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.
Some baseball notes, and as is often the case, coincidences, coursed through me, as I watched “Meet Me In St. Louis” the film on which greats, Judy Garland and eventual husband director, Vincent Minelli met and collaborated, on TCM last night.
First of all, the movie was set on the precipice of 1904, as St.Louis was the center of the world, for that year’s fair.
“Meet Me In St. Louis” was released in 1944 and again St.Louis was the “center of the world,” at least the baseball world, as both their teams, the Cardinals for the 8th time of what is now 18, and the Browns for the first and only time in their St.Louis history, made and met in an all St. Louis World Series.
Additionally the father of the Smith family played so well by Leon Ames, conjures two more baseball links/coincidences.
He jokes of leaving his law practice circa 1904 to play for the (original) Baltimore Orioles. Fifty years later, and ten years after the film’s release, there would be “job movement” from St.Louis to Baltimore (Orioles), as the Browns became the Baltimore Orioles, playing their first season along Chesapeake Bay in 1954.
Finally Ames is not just Smith, but Lon, short for Alonzo, but also called Lonnie (Smith), certainly a name in St. Louis baseball history.
The film was made 40 years after the time it was set in. 38 years later, Lonnie Smith already once a member of a title team, (the Philadelphia Phillies’ first ever and one of two to this date, in 1980), playing for the Cardinals, helped them raise their W.S. record to (9-4) (at that time a better winning percentage than the vaunted Yankees (22-11) mark in such yielded), as St. Louis prevailed in 7 games vs the Milwaukee Brewers to win the 1982 World Series.
Click below to view “Judy,” (her talent manifests in first name identification), an undeniable great performer, who suffered despite great success, sing “Have Yourself A Merry Christmas” to actress Margaret O’Brien in the film, “Meet Me In St. Louis.”
JUDY GARLAND: ‘MEET ME IN ST LOUIS’. ‘HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’ WITH SNOWMAN CLIP.
I will have more on the fine movie “A Letter To Three Wives” which I watched yesterday on TCM, tuning out of the Packers’ “automatic” vs Seattle (Seahawks).
For now a couple of things/people from fiction that showed up later on in our culture.
The fact there was a fictional “Linda Gray” as at least a radio program, if not person in the movie gives me the pleasure of citing the beautiful, talented Linda Gray, best known for her role as “Sue Ellen” on the great show, “Dallas.”
In the movie which was written and directed by the great Joseph Mankiewicz and introduced by his talented grand nephew, Ben there is a car dealer known as “Crazy Eddie.”
No longer in business, but a force say in the ’80’s, “Crazy Eddie” was a great place to go for electronic items.
The incredible Mr. Joe Mankiewicz won Academy Awards in consecutive years for screenwriting and directing, first for “A Letter To Three Wives,” and the following year for “All About Eve.”
As Ben Mankiewicz noted, it is beyond doubtful and almost certain nobody will match that feat for a long time if ever.
NBC got what it wanted, with the (10-7) victory by the (9-4) New York Giants vs the (11-2) Dallas Cowboys.
Now next week’s tilt, already very important to (8-5) Tampa Bay (Buccaneers), a team tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South lead, but likely sans the tiebreaker advantage, has more meaning to the Cowboys, whose two losses have been to the Giants, in the season’s first game and the last to date, by a combined four points.
Dallas has a magic number of 2 to clinch the NFC one seed. Both the Cowboys and Giants have remaining tilts, at home vs (9-4) Detroit (Lions), the team currently ahead for the NFC “2” seed and at (5-8) Philadelphia.
The Giants visit (7-5-1) Washington (Redskins) the team currently ahead for the 6th and final ‘offs spot in the NFC, on the NFL regular season final day, which is the first day of 2017.
The Giants win also helps ESPN, as Dallas, no matter what next week’s results are, will have some “seeding” still in play, when they host Detroit, the Monday night after Christmas.
Even if Dallas wins next Sunday night, and I believe they will be at least 6 point favorites to do so, the winner of next Sunday’s Detroit at the New York Giants tilt, will still have a chance to finish ahead of Dallas.
All this said, Dallas is still a very likely NFC one seed and the loss last night was/is a blessing in disguise, as they were not likely to win 16 games in a row to win the Supe.
Now, one can easily say, to have won last night, which would have clinched at least a “2” seed and set up the “get it out of the way” loss, say at Philly, in a meaningless finale, a la what the (14-2) eventual champion, “Wash” team did in 1991.
No the networks and NFL, as with “Lola” in “Damn Yankees,” usually get what they want!
The good news for Dallas is ‘they’ still want them, as they are so called “America’s team,” an overblown comment both within the United States, but also the other countries (yes there are others in North, South and Central) America.
A “clue” above.
Please excuse the somewhat shoddy writing and the overstated opinions.
I just want to get the three posts out there today.
Two more loser/loser/underdog system games are the Texans plus six and a half at Indy and the Saints plus one and a half at Tampa Bay.
I am not crazy about either underdog, but I am citing the “system.”
Two more predictions: Seattle (minus 3) 18 Green Bay 17, will it snow at “G.B.?”
Dallas and the Giants, too close to call, thus “Hack” plus three plus is the choice.
Essentially it is “dogs.”
After all that, (surely I do come on strong/likely offensive, to some of you with long held deep beliefs in military glory. I would be happy to offer perspective on this complex issue, however my point of view which is shared by many, gets almost no, as they say now, “traction” especially in the sport’s world), I “better” give you guys, (now a term that includes gals), some winners.
After all, the “cha ching” (spelling?) is the one thing that takes priority over the “war mongering.”
First a look at the loser/loser/underdog system and then some advice which often, but not always, helps.
In the New York market, “they” would not give us 4 games, one a mandatory, meaningless Jets at “S.F’ tilt, so really it is two games.
A “system” game is (6-6) Buffalo plus 3 vs (7-5) Pittsburgh, with Nantz presiding. Oh, to have access to the envelope he possesses, with the game result (exaggerated?. of course, but trust me there are grains of truth in that statement, the everlasting question, how many?!!). “Buff” needs the game much more, but Pitts is still in a battle to win the AFC North to qualify, and is a dangerous, very good team. I will predict Pitts 19 Buff 17.
I do not think they want Arizona in, nor do they have much of a chance of being in. Additionally “AZ” threw long for a touchdown, that both covered and “over’d” Wash last week.
It was not a “gross” violation ( incidentally where is “Shtunk,” and dare I say intelligent, caring people such as him, who never overcame their inner base feelings and thus “roto-rooted” one as brilliant, talented, but lazy as me, are one reason we got one such as Trump, and all that entails) by “Az,” however, Miami, routed last week by Pitts’ rival, Balt, will win this week.
Do not “go crazy” on this or any other tilt though often I kick myself for not doing so, which is why gambling is so masochistic, among other unhealthy things, I say to myself, but this looks good, not as good as the latkas at Vikki and Jeff’s Chanukkah party yesterday, but good. Mia 23 Az 16. If I am wrong there is small consolation in the fact “traitor” cousin Adam’s non title streak with “his” Dolphins, Mets, Islanders and Trailblazers will grow to 143 (43 Mia, 29 completed seasons sans a title for the Mets, 39 for Portland’s Trailblazers and 32 completed NHL seasons for the Isles).
Two more system games in my next post on a ranting, angry, Sunday morning despite being at a great Chanukkah party invited to so graciously by Vikki, Jeff, Emily, Norman and by extension Ann and Nick. I should have taken the latkes home but even that will not prevent this rage if I do not find love and achievement!
Remember there are no locks in these games!
Maybe if my hard working parents (they were very different than me in that regard, working a combined 90 years, for a “lousy” 100 days in a skilled facility, granted to my mother) had seen that I knew there was evil, without citing the evils in the system, they would have met me somewhere “in between” and today I could at least live with some dignity, if not afford that delicacy, lox.
In the old days of baseball, players from opposing teams rarely fraternized. It was a much different time, one before pensions and player unions, yielding rivalries, often at least somewhat bitter, in abundance.
Thus I recall breakthroughs that also went further than opposing players talking, as one expands a bit on the three great players involved, hopefully bringing it forward in a very important sociological and more important, humanitarian sense.
The great player, Detroit’s (Tigers) Hank Greenberg, who once hit 58 home runs in a season which threatened the one and only George “Babe” Ruth’s single season record, once talked of being in the league over a year, without saying anything to another baseball immortal, Lou Gehrig of the vaunted New York Yankees.
Then in 1934, one of three times in a 7 year span, Greenberg and “Det” derailed the Yankees’ incredible “pennant express,” Hank got to first base and Lou asked “are not you going to say hello?”
I “tear up” thinking about such comradery, respect and yes greatness! Perhaps that is why I am so critical of the announcers, the country and most of all myself.
Moreover, I thought about what Lou Gehrig, a United States citizen went through as a youth because he was of German descent, during a war in the nineteen teens (I will not “number” the war, it was beyond brutal and even worse was supposed to be the last one. That was, and even more ominous, is not even close to being the case, making the usually just a “garden variety,” never shutting up, often wrong, “boning” Gary Danielson’s war monger type comment during yesterday’s almost fixed, Army win vs Navy (I predicted it, as if that matters, but alas Danielson and the military compete in “killing” while my competitive juices are satisfied, in trying to forecast outcomes in a violent, military game.)
Greenberg, another United States citizen, one who was of the Jewish faith, went through horrible insults on the baseball diamond.
Hank made it a top priority to be friends with Jackie Robinson, a black man, whose first season in 1947 was Greenberg’s last.
Speaking of “last,” Gehrig, Greenberg, and Robinson, their greatness and courage will last and resonate if we remember, that the people today be them from Mexico or of the Islamic faith, are human beings and need I remind you (sadly I do!) in 2016, be treated as such.
Maybe, in fact definitely in my opinion, another “last” as in a “last war” will never be as long as a Gary Danielson, who took the “commercial” for this country’s armed forces that is the Navy/Army game (by the way the overt rooting for Army and I predicted them to win and made a few bob on that fix, thus it is not “sour grapes,” was disgusting and both Danielson and “born again” Verne Lundquist, in his last tilt should be ashamed!) to a disgusting, nihilistic level.
In case you did not hear it, a gushing Danielson talked of an Army player (that is another thing and I almost never impugn a player’s ability, as for one thing, he or she is almost always better than an out of shape, “never was” such as me, but whomever he was, this was a game between at best, two slightly above average, college football teams) longing to lead his team into BATTLE and he did NOT mean football.
Way to go Gary, (by the way, again “light years” better than me, but at best a journeyman pro quarterback,0 it is not enough to promote football and its inherent violence but now salivate at the prospect of killing other HUMAN BEINGS.
One more thing, I may as well go “all in here,” I read that the man, who rode a process, originated to give states that made legal a “peculiar institution,” that put other human beings into slavery, namely the electoral college, to ascend to the United States presidency and so called “commander and chief” (purposely not capitalized as a statement not only against the very dangerous man, who will be in that position but as an intense opposition to war) of this country, so “moved” by war, (no wonder, so many of us can not sleep at night, ah but they can— the Trumps, the Danielsons and the Sean McManuses, more on him another time) was at the game!
Paraphrasing a local sportscaster of some renown, Warner Wolf, who would joke regarding who was at the game, you could have “turned off” all hope right there!
Only one game on the major college football schedule and it is (9-3) Navy as only a 5 plus point favorite vs (6-5) Army, a team they have beaten 14 straight times.
Is this game the last for Verne Lundquist or will he broadcast The Sun Bowl, I believe the one bowl game CBS still televises. Of course it ESPN’s world, we just unfortunately have to live with that.
Though Navy lost last week vs Temple, I think Army, minimum will make this a close game.
Let’s pick an upset.
Army 26 Navy 24.
