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.
This year the American League Central race is wide open.
While the defending world champion, Kansas City Royals and the often touted, rarely successful Cleveland Indians are considered co favorites in the division, I give the other three teams a chance.
Those teams, the consensus third choice Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins managed by the great former player, Paul Molitor all will improve.
My prediction is that the Detroit Tigers will win it but alas last year I said the 2014 American League Champion, Kansas City Royals would fall back.
They fell back all right, all the way to the World Series title.
It was a jam packed crowd at the fabulous Bergino Clubhouse (67 East 11th Street) to hear author Douglas M. Branson speak about his book, “Greatness In The Shadows,” which is about the life of Larry Doby.
As always, Bergino Clubhouse proprietor Jay Goldberg set a great tone introducing the event.
Mr Branson then spoke about the relative little publicity Larry Doby gets for being the first black player in the American League and a good deal of what that entails.
I look forward to reading the book, as I would in any case having met and greatly admired the classy Mr. Doby, but even more so after hearing some of the stories Mr. Branson has uncovered.
“Greatness in the Shadows” will be a great read and again Bergino Clubhouse, with so much to offer in the way of baseball nostalgia and real hospitality, courtesy of Mr. Goldberg, is a definite must for baseball fans.
Greatness in the Shadows: Larry Doby and the Integration of …
Click above for information and how to purchase the book.
Visit the Bergino Clubhouse here.
The national semi-final/Final Four game this Saturday between North Carolina and Syracuse will match “N.C.” coach Roy Williams, who has won 2 titles and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, a one time title winner.
Boeheim’s title with Syracuse came at Williams’ expense in 2003, when the latter was coaching Kansas.
Both of Williams’ titles have been with North Carolina and his team is even money to move him ahead of the legendary coach Dean Smith for most titles won with North Carolina.
The other North Carolina NCAA basketball title was won under coach Frank McGuire vs a Wilt Chamberlain led Kansas team in 1957.
Five years later, McGuire was Wilt’s coach when he averaged over 50 points per game and had a 100 point game during the 1961-1962 NBA season.
North Carolina coach Frank McGuire, celebrating the 1957 NCAA title win above. (in the picture, above the court, and perhaps still doing so in a good place ABOVE)
Andy B Sports 