As the New York Mets march inexorably to their fifth World Series appearance, likely vs the Kansas City Royals, who would be making their fourth and second in a row, some thoughts on Maddon/Murphy.
Daniel Murphy has been incredible, hitting mostly early game and solo home runs but with the Mets’ incredible pitching, that has been enough.
One “curse” vs the Cubs is the so called “Murphy’s Curse.”
Joe Maddon, like John Madden a beyond over rated coach/manager, whose comradery with the media enhances his reputation, played up to media before the series vs the Mets.
He made a factual mistake concerning New York teams beating Baltimore teams to clinch titles, saying all three the Jets, Mets and Knicks clinched 1968-1970 season titles vs Baltimore teams.
Wrong! While the Jets won the 1968 season Super Bowl vs the Baltimore Colts and the Mets won the 1969 World Series vs the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Knicks “quarterfinal’d” the Baltimore Bullets in the 1970 playoffs en route to a title. It was NOT the finals.
Finally and concerning a Murphy, Maddon seemingly so happy to be holding court, contrasted with Mets’ manager Terry Collins, who has shown the proper great intensity, vs the man he hired with the Angels (Maddon), cited Kiner’s Korner concerning Ralph Kiner.
He added the great broadcaster Lindsey Nelson.
Maddon omitted the third member of that superb Mets’ broadcasting team, Bob MURPHY. Curse indeed!!
Daniel Murphy has hit a home run in 5 straight post season games.
Bob Murphy pictured above.
Billed as Gloria and Emilio Estefan with by Rita Moreno, the event last night at the 92nd Street Y was sensational.
The Estefans were great, telling stories about their band members, meetings with two Popes, most recently with Francisco and before that with John Paul, and their climb to success, that were both humorous and insightful.
At no time did they, nor I, lose track of the greatness of the trailblazer, stalwart interviewing them, namely Ms. Moreno.
Her achievements matter, not so much her winning “apples and oranges” awards, though in her case much fruit is in the basket (Ms. Moreno has won the Academy, Grammy, Emmy and Tony Awards at least once) and perhaps some of it was close to “forbidden.” It is the memories, the class and the breakthroughs that mean the most concerning this incredible person.
The event at the “Y” last night was part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The Estefans did not have it easy, and greatly appreciate Rita Moreno, who was there breaking ground, before them.
I noticed both Gloria and Emilio signing and taking pictures with the audience. They were so gracious and patient. Some had seen the musical, “On Your Feet The Musical Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan,” about their life. All indications are it is magnificent.
Again the event was tremendous, three great performers in a show of their respect and love for each other.
Then the best part for me, telling Rita Moreno that I thought the event was great. She graciously agreed. She is a truly beautiful person, inside and out, blessed with great talent, aided by hard work who continues to thrive.
All of her greatness has manifested in an upcoming Kennedy Center Honor and a place in so many of our hearts. She was kind and gracious talking with me, a great conclusion to the night.
Click below for tickets to “On Your Feet The Musical Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan”
The great Rita Moreno pictured above.
Five of the six NFL unbeaten teams going into this week, won to remain unbeaten.
In fact, all five unbeaten teams that played yesterday won, while this past Thursday in a “Nantz” game (it is his world, we are all just trying to get his hedge fund tips) the (2-4) New Orleans Saints handed the now (5-1) Atlanta Falcons their first loss.
In a “Sam Rosen” game, (oh how enjoyable the talented play by play man, Rosen is when he is neutral and not the unabashed “homer” he is on local New York Rangers’ telecasts—this is akin to Spencer Ross, also talented but an even worse “homer” who used to shriek MEACHAM to RANDOLPH to MATTINGLY (wonder what happened to Mattingly) on double plays) the Carolina Panthers went to (5-0) and (5-0) vs the spread, with a win, as a touchdown underdog, at the (2-4) Seattle Seahawks.
Elsewhere the Cincinnati Bengals (6-0) and (5-0-1) vs the spread won at Buffalo vs the (3-3) Bills, whose “who cares” game in London next week, vs the (1-5) Jacksonville Jaguars will be something called “streamed” by something called Yahoo, over this thing called the internet.
Three teams won to remain unbeaten, but did not exceed the point spread.The New England Patriots (5-0) (3-1-1) at the (3-3) Indy Colts, the Denver Broncos (6-0), (4-2) at the (2-4) Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers (6-0) (5-1), in another “Nantz” game, at Green Bay vs the San Diego Chargers.
CBS Broadcaster, Jim Nantz Pictured Above
Of course there is a long way to go, but the two teams that won World Series in consecutive years (1985, 1986), each with a “beyond words,” 6th game World Series win at home facing elimination, the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets, are off to good starts in their respective LCS.
Each was the series underdog (Why?!!–the late Beano Cook abhorred what baseball became even before I did, but always “took” the team with home advantage, if it was the underdog) but that is no longer the status, as first the Royals won both home games to lead the Toronto Blue Jays two games to none.
Then on a (K)night, the movie “The Dark Knight” aired on AMC with so many commercials as to be more annoying than the TBS broadcast team of Ernie Johnson Jr. (no play by play skills–examples upon request), Cal Ripken Jr., who adds nothing and by the way is the most over rated player in baseball history. Sure he showed up each day but after a superb first two seasons —what did he do?!!, and Ron Darling (knowledgeable, but a Mets’ announcer all year, hardly neutral), the Mets’ “Dark Knight,” Matt Harvey pitched them to a series opening win vs the Cubs.
30 years ago in the ALCS, the Blue Jays won the first two games at home vs the Royals and actually led three games to one, but the Royals prevailed in the series. Now the teams go to Toronto, so it is far from over, but I felt the Royals would win before the series and certainly feel that way now.
I have stated my objections regarding Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon before. Jake Arrieta, no lock tonight as a near 9 to 5 favorite, vs Mets’ starter Noah Syndergaard, never the less, clearly should have been the game one choice, with his usual 4 days rest.
Maddon chose John Lester. Daniel Murphy and Curtis Granderson, two terrific left handed hitters continued to “big hit” lefties, as well as right handed pitchers, in Murphy’s case, leading the Mets, playing an LCS opener at home for the second consecutive time, after opening their first 6 NLCS on the road, to a game 1 win.
Now the Mets, also no “lock,” are nearly 9 to 5 series favorites.
Amidst the excitement of post season, albeit extra round, baseball, the Minnesota Lynx won the WNBA crown for the third time in five seasons (2011,2013 and 2015), in the decisive fifth game vs the Indiana Fever.
It was an easy win for the Lynx in the decisive game but otherwise it was a close series with the big underdog, Fever winning two close games, while the other two Lynx wins were also in close contests.
Minnesota is coached by Cheryl Reeve and have some fine players including Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, an in season acquisition, who was the final’s MVP.
There is a great history of NBA associated champions in Minnesota as the Lakers (ever wonder how they got their name, as there are no lakes in Los Angeles) won five titles in six seasons from (1949-1954).
While the Lynx won their two previous titles on the road before this year’s title clinching home win, the Minneapolis Lakers clinched 4 of their 5 titles at home.
Despite 3 wins in 4 games last week, my record is still poor. Also, though (0-2-1) last week, WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa, who acted as if last week’s down record is a shock, has a fine (9-5-1) record through 5 weeks of NFL predictions.
I will cue up Meat Loaf’s “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad” thinking Francesa will “lose” two of three before he wins two and go against all three of his picks. I am not too adamant about this, but here goes.
His prediction of Miami plus one at Tennessee makes sense, but I say Tennessee, and not Miami keeps its season going, with a (17-14) victory.
Francesa, a true “chalk heel,” a favorite bettor, is “giving points” with Seattle vs Carolina and the New York Jets vs the Washington Redskins.
I will take the points. Seattle 19 Carolina 14 and the Jets 24 Redskins 20.
The above pictured chalk is fine but “chalk” as in betting favorites and especially “touting them” as most “talking heads” do, is not so.
Click below to see Meat Loaf’s iconic “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad” to which I will add “there ain’t no Coupe DeVille” with Mike Francesa’s picks. Surely he drives a Cadillac or better, but that is from “car connections” and working, not from his predictions!!!
Meat Loaf – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad
Only here will you read that last night’s Mets’ series clinching win ended a 25 consecutive time streak in which the winner of game 4 of a Dodgers’ post season series, won that series.
The streak started with the 1955 World Series, when the Brooklyn Dodgers won game 4 and eventually their only Brooklyn title.
Last night’s result was also a happy one for most remaining old Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans as most became Mets’ fans after the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
For the record, the streak included 11 World Series (1955, 1956, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1988), 10 NLCS (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 2008, 2009 and 2013) and 4 division series (1981, 2004, 2013 and 2014).
The last time the game 4 winner in a Dodgers’ post-season series lost that series was the 1953 World Series when the vaunted New York Yankees made it an incredible 5 straight titles beating the Brooklyn Dodgers in six games, having lost game four. That is not a happy memory for old Brooklyn Dodgers/now New York Mets’ fans.
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The Chicago Cubs, a wild card team, albeit one that won 97 games, eliminated the team, the St. Louis Cardinals, that not only beat them out, but beat them back, in the National League Central Division.
Thus the Cubs, who have not won a pennant since 1945 and not won the World Series since 1908, will visit tonight’s Los Angeles Dodgers/New York Mets’ winner, to start their 4th NLCS beginning Saturday night.
Chicago won only its’ fourth post season series and clinched one at venerable Wrigley Field, for the first time.
After “stealing” their 11th World Series title, a third for their manager at that point, Tony La Russa, in 2011, the Cards have been “dealt out” of a title in post season play in all four seasons, under current manager Mike Matheny.
All four times, St. Louis lost three straight games to be eliminated in the series in which they lost. Twice the San Francisco Giants won the World Series after knocking out the Cardinals. The Boston Red Sox, a franchise similar to the Giants with three recent titles after a long title drought, won games (4-6) to “6” the Cardinals in the 2013 World Series.
That 2013 World Series win was clinched at Fenway Park, the first time a World Series was clinched there in 95 years. The Red Sox’ starting and winning pitcher in the clinching game was John Lackey.
In the third straight Cubs’ win to take the just completed division series vs the Cardinals and as stated give “Chi” a post season series clincher at Wrigley Field (the Cubs first played there in 1916), the starting pitcher for the Cardinals was John Lackey.
Fifty years ago today, Sandy Koufax capped one of the greatest pitching seasons ever by hurling a three hit shutout victory at Minnesota, vs the Twins in the seventh and deciding game of the 1965 World Series.
Sandy pitched on two days rest and the Dodgers scored the only runs of the game in the fourth inning.
Lou Johnson, who after the game said “Sandy you are the greatest,” and was an invaluable member of the team, taking over for the great Tommy Davis, when the latter broke his ankle, hit a drive off the foul pole for a home run and a (1-0) lead.
I recall being in the synagogue bathroom, for the purpose of checking the score. A fine broadcaster, Byrum Saam’s call, on that home run, I realized years later when I heard a replay, was “fair or fair” not fair or foul. It was both fair and great, for a nearly ten year old fan.
Back to back doubles by Ron Fairly and Wes Parker produced the game’s final run and it stayed (2-0) Dodgers, largely due to Koufax’s brilliant pitching and a great defensive play by Jim “Junior” Gilliam on a 2 on, 1 out, 5th inning smash by the Twins’ Zoilo Versalles, the American League MVP in that year of 1965.
I was allowed by my parents to use a phony doctor’s appointment to miss the last hour of Hebrew School, and years later Rabbi Harry Goder, the teacher that day, a brilliant man, great teacher and Dodgers’ fan was my eleventh grade mathematics teacher.
He more or less knew I was headed home to watch the end of that 1965 game. It was fine as I “was a good student.”
How long ago it was. So much, far too fast in these 50 years!
There had been race riots in the Watts section of Los Angeles that year.
In the victorious locker room, a black man Johnson, who endured years of play in the minor leagues and surely horrible racist comments, if not worse, praised a Jewish man, Koufax, who had not pitched game one of that World Series in observance of the Jewish high holiday, Yom Kippur. It endures as a stirring moment of what could be!
I know we can not go back. Child actor Ron Howard was the approximate 10 year old, actor Gig Young’s character wanted to return to be on a ‘Twilight Zone” episode.
Howard has memories of Koufax and that game, but no script by director Howard, nor The “Twilight Zone’s” Rod Serling can return us there.
Yet it remains a great memory and a monumental achievement by the Dodgers clinched by a Koufax masterpiece.
Click below for a video from game 7 with the great announcer Ray Scott.
Yesterday’s incredible Kansas City Royals’ comeback win at Houston vs the Astros, is being haled and compared with last year’s Royals’ comeback win vs the Oakland A’s in the wild card game.
While many, especially new baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred are praising the state of baseball and this ridiculous extra round of playoffs, let’s look at the haunting reality of the Houston Astros blowing leads in post season games at home.
Yes, I choose the negative and not the positive, if for no other reason that yesterday’s K.C. fine, “never give up” effort just underscores how dumb their manager Ned Yost/the batter Escobar’s decision to sacrifice in the seventh game of the World Series last year remains.
Now to that history, four previous times the Astros took a lead of two or more runs as late as the eighth inning in Houston, only to lose a post season game.
Three of those losses were with a chance to win the series as was the case yesterday.
In 1980, the Astros led the NLCS two games to one and led the Philadelphia Phillies by two runs heading to the eighth inning of game four in the best of five series. The Phils went ahead in the game in the eighth, were tied by a good Houston club (Terry Puhl, anyone?!), in the ninth but won it in the 10th, forcing a decisive fifth game the next night.
In that fifth game, Houston led (5-2) headed to the 8th inning with the supposedly great Nolan Ryan on the mound. Of course Ryan was not great and in a great example of why he was not, yielded runs as the Phillies scored 5 in the 8th (K.C. did the same yesterday!) to take a (7-5) lead. A gritty Houston team tied the game, but lost in 10 innings and went home, while the Phillies went on to win it all, perhaps coincidentally vs the Royals in the World Series.
1986 NLCS: The Mets lead the Astros 3 games to 2 but trail game 6 at Houston (3-0), going to the top of the ninth inning. Houston would have Mike Scott, who had been dominant in the series, pitching game 7. The Mets rallied for 3 runs to tie the game and eventually win the game, the series and the World Series.
Maybe the Astros can take some stock in the other horrible home post season loss, also on a Monday with the next game on a Wednesday.
That was in 2005 when the Houston team led the Cardinals 3 games to 1 and by two runs with St. Louis having two out nobody on in the top of the ninth. St. Louis won the game, but Houston won Wednesday in St. Louis to take the series. The White Sox then swept the Astros in the World Series.
Andy B Sports 