Today Tim Raines went into the not so sacred Baseball “Hall.”
I am happy for “Rock” and below a recollection written earlier this year.
Last night in Montreal, Tim Raines newly and in my opinion, rightfully elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, received a great ovation when he was introduced before a National Hockey League game between the Canadiens and Florida Panthers.
I could not help but recall a night nearly 30 years earlier, Saturday May 2, 1987, when I spoke with the always friendly and personable Mr. Raines via phone from a New York City hotel room where he and the baseball Montreal Expos were staying.
Earlier in the day, Raines had returned to baseball with an incredible performance in his first game of the season.
We shared a laugh as we speculated that with the Canadiens easing to a 7th game “quarters” victory, Raines’ exploits would be relegated to page four.
Both the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals are on lengthy winning streaks. The former has won eight in a row and leads the latter, which has won nine in a row, by two games.
The defending A.L. champion, Indians have a 4 game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the A.L. Central, as play begins today.
Cleveland, so close to ending their 68 year title drought last season, is the favorite in the one eighth/division.
Here are some thoughts after watching the fabulous movie, “Witness For The Prosecution” on TCM.
First off, continued kudos to hosts Robert Osborne and Sally Field in setting up the movies in “The Essentials” series on Saturday nights.
Field, whose mother studied with the fabulous Charles Laughton, cited Mr. Laughton as the best of all English speaking actors. In my opinion, if Mr. Laughton is not the best, it does not take much time to call his name.
In the film, actor John Williams is involved in a case involving a woman named “French” and years later played the other “Mr. French” on the television show, “Family Affair,” after Sebastian Cabot, the first “Mr.French” departed the show.
A stretch but here goes: Tyrone Power’s character in “Witness for the Prosecution,” remembers September 3rd as the day he was wed. Years later, “The Third of September” is a day “remembered” in “The Temptations” classic hit “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone.”
Do the Chicago Cubs have the N.L. Central lead to stay?
Despite so often wrong (a person on the phone said “wrong,” literally as I typed the word) and sure, WFAN’s Mike Francesa saying the Cubs would ease to the division title, I also believe they will win it, perhaps easily.
After that if it happens, they will be a viable contender in the baseball tournament.
There is Aaron Judge and his rookie season home run exploits.
Few, if any, can be talked about ahead of Hank AARON when home runs or for that matter all around play, are discussed.
Another HANK, Greenberg was a great home run hitter, nearly eclipsing the Babe (Ruth) when he hit 58 in 1938.
Do not forget Joe JUDGE as a key player on the only Washington title team, the 1924 Senators and his long, excellent career with the team.
Elliot Lurie, best known as the lead singer of “Looking Glass” gave those of us in attendance at Lockwood Music Hall a great night to remember, with his performance and truly classy, gracious manner.
The performance included songs and stories and still sounding great performing alone, took us to that “beautiful place” only great song(s) are capable of doing.
Yes I closed my eyes and “could hear the sailor’s stories,” along with my memories as Mr. Lurie treated us to “Looking Glass’ mega hit, “Brandy (You’re a fine girl),” singing the song twice (second and last).
He told us great stories, played some new songs and brought the grateful audience songs by greats Nat King Cole and Curtis Mayfield.
Jeff Grob, the drummer from “Looking Glass,” was in the audience really coming alive for “Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne,” and was really informative as he offered great praise for that song’s producer, Arif Mardin.
Both Mr. Lurie and Mr. Grob talked to me regarding Mardin’s greatness as a producer and person.
It was a great night seeing Elliot, learning new things and going back to a great place.
Click below to hear “Jimmy Loves Mary Anne.”
LOOKING GLASS “JIMMY LOVES MARY ANNE’
Today in Chicago, the White Sox and defending champion Cubs met at a point in time after each team had won a title within twelve years.
This is the first time since 1920 that such a point in time existed concerning the two Chicago baseball teams.
The White Sox ended an 88 year title drought by winning the 2005 World Series.
Last season the Cubs ended a 108 year title drought.
Phil Donahue a Cubs rooter is from Cleveland, the city whose baseball Indians now have the sport’s longest title drought.
The Craig Counsell managed, Milwaukee Brewers ended a six game loss skein and still lead, however, precariously, in the N.L. Central.
Counsell “titled” as a player with both the 1997 Florida Marlins and 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.
In ’97 he scored the winning run in game 7 of the World Series and more important as the Marlins were the home team and all that entails, tuned in the tying run with a sacrifice fly, in the bottom of the 9th.
He was voted the top player/MVP of the Diamondbacks’ 2001 NLCS win vs the Atlanta Braves.
Above Counsell “vs the defense” is pictured about to land on home plate with the 1997 World Series winning run in the eleventh inning of #7.
Yes, in a way I am staying in the genre as Hoops, with all it offers has some relation to someone, an incredible, burgeoning talent, named Chippendale, Kellyann Chippendale, a comedic performer currently performing in Los Angeles.
She is charming, beautiful, topical and quite humorous.
Ms. Chippendale will be performing at The Comedy Store/ Original Room in Los Angeles commencing at 7 P.M. in Los Angeles on August 25th. She also will perform at The Improv on August 6th, the show beginning at 5 P.M.
Kellyann Chippendale, pictured above.
Just one block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, Hoops Cabaret (48 West 33rd Street NYC) combines the fun of a sports bar with the excitement of a gentlemen’s club.
It’s a great place to watch the baseball game, or any sporting event. There are so many Hi-Def TVs and giant screens—there is not a bad seat in the house.
Food and drink served by good looking waitresses in referee outfits, while beautiful entertainers in sports themed clothing perform on multiple stages.
Highly recommended.
HOOPS Cabaret and Sports Bar
48 West 33rd Street, New York City
***Court-side, Mezzanine and VIP seating
***Multiple Hi-Def TVs on all Three Floors
***Super VIP “Man Cave”
***Full Menu, served late
***Full Service Premium Bar
***Next door to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC
Andy B Sports 