It was at least 10 minutes after Mr. Alvarez (Yordan) hit a game ending 3RHR lifting Houston (Astros) (8-7) in game 1, before ESPN.com took off “Mariners retain lead in division series opener.”
All of which after 2 minutes, was under the score given that Houston, which won 16 more games to easily outdistance “Sea” in their “div,” had won the tilt (8-7).
Two of the 8 div series participants, the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners (Sea is the only one of the 30 major league teams to have never qualified for the World Series) have never won the World Series. Two original teams, the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Guardians have only 2 titles, while 1962 expansion team, Houston (Astros) has only the 2017 title.
The other 3 teams the Yankees (27), Dodgers (7) and Braves (4) have 38 of the 43 crowns, however the Dodgers have only the somewhat bogus 50 game season, 2020 title since ’88.
The Braves, who by the way lost their series opener vs the Phillies by one run as they did in the ’93 NLCS opener at Philly in the only other post-season clash between the teams, are defending champions but have only 2 Atlanta titles despite years of excellence.
Meanwhile, even the mighty Yankees have just one title since winning 4 in 5 seasons under the great Joe Torre (1996-2000) and only in that ’09 title season have they won a pennant since 2003.
Of course U.S. presidential elections are held every 4 years. This is not one of those years.
All 4 Cleveland and Phillies titles were in presidential election years, Cleveland in 1920 and 1948, the Phillies in 1980 and 2008. The Yankees won 7 of their 27 titles in presidential election years (’28,’32,’36, ’52,’56,’96 and 2000).
The Dodgers first 5 titles were in odd years hence not presidential election years. A pair of B’s, G.W. Bush and current president Joe Biden won presidential elections in the last 2 L.A. title years of 1988 and 2020.
None of the 4 Braves and lone ‘Stros crowns, respectively in 1914, 1957, 1995 and 2021 and 2017 were attained in U.S. presidential election years.
After this year these 8 teams will have won 44 titles, 13, which is 2 more than one quarter (presidential elections are held every 4 years), in U.S. presidential election years.
Del Unser, pictured above delivered at least 3 crucial hits as the Phillies won dramatic games and the ’80 crown, their first.
Somehow I cited and connect the bad headlines of ESPN.com and MSN.com (MSN.com, which unlike ESPN or ESPN.com I think is good) was worse today. “Dow surges 350 points left up long after it fell into the negative, before ending barely ahead and still in a Gil Hodges 1952 World Series slump) with the most famous false headline and do so having cited presidential election year baseball title winners.
Hope you all know that in ’48 when “Cleve” last won, “Dewey (did not) defeat Truman.”
“Powerhouse,” which just opened (Jeffrey And Paula Gural Theatre At The A.R.T./New York Theatre 103 West 53rd Street–New York City playing through October 30th) jumps into the power dynamics of “big law” and in doing so, skillfully addresses overall issues regarding appropriate (or not) relationships, specifically at work.
On a day talk of nuclear war sent me back, emotionally “under my desk” (alas, do not worry there is no $ in the end of the world), it was stirring to see “Powerhouse,” written by David Harms and directed by Ken Wolf, with its excellent cast illustrate and put some perspective on hypocrisy, power dynamics and the need for and hope of having someone to trust.
Laura Shoop is truly magnificent both lecturing and being the lawyer in and “into,” so called “big law” an entity with heavy perks, but “Pandora’s box” aspects.
Dominick Laruffa Jr., Jennifer Pierro, Kate Levy in for Jana Robbins and Jeorge Bennett Watson are also members of what is a great cast.
I highly recommend seeing “Powerhouse,” as it offers a revealing look and gauge of our seemingly always to be “Victorian past/hypocritical present,” society.
Click below for more information about this fine play including access to ticket purchases.
Two weeks back it was cited here that there were three “2” year, AFC Conference title game rematches played.
In those tilts, Miami (Dolphins) a ’92 title tilt home losing team won at home vs the Bills and the Titans also the losing team, albeit at the Raiders in the ’02 AFC Title game, won at home vs the now Las Vegas Raiders.
Playing again at New England and again Belichick has slipped well out of Lombardi range with some terrible coaching strategy, Baltimore (Ravens) repeated their 2012 AFC title game win vs the then defending AFC champion, Patriots.
Last week Dallas (Cowboys) the losing team in consecutive “2” year NFC title tilts in ’72 and ’82, each at Washington D.C.–won at home vs “Wash” last week.
On Sunday, another “2” year AFC title game redux, this from the ’82 game won by Miami (Dolphins) on a ?-able home field, with A.J. Duhe starring in that strike season AFC title tilt vs the New York Jets. Two days hence (3-1) Miami visits the (2-2) Jets, who are (2-0) on the road and thus (0-2) at home.
Early on Sunday, a 196″2″ NFL title game redux, not only not at venerable Yankee Stadium where it was played that bitter cold day, but also not at City Field, now Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It is not even at Milwaukee where the Packers played more than one ‘offs game nor at either “New Jersey” Giants’ home stadium.
No, it is in London, England, a pair of (3-1) teams, the Pack(-8) vs the Giants.
Of course it is another “2” year title tilt redux, this of an all the way NFL title game. In that ’62 game “G.B.” prevailed (16-7) and click below to view Ray Nitschke of the Pack on “What’s My Line” that Sunday night.
It is hard to see, my tears “burning” in my eyes, as I was unaware Vaughn Meader was the mystery guest that night.
Oh we all are to be “was,” but WHY so soon regarding the so talented Mr. Meader and of course the man he “most sincere form of “flattery’d,” John F. Kennedy.
On this Yom Kippur, with all of “W”ball set, (thus each game played on this holiday has been rendered meaningless–so much for 12 teams in), I cite that creature of “lost Eden,” (Barbara Eden is certainly a great creation), the snake, specifically the “rattler,” cited three times as I “tv-remoted”/”You Tubed” yesterday.
On “The Rifleman,” 3 P.M. Eastern Time on MeTV, Chuck Connors’ Lucas is stuck with a rattlesnake in his “bedroll,” I guess sleeping bag.
Later in the fine 1985 film, “La Bamba,” Lou Diamond Phillips/Los Lobos/Ritchie Valens/Ritchie Valenzuela (of Fernando) introduces the song “La Bomba” as a Rattlesnake.
Finally as greats Orson Welles and John Carson discussed the glory and vastness of older radio, Mr. Welles imparted regarding a time that a rattlesnake was “loose” in the studio.
Now 91, Barbara Eden is pictured above.
The alliterative above, (somewhere in my watch limited television, a female character declared strong opposition to alliteration in the last week) refers to the 5 Conference title rematches played on Sunday.
In each one, the team that lost the title tilt between those teams won Sunday’s 4th game of the season, obviously a far less meaningful result.
For the record and this is unofficial as I may have erred (please note it as I do care, separating me from so many others), the (2-2) Jets lost the ’10 AFC title tilt but rallied to win yesterday at now (1-3) Pittsburgh (Steelers).
In the ’15 NFC title game, Carolina (Panthers) eased vs the Arizona Cardinals, yesterday, however, ’twas (2-2) ‘Zona winning at (1-3) Carolina.
The Denver Broncos won an M and M (I guess I can have them (M and M’s–on “my” yogurt) same calendar 1977,home AFC title game vs the then defending champion Oakland Raiders (Miller “Red M and M ing Madden (John). Yesterday in “Sin City” the L.V. Raiders went to (1-3) topping (2-2) Denver.
Early yesterday in London, England in the first ever NFL tilt there sans Queen Elizabeth on this earth, the (3-1) Minne Vikings survived vs the (1-3) Saints, winning on that so important “3.” (Later in a non title tilt redux, (3-1) Buffalo (Bills) did the same at (2-2) Baltimore (Ravens) and by the way if the Jets had not rallied, in some places it would have been a third on the “3,” as someone is getting rich but that will never be me. Cue “Fiddler’s” (a version is playing in New York) “If I Were A Rich Man.”
Anyway the Saints in route to the ’09 title beat Minne by, you guessed it 3 in the NFC title tilt.
Finally, in two, “2” year NFC title tilts in both ’72 and strike marred ’82, Washington took the Dallas Cowboys. Yesterday (3-1) Dallas, (3-0) sans Prescott, beat disappointing (1-3) Wash. (The 5/10 is off to this point regarding “Wash” as that franchise titled 85, 80, 40 and 35 years ago).
Tonight is a redux of two past NFC title tilts the Niners winning at home vs the Rams in ’89 and the Rams doing so also at home vs S.F. last year.
Last year both the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs won their second titles after years of high frustration in seeking that achievement.
Last night, (I do not think it rained in Georgia or Missouri, as I do not watch) the two Georgia champions each won, the Braves setting up tonight’s truly big game vs the Mets and the Bulldogs surviving at Missouri, winning (26-22) as 30 point favorites.
If the Braves win tonight, they will need only 1 of the 6 remaining Braves or Mets games to go their way. If they lose, they will need 4 of the 6 tilts to be either a Braves’ win or Mets’ loss.
Click above to hear Brook Benton sing “Rainy Night in Georgia.”
On October 6, 1971, in a game that was tied at 5 after 2 innings , the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the S.F. Giants to win the NLCS 3 games to 1.
Perhaps more details on the specific tilt sent our way in New York on WMCA 570 Radio with the now deceased Vin Scully and pitching great Bob Gibson on the broadcast.
In the pivotal third game the day before (more and more I hear decisive games referred to as pivotal games, another sign of the apocalypse, per the old Sports Illustrated tidbit each week), the Pirates Richie Hebner hit a decisive bottom 8th, 3rhr off another pitching great, Juan Marichal to yield a Buccos’ victory and a (2-1) best of 5/NLCS lead.
The next day Wednesday October 6, 1971, Hebner doubled b1, sending Dave Cash, who had singled to third. Next the immortal (sadly, as President Kennedy said and the world still does not heed, “we are all mortal” and Mr. Clemente died nearly 50 years ago, helping others) Roberto Clemente singled up the middle, “tuning” both Cash and Hebner.
In the game’s second inning the Giants tied the game at 2 on Chris Speier’s solo HR and took a (5-2) lead on Willie Mc Covey’s 3 run blast off eventual World Series pitching hero, Steve Blass.
Hebner hit a game tying 3 run homer in the bottom of the second meaning batting in 3 consecutive Pirates’ innings he sandwiched a double in between two 3 run home runs.
Quite a feat for Mr. Hebner, who will turn 75 years old on November 26th.
Richie Hebner, pictured above.
The seemingly so important National League “2” seed (on paper it is, as it is a “chit” for a 2 of 3 series bye and home advantage vs a non Dodgers opponent in the also not necessary, $$, 28th year best of 5 “quarters”/division series–this opposed to having to play a 2 of 3 and then if surviving, meet the Dodgers, sans home advantage) could be decided and already is greatly affected by the fact a tiebreaker (based on regular season head to head play and favoring the Mets vs the Braves) is the method the “2,” will be determined if NY and ATL finish with the same 162 game(s) record.
If you do not see the absurdity/sell out to TV/the many many playoff games, then I will …….
Baseball, it did not help you, Aaron Judge can hit 80 home runs and you can put every team in the playoffs and you will never have what you had with real pennant races.
By the way with a week to go, only one ‘offs spot, albeit in a 3 team battle for 2 spots is open, so again your selling out the fans who recall ’51, ’62, ’67, and ’78 among so many others, did not get you what you want. Your LCS/semi in one league will not be telecast over the air.
Judge, who hit #61 last night to pass Babe and tie Roger, I predict, will hit #62 on Saturday October 1, 2022. Roger hit #61 to pass Babe on Sunday October 1, 1961. Babe hit #60 to pass Babe on Friday September 30, 1927.
The great Hank Greenberg, pictured above, bid to break Mr. Ruth’s record and ended the 1938 season with 58 home runs.
Hank and Jimmie Foxx, another great, are tied for the most A.L. homers in a season by a non Yankees player.
“Our Man in Santiago,” written by Mark Wilding and playing at AMT Theater (354 West 45th Street) is a superb work.
It made me laugh out loud, which is not an easy thing to accomplish.
Directed by Charlie Mount and with a great cast of 5 characters, the play is set in Santiago, Chile in 1973. The true story involving duly elected Salvador Allende is the backround and believe me, pathos and real life questions certainly manifest. See for yourself, but see this superb production.
The cast members are Prisciliana Esparolini, Nick McDow Musleh, George Tovar and as R.M. (Richard) Nixon and Henry Kissinger respectively, Steve Nevil and Michael Van Duzer.
Again this involves a heavy duty topic and having amassed much introspection on all it entails but more because this production was superb, I was drawn to happy thoughts and the appreciation of having been fortunate to see “Our Man in Santiago.”
I close citing parts involving two of the CIA agents as well as “Nixon” and “Kissinger” that hysterically and brilliantly weaves Coke (the soft drink), Pepsi and say intrigue. It was fantastic!!
Today there are rematches from the last three AFC Title games in years ending with a two.
Thirty years ago, the Buffalo Bills went to Miami and defeated the Dolphins to win their third straight AFC crown.
Today also in Miami, the two (2-0) teams clash.
Twenty years ago, in “2” year, 2002, the then Oakland Raiders, now the Las Vegas Raiders, won a home title tilt from the Tennessee Titans. Today in Tennessee, the two (0-2) teams meet.
Finally 10 years ago, the Baltimore Ravens sojourned to New England and upset the Patriots in the 2012 AFC title tilt. Today also in New England, in the Pats’ home opener, the teams, each with (1-1) records clash.
Who but me would disseminate this?!
Andy B Sports 