The 2013 major league baseball season has reached the All Star break. This year, as opposed to last year, finishing first in the division would seem to have very significant meaning.
First of all, the six division winners avoid the one game playoff. That is “reserved” for the two wild card teams in each league.
Next the two top finishers in each league play the first two and potential decisive game(s) of a best of five series at home. Hence a look at the divisional races. Today the American League and later this week, the National League.
In the American League, the surprising Boston Red Sox, rated the lowest in the A.L. East at the beginning of the season have a two and a half game lead. The Toronto Blue Jays with the division’s highest pre season rating are in last place, eleven and one half games behind first place Boston.
The Detroit Tigers have a one and a half game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the A.L. Central Division. The top heavy favorite, Tigers have won 7 of nine vs Cleveland but have not pulled away by any stretch.
The Oakland A’s who swept the Texas Rangers in the last three games at Oakland last year to win the A.L. West, currently lead the Rangers by two games in the division. The high priced Los Angeles Angels, with the highly paid Mike Scioscia at the managerial helm, are 5 games under .500 and 11 games out.
Tim McCarver was an outstanding catcher on some near great St. Louis Cardinals teams that won 3 pennants and 2 World Series from 1964-1968. I really liked him as a player.
I can not say the same thing about his “on air” career though he was chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame in that category.
Trust me, he in his truly loud voice (at the 1985 World Series I stood at the back of the broadcast booth and while neither Al Michaels nor Jim Palmer could be heard, McCarver could be) has made so many factual mistakes over the years.
One I remember is McCarver saying Bucky Dent’s home run in the one game playoff for the Yankees vs the Boston Red Sox was in the early 1980’s. Of course it was in 1978.
Yesterday, listening to the final game of the 1993 World Series, I note that McCarver said every game of the Yankees’ 4 game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 World Series was very close. In game 4, the Yankees led 5-0 going to the top of the 9th and won (5-2). That is not very close.
Interviewing Paul Molitor, McCarver asked “if in his wildest dreams, could you (Paul) imagine a World title in his first year in Toronto?” “Wildest dreams,” the Blue Jays were defending World’s Champions.
On Tuesday, McCarver will be broadcasting his last All Star Game, with the Mets the host team for the first time since 1964. Oh 1964, Mc Carver the fine player hit the key home run in the 10th inning of the World Series also in a game at New York (Yankee Stadium).
His three run homer in game 5 helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 7 games. It is that McCarver and not the broadcaster McCarver that I admire.
Once, McCarver during the 5th game of the 1986 NLCS in talking of the previous longest NLCS game said the Reds won and Pete Rose’s home run was decisive. McCarver was right and I am the one who told him Rose hit the home run. I am still waiting for his thank you.
Bob Dishy has done some incredible work and is truly an outstanding actor. He has appeared and stood out in such films as “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Don Juan DeMarco.”
Though he is the “actor’s actor,” I feel Mr. Dishy does not get enough credit. In a word, he is brilliant.
Recently I saw him arrive just before doing two readings of Murray Schisgal plays under the auspices of “Food for Thought Productions.” He took off his jacket and went to work. His performance was outstanding.
He had two great co stars. In “The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Crying,” he worked with his wife Judy Graubart. Next, without batting an eyelash, he worked with Zach Grenier in “Death, Thou Shalt Die.”
After the performance, Mr. Dishy was very pleasant and he showed his versatility as he detailed game one of the Miami Heat/Indiana Pacers series. I had missed the game and wanted details.
He knew more about the game than most, if not all of the commentators, who abound in the sportscasting wilderness. He had an almost total recall of the game’s key moments though he had no idea that would be what I wanted to know.
I thought of and admittedly researched some of his many roles. I did remember him as the Jewish man who was to marry Maude’s daughter Carol (played not by Adrienne Barbeau but by Marcia Rodd) and about to meet Archie in a pre “Maude,” “All in the Family” episode.
In that episode and in countless roles, he displayed humor and created pathos. He possesses a rare gift and the audience is so fortunate to have the likes of Bob Dishy around.
The readings were part of the great program at Food For Thought Productions created by Susan Charlotte and Mary J. Davis. A new season highlight will be “Masks,” starring the great Fritz Weaver on October 3rd.
Andy B with Bob Dishy
The first edition of “Carson on TCM” aired last night. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, interviews conducted by Johnny Carson from the Tonight Show will be shown on Monday nights from 8 until 9 Eastern time. What a treat in this heat.
Last night Johnny’s (few called him John but one who did was his mother) interviews with Doris Day, Charlton Heston, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Tony Curtis aired.
Surely they were “chopped” a bit but it was great to look back.
The TCM promo, narrated by the wonderful Robert Osborne, stated the audience would be privy to some type of interviews that would not happen today.
One such instance aired last night, 27 odd years after its first time on television.
Chevy Chase was on the Tonight Show to promote his movie “The Three Amigos.” Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert came on after Chase’s solo chat with Carson, and while complimentary to other Chase films, were not enamored with “The Three Amigos.”
It was Ebert, who said he could not recommend “The Three Amigos” and it was fascinating but not “instigated” television tension.
In light of all that has happened and always does happen there is perspective regarding comments and criticism. Both Siskel and Ebert are deceased and “The Three Amigos” was not “Gone With The Wind.”
I look forward to looking back next week when Turner Classic Movies will present the second “Carson on TCM” at the same time on Monday night.
Click this link for a brief video
I attended a “titillating” event at Rick’s Cabaret New York, the upscale gentlemen’s club in midtown Manhattan. The lovely Rick’s Girls were models in a “Lingerie Fashion Show.”
The Rick’s Cabaret Girls walked a makeshift runway wearing silky and skimpy attire from the Rene’ Rofe’ collection. The crowd, comprised of mostly well dressed business types, loved it. (They showed their appreciation after the fashion show by showering the girls with money. Now that’s an unusual fashion show.)
The girls modeled the latest in lingerie fashions, and did so in a sexy, tasteful, classy manner which is the standard at Rick’s Cabaret.
The club is a favorite spot for pro athletes, who usually sit right along side the Wall Streeters in the VIP sections. The Rick’s Girls were available to the press for interviews after the show, so I took the opportunity to ask them about sports, particularly baseball. Do they know their baseball? Look for my interview with three beautiful girls from Rick’s Cabaret next week.
It was quite a night and early morning at Citi Field yesterday. In a game delayed almost two hours at the start, the NL West leading Arizona Diamondbacks broke a 5 game losing streak, handing Matt Harvey just his second loss of the season. Arizona’s (5-3) win vs the New York Mets left the D/Backs up by two and a half games.
Next came a wonderful fireworks display. Most of the sellout crowd stayed and enjoyed not only the fireworks, but the all star game highlights and related music of that year.
Most of the highlights featured Mets’ players from previous All Star games. Among the featured players was Tom Seaver, whom I recall saving the National League’s 15 inning win at Anaheim in 1967, which was his rookie year. Tony Perez’ home run in the top of the 15th inning provided the winning margin.
The 1984 All Star game highlights featuring Dwight Gooden included the related music of Huey Lewis and The News. The song, “Power of Love” was played. Parenthetically, “Huey Lewis and The News” performed the national anthem at the ’84 All Star game in San Francisco.
Of course Citi Field will be the site of this year’s All Star Game on Tuesday July 16th. It appears the Mets organization will do a fine job as this year’s hosts of the game.
Though I do not like the fact that the All Star game winner determines home field advantage in the World Series, it does not diminish the importance of such an advantage. The team with the home advantage has won 22 of the last 27 World Series.
Recently I saw the great Debbie Reynolds as she was promoting her new book, “Unsinkable” about her remarkable life and career.
This movie icon looks great and really enjoyed talking with all involved. She spent extra time signing her book and talking to all the people that came forward to greet her.
You will hardly recognize her in the upcoming Home Box Office movie,”Behind the Candelabra” about Liberace. Debbie plays the role of Liberace’s mother.
What an honor it was to meet this incredibly beautiful, personable and perhaps most of all, resilient star.
“Heart of a Tiger,” an inspiring new book by Herschel Cobb, talks of his relationship with his grandfather, baseball immortal, Ty Cobb.
Herschel endured horrible abuse from his father, but his great relationship with Ty Cobb helped ease his pain. Today, Herschel is a happy man with a wife (Lyn) and two children, Madelyn and Ty.
Herschel tells us that the first three chapters, when he recounts the horrors inflicted by his father and his troubled mother, would be tough to read.
I understand his need to “get it out” and applaud him for doing so. It is marvelous what Herschel Cobb has accomplished.
It was great to read that Ty Cobb, given a chance to be close to Herschel, his sister Susan and brother Kit, picked up the ball and “ran with it” as if stealing one of the 892 bases he stole in his great career.
Ty Cobb, often portrayed unfairly in historical accounts, comes across as a loving grandfather. As someone who never had a grandfather, the stories of Ty taking the kids to his Lake Tahoe cabin and other adventures moved me tremendously.
Baseball historians reading the book will be privy to Cobb’s thoughts on such great players as Babe Ruth and Tris Speaker.
Also Ty Cobb, whom I recall on an “I’ve Got A Secret” show being a friendly, personable man, gives his side of aggressive play.
Mr. Cobb’s early foray into Coca Cola and General Motors’ stock and why he generously helped “down and out” former teammates, is also discussed.
It was a compelling, sensitive, forthright book by Herschel Cobb. Far from perfect and not denying his flaws, (we all have them) Ty Cobb was a great figure. He surely was a loving, caring grandfather. Wish I had known mine.
Click to see some rare Ty Cobb footage
It was a moving funeral service for actor James Gandolfini at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City yesterday morning. Some recollections and thoughts follow.
David Chase, “The Sopranos” creator, gave the last of four “remembrances” as listed in the program. He talked of Gandolfini being “a little boy” and bringing that to the role of “Tony Soprano.” He thought that was the reason the character was liked though he was essentially not good.
He told how Gandolfini in a scene, slammed the refrigerator door so hard as to break it while shooting a scene. Gandolfini’s intensity at times was harmful. His brilliant mind and willingness to help were among his many attributes.
Chase closed by talking of a scene with “Tony Soprano” having to take a bus as any other “working stiff.” Sopranos watchers know every show ended with a song, often powerful ones. In this scene, Chase would (have) use(d) Joan Osborne’s “What if God Was One of Us” as “Tony” boarded the bus.
Gandolfini’s dialogue coach, collaborator, and friend, Susan Aston, remembered Gandolfini comforting her fears with a “what’s the worst that could happen” scenario as they both nervously awaited going on stage in the 1980’s.
She intoned that “the opposite of strength is not weakness but vulnerability” and one needs vulnerability to be strong. James Gandolfini met the requirements.
The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski, who gave the homily, talked of meeting Gandolfini at a charity event held at The Rainbow Room.
He spoke eloquently as a fan of the show and how the “Tony Soprano” character gave us a unique “access to the darkness of humanity.”
He marveled at Gandolfini’s kindness and charitable nature. He recalled fondly his interaction with his fans.
There was a confluence of reality, imagination and thoughts of the show “The Sopranos,” as I watched many cast members pass me while walking out of the huge cathedral.
Reality is that a relatively young man and great talent is dead, far too soon. He did live life to the fullest, perhaps too full.
Imagination and hope lead me to think James Gandolfini is going to a better place and can help with his brilliance and compassion.
Thoughts about the show consisted largely of all the funerals and people’s reactions to them on the show. Death so often a topic, especially on “Tony Soprano’s” lips, leaps out.
I know that it was an incredible show and Gandolfini had one of the great roles and performances in television history. Yesterday was a fitting tribute to him.
Just over 40 years ago, on the same day both Pat Riley’s Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated in the respective NBA and NHL finals.
This past Monday, on the same day of the NBA champion Miami Heat victory parade (where team President Pat Riley was prominently displayed wearing white shorts), the Chicago Blackhawks clinched the Stanley Cup title.
Other playoffs notes: The 2013 NBA finals series pattern of road team win, home, home, road, home, home, and finally home had not taken place in the finals of either baseball or basketball which have the (2-3-2) format, since the 1946 World Series.
That encompasses 65 World Series (1947-2012, with no World Series played in 1994), 32 NBA finals (1985-2012 and 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955 when the 2-3-2 format was in place) and two hockey finals, 1984 and 1985 played with the 2-3-2 format.
One more and that is it, I promise! The home team win, road, home, road, home and finally road team pattern of the 2013 NHL finals had happened only once before. That was in 1989, when the Calgary Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens in six games in the 1989 finals.
That encompasses the 74 best of seven NHL finals from 1939-2013, with no finals nor an NHL season in 2005. Counting the other NBA finals played with the (2-2-1-1-1) format in which there was never such a pattern, only two of the 107 (2-2-1-1-1) finals had such a pattern.
For the record, the 1956 NBA finals series though not a (2-3-2) format, was also not a (2-2-1-1-1) format.
Knowing this, much from memory, might be attributed to sleeping alone for a good deal of my life.
Click here for 1973 Blackhawks video
1973
1973
Andy B Sports 