Today is the exact 50 year anniversary of one of college football’s most ballyhooed games.
On November 19, 1966, the top two ranked teams Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a (10-10) tie in East Lansing, Michigan.
The hype for the game was unbelievable, but back then it did not bother me.
The very successful Dave Reichberg, who helped out as a little league football coach, (not mine, by the way) canceled practice that day, telling his team, (of course him) to watch the tilt.
So many great players adorned the field that day, Alan Page of Notre Dame and Charles “Bubba” Smith of the Michigan State Spartans, to name two.
After Notre Dame’s starting quarterback Terry Hanratty was hurt, Coley O’Brien his backup helped Notre Dame overcome a (10-0) deficit, famously playing for the tie late and then being rewarded at Alabama’s expense, with the mythical national title, after thumping U.S.C. the following week.
George Gipp, aka “The Gipper,” pictured above, famously talked of “WINNING one for the Gipper” as he lay on his death bed.
Dan Jenkins in Sports Illustrated, after the (10-10) tie, wrote Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian “tied one for the Gipper”
Click below to see Ronald Reagan as George Gipp, recreate the moment in the film “Knute Rockne All American,” about the legendary Notre Dame coach.
Exactly 50 years ago, on November 18, 1966, I was playing some kind of sports game with dice. Imaginative and statistically oriented, I was ahead of my time.
My father came home and warned I would not like the headline I was about to read in The New York Post, late afternoon edition.
I truly prayed each time Sandy Koufax pitched from say (1964-1966), that he both win and pitch a low run game.
How often those prayers were answered is a tribute to Sandy’s greatness as a pitcher.
The headline this day 50 years ago, conveyed it would happen no more, the manifestations of that acute hurt, still felt today.
Sandy did the right thing in retiring on more than one level, both saving his arm, and in not taking the high salary he would have been offered, based on a 27 win season.
My hero carried on and continues to in exemplary, low key, modest fashion.
Yet though I know what he did was right, I think of all the records, all the comparisons I could have avoided hearing and frankly the time wasted rooting vs any, or all pitchers considered comparable, (none were and I felt my intensity had something to do with it), after say 1970.
An intensity and ferocity without a positive place to go!
I chose well in picking Sandy as a hero. I wish the complicated story that is my or anybody’s life had been or will be a better tribute to the great pitcher and person, who announced his retirement from baseball, exactly 50 years ago today.
Sandy Koufax pitching in The 1965 World Series
On the day of the presidential election, WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa stated that Hillary Clinton was a “lock” (i.e. absolutely certain to win).
Oh, for that one flight coming in from Mars that had no communication with the earth, she did NOT win!
I am severely punished for standing up for a belief that Mike Francesa, as with all the sports talk show hosts, is not worth my time and hence do not listen.
Ah, but long ago, I realized “God” would let me win a few “coins of the realm,” by listening/enduring the most arrogant Francesa, and wager vs his predictions, especially his “locks.” Small consolation, but I am fond of eating.
The fact I did not do so, and won nothing as consolation for a candidate, the antithesis of my beliefs, gaining the presidency, is “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Does not that violate the United States Constitution’s 8th amendment?
Alas let’s hope that “violation” is not a portent of very real violations that so many people fear based on some of Mr. Trump’s campaign words.
“Terms Of Endearment” now being performed at 59E59 Theaters is a most entertaining, well written play, with outstanding performances in line with the great book and movie.
Molly Ringwald is great as “Aurora Greenway,” delivering both the comedy and pathos.
The entire cast was so good, starting with Hannah Dunne as “Emma,” and a performance evoking Jack Nicholson in the same role “Garrett” (high praise), by Jeb Brown.
“Terms of Endearment” was adapted for the stage by Dan Gordon.
It was based upon the novel by Larry McMurty and the screenplay by James L. Brooks, each true greats in the field of writing. Gordon’s adaptation was comparable, again meant as well deserved high praise.
I highly recommend seeing “Terms” as both the humor and the message are timeless.
Performances are through Sunday December 11th. There are no performances on Mondays, shows begin at 7 P.M. (Tuesday-Thursday). Performances commence at 8 P.M. on Friday and Saturday, with afternoon curtains at 2 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.
Left to right, Hannah Dunne and Molly Ringwald, each superb in “Terms Of Endearment”
Click below for ticket information
Terms Of Endearment at 59E59 Theaters
Of course the Chicago Cubs won the World Series this year, one in which the calendar was the same as 1988.
In fact, exactly 28 years after Mr. Carson used the joke in his monologue on Friday November 4, 1988, the city of Chicago held a victory parade for the Cubs’ first title in 108 years.
Ah, but that is not all! Along with a revitalized James Garner and comedian Jeff Cesario, Park Overall then on the television show, “Empty Nest,” and calling Johnny, “Sir” was a guest. Why is that part of the amazing coincidence?
Before this season, as stated, the Cubs’ last title was in 1908. The winning pitcher in the clincher with a dominant COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT (remember those), was Orval OVERALL.
Oh no, just thought of another link. Wait until tomorrow, which I am sure you will be able to do.
Park Overall, pictured above.
There will be no editorial comments in this post, subtle or extreme.
I will however, brag (I would rather be recognized and compensated commensurate with my ability) that few, if any picked up what transpired via a Johnny Carson Tonight Show, that aired last night on Antenna TV.
The original air date was November 4, 1988, as I ascertained, barely able to turn my face toward the light of the television, nearly asleep, as the show began.
My “gift” (it and the $2.75 fare will get me on the NYC subway/bus system) is knowing what day of the week that was (not right away, I am not a savant, though somewhat close in some areas and it is not really a good thing).
It was a Friday, the same calendar as this year, a scant 4 days from the presidential election.
In Mr. Carson’s monologue (he was so brilliant and things often repeat, that most of his jokes remain funny and timely, but this was a bit much!) with eventual winner and that time’s vice president George Bush well ahead of rival candidate, Governor Michael Dukakis, Johnny said the following. I paraphrase very accurately next.
“Did you see the Today Show today,” the great one asked. “They spent 20 minutes speculating on members of a Dukakis cabinet.”
John continued, “that’s like trying to figure out the Cubs’ starting lineup in the next World Series.”
Another wise man often said, “that could be two posts.” The advice applies here. There is more and it is I believe, an amazing coincidence.
Did someone say there are no coincidences? I wonder.
All nine Giants/Bengals clashes have gone to the home team.
A (21-20) “Hack” Giants win last night, made it so.
Sean McDonough is a very good broadcaster and coming from me that is really high praise.
Yet I will not watch any football night games. My father liked football, but warned 40 years ago they the NFL and others were “duping” the public. He still watched and listened, but in moderation.
If only I had done the same but better late than never I have. If I can do it, you can do it!
Don’t kid yourself, it could happen!
Before last Saturday, I believe the only other time 3 of the top 4 teams lost on the same day in regular season college pig was in 1985.
Then as was the case Saturday past, Iowa won at home on a last play field goal vs Michigan, with the latter one of the top ranked teams.
Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan coach is both very annoying and very good though still sans a title was on the losing end in both games.
He was the Michigan quarterback in 1985 and their current coach. Their hopes of making the bogus 4 team playoff (Barack Obama need not be modest about what he accomplished, but I disagree with his push for a college football playoff) likely would have and now almost certainly depend on the result of their tilt at Ohio State on November 24th.
I visited an old friend in a nursing home, spent over four hours with him and on the day, saw maybe 6 plays in the NFL.
This gives me a great deal of pride.
However, in addition to the overall sadness filling the room which we did a decent job of overcoming, the fact I messed with time, could not be hidden.
Surely it “trumped’ (remember to the victor, goes the thesaurus) what each of felt were horrible election results, as he bravely faces a lack of mobility and I know the time wasted, likely will haunt me for all time.
Yet armed with two coincidences, a determination to help the friend visited and another facing other issues, and the fact both an elderly lady/stranger and I took a “leap of faith” (not recommended to pick up a stranger, but there she stood at the end of the driveway of home, darkness evident, needing and asking for a ride to the bus) she getting into my car, me allowing it (one time only), I will keep going.
There is a woman I know who fervently believes the faith she has will make things right (I could invoke a pun, but will not).
One reason not to, other than respect for people’s opinions and beliefs even if they differ greatly from one’s own, is that I am not all that far from that mind set.
Yet I must remind all, I do not believe life to be a “Perry Mason” episode (she loves that show and I truly like it) where all is made right at the end.
However, with faith and I believe more important kindness, we can/must try. (Anyone remember one Superman saying that to the other, when there were two, each with not enough “super power” to assure justice.)
An example below of shoddy, sloppy reporting, where else, but on ESPN.com
Of course it was a and the key play, but if New Orleans had successfully kicked the extra point to take a (24-23) lead as noted below by the reporter (Jeff Legwold) “guilty” of sloppy reporting, the Broncos still had one minutes and thirty seconds left, needing a field goal.
A Saints extra point conversion would NOT have WON the game as Mr. Legwold wrote. The mistake is below.
“With Drew Brees having thrown a 32-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks with 1 minute, 30 seconds to play to tie the game at 23-23, the Saints simply needed the extra point to get the win.”
As of 9 A.M. Eastern Time, the mistake is still there. Click the link below to see it.
Broncos return blocked PAT for win over Saints
Andy B Sports 