In 1982, the American League East race came down to the 162nd and final game. I recall watching that Sunday afternoon on ABC TV. It was a winner take all game between the Milwaukee Brewers vs the Baltimore Orioles.
The Bewers at that time were owned by the current Baseball Commissioner, Bud Selig.
The Brewers jumped to a lead they would hold, but not before some anxious moments for them. As the tension mounted, the ABC cameras focused more than once on owner Selig “chain smoking,” hoping Milwaukee would hold on.
It was a memorable game in a great baseball season which culminated in the St. Louis Cardinals’ seven game triumph over the Brewers in the World Series.
Click for Brewers vs Orioles 1982
Though NFL pre season games mean little, if anything, it is noteworthy that the New York Giants and New York Jets will enter next week’s annual pre season contest vs each other with a combined (5-0) record.
I believe this augurs well for both teams. In my opinion both teams will fight for playoff berths this season.
The Jets with additions Michael Vick and Chris Johnson on the offensive end will win at least 8 games. They might even battle the New England Patriots for the AFC East title but let’s slow down our optimism concerning the Jets just a bit. Let’s say (9-7), good enough to battle for a playoff berth in the not so good AFC, but not enough to take the division title from New England.
I already predicted a (9-7) season for the Giants. They may even win the NFC East.
So far in the pre season, the Detroit Lions, last year’s big disappointment in the NFC North, if not the NFL, have split two games, each decided by one point.
It is in close games that the very talented Lions must improve this season. They seemed headed to the NFC North crown after a dominant performance vs the Green bay Packers last Thanksgiving Day, in the traditional game at Detroit.
However, the team lost some unbelievable games, including one in the snow at Philadelphia (Eagles) and a home game to the New York Giants, who played the spoiler role and eliminated the Lions.
The Giants visit Detroit in the Monday night opener with the latter, an early 4 point favorite.
My early prediction is that the Lions will bounce back this season, win at least 9 games, and perhaps battle for the NFC North crown, that they squandered last season.
Lauren Bacall, One of the greatest American actors, passed on this past week. She was 89 years old.
She was the epitome of charm, grace, and to me, sultry class. I met her once not long ago, and she looked great. I simply said “an honor to meet you.” She said “thank you.”
There were so many great roles including, if you will, being married to Humphrey Bogart and then Jason Robards Jr.
On screen and stage so many, citing one each: “Key Largo,” one of four films with Mr. Bogart, and “Woman of the Year” on Broadway.
My favorite is “To Have and Have Not” where she met and fell in love with Humphrey Bogart. One scene mirrors their “riding the wave toward love,” as Ms. Bacall’s character, in a scene way ahead of its time, instructs Bogart’s character how to get in touch with her.
“Just whistle,” she says, “you know how to whistle, don’t you–just put your lips together and blow.”
Ms. Bacall, 25 years Bogie’s junior, lost her great love on earth and maybe now Mr. Bogart is “whistling” for her return.
The three American League teams that have gone the longest amount of time without a post season berth are in contention for one this season.
Those teams are the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Royals, who have not been to the post season playoffs since winning it all in 1985, are in the midst of another good run that has them battling the Detroit Tigers for the A.L. Central crown.
The Mariners, who last made the post season with an American League record 116 wins in 2001, are in the thick of the race, for what likely will be one wild card berth.
By the way, the New York Yankees defeated the Mariners in five games in that year’s ALCS and Seattle, now in their 37th to be completed season, has never made the World Series
The Blue Jays last in post season when they rode Joe Carter’s game six home run to a second straight title in 1993, are on the outside looking in, trailing, but still factors in the race, for that likely to be lone wild card spot available.
Sadly, Robin Williams, who was a great comic, actor, and humanitarian, “exited” this world two days back.
He certainly left behind an abundance of rich work that most of us could not fathom being able to leave behind.
While blown out of proportion by the insipid media coverage, the fact Mr.Williams did “leave behind” all that he was, including family is worth consideration.
The terrible event has led to a greater awareness about suicide, which results in more deaths each year than homicides.
If this helps even one person contemplating such drastic action then it is invaluable.
Please consider all possible options and all possible assistance and even then know suicide is irrevocable while other options are not.
Robin Williams work as an actor in such films as “The World According to Garp” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” was extraordinary.
Working with his idol, the great Jonathan Winters, Robin was part of comedic masterpieces.
His charity and willingness to give also should not be forgotten.
I met Mr. Williams once, on a hot day in New York City on the day the great actor, Rod Steiger died.
Robin told me that Mr. Steiger was a friend. He was friendly and in the brief conversation talked of days like that one “bringing the puppies out” to be walked, so to speak by the woman around town.
Even in this “phony enhancement” age concerning such entities, they are a welcome sight.
I hope Robin Williams, who in his decision felt lacking in enough “delegates” to live, finds more than enough in a better world.
His brilliance and caring certainly helped this one.
Another week of Canadian Football League games begins tonight as the East leading Toronto Argonauts host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are in a tie for the most points in the West.
Last week, the Saskatchewan RoughRiders rallied for a victory vs the Blue Bombers who are now (5-2). The Argonauts whose (2-4) record has them in front in the far weaker East, were idle.
Both the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos won their games last week to raise their records to (5-1). Each beat a CFL East team and going into this week the West is an incredible (16-2) in games vs the East.
Last week at this time I stated that the Detroit Tigers had the best chance to win it all in baseball 2014. Now that “status” goes to the Oakland A’s and one wonders to whom it will belong next week. Situations change then revert back quite often in baseball as is the case in life in general.
Rather than comment on Detroit’s slip, the A’s with a four game lead over the Angels not only for the A.L. West lead but baseball’s best record, now have the best chance. However, the championship race is wide open.
Remember the American League will have the home advantage in the World Series and the team/league with the home advantage has won 23 of the last 28 World Series contested.
The Phoenix Mercury won by two points vs the Minnesota Lynx last night in WNBA action to all but clinch the regular season Western Division title and the league’s best record.
Our next report on the WNBA will be on the upcoming playoffs, but now some comments on why I like the WNBA.
The brand of basketball is good, basic, and with some fine set plays. I like the proficiency in the woman’s game free throw shooting. The passing is excellent.
Additionally, there have been and are some real stars in the league. Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Lisa Leslie come to mind.
This past week Becky Hammon, who is retiring as a WNBA player with the San Antonio Silver Stars, was hired as an assistant coach with the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
Diana Taurasi
Last night in Baltimore, there was a celebration of it being the 60 year anniversary of the Orioles’ franchise move from St. Louis, where they were the St. Louis Browns.
Appropriately, the Orioles opponent was the St. Louis Cardinals and such O’s greats as Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson were on hand.
Right now the Orioles are 5 games ahead in the AL East while the Cards are battling in the N.L. for either the Central crown or wild card berth.
Another “round number” anniversary this year is that it is 70 years since the all St. Louis 1944 World Series won by the Cardinals in six games vs the Browns.
Twice the Orioles and Cardinals have been in post season together (1996 and 2012) and twice the teams won World Series in consecutive years (Baltimore in 1966, St. Louis in 1967 and then St. Louis in 1982 and Baltimore in 1983) but there has never been an Orioles/Cardinals World Series.
Brooks and Frank Robinson
