Baseball et al
I went to my first ball game of 2020 on January 7th at Islip High School. In the early evening I went first to the firehouse for coffee and then headed to the high school to watch the Islip Buccaneers play the Kings Park Kingsmen. I came in on the junior varsity (JV) game and the Islip JV lost to Kings Park 70-34. Unfortunately, the varsity did not do well either. Outside of a few minutes in the first half when Islip was ahead by a point or two, Kings Park owned Islip and won 76-49. I still had a good time and hopefully the Buccaneers will have better luck next time.
I learned on January 21st that Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Larry Walker of the Rockies were elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame. Congratulations to both players!
All basketball fans are heartbroken over the sudden death of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and 7 others in a helicopter crash in California. RIP Kobe, we will miss you.
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Even though baseball is my favorite sport, I did watch part of Super Bowl LIV, both at a Slice of Bay Shore, and at home. While at the restaurant, I was able to watch the coin toss, and just before the toss, the announcers honored five 100 year old World War II veterans, who were born in 1920, the same year that the National Football League was formed. The game was exciting, and the lead did shift a couple of times, but in the end the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49'ers by a score of 31-20.
In the evening of February 27th I drove to the North Babylon Library to see a movie about the Negro Leagues titled Pride and Perseverance. It was narrated by Hall of Famer Dave Winfield and it describes the history of the color barrier and how the black ballplayers first barnstormed with their own teams and then Rube Foster formed the Negro National League in 1920. It did very well until 1931 when the Great Depression hit and it folded. But it did reorganize in 1933 and then a Negro Eastern League was formed and they had an East West All Star Game in 1933 (the same year as white baseball had its first). Several of the players were interviewed, including those who eventually made it to the Big Leagues after 1947. The film also described the signing of Jackie Robinson by Branch Rickey and the Dodgers. I came home with an even greater appreciation and respect for the men who played in the Negro Leagues, as well as the leagues themselves. Maybe it’s time for a tee shirt or sweatshirt commemorating one of the teams – to honor the leagues and the players, and to maybe piss off the pseudo patriots at my fire house a bit.
With the Corona Virus Pandemic March Madness was cancelled, and the XFL, NHL and NBA ended their seasons early. Major League Rugby is cancelling the 2020 season and Major League Baseball will start later.
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March 26 was supposed to be the Mets’ Opening Day but it was postponed for the duration of the Corona Virus pandemic.
Naturally with the Corona Virus pandemic ravaging the world, sports are cancelled or postponed and the TV only shows rebroadcasts on earlier games. But on March 30th I did get to enjoy NPR Radio’s broadcast recording When Basketball Meets Jim Crow on the Internet. It is about the New York Renaissance (Rens) beating the Oshkosh All Stars for the championship on March 28, 1939. This made the New York team the basketball champions of the country. There would not be a National Basketball Association until after World War II. In the meantime, the Aryans were not happy.
With no major league or NCAA sports on TV, I am taking to reading books about them. Right now I am picking up where I left off on The Greatest Ballpark Ever and ordered online a book about the famous Rucker Basketball Tournament held in New York City, titled Asphalt Gods - An Oral History of the Rucker Tournament, which arrived on April 18th. After I finished the book about Ebbets Field, I started Asphalt Gods. As of May 15th, I am still reading it.
Then I learned that baseball Hall of Fame member Al Kaline passed away on April 6th at the age of 85. RIP, Al.
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On May 7th I was up kind of early and started to watch TV – the Korean Baseball Organization’s (KBO) live game between the Samsung Lions and the NC Dinos was on, even if it was in the later innings . In the end, the Dinos won, 8-2. The games are live and since Korea is around 13 hours earlier than New York, they start at anywhere from 12:30 am to 5:30 am New York time. But at least I was able to watch some professional baseball. After the baseball game I watched a special about the Brooklyn Nets on YES and they were interviewing Julius Erving (Dr. J). He mentioned his days at Rucker Park, and then his time with the ABA’s Virginia Squires and New York Nets and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. I think that the Brooklyn Nets are definitely my 2nd favorite NBA team. I watched part of another game, on May 8th. This time the Samsung Lions beat the KIA Tigers, 5-0. On May 12th I watched another KBO game on TV: KG Wiz vs. NC Lions live. The Wiz led for most of the game but the Lions tied it in the 9th inning and won on a walk off home run in the 10th, 7-6. After lunch on May 27th I watched part of a Korean Baseball Organization game, not live but a replay. The teams were the Doosan Bears and the SK Wyverns and Doosan won, 4-2. I saw on the Internet that the LG Twins beat the Hanwha Eagles 15-4 to give the Twins a record of 13 and 6. I watched part of another KBO game on the 3rd between the Kiwoom Heroes vs. the Hanwha Eagles. The Heroes won 6-2.
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Since I was up early the next day June 4th, I got to watch part of a KBO game between the Lotte Giants and the KIA Tigers. KIA won 7-3. But with the 11 hour time difference between New York and Korea, I was only able to watch the last few innings. On June 5th I watched the last innings of a game between the NC Dinos vs. the Hanwha Eagles. The Dinos won 13-2. In the afternoon I saw a bit more of the game on replay.
While watching the KBO games news flashes said that the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, and the National Basketball Association will be starting up soon. The Major League Baseball owners and players are still at an impasse.
On Bloomsday Ellen took the Accord for a spin on the parkways while I minded Eileen and got to watch part of the KBO game between the Lotte Giants and the Kiwoom Heroes (the Giants won 7-5). Around 7 am on the next day I started to watch the LG Twins vs. the Hanwha Eagles. I did catch a good part of the game but I had to leave around the 7th inning to go to Babylon Honda when the Twins were ahead 7-1, which was the final score. When we came back from the dealer, I watched part of the Minnesota – Nebraska NCAA game from January 2014. The Cornhuskers won, 88-85 in overtime. On the 18th I watched almost all of a game between the KT Wiz and the SK Wyverns, and KT won by a score of 5-3. I started Juneteenth by watching most of the game between the LG Twins (my favorite KBO team) and the Doosan Bears. The Bears won 18-10.
There were no KBO games being broadcast by ESPN on Father’s Day but I did spend some time watching the Spanish basketball league. The team from Barcelona (Barça) beat Kirolbet Baskonia by a score of 81-75. The following Wednesday, I watched the second half of a Spanish basketball league game: Valencia Basket Club beat St. Paul Burgos 94-90. Valencia trailed for most of the game. On the baseball front, I learned that Major League Baseball will start on July 1. The season will only have 60 games, but it is better than nothing. But I learned on July 1st that there will be no minor league baseball, from either the affiliated or the independent leagues.
For the last couple of weeks starting in mid-June I have been interested in the Brooklyn Nets – watching them on TV, checking out their website and the e/mails I get, maybe (?) getting team merchandise, and downloading wallpaper. I was interested in the then New York Nets of the ABA almost 50 years ago thanks to their St. John’s University connection (Coach Lou Carnesecca and three SJU alumni in the lineup). Now that they are back in Brooklyn, I have another New York team to follow. On the 16th Channel 597 (Eleven Sports) showed a Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) game from Qingdao China between the Peking Ducks and the Shanxi Loongs (Beijing ended up winning 111-91). The Ducks have Jeremy Lin on their roster, and I remember his playing here in the USA for the Knicks and also the Rockets (two of my favorite NBA teams). And in the CBA, the Ducks are one of my favorite teams, along with the Shanghai Sharks (Yao Ming played there, and Shanghai is one of the Chinese cities I would most like to visit) and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers (they play in Ürümqi, which looks like a fascinating and exotic city). I later checked the CBA on the Internet. After dinner on two days later on Saturday I watched about half of the Mets & Yankees exhibition game that was being played at Citifield. The Yankees ended up winning 9-3. Even though the game does not count in the standings, it looked like the Mets were a bit sloppy and they cannot afford to lose too many games if they want to make the post season. On Sunday evening after dinner from Mango Tango I watched part of the Westminster Dog Show on Fox Sports. The poodles always seem to do very well but I was happy to see a bulldog also place in the finals. On Monday morning Eleven Sports had broadcast an Australian Baseball League game between the Canberra Cavalry and the Adelaide Giants. The Giants won, 6-3 and advanced to the league finals.
On the July 23rd sports front I watched part of the National Rugby League from Australia – and the Parramatta Eels beat the Wests Tigers 26-16. Later on in the morning I watched a game in the Chinese Basketball association – the Northeast Tigers vs. the Loong Lions. The Tigers won 98-95.
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During August I watched major league baseball games, as well as NBA games, on TV. With COVID-19, I have not gone to any live games at all.
Since I am finally getting used to my iPhone, I added the app for the National Basketball Association with my 4 favorite teams - Knicks, Nets, Rockets and Pelicans. On September 2nd I added the National Hockey League app with these teams -the New York Islanders, the Montreal Canadiens, the Buffalo Sabers, and the Vegas Golden Knights. I had already downloaded the Major League Baseball app in August with my favorite teams (Mets, Dodgers, Cardinals, Pirates, and Yankees). On the 4th I added the National Football League app, with the Giants as my favorite team.
On Sunday I later went to the firehouse for coffee to watch some TV: the Mets and the Islanders. The Isles went into overtime against the Capitals and won 2-1, and the Mets eventually lost to the phillies 6-2. When I came home I watched the WNBA and Seattle neat Connecticut 95-72.
Two of my friends had e-mailed me to say that baseball legend Tom Seaver passed away at the age of 75 on August 31st. I knew that he had not been in good health for a while. Still, it is sad to learn of his passing. While he had been with the Mets since 1967, I don’t remember seeing him pitch at Shea Stadium during those years, since I lost all dates and scorecards. After I started to go regularly in 1983, I fairly vividly remember a game that he did pitch for the Mets. It was on June 12th, 1983 against the Montreal Expos. Ellen did not come with me for this game but I met a former coworker at Shea Stadium. The Mets did win, and the two national anthems were sung by the boys’ choir from my parish at the time – St. Agnes Cathedral of Rockville Centre. Then on Labor Day I learned that Hall of Famer Lou Brock passed away on Sunday. He also had been in poor health for a while. With Tom Seaver, that is two Hall of Fame members gone in less than a week. RIP to both Tom and to Lou.
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In October three more Hall of Fame members left us: Bob Gibson on October 2nd, Whitey Ford on October 8th, and Joe Morgan on the 11th. Five Hall of Fame members gone in just over 6 weeks! RIP to Bob, Whitey, and Joe.
On October 4th I watched the Japanese Baseball League on Channel 597 – Hokkaido Fighters versus the Soft Bank Hawks. The Hawks won 8-4. Since I am interested in Japan's northernmost island and their provincial capital of Sapporo (home of the 1972 Winter Olympics and a great brewery) the Fighters are my favorite teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
With a lot of controversy centering around the NBA taking political stands, over the Columbus Day weekend I decided to watch a couple of basketball games from the Spanish basketball league, and Juventut and Real Madrid each won their matches.
At around 4 PM on October 14th I took Eileen to East Islip Lanes to bowl with her team – the Shooting Stars – after a 7 month hiatus. With the COVID 19 precautions in place, it was hard to get used to the new procedures. Only odd numbered alleys were used. And I had to sit at the tables away from the 4 bowlers. But Eileen did manage to get a 94 in game 1 and 100 in game 2. If she had thrown the ball a bit harder, she may have had a few more strikes and spares. But she did do OK after being away for 7 months.
On Monday the 19th I checked out the Spanish basketball major league and it looks like I may have a new team to follow, besides Real Madrid. It is Monbus Obradoiro, based in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago is a World Heritage city, has a great cathedral, and is the terminus of a pilgrimage walk. Two good teams to follow on Eleven Sports and on the Internet. The next day I watched a Korean Baseball Organization game on ESPN: The LG Twins against the KT Wiz. The Twins won 7-6, in a pretty exciting game. On Wednesday afternoon I took Eileen bowling at East Islip Lanes again. This week she got 82 & 103. Hopefully better luck next week.
Over the last weekend in October I watched several various sports on TV. On Saturday I watched a Nippon Professional Baseball game (the Orix Buffaloes against the Chiba Lotte Marines, and the Buffaloes won 3-0). On Sunday it was a rugby match – Edinburgh vs. Connacht, (Connacht won 37-26), as well as some high school basketball from the GEICO Nationals - the Storm from North Carolina versus a team from Minnesota named Team Sizzle. Team Sizzle won. On Wednesday afternoon I took Eileen bowling at East Islip Lanes and she got a 97 and a 98.
Before I went to bed I watched the Japanese Baseball League on Channel 597 – Hokkaido Fighters versus the Soft Bank Hawks. The Hawks won 8-4.
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For the first Wednesday in November Eileen only got an 80 and an 84 while bowling. Hopefully it will be better luck next week.
On the 12th I watched half of a soccer match between Ghana and Sudan. At half time Ghana was ahead 1-0. I also emailed the New York Islanders with information about two other members from my fire company and myself to honor us as veterans. And we are Islander fans. I also contacted St. John’s University to register for a webinar that will take place on the 18th. It will be with former Red Storm basketball star Billy Baldwin and we will discuss my second favorite sport. On Wednesday (the 18th) at noon I participated in the webinar with St. John’s University’s Head Basketball Coach Mike Anderson, Assistant Coach Paul Pressey, Athletic Director Mike Cragg, Red Storm basketball alumnus Billy Goodwin, and others. Paul and Billy went on to play in the NBA, mainly with the Milwaukee Bucks. I just listened to what the coaches and players had to say, and during that time I also made some lunch for myself.
During the rest of the Wednesdays in November Eileen got 117 and 101 on Veterans Day, and 72 and 68 on the 18th. For Thanksgiving Eve there was no bowling.
On Saturday the 21st I started to watch MSNBC News but a plumber was at the house and Ellen suggested I tune into something politically neutral. So I flipped on Eleven Sports and watched a German Basketball League game: Chemnitz vs. Göttingen. Chemnitz lost 103-99 in overtime, but it was 92-92 at the final buzzer. I had to leave to head over to St. Mary’s in time for the 4:30 Mass so I could not stay to watch the overtime playing.
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I took Eileen bowling at East Islip Lanes on the 2nd. She got 110 in the first game and 111 in the second one. In the first game she got a few gutter balls until I coached her into aiming for the #1 pin. She soon got a strike and some spares and was able to break 100. In the second game it was pretty much the same thing. She managed to get some spares and could have done even better than 111 if only she knocked down more pins on the first ball I the frame after the last spare. Hopefully she will do even better next week. On December 9th took Eileen bowling at 4 pm. She did OK, but not as good as last week – 82 & 93. We went bowling on the 16th and Eileen got 114 and then 96 for an average of 105. With the snow coming down only one of her teammates showed up, and other lanes were empty. This is the last meeting until 2021.
On the 12th I watched Syracuse beat Boston College in basketball, 101-63, and after the 4:30 PM Mass at St. Mary’s I watched most of the 4th quarter of the Army-Navy Game and this year Army won, 15-0. Later I saw on Facebook that former pro ball player and music legend Charley Pride passed away at the age of 86. One of my 4 favorite country artists along with Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Now all four are gone.
On the 20th I treated myself to some women's basketball games on TV: Syracuse vs. Boston College, Mississippi State vs. Central Arkansas. Syracuse (83-70) and Mississippi State (72-49) each won. Earlier in the day I watched the re-broadcast of a Milwaukee Bucks - Dallas Mavericks game. In the end Dallas won 128-112. Giannis was not able to help that much.
On December 27th I watched part of the Brooklyn Nets – Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn lost 106-104. The Nets returned to Brooklyn and the next day they played the Memphis Grizzlies in a close game that went into overtime. But they lost 116-111. On the 30th I watched a good part of the Brooklyn Nets – Atlanta Hawks game, and in the end the Nets won, 145-141. On New Year’s Eve I watched a good part of the Nebraska – Northwestern women’s basketball game. Nebraska won for most of the game, often by as much as 7 points but the Wildcats fought back to within 2 points of the Cornhuskers, who won 65-63.