One of yesterday’s posts pointed out the juxtaposition of the NFL having its last regular season Sunday games on December 18, 1988 while yesterday’s games ( Sunday December 18th, 28 years later) were played with two weeks remaining on the same numbered 16 game NFL schedule as 1988.
The teams with the top three records in the NFL and four of five (by the way, in trying to hear Bob Hope on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, while watching the plays in the Dallas/TB tilt, I had the sound on, forcing me to hear Cris Collinsworth’s error in saying TB was facing the team “with the BEST record in football.” At the time, that was (12-2) New England and not (11-2) Dallas. Even now after the win they are tied for that place, thus it would have been incorrect to state, what the non stop talking Collinsworth did) reversed their losses that day or weekend.
28 years and one day earlier, the same New England at Denver match up as yesterday, transpired with Denver winning a Saturday game, with no playoff implications.
Yesterday in a game chock full of such “implications,” New England won, covered and “Ko’d” Denver “teasers,” all vs me. While the result was the opposite for the two teams, it repeated a horrible loss for me that Saturday December 17th, leaving me “groggy and down,” while then “significant other” Angela’s friend, Pedro Tweed put on a great display, doing push ups on my live cable show.
On that last day of 1988, Dallas lost, ending a non playoffs season. Yesterday they won and as referenced above, are tied with New England for the best record in PRO football (Collinsworth said football, not pro or the NFL. Undefeated Alabama and some other college football teams have a better record!).
In my next post, I will cite the other teams with records in the top four or five, that reversed decisions exactly 28 years earlier, with key victories yesterday.
I am racing to just get out the four loser/loser/underdog system games for this week.
It is the same calendar as 1988, more on ’88 and the four guests cited in the last post, another time and in ’88 on this December 18th date, the regular season ended.
Now in 2016, 2 weeks remain after this.
Today, the Colts plus 5 plus at Minnesota.
The Jaguars plus 3 plus at Houston, which now after I rightfully mocked Boningo and Roberts assertion that a Houston AFC South win was certain, is a big “div” favorite, after all. Comments on this, no matter today’s results later this week.
“Another-rrr” is SF, a brutal (1-12) plus 14 plus vs Atlanta. A score there: Falcons no cover, winning (29-17).
A prediction is Denver plus three plus (it costs 7 to 5) but you will not have to pay it, N.E. 19 Denver 17.
A wonderful Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, aired last night on Antenna T.V.
Underrated, so called “second banana,” Ed McMahon and John were great working in and around the famed Carson monologue, Ed imploring, at least “strongly suggesting” John “get the golf club,” the signature Carson gesture, that ended the opening monologue, moving the classic show forward.
There were four guests and though I watched last night in dark, bitter, “never made it-time passed, screwed by so many” loneliness, I guess I am fortunate to have had some interaction with all four. Regrettably, I never met either Johnny Carson or Ed McMahon.
The guests were in order of appearance, two women and then two men. Joan Rivers was first, followed by Adrienne Barbeau, 28 years old, when the December 1973 show originally aired.
Two men followed, first comedian Gabe Kaplan, who performed, sat down with the four person panel and got up again, performing what would be considered “politically incorrect” humor today. For the record, and I am not only “LIBERALLLL”- (remember the great Cleavon Little saying the word that way, on “All in the Family”) but abhor racial or ethnic prejudice, the “bit” was/is not only really funny, but not offensive to me.
This is tricky ground and though discussed on the show 43 years ago and now without any true answer, just opinion.
A wonderful, brilliant, “live life” man, George Plimpton was the final guest.
What become ominous recollections include Carson asking “Joannie” would she ever get plastic surgery and the mention of author Philip Roth.
Roth wrote a book of fiction about a true bigot, far beyond being politically incorrect, yet an “American” (though she “dumped” me, a former girlfriend and citizen of Canada, pointed out the arrogance of the U.S. calling itself AMerica, when so many other countries inhabit the Americas) hero, Charles Lindbergh, becoming president.
Now, barring a miracle decision by electoral college voters tomorrow, it is just over a month until a man, on some level a hero, as he built skyward–(Lindbergh did accomplish the greater deed, also skyward, flying non stop from New York to Paris in 1927, a year someone I know, who has as much to give as a lizard, was born) who if not a bigot himself, (his father was a “slumlord”) certainly has been backed by so many that are, officially goes toward the sky again, ascending to the U.S. presidency.
For that sobering reality and many others, I look to the sky and ask WHY?!!
Unlike regarding so much of what is on the air, I try to check my facts before putting them on these posts.
I know it was a Saturday night game and am ALMOST certain, it was the game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, that I researched to have been on October 10, 1970, at which I remember the great and beautiful Ann Margaret, being interviewed or at least talking with Merle Harmon, about Joe Namath.
Margaret had co starred in the movie “C.C. and Company” with Joe Namath and told Harmon, a great broadcaster, she was nervous and worried, watching Joe on the football field.
Much had happened by that time and certainly afterward, indicating a drop in the play of the New York Jets and the often injured Namath, after the team and individual triumph, vs the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in the third Supe played in January, 1969.
That night in 1970, Miami, embarking on a period of greatness under Don Shula, then in his first year coaching the ‘Phins and the coach victimized by the Jets in the aforementioned Supe, won (20-6).
I am sure I have commented on the Jets, Namath, Shula, that and other Supes before and will do so again.
Today, I recall Anne concerned about Joe and my brief meetings with each, classy individual.
I simply said hello to Ms. Margaret once as she sat next to her husband Roger Smith. Ann worried about Joe that night in 1970, but it is her lifelong, ongoing devotion to Mr. Smith before and after his physical setbacks, that are a primer of what marriage can be.
I am not that naieve, and know, not quite from experience, but know it is not easy. They make it happen, and seeing them together, was a nice, moving experience.
Regarding Joe Namath the football player, I have complex feelings that can be cited another time.
When I talked briefly with him in 1988, I asked him not about that third Supe, the one I have “complex” feelings about, but his 4,000 yard passing season, the first one in pro football history back in 1967.
I also cited Namath and the Jets spoiling the then Boston Patriots’ season, exactly 50 years ago (Saturday December 17, 1966), winning (38-28) in the season finale, which was the help the Buffalo Bills needed, to gain a third straight AFL East title.
Joe Namath was impressed that I remembered. Of course I did, just as I remember he, Ms. Margaret and Mr. Smith being so gracious.
Only the great Jimmy Durante gets between Ann Margaret and Roger Smith. Alas who is Roger looking toward? I do not blame him.
Molly Oerin is the least offensive of the trio that inhabits the very dangerous and “lower than low” standards territory of the ESPN show, “First Take.”
When one as arrogant and opinionated as retread Max Kellerman, is completely dwarfed in that department by Steven A. Smith, (trust me in the not too distant future, when scientists look back trying to determine what destroyed this society’s integrity, setting it spiraling backwards, Mr. Smith will be among the “exhibit A’s”), one knows they are in dangerous territory.
However, facts are facts, it was Ms. Oerin messing up 2 for 2 on Thursday’s show. First, she could not read the copy correctly or some such thing, thinking Sunday’s NFL games were being previewed. Instead it was last night’s Seattle vs Los Angeles game.
Note Seattle VS Los Angeles, meaning the game was IN Seattle. One would have thought the tilt, a mismatch, boring game worthy of Mike Tirico (why is he getting to “broadcast” any games?) was in L.A. Why?
Ms. Oerin read, (heaven forbid she do any homework), the Rams are HOSTING the Seahawks.
Tonight there is a Saturday night NFL tilt, matching the wild card contending Miami Dolphins, against the (4-10) New York Jets.
One would think it would be difficult, even highly unlikely, for the Dolphins to make the playoffs, if they do not win tonight’s game, in which they are two plus point favorites.
Miami is (8-5), right now tied in the standings (I think Denver has the current tiebreaker, it is hard to determine which team would have it under certain circumstances at season’s end) with the defending Supe champion, Denver Broncos.
Denver hosts the current AFC leading, (11-2) New England Patriots, before journeying to now (10-3) K,C, (Chiefs) on Christmas night.
They complete the trio of games, against the teams with the top 3 records in the AFC, when they host the now (10-3) Oakland Raiders in the regular season finale on the first day of 2017 (can you believe it will soon be the year 2017?!).
The “‘Phins” of Miami visit now (6-7) Buffalo next week (by the way the NFL will have a virtually full “card” next Saturday, not Sunday Christmas Day) on December 24th, before hosting “N.E.” on Jan.1, 2017.
Certainly other things can and likely will happen (the team not winning the AFC North, right now likely (7-6) Baltimore Ravens, a team that ripped the Dolphins 2 weeks back, could easily gain the second wild card spot/6th seed), however, I would say it is likely that 6th spot will go to either Miami or Denver.
Be careful how you do so. Three posts today as the snow falls. Next I “rip” into some on air people and in my opinion, a ridiculous show.
However, my third post will recall memories in and around another Dolphins at Jets Saturday night tilt involving two pretty good people.
On a sports update report earlier this week, WFAN’s John Minko, for so many years a “give the losing team first,” etiquette violator to fans and bettors alike, uttered a “doozy,” regarding a report on Michigan’s arrogant coach, Jim Harbaugh’s future plans.
Harbaugh had stated he will stay at Michigan. Minko cited that adding he said he would not go to the NFL OR the Los Angeles Rams.
L.A. is not a good team, but they ARE part of the NFL.
Imagine a kid, this is not about gambling, say 13 years old, having to miss his beloved Chicago Bulls, still seeking a first NBA Finals appearance, 7th game at defending champion and favorite Detroit (Pistons) in the 1989 NBA semi-finals.
Then there were no mobile phones and WFAN sports updates “told the story” to many who listened. From the start, and likely to this day, those giving the scores, so important to so many people (they should not be but are, additionally even in not important sports, information should be diseminted correctly) have done so with little regard to etiquette (winning or leading team stated first) and at times, accuracy.
Minko, on that fateful Sunday “tortured” some poor Bulls’ fan, going to a break, saying “Bulls advance.” The Pistons advanced and covered that day in 1990.
Together Mr. Jordan (Michael) and Mr. Pippen (Scottie), the latter a virtual no show in that 7th, and the Bulls never lost an ‘offs series again, (after a Jordan “full season,”), winning 6 titles. Yet even that can not dispel the pain, that kid suffered that day due to Minko’s ineptitude, a status so often continued when he gives scores.
With no scores to give, as offensive as Minko’s “apple polishing” of Mike Francesa is, it is really not harmful, but why is he allowed to “give the scores,” in the manner he does?
On this a cold, windy day, please indulge some personal reflections that abound, as on this date exactly 67 years ago, yes on a Thursday, my parents were married.
“The place” I sit is the same since 1967, a period of 49 years. “The folks” married in 1949, conceiving me in 1955.
My father was a New York Giants’ fan, my mother put up with being courted at The Polo Grounds and the insanity of two men, especially me, first loving and then seeing that love for baseball, deteriorate on my part.
Certainly on the occasions, the great broadcaster, Bob Costas returned calls (he and I lamented greatly about the wild card presence in baseball), my mother’s spirits (Costas’ big break was in broadcasting St. Louis Spirits’ games, beginning at age 22) were lifted, even if my love for baseball was waning.
I once called the great basketball player and current insightful author, Kareem Abdul Jabbar at a New York City hotel, circa 1980, on another of those lonely Saturday nights.
Kareem was polite and his laugh was clearly discernible, when I told him I was in my mother’s womb “rooting” for his beloved, 1955 title winning (at long last) Brooklyn Dodgers.
“Research” of sorts, plus what I already knew yields that both the first and last of the 54 outs in the famed 7th and deciding game in which Brooklyn’s “next year” finally arrived at/vs the great New York Yankees, were shortstop to first sacker, ground outs.
Playing in left field, Jim Gilliam, famously moved from “there” to second base to start the fateful bottom of the sixth, moving Sandy Amoros soon after toward “the left field line of destiny,” grounded out Phil Rizzuto to Bill “Moose” Skowron to start the game.
Pitching hero John Podres threw a change up pitch, on which Elston Howard grounded out Pee Wee Reese to Gil Hodges (Gil drove in both Brooklyn runs in their great (2-0) win) and Brooklyn celebrated and celebrated.
Through the sadness of life and the ambivalence on my part toward baseball, I know it is through moments such as the lone Brooklyn title, won vs such a great team/era of New York Yankees’ baseball, that I loved/love the unique game.
52 years after the first World Series, the Brooklyn Dodgers won their first and only such event. Johnny Podres was awarded “Sportsman of the Year” honors by Sports Illustrated.
A period of roughly 52 years “without,” ended this year when the Cleveland Cavaliers ended the city of Cleveland’s title drought.
LeBron James of the Cavaliers was named this year’s “Sportsman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated.
A mention of another 52 ending, the fine Dallas Cowboys’ #52, Dave Edwards passing away, cited in New York Times’ obituaries, that also reported John Glenn and Greg Lake had died. Hear the music and recall the public service!
Last night the fabulous store, Brooks Brothers in New York City, was the scene for a fabulous “Holiday Party,” with some of the day’s proceeds going to benefit the great charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
There was so much to do, as I “buzzed” around the store, seeing its incredible merchandise, stopping for some incredible hot chocolate and taking a picture with a superb “Santa Claus” aka, Henry William Oelkers, actor and model.
All these years later, after also enjoying time and conversation with Rob” at the “Santa Station,” where young and old posed with and sat on Santa’s lap (I could have, “Santa” said, but I sat on the arm of the chair), I learned “Santa” took the subway, in full regalia, but no reindeer in sight.
Additionally, Rob, (“Santa Station’) was not only friendly and truly interesting, but also very helpful and accommodating.
The wonderful actress and humanitarian, Marlo Thomas spoke, of course on behalf of St.Jude, a cause so close to her family, inspired by her mom and dad, the latter being the legendary entertainer, Danny Thomas.
It was at least the second straight year the Brooks Brothers crowd was treated to Wynton Marsalis and orchestra really entertaining, with great music.
As stated, I buzzed, renewing old acquaintances, including with those who supported Donald Trump. One such person, a beautiful, actual delegate said “I could have told you he (Mr. Trump) would win.” I wish she had done so earlier, as even a great night at Brooks Brothers, can not top a 5 to 1 payout.
However, it was a great night and I am grateful to have been there.
Thinking of Santa and the great gift, then a bicycle, now a realization that giving to others is a great gift to one self.
The New England Patriots are (11-2) and though they face a test at Denver, where their season ended last year amidst the at least somewhat “fixed” (use the word destined) Denver title run, led by its defense, and not the exponentially commercialized retiring Peyton Manning, are favorites to be the AFC one seed, a position they failed to achieve last season, due to losses at the Jets and Miami, in their last two tilts.
“N.E.” faces the same two opponents in their last two games this season, this time vs the Jets at home.
Almost surely, those losses and the subsequent “At Denver” and not “Vs” Denver at home, cost them a 7th Supe appearance in the Brady/Belichick era, which will almost certainly, minimum, produce not only a 14th “div” title in 16 seasons, but an 11th first round bye/home slots/div game in 16 seasons.
New England has a one game lead over both K.C. and Oak., each of whom would likely have the tiebreaker (this NFL scenario is hard to determine, but at least I try, unlike WFAN’s Mike Francesa, who failed to do the minimum research involving NFL scenarios and it showed. On Monday past, he made mistakes and needed his “staff” for “ON THE AIR” answers. It was another shameful example of this blowhard’s lack of work and preparation, while being rewarded with disproportionate, ridiculous compensation) for the AFC one seed.
The Pats have a magic number of one to clinch both the “div” ( Div rival, Miami and AFC North leader, Pittsburgh are both (8-5) and an incredible 11th first round bye in 16 seasons.
3 weeks left in the season, could not Francesa research who won games this season and the remaining schedule for teams involved in playoff scenarios? There is no possible “doctor’s/parent’s note” to excuse this man’s lack of research.
