Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 33 of 68)
An old guy’s perspective on all sports
They say that the Portland air quality is the equivalent of smoking twenty packs of cigarettes a day. Make mine Lucky Strike! Maybe I’ve been watching too much Mad Men in these solitary evenings? Breakfast for them usually consists of booze and cigarettes after a late-night affair. Breakfast for me is a 3-mile run, followed by a good cough. In these times, there are three different types of coughs: smoke, Covid, and allergy related. I tried my best to get the smoke out of my lungs this morning. It seemed worse than yesterday.
Despite it being a work day, there was no one on the streets this morning. There were some open businesses but no customers. I didn’t even see another crazy runner like myself, just a few folks walking their dogs and, of course, the homeless. The city is shut down and restaurants that expanded their outdoor service capabilities all have their arms up in the air, wondering what tragedy will befall them next. People were just starting to come out of hiding, and then the fires fill the air with harmful smoke. There’s no “Lucky” about it!
We still do plan on going whale watching in a few days. Hopefully, the sea air will clear out my lungs. Rain is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. We get enough gray skies here in Portland during the winter months, but this time of year is usually comfortably sunny. Now this “Strikes.” People have retreated once again to the safety of their homes and the economy continues to suffer. What if this was twenty-five years ago with no internet and cable to keep us entertained? Amazon has to be making a killing, while small business continues to suffer!
I had sports to keep me occupied yesterday. A no-hitter by the Cubs, another victory by the White Sox, and Da’ Bears pulled off a football miracle. It was a rare Chicago sports sweep by my favorites. Also on the positive side personally, Tom Brady lost in his debut with the Buccs, as did the Cowboys in the fabulous new Chargers stadium. Only the Colts had a live audience in Jacksonsville to watch my biggest disappointment of the day. The Portland Timbers also lost to end the evening on a sour note. Then it was back to Mad Men and their pitch about “Luckies” being “toasted.” Ironically, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” was the title of the episode.
Baseball, NBA Basketball, Football, Cycling, Tennis, Auto Racing, and Golf are all now competing for television audiences, especially considering there are few fans in the stands. After months of nothing to watch, suddenly we’re overwhelmed. I had three screens going yesterday between college football, the Cubs, and the White Sox. Today, NFL Sunday kicks-off, plus more baseball, Safeway Open, the Tour de France, U.S. Open tennis, Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, and Portland Timber’s soccer fighting for our attention. I’ve got a date with the Bears vs. Lions, and Colts vs. Jags, Oh My! (Oh wait – I’m in the wrong part of the country for those games). I’ll turn to the RedZone.
Baseball season is already in the final stretch, and for once both the White Sox and Cubs are in first place. The Cubbies came from behind last night against the Brewers after 17-straight scoreless innings of frustration. They finally got to nemesis Josh Hader with two home runs in the top of the ninth. The Milwaukee reliever had not allowed a hit to a lefty or a home run all season long. I was getting to be a Hader-Hater until Jason Heyward took him deep for the winning runs. The cross-town Chicago White Sox had little trouble with the Tigers, posting a 14-0 rout. Former Oregon State star, Nick Madrigal, went 2-5, maintaining his team-leading .362 batting average. Today, the White Sox will debut former I.U. pitcher, Jonathan Stiever #90, on the mound. It’s fun to watch these rookie players like Madrigal and Stiever come up through the ranks. Sadly, there will be no college baseball this year.
The BIG 10 Conference could potentially reverse its initial decision not to play football this year. New medical advances have accelerated the COVID19 testing procedures. It was frustrating to see the southern and eastern conferences effectively start their seasons this week, while the teams I follow watched along with me in angry envy. Early entry into the NFL draft, transfers, and recruiting losses have already taken their toll on the late-comers.
I don’t care that much about Sports Galore, but I am a big fan of college round-ball. Conference basketball decisions will be finalized next, including a new temporary home for the IU-bound Maui Invitational. Indianapolis is now a possibility. Somehow, a casino in Asheville, N.C. does not seem like a suitable option, although Tar Heel fans would disagree. Sponsor Maui Jim will have a tough time selling sunglasses in either place. Regardless, I hope the future of the NCAA Tourney is looking bright!
P.S. Cubs win 12-0 as Alec Mills completes a no-hitter. Sox and Bears victorious, as well, for a rare city of Chicago sports sweep.
I got a surprise e-mail the other day and was pleased to find out that there are people who take the time to read what I write. There are indeed rewards to my ramblings other than just personal therapy.
“I came across your blog earlier today and wanted to drop you a note. Sherm Lollar was my grandfather. Much like you, I never met him but he’s a hero of mine. Guess I just want to say thanks for your kind words. And I need to know more about your Sherm Lollar t-shirt.”
When I first began writing a letter to the Baseball Hall of Fame regarding John Sherman Lollar, (See Post #5), I reached out to one of his sons through Messenger. Kevin was a career writer, so I felt he should review my first draft, offering some great suggestions. I was relieved that he didn’t write me off as some star-struck baseball lunatic.
“Kevin is my uncle. I forwarded your blog links to my dad as well. He loved your ‘Ode to Sherm’ (See Post #1189). I look forward to seeing pics of your memorabilia.”
Several years have now passed and I’ve written several tributes to my baseball hero as a component of my daily diary that covers running, sports, adoption, retirement, travel, poetry, and pets. It’s an important part of my retirement routine that anymore keeps me sane in these pandemic times.
It’s crazy how a person I’ve never met has become such a personal influence. The closest I’ve ever gotten to him was a seat at Comiskey Park, where I watched several White Sox games as a child. His #10 was barely visible from the cheap seats, let alone his face. His was the first card I usually searched for in a fresh pack of Topps cards. His jersey digits became mine in any sport I poorly played, and continues to be my lucky number.
I get daily memorabilia notifications from E-Bay and auction houses on items pertaining to Sherm’s career. I buy what I can afford and keep a scrapbook of his cards, photos, and accomplishments. I’m glad to have a contact with his family because my collection will mean little to my heirs.
It’s doubtful that Sherm will ever become a Hall-of-Famer, although the White Sox organization has honored him as one of their greatest. There are too many catchers that have been slighted by the Cooperstown committees that don’t seem to recognize defensive and leadership achievements. He was one of the best defenders in the game and a skilled field general. I would challenge modern-day players to be as effective using the cumbersome, heavy gear he was forced to wear, and the poorly padded mitt designs of yesteryear. Sherm indeed lives-on in my office and in the hearts of his family.
When I walked out the door at 7:45 this morning here in Palm Desert it was already 91 degrees. As I got back after a 45 run it was 95. I tried my best to stay in the shady areas of the asphalt, but they were often hard to find. I picked up a local radio station that was LGBTQ, an indication of the diversity of the area. It was uniquely branded “Channel Q” to distinguish it from traditional radio stations. I immediately thought of the Avenue Q musical, filled with a “bright mixture of quirky and queer characters.” The music was very upbeat and the personalities very proud of their sexuality. It was my introduction to life here in the desert.
The first thing that caught my eye as we drove into the city was the largest wind farm I’ve ever seen. It was magical watching thousands of giant, white pinwheels spin in the breeze, a sharp contrast to the stark, brown hills in the background. We came in from our last stop in Cambria, California, rudely greeted with 106 degree temperatures. There will be little to do here but sit in the pool. We’re at least surrounded by a plush, green golf course. I got in trouble for veering off on one of the cart paths even though it’s too hot for anyone to be out playing. The restaurants on the premises are closed due to the pandemic, so my wife ran to the grocery store last evening, while I watched White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito complete his no-hitter in the air conditioned comfort of our room. This morning was my first exposure to the grueling heat. It’s no wonder the population swells here when the temperatures are bearable from October through March.
One of the unusual sights along the drive yesterday were these huge cut-outs of actor James Dean along Highway 46. His last stop in life was apparently at Blackwell’s Corner in Lost Hills where he topped off the gas tank of his Spider. He had already gotten a speeding ticket (his last autograph) and was soon to die in a head-on crash. There’s a memorial near the spot of the collision, where tributes to his popularity are left by tourists. It was about the only memorable discovery we made in our five-hour drive, with the possible exception of driving on a brief stretch of Route 66. Today is a full day of rest for us and the car in the sizzling sun as we continue on our Coast-to-Coast adventure to Florida.
A friend sent me an early birthday present. It’s a custom mug made from a hollowed-out baseball bat and engraved, “Michael L Johnston #1 fan of John Sherman ‘Sherm’ Lollar, Jr.” It also has the Sox logo on the barrel. It’s made by Dugout Mugs, a division of the Thompson Mug Company. I don’t know if I’m Sherm’s biggest fan, especially since he still has family, but I continue to recognize his achievements when most people have forgotten.
I have a substantial collection of his memorabilia, including a 1955 game-worn jersey, catcher’s mask, cups, glassware, pins, postcards, ball, newspaper clippings, press photos, autographs, and baseball cards. Until somebody proves me wrong, I will continue to boast of the largest collection in the world. The new mug and “Sherm Freakin’ Lollar” t-shirt that I occasionally wear make my collection unique. I’ve also written a letter to the Hall of Fame committee on his behalf.
August 23rd would have been Sherm’s 96th birthday. He died at age 53. Sherm Lollar was behind the plate for 18 seasons with four different teams – Indians, Yankees, Browns, and White Sox. He was a member of the “Go-Go Sox” who played in the 1959 World Series. I became a fan as a young boy of eight, watching him hit a home run against the Dodgers on black & white TV. His number 10 became my lucky number. When I joined a baseball card club here in Portland about 5-years ago, the other members asked me what I wanted to collect. I said I would start by getting any items associated with Sherm Lollar. At least, it was an affordable hobby, unlike the pricey Mickey Mantle cards. I’m now known in those circles as the “Sherm Guy.” (See Post #1328).
Sherm was apparently a quiet, humble man. We shared big ears and little else. I never got to meet him, but saw him play many times in Chicago throughout the years. He always seemed to be upstaged by Berra from the minute that Yogi replaced him in the Yankee’s starting line-up back in 194 7. His on-base percentage was actually better than Yogi’s, and he was a much better defensive back-stop, but cavernous Comiskey Park where Lollar spent most of his career was not designed with hitters in mind, unlike the Yankee right field porch that favored the lefty Berra. Sherm earned 7 All-Star selections and was the first catcher to receive a Golden Glove. His lifetime .9921 fielding percentage is ranked 60th all-time for catchers, but he played more games with a primitive equipment handicap than anyone else on the list. I have some of that gear in my collection and it amazes me that he could maintain that level of play with little padding, a smaller mitt, and bulky, heavy body protection.
Sherm Lollar’s playing career ended with a fractured thumb in 1963. I have a ticket stub from that game on September 7th. He went on to coach for the World Champion Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics, plus managed the Iowa Oaks and Tucson Toro’s before retirement. He earned two World Series rings in the process. I maintain a scrapbook of his career, along with other White Sox greats. Lollar is buried in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Missouri. Happy Birthday – Sherm!
I got distracted this morning with my Hunt A Killer mystery game, originally a Father’s Day gift. There are 6 total episodes of the “Curtain Call” case surrounding the murder of a 1930s era stage actress. Each episode needs to be solved before moving on to the next. I just received the final episode in the mail and spent last evening through this morning trying to decipher the information. There are codes to break and an all important timeline of events to update. I think I know who did it, but there are unresolved details that still need to be sorted out.
I solved the cuff-link connection associated with the case on my run this morning, relating to a Bible passage. However, I can’t get to the bottom of the phrase, “When Vanity becomes Elegance, the truth can emerge.” This was a statement made by the victim, so it will not reveal the killer, but it may have significance in the circumstances. I hope to find all the answers today. In the meantime, it’s a mystery to me!
Sports will once again keep me entertained as I contemplate the “Curtain Call” case. We also have an extra dog for two days, as my wife’s daughter begins her recovery from surgery after breaking her leg. The Cubs split a double-header with the Cards, the Sox won, and the NBA Playoffs continue. Tonight, the Blazers meet the Lakers in game two. Tomorrow, we’ll start our long drive southeast. We’ll arrive in Florida twelve-days later, following visits with friends and family along the way.
The biggest mystery of all is what life has in store for us as we make this transition to Florida. What challenges will we incur over the next six months? I will certainly miss the friends that helped me celebrate an upcoming birthday yesterday. The time will pass quickly while we make decorating plans, start the building process, and make at least two more trips to Florida. We also have a family trip to Hawaii, and a spring cruise planned that will probably not happen. What could go wrong? It’s a mystery to me.
Two days and counting until we start our cross-country journey. I will make every effort to take-in the sights around me rather than wish it was over. We have a lot to look forward to over the next year, but my tendency is always to get to the finish line. Will I ever learn to relish the moment I am in? I was certainly looking forward to finishing my run this morning, another sluggish effort. The weather was beautiful as it has been here in Portland for the past few months.
I’ve been drinking water rather than habitual Diet Coke by day and wine by night, hoping to get a better night’s sleep of fewer bladder interruptions. I don’t think it’s working, so I set-up a doctor’s appointment when we get back from Florida. I’m still getting up at least five times a night. This afternoon I’ll step off the wagon for a couple of beers at our “Leadership” luncheon. The Cubs and Cards will be on TV, and life will seem normal with my friends and live sports. We’re celebrating my birthday a week or so early, as another year has come and gone.
The Portland Trailblazers put together a great effort last night to defeat the Lakers in game one of the playoffs. I was watching three games at once on phone, computer, and TV. All my teams won – Cubs, Sox and Blazers, once again proving that this year in nowhere near normal. Mad Men is our latest “together” TV, interrupted by all this sporting activity last night. There are seven seasons and 92 episodes that will have to wait until we get back from Florida in about three weeks. I did take time to cook some steaks for dinner, fulfilling my weekly cooking responsibilities that will also be put on hiatus. It will be hotel living and dining out that will probably lead to some weight gain. I wonder if I’ll be making the traditional stops at McDonald’s for Diet Cokes?
After all the Coronavirus quarantines the St. Louis Cardinals went through this season, I suppose they earned a break or two. They had only played 5 games when most teams were approaching twenty in this shortened baseball season. The White Sox had no worries about anything contagious, they couldn’t catch anything. The Cardinal hitting was pathetic after all this time off with little dribblers in the infield that the Sox couldn’t handle. If the Sox actually got an out, it was quickly reversed by replay. Apparently, the Pale Hose gift wrapped the double header as a welcome back gift to the Red Birds.
The Cubs, on the other hand, made several spectacular catches against the Brewers. They were however jinxed by the announcers who pointed out that the team hadn’t gotten off to such a winning start since 1907. Two losses to the Brewers later, they were back to their normal selves. I haven’t seen a team strike out more with runners on base than these last two days at Wrigley. Naturally, Christian Yelich single-handedly beat them in Friday’s game with a 3-run homer. Poor relief pitching proved disastrous in yesterday’s match-up. The Cubs can at least even the series today, while the White Sox can only salvage some dignity. The Cubs go on to play both the Cards and Sox next week, perhaps adding to my frustration.
The Portland Trailblazers and Damian Lillard continued their winning ways yesterday by clinching the final playoff seed in the Western Conference. They are one of the hottest bubble teams, and the LeBron Lakers will be in for an unexpected challenge in the first round. There is no home court advantage and no fans as unprecedented times persist in the NBA. The same circumstances allowed the Portland Timbers to prevail in their Orlando bubble. Can a Portland team do it again?
Indy 500 qualifying went off without a hitch yesterday, but Conor Daly couldn’t find the speed he showed in Friday’s practice session. Marco Andretti won the day, while Conor failed to make the “Fast Nine.” It’s fun to watch the second and third generation drivers like these two speedsters. Rossi, Herta, and Rahal also came from famous fathers of the Speedway that were part of my generation. Owners like Andretti, Penske, Rahal/Letterman, Ganassi, Coyne, and Foyt have been familiar names in Indianapolis since I can remember. However, seeing the empty stands for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was all new to me.
Today’s “Fast Nine” action will determine the coveted Pole for next Sunday’s race. I’m glad there are plenty of live sports on TV to keep me entertained on weekend afternoons. Baseball, hockey, soccer, and racing have all managed to continue their virus-disrupted seasons. College football appears to be the biggest casualty as more and more schools push towards spring. Once winter comes, it may be back to the doldrums of nothing fresh to watch. I’m concerned about the fate of my favorite sport, college basketball. It was hard enough to deal with the loss of the tournament early this year.
The Cubs couldn’t catch a break and the Sox couldn’t catch anything. No one could catch Marco Andretti yesterday. Who will catch the biggest NBA prize? Hopefully, nobody will catch or spread the bug, causing further delays to these competitions that relieve the boredom of self-isolation.
This week the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened its gates for the biggest event of the year – but not for the public and not for the first time in this pandemic. Other races have taken place under first-year Roger Penske ownership. Here’s a man who has always had good timing, but definitely bought this track at the wrong time. The Hullman family, owners of the fabled track since 1945, was the big winner on this deal, getting out of the business at the right time. The Hullmans somehow avoided the shut downs due to war and now this frickin’ virus. Roger that!
I spent a good portion of my time in Indianapolis at the track. I ran, walked, drove, and rode on its banked surface over a 25-year span starting in 1980. I went to the Speedway for the first time as a radio account executive, securing some tickets through the radio station. I learned how big it was when my angry son ran away in the crowd when he was about six-years old. I’ve spent days and nights there eventually graduating from the infield to the luxury suites. I’ve arrived at the track by police escort and helicopter after years of fighting the race day traffic and trying to find a parking spot.
The track was once my home every day in May, starting on the 1st. I’d spend my time hosting motor-home, tent, and suite gatherings for friends, guests, and clients. I’d sell commercial time in the radio and TV broadcasts, plus arrange car/driver appearances, promotions, sponsorship, and endorsements for the event. I’ve even helped disassemble a car to fit in a hotel elevator for display in a ballroom. The pits, garages, museum, and infield grass were my domain, as I gained knowledge about the history and performance aspects of the sport. One year I became a weekend warrior, moving with the circuit from city to city throughout the season. I even got to be a member of the pit crew when they were short on help.
Securing hundreds of tickets each year for family, clients, and friends became an annual responsibility. I’d spend evenings outside the track negotiating with scalpers and making ticket deliveries. It was a consuming ordeal every year but my biggest sales months in the media business were always May. Typically, I’d wear a sport coat & tie to the Speedway, and check in at the office before and after. There were no cell phones or emails at that time. It was up early and home late every day.
My closest connection to racing was the Daly family. 35-years gone by, their son had the second fastest time at the track yesterday, as the tradition continues. In the late 80s, I was also part of the Machinist’s Union Racing team that evolved into Panther Racing. I’ll see two of the friends that I made as part of this group in California next week. A former member of Panther now runs the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Roger Penske. Drivers like Roberto Guerrero, Pancho Carter, and Kevin Cogan were regular acquaintances and my racing heroes.
Today is the first day of qualifying at Indy. I’ll be able to watch on NBC. Due to the COVID-19, it’s three months later than normal – the first time in my lifetime that it has taken place outside of May. I’ll be watching the race after the race for the Pole on August 23rd from a San Francisco hotel room. The “Fast Nine” will be determined today as the next generation of racers compete for the honor of sitting on the Pole, without any fan support. It will be odd to see the empty stands after years of sold-out action. Qualifying is the first of the two annual races as part of the Indy 500. It’s an exciting day that will bring back lots of memories, even though I’m thousands of miles away.