game at the local community center’s rink.
Ann has links to the Pittsburgh Penguins and has great praise for their team’s accomplishments. Goaltender Matt Murray 2 for 2 in winning Stanley Cup titles is pictured above.
At a recent event showcasing the work of women artisans featuring legendary actress, Ali MacGraw, the incredible manifestations of Ibu (in Indonesia, an Ibu is a woman of respect) were brought into focus, and my eyes have seen, if not “glory,” the beauty of artisan’s work that is empowering women in lands where they are not privileged and such efforts produce so much good.
There were so many beautiful items on display and the shopping netted the guests beautiful items, designed and donated by Ms. MacGraw, whose fashion acumen, continues to dazzle. (Ali truly contributed to her character Jenny’s style in the great film, “Love Story”).
The event with so much beauty and amazing, vibrant people most with two x chromosomes was a conduit into a realization of what Ibu is doing and the possibilities of its concept as strong, protective armor in these troubled times.
Susan Walker, the founder of Ibu, moves mountains and does so with her beauty (outward and inward), charm and extraordinary concept of reciprocity.
She said “Ibu is a business and I really want to set it up with this model, so that woman in other countries learn business, pricing and quality control.”
Ms. Walker went on to explain that “yes it is doing an amazing amount of good” (in the countries, helping to get essentials and so important building confidence in these women in 34 countries) they are doing good for us also” citing “the textile skills, we/U.S. have lost and so it is a beautiful reciprocity.”
In summation, the overwhelming atmosphere which included beautiful items and my realization of the great good Ibu does, made it an unforgettable evening.
There will be future posts with Ibu updates.
Left to right: Ali MacGraw and Susan Walker
Ibu Movement
Another one eighth division winner will be the Washington Nationals.
This crown will be their second straight and they will bid for their first NLCS appearance as they almost certainly will face the NL Central winner, still likely to be the ’16 champion Cubs in that quest.
“Wash” has not had a title winner since 1924, their only one in that year Calvin Coolidge ascended to the presidency.
The Yankees have won 26 titles since that Senators crown in ’24. “Joe Hardy” anyone?
Andy B Sports 