Raquel Welch, who died days back at age 82, had acting “chops,” attitude and fierce determination.
Much of my “brain toss,” after again swallowing the sobering reminder of life/death, being now much more than original “linemaker” Damon Runyon’s 6 to 5 against us/me, moved to the one time I came “face to face” with Raquel Welch and looked briefly into her outward beauty.
She looked back, said nothing to my “I speak to Jim Brown,” (beyond regrettably, something that has not occurred in some time and I cite that Ms. Welch and activist, athlete and actor Jim Brown had great respect for each other).
Oh well, but somehow it did not bother me, the way it has when others, turned down my requests.
That evening’s event was a screening of “Myra Breckinridge,” a 1970 film based on the novel penned by the great Gore Vidal, with Farrah Fawcett in the cast. (So were John Huston Rex Reed and Mae West).
Into the lobby that Friday night, and as was the case with me “behind” the so many contemporaries, that “knew” Raquel in their “own” way, it was the aesthetic and not the “possibility,” that moved me so, as Raquel and Farrah were pictured in the promo picture, cuddling in the same bed.
I grew up (as cited before–in many ways, I never did) with television married couples sleeping in separate beds and was “late to the party,” attended by so many my age, with Raquel Welch’s poster from “One Million Years B.C. ,” a central, (pun, maybe intended) piece.
That aspect thankfully “got there” and in a world so replete with ugly, beauty and sex appeal, such as that exuded by Raquel, is a great thing.
Yet, it is the right way, at times with ? attitude, Raquel Welch exhibited, marching through life, setting up so many less deserving and unappreciative, that resonates so intensely and largely in a positive fashion.
I hope she finds both inwardly and outwardly, “better angels” as she treks above.
Yay! Finally, the great Chuck Howley has been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
I guess my family would have been pleased, had I been a dentist.
Surely, that never materialized however, the “pulling teeth” part has served me in helping so deserving and long overlooked “Hall” candidates Tony Perez, John Stallworth and now Mr. Howley make it.
Chuck, while happy, is pretty old.
Click below for a previous post, calling for Chuck to make the Football Hall of Fame.
Oh and Manfred and Selig, I have it on good authority God will have words with you, regarding your disgraceful stance, (who are you to judge?!!) keeping Pete Rose out of the Baseball place.
- Please Get Chuck Howley Into The Pro Football Hall Of Fame on November 28, 2019
Chuck Howley on the left is informed by Roger Staubach in the jacket, that he made the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
All 5 Kansas City major sports league titles have been clinched on a Sunday.
As of course is the case with Super Bowls, all 3 Chiefs’ titles were won on Sundays.
The two Royals’ crowns were also won on Sundays, which did not have to be what manifested.
In ’85 K.C. won game 7 of the World Series at home from the Cardinals.
30 years later, the Royals rallied to clinch their second World Series, that in 5 games with a road win vs the Mets.
By the way, one of the four NFL titles won by the Chiefs’ Supe opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 1960 version was won on a Monday, the day after Christmas, Monday December 26th at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
RC Cola, short for Royal Crown Cola.
In addition to its violent nature, football inherently has so much wrong with it. A major ill is that penalties decide games, as do field goals, now so easy to make, for the multitude of highly skilled kickers in the league.
Cue “The Mama And Papas” on this day after Monday but it is not for “Monday Monday,” but to cite “it happened again last night.” as a Butker “chip shot” from a measly 27 yards out gave the Chiefs their third Supe crown and second in the last 4 seasons/3 years.
As was the case last season, when a third down holding call was the absolute key in the Rams’ “no cover” Supe win vs the Bengals, who like Philly’s Hurts, “hurt” as they do not have a title, a holding call essentially decided what was a (38-35) Chiefs Supe win (well) over the Eagles.
Do not get me wrong Patrick Mahomes, both the “reg” and now “Supe” MVP, was/is brilliant, as he effortlessly directed 4 second half touchdown drives, running 26 yards to the “Phil” 17 on the decisive one, all of which set up another Har Butker (ok he is Harrison) gamer!
Of Toney and Bolton, the former first name Kadarius, not the great scorer Andrew, who helped a Philly team, the ’83 Sixers “title,” had a “walk in short TD catch that gave K.C. its first lead (28-27) after Harrison Butker’s XP and added a huge 65 yard punt return that set up a Mahomes to Skyy Moore (he had a big punt return vs Cincy on the winning drive, culminated by Butker’s FG and severely aided and abetted by penalties, in the “semi” vs Cincy) “walk in TD.”
The latter at the start of the paragraph above is Nick Bolton. He went 36 yards with a Hurts inexplicable and essentially inexcusable fumble, that tied the tilt at 14.
Philly vastly outplayed K.C. in the first half, but led by only 10 points as the “no Rihanna cleavage shown cashed” halftime “show” commenced.
After K.C. went “TD” on its first second half possession, it seemed Bolton had another fumble recovery TD, but alas (no sound for me, not with Burkhardt!!), my “captioning” indicated “G-d/God/” Mike Pereira said incomplete pass and “thus it shall be”said the far too obtrusive, time wasting replay.
Anquan Boldin and Arizona took out Philly in an in Arizona (same field?, which by the way caused further ridicule to the billion dollar and also “teflon” NFL, by being in horrible condition) home ’08 “semi”/NFC Title Game win.
“Pitts” subsequently no covered Arizona in the Supe, but Boldin titled in ’12, with Baltimore and cashed for those who bet him for first TD, in that game.
That “injustice” (the fact K.C. was only down by 10) was aided by the Orwellian replay yielding a “no catch” for the great DeVonta Smith (he did win titles twice with ‘Bama, Hurts essentially did not, as it was Tua Tagovailoa, who hit Smith to win the ’17 crown) late in the first half.
Give K.C., which won a second crown and has hosted 5 straight semis, credit for a great second half, as Mahomes moved significantly upward among all-time greats.
After the two “walk in” TD’s which were on 3rd and roughly 5 both times, each a huge 4 point play, Hurts went deep to Smith this time on the left sideline (on the Tua pass, Smith was far ahead of his defender on the left side as was the case on this) and to the 1, from where Hurts tied Terrell Davis (he who got Elway off the losing hook in ’97, which was followed by Elway and Denver repeating a Supe win in ’98) with his third rushing TD in a Supe.
Jalen Hurts made an extra effort “2” and it was (35-35). An all-time ridiculous, “master of the obvious ” statement by either Olsen or Burkhardt (Kevin said great weather but not the temperature at the start) was “they will go for 2, you would think.” Thanks, and it is cold in Siberia!
5 and change remained, nobody is talking about Sirianni’s poor waste of time with 3 runs to start the tying drive. Earlier, another key in this tilt, in which the better team lost was a 17 play Eagles’ drive/”settle” yielding (27 and not 31-21) pretty late in the third quarter) and Mahomes, masterfully and in no sweat/”until” (I will get to that) fashion, brilliantly drove K.C. to the Philly 12, eventually facing a third and seven with say 1:40 remaining.
His pass, so likely as they say “uncatchable” sailed out in the end zone, but again the officials decide/decided the title.
They called holding, yielding first down K.C. I had McKinnon to “TD,” but he properly slid down at the 1 and ’twas Butker with too little time for Hurts and Philly, less than 10 seconds.
It was eerily similar to when Clemson, at least that was with a TD and I think w/o too much, if any penalty help, denied Hurts and Alabama in the ’18 college title tilt.
I cite JuJu Smith Schuster’s 7 catches, Isiah Pacheco’s 15 carries/76 yards and a TD. The other K.C. TD was scored by Travis Kelce, who a) is a great player, b) overplayed the 1 point dog Chiefs get no respect angle and whose brother Jason played against him with the Eagles as the brothers have combined for 5 Supe appearances in the last 6 seasons.
The great quarterback, Patrick Mahomes and his wife pictured above.
Stet Bennett similarly won a second title in this year’s “pig,” albeit in college and in a clear title game rout.
After it, I posted him with his girlfriend named Liss and soon after, he drove drunk.
I cite that when K.C. and Mahomes were awful in defeat vs T.B. in a Supe 2 years ago, the son of then and now 2 titles, K.C. coach, Andy Reid, had also driven drunk, within days of the game.
It is such a powerful, life changing word this “if.”
I choose such power as tribute to the great composer, Burt Bacharach, who died days back at the age of 93.
This day of if only more President Lincoln, juxtaposed with Roman Empire hype and that sorrowful path, juxtaposed with having gone down the path (I did know how to ride a bicycle and the other, had learned, is also not forgotten) of the beautiful love inducing songs composed by Mr. Bacharach, so many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David and sung by so many greats, most prolifically by Dionne Warwick.
Sure you do not know how the other stuff will manifest and give it something for that, however, the reality of the “against bitter reality” beauty of music, always helping, is by far, the better way to go. (You need not ask directions to “San Jose,” just tune it in).
I think and marvel at the genius, joy, and barring “book/song banning,” (no given), what will be the everlasting, qualitative and quantitative work of Burt Bacharach.
The places one can go, as perhaps I will do today, in the dark, but brightened by Bacharach and his seminal songs.
Many, with far more musical knowledge than “sports” me, are surprised at some and that so many of the truly, great meaningful songs were composed by Burt Bacharach.
Thank goodness, there is access to them. It is in listening, watching and reflecting regarding their greatness, that I best pay tribute to Mr. Bacharach.
Amidst strife and there certainly is plenty, one need appreciate the great things in life, ones that bring tears of joy.
So often, and that is the enduring accomplishment, that beautiful feeling was delivered via a Burt Bacharach composition.
Burt’s words before he sings, adds to the fabulous song’s great meaning.
Paul Newman and Katharine Ross riding, B.J. Thomas singing and written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach.
To Burt–thank you for having your brilliance manifest, yielding so much joy to so many!
The great Dagoberto “Bert/Campy” Campaneris was with the Texas Rangers in 1978 and on the third off day, that one due to rain after two scheduled such–(the Tigers had 4 off days in a row, none were scheduled), he attended his first hockey game, a playoff NHL “quarter,” between the great two time to be 4 time, champion, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings.
This information was disseminated by Ernie Harwell, when Texas and Detroit finally played baseball on Saturday afternoon April 22nd, at Tiger Stadium.
Montreal won the Friday night hockey game/# 3 of their (1-1) “quarter,” en route to 9 straight wins and altogether 11 of 13 (9 and 11 somehow) to win a third straight crown.
Linking “Campy,” who was an integral part of 3 straight Oakland Athletics’ title teams (’72-’74) and the (’76-’79) Canadiens, who also won the Stanley Cup in ’73, one gets 8 titles in 8 years either for the A’s with Campaneris and the Canadiens.
The game “Campy” attended was the next to last ‘offs game played at the famed Detroit Olympia, where among many other great moments, the only two NHL Final, 7th game overtime goals were scored (each a Detroit winner, Pete Babando in 1950 and Tony Leswig in ’54).
In the last game ever played there, Jim Rutherford, later a Cup winning general manager with both Carolina and Pittsburgh, was brilliant in goal, as Detroit denied the Canadiens a fourth straight best reg record in a (1-0) win.
However, Montreal defeated another team called the Rangers, (they had 6’d the top record Islanders in the “semis”), the NHL New York Rangers in 5 games in the ’79 final, to win a 4th straight title and an incredible 15th in 24 seasons (’56-’79), a period of time that followed two straight Red Wings’ 7th game/home final wins vs Montreal, the first on the aforementioned Leswig overtime goal.
Today and tomorrow the Canadiens play their traditional Supe weekend day home games. Since those 15 crowns in 24 seasons, Montreal has won but 2 titles (’86 and ’93, each of the “middle of the pack” reg variety) in the 28 completed seasons (no NHL season in 2005), since that point in time.
Montreal is currently behind 6 teams and 15 points out of ‘offs qualifying position, so it is almost certain, dare I say certain, it will be 27 of 29 seasons, sans title for Montreal.
The opponents for Montreal today and tomorrow afternoons are first the New York Islanders and then the Edmonton Oilers.
Speaking of 9 and 11, those two teams/franchises, the Islanders (’80-’83) and Oilers (’84,’85,’87 and ’88 with Gretzky and in ’90 without him) won 9 of the 11 possible titles.
Neither has won a title since that time.
Bert Campaneris, pictured above.
I met the brilliant Robin Williams once. It was the day Rod Steiger, another of the brilliant vintage, (once we had Ray Scott, yet another great as lead Supe announcer) had died.
Williams talked of Steiger being his friend. Some day “bitter old me” will write a book and add what else he said. I wish I knew how depressed Robin was as I hope I would have offered hope and my friendship though he was a proven great and I a forever dreamer.
In honor of Robin, let’s get tangential (think the repeat a la Olivia’s “Physical”).
The lone previous Phil vs K.C. ‘offs clash was also a final, a Phils 6 game triumph in the ’80 World Series.
You get “last out” credit knowing Frank “Tug” McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to end it. It was a (4-1) Phils win and lead when Pete Rose snagged a deflection off catcher Bob Boone’s glove as he (Pete, who exemplified playing the game right yet is denied you know what…) backed up the play.
Boone got a title. Neither son Aaron or Brett had one. Eagles’ coach Nick Sirianni met his wife Brett (an appropriate K.C. name as the Royals great star George has “Brett” as a surname) while coaching in K.C. with the Chiefs.
Back to the ’80 World Series and its key moment, among many such, but when #5 of a (2-2) series is on the line with the trailing by one run, home team up with 2 outs and runners at second and third facing #’s 6 and potential #7 on the road, I will say that is key!
Enter a fine player named Jose Cardenal, who would be involved in an eerily similar game situation 16 years later as a Yankees coach under the great Joe Torre.
In ’80 Tug fanned Cardenal the batter, Philly went home up (3-2) and titled.
16 years later, the Yankees with Wettland (John) not Rivera on with a (1-0) lead in a (2-2) World Series that was to shift to “Yankee Land” for the 6th and potential 7th, Luis Polonia, who 4 years later again helped the Yankees “title” with a big hit in game 1 of their World Series vs the New York Mets, was up, 2 outs, runners at second and third.
Mr. Cardenal positioned the long lanky, so annoying if you rooted vs him, thus he was a tremendous player, Paul O’Neill perfectly.
O’Neill made a fine catch on Polonia’s fly ball, the Yankees went home up (3-2), in what was all road team wins through 5 games, and they “homed” a first crown in 18 years in #6.
Left to right, Rod Steiger and Marlin Brando. For some reason the fates said it IS you, Burkhardt.
As he and the fates tell jokes, I say “deal.”
Oh is there a game this Sunday and did James break Kareem’s scoring mark, nearly 37 years after Kareem broke that of Wilt?!
Better thoughts concern the ’61Yankees and ’76 Reds.
Johnny Blanchard hit a critical game tying home run, with 2 out, none on, and the great 1961 Yankees trailing the Cincinnati Reds (2-1) in game 3 at Cincinnati.
At that point, the World Series was tied at (1-1).
Roger Maris, who set a record with 61 home runs that ’61 season homered in the top of the 9th to essentially give the Yankees a (2-1) World Series lead and from that point, their greatness manifested (7-0) behind “Scoreless innings record breaker,” Ed “Whitey” Ford in #4 and a (13-5) cruise in #5,to claim the crown.
Think about these numbers, these baseball 9’s!
Blanchard and Driessen, Skowron and “Doggy” Perez, Morgan and Richardson, Concepcion and Kubek, Pete Rose and Clete Boyer, Foster and Berra, Mantle and Geronimo, Maris and Griffey Sr., Ellie Howard and John Bench!!
For a bit, that gets me off the other stuff!
Wilt Chamberlain averaged over 50 points per game in the 1961-1962 NBA season.
Sorry “King,” but his L.A. crown was after a (69-13) record that included 33 straight wins and was NOT in a Bubble!!
Mary Badham, best known for her iconic role as “Scout” in the seminal film,”To Kill A Mockingbird,” played “Sport” in “The Bewitchin’ Pool,” the last episode of the original Twilight Zone.
I suppose it was at a “Twilight Zone” retrospective at which I met Ms. Badham, who was so courteous and informative in talking of her love toward “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
Earl Hamner Jr., who later created “The Waltons,” wrote the Bewitchin’ Pool episode, that aired originally on June 19, 1964.
Georgia Simmons, having turned 80 days before the episode aired, was outstanding in her role as “Aunt T.”
Another excellent show, “Bewitched” debuted 90 days later on September 17, 1964.
The classy, Mary Badham, pictured above, as “Sport” in the Twilight Zone’s last episode, “The Bewitchin’Pool,” about 2 years after her immortal turn as “Scout,” in “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
The city of Philadelphia has won 17 major sports league crowns, a total of 10 by its current teams and seven by two franchises located in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area.
As stated in a previous post, three of the four current Philadelphia teams and both teams representing its Super Bowl city opponent, Kansas City, have amassed two titles each. (Philly Sixers in ’67 and ’83, Flyers in ’74 and ’75 and Phillies in ’80 and 2008-each a year the Eagles, who won it all in ’48,’49,’60 and 2017, made the NFC Title Game/semis, losing the Supe in ’80 and at Arizona, where the 57th Supe will be played, to the Cardinals in the 2008 NFC Title game/NFL “semi”.
By the way, the Eagles split two NFL “all the way” pre Supe Title games vs the then Chicago Cardinals (in between “Chi” and “Az” they played in St. Louis), losing in ’47 (the Cardinals’ franchise only crown) and winning in ’48.
Former Philly teams, the Athletics, now in Oakland where they have won 4 additional titles and the Warriors, more or less, as S.F. but still Golden State and with 5 additional titles, to rank the franchise’s 7, third behind only the Celtics and Lakers among NBA teams, won 5 and 2 titles respectively while in Philly.
The Athletics under the legendary Connie Mack won it all in 1910, 1911 and 1913. A team time forgot and one of the greatest ever baseball eras/teams, the A’s won titles in 1929 and 1930 and A.L. pennants (’29-’31) denying among others, great Yankees’ teams with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among their roster greats.
Philadelphia (Warriors) won titles in 1947 and 1956.
Many more notes to follow, as the 57th Supe approaches.
The great Jimmie Foxx, pictured above. He was part of those great Philadelphia Athletics’ teams.
X is the first
Of two x’s in Foxx
Who was right behind Ruth
With his powerful soxx.
—Ogden Nash, Sport magazine (January 1949)[48]
For so long as I grew up (not that I ever really did) it was Ruth 714, Foxx 534 on the all-time home run list.
Andy B Sports 