In very sad 2016, among the celebrated who passed were Florence Henderson best known as a television mom, “Carol Brady” on the “Brady Bunch” and t.v. father, Alan Thicke, best known for his role on “Growing Pains.”
Additionally, I recall Mr. Thicke as being the host I believe, and certainly in attendance at the 1988 Sports Emmy Awards, the first such event in which Bob Costas won an award.
It was still a hopeful time for me, though still, as seemingly always, sans the “point a” needed, for any inroad toward gainful employment.
I was the first to interview Bob Costas that night and remember sitting opposite Alan Thicke after the show. There was a big magnum of champagne on a table surrounded by a number of people, as Thicke “hosted” and talked about hockey.
This past Friday, as the holiday gloom really started to wash over me, more intensely this year than most before, not because both Christmas and Chanukkah are on the same day, but for other reasons, including the inescapable fact Donald J. Trump has ascended to the U.S. presidency, I watched a convergence of “television dads” on the show, “Father Knows Best.”
Of course Robert Young was the father, “Jim Anderson,” a man who came home and as comedian Gabe Kaplan said, changed sports jackets, eventually appearing in one with patches on the sleeves.
He usually did “know better,” if not “best,” and by the way, as stated here before, check Mr. Young’s performance in the film,”Crossfire,” and you will see he had, as they say, “the chops,” in the acting profession.
Courting the show’s/Anderson family’s older, beautiful daughter “Betty” played by Elinor Donahue, (someone write/type in with the famed movie with a character named “Betty Anderson”) or attempting to do so, was future t.v. dad/”Mike Brady,” Robert Reed. (check him out as “Teddy Boylan” in “Rich Man Poor Man” and know he would have the “utensils”/chops for the meal many Jewish people ate yesterday, or does that journey for Christmas day Chinese food change because it is also Chanukkah–I would not know, as I have no family).
On “Father Knows Best,” Mr. Reed’s character is courting Betty. On the “Brady Bunch,” his character weds a second time, marrying a woman also taking the vows a second time, “Carol,” played by Florence Henderson. “It” is in many ways a “circle,” surely as outgoing U.S. president Barack Obama and this year’s election reminded us, “it”/history is NOT a straight line.
Actor Robert Reed, whose “Teddy Boylan” bought Susan Blakeley’s “Julie Prescott” (it was Rudy and Tom Jordache’s sister Gretchen, who received that daiquiri and other “firsts,” in Irwin Shaw’s epic novel) her “first daiquiri” in “Rich Man, Poor Man,” is flanked by Ann B. Davis to his right and Florence Henderson to his left, pictured and now all, likely “above.”
Yesterday, exactly 39 years after a famed divisional playoff game clash between the two clubs, the Raiders and Colts met again, with (perhaps) eerily, similar results.
Oakland in a game likely to be remembered as the one in which their fine quarterback Derek Carr was injured, (did you hear “goody/goody” Phil Simms argue for Carr and Oakland passing with a (33-14–same score GB took Oak in the second Super Bowl, when Nantz asked a good question, as to whether they should have been?), eliminated the over rated Andrew Luck and the Colts, from any post-season possibilities, winning (33-25).
On December 24, 1977, in a far better game, with even higher stakes, Oakland won (37-31) in overtime , I believe it was early in the 6th quarter, when Ken Stabler threw the winning touchdown pass to Dave Casper, that not only won the game, but covered the spread.
Thus (a Biblical word in this post which will reference it) exactly 39 years apart, in a pair of Christmas Eve games, Oak eliminated the Colts, winning by 6 and 8, scoring 37 and 33, while the Colts tallied 31 and 25.
This “lapsed” religious Jewish person (not in the identity) not “for Jesus” as in “hook, line and sinker” belief he is it, but as one who marvels at his incredible life and giving, “conversing” with him/whomever one thinks of as a/the diety, but again with great empathy for the life of Jesus, I ask as my heartbroken mother often did–why with all my knowledge/ability am I “Norm Cash” (we share(d) the same b/day), and where am I? More important, where am I going?!!
Oakland knows where they are going and that is to Denver. Only I, as cited above “denied” and not knowing “my destination,” note another similarity involving the Raiders exactly 39 years apart. They also went to Denver to play the Broncos 39 years earlier on the first day of 1978.
Then it was the AFC Title game and Denver won. Now depending on the outcome of tonight’s tilt Denver at K.C. (45 years to the date, after a famed “at K.C.” slots game, Oak will take the field in “The Mile High City” as at least the AFC “2” seed, if Denver wins tonight.
No matter what tonight’s outcome is, “Oak” will have “game incentive,” as if they win, and (13-2) “N.E.” loses at Miami, as they did in last year’s “reg” finale, which cost them the one seed to eventual Supe winner, you knew that one, Denver,—- then Oak is the AFC one seed, for the first time since 2002, in this their first ‘offs appearance, since that time.
A “K.C.” win tonight would leave “Oak” with a magic of number of one to clinch the AFC West and at least the two seed. It would eliminate the Broncos (Denver) from playoff contention. “KC” visits San Diego (Chargers) next week.
One more fairly big tangent and a “dreamer” message to go with my best wishes on this Christmas and Chanukkah, with Kwanzaa two days hence.
On the first day of 1978, as Dick Enberg brilliantly quipped, (Enberg was not the baseball announcer Vin Scully was, but the difference in publicity for Scully’s farewell was out of whack, compared to the relatively miniscule amount, afforded Enberg. In football or basketball, the latter I doubt Scully ever did, nor did he have to as he carved a great place, albeit in my opinion, vastly over rated one, in broadcasting, it is no contest. Enberg was far superior. A mentally ill “Stone” in my shoe has chosen to hurt me greatly by pulling a “Can” maneuver, (not calling), but his memories of Scully calling John Jefferson “Lofton” and James “Lofton,” who is a pathetic announcer and knows as I THINK I do, what really happened in that stairwell, “Jefferson” all throughout the Jets win vs GB in the ’81 reg finale, that “put” both NY area football teams in the ‘offs for the first time in the 12 seasons of the NFC/AFC format), as Haven MOSES gathered in 2 TD’s, Denver made the “promised land,” with Haven “having the right name” (names?) to lead the way.
The haven/promised land denied another Moses, (not his holiday, but I dig that “cat” as well, relating to his being denied and feel honored and stand in appreciation of his deeds) was not pleasant for the ’77 Broncos as Dallas (Cowboys), perhaps oddly, perhaps not–(God/Jesus/Moses all have their “reasons/plan?”) the NFC one seed this season, won (27-10) vs Denver, in that “haven/promised land” known as the Super Bowl.
You thought I forgot? Of course they were the Baltimore Colts in 1977. That was glory! Baltimore’s Unitas, who was so clutch, not like Indy’s Peyton Manning, who did somehow win a Supe there and a subsequent one in his (and) last season.
They moved secretly in the middle of the night. Also how dare Mr. Luck “spike” the football when he scored a touchdown and his team still trailing (33-20) and clearly in deep trouble in a so called “elimination” game. Worse while “more flamboyant” players with more “flamboyant” celebrations are perhaps rightfully criticized (I do not like the excessive celebrations and long for the low key, if any celebrations of Bart Starr, John Unitas and Jim Brown), Luck will not be.
WFAN’s Francesa, truly “targeted” correctly by the New York Post’s Mushnick last week, (I will not repeat it) “loves” Luck, thinking he “walks on water,” even as to this poin in time, he has been a good, even very good, but clearly underachieving player.
Some notes, but even I, try hard as I might, can not see the “puzzle/what ‘they’ want for the final week, in the admittedly “done right,” battle for NFL playoff spots and position.
I will say and this often does NOT work, if the Titans win their One PM Eastern time tilt, at Jacksonville vs the Jaguars, the Houston Texans essentially have no real “playoffs’ motivation for their Christmas Eve game at home vs the Cincinnati Bengals tonight.
If Tennessee wins, the winner of next week’s Houston at Tennessee tilt (Tennessee was once the Houston Oilers), will win the AFC South. Essentially that would leave Houston with little to play for vs Cincy as next week’s game almost certainly would determine Houston’s playoffs qualification fate.
Now if “Tenn” wins and Houston wins, then an unlikely tie in the “Hous” at “Tenn” game would still give the “div’ title to Houston. Also Houston with a win would keep alive hopes of being a three seed. I suppose Houston at (9-7) could still qualify for the ‘offs, as an AFC wild card team.
However, I believe if the Titans win, Houston has little motivation. However, even in that scenario no play on that game for me.
Two “system” games and slight nods from me, the Jets getting a huge number 17 points at New England. Last year, in the penultimate game, the Jets upset “N.E.” and it led to the Pats not getting the AFC one seed and an eventual loss to the “chosen” Peyton Manning and Denver. Today N.E. 31 Jets 17
The other loser/loser/underdog system game and also worthy of a slight nod is Arizona plus 8 points at Seattle. Sea en route to a very likely, not certain NFC two seed win but do not cover. Say Sea 15 Az 10.
This truly is shoddy reporting by Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com
He works for an entity, with the name NFL a part of it, half the name.
You would think he would have some knowledge of NFL history, apparently not!
Is it too much, Mr. Rosenthal that you know the NFL did not go to an 8 division format until 2001?!!
Thus, what I show below from Rosenthal’s column, is erroneous and I believe to be an egregious error, one illustrating his lack of knowledge, concerning NFL history.
“The Patriots have already clinched a bye for the seventh straight season, one of the most remarkable streaks in sports. (The next-longest streak of byes since the NFL went to an eight-division format: four, by the 1990s Cowboys and 49ers.)”
A link to Mr. Rosenthal’s story is below. Will it be corrected?!
AFC playoff hunt: Who’s in with a win?
Where is it?
The earth was a better place with 6 time Jeopardy champion, Cindy Stowell still on it and the show, (Jeopardy) was better, when the second and third place contestants could keep the money they won.
Here is an easy (Jeopardy with all the publicity gained from Cindy’s life, death and “Jeop” appearances can afford it) way to express that sentiment.
Ms. Stowell won a good deal of money, I think over one hundred thousand dollars, in winning on 6 Jeopardy shows.
In her 7th appearance a man with an eerily similar last name, who won the next night as well, (last night’s episode aired, but I do not know the result) Sam Scovill, outscored Cindy, but not before she answered correctly in Final Jeopardy and put the fact in a form of a question.
Stowell “scored” roughly 20 thousand dollars, but was awarded but two thousand, as the second place finisher.
As a tribute to Cindy Stowell and the many who scored big on the show, albeit not winning and were reduced by thousands, Jeopardy should donate the roughly 20 thousand dollar difference to cancer research where some of Cindy Stowell’s “Jeopardy sanctioned” winnings are already headed.
Cindy Stowell pictured and very likely, “above.”
Last year also in the penultimate week of the NFL “reg,” another “packaged” NFL night game, that one on a Saturday in Philadelphia, resulted in a Wash “division clinching win,” that eliminated both the New York Giants and the (Philly) Eagles.
I noted at the time (link below) that in a calendar year (2015), in which both the Giants and Eagles lost an elderly, great former player (Frank Gifford and Chuck Bednarik respectively), linked by a play in 1960 that in many ways, mostly for worse, symbolized the two team’s great rivalry, perhaps Mr. Gifford and Mr. Bednarik watched “from above,” as their teams were eliminated together, from any ‘offs possibilities.
Last night in a Thursday packaged NBC tilt with the unbearable duo of Mike Tirico and (oh did he just shut up now at 7 A.M. the next day) Cris Collinsworth, the now (6-9) Eagles, by the way bet from plus 3 to “pick em”/even, held off the (10-5) Giants, clinching the one seed for the (12-2) Dallas Cowboys.
As stated in a post earlier this week, last night’s tilt probably would not matter as Dallas was going to be the NFC one seed, (Dallas achieved that for just the second time in the 21 season span from (1996-2016), after notching the one seed twice in three seasons (’93 and ’95) with both “one seed seasons,” culminating in Supe wins. That was part of a great 3 Super Bowl wins in 4 seasons (’92-95) by Dallas, which has never been exceeded and matched only by the Patriots, the likely AFC 2016 top seed counterpart to Dallas from (’01-’04), while the Giants would almost surely qualify as an NFC wild card team, a “perch” from which they won it all in ’07, beating the lone other Dallas “one seed” team in this 21 season span, in the 4th “slot”/div playoff game, along the way.
I think back to 1994 when I saw the great player, Chuck Bednarik at the Heisman Trophy event, rooting so hard for the old Cleveland Browns in their win, (in another coincidence coached by Bill Belichick, need I say more), at Dallas, in a late season, Saturday AFTERNOON game.
Chuck told me that to put it mildly, “he did not like the Dallas Cowboys.” By the way for the record, I recall that Ken Safarowic, married to Chuck and wife Emma’s daughter Carol, was quite a good player and journalist, one who likely would appreciate this history but perhaps edit order and maybe content.
Last night, the Cowboys and their fans including “Michael D” and son Nicky, rooted for the “disliked” Eagles, the game result, meaning among other things, Dallas will host a slots/division game (I will say on Fox, in the Sunday Jan. 15th later game/4th slot) and be the NFC one seed at the time Michael and Nick celebrate their shared birthdays in the preceding week.
Imagine what the odds were against that (not them having shared birthdays, something I suppose, hard to calculate) happening, when we were discussing “Cowboys 2016,” informing them, quarterback Tony Romo would be out of action indefinitely.
Wilbert Montgomery burst 42 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in the Eagles’ 1980 NFC title tilt win vs the Cowboys. A year later, the Giants led by Rob Carpenter and coached by the forgotten Ray Perkins, upset the Eagles in the one NFC wild card game. (They began 2 wild card round games in both the NFC and AFC in 1990, the Eagles losing in the first ever such game vs the Washington Redskins.)
Click below to read my post from December 2015, regarding “Giff” (Frank Gifford) and “Concrete Charlie” (Chuck Bednarik) maybe, watching a related game together.
There is then and of course now.
In 1971 on Christmas Day, Jack Whitaker was the lead announcer and many, my father included, felt Dallas had passed its toughest test, winning a “div” playoff game at Minnesota, in a bid to finally win a Super Bowl.
They did go on to win it all, carrying stoic, football intense, but unlike such as “Willie Boy” Bill Parcells, a decent man, coach Tom Landry off the field after doing so.
I have problems with megalomaniac Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones anyway, but especially so, when recalling his treatment of Mr. Landry, when the former took control of the team/brand.
Rather than rant further vs the NFL and add my mixed feeling regarding Dallas and the NFL (Rather as in Dan, is heard from Dallas on that fateful day in 1963, all it entails….. in the fine new film, “Jackie” starring Natalie Portman as Mrs. Kennedy, her pink outfit drained in the blood that still sadly whether right or wrong, haunts me as a symbol of this country’s and my macro failure. My micro failure can not quite be tied to that day or can it?!!), I will talk about “the more things change, they stay the same” aspect of Christmas Day second game of the day, tilts 45 years apart. (was #45, “Tank” Holmes still with the Chiefs in ’71?).
On Christmas Day 1971, with, as the great broadcaster, Curt Gowdy (now at best “we” endure Al Michaels and his stretched out, behind play by play or heaven help us Mike Tirico, an example that not the meek, but the incompetent shall inherit the earth) said, “a moon hanging down over Municipal Stadium,” the Miami Dolphins’ Garo Yepremian, another player, unjustly denied Hall of Fame status, booted a winning field goal in the 6th quarter of what is still the NFL’s longest game, lifting “Mia” over the host K.C. Chiefs, and into a home AFC title tilt.
Then as now, a favored Chiefs team hosted/will host a Christmas game.
Certainly none of the endless procession of college bowl games before and I suppose after the two bowl games that serve as semi-final tilts on New Year’s Eve interest me.
Thus my Mildred Dunnock (attention must be paid as she uttered that line/sentiment in both stage and film productions of “Salesman” (i.e. “Death of a Salesman”) admonishment will be via pro football.
The ‘big time” league will play twice on screens and devices on Christmas Day, a far cry from its vow not to do so, after two slots/division games were held on Jesus’ 1971st birthday, a Saturday.
I do not know if the cake for Jesus was inundated with candles but many lights, eyes and rear ends watched and sat for NFL Christmas day tilts then and will do so now.
In a Christmas Day divisional playoff game in 1971, though his team lost, Ed Podolak, played brilliantly.
Likely one can make a good case that I go go a bit far in my criticism, usually directed against most modern announcers, “non return” broadcasting great, Bob Costas, a notable exception.
However, there are few if any who will impart some of the information that will follow, all in and around the 1960 World Series, matching the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees.
In the historic seventh game, a key play in that, one of baseball’s greatest games, I say the greatest, when one considers the importance, was a ball hit by Bill Virdon, taking a bad hop (by definition going up in the air) and hitting Yankees shortstop, Tony Kubek in the throat.
The first batting result of the classic series, won by the underdog Pirates, obviously a play infinitely less important, was however, an almost eery coincidental opposite.
Kubek was the batter and hit a ball that also went up in the air, hitting the third base bag for a single. Virdon’s ball in #7 was also a single, eventually a huge play, in denying pitcher Bob Schantz and the Yankees.
The great Roger Maris, a year before hitting 61 home runs to not only beat out his even greater teammate Mickey Mantle for the home run crown, but setting a record with 61 home runs, had much the opposite happen in 1960.
Mantle’s home runs in the Yankees final series vs the Washington Senators gave him 40 on the year, one more than Roger, giving “#7” the 1960 American League home run crown.
One more note (maybe during this holiday season this “critic,” sort of generous “Scrooge,” I believe with good reason, but alas what is the point, will provide more, follows.
Yankees pitcher Art Ditmar actually filed suit for the use of “Ditmar throws” on the series ending home run by Bill Mazeroski on a commercial some 25 or so years later. (It was Ralph Terry who surrendered Maz’ historic clout.)
The first pitch by a New York Yankee in the series was called “Ditmar throws” by the same great announcer, Chuck Thompson who worked with another great, Jack Quinlan, on radio in that classic World Series.
In getting ready for (10-4) “Hack” (boy are they dangerous, already copping 2 Supe titles, with the highly criticized, but so good, not great, Eli Manning, as their quarterback) at (5-9) Philly Thursday night, consider the Giants almost certainly will be a wild card team, nothing more, but nothing less.
The Giants need 4 of 4 decisions in their games and those of Dallas to go “their way” to win the “div” title and garner the “one seed” for just the third time in the 42 (that number worked for Well Mara as at the time of Supe 42, he had that many grandchildren or was it grandchildren and great grandchildren? “Rhythm method” and “Saturday night” indeed. Also and I am in a foul mood, but is not the late Mara, one who did much good and bad in his life, perhaps hovering in Ohio?) seasons it has afforded all home advantage games possible.
However, it would take say 7 maybe 8 decisions to go against them to keep first year coach Ben McAdoo (how could Bob McAdoo not have been one of the 50 greatest NBA players?!!) and his Giants out of the playoffs.
That would require Hack losses at Philly and last night’s “lay an egg team” Wash, under Jay Grudin with Jon Grudin doing color.
Additionally Tampa Bay would have to win both its games and the Lions would have to win at Dallas and lose vs Green Bay, after the Pack beat Minne this week. Even then Atlanta would have had to win at least one game.
NFL.com is stating the Giants “hack” their way into the ‘offs with an Atlanta loss this week and they are probably right as some of the tiebreakers get beyond my calculation. (Unlike the inordinately well paid Francesa, at least I try).
However, say all the above happens with one Atlanta loss coming this week, the Pack at (10-6) would win the NFC North. TB at (10-6) would win the NFC South. Det, Atlanta and the Giants all would be (10-6) and the Giants with the worst conference record AMONG the three (another “bargain” Brad Nessler said “BETWEEN” the four teams in shamefully promoting a meaningless college basketball doubleheader last week) would be out???
Bottom line–almost certainly the Giants will be in the ‘offs, very likely as a wild card team.
