One great part of watching Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle on the Dick Cavett Show on Decades (channel) yesterday was the great respect they had for each other’s playing prowess.
So much has gone wrong with baseball surely curtailing my love for it but talent, yes it is only a game but the mutual respect for each other’s baseball greatness was something I enjoyed seeing.
Aaron’s Milwaukee Braves and Mantle’s New York Yankees split 7 game World Series in 1957 (Milwaukee won its only World Series to this day, the Braves left after the 1965 season but the Brewers have been there sans a World Series win since 1970) and 1958 (the Yankees won their 18th crown, two thirds of their current total of 27).
Their admiration began and certainly increased greatly watching each other as World Series rivals and that remains a good thing to remember and thanks to recording, see and hear.
I was on target again with George Washington vs Valpariso in the N.I.T. final game played last night at Madison Square Garden.
There were so many factual mistakes made in the shows airing today regarding baseball on the “Decades” channel.
No names but Monte Irvin did not bat just before Bobby Thomson, when the latter hit the 1951 pennant winning home run.
Game 1 of the 1955 World Series was not played in Brooklyn but at Yankee Stadium.
Perhaps Yogi Berra and Jackie Robinson are kidding each other as to whether Jackie was safe as called or out as Yogi thought all his life on a play in game 1 of the 1955 W.S.
A hunch:
Oklahoma 70 Villanova 65
Jackie Robinson sliding, pictured above.
Somewhere the legendary, late Boston Celtics’ coach Arnold “Red” Auerbach is very proud today as last night his alma mater, George Washington University won the NIT, easing vs Valpariso .
Mr.Auerbach before the glory days of the Boston Celtics, was aware that the N.I.T. (National Invitational Tournament) was once more prestigious and certainly is a year older than the NCAA Tournament.
George Washington won four games, including last night’s final as the lower seeded team in the game. There were only two other such games in the 31 game tournament.
Named in honor of the first United States President, George Washington University won its first post season tournament last night.
Last year I almost predicted a Houston Astros’ A.L. West crown.
Also last year, the Houston Astros almost won the A.L. West title, leading the race for a good chunk of the season, before finishing second to the Texas Rangers.
They did qualify for the baseball tournament, as the road wild card team and won the wild card round/play in game, at New York vs the Yankees.
Next the eventual world champion Kansas City Royals came back from 2 run or more deficits, to win 3 of the 5 games, to take the best of five division series vs Houston.
Talk is (the Astros are favored in the A.L. West), that Houston will continue to improve, despite one of the worst post-season game losses dealt to Houston by K.C. in game 4 of that division series, when the Royals won, despite entering the top of the eighth inning, trailing by 4 runs.
I am not sure, nor even agree with that notion. I say Houston will struggle in baseball 2016.
It appears as if the Golden State Warriors, who now have a (68-7) record will at least tie and likely break the previous best record for an NBA season currently held by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.
That Bulls team with Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen compiled a (72-10) record which broke the record(s) previously held by two Wilt Chamberlain led teams, the 1966-1967 Philadelphia 76ers and the 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers.
The 76ers were (68-13) while the Lakers played one more game and went (69-13).
Really only one thing matters concerning the Warriors and that is will they as the above teams did, win the title in the record season?!
Few people matched the intensity and caring of the great actress Patty Duke, who sadly passed away two days ago, far too young at the age of 69.
Patty played both Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker” (Anne Bancroft was Helen’s teacher, Anne Sullivan) and Anne Sullivan (Melissa Gilbert played the role of Helen Keller).
Not that awards are needed to affirm great performances, but Ms. Duke did win the Academy Award for her role as Helen Keller, in “The Miracle Worker” at the age of 16.
My favorite Patty Duke role was in “My Sweet Charlie,” along with Al Freeman Jr.
Ms. Duke had bipolar disorder and worked so hard to inform and help those with mental illness. She was far ahead in both her timing and compassion.
Of course her dual role playing cousins, “Patty and Cathy Lane” on the Patty Duke Show is an unforgettable memory for many like me of a certain age.
Heaven received a 5 foot package of incredible talent, caring and energy when Patty arrived, perhaps to a place bright and of light, where the blind Helen Keller can see, speak to thank Patty and maybe even sing the catchy “Patty Duke Show” theme song. One can hope any way.
Patty Duke (pictured) above in so many good ways.
Tonight is the final game of The National Invitational Tournament, to be played at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Following what the NCAA Tournament did many years before, the NIT no longer has a consolation game for third place in the tournament.
That tilt for third place would have matched Brigham Young University and San Diego State.
Then in the final, Valpariso is a two point favorite vs George Washington. One will win the NIT for the first time.
My prediction: George Washington 62 Valpariso 57.
The battle for the National League East title is expected to be between the defending divisional champion, New York Mets and the Washington Nationals.
The Miami Marlins are a consensus choice for third while the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are not considered contenders.
I predict the Nationals, who have played great in spring training will improve while the Mets will drop off a bit in the regular season.
Last year, the Mets, considered 14 games behind Washington won the division fairly easily.
Also last year, the Mets set the tone beating the Nationals consistently in spring training.
So far this season is the opposite as the Nationals have beaten the Mets in spring training games. It is so close between the teams but based on that seemingly not important spring training, it will be the Nationals in the N.L. East.
The games begin to count starting Sunday.
It will be Valpariso vs George Washington in tomorrow night’s National Invitational Tournament at Madison square Garden.
Though the N.I.T. was long ago relegated to secondary or even lower status among basketball post-season tournaments as the NCAA widened its field, I am sure the late, great coach Red Auerbach, who was an avid George Washington supporter, would be proud his school is in the NIT final game.
Believe it or not, the NIT was once considered more prestigious than the NCAA Tournament. What City College did in 1950 is still remembered by some as one of the greatest basketball feats as they won both the NIT and NCAA Tournament.
Forever is a long time but I truly doubt any team will ever do that again because of course no team will ever be given that opportunity.
Part of The City College Of New York pictured above.
Thus far in the NCAA Tournament, I have made some astounding predictions not only predicting the winning team but nearly getting the margin of victory right on the nose.
The one bad night was in the last Thursday regional semi-final games when Villanova covered the point spread vs Miami of Florida and Kansas did the same vs Maryland.
I offered no prediction on what was a Villanova win in the regional finals.
He had a good football season and tonight his name is in lights at Madison Square Garden, but my early hunch is that since WFAN’s Mike Francesa is arrogantly “dumping” on Oklahoma’s defense that the 2 point underdog Sooners (Oklahoma), the only school/team among the four left that has never “titled” will win vs Villanova.
Andy B Sports 