It is always fun and informative for me to review old games, especially great ones, such as the decisive fifth game of the 1980 N.L.C.S.
This game concluded an incredible series featuring the Philadelphia Phillies vs the Houston Astros. Philadelphia would go on to win their first World Series, beating the Kansas City Royals, who had just won their first pennant.
Some new observations include noting the fortuitous carom to Astros outfielder Gary Woods on Del Unser’s double in the tenth inning. Otherwise, likely it would have been a one out triple.
As fate would have it, the Phils needed and got the two out eventual pennant winning hit from Garry Maddox.
Maddox caught the final out to clinch the pennant and the last out of a “sudden ending possibility bottom of the 9th” and I doubt anyone has ever done all three in such a big game.
The late, great player and commentator Ralph Kiner’s praise of Maddox, a tremendous outfielder was “two thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third by Garry Maddox.”
The fabulous and legendary show, “Cabaret,” ends its current Broadway run with Sunday’s 2 p.m. performance. I saw the show recently and marvel at its greatness, both the history of the other Broadway runs and the movie, as well as this incarnation of the show.
The play begins and ends with the incredible Alan Cumming as “the emcee.” I offer lofty praise to Mr. Cumming by putting him with Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli for incredible, breathtaking performances in “Cabaret.”
“Cabaret” was in great hands throughout this production with its stellar cast.
In going from the ominous warnings evidenced in Cabaret on the precipice of all time horror in Germany, to this day, Cabaret struck dual chords.
Of course, one was the beautiful music/entertainment. This is a truly spectacular, entertaining show. The other, perhaps will aid perspective.
Mr. Cumming at play’s end is in garb from utter horror, namely a concentration camp. In that article of “clothing” he talks to the audience, after what was the last Wednesday matinee performance.
Here, hopefully compassion was shown in asked for donations to help those with AIDS. Additionally it was pointed out some people’s sense of entitlement has increased so much as to make it a ridiculous low.
Apparently some people (one school sentiment about a few ruining it, or at least hurting the “whole class” proved relevant) were taking pictures, their lights shining in the performer’s faces during the show.
Mr. Cumming standing in the garb and addressing such is another warning.
I add to it, saying– think of what we have, at least relative to most “elsewheres” and without having to be a saint (TV show reference to St. Elsewhere). Show some respect and minimal courtesy and that means no photography during the performance.
It was a great performance!
Tomorrow night in the South Region semi-finals, Duke takes on Utah while Gonzaga faces U.C.L.A.
My prediction is that Duke will win (74-63) vs Utah. This Duke team has a chance to win it all.
In the other game, Duke’s chances will increase as U.C.L.A. will upset Gonzaga.
I may as well state now I believe Duke will win a fairly close game vs U.C.L.A. to win the region.
If Duke/U.C.L.A. takes place, it will be a redux of the 1964 title game when U.C.L.A. under legendary coach John Wooden won the first of an incredible 10 titles in 12 seasons.
The two games in the West Region tomorrow night have pretty big favorites.
In one, Arizona is heavily favored vs Xavier. In the other, Wisconsin is a nice sized favorite vs North Carolina.
Arizona will win easily vs Xavier. My prediction is (83-68).
Last year Wisconsin was denied in heartbreaking fashion by Kentucky in the semi-finals. I think North Carolina will deny them much earlier this year. My prediction is North Carolina (72-71).
The Midwest and West Regions have their semi-final games Thursday night.
(36-0) Kentucky faces West Virginia in one game. In the earlier tilt, Notre Dame takes on Wichita State.
Last year Wichita State had an unbeaten regular season before an underdog Kentucky beat them in the round of 32.
Now each is favored, Kentucky by a wide margin and Wichita State by a very slim one, to meet in the regional final on Saturday.
I say only Kentucky gets there as I think they will win by 10 points vs West Virginia, unless the Mountaineers have another Jerry West hidden on their team. (Jerry is easily the greatest player in West Virginia history, and one of the greatest NBA players ever).
My other Midwest region prediction is Notre Dame winning a close game from Wichita State.
Despite the fact that Villanova (a “1” seed) was eliminated by North Carolina State and Virginia (a “2” seed) was eliminated by Michigan State, the NCAA “Sweet Sixteen” has a number of traditional powers and regular season standouts still in contention.
It was in the East Region that the top two seeds were eliminated.
That leaves Michigan State, the region’s “7” seed to face “3” seed Oklahoma in one regional semi-final game on Friday night.
In the other, “8” seed North Carolina State faces Louisville which is the “4” seed. Those schools were part of a great Final Four in 1983.
Each faced powerful Houston–Louisville losing a truly fun game to watch vs Houston in the “semis,” before upstart NC State, coached by the late Jim Valvano, shocked Houston in the final, to win an incredible NCAA title.
I expected a great show and reality more than exceeded my expectations as Frankie Valli and Company put on a tremendous show at the beautiful, historic and recently reconstructed Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York last night.
There are so many hits both from Frankie’s days with the immortal Four Seasons group and his solo career.
Mr. Valli sang so many and so well, with his singers also doing a great job. The orchestra was superb. Frankie paid special tribute to his musical director, Robbie Robinson, with whom he has been working with for 36 years.
Most of it all, the evening was about the greatness and sheer volume of Mr. Valli’s work as the incredible number of big hits and great songs kept coming.
A resounding version of December 1963 “Oh What A night” was the highlight for me, as my relatively old bones joined the others standing, singing and dancing, which made for an incredible sight.
With Valli, there was so much: “Dawn,” “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man.” And, an interesting story about “Got You Under My Skin.” Valli and The Four Seasons had a night off at the famed Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami and went to see Frank Sinatra at The Eden Rock. They were blown away by his version of the Cole Porter classic and Valli recorded his version as a tribute. Closing the show was “Let’s Hang On.”
Back to Valli’s smash 1975/1976 hit, I use “What a Night” because that is what it was and that is the word!! (Alas “Grease” which also “is the word” opened the spectacular show.)
It was seeing greatness as Valli sings and rocks on, both his talent and longevity truly incredible.
Football legend Chuck Bednarik died today at age 89. He played just before my time, but his greatness is known to all ages.
He was a magnificent player, playing his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles with whom he won two NFL titles including the Eagles’ most recent one in 1960.
Bednarik made the final tackle in that game as the Eagles held off the Green Bay Packers (17-13), the only time Vince Lombardi ever lost a post season game.
Chuck, who was elected to The Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1967, was the last true two way player in the NFL. He was a good offensive center and an all time great (defensive) linebacker.
Recently I had occasion to see the versatile, extremely talented and beautiful Linda Purl perform in concert.
She was magnificent. Her voice is great and her remarks weaved throughout the show surely enhanced her performance.
Her music included songs from The Great American Songbook accomplished with a beautiful voice and an endearing style.
One story included the Dalai Lama looking for his expensive watch after a talk Linda attended.
Ms. Purl’s versatility which includes a recurring role on the CBS show “Reckless,” will really be on display in two upcoming theater performances.
She will be in “The Year of Magical Thinking” a one woman show adapted for the stage by the great Joan Didion. That performance will be at The Lensic Theatre at 211 West San Francisco Street in Santa Fe, New Mexico on March 28th.
Next Linda will perform in “Love Loss And What I Wore” at The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, California from June (3-7). The playhouse is located at 606 La Guna Canyon Road, a magnificent setting.
A last note is that Ms. Purl is a charming, nice individual who took extra time to talk and pose for pictures after the concert.
Visit Linda Purl’s website: click here.
Talk abounds today about the upset filled start to the NCAA Tournament. Two “14 seeds” shocked “3 seeds” with victories, and another came very close to victory. U.A.B. and Georgia State pulled the big upsets while Northeastern came close.
Looking ahead, theoretically, the elimination of the “three seed” in a region helps all the teams especially the “two and one seeds.”
With losses by three seeds, Iowa State (U.A.B. was the 14 seed that beat them) and Baylor (Georgia State was the 14 seed that beat them) and two seeds Gonzaga and Arizona improved their chances.
Also, unofficially, underdogs have beaten the spread in 16 of 19 games.
Do not count on anything in what has been an upset filled tournament to this point.
