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.
Tonight the process that will eventually crown the 70th pro basketball champion begins in Oakland, as the Golden State Warriors host the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 1 of the best of 7 series.
It certainly is not unusual that a Cleveland team will open a series for its sports’ league title on the road.
In fact, this is the 8th time a Cleveland team has been involved in a series for which the prize is the league title and all 8 times the Cleveland entry has opened the series on the road.
The Cavaliers (0-2) in previous NBA finals, opened on the road in 2007 at San Antonio vs the Spurs and last year also at the Warriors, losing both series opening games.
In baseball, the Indians (2-3) in World Series/league finals series, opened all 5 on the road, winning just one series opener, that in 1920, behind pitcher Stan Coveleski, a 3 game winner in that best of 9 W.S. vs the Brooklyn Dodgers/Robins which resulted in one of the two Indians’ World Series victories.
The Indians lost World Series openers vs the Braves in Boston in 1948 and in Atlanta in 1995. They split in those two series, winning in 1948 and losing in 1995 both in six games.
A World Series opener, highlighted by Willie Mays’ great catch and more remarkable throw, won by Dusty Rhodes short home run at New York was won by the Giants. This was also the case in the 1997 World Series opener which was won by the Marlins in Florida.
The Cleveland Browns were (4-5) in NFL finals, all NFL title games, nary a Super Bowl as they lost in all 5 tilts with a Supe bid on the line, and 5 were on the road. Cleveland was (1-4) in those 5 games.
Forty years ago the “exact” opposite results manifested in both NBA semi-finals involving this year’s finalists.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were underdogs vs the eventual world champion Boston Celtics. The Celtics won the “semi” in six games.
This year as top heavy favorites, the Cavs dispatched the Toronto Raptors in six games. in fact, the Cavs of 2016 and the Celtics of 1976 won games 1, 2, 5 and 6.
In the Western Conference forty years apart, defending champion Golden State Warriors’ teams, first lost and this year won 7 game semi-final series ending on their home floor.
The Phoenix Suns shocked the Warriors in 1976, but this year again as defending champions, they prevailed, despite a three games to one series deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Apparently Bibles are not as readily accessible as other reading material but surely/hopefully “you” know the picture above also evokes thoughts of a 40 year time span.
Yesterday, I alluded to the similar history involving the Monday night home wins by the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and defending NBA champion, Golden State Warriors.
The Penguins scored late in regulation, Nick Bonino tallying the goal, to win game 1 of a Stanley Cup Final as they did at home, in 1992 en route to a 4 game sweep. Then Mario Lemieux scored with just 12 seconds remaining to win the game. Monday night the game was against the San Jose Sharks while Chicago (Blackhawks) was the 1992 opponent.
Golden State trailed by double figures, as many as 13 points in overcoming Oklahoma City (Thunder) in game 7 to complete a comeback from a (3-1) semi-finals series deficit.
In 1975, the Warriors also trailed in game 7 of their semi-final series in double digits, before rallying to win. That year they also needed a road game 6 win in that series (at Chicago vs the Bulls), to force game 7 at home.
The great Mario Lemieux pictured above.
Gregor Gracie, competing out of the Renzo Gracie NY Gym is the third generation of the famous Gracie family. He is a two time World Champion and will be going after his third World Title (in the medium heavy weight class) at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Tournament in Long Beach, California this week.
Rick’s Cabaret New York, the famous three-story gentlemen’s club in midtown Manhattan, will televise the Gracie fights on its numerous Hi-Def Flat Screen TVs and in the club’s luxurious VIP Sky Boxes and Crystal Room.
“We show most major sporting events at the club,” said Rick’s Cabaret Regional Manager Shaun Kevlin. “And Gracie related Jiu-Jitsu has rightly become a big attraction and will be enjoyed by many of our VIP guests.”
Before leaving for the tournament, Gracie stopped by Rick’s Cabaret and accepted the well wishes of several of the girls. He also stopped to pose with “Flat Ronnie” from the Howard Stern Show who greets visitors in the lobby.
Rick’s Cabaret NYC is the club of choice for an upscale clientele including Wall Street bankers and brokers, numerous celebrities, and pro athletes from all the major sports. It is located across the street from the Empire State Building and just one block from Madison Square Garden.
As was the case 41 years ago, when they eventually swept to victory in the NBA finals (I actually would pay a thousand dollars for that to happen this year and I am far from rich) and unlike the case 40 years ago as defending champions, the Golden State Warriors won a home game 7 of the semis, this vs an over achieving but eventually underachieving Oklahoma City Thunder team.
Golden State led by Steph Curry’s 31 points completed a great comeback from a (3-1) series deficit.
Now they are not such big favorites vs a Cleveland Cavaliers team that cruised to the finals via the pathetic NBA East.
I truly do not like that situation, but do not underestimate them. They are a very good team.
Sorry for the skimpy details and lack of objectivity. Stay “tuned” tomorrow for objective notes you will not find any place else on the Penguins and Warriors historically “similar” wins.
Also those are 4 pretty good players pictured in the NBA Finals promo above. From left to right, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry.
Nick Bonino, who scored the quarterfinal series clinching goal in overtime at home vs the top ranked Washington Capitals in game 6 of that series, scored in the last 3 minutes to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-3, in home finals games) to a (3-2) win vs the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup Finals opener last night in Pittsburgh.
Bonino took a centering pass from Kris Letang and not only scored, but did so with the clock approaching 11pm Eastern Time and enabled NBC to get to its local news around the country, something, which as with horse racing, they prefer to the NHL.
This denied “draw” bettors and of course Sharks bettors, in this the franchise’s first finals game. Alas, it may even have denied (a) certain Sharks and draw bettor, whose “draws”/underwear is the brand, Shark.
Brands are sports these days, but despite that harsh reality, there is good in the two finals teams, each of whom struggled early in the season.
For now, the Penguins are the story grabbing a (1-0) series lead as again Bryan Rust “opened” (he insured the must game 6 “semis” win At Tampa Bay vs the Lightning, had the 2 Pens’ goals in their 7th game win in that series and “opened” last night so maybe it is the Bryan Rust show) while Conor Sheary made it (2-0) just a minute and thirty eight seconds later.
However the Sharks down (2-0) headed into the second period tied the game on goals by Tomas Hertl and 18 year veteran, Patrick Marleau.
Matt Murray won vs Martin Jones in goal. The team winning the opening game of the Cup finals has won 8 of the last 10 series. Pittsburgh is (2-1) in home Cup finals openers, rallying to win vs the Chicago Blackhawks in 1992 after losing such a game vs the Minnesota North Stars in 1991.
In that 1992 game, they trailed (4-1) at one point, but rallied to win the game on a goal by great player and current team executive/owner? Mario Lemieux with 12 seconds to play in “reg.”
That loss proved to be disheartening to “Chi” as Pitt won the series in 4 straight. The Penguins also were clearly a better team. In this series the gap between the teams is minimal, the Sharks did not lead last night, but did waste a comeback that tied the game after trailing (2-0).
Nick Bonino pictured above with his lovely wife Lauren is obviously “lucky in love” and has been say opportunistic, scoring big goals for the Penguins in these ‘offs.
Andy B Sports 