Sadly another Hodges of Mets renown, (nowhere near Gil and far older), Ron Hodges died too soon last week at age 72.
Gil Hodges died in 1972, three years after guiding the ’69 Mets to an exponentially, improbable crown.
pionsThoughts of Ron Hodges include many big hits as he truly helped the (82-79), 1973 Mets version win the N.L. Pennant before losing in 7 games to repeat Oakland A’s champions, as that franchise won 3 straight crowns (’72-’74).
Ron Hodges, in a video hopefully shown below with both narration and real play by play by the great broadcaster, Bob Murphy, both tagged Rich Zisk at home plate and delivered the game winning single.
The play involving Hodges tagging out Zisk occurred after David Augustine’s T12 drive hit the point of the left field founce, incredibly came to Cleon Jones, who as with Wayne Garrett after, threw perfect relays eventually to Hodges.
Last week, I believe the six Conference title games/”semis” or Super Bowl rematches, encompassing ten previous such games, resulted in 4 repeat winners and 2 reverses of the past “semis”
The first two tilts manifested in “reverse results,” as the Cowboys, who lost title tilts 10 years apart (’72 and ’82), to “Wash,” pulled away to a rout win, while the S.F. 49ers eased at Seattle (Seahawks), reversing the 2013 NFC Title Game result.
However, starting with the Miami Dolphins repeat of the ’82 AFC Title game win at the Jets, the remaining 4 tilts, encompassing 7 previous “semis” or Super Bowls, resulted in repeat winners.
The New York Giants won an early afternoon home game vs New England (Patriots), repeating Supe triumphs in 2007 and 2011.
Next, in late afternoon action, Denver (Broncos), who thrice “semi’d” the Browns, (’86,’87 and ’89) or at least the old, once glory team, Browns’ franchise, now the “Balti” Ravens, eased at home, vs them again.
Meanwhile, simultaneously, the K.C. Chiefs repeated a last AFL Title Game/”semi” win vs the then Oakland Raiders after the 1969 season, winning at the Las Vegas Raiders.
It did hurt as the (10-1) Philadelphia Eagles won (37-34) vs (6-6) Buffalo Bills in a late Sunday afternoon/early evening “Poo’er,” (Romo, who I warned against when the media gushed about him and now is finally getting the so justified harsh criticism he deserves, called for a fake before Mr. (Josh) Elliott nailed a very clutch, game tying 59 yard field goal.
In games in which Jalen Hurts has played in the last 2 seasons, let’s just say, Philly has a (24-2) “reg” record and (26-3) counting ‘offs, which unfortunately for them including a really tough, questionable Supe loss to the Reid coached Chiefs.
Speaking of Reid, with him, the “Iggles” started 2004 with a (13-1) record then rested their starters in 2 losses, before riding the “1” seed to an NFC Title Game win after losses in that “semis” round (’01-’03, the last two at home).
Philly also had a great start last season, also going (13-1) before an injury kept Hurts out for 2 tilts before his return, in a “ho-hum” no cover vs the Giants that clinched the NFC one seed.
Again and in a similar season to ’04, the Eagles “rode” the “1” to the Supe but were not NFL #1 as they lost a truly tough Supe vs K.C.
Philly “fast started” (alliteration?) in both ’80 and ’81, going (11-1) before losing three of their last 4 games, the final one by the needed less than 25 points at Dallas in a quirky tiebreaker and thus won the “div.”
They were denied the “1” which went to Atlanta (Falcons)–(those 2 teams met in the first NFC and NFL (Oilers over and at Dolphins was the later tilt) wild card round game) but still played both NFC ‘offs games at home as Dallas “Slot 4’d” Atlanta (the great Lindsey Nelson was the national radio broadcaster and I “called” some of the pulsating action for my Dad in another room).
The next week, when I ought to have attended funeral services for either Ann Locker or Edlee Waldman (spelling? on each first name?–Eleanor Waldman is still alive and 97 or 98), I forget which, but instead watched and on the Eagles’ second play with another great, Pat “Super” Summerall behind the TV mike it was “all the way” (cue “The Raspberries and Eric Carmen) as Wilbert burst 42 yards, yielding (7-0) Eagles and eventually another trip to a losing Supe. (see ’04 and 2022 and I will have a “treat” along with Wilbert’s surname soon).
In ’81, Philly began (9-2) before “being run into by the Ray Perkins coached first New York Giants ‘offs team in 18 years.
One might say they were “run into” by those Giants thrice, first with a jarring tackle on a punt return, in that “reg” game the Giants won and after Philly went (9-2) to (9-6) to (10-6), ’twas the Giants led by Rob Carpenter and again with “Super” “presiding” that won, ending the Eagles’ season.
Finally in 2017, a great Eagles start occurred in a title season, the first for the Eagles in 57 years and after 56 (that # at which much has ended-Mr. Lincoln’s life and Mr. DiMaggio’s hit skein, to name two) seasons sans one.
That season they started (10-1), the loss to the Andy Reid coached Chiefs (he has 2 crowns, the ads so I cite his first name), then (13-2) before again a “reg” finale, meaningless game before again, for a third time (now 4 and in all likelihood if they prevail vs (9-3) S.F. at home this week will get a chance to do so for a fourth time and also get a chance to play both NFC ‘offs games at home for a fifth time with ’80,’04, ’17 and ’22 the previous four).
In yesterday’s likely last truly meaningful “reg” tilt between the storied and for a second straight season (11-0) rivals, 3 plus bet vs to 3 point “fave” Michigan prevailed (30-24) OVER Ohio State, virtually assuring a third straight 4 team ‘offs appearance for them.
Elsewhere, three other teams completed (12-0) “regs,” all either struggling mightily, no covering or both.
Another ‘offs contender, Alabama a 5 time champion, thrice in the previous nine, 4 team ‘offs years, got a 4th and goal 30 yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milrew to Isaiah Bond (I will cite/praise the never liked, Nessler, but he is great compared to the screaching Gus Johnson, for his “Bond, Isiah Bond,” ode to say Ian Flemming, however they/CBS/Nessler and Danielson left, or at least when I did so, to avoid the gushy, not needed ubiquitous sideline reporter, it was transmitted that ‘Bama won (33-24), when the actual score was (27-24).
It was not long after, that Washington got a Gross field goal lifting them, a 2 TD favorite, (24-21) vs Washington State.
Top ranked and two time defending champion Georgia a 24 plus point(s) fave and now (12-0), but (4-8) ATS (against the spread), led (31-13) and took G.Tech (31-23).
Florida State is a “committee problem” as without its fine quarterback Travis, they are not deemed and likely are not a viable opponent for say a Michigan (I hope not, I can live with Mich but must get paid and that sum would be mucho less if their semis opponent is FSU) or a Georgia (I think the more likely possibility as if the faves prevail in next week’s title tilts, GA would be first and FSU fourth, but as was sung in “Cherchez la Femme” –“one never knows”), in a national semi/money making entertainment program scheduled for New Year’s Day, in what astonishingly will be 2024.
Anyway, credit the Noles, down (12-0) and clearly a struggle, for a (24-15) win at Florida, not exactly a “swamp at “The Swamp,” but a cover, as a near touchdown favorite.
On Friday, a pair of now (11-1) teams, Oregon (projected in the ‘off, by most including me if they win vs “Wash” as 9 point faves and Texas, which will need a win and at least one game of help (ode to Hamburger Helper”), crushed Oregon State and Texas Tech respectively.
Certainly it appears “Mich” a 22 point “fave” vs Iowa will be in the ‘off. Georgia is a current 5 point favorite vs Alabama while Oregon as stated is (-9) vs Washington. Florida State “opened 4 plus vs Louisville, which was upset by Kentucky yesterday.
Texas is about a 10 point favorite vs Oklahoma State and I think would get into the ‘off if one of the top 4 teams lose.
Again one never knows and next on this subject will be next week either after it is announced or perhaps in between the title tilts and that ridiculously overhyped announcement.
Yet: Georgia vs Texas and Michigan vs Oregon is my somewhat “chalky” semis matchups prediction.
This holiday/twelfth NFL weekend has 5 title tilt/”semis rematches, one of which, recounts 3 such, (another recalls 2), between the two teams involved, but with my “A”ndy asterisk with a redux of 2 Supes played by the same two teams, as well.
Both of those Super Bowls, (“7/11” evoking craps and “munchy needs”) resulted in upset wins, by the New York Giants vs the New England Patriots, the first in 2007 recalling the Giants’ first NFL Championship Game win 71 years earlier, as that one and the one vs N.E. spoiled undefeated seasons.
In ’34, the Giants defeated an unbeaten Chicago Bears team that had won vs the Giants in the first NFL Championship game, played a year earlier.
The teams come into tomorrow’s game, close to 180 degrees from good records, 3 plus point(s) “fave,” New England is (2-8), while the Giants, who helped their so loyal fan Alan Brown eventually divide his “survivor pool pot,” by beating now (4-8) Wash last week, are (3-8).
“N.E.” is still coached by Bill Belichick, certainly among the game’s greatest, but one who likely will not return as Pats coach next season.
Belichick has won 6 Supe crowns as a head coach and won two more as Giants’ defensive coordinator on their first two Supe winning squads. Thus he has been “involved” in all 4 Giants’ Super Bowl wins.
I urge Mr. Belichick to retire and not “longevity” it, trying to break Don Shula’s coaching wins mark. Finally, I add criticism, as he said the Giants and not the Colts, were the favorites in the now 65 years ago, famed 1958 NFL Title Game.
That “MADE” pro football, enabling the skilled Belichick and the not such, Rich Eisen, who neither knew nor corrected Belichick’s mistake uttered on something called NFL Network. (Shameful as no ’58 title tilt, no big time, overblown NFL).
Three title tilt/semis reduxes have been completed, all resulting in chalk/favorites, “KO’ing” underdog teaser bets (I predicted overs and all 4 have been, however, did, so foolishly, pick Det by 10 and in the lone “fave” loss–(they are also winning/covering in college through Friday), ’twas G.B. by 7 points.
Alas, getting it out and there are so many, but a special case is Greg Olsen, an outstanding, but never title winning player, who wondered why Detroit down (29-14) with under 7 minutes to play would go for it, in a 4th and 7 situation, at the Pack 12).
Dallas, which lost in both title tilts vs “Wash” (’72 also) in the lone non Sunday, (it was played on a Saturday) conference tilt among the (I will take a chance that despite the dangerous world and weather, both semis, as scheduled will be contested on Sunday January 28, 2024 and add those 2) 108 played in the AFC/NFC configuration) conference title tilt/semi in strike marred 1982, ripped Wash.
Elsewhere, while the (8-3) S.F. 49ers reversed their 2013 season/NFC title tilt loss, also at Seattle, by taking a 2 game lead over them, (8-3) Miami repeated the result that was a “mud game”/A.J. Duhe led ’82 season “semi/AFC Conference title game win vs the Jets. (Seattle is (6-5), the Jets are (4-8), in that ’82 strike marred season Supe, it was Wash (27-17) vs Miami “reversing” the Dolphins “perfect season” (14-7) win, ten years earlier.
Thrice in four seasons, (’86,’87 and ’89), the currently (5-5) Denver Broncos “semi’d”/”AFC Title Gamed” now (7-3) Cleveland (but the 1999 expansion version). They clash Sunday, as do the great AFL rival, Chiefs and (5-6) Raiders with the ’69 AFL Title game, the most “advanced” into the ‘offs clash.
K.C. (Chiefs) the current Supe champion and (7-3) won that game at Oakland, vs the Raiders, en route to a Supe win.
Denver lost in all 3 subsequent Supes, after “semi-ing” the Browns.
re·match
NOUN
- a second match or game between two teams or players.synonyms:contest · competition · game · tournament · tie · event · fixture · trial · test · test match · meet · bout · fight · duel · quarterfinal · semifinal · final · Cup Final · friendly · derby · playoff · replay · clash · split · tourney · cup tie · local derby · playdown
First off, a little “soap,” as it really almost never hurts.
Though Indians to me is not offensive, I strongly support “their” rights to a great degree.
Certainly, at least consider their plight, visa vi, those we celebrate this day.
The great Perry Como sang the national anthem and though Mr. Helfer seemed to indicate we missed it, there was Mr. Como’s beautiful rendition.
In the “pre” interview, the great “baseballer,” Frankie “Oh them bases on balls” Frisch, interviews Vic Wertz, asking about his 4 hits in his Cleveland team’s #1 loss and presented him a Gillette razor (cue the Gillette theme!).
However, Vic, who already had such a razor, but was glad to get an extra, was not asked about Willie Mays’ great catch and throw, that along with Dusty Rhodes’ game ending 3RHR, led the Giants game 1 win, en route to a huge upset, 4 game sweep of the 111 wins Cleveland team.
Speaking of Willie throws, he made a great one as told by Cleveland broadcaster, Jimmy Dudley (he was recalled to me by several 1969 Mets, years later, if I had to guess J.C. Martin or maybe, more likely Wayne Garrett. Alas, maybe neither, but one of that famed team did recall Dudley), in the bottom of the first holding Al Rosen at third, even with 2 outs.
“Cleve” had tallied one run as Al Smith hit Johnny Antonelli’s first pitch of #2 for a home run.
Antonelli got out of the first, yielding just the one run. He got the win, (vs) Wynn, the latter a great pitcher, Early Wynn.
John Antonelli, pictured below also got the save in the Giants’ #4 World Series clinching game.
One solace that horrible day, now sixty years ago, was the fact there was a peaceful process of succession.
Thus I “cross the line” (would “Rather rather” Jack (who the bleep am I to call him Jack?!!) had lived, making his “last rites” induced “the President is dead,” invalid and maybe ruining his career??) and say J.F.K. killed those 60 years ago today, “told” me, he would have a long talk with his nephew Robert Jr.– warning him the shame he would emit, if his third party candidacy aids one who did not follow the Constitution/succession, pull a totally catastrophic “Grover Cleveland,” which at this moment in time is entirely possible!
Off the soapbox and love him or not, President Kennedy had talent, intelligence and possibility. All that wiped away by “they,” that day.
“Micro” recalls my beloved third grade teacher, June Drusin, who guided us through, what at 8 years old, was hard to understand, fathom and was and still is that which haunts.
Ode to June’s beloved husband Sherman, this a second “anniversary” with him gone.
Last seen, he showed me a book about President Kennedy he and June shared as they did well over 60 years (that #), of this precious thing called life.
That ended for one I loved that day and for so many others, however, some remain and no names, but, they are beloved.
Mr. Lear 100 plus and with the same name as my father, noted “gratitude” is so important.
On we go!!
Dan Rather, pictured below, while not in Mr. Cronkite’s “ballpark” as an anchor but a “2 TD/14 point(s) road favorite at Nora O’Donnell” and most, if not all since, (Peter Jennings was at least as good), proved to be an excellent reporter.
Tomorrow the Detroit Lions (8-2) (or better) for the first time since 1962, are about 8 point favorites vs the Green Bay Packers, in the traditional (at Detroit) holiday game.
G.B. a great team then, (10-0) going in, and eventual (14-1) NFL repeat champions, were the Lions opponent in a famed (26-14) Detroit win in that 1962 game.
Earlier this season (no exact score try for me) the Lions, so fortunate to “comeback” the Chicago Bears last week, scored a (26-14) night game win vs the Raiders, one of so many “unders,” in a truly unbelievable diversion from the mean, this season.
Tomorrow, in a rare prediction here, look for overs, (I know the over as with the favorite are “square” bets)–say a close to the spread around 50 total points tilt in Detroit.–O.K. Lions 30 Pack 20
Click below to read my October 22, 2016 post remembering Gail Cogdill who caught 2 touchdown passes from Milt Plum in that Lions’ 1962 holiday win vs a great, eventual repeat champion, Green Bay Pacers’ team.
Remembering Gail Cogdill and “Coin Football” on October 22, 2016
Surely enlarged but deserving, the great broadcaster, Van Patrick, for so long the Lions’ broadcaster and very likely at that ’62 game, is pictured below.
Let’s contrast the fall, surely not unexpected, of the hyped Sanders coached Colorado team, (Bad one perhaps, but the media continually “buffaloes” us/The U.S.) with the $$ making, (not for me) play of Texas, which titled, a first in 63 seasons, 62 of which were completed and also that of two similar franchises, the Minnesota Vikings and New York Rangers.
On Sunday October 15th, the current (6-4) Minnesota Vikings, who still are, despite their nice run incredibly “long” to title, won on the road, the first of 5 straight wins, three away from home.
Minnesota, the state to which the original Washington Senators moved and became the Twins, similar to the Texas Rangers before their 2023 glory and originally the second incarnation of the Washington Senators with even less success, as the two franchises in all 4 major sports that had gone the longest sans even one title.
The Vikings, who like the Texas Rangers nee Washington Senators (the second) played their first season in same calendar 1961, have completed 62 seasons with no titles.
By the way, another Minne/Washington “notes link” : as twice both the Twins and Washington D.C. football team “titled” in the same year/season, that being 1987 and 1991, in each case a strike marred football season.
Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers triumph meant among many other things, none important, that the nickname Rangers had joined Giants and Cardinals as such with titles in 2 different major sports leagues. (Though I liked the AFL, I am not counting crowns won there, unless as was the case in its last two seasons, when respective AFL champions, the Jets (none since and what is this buying players, first the so annoying and once so good Rodgers and now rumors regarding Adams) and Chiefs won subsequent same season Supes. Thus no Oilers, despite the Houston Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans, with Titans being the original nickname of the now Jets, winning the first two AFL crowns in 1960 and perhaps related 1961. Ditto “Jets/Jets” despite a number of WHA crowns for the Winnipeg Jets and Bobby Hull, he being one of a few truly sports greats to die in 2023).
The NHL Rangers have won 4 Stanley Cup crowns, but only one in 81 completed seasons from (1941-2022) with no NHL season in 1995, the year after the Rangers ended a 54 year/53 seasons title drought.
In fairness to both the Vikings and Rangers, there were some really good stretches of play manifesting in 4 final round losses for each team with the Rangers far more competitive (see 1950 vs Detroit when the circus forced hockey to “neutral” Toronto) than the “Vikes,” who never led in any of their Supe/final round losses.
This season’s Rangers, at the moment among the “faves” to win the title (note how little the “reg” means, see last year’s Bruins and only this year’s Bruins, they do not learn, have a better “showing” than the Rangers thus far) have gone (10-1) starting with a Saturday night road win in Seattle, vs the third year Kraken on October 21st.
They have amassed 21 of a possible 22 points and are 6 wins and 1 overtime loss (why not ties?!!) on the road during that period.
The similar franchises, the two Rangers and Vikings are (20-0-1) in road tilts, Texas, the one who has titled, (11-0) since a loss on the “reg’s” final day (October 1st) at Seattle (Mariners) dropped them from a “2” seed to a “5.”
Without meaning too much, save betting, the Vikes are (3-0) and the Rangers 13 of 14 possible points or an aforementioned (6-0-1) on the road.
Viking’s great, Jim Marshall, pictured below turns 86 on Dcember 30th, a birthday he shares with sports greats, Sandy Koufax, “Tiger” Woods and LeBron James.
Unlike my feelings regarding the unbelievable, annoying status afforded Leb James and especially some “no talent,” named Smith, I have nada vs Deion Sanders.
He was a superb player as is of course James, (Smith, how did this happen?!!), among the best pass defenders and a major contributor on offense, especially in his days as a Dallas Cowboys player on a title team.
His Colorado, as a huge “dog” upset a TCU team, destined for a big fall off that started after they held off Michigan in last year’s semi.
The hype for that and just one more win as a “fave” yielded a 60 Minutes piece. (Shame on them!!).
They “lucked” out vs Colorado State and since the (3-0) start are (1-7) and at (4-7) can not be in a bowl game.
In the heading above Sanders/Col (Col for Colorado, and an ode to “Col” Rader) it reads or could Colonel Sanders.
Thus “Colonel Sanders” pictured below.
Andy B Sports 