The second of the two times before tonight there were Yankees vs Dodgers and 49ers vs L.A. Rams games on the same day was on Sunday afternoon October 7, 1956.
Later in the day, the 49ers won (33-30) vs the Rams but in the far more important World Series game 4, the Yankees squared the ’56 Fall Classic at two games apiece routing the Dodgers (13-3), coincidentally the same 10 run margin of victory the Yankees had in another Sunday, home World Series game victory in an eventual World Series win that broke me emotionally, (12-2), vs the L.A. Dodgers 22 years later.
As was the case in the other same day as a 49ers/Rams tilt scenario, the Yankees’ game 5 win on Sunday October 4, 1953, the great Mickey Mantle of the Yankees hit his second home run of that W.S. in the game 4 ,1956 victory.
In the next day’s pivotal (every time I refer or hear of a pivotal game in a best of 7 series, I think about Steve Levy calling the decisive 7th game of an NHL playoff series “pivotal”–his bank account is not only NOT debited, but grows at a staggering level) 5th game, Don Larsen pitched the only World Series no hit game ever, a perfect game, on Monday October 8th (for the record Levy’s mistaken use of the word “pivotal” was in reference to a Monday decisive 7th game).
Closing on a more positive note than all things/Steve Levy, as was the case in the 49ers’ win vs the L.A. Rams in 1953, Gordy Soltau played a big part in the S.F. victory, booting 4 field goals.
On a Monday AFTERNOON, about a month shy of 60 years ago today, also a Monday on which the Dodgers will visit the Yankees, albeit in a night regular season game, Don Larsen uncorked the pitch, pictured above.
Batter Dale Mitchell did not swing and umpire Babe Pinelli, in his last game as a home plate umpire, called strike 3 and Larsen had achieved, what has not been duplicated since, a no-hitter (A Perfect Game!) in a World Series game.
Twice before tonight, each time with part of it, glorious daytime World Series play, there have been days when the Dodgers played the Yankees and the Los Angeles Rams faced the San Francisco 49ers.
Now again as the L.A. Rams, they left for St. Louis in 1995, and in their first game as such, in S.F. tonight, with regular season, but meaningful Dodgers at Yankees baseball also on tonight’s slate, I decided to research if this ever happened.
As stated above it happened twice before, the S.F. 49ers and Yankees winning both times, and in the Yankees’ case, en route to World Series wins vs the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The first time was on October 4, 1953 and that day a Gordy Soltau short field goal was decisive as the 49ers beat the L.A. Rams (31-30).
That day the Yankees beat the Dodgers in Brooklyn (11-7) to take a (3-2) series lead back to Yankee Stadium for game 6.
In game six,Alfred “Billy” Martin’s 12th hit of that World Series scored Hank Bauer with the World Series winning run, the last Dodgers’ W.S. loss, before John Podres led them to their lone Brooklyn title in 1955.
The 2016 major league baseball season has less than 3 weeks to go and it appears the Cleveland Indians will win their eighth, “one eighth” division, (all A.L. Central) crown.
In 25 seasons of one quarter division play from (1969-1993), Cleveland failed to win any division titles.
Cleveland won 2 of 3 over the past weekend at Minnesota (winning Friday night and yesterday afternoon) while the A.L. Central second place, Detroit Tigers lost two of three games at home vs the Baltimore Orioles, manifesting in a seven game Cleveland divisional lead at this time.
Evoking some Minnesota Twins’ history as they suffer through a horrible season, in 1984 they lost a crushing Friday night game to the Indians that hurt them as they bid for the A.L. West crown which eventually went to the Kansas City Royals.
However, en route to a glorious World Series title in 1987, the Twins virtually 29 years ago on a Friday night had a great win vs the Indians.
Today the football and baseball teams from Tampa Bay won their games.
The NFL Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons in their NFL opener, on a day the New York Mets beat Atlanta’s going nowhere baseball team, the Braves.
Meanwhile the baseball Rays slowed down the red hot other New York baseball team which is in tournament contention, the Yankees.
The Rays win, ended the Yankees’ winning streak at 7.
Tomorrow night the Yankees host the L.A. Dodgers and I will have some notes in a post tomorrow that you will not find any other place, concerning that clash and another rivalry also being renewed tomorrow night.
I really look forward to both sleep and watching the fabulous Bob Newhart Show as this week’s Decades binge.
No Tom Brady in a most unfair manner, no football for me.
Substitute with anything but The Bob Newhart Show with Bob’s classic low key humor and a cast that includes the classy Suzanne Pleshette as Bob’s wife, Emily Hartley, (Newhart is Bob Hartley, a Chicago psychologist) is a great choice.
Then as though Chinese cuisine, also a good choice on this day, so many good choices in the rest of the cast.
From “Column A” aka Bob’s home life, the fabulous Bill Daily as pilot “Howard Borden,” always dropping in on the Hartleys, long before the “Kramer” character based on real life Kenny Kramer, did the same on “Seinfeld.”
There are so many good choices from call it “Column B” aka Bob’s work life but I choose Marcia Wallace, who played Bob’s receptionist named Carol.
Bob Newhart and another fabulous talent, Jack Riley (he brilliantly played Elliott Carlin, a member of Bob Hartley’ therapy group) pictured left to right above.
Carlin is a great comedic name as George Carlin ranks among the greats in the field.
After losing (would you BUY the fact I had 28 plus with Western Kentucky as Bama won by 28?) in two games going against the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide, by taking the points, here is an opening day NFL prediction.
I really think the Miami Dolphins will be improved.
The time of the Seattle Seahawks’ excellence (they were tremendous especially in 2013, winning it all and then losing a tough Supe, the next year) is about over.
Each will show a bit in the opener in which “Sea” is favored by 10 points, likely more at game time.
Seattle Seahawks 20 Miami Dolphins 13.
Last night on the broadcast of the game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, just after Suzyn Waldman complained that the rain delay, which lasted a big 16 minutes, could have been avoided illustrated either an unbelievable arrogance or complete lack of knowledge. Dare I say both!
After updating the two games which involved the teams ahead of the Yankees in the playoffs race, Waldman with resignation said “I guess Houston (Astros) is mathematically alive and I think updated the score in their game.
MATHEMATICALLY ALIVE, they started the night a half game behind the Yankees!
Of course this Waldman has succeeded despite and maybe because many dislike her so much because she is a woman on the sports air.
That is not why I dislike hearing her. She acts like it is a big deal that she grace us with her presence and the “mathematically alive” comment was too much.
Please Suzyn, know the standings and grasp that with three plus weeks to go, if “your” Yankees are in the race, which they certainly are, the Astros, a scant half game behind (when Waldman made the comment) are in the race as well.
This year I am not listening to get WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa’s pro football predictions. I truly believe he will have a bad record, but it is not worth the aggravation of having to listen to him.
If someone wants to listen to his predictions, I would be happy to chart his record via the comments section, or in future posts if verified.
My predictions, one in college football and one in the pros.
Alabama, of course to win, (why only 27 and a half, so one never knows, but the Tide will win, which is not exactly going out on a ledge) but not to cover.
Alabama 37 Western Kentucky 9.
Tomorrow a pro football prediction.
Two of the four teams from the AFC North have their corresponding baseball teams at least in contention to make the upcoming baseball tournament.
The cities that made the NFL playoffs last season, Cincinnati (Bengals) and Pittsburgh (Steelers) will not have baseball tournament teams this season.
Certainly the Cincinnati Reds are out and so likely are the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The “Steel City” Pirates had played in the “5 seed vs 4 seed” game, for 3 straight seasons, losing twice.
Before then, the Pirates failed to make the baseball playoffs for 19 consecutive completed seasons from (1993-2012) with no completed season in 1994.
Those who have read these posts over the years, have seen occasional hypothetical, “after life” conversations.
Here is one that would be pretty accurate, no matter the circumstances of their meeting.
It involves my late friend and everything Pitt (Pittsburgh University) Beano Cook and a man to be honored in an “on earth” event (Saturday September 17th) of some controversy, on the exact 50th anniversary of his first game as Penn State head football coach, Joe Paterno.
I never met Paterno, but based on a televised, I guess, “surprise to Paterno, meeting” with Beano and recollections regarding Beano, some of the below might take place, “above.”
Beano: I can not believe Pitt is a 5 point favorite in tomorrow’s game vs Penn State. That would not be the case, if you were still coaching. If I were alive, I would be bugging that Andy B.
Paterno: First of all, you always over rated our team and especially me. One of my famous linebackers, Dennis Onkotz saw through that and told Andy B (whomever? that is).
However, I always liked you and I am so glad you were grateful, it was me, who greeted you upon your death.
Beano: I would have preferred my mother, for two reasons. One is I love her so much, the second is when I saw you, I was not sure, but still confident, I made it to the better place.
Paterno: I could say which place is that, or did you? Better yet, I told you that your obituary was in the New York Times, a lifetime goal for you.
Beano: I know there is no need for money in this place, but I wish I could take the points with your Penn State. I would hope Pitt wins but does not cover the spread.
Paterno: We are running “long,” even for this place. You still have to “clean it up,” but close this, with your line about your root and bet both winning.
Beano: I always said it is like going on a date with a great woman ( I can talk this stuff, “they” say you can not, but to me, what bugged me about you and you truly were a great coach, was that you were at times, sanctimonious, but in reality each of us was with flaws, a part of and great, positive illustration of a “time of craft”) having her “really like you and show it” and then ALSO pick up the dinner check.
Andy B Sports 