While the lone unbeaten team in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons, had a bye, a team representing that other city of the future circa 1980 (Houston), namely the Texans, ripped the (5-2) Ravens and have a one and a half game lead for the AFC one seed. Atlanta and Houston were considered the cities of the future and many so called “yuppies” flocked there. Now each city’s Pro “pigskin” team has a more than one game lead in the race for the conference top seed. However, the season is not yet at the halfway point and the one seed has not meant as much in the playoffs as of late.
Elsewhere in the AFC, other than Houston, only the (4-3) New England Patriots, who were very fortunate to beat the (3-4) New York Jets, won to be over .500. In the NFC, both the New York Giants on yet another big play touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Victor Cruz, (he of the annoying dance), and Minnesota Vikings won to raise their records to (5-2). On Thursday past, the San Francisco 49ers won and also have a (5-2) record.
City of the Future?
In the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz,” three of the four characters repeatedly chant, if not sing, “Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!” as they walk through the forest before meeting the “Cowardly” Lion. That chant/song comes to mind as I think about tonight’s big televised events. In addition to a Lions at Bears football game, there will be the final Presidential Candidate Debate for 2012, as well as the decisive seventh game in the NLCS. The winner of that seventh game will face the Tigers in the World Series. Lions, Tigers, Bears and much more, indeed.
Which, if any, will you watch tonight? The busy Monday schedule features the final Presidential Debate beginning at nine p.m. (Eastern time), while the final game of the National League Championship Series begins at eight p.m. (Eastern time). Additionally, there is a “Monday Night Football” game starting at eight thirty p.m. (Eastern time).
TV remote controls will be working overtime. Taping one and not hearing any results or opinions is a good way to circumvent this confluence of “big” events. Personally, I will watch the baseball with no sound, and listen to the debate. Often, the candidates’ rhetoric can be annoying, but to me, less so than seventh game NLCS commentators, Joe Buck and Tim Mc Carver.
Coincidentally, years back, some people turned off the sound on Monday Night Football and listened to the radio. The late Jack Buck, Joe Buck’s father), was the play by play man on those radio broadcasts. Now, I can “reverse” that circumstance and another one involving “Joe Buck.” In the song, “Everybody’s Talking At Me,” (sung by the late, great Harry Nilsson) which was the theme song for the movie, “Midnight Cowboy,” the main character “Joe Buck” laments “Everybody’s talking at me but I don’t hear a word they are saying.” Now by shutting off Joe Buck, not only do I “reverse” people shutting off the sound on the television to hear Joe’s late father Jack, but now Joe Buck will be talking at me and I will NOT hear a word HE is saying.
There was a TV commercial promo for the NFL Network’s “Thursday Night Football” matchup that aired today during the fourth quarter of the televised CBS game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets. The announcer’s deep voice told the audience about the upcoming game between the Seahawks and 49ers. The only problem is that the game was played last Thursday night. The 49ers won that game (13-6).
The actual game airing this Thursday night is the Bucaneers vs Vikings.
The Houston Texans are (6-1) after ripping the (5-1) Baltimore Ravens. Please look for our NFL review this Tuesday. Tomorrow, will there be seventh game in the NLCS going head to head with not only Monday night football, but the final Presidential Debate? Otherwise will the Cardinals have advanced to their second consecutive World Series? Look for our baseball review.
Double the digits and you have the very likely 2012 World Series matchup. I realized it too late to “do anything about it” but alas the Cardinals and Tigers met in the 1934 World Series and then (double the year’s two digits) again in the 1968 Fall Classic. Now after meeting in the 2006 World Series, they very likely will meet in the (double the year’s defining digits six to twelve) 2012 World Series. Keep reading this blog until 2024 when the “doubling” may happen again!
The Cardinals won in seven games in 1934 and in five games in 2006. The Tigers overcame a three games to one deficit to beat the Cardinals in the 1968 World Series. The defending World Champion Cardinals have won 11 World titles, but have never won in consecutive years. (The Yankees have won 27 World titles: an amazing 5 consecutive years once, 4 consecutive years once, 3 consecutive years once (under manager Joe Torre) and 2 consecutive years three times.) By far the closest the Cardinals ever came to two in a row was was in 1968, before losing to Detroit, circumstances cited above.
It is noteworthy that if the Cardinals and Tigers meet this year, it is during the first year of the “five teams from each league making the tournament format.” Their 1968 World Series clash was the last “one team from each league into the World Series format.” The new playoff format gets me depressed. But when I think back to ’68 and Tiger’s Al Kaline’s big hit in game five, and Jim Northrup’s big hits in games six and seven it alleviates the pain.
Actually, this would be a good World Series matchup in which the Tigers will be the favorites (I say seven to five). However, remember the Cardinals will have home advantage in the “Classic” and the team that has enjoyed that advantage has truly “enjoyed” it (ie won the Series) an incredible 21 times in the last 26 World Series. One of the exceptions was the Cards’ 2006 triumph vs the Tigers.
I am posting this before game five of the NLCS realizing full well, that the Cardinals, though playing at home in game 5 could easily lose the game. If that were to happen the series would head back to SF and anything could happen. Wonder if the TV network crew assigned to the game in St. Louis today wants to go back to San Francisco or conceivably wait in St. Louis for game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, five days hence?
Yoko Ono is an incredible woman who offered a glimpse into her life when she was interviewed by Michael Kimmelman as part of the wonderful “Times Talks” series. Ms. Ono has a new book called “An Invisible Flower,” written years before she met her future husband John Lennon.
The interview was supplemented by some incredible footage and “home movies” of Yoko’s life. Insight was gained into what makes this peace loving woman tick. The home movies showed Yoko as a child while she talked of her family members and their place in society as long standing members in the banking field. But there was art in the dreams of her family and of course Yoko circumvented the dynamic of family/established work vs art and made her way as an internationally recognized, versatile artist.
Yoko showed some of her work and at one point asked audience members to come up and “wrap” her as she sat in a chair. Other examples of her performance art were shown on the screen throughout the interview. There was great material shown of Yoko’s appearances over the years. She was ahead of her time on many key issues, not the least of which, her stand against the hypocrisy regarding women in this society.
Kimmelman conducted the interview in a nice low key manner and Yoko was forthcoming. While nothing earth shattering was revealed, Yoko clearly touched on some of the points that have made her a controversial figure, but did so in a precise way. She called the music her late husband John Lennon was making “a nice sound.” There were adjustments made by both “free spirits” to sustain the wonderful marriage Yoko and John enjoyed.
Tragically, that marriage ended and the world suffered a horrible loss when John Lennon was killed on December 8,1980. At that point and sadly to this day, I feel outrage, shame and sadness that in this country the lives of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lennon were snuffed out in violence. I believe all stood for peace: the late President was headed that way and the other three epitomized it. Yoko practices it and has always offered insight into living on a higher plane. I never doubted her but through much deeper understanding realize the beauty in her ways. Those of you married or in a relationship learn and study the tenets of her unique ways of love. Do it and that thing about peace and maybe there is a chance. Peace and chance, you know the rest.
“Times Talks” events take place at The Times Center, 242 W 41st Street, NYC. For additional information on upcoming events visit http://www.TimesTalks.com
When the Detroit Tigers held on for a (2-1) win vs the New York Yankees in game three of the ALCS, three was the operative number.
It was game three of course and the Tigers raised their Game three ALCS record to (6-0). The win gives the Tigers a commanding three games to none lead in a bid for their third ALCS triumph, one which would even their ALCS record at (3-3). Finally, if the Tigers win the series they would become the first team ever to win three consecutive post-season series vs the Yankees, having won division series vs them in 2006 and 2011.
Justin Verlander continued Detroit’s outstanding pitching going eight and one third innings, allowing just one run and three hits. Phil Coke pitched two thirds of an inning, allowing two hits, one to Robinson Cano, which snapped his 0 for 29 streak before striking out Raul Ibanez to end the game. For the third consecutive game, Delmon Young put Detroit ahead to stay this time with a solo home run in the fourth inning.
Justin Verlander
Only the Atlanta Falcons are unbeaten after six weeks of play in the National Football League. For the second time this year, Atlanta pulled a game out late, this one (23-20) vs the Oakland Raiders. Atlanta was a ten point favorite in the game. Earlier this season, Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan threw the ball up and Roddy White came down with it (the pass defense in the league and college football is terrible) eventually setting up a game winning field goal vs the Panthers.
Elsewhere, only the Baltimore Ravens won to go to (5-1) while the last two Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers were mighty impressive in respectively winning at (4-2) San Francisco (49ers) and dropping the Houston Texans to (5-1) with a win at Houston. This week those two (5-1) teams clash at Houston in a game that quite possibly could go a long way in deciding the AFC top seed especially, in my opinion, if Houston wins. Incredibly, no other AFC team is better than (3-3) and the entire AFC East is (3-3) after last week’s results which included the NFC West, Seattle Seahawks going to (4-2) with a late win vs the New England Patriots. On Monday night the San Diego Chargers appeared to be headed to a (4-2) mark when they led the Denver Broncos (24-0) at half time. However, the Broncos stormed back to win (35-24) leaving both teams, you guessed it, (3-3).
In the NFC, the (4-1) Chicago Bears had a bye. The Giants won to be (4-2) while losses by the 49ers (as mentioned vs the Giants), Arizona Cardinals (to the Buffalo Bills in overtime) and Minnesota Vikings (at the Washington Redskins) left each team (4-2). As mentioned above, the Seattle Seahawks are also (4-2). Late in the Bills win at Arizona, Cardinals’ kicker Jay Feely made a 61 yard field goal to tie the game. Then a 38 yard field goal attempt by Feely on the last play of regulation time was tipped by the Bills’ Alex Carrington (remember Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington on tv’s Dynasty), keeping the Bills in the game. While late NFL commissioner, Pete Rozelle’s “dream” of every team being (8-8) will never happen, the “topsy turvy” nature of football is evident. Certainly there are no dynasties.
On the exact 28 year anniversary of their last World Series win on Sunday, October 14, 1984, the Detroit Tigers took a two games to none lead in the ALCS vs the New York Yankees. As I recall, that title clincher like Sunday’s Tigers’ win was a late afternoon game. In game one, the Tigers won despite dissipating a four run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning when incredibly, Raul Ibanez hit his fourth game tying, “down to the last inning” home run in three weeks. Detroit managed to win the game (6-4) in 12 innings and again benefited from a quick “turn around” after a Saturday night win (same happened vs the A’s in the division series), winning (3-0) in game two.
This is the Tigers’ sixth ALCS and in all of them one team has grabbed a two games to none series lead. This is the third time Detroit has the (2-0) advantage. This is only the second time in 15 ALCS that the Yankees trail two games to none. Jim Leyland, in his 13th post-season series, gets a (2-0) advantage for the fourth time. Delmon Young delivered the game winning hits in both games, a huge go ahead double in the 12th inning of game one and a fielder’s choice rbi in game two. The Tigers’ starting pitching has been magnificent thus far in post-season, allowing just five earned runs in 49 and one third innings.
Leyland and the Tigers are up two games to none thus the “prevailing wind” media (most of the media took the Claude Rains “Casablanca” character course in taking the easy way) did not take Leyland to task for letting struggling closer Jose Valverde pitch to Raul Ibanez (game one) when he had a lefthander, Drew Smyly ,the eventual winning pitcher, available. This was after Valvarde “sinned” and walked Mark Teixeira with two out, no one on, ahead by two runs. Ibanez, on an historical game tying home run tear, was allowed to bat vs a right handed pitcher, a struggling one at that.
Beano’s death hurts even more today. These are the first few days in a long time that I can not call him. Surely, it is a long distance call to him now. That reminds me of something he once wrote to me regarding my quite frequent calls to him in Pittsburgh from my New York residence. He quipped that his phone stock must double because of my calls. Regarding the phone company, he said on the air “it was the only thing that worked in this country and now they are breaking it up.”
Beano did not realize all that he accomplished and would be astounded at all the tributes to him upon his death. At times, I would call him and without saying anything play one of his on air comments. I found one recently; Nebraska is a juggernaut, unbeaten and playing at Oklahoma in their regular season finale. The year is 1983 and though I am a part of the Scoreboard Show I am not there that day. On that show, Beano picks Nebraska to win (28-21). Late in the game Nebraska leads (28-21) but Oklahoma has the ball first and goal around the Nebraska five. The game has “mythical national championship” implications but someone wagered the total points in the game would exceed fifty and that is “more important.” At that point, “that someone” remembers Beano’s pick and though he likes Beano and knows an “exact pick” will help him, “that someone” wants Oklahoma to score. When the game ends (28-21) Nebraska and two days later Beano’s “exact pick” is hailed in USA Today “that someone” laments, why did Beano have to be that good! He surely was that good and not just at picking games.
It is early morning and there will be more Beano stories in the days to come. I truly regret not doing a “Beano you are dead” tape that he would have balked at but loved to have completed. My first year with the show another great, Jack Whitaker (you think he had a father in the business as with these “nepotism” cases who flood the airwaves today!) was on air with Beano and host, Jim Lampley. After one of the shows, Whitaker asked me if I knew what Beano would like to happen on his last day on earth? I do not and he tells me. One “thing” is he loves Stefanie Powers and years later, ESPN (They had some nice tributes to Beano after his death) had Ms.Powers call Beano and flirt with him on the air.
Another involves the success of his picks; wanting wins in the east and then the west. So help me, the following happened: For some reason, the after work establishment the ABC people were in allowed a number of dogs to run within its confines that day. The next day, NFL Sunday, all five or so underdogs (called dogs in betting parlance) picked by Beano won their games, minimum within the “bettors point spread” as Lampley called it and some had outright victories. The dogs running about were a “sign.”
Followup on Stefanie Powers, who was gracious when I interviewed her some years back. She really “perked up” when I told her that I was Beano’s friend. She declared her “love” for him playing it for all it was worth and then some. The next day I played the tape for Beano. Usually, Beano was not impressed by tapes or more concerned with his Sunday morning news shows. On this occasion he was impressed, surprised and delighted.
- Stefanie Powers
Beano Cook
The Tigers victory in five games vs the Oakland A’s (I predicted an A’s series victory) reversed the ALCS result 40 years ago, when the A’s won in five games. Both series resulted in the home team winning the first four games and the road team taking the decisive fifth game. Bask then, the A’s, en route to their first Oakland title, won a tense (2-1) game, losing Reggie Jackson to injury in the process. This time, the Tigers eased in Game Five on the road over the A’s behind the pitching of Justin Verlander. He will not pitch until game three of the ALCS.
The San Francisco Giants became the first team in big league history to win a best of five series with the two/three format by winning the last three games on the road, after losing the first two games at home. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker has suffered three terrible post season series defeats and still never won a World Series as a manager. Twice Baker’s teams, this Reds team and the 2003 Chicago Cubs, needed one win out of three to advance but failed losing three straight games both times. Five of the six losses were at home. Worse, because victory meant the World Title, Baker’s Giants dissipated a five run lead in the sixth game of the 2002 World Series with the Giants up three games to two. They led by five runs in the seventh inning at Anaheim. The Angels won that game and game seven the next night for their only title.
The New York Yankees never let Buck Showalter and the Orioles end a day ahead of them down the stretch of the regular season nor in the post season. The result was that Raul Ibanez, a big reason the Yankees won the AL East, and C.C. Sabathia, led the Yankees to their 49th post-season series win dispatching the Orioles in five games. The Yankees, surprisingly considering their incredible winning history, are just (8-8) in decisive games of a series, but (5-6) at home. They open the ALCS vs the Detroit Tigers at home beginning Saturday night. No team has ever beaten the Yankees in three consecutive post season series. The Tigers will be underdogs in their bid to become the first team to accomplish that feat.
The Cardinals won their fourth decisive game in the past two seasons (they are (6-0) facing elimination in those years) staging an incredible four run rally in the top of the ninth inning to eliminate the Washington Nationals, winning (9-7). Daniel Descalso, who also delivered a big hit in the Cardinals’ incredible Game 6 2011 triumph, delivered a two out, two run single to tie the game at seven. Shortstop Pete Kozma followed with a two run single and the Cardinals were on their way to San Francisco where they will begin NLCS rematches of both 25 and 10 years ago vs the San Francisco Giants.
The Washington Senators won Washington’s only World Series in 1924, beating the New York Giants. The great Walter Johnson was the winning pitcher in relief. The next year, the Pirates overcame a (3-1) series deficit, overcoming a three run Washington lead with five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win (9-7). They beat Walter Johnson in the process. Now, 87 years later, the Washington D.C. area loses another deciding game by the same (9-7) score.
The Seattle “Washington state” Mariners have never even made the World Series. The once Seattle Pilots, now the Milwaukee Brewers have never won one, losing in their only one.
Andy B Sports 