Perhaps appropriate, the ’68 into ’69 saga and part of it, Mickey Mantle’s last game.
The game was in Boston, the penultimate one in a fourth straight non pennant season for a team, the Yankees, that had won an incredible 14 pennants in 16 seasons.
Mantle popped out to Rico Petrocelli in his final at bat. He did not play in the season finale, the last series being at Boston’s Fenway Park vs the Red Sox.
During spring training/1969 he announced his retirement after an incredible playing career.
Heroes, flaws, change– all to be pondered, with perhaps a manifestation of better as time goes (even flies) by.
Dooley Wilson, pictured above, as “Sam” in the seminal film, “Casablanca,” so memorably and beautifully sang “As Time Goes By.”
The song was written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931, a dozen years before Mr. Wilson sang it in “Casablanca.”
There are so many memories, (most fond), opinions, feelings and “ways to go,” in remembering the great running back, Orenthal “O.J.” Simpson, who died days back at the age of 76.
We all have opinions and I rate Jim Brown the greatest of all running backs and Mr. Simpson second. Again an opinion, mine being O.J. as the best college runner with Tony Dorsett second.
I interviewed Mr. Simpson in 1991 and he was so gracious, getting a big kick in remembering a crossing pattern TD, (recalling Lou Holtz then the opposing coach making a “football mistake” –another opinion: Holtz is chock full of mistakes–) that I actually called/play by played well and later post the events of June 1994, in which two people died and a circus, Tony Randall and I were two of the very low number that followed none of it, ensued– played for my mother, a non sports fan, whose ears “perked upon” upon listening.
His 64 yard touchdown run vs UCLA that more than any play, yielded O.J.’s USC the ’67 mythical crown and his 80 yard TD run (Curt Gowdy’s “look out he runs the “100” in 9.5 or was it 9.3,” it was 9.4, I type a week later) in defeat to my then Ohio State, in the ’68 season Rose Bowl, are indelibly etched memories.
More than once I think fondly back to “look out” in reference to O.J.’s 1/1/69 80 yard run, referenced above, today with O.J. a different “gone” the feeling is more intense. Greatness is greatness and both Simpson’s run and Gowdy’s call were that.
An “O.J.” peak in ’73, one I was not thrilled with as Jim, not O.J. , was my favorite, when in the December 16th, Shea Stadium snow, Simpson not only broke Brown’s 1,863 yards season rushing record, but also went over 2,000 yards, amassing 2,003.
There is so much more, this not the place even the time. Orenthal James Simpson was ubiquitous and few sights in sports, which by the way is not really important, were/are as beautiful than watching him run.
Orenthal “O.J.” Simpson, pictured above.
It is truly an incredible feat, that which Connecticut just achieved, as they won back to back NCAA crowns, winning the required dozen games all by “enough” points–I believe by 10 or more in all those games.
Danny Hurley coaching repeat titles in what are “3” and “4” years evokes memories of brother Bob Hurley being a key player on repeat Duke title teams in “1” and “2” years (’91 and ’92).
Connecticut sans a crown until they upset Duke, which had 2 at that point, in ’99 now passes Duke into a tie with North Carolina for third place in title wins with 6.
U.C.L.A. leads with 11 crowns, Kentucky has 8.
Finally it is the third straight “4” year crown for Connecticut as they won the title in both ’04 and ’14 and it is with three different coaches, Jim Calhoun then Kevin Ollie and now Hurley.
Quite an achievement for Connecticut!!
Repeat National Titles winning coach, Danny Hurley is pictured above.
Two truly dominant teams, Connecticut in the men’s event and South Carolina in women’s play, won NCAA crowns, pulling away to victories vs Purdue and Iowa respectively, in the title tilts.
Connecticut, an incredible (12-0), (12-0) in the last two tournaments, repeated as champions, the first team to do so since Florida did so in ’06 and ’07.
Meanwhile South Carolina completed an undefeated season, handing Iowa a second straight title game loss and avenging? a semi-final round loss to them last season.
Connecticut won (75-60) as 7 or so point(s) favorites while South Carolina a similar quantitative favorite posted an (87-75) victory.
Tristen Newton, of Connecticut, pictured below, of Connecticut was named Most Outstanding Player in the men’s event while Kamilla Cardoso of South Carolina, took that honor in women’s play.
Newton, pictured above had 20 points in the title game and was voted the men’s tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Today on another Monday April 8th, there will be a total solar eclipse, the last such until 2044.
It occurs on the exact 50 year anniversary of Henry Aaron blasting his 715th lifetime home run, which yes, eclipsed the hallowed record of Babe Ruth.
I have great thoughts about both of these all-time greats, whose predominant outfield position was in right, however, each played another “out there” place.
Today when “out there” shows a phenomenon, thoughts of Henry and “The Babe” resonate with that night, the NBC telecast, calls by Curt Gowdy, Milo Hamilton and Vin Scully and especially that of my father “calling” to my mother to watch, indelibly and happily etched in my mind.
A veritable sun and moon, 2 for 1. Click below to view Henry’s 700th home run with Harry Kalas on play by play with commentary from Rich Ashburn.
Next, 50 years ago today, #715, one more than Babe Ruth, as called by Milo Hamilton.
NEW YORK — You are invited to Hoops Cabaret New York, the world’s sexiest sports bar, to watch UFC 300, in what is perhaps the best fight card ever assembled, on Saturday night, April 13.
The event will feature 12 current or former champions as well as a former two-time Olympic gold medalist and a standout collegiate wrestler.
The main event sees the return of UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira as he looks to make his first defense of the crown against former titleholder Jamahal Hill. Pereira earned the the title with a knockout of Jiri Prochazka. Hill was forced to vacate the title last year after suffering a torn Achilles while playing basketball.
The fan-favorite Hoops Cabaret is a great place to watch sporting events, with multiple giant screens, Hi-Def TVs, and its futuristic Mega-Tron Video Wall. Every seat has a clear view of the action.
Hoops Cabaret combines the fun of a sports bar with the excitement of a gentlemen’s club. “We love the UFC,” said Hoops girl Corinna. “And we also love performing on stage and up close and personal for you. Hoops is like a sports fan’s dream come to life!”
HOT TIP: Check out the Hoops ‘Man Cave’ and be sure to stay for the After-Party.
HOOPS Cabaret and Sports Bar 48 West 33rd Street, New York City
Court-side, Balcony, + VIP seating, Super VIP “Man Cave”
Next door to Rick’s Cabaret NYC
Both the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball title tilts have 6 plus point(s) perceptions.
This afternoon, at 3 P.M. in host site, Cleveland, ABC “TV’s” the likely high # of viewers, South Carolina/Iowa women’s title game, with South Carolina, “semi’d” by Iowa, last year, the above referenced favorite.
Tomorrow night defending champion Connecticut (11-0) (11-0) in the last two tournaments is favored by the above referenced margin vs Purdue.
For the record, South Carolina eased vs North Carolina State in the women’s semi opener while Iowa bet (-2 plus to -3 plus) escaped, winning by 2, vs Connecticut, a previous 11 time champion.
Yesterday after Purdue (-9) by 13 vs N.C. State, ’twas Connecticut (-11 plus) by 14 vs Alabama.
The only other time Purdue reached an NCAA Tournament final game was in 1969, when their task was even more daunting (dare I say, much more so and that is no knock on Connecticut), as they faced two time champion, U.C.L.A. and their great player, then Lew Alcindor (pictured above) later Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Mr. Alcindor/Jabbar shot 15 of 20 from the floor, added 7 of 9 free throws, hitting for 37 as U.C.L.A. eased (92-72).
Seton Hall, down seven points (77-70) in the last three minutes, rode a Dre Davis tiebreaking/last points/tournament winning layup, to a (79-77) win vs Indiana State, to win their second N.I.T. crown, the other coming in 1953.
Al-Amir Dawes, the tournament MVP, had 24 points while Kadary Richmond added 21 as ’89 NCAA runner-up, Seton Hall edged the ’79 runner-up, (Earvin and Kelser vs Larry — this Indiana State’s “Larry” put them ahead for the first time in the second half ) Indiana State.
The 1953 crown for Seton Hall was won under coach John “Honey” Russell.
The current “Hall” coach is Shaheen Holloway.
N.I.T. MVP, Al-Amir Dawes, pictured above.
Two teams, title game slight favorite, Indiana State and Seton Hall, who probably, deservedly felt unfairly snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selections, will meet tomorrow night, in the N.I.T Title tilt.
The game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, marking the second straight year the once, but now long ago, highly esteemed, N.I.T. will be played outside the confines of Madison Square Garden in New York City.
A bit “late,” but I and maybe only I note or care?– that both these teams/schools were NCAA second place finishers, in years ending in 9.
In still the highest rated and not so arguably important college final, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Greg Kelser starred, as Michigan State took the title 45 years ago, in 1979, defeating an Indiana State team, whose star was Larry Bird.
Ten years later, Michigan, this year an undisputed college football title winner for the first time in 75 years, got Rumeal Robinson to the line, from where his two free tosses (ode to Joe Tait), lifted them to the title vs Seton Hall.
Sadly, the once iconic Sports Illustrated is all but gone, however, memories abound and the cover shown above, so prescient, of the great Larry Bird and two Indiana State cheerleaders rekindles the greatness of player and magazine.
Andy B Sports 
Remembering Ken Holtzman
Simultaneously, as I start this tribute to the superb pitcher, Ken Holtzman, who happened to be Jewish and sadly died yesterday, too young at age 78, I am listening to the audio of an excellent article by Ed Sherman, that appeared in the Chicago Tribune 50 years after, recalling a legendary 1966 pitching duel between Mr. Holtzman and the great Sandy Koufax, who also happens to be Jewish. (Noting that the female computer voice is pronouncing Sandy’s name as COWfax–thus I will not link audio, but the old fashioned newspaper).
Ken Holtzman’s achievements as a baseball pitcher are worthy of “Hall” status, certainly, relative to some or many, who got there, while Ken, ostensibly has not even been considered.
Titles, while not end all (something I have often failed to recognize), nevertheless are telling and to me, by any measure, more than telling.
Holtzman was a major part of the three consecutive Oakland A’s titles (1972-1974), winning one World Series game in each of those seasons, including THE game (ode to Duane Thomas who correctly “poured water” on the assertion that the Super Bowl is the “ultimate game” as it is played every year. #7 W.S. is not, however of course has happened many times), #7 of the 1973 World Series vs the New York Mets.
Later he was on the 1977, first in 15 years after 20 such in 40, New York Yankees’ 1977 title team though he did not appear in the post-season.
Before that, Holtzman pitched 2 no-hitters for the Chicago Cubs, went (9-0) pitching on weekends while in the National Guard in 1967 and back to that game vs Sandy, the Cubs and Kenny won (2-1) vs the Dodgers, who were battling for the N.L. crown.
Holtzman, according to the article/audio, unaware of the situation, until the 8th inning, took a no-hitter and a (2-0) lead to the 9th, before holding on for a (2-1) win, that meant and hopefully means so much to Mr. Holtzman, as we look optimistically, to his being in a better place.
Click below to read Ed Sherman’s fine article.
Sandy Koufax vs. Ken Holtzman: The 1966 matchup of two Jewish …
The classy, superb $$ pitcher, Ken Holtzman, is pictured above.
As another tribute, since many, maybe most pitchers, from a day when they batted, like to hear about their rare (in most cases), at-bat successes, Ken Holtzman delivered big hits, as “they” and likely Curt Gowdy or Monte Moore intoned on the telecast, “helping his own cause,” in both #’s 1 and the winner take all, #7 of the ’73 World Series.
In the latter, his one out double– B3, was followed by Bert Campaneris’ 2RHR and later in the inning, by Reggie’s (Jackson) such and Oakland, now regrettably in its 57th but final season as Athletics’ home city, was well on their way to the second of three consecutive crowns.
3 crowns all with three excellent starting pitchers, now sadly all gone, far too soon, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Vida Blue and now Ken Holtzman.