In looking through past interviews, I came across one I conducted with the wrestler, Sherri Martel, who later would be known as “Sensational Sherri.”
Sadly, she is no longer with us but my memories of her kindness and “schtick” will stay with me.
She yelled, as wrestlers did or do, during our interview, but was so friendly, even granting my co host Sunshine Chance Smith and me, access to her shared dressing room before a show.
What a great, accommodating, forthright lady. An attractive, personable wrestler who climbed higher, after we met in 1986.
Much of what one leaves is how other people remember you and Sherri gets straight A’s from me, leaving me memories of a really nice day.
“Sherri baby” thanks for being kind.
Now, as the narrator with the deep voice might say, part 2 of a chance meeting inspiring thoughts of Morris Crute.
Back to the younger man named Crute.
Remember this is on a hot day in a busy office.
I see the name and I have to ask.
“Excuse me, ” I see the name Crute are you perhaps related to Morris Crute?
Indeed he was and I recall Morris Crute’s tremendous playing days and of course the famous shot made at The Westchester County Center for Yonkers High School vs Roosevelt High School, whose team included Mike Linden, a starter on a final 8, Cal Fullerton team in 1978.
Does Morris talk about his playing days and the shot I asked?
Each of us laughed loud enough to stir others, on the hectic day, when the younger Mr. Crute answered “all the time, all the time!!”
The above certainly applies to many coaches and football programs.
I think of Brook Benton’s “Rainy Night In Georgia” and relate “how many times?”– perhaps also to say it is life and follow “you have to play the game” to ESPN “HAS” to show a Red Sox/Yankees Sunday night game.
Tonight’s game while more important to some those ratings prostitutes have beamed between the two teams, really means little.
One day regarding “both sides of the street,” Lupica, (why was she ever put in a baseball broadcasting booth?!!), Waldman and the “fooling nobody,” Merty.
Sally Field working with Robert Osborne on TCM’s The Essentials said it very well in hoping that actor Jack Nicholson appreciates the greatness and opportunity that manifested regarding he and his extraordinary performance in “one Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” now over 40 years ago.
In watching the movie some time ago on TCM, I agree and always thought that way about the fact “Cuckoo’s Nest” was a great ensemble performance and that Louise Fletcher, as was the case with “Jack,” (as I say regarding President Kennedy, who the bleep am I to call him Jack?!!), an Academy Award winner for the film, was spectacular.
Yet I also agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Field and Mr. Osborne that not only did his performance in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” vault Nicholson to the “moon,” but that it was a transcendent effort.
It really is difficult to express how great the film, directed by Milos Forman was and the incredible emotions that it elicits.
So the easy part for me and some baseball that was referenced in the film.
Jack’s “R.P. Mc Murphy wants to watch the first two games of the 1963 World Series and the great announcer Ernie Harwell’s voice is heard in an authentic tape of his preview of game 2.
The L.A. Dodgers defeated the Yankees in 4 straight games in that World Series.
Yet 4 Yankees, Al Downing, (by Harwell as the Yankees’ game two starting pitcher), the “great Mickey Mantle” and he was, Tom Tresh and Bobby Richardson are cited to just one Dodgers player, pitcher Sandy Koufax, whose curve ball could break “expletive deletive” well as cited by Mc Murphy which sure was the “emmas” (an Italian word ha ha) regarding Koufax, a Jewish pitcher.
Thankfully the hype surrounding the not so important (even in a baseball sense) weekend series between Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees has subsided a bit as “Bost” enters the moved Yankee Stadium, having moved four and a half ahead–(winning 8 straight games) in the one eighth division.
Though the Yankees, once half a game ahead, prompting another talking head/know it all Frank Isola to say they would win the division, have lost ground to “Bost,” they are still ahead in a bid to be the home team, in that most bogus of games, in which the winner becomes one of eight teams remaining in the baseball tournament.
Recently, I watched a great, albeit “edited” episode of “The Big Valley” that originally aired in 1967, in which emerging actresses Ellen Burstyn, who became a great, and Karen Black, eventually very good, showed signs of their eventual success.
Lee Major’s “Heath” is brought up on “trumped” (Optimum, the cable system used that word in the program description) up charges, as Black’s character “Carla” lies, while Ms. Burstyn playing a nun, (“Sister Jacob”) once in love with Major’s “Heath,” does much to defend him.
As usual, Richard Long, whose life was the opposite of his surname, cutting far too short a fine career, stood out with intensity as “Jarrod.”
Mr. Long was in the film, “The Stranger” helping Edward G. Robinson’s character bring to justice, a former and turns out current Nazi murderer, played by Orson Welles. Mr.Long more than “held his own” in support of those two acting greats.
The “Big Valley’ episode ended with the great Barbara Stanwyck’s “Victoria” talking with Burstyn’s character, surely a scene with “passing of the torch” implications.
Ms. Black was also “no slouch” also playing a key scene with Ms. Stanwyck, in the beautiful episode, titled “A Fall From Grace.”
It would not hurt.
In thinking back to the somewhat glorious sports of the 1960’s, I recall players named Willie and Tommy Davis in baseball and Willie and Tommy Davis in football.
Baseball’s Tommy Davis, a personal favorite, had a year for the ages in 1962 playing for the L.A. Dodgers. He drove in 153 runs!
Football’s Tommy Davis did both the punting and place kicking for the San Francisco 49ers. He also did the same for the 1958 college champion, Louisiana State Tigers.
Staying in football, the Packers’ Willie Davis is a member of the Pro Football of Hall of Fame. As a great defensive end, he played on five NFL championship teams with “G.B.”
Baseball’s Willie Davis was considered the fastest man in baseball in his time. He played on two World Series winners with the L.A. Dodgers.
Some Television Notes
In an attempt to get away from the mistakes and any sports, some brief notes while watching some old and older television shows.
A detective on “Murder She Wrote,” an terrific approximately 35 year old show starring the great Angela Lansbury, is named Gerard, in fact Lieutenant Gerard, I believe. This is homage to the great 50 plus year old show, “The Fugitive,” which starred David Janssen, and featured Barry Morse as “Lieutenant Gerard.”
A great actor, George Macready, turned in a fine performance maybe 55 or more years ago, as a vengeful judge on “The Rifleman,” which starred former Brooklyn Dodgers’ player, Chuck Connors.
A newer still current show “Ray Donovan” is fascinating, not as great as in earlier seasons but still great.
I watched the very first episode, usually a good idea when possible and I can see how the story arc and characters were building. I have the 20 20 hindsight, credit the writer, Ann Biderman, for great foresight.
Nearly fifty years later, I will try to keep “running” for justice but do so without Mr. Janssen’s strength.
Click below to view Mike Phelp’s (my favorite Mike Phelps) site and comments concerning Mr. Janssen.
Both David Stern and Adam Silver, two all-time mercenary people favor legalized gambling on NBA and by extension WNBA games. I do not know about that.
Yesterday a “parlay” of the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever, each at home vs the top two teams, the best record and often champion, Minnesota Lynx and defending champion/second best record L.A. Sparks paid off at 23 and a half to one, as each scored victories vs clearly superior teams, but ones, who had little motivation, at least regarding the standings.
It seems this happened last season and I posted regarding it then.
Plenty of “cheese” once a year going vs the top two WNBA teams.
Click below to read regarding the opportunity lost from last season.
- WNBA Returns With Two Big Upsets on August 27, 2016
ESPN.com posted the wrong date as to when the 1912 New York Giants began the 50 game span in which they won 43 games, an incredible feat matched yesterday by L.A. (Dodgers).
The 1912 streak began on May 4th not May 14th, not a big deal but they couldn’t get it right?! Cue Lou Jacobi’s voice.
No pickle nor, or is it or(R) (Bobby was so great and is so kind and modest) deli sandwich can help now.
Springsteen sang “no retreat, no surrender” but since DeMatteo and Trump were non bet winners and L.A./others loom— I do both, at least for now.
Click below to hear Karen sing “Rainy Days And Mondays.”
Andy B Sports 