The Houston Astros, now in the A.L. West have baseball’s best record while the L.A. Dodgers, still in the N.L. West have the National League top mark.
The Astros and Dodgers staged memorable showdowns for the N.L. West title in both 1980 and 1981 when it was a legitimate one fourth title, though ’81 was a strike marred season, forcing an extra round of ‘offs which is sadly, now the case each year. Also there is a bogus one game round of 10/pre quarterfinals.
L.A.won 3 regular season home games to force a home one game playoff in 1980. Joe Niekro, for my money a better pitcher than his Hall of Fame brother, Phil, beat L.A. in that game.
In ’81 the Dodgers returned home having to win all 3 games which they did, the final one vs the extremely over rated Nolan Ryan.
Has it been mentioned anywhere else? The plethora of factual mistakes I hear or read make me want to volunteer as a fact checker, this regarding sports, but also I wonder as many do, regarding the accuracy of what is disseminated, minute by minute, to the public.
This year was the first time in 70 possibilities (1948-2017), that the basketball teams that lost in the final the year before, came back to “title” the following season.
Both North Carolina which won its sixth crown and third under Roy Williams and the Warriors, whose title was their fifth in franchise history, third as Golden State, second under Steve Kerr (help from Mike Brown) and Kerr’s seventh crown (three as a player with “Chi” and two as such with San Antonio) had suffered bitter final defeats the year before.
Kris Jenkins of Villanova sank a shot to beat “N.C.” while Adam Silver suspended Dray Green for game 5, with Golden State at home up (3-1), keying the lone Cleveland sports crown in over 50 years.
There is more to the above pictures. First I cited the “Curry” shirt and talked of the above note. Soon after I noticed the North Carolina shirt. All this yesterday while on line at a local Panera Bread.
Oh no, there may yet be a race for at least one of the two bogus wild card spots in the National League.
What appeared very unlikely, is now more than possible as the Colorado Rockies have lost 8 games in a row.
There is no “year off,” no insurance, no building, just the ever present wild card.
Add never ending telephone solicitation and Julie Andrews is singing in reverse, regarding favorite things.
There is much research to do, but the discrepancy in losses by the respective NBA and NHL title teams, the Golden State Warriors and Pittsburgh Penguins, likely is the largest in the 70 year history of each league crowning a champion (1947-2017 as the NBA, first as the B.A.A., began in 1947, and there was no NHL season nor champion in 2005).
Golden State started (15-0) went (16-1) in the recently completed ‘offs, while the Pens, eerily similar to last season when they also titled, won series in 5, 7, 7 and 6, going (16-9).
The year before “Pitts” won its “quarter,” (both times said “quarter” was vs top ranked Washington (Capitals), in 6 games and the other series in the same 5, 7 and 6, going (16-8).
A great discrepancy also manifested in 1971, when each champion needed to win 3 best of 7 series/12 ‘offs games.
Milwaukee (Bucks) the NBA winner went (12-2) while the NHL title team, the Montreal Canadiens were (12-8). Where oh where is my S.U.N.Y. Albany friend, Don Cole, who rooted for both of those ’71 title teams.
So much talk of Michael Jordan vs LeBron James as the game’s greatest player, first off James is not even close and considering college and pro and maybe even just pro, Kareem/Lew Alcindor, the latter for 3 college titles in 3 seasons at U.C.L.A. and the aforementioned ’71 Bucks, is the best.
I truly enjoyed watching some episodes, at least partially of the Mel Brooks/Buck Henry conceived 1960’s spy spoof show, “Get Smart” on Decades over the past weekend.
In addition, to the splendid comedic talents of Don Adams aided by Barb Feldon and Ed Platt, there was the “ahead of its time” shoe phone.
Alas at the show’s beginning Adams’ “Smart,” (maybe that is where they got the name for modern “shoe phones,” ducks into one of the now obsolete telephone booths.
One comment recalling a “Smart ism” “Would you believe” sports “reporter,” Kim Jones needed and had shown, her notes for a simple interview with Joe Girardi?
Would you believe today this “who is she,/ who does she know” “reporter” stumbled through a commercial on WFAN. Bad enough, but instead of continuing and just being bad, a la most of the WFAN commercial reads, Ms. Jones made excuses, as to it being a new read.
Try preparation Ms. Jones! Then again enabled as you are, why be prepared, why get better, why improve your craft?!
A week after the top heavy A.L. Central “faves,” the Cleveland Indians swept 4 tilts at Minnesota, the long shot Twins “returned the favor” winning all 3 games in Cleveland.
The Twins are back on top in the A.L. Central led by their manager, the former great player, Paul Molitor.
Few thought they would contend, even fewer after last weekend.
We shall see next weekend and beyond.
En route to winning four best of seven series and their second straight NHL title, the Pittsburgh Penguins had to win 16 games.
They also lost nine, which has to be at least close to the most ‘offs losses by a league champion in either the NHL or NBA.
On a Carson Show aired on Antenna T.V. some 29 years later, I knew Johnny would talk about the ’88 Lakers’ repeat title clinched the night, or 29 years and a night before.
That L.A. team had to win four series, one a best of five prelim and did so while also losing nine games.
Perhaps more research will follow. Some editing help in Bill Pennington’s otherwise fine book about Billy Martin (Billy Martin Baseball’s Flawed Genius) would have yielded Phil Rizzuto was A.L. MVP in 1950, NOT 1948, by the way one of just to seasons the Yankess did not win the A.L. pennant from (’47-’64) so that alone should have demanded better editing/research.
More notes tomorrow.
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 pictured above.
If all the good, class, charm, beauty and conceptual brilliance of these two amazing people could be “bottled,” great things would occur.
With Ibu, this is happening!
Click below for more information.
Ibu Movement
ALI MACGRAW — Ibu Movement
The Houston Astros, in their 56th season, still seeking their first title and with nary a World Series game win, (The White Sox swept “Hous” in the ’05 W.S.) are (50-24) well ahead in their division, and almost certainly will be in the 2017 baseball tournament.
I cited this up and coming club in 2015, when they were a bit ahead of the curve, at that point well ahead in their division race, before settling for a wild card berth.
They won at Yankee Stadium in a one game “deal,” before losing a heartbreaking game 4, up 2 games to 1, vs the eventual World Series winning K.C. Royals in the best of five division series.
Needless to say, similar to last year’s Cubs, or teams less fortunate that have great regular seasons, the stellar Houston play, at best gets them the A.L. one seed and no matter what, still leaves them where they must win three rounds of playoffs, to win their first title.
A long way to go, but if the Astros win the ALCS, they would become the first team to make the World Series from each league. Only the Milwaukee Brewers, who are playing fairly well and are in a slow pace division at the moment, but so much less likely to do so, also have that opportunity.
It is quite possible, maybe even probable that there are other examples, but in my continuing process of gathering notes on title teams, I give you Oakland and the Green(es?), as cities with two different teams, that won at least two titles in three seasons and had players with the same last name and in fact, initials.
Upon reflection, maybe that had not been “accomplished” until the Warriors (titles in ’15 and now ’17) with Draymond GREEN, joined the Oakland A’s (titles from 1972 -1974) with Dick GREEN.
Add A.C. Green of the Lakers and that is 7 titles for “Greens” in the state of California.
Dray Green is at the very least, flamboyant, not so Dick Green, nor for that matter A.C. Green.
A.C. helped the Lakers win back to back titles in ’87 and ’88 with selfless play and great rebounding. He added key points at subtle moments, in big games.
Dick Green was brilliant in the ’74 World Series vs L.A. (Dodgers), most memorably making a great relay throw in the tied 5th game as late as the 8th inning.
Joe Rudi homered in the bottom of the frame, on came the great Rollie Fingers, so long denied “Hall” status (Pete may never get into what is becoming the Hall of Sham, with Biggio, Bagwell others and NOT the all-time hits leader Pete (Rose) nor homer king Barry Bonds) and the A’s had 3 straight titles.
Dray Green, pictured above. The “42” apparent with G.S. players in #5, had to be for Nate (Thurmond).
Andy B Sports 