A one time winner was on the “bdcst,” he being Alex Rodriguez, on 3 different Yankees’ teams that ‘off’d the Twins during their 12 series loss skein, and the streak is over, (now the losing team, Blue Jays have lost 7 straight ‘offs games) as “Minne” advances to play defending champion, Houston (Astros) in a “quarter,” beginning Saturday in Houston.
In 17 post-season series of a minimum 2 games, one team, be it the Twins or their opponent, has won the first two games 12 times. (In 3 World Series as the original Washington Senators, speaking of the Washington Senators, the Texas Rangers nee Washington Senators 1961 expansion (not so good) “vintage,” took Tampa Bay (Rays) also in 2 straight and will face the Baltimore Orioles. (Lowenfish/”Balti” vs Bochy/Texas, only in ’33 when the N.Y. Giants (link to Lowenfish, Bochy but I like neither theirs nor the bigger “society”) won 1 and 2 en route to a 5 game W.S. win, did a team go up (2-0).
In their now 6 post-season series victories, the Twins won the first two games four times. Those occurrences were in the ’87 ALCS, ’87 World Series, ’91 World Series and the “b.S.” “12 to 8 round,” best of 3, just completed.
In the ’65 World Series, with Sandy Koufax NOT pitching game 1 due to his observance of Yom Kippur and actually losing #2, Minne at home, as was the case in the 4 series in which they won the first two or in the 12 to 8 case, only two, won the first two games.
However, L.A. with Sandy pitching shutouts in #’s 5 and 7 (only he and Lew Burdette have done so in World Series play) (Claude Osteen and Don Drysdale had the other Dodgers’ pitching wins) won the crown.
The Twins lost the first two and all 3 to the O’s in both the ’69 and ’70 ALCS and also the first two games in best of 5 “quarters” (I will be polite) in ’06 (vs the A’s), and in ’09,’10 and ’19 vs the Yankees.
In the only previous post-season Houston vs Minnesota baseball clash, if you can call it that, the ‘Stros took Minne in 2 straight in the ridiculous “bubble” playoffs in 2020.
In the only other two Houston/Minne ‘offs series, the Houston Rockets won both vs the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They (4-1’d) and (3-0’d) Minne in first round series in ’18 and ’97 respectively. Houston is (9-1) vs Minne in ‘offs games.
Rodriguez, surely, largely a “bow-wow” in ‘offs, was just as surely superb for the Yankees in their 2009 title season including their playoffs run.
He was supposedly dating Goldie Hawn’s (pictured above) daughter Kate Hudson at the time.
Seems during #2, ’09 “quarters” vs Minne, I watched Hawn, liking her, thought negatively and the super talented Rodriguez, hit a game tying homer (B9).
Rodriguez and the Yankees lost #1 to the Twins in the ’04 “quarters” and as was the case in ’03 before Rodriguez ventured to New York, won the next 3, the ’04 wins starting an 18 game(s), 19 years, Twins’ ‘offs loss skein.
In the ’91 ALCS Minne and Toronto split the first two before the Twins won the last 3 and eventually a second title. In ’02 Minne and Oakland split the first two before David Ortiz and Minne won a decisive #5.
The lone Angels’ crown/”halo?” came after they dropped the first game, but won the last 4 vs the Twins in the ’02 ALCS. They followed that 7’ing those Giants.
One other, a one game, also “b.S.” (not as bad as 12 to 8) “10 to 8’er,” manifested in a Yankees’ win vs Minne in ’17.
Who but me?!!
Today a —–, that eventually, in the next days will set the 4 division series that begin on Saturday with 4 games to be followed by 2 games each on the next 2 days, commences.
Thus: In ’67, on aforementioned October 1, 1967, Boston won the A.L. Pennant with details in the previous post.
Surely, it capped an incredible pennant race, the likes of which, are gone, seemingly with as much chance (20 game winner Dean Chance was the Twins’ starter and took the loss) of returning, as the dinosaurs.
The starting lineups, 18 players, (no designated hitter) that last game (Minne at Boston on 10/1/67, exactly 56 years ago last Sunday) had 9 players, whose last name started with one of the last 12 letters of the 26 letter alphabet.
Far more unusual, there were “Z” (Twins’ catcher Jerry “Z”immerman), “Y” (the great player, Boston left fielder, Carl “Y”astrzemski), “V” (Minne shortstop, Zoilo Versailles, 2 years earlier the A.L. MVP) and “U” (Twins center fielder, Ted “U”hlaender), starting last names.
Add Minne right fielder, Pedro “Tony” “O”liva, (I believe in the watered down Hall, not that he was not a great hitter), and third baseman, Cesar “T”ovar, giving the Twins players with the 26th, 22nd, 21st and 15th letters at the start of their surnames.
Boston’s lineup adds two “S’s” first sacker George “Great” Scott and rookie center fielder, Reggie Smith plus shortstop, Americo “Rico” Petrocelli.
Eventually, Boston starting pitcher, Jim Lonborg notched his 22nd win.
He started the Boston 3rd with visiting Minne up (2-0) with a single but was erased on a double play.
However, in the 6th, again “Lonny” led off with a hit and this time Boston scored 5 runs in an eventual (5-3) win.
Ken Coleman, narrating the start and I believe Mel Parnell on the two plays shown including the last, are the broadcasters.
Sunday past marked the exact 56 year anniversary of the last day of the 1967 season which produced an epic 3 teams alive and essentially in control of their destiny true one half entity pennant race.
You can keep yesterday, though John “Dusty” Baker somehow guided the Astros to another one eighth “div” crown and as the A.L. “2” –the ‘Stros are a viable “repeat” threat.
In ’67 Boston led by Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Lonborg (5-2’d) Minne and when the Tigers split a double header vs the Angels for a second straight day, it was a first Boston Red Sox pennant since ’46, denying Detroit which had not won one since ’45.
The Red Sox, Tigers, and Angels all are out while Minne seeking to end an incredible 18 game ‘offs loss skein, faces Toronto in a 12 to 8 series, best of 3, with all games, whether 2 or 3 to be in Minne.
I say Minne, this time , the winner of that series to face the Astros, who will be bidding for a 7th straight ALCS appearance.
Dick McAuliffe , an excellent player, pictured above, had not grounded into a double play all season.
When he did on that fateful “Oct” 1, exactly 56 years ago yesterday, the Red Sox had the ’67 A.L. Pennant.
They lost in 7 to St. Loo and went 86 years sans a title (‘1918-2004).
Detroit got in and 7’d the Cards for a first title in “23/Willie Horton” years in ’68.
This is the tenth “3” year in which an NFL Title Game (now called the Super Bowl) will be played.
One THIRD of the 9 titles won in those “THREE Year seasons,” were annexed by the Chicago Bears, often evoking that war like term, with their hard, hard hitting play.
Those crowns were won in ’33, ’43 and ’63.
The (not the ridiculous “DA,” though other terms namely the one for greatest player is much worse) Bears have started 2023, with losses in all THREE tilts.
On the seemingly “flip side,” two previous “3” year title franchises, the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins already have THREE wins, the Lions, sans even an appearance in a game for the NFL crown in 66 years, are (3-1), while the Dolphins, whose last crown was in ’73, are (3-0).
Detroit won the ’53 crown, defeating the Cleveland Browns, as a late Bobby Layne to Jim Doran touchdown pass was decisive.
The Browns, who last titled in 1964 take a (2-1) record into a home tilt vs the (2-1) Baltimore Ravens, whom I will say again, really are the Browns’ franchise.
The ’83 champion Raiders are (1-2), as are the ’03 champion Patriots are also (1-2).
Dallas, which won it all in ’93 is (2-1), as is the 2013 winner, the Seattle Seahawks.
A great runner and a member of the ’63 title winning Bears’ team, sadly Willie Galimore died in a car accident before the ’64 season began.
Often calming and needed now: “Here’s a groundball to third, Robinson to Powell and the Orioles win,” was Jim McIntyre’s call as the Baltimore Orioles led by Brooks Robinson, who sadly died days back at age 86, “5’d” the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970/AKA “Brooks Robinson Series,
It was a routine play on a ball hit by Reds’ pinch hitter, Pat Corrales, who both recently died and was benefitted by money raised by the Orioles’ “Kangaroo Court,” after his wife died, now so many years ago.
There were so many great defensive plays made by Brooks in that W.S. including one on John Bench 2 outs before the end and another on “The Big Bopper,” Lee May (there seemingly is always “sad news” and idiots “on the doorstep,” but the music and thoughts of Brooks’ play on May, and other plays help) in game 1, that defies belief.
He also starred at the plate and his and Roberto Clemente’s performances in back to back World Series, all but one of the 12 games in the day, in the ’70 and ’71 Fall Classics, also help.
I could field a little bit and to practice, now away from immediate grass, (alas it was a Tom Goode, pronounced Goud, who snapped, Earl Morrall held and from my #, 32, Jim O’Brien kicked, giving Baltimore a Supe crown following the Brooks led World Series crown in ’70 and another with a deformed mouth, whose magnitude I was too immature to grasp, who so often chased us when there was grass, with “there is no ball playing on the grass”) I threw the softer ball against a wall and I was “Great” aka George Scott or Wes Parker at first, I think Rod Carew, better known for great hitting at second, Bud Harrelson at “short,” and always Brooks-he could come in, stay back, was prepared and anticipated at third.
There were so many clutch hits and when one adds that regarding fielding, I think only Clete Boyer or Billy Cox could perhaps match at “The Hot Corner,” I put Brooks at the head of any great third sacker’s list, adding my Dad’s Harold “Pie” Traynor, along with Ed Mathews and Mike Schmidt.
After his great play on May, Brooks homered to break a (3-3) tie in the Orioles’ key (4-3) win in the ’70 opener.
In ’66, when his O’s swept my Dodgers, Brooks followed Frank Robinson’s home run with one of his own T1/#1 and that is just two of so many, big Brooks hits.
I do not need stats, but check those of Brooks Robinson vs the Twins in the ’70 ALCS and his .429 batting average vs the Reds, in that aforementioned ’70 W.S.
Before the 1969 Mets, a tremendous 100 wins team with great pitching and a Gil Hodges managed, effective “platoon lineup,” got breaks and used great skill to “5” a truly great 109 wins O’s team, they had to overcome a series opening loss and the fact a 2 out, B7, clutch hit by Mr. Robinson, Brooks, tied # 2.
It is certainly noteworthy that Brooks Robinson, who made so many great defensive plays in his 4 World Series appearances, was himself “robbed” of a hit, on a catch by Ron Swoboda, (T9, #4, Mets up (1-0) and 2 games to 1) that also truly defied belief.
In 1992, I interviewed Brooks and he loved the fact, I knew that his 2,000th big league hit was also his 200th such home run.
An incredible player and man, Brooks Robinson! He is pictured and almost certainly above.
Last night both the “3” seed Milwaukee Brewers and “4” seed, Philadelphia Phillies clinched ‘offs spots.
Those cities’ corresponding NFL teams, the Green Bay Packers are (2-1) while the Philly Eagles are (3-0).
Top ranked Atlanta (Braves) has the (2-1) NFL Falcons while second seed L.A. (Dodgers) has two (1-2) NFL teams, the Rams and Chargers.
Five games to play: Arizona (Diamondbacks) lead, the NFL Cardinals are (1-2) (3-0). Chi (Cubs) half ahead of the Marlins.
Chi football Bears are (0-3), Miami football with the ‘Phins are (3-0).
Outside shot Cincy (Reds) with football’s Bengals (1-2).
Laverne & Shirley set in Milwaukee.
The Brews have never won a World crown, only the ’57 Braves, among the cities’ baseball teams ever won it all.
Tonight, barring a tie (remember those?) either the Philly Eagles, 5 point “faves” in the tilt or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will join the S,F, 49ers and “they scored” 70, Miami Dolphins, as the only three (3-0) NFL teams.
Philly has on Supe win, Tampa Bay has two.
The 49ers, who have incredible talent and won their first 5 Supes before losing tough ones in the other two, have not won it all since “Alfalfa”/ABC, now “Alfalfa”/Amazon (Al Michaels) presided over their rout of the Chargers in the ’94 season game.
Miami last won the crown, repeating as champions in 1973.
The year before, “same calendar,” 1972, the Dolphins went (17-0) and won it all.
Poles, polar, bi-polar, years gone and “if I hit the pole,” the Dolphins will go “all the way.”
That 1972 season, he hit it and they did it!!
Long way to go and 70 points not a good thing but these ‘Phins are good.
The (82-72) Minnesota Twins clinched the A.L. Central with an (8-6) win over the Angels last night.
They will very likely be the A.L. “3” seed and play in an all home best of 3, round of 12 to 8 series, a far cry from 3 World Series played in Minnesota, (12 games, 4 each in ’65,’87 and ’91) in which only the Dodgers behind the great Sandy Koufax in #7/’65 won a game vs the Twins.
“Minne” titled going (8-0) at home (0-6) on the road in ’87 and ’91 World Series play.
This will be the Twins’ 15th ‘offs appearance and the franchise’s eighteenth (the Washington Senators went (1-2) in W.S. play winning in 1924 and losing in ’25 and ’33) and they “go in” having lost 18 straight ‘offs tilts, 13 to the Yankees, whom they need not worry about this year).
The first of 9 straight Twins’ post-season entity losses was to the Angels, clinched on a Sunday in 2002, juxtaposed with a horrible Angels’ loss up (3-1) in the ’86 ALCS vs Boston.
Two photos of Cesar Tovar (similarly pronounced Shana Tova).
He played all 9 available positions in a game in a game 55 years and one day ago.
Tovar was on post-season Twins’ teams in ’65, ’69 and ’70.
Fifty years ago today, on Thursday September 20, 1973 (same calendar as 46 years earlier in 1927) news broke that a magnificent talent and performer, Jim Croce had perished in a plane crash.
That terrible news had a profound negative effect then and still does.
Today I choose to recall the wonderful, spiritual, insightful songs/work he left behind.
My dad and I could both relate, very favorably to Mr. Croce’s music.
Leaving Albany to I guess, “baby” it home, “I Got A Name” played.”
Unlike many I did not change my name!!
Many thoughts: highways, journeys, success, failure and most of all, still trying, I suppose.
The music speaks for me as the emptions and thoughts flow slowly.
Above view Jim performing “I Got A Name” on “The Midnight Special” television show.
NEW YORK— In a battle of undisputed champions, Canelo Alvarez puts his four super middleweight championships on the line against undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo.
The blockbuster showdown will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, September 30th. Fight fans in New York can watch the bout at Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar on its giant Mega-Tron X-15 Video Wall and numerous HD TVs.
The fight is Alvarez’s third defense of his undisputed status and Charlo’s first trip up to the 168-pound division.“It’s going be an awesome night,” said Hoops girl Nadine. “Enjoy the boxing and also enjoy the Hoops girls who will strip on stage and up close and personal for you.”
Called the world’s sexiest sports bar, be sure to check out the club’s VIP Man Cave, and feast on menu items like fried Lobster Tails, Short-rib Sliders, Lemon Pepper Wings, and Kobe Beef Hot Dogs.
Hoops Cabaret combines the excitement of a gentlemen’s club with the fun of a sports bar. Hoops Cabaret girl Bianca proclaimed, “Hoops is the number one club for sports fans!”
48 West 33 Street, New York City
- ***Court-side, Mezzanine and VIP seating
- ***Multiple Hi-Def TVs on all Three Floors
- ***Super VIP “Man Cave”
- ***Next door to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC
Andy B Sports 