Yesterday on a stifling, hot day, my spirits were lifted watching an episode of “Bonanza,” with Teresa Wright as the guest star.
I can “clean up” what the great Buddy Hackett said regarding lack of romantic success, on that epic show. I just did.
Ms. Wright’s character is slated to marry Lorne Greene’s “Ben Cartwright.”
Of course, she does not.
It is a compelling episode, made so much better with Teresa Wright, as the guest star.
Among her great performances, in epic films, was her turn in the William Wyler (he thought very highly of Teresa Wright) directed,”The Best Years Of Our Lives.”
Ray Teal, best known as “Sheriff Roy” on “Bonanza,” is linked to Wright (no bacon/Bacon please, though I like both Kevin and the food) appearing in both the Bonanza episode “My Son, My Son” that aired yesterday (originally airing on Sunday night January 19 (J-19), 1964– 3 weeks after the “Chi” Bears handed the New York Giants, a third straight NFL title game defeat), as well as in “Best Years,”
His character makes a bad, bigoted, anti-Semitic remark in “The Best Years Of Our Lives.”
I am proud to say I introduced Teresa Wright to the great Gordon Parks and the three of us posed in a picture.
It is not good, that I can not find that picture.!
There is no doubt, “shadow” or otherwise, that Teresa Wright, pictured above, was among the greats.
In addition, she was a classy, friendly person.
Their 2023 clash was the eighth playoffs meeting between the Lakers and Warriors.
L.A. has now won seven of the eight series. Add, to enhance the note, an L.A. win in the “b.s.” play in round.
In all 8 seasons in which there was a Lakers/Warriors ‘offs clash, the eventual NBA champion either beat the Lakers/Warriors series winner (7 times) or won the title .
The Lakers were victorious in ’68,’69,’73,’77, ’87,’91and 2023 after having lost a best of 5 to the Warriors in 1967.
After 5 of the 8 series, the victorious team lost in the NBA final.
Those were the ’67 Warriors, and ’68,’69,’73 and ’91 Lakers.
Only the ’87 Lakers, who 7’d the Warriors in the “quarters,” won the title.
2023 was the second time a team that beat the Lakers in the semis, after an L.A. “quarters” win vs the Warriors, won the crown.
Portland (Trail Blazers) and current league champion, Denver (Nuggets-speaking of different these are decent “nuggets”/notes and I ponder getting those you eat with accumulated points, in a life that needs more “points”) won their lone titles, after sweeping the Lakers in the semis. Portland did so in ’77, the Nuggets first NBA season, and Denver did so in 2023, their 47th NBA and 56th overall season (9 in the ABA) to win their first title.
The great player, Nate Thurmond as a Warriors player in 1969, a year L.A. lost the NBA final to the Celtics. So often I have noted the details.
It turns out over 1900 people got the NPR puzzle. It is the first time I was able to do so. (Famous singer, 12 letters, add a “y” and something regarding a picnic manifests with spacing. Frank Sinatra, franks in a tray). As told yesterday Frank cited Tony Bennett as the best!!
Tonight on MeTV, (10 P.M. Eastern Time) a tribute to Mr. Bennett in the form of highlights from his appearances on the legendary Ed Sullivan Show.
His musical acumen is well known and far greater than my understanding or that of many .
Suffice to say his extraordinary career whether singing say “Rags To Riches” or his debut single, “Because Of You” in 1951, will live with us for all time.
The great song/hit “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” came out in 1962, a year the local team Giants won the pennant but left their hearts/Matty Alou/Willie Mays on base when Ralph Terry got Willie McCovey on a hard line drive to Bobby Richardson, giving the Yankees an incredible 20th title in forty seasons.
Bennett was even greater in his field, enduring and performing at such a high level, for so many years.
Go easy, Mr. Benedetto and condolences to your family and I cite wife Susan, who in such courteous fashion took the photo of Mr. Bennett and I that will be displayed below.
Tony Bennett and Andy B. some years back. I may not go to riches, but I am better, having heard your songs and meeting you.
Spoiler alert: I actually solved the NPR puzzle this week.
Tune back tomorrow, if you do not want it spoiled.
Frank Sinatra is the famed singer answer and he said Tony Bennett, who died yesterday at age 96, was the best of all.
If he was not, clearly it does not take long to call his name.
He was called home yesterday, leaving so many hearts in his songs, including doing so, in his immortal “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”
An incredible career, keeping up with the times, a truly good man who served in the military, but was a pacifist.
Let’s end and post part 1, a rarity here, reserved for certain greats and Mr. Bennett qualifies even more so as a person, than for his great talent and accomplishments.
A little more tomorrow.
Now this, an all-timer that eased my “pain” when not only did I miss the Jeff and Laura Lovins wedding, but did so, to see my then L.A.– lose to Joe Morgan and San Francisco.
It, Tony’s great rendition played then and with a click below.
NEW YORK— Perhaps the most anticipated boxing match of the year, Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz, will take place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Saturday August 5th. Fight fans in New York can watch the bout at Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar on its giant Mega-Tron Video Wall and numerous HD TVs.
“It’s going be a very tough fight,” said Hoops girl Sophia. “But I’m rooting for Nate Diaz because he’s been here at Hoops and was great to all the girls!”
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 (48 west 33 Street) 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!”
HOOPS Cabaret and Sports Bar : Multiple Hi-Def TVs on all Three Floors, Super VIP “Man Cave,” Next door to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC
Fifty-four years ago today, three astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins were aboard the spacecraft Apollo 11, as it landed on the moon.
First Armstrong and then Aldrin walked on the moon’s surface while Collins, as noted on the NBC Television broadcast then and viewed by me days back,, stayed in the capsule and unlike say 60 million people, did not see the historic events of the day.
Of course, Collins, who was born in Rome and died in Naples (Florida that is) was a big part of those events.
Both Armstrong and Collins are deceased, while a half year ago, on his 93rd birthday (Karen also had a birthday. She was born on the day President Kennedy, who set the “land on the moon” goal was inaugurated and let’s hope brother Bill gets better, a wish for all of us!) Aldrin married for the fourth time.
I went “Cronkite” “copy/pasting,” in peace.
A great scene in the seminal ” The Godfather Part II” : as “Michael Corleone” played by Al Pacino visits “Hyman Roth” played by Lee Strassberg.
A game, a college football tilt, contested between U.S.C. and I believe Notre Dame, is on in the back round, a thing the “Hyman Roth”/ Meyer Lansky character “likes about this country.”
A U.S.C. player gains yardage. It is Buford, as in and actually Don Buford, later a truly fine player on great Baltimore Orioles’ teams that won 3 straight American League pennants and one World Series (1969-1971).
Don Buford, in a true sports/statistical oddity scored 99 runs in all three of those seasons.
One of my favorite players, Don Buford is 86 years old.
Don Buford, pictured above.
Yesterday, unseeded Marketa Vondrousova defeated over 2 to 1 favorite Ons Jabeur in 2 straight sets to capture her first major tennis tournament title.
Earlier today, in a near 5 hour match, Carlos Alvaraz defeated near 2 to 1 “fave,” Novak Djokovic in 5 sets, thus denying him a chance at the Grand Slam title in calendar year 2023.
The epic match shown on the monolith ESPN, was not available on over the air. television!
Que lastima!!
Marketa Vondrousova, pictured above.
The final round in both women’s and men play at Wimbledon is set.
Headlining is 2:1 match favorite, Novak Djokovic, who if he wins vs Carlos Alcaraz, would bid for “The Grand Slam,” in the upcoming U.S. Open, still over a month away.
The feat of winning the Australian, French, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open was last accomplished by the great Rod Laver in 1969. (Mr. Laver also did so in 1962).
The immortal Don Budge in 1938, is the only other man to win all four events (The Grand Slam”) in the same calendar year.
Djokovic “barked” in a truly rare underdog role vs Alcaraz in the French Open semis.
Maybe, Alcaraz, only 20 years old, (William G. whose woe joins many I know with health setbacks, turned 66 and evoking “The Byrds” let’s turn this around, a difficult ask but it can be accomplished) can return the favor as a near 2 to 1 underdog.
However, I slightly doubt it.
On the ladies side, upsets have abounded, leaving Ons Jabeur as about a 2:1 favorite vs Marketa Vondrousova in the final.
The great Don Budge, from Oakland California, soon Gertrude Stein regarding what is not there will be accurate, at least regarding professional sports teams, is pictured above.
Twelve “3” Year World Series have been contested to this point, with a thirteenth, upcoming in October.
As one might expect, the Yankees lead the “3” year title “parade” with three such crowns (1923,1943 and 1953).
Next the Athletics, who certainly will not win a crown this year and appear headed out of Oakland, where they won the 1973 title with a #7 win, and Red Sox each have two.
As Philadelphia, the Athletics triumphed in 1913 while the Red Sox franchise triumphed in the first A.L. vs N.L. World Series in 1903 (see my post about Burt Mustin’s memories of that event below) and again 110 years later in 2013.
The Giants (as New York in 1933), Dodgers in 1963, Orioles (a true surprise with a (54-35) record at the “break”), in 1983, Blue Jays, (clinching on Joe Carter’s 3rhr in 1993) and Marlins (2-0) in World Series play in 2003), have one such crown apiece.
Burt Mustin Recalling The First Modern World Series On The Tonight Show 71 Years Later In 1974 on November 5, 2017
Andy B Sports 