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“The How and the Why” “Opens Eyes,” Astounds and Thrives

Yesterday I experienced an eye opening theatre experience, viewing “The How and the Why” at Sheen Center (18 Bleeker Street in New York City).

The story with its evolutionary biological theories and discussion, performed by Karen Leiner and Arielle Goldman, informed and entertained, doing so with pathos and humor.

Each performer was superb going back and forth with/at each other with brief interludes for drinks and popcorn, conveniently located on stage, adding to the intense, moving experience.

Both the writer Sarah Treem and the director Austin Pendleton are fantastic, each a personal favorite for past work and “The How and the Why” certainly increases their stature.

Click below for more information and access to ticket purchases.

The How and the Why — Sheen Center

 

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An ’80 NLCS Redux, (Phils/Astros) In The 2022 World Series

It will be a redux of the classic 1980 NLCS, won by the Phillies en route to the first of their 2 titles, as the 2022 World Series matches the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.

Both teams clinched their LCS yesterday with comeback wins, NLCS MVP Bryce Harper’s none out 2RHR B8, lifting the Phils, now (6-4) in NLCS after losing their first 3 (’76-’78), (4-3) vs the San Diego Padres and ALCS MVP Jeremy Pena, whose 18th inning HR lifted Houston (1-0) to wrap Seattle in the “div” round, hitting an early game tying 3RHR in a (6-5) win at the Yankees.

Houston is (7-0) this post-season and (4-0) in ‘offs entities vs the Yankees (a 5/4 game in ’15 and LCS wins in ’17,’19 and ’22) after a 4 game sweep in the just completed ALCS.

Philly has won 9 of 11 (those #’s-the win yesterday yielded it), this post-season, as they handed San Diego their first NLCS loss (2-1). The game 4 winner in a Phils’ LCS is (9-0) (Cincy which had the title with the 7-0 mark Houston now has, swept the Phils in a best of 5 NLCS in ’76) and is (6-1) in previous Phils’ World Series.

The Phils are (2-5) in previous World Series, losing in 5 to Boston in 1915, in 4 to the Yankees in 1950, in 5 to the Orioles in 1983, and in 6 to the ’93 Blue Jays and ’09 Yankees, the ’93 World Series ending on Joe Carter’s 3RHR that transformed a 1 run Philly lead into a 2 run, repeat title victory for the Toronto Blue Jays. They beat the Royals in ’80. K.C. had not won a title at that point and it was the last World Series that matched 2 teams that had not won a crown.

Adding to it, (notes have been limited but now that it is over the air World Series, they will abound here), they beat, the still nary a title Rays in ’08.

The Red Sox had 3 titles after beating Philly in 1915. They won again in 1916 and 1918, went 86 years without another, however, have won 4 after that. The “3” year title winning Orioles (same calendar ’83) and ’93 (last non Yankees team to repeat as W,S. champions) Blue Jays have not titled since.

Then there are the Yankees. They will have the most titles long after I do not know what, however have won just one pennant in 19 seasons (2004-2022) matching the just one pennant before their glory in 19 seasons from (1903-1921). They won the pennant in ’21, there was no World Series in 1904 but as the Highlanders they lost the pennant, I believe on the season’s last day and have not won a World Series since 2009.

 

Jeremy Pena

Jeremy Pena, the 2022 ALCS MVP, pictured above.

 

More “2” Year Title Game Notes

The penultimate of what will be 11 “2” year title tilt rematches(2 NFL title games, 1 AFL title game, that to be the once Texans/now Chiefs facing the once Oilers/now Titans, in what also is a ’19 AFC title redux, 5 in 5 possibilities AFC title tilt rematches as well as 3 NFC title game reduxes) in 14 possibilities takes place tomorrow night in Miami as the (3-3) Dolphins host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 1972 AFC title game rematch.

Much can be said and recalled about the Dolphins win that day, their 16th of what was to be 17 in an unbeaten season.

One incredible/could not happen today aspect is the fact that the unbeaten ‘Phins had to sojourn to Pittsburgh for the game.

A Larry Sieple run for a first down from punt formation was a key play in the Miami victory.

Tragically (many 21’s are coming up, I am reading, albeit slowly, “The 7 Secrets Of Synchronicity,” by as listed Trish MacGregor and Rob MacGregor, change of 21 cents at Dunkin Donuts yesterday and the time of 2:21 when I looked before) that December 31, 1972 night, the great player and humanitarian Roberto Clemente lost his life in a plane crash.

Back to the esoteric, there will be no redux of the ’52 NFL title tilt (Lions beat the Browns), ’92 or ’02 NFC title games/NFL “semis” at least not in the “reg.” In ’92 Dallas won at S.F. while in ’02 Tampa Bay won at Philly.

Otherwise, as stated, 3 “Two Year” NFC title game rematches, two involving Wash beating Dallas and the other in ’12 manifesting in an S.F. win at Atlanta.

I will recap the AFC/AFL “sitch,” after the aforementioned, upcoming ’62 AFL title game redux, scheduled for Sunday night November 6th in K.C. (nee Dallas) vs Tennessee (nee Houston).

Wonder if you can stand the wait?!!

 

 

 

 

One For Each “P” Team, Thus Far

The first ever Philadelphia vs San Diego major North American sports league post-season entity stands at a game apiece after the Phils “opened” (2-0), but dissipated an early (4-0) lead and lost (8-5), dropping their game 2 NLCS record to (2-8), (0-4) on the road (’77, ’83 and ’09 all vs L.A., the same 111 wins franchise that lost to S.D. days back, were the other game 2 NLCS road losses.)

This NLCS shifts to Philly for a Friday game 3 of the NLCS, this at night, exactly 45 years and 2 weeks after the incredible L.A. comeback win that year and a scant 2 weeks after the Phils replicated the “trailed by 2 runs/T9” L.A. road comeback in the 12/8 series opener at St. Loo.–(eerily exactly 45 years later).

San Diego won its previous 2 NLCS, winning 3 straight home tilts after losing the first two at Wrigley Field in Chicago vs the Cubs in ’84 and going up (3-0) in an eventual 6 game NLCS triumph vs the Braves in ’98. In the latter series S.D. went (3-0) at Atlanta.

In the subsequent World Series, first the wire to wire (they got off to a (35-5) start) ’84 Tigers 5’d the “P-Pads,” winning the opener at S.D. and #’s (3-5) in Detroit, before the 114 “reg” wins (125 total) ’98 Yankees swept them.

Philadelphia is (5-4) in previous NLCS, losing in their first 3 (’76-’78), winning their next 5 (’80,’83,’93,’08 and ’09–they “titled” in ’80 and ’08, the franchise’s only such triumphs) before losing in 2010 to the first of 3 straight “odd year” S.F. Giants’ World Series winners under manager, Bruce Bochy.

The Phillies lost both #2 and the NLCS in ’76,’77, and’78. They lost in ’10 after getting a series squaring home win in game 2.

They won the NLCS despite losing #2 in ’80,’83, ’93 and ’09. In ’08, the only time they went up (2-0) in NLCS play and just the second time in what is now an aggregate 17 Phils’ LCS or World Series, that a Phils’ LCS or World Series stood (2-0) Phils, they 5’d L.A. en route to that second crown.

 

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Steve Garvey, whose teams went (5-0) in LCS play (L.A. won in ’74,’77,’78 and ’81–S.D. in ’84) with him as LCS MVP, 10 years apart in ’74 and ’84, hit a dramatic game winning home run for S.D. in the Saturday night #4 vs the Cubs in the ’84 NLCS.

Essentially Steve and his teams could be “nominated” but not “elected,” as they were (1-4) in World Series play, the lone triumph by the Dodgers in strike marred 1981. 

 

 

 

Will Be Yankees/Astros In The ALCS Again

Today, on what is the exact 45 year anniversary of the Yankees’ ending a then 15 year title drought, in a game 6 home win vs L.A. that was highlighted by Reggie Jackson’s 3 home run performance, New York advanced to a third ALCS clash vs Houston (Astros) in the past 6seasons.

Houston (Astros) in their big league record 6th straight LCS, won the previous two and will be I say, at least 8 to 5 favorites in the upcoming one, which starts tomorrow night in Houston.

The win by the Yankees dropped the Cleveland baseball franchise decisive game record to (1-8).

Playing on the exact anniversaries of the ’77 World Series in all 5 “div” series games vs “Cleve,” the Yankees repeated a game 1 win on Tuesday October 11th and as cited, series clinching wins (#6 in ’77 and decisive #5 today, another Tuesday October 18th).

Games (3-5) were reverse results, the Yankees won on Friday Oct. 14 in ’77 (Bing Crosby died that day, Linda Ronstadt sang the national anthem in L.A.– and Saturday October 15, ’77 but lost this year on the exact anniversaries.

In the must game 4, 2 days ago they won on Sunday October 16th, having lost up (3-1) “exactly” 45 years earlier.

 

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A truly great clutch player and a great player period, Reggie Jackson, pictured above.

 

 

“Chickens Came Home To Roost” In N.L.–

Malcom (X), regarding the bubbling injustice and subsequent tragic day in Dallas, Texas nearly 59 years ago when John F. Kennedy was killed, perhaps inappropriately, however, surely with grains and strains of undeniable truth, said that “the chickens have come home to roost.”

This is not in the same stratosphere as far as importance, but as with the enduring John F. Kennedy, baseball once was something to be proud of and hopeful, regarding this country. No longer! (regarding baseball).

It started in ’95 with the wild card presence and now in the first year of extra teams/extra rounds, the N.L. has a 5 seed vs 6 seed LCS.

The 111 wins Dodgers and 101 wins “div” and defending world champion, Braves each were (3-1’d) in the “div” series by “P” teams, the Padres and Phillies respectively (they start “sloshing” tomorrow night in S.Diego–as I typed Youmans said San Diego and Pauly Howard– tonight’s 5th Cleve at the Yankees is a decisive, not pivotal game, with the “P” Pads,” roughly 6 and a fraction to 5, series “faves.”

22 years after his last, Bob Costas is broadcasting his 12th full post-season series, one as stated above that has gone to a decisive 5th game, contested between the Cleveland Guardians (1-7, all of course as the Indians in decisive games) and New York Yankees (15-15 in such and few if any could do what I did, albeit with some struggle on the infinitely less glorious extra round ‘offs tilts, namely cite all 36 of the two teams decisive games. The reason it is 36 and not 38 games, is that the two teams split in a pair of decisive games, Cleve winning in ’97 and the Yankees doing so 20 years later. “Cleve” has a chance to win a series vs the Yankees on a Monday night as was the case 3 previous times, in wins 25 and 15 years ago, as well as in a loss, 5 years ago.).

Once assigned, the 9-11 #’s regarding a decisive game in a Costas full series, (9 of 11 had Not gone the distance) was to end.

The Yankees are (4-0) in “full Costas post-season series,” (16-5) in NBC Costas full series games and (6-1) in NBC Costas “drop in” games (his good phrase, also the Yankees won a # of Costas “drop in” MLB Network tilts)

 

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The fine player, Edgar Renteria, pictured above, had the World Series winning/game ending hit for the wild card Florida Marlins vs Cleveland in one of the 7 franchise “decisive game” losses, that in #7/’97 World Series.

I can recall to you related Costas, Penas, Cleveland and other Renteria and for that matter, “Edgar notes.” 

As the great Jim Brown said to me when I asked if I could help his programs that are so helpful to troubled young people on my cable show, “I choose not to at this particular time.”

Remembering The So Fantastic, Angela Lansbury

One of the greatest and quite near the last of those performers from a “Golden Age,” the fantastic performer Angela Lansbury, died days back at age 96, 5 days shy of birthday # 97.

I need not cite her many awards or the fact in this year Queen Elizabeth died, that Ms. Lansbury is Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury, however I just did, to attest to her greatness.

She had memorable roles in such classic films as “Gaslight,” “National Velvet,” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

Among so many great roles on Broadway and yes I cite she won 6 Tony Awards, including one of lifetime achievement, was that of “Auntie Mame” in 1966’s “Mame.”

Ms./Dame Angela Lansbury was near, if not at the top of my father’s favorites and I recall walking after Sunday, likely USFL work with Lisa Liberty now McPartland and she looking forward to the great show, “Murder She Wrote,” in which Lansbury starred.

Alas on gambling ViSN’s “No Hyperbole,” Angela was recalled as Mike Palm simply said “60 Minutes followed by Murder She Wrote,” something we surely heard “Super” (the great Pat Summerall) say so many times as late game CBS “pig”/pro football ran on.

It was in ” The Manchurian Candidate,” now 60 years ago and yet so relevant, as recent events are not just recent but in eery fashion, so relevant, that the acting chops of Angela Lansbury shined brightest!

That unforgettable, brilliant performance and so many others made Angela Lansbury one of a kind. Bless and thank you, Angela, as you “march” on (ode to another Angela).

 

The great Angela Lansbury, pictured above.

 

 

 

Viewing and Post-Game Parties at Vivid Cabaret

Midtown Manhattan’s high-energy gentlemen’s club Vivid Cabaret New York is home of the city’s tallest stripper pole, and is a great place for football fans to watch all the games, and then stay for the post-game after parties! 

The games are shown on numerous HD-TVs throughout the three-level club and on the giant theater style screen on the club’s main level. 

Vivid Cabaret girl Liz said, “The girls and I will make sure you have a good time, no matter what the score. Come make it rain!”  

Providing the ultimate in VIP treatment, Vivid Cabaret New York (61 West 37th St.) features an exclusive Ultra Lounge, five stages, private suites, and a Roof Top Cigar Bar. The party atmosphere is enhanced by cutting edge decor and the latest in high-tech sound and lighting. It is the sister club to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC.

Highly recommended.

“2” More “2” Year Title Rematches This Week

There will be two more “2” year NFL or NFC title tilt rematches this week. Down the road there are “2” more and altogether the AFC/AFL yielded 6 of 6 and the NFC/NFL 5 of 8, thus 11 of 14 in “2”0″22.”

80 years after meeting in the 1942 NFL Title Game won by the Washington franchise (2 years earlier the “Chi” Bears won (73-0) at “Wash”) the (2-3) Bears host the (1-4) “Wash” team tonight.

On Sunday a redux of the 2012 NFC title clash, this one in the same locale, as the (2-3) but (5-0) vs the spread Atlanta Falcons host the (3-2) San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners 5 or so point(s) favorites this week won that ’12 title clash before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the subsequent Super Bowl.

That Supe was a clash of brothers with Balti’s John Har”baugh” (still there) winning vs SF’s Jim Har”baugh,” who is in at Michigan, which faces Penn State in a battle of college unbeatens on Fox (there will be 4 baseball games Saturday, none on over the air television) starting at noon (can’t say I am “high” about this).

Finally early in the aforementioned (73-0) Chi win (they had the great quarterback, Sid Luckman, Wash had the also superb Sammy Baugh at that key position) a “Wash” player dropped a potential touchdown pass.

Baugh was asked after the tilt what the final score would have been had the early td been scored. He famously answered (73-7).

In the ’42 title tilt, Chi led (6-0).

 

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Wilbur Moore, pictured above, gathered in a Baugh TD pass, giving Washington the lead to stay in that ’42 title tilt. 

As was the case 8 years earlier vs the New York Giants, an undefeated Bears team lost in the NFL final/title game, in ’34 at the famed Polo Grounds and at Griffith Stadium, where the (73-0) game also took place in ’40, in ’42. 

Alas the only other time an NFL regular season unbeaten fell in its quest to “title” (all 3 were in the final) 42 is operative as in the 42nd Supe the Giants again spoiled an unbeaten, beating the (18-0) New England Patriots.

 

 

 

Remembering Michael Callan

A truly gifted performer, who left an indelible impression on me and others, riding off as “Clay,” while kissing Jane’s (Fonda) title character as 1965’s “Cat Ballou,” happily ended, Michael Callan– died days back at age 88.

Mr. Callan was the original “Riff” in West Side Story on Broadway and had a great role on an episode of “Murder She Wrote.”

He was one of those good guys, but Mary had to stay single, on the fabulous Mary Tyler Moore Show, opposite its beautiful star.

It is with another “crush,” (somehow my arm is not around her in a photo I have but she has been so nice each time I interviewed her or met)) the inimitable Jane Fonda, and his kissing her, riding off as “Cat Ballou” ends, that I remember so fond(a)ly. 

Add Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye (the spelling makes a difference, as juxtaposed with a nightmare and no “e”) sing.

It was so different, a sunny day, in same calendar as ’22–’66,  my parents, my grandmother, Michael Santasieri together,seeing “Cat Ballou.”

Soon after Dad’s car radio informed Tony Cloninger, a pitcher, had hit two grand slam home runs in the same game!

Never again,  but a great memory!

Perhaps now Michael Callan rides off and I wish him only the best, adding my thanks for contributing mightily to that great time.

 

JANE FONDA MICHAEL CALLAN CAT BALLOU ORIGINAL 8X10" PHOTO #A4100 | eBay

Left to right, Jane Fonda and Michael Callan, pictured above.