There is no other way to put in except that the Washington Nationals, to this point unable to pull away from the New York Mets in the N.L. East, are sloppy as evidenced by 2 straight losses in Cincinnati vs the sub par Reds.
The Mets, who looked pretty bad in losing the last two games to the Chicago White Sox are right back in the race, just one game behind.
Though the Nationals are big favorites again and the Mets are underdogs in a Fernandez/Harvey tilt, this is house money for the Mets. At worst they will be 2 games out, I say less.
Another good choice to speak in honoring Muhammad Ali’s life is Dick Cavett.
He is available and can tell better stories/jokes than Ali supposedly asking Crystal at Howard Cosell’s funeral if Mr. Cosell would be wearing his toupee in heaven.
Cavett hosted a show in which Ali brought out a singer he was promoting, I believe for no pay just to help but I am not sure, a man named Michelle.
As I once said on air to Mr. Cavett I believe it was that show in which Ali, as he often did went with his “I like your looks, I like your style but your pay is so cheap, I will not see you for a while” line.
Cavett told me and the audience Ali was “hip enough” to go along with the following. He knew the word said Mr. Cavett.
I said be careful it is an old English word, sounding like the worst one in the language. It meant cheap and Ali feigned being offended.
Cavett made breakfast for he and Ali and the Champ ate both breakfasts.
I am glad I reminded Cavett of the show and hope Cavett got back in touch with Ali.
Think A’s and C’s, Dick “C”avett, pictured above, Howard “C”osell, and B(oo)illy “C”rystal all linked with Muhammad Ali. Cosell and Cavett get A’s as does Ali. Crystal gets the first letter of (ok) his first name, a “B.”
Speaking of “B” as in bitterness, I have to try and get over it. Forget Crystal, it is not his fault.
Ali fought too long in the brutal sport of boxing and we were robbed of 32 years (my #) but nobody cares), of his great talking. He also died short of 4 score and I doubt the pain of it will subside any time soon.
However, this will be my last post on Ali for a while, at least. I have not watched nor am likely to watch any of the coverage surrounding his death.
I highly recommend watching “This Is Your Life” Muhammad Ali (the link is below). Mr. Ali was genuinely touched by the many people from his life that made “surprise” appearances.
This was a beautiful, humble man with faults, as we all have. He was unfairly punished by the courts of this country, eventually exonerated and said “the judges did what they felt was right and I did what I felt was right.”
Concerning the far more horrible “decree” of Parkinson’s Disease, he was not bitter. We all, ESPECIALLY ME, can learn from that example.
In honor of the one of a kind, Muhammad Ali, I must try.
Muhammad Ali -“This is your Life”
Click above to see fantastic television, honoring a great man.
I think Muhammad Ali, whom I loved and admired far beyond words, might disagree with some of this, but would laud my insight, understanding and at least respect my passion.
Billy Crystal is in my opinion, a bit phony, certainly when it comes to sports (how with all he has does he have the passion for it that he claims. His movie “61” about two beloved Yankees, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle’s pursuit of Babe Ruth’s (another Yankees player) single season home run mark, had more holes than swisscheese) and on that level does not deserve to speak at Muhammad’s funeral service next Friday at the Kentucky Fried Chicken Yum! Center, in the Champ’s hometown of Louisville. There is a joke there and Ali would play along with it.
However, he never played along with overt racism, including when in his own hometown, after winning the Olympic gold medal in Rome, Italy in 1960, he was not served in an eating establishment.
I saw in him as I did with the great football player, Jim Brown, first sports greatness but later and more important, a willingness to buck the establishment for what is right.
While Crystal built his career around doing Ali impressions before moving on to greatness, I doubt he suffered when Ali lost a fight, most notably to the great Joe Frazier on March 8, 1971.
Though I know of Bryant Gumbel’s extreme arrogance, I (a white person for the record) feel he is a good choice to speak next week, not because he is black, but I believe as was the case with me, was devastated when Mr. Frazier scored a unanimous decision vs Ali, in their first fight.
It is hard to explain the passion involved in loving someone seeking the change you aspire and the humiliating emptiness of defeat thereof.
As Bob Costas, one who likes, knows and respects Mr. Crystal, said when he was asked to speak at Mickey Mantle’s funeral, it was not as a broadcaster but as a representative of the so many who loved, thrilled and at times agonized regarding Mr. Mantle.
I would be a great choice to speak on behalf of those of us, “ahead of the curve” in liking and in my case and others like me, loving Ali.
A very meaningful call came to me today from Dr. Ike, a man whose profession and work transcends those of comedian, broadcaster or idealized dreamer.
He praised my insight in admiring Ali, while others condemned his views. Always “Ike” or “H.T.” to me, calling from a Peruvian restaurant with two of his daughters present, he talked of the problems Parkinson’s Disease caused, eventually ending Ali’s life.
I knew he would know that, but what meant the most, even more than acknowledging me, was that he talked of Muhammad as history proved, being right to oppose an unjust war.
He added that he was impressed and moved greatly in reading of Ali touching and helping a victim of leprosy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This is a truly tough day for me, in a life of tough days, but as Ali said “God tests him and all of us each day.”
Thus it is up to me to do what Ali did and pass that test. I am a kind dreamer, who must work harder.
My mother, in days before VCR’s, somehow allowed me to put a portable television on the dinner table and watch the Dinah Shore Show because Muhammad was a guest.
A young Mr. Crystal impressed me and endeared himself to Ali with great impressions and comedy routine that day. He will do fine next week and surely cares about Ali.
The best choice to speak about Muhammad is not available. However that person, Howard Cosell, surely on a par in the arrogance department and then some with Gumbel, but also one who stuck by Ali, when few in the media did the same, will be watching with Ali.
Oh to be a fly on heaven’s wall for that.
Tonight in San Jose, the Pittsburgh Penguins hope to take a commanding (3-0) series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals vs the Sharks.
This will be the first home finals game in Sharks’ history.
They are close to 3 to 2 favorites at home and hopefully will not, but likely will get back into the series, with a win tonight.
After the Cup Finals ended in 4 game sweeps from (1995-1998), no final has ended in 4 games since that time.
Only the L.A. Kings in both their Stanley Cup wins in booth 2012 and 2014 went up (3-0) since 1998 and even then, it was a struggle to claim the crown.
In 2012 vs a New Jersey Devils’ team coached by current Sharks’ coach Peter DeBoer, “L.A.” needed 6 games to win.
Meanwhile in 2014, the Kings up (3-0), vs the New York Rangers, needed Alex Martinez’ overtime goal in game 5 to claim the (no pun), crown.
It certainly was not his ability as a boxer and though so important, and meaningful, even his brave stance against an unjust war, is not the biggest reason I love Muhammad Ali and fear so greatly, as reports on his health are not good.
It was that he never failed to entertain and on the four occasions I met him in person, the last three after we had lost that wonderful verbiage, he displayed a kindness, I truly felt and could see in his eyes.
The first time I met him was on May 25, 1977 when he was signing copies of the record album for the film about him, called “The Greatest.”
I must say I looked great in a white suit but nothing compared to Muhammad in a gray suit. He said words into my large recorder, funny and took time with me to do so.
He must have thought “Who is this nut” as I did imitations of him and proclaimed my great admiration at an airport hotel in 1988. Yet when I view the tape, there is a look on his face that indicates to me he was thinking this guy is crazy, but ok.
At a dinner later in 1988, he graciously posed with my significant other, for the record, a beautiful female, and me.
I look at the photo from time to time, lamenting much and knowing the loss that is life, lost lives (my parents) and other personal bad, including no significant other.
Whether Muhammad lives or not, the last time I saw him was when he was walking out of a club and I was walking in. He had trouble speaking, but the voice was unmistakable and assured saying he remembered me.
So many like me, (who am I to measure how intense), are struggling with the fear of losing you, Muhammad.
Yet I know you prepared in your religious beliefs of Islam for eternity. Add Christianity from early years. When you anonymously donated money to save a Hebrew home for the elderly, an older Jewish woman called you a mensch.
No higher praise for a man, as all of us not perfect, far from it, but you touched me in a way that was so beautiful both outwardly (I still see Ali on Howard Cosell’s Live show holding a beautiful young girl in or near Manila) and internally, with your great insight and courage.
No matter what is next, Muhammad will fight on and I will try to do the same.
Sadly the internet which seems an “instrument to report death” has indicated Muhammad has died. As a tribute I ——–
The Golden State Warriors used balanced scoring in their 15 point win, NBA Finals opening home win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Golden State won an NBA record 73 games in the regular season playing in the far tougher Western Conference compared to the Cavaliers winning just 57 in the weaker NBA East.
Perhaps an explanation for the Warriors’ overcoming a (3-1) semi-finals series deficit vs the Oklahoma City Thunder is the fact that by virtue of Golden State winning, a Cleveland team would open a finals series on the road for the 8th time in as many such games.
Cleveland is now (1-7) in those games and has lost 7 straight. There is a great injustice in this Cavaliers team being in the finals, or at least having traveled such an easy road to get there.
However, they are a threat and Golden State, which lost game 2 at home last year, better not try that this year!
Shaun Livingston, pictured above, led the balanced Warriors’ scoring in game 1 with 20 points.
The Chicago Cubs go into this afternoon’s tilt at home vs the Arizona Diamondbacks with a (37-15) record, just two games shy of the one third mark in the long, boring and most of all no longer that meaningful, even in a baseball sense, regular season.
To this point, the Cubs under their over rated, but surely fine manager, Joe Maddon, have truly been outstanding.
However the reward for this team/franchise that has gone 71 years sans a pennant and 108 years without a World Series win is minimal.
They do have a huge lead, especially at this point in the season in the N.L. Central but that and even their 5 game lead over fellow division leaders, the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals, if it holds, only makes them the one seed in the 5 team National League part of the baseball tournament.
The big prize of the World Series, won by the team with home advantage 25 of the last 30 years, and 8 of the last 9, has that huge advantage determined by an exhibition game, called The All-Star Game.
This idea of Bud Selig continued by his devoted follower, Rob Manfred (think Kool Aid and a vast consumption on Manfred’s part), is much more detrimental to the once great sport of baseball than all the steroid use, Pete Rose gambling (this one hurts baseball not at all and it is an everlasting disgrace that the great player, Rose is kept out of the Baseball “Hall” by two people, Selig and Manfred, whose ideas ruined true baseball) and even artificial turf combined.
Think about it, never again a real pennant race and a huge advantage for the big prize, determined by an All-Star Game/EXHIBITION!
I truly get sick thinking about it and all the people who know better, that go along to get along.
I do not mean this to be a personal attack against either Mr. Selig or (it could be nor but I will stay with or) Mr. Manfred.
It is not and I do not think it reads that way even with the Kool-Aid reference.
What I am trying to convey is that I have always objected to the wild card presence in baseball. I warned of it and feared it before it was instituted.
This past week on Decades (television channel) a three part Dick Cavett show that aired originally in 1979, with the great playwright, Arthur Miller was shown.
Mr. Miller was making a rare if ever television appearance in which he talked about the horrible events in THIS COUNTRY, which denied many their civil rights during the anti- Communist hysteria of the 1950’s.
Arthur Miller fought back, refused to name names and his play “The Crucible” still performed and always relevant was written in response.
On a lighter note but still pretty “heavy,” insight was given regarding such Miller classics as “Death Of A Salesman” and “A View From The Bridge.”
Such acting greats as Lee J. Cobb, George C. Scott and Van Heflin (What no middle initial?!) were hailed for their roles in Miller plays, “Salesman,” “The Crucible” and “A View From The Bridge.”
Mr. Miller also told a humorous real life story when prompted by Cavett of a man that went to public school with him. First he knows him then does not, I guess “you had to be there.”
Arthur Miller is near the top of people regarding which “I wish I was there.”
Arthur Miller pictured above.
Readers of my posts know that I fervently believe Bob Costas is not only by far and away the best broadcaster today, but one who ranks with the all time greats in that field.
Add a truly great writer, Frank Deford and venue (92 Y at Lexington Avenue and you guessed it 92nd Street) and it is no wonder, that I am so excited about Bob Costas interviewing Frank Deford at 92 Y this Monday (June 6th at 7:30 p.m.).
The theme is a Conversation on Sports Past to the Present. The program promises to be evocative and revealing.
Mr. Deford will discuss his new book “I’d Know That Voice Anywhere.” The book features a collection of his commentaries on NPR, over the past 36 years.
Both men have proven to be candid, informative and humorous in the previous live events, which I have been fortunate to attend.
Most times at the 92 Y events, members of their friendly staff hand out cards for questions.
This event is such fertile ground for good questions. For example, both of these greats in their fields have spoken about and interviewed Wilt Chamberlain and rival, “on again, off again, on again friend,” Bill Russell. They were part of a great basketball rivalry that dominated the sport for the entire 1960’s.
Costas once asked the most relevant and best question concerning the age old Wilt vs Bill comparison and that is how many times did Russell’s teams prevail, without being the better team?
Having grown up, (a bit any way), a discussion of their friendship and attitudes is even more compelling. Deford lived through it, wrote about it and as stated above is quite willing to be candid on this and other subjects.
Mr. Russell more or less made sure the question about the respective teams was not addressed, but the thought of Mr. Deford and Mr. Costas discussing that and other savory possibilities, makes Monday night June 6th at 92 Y, an event truly not to be missed.
Click below for more information and to order tickets.
Frank Deford in Conversation with Bob Costas – 92nd Street …
Click above for information on how to purchase Mr. Deford’s book.
The Pittsburgh Penguins now (10-3) in home finals games have a two games to none lead in the Stanley Cup Finals after Conor Sheary’s overtime goal lifted them to a (2-1) game 2 win vs the San Jose Sharks.
The great Pens’ player Sidney Crosby won the draw and sent the puck to Kris Letang, who has been a big part of this Penguins’ run which has them 2 wins from Stanley Cup glory.
Letang got the puck to Sheary, a game 1 scorer and he shot the puck into the net making it very likely, but far from definite, the city of Pittsburgh will raise its finals record after the 1927 World Series above the .800 mark, (at 12-3, it is at .800 now).
With a (10-3) home record as stated above, the Pens’ game 2 win put them above the .750 mark in that statistical category.
Oh it would be great if this would be a 4 game sweep, but do not count on it as likely the powers that be and a Sharks’ effort at home will mean at least one “Jose” win in the “Do You Know the Way” city.
Conor Sheary, pictured above, scored in both finals games, including the overtime game winner, in #2.
Andy B Sports 