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Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 59 of 68)

An old guy’s perspective on all sports

Old Sport Shorts: World Series #321

November 1, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Once again, baseball has snuck (or sneaked) into the month of November and the entire season boils down to one game.  Last year, I was in Chicago, hoping for a Cubs victory in Cleveland.  This year, the champion will be determined in Los Angeles, a stadium that I visited twice this year.  On the last occasion, the Cubs fell short in Game 1 and never recovered the chance to go back-to-back.

“Mr.  October,” a title once claimed by Reggie Jackson, has evolved into Derek Jeter’s role as “Mr. November,” as the baseball season pushed back later and later into the year.  November baseball started in 2001 with the Yankees and Diamondbacks.  The game actually started on Halloween night but extra innings took it past midnight.  Jeter hit the walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th.  That series continued until November 4th.  The 2009 series also finished on November 4th with the Yankees once again winning it all, only this time against the Phillies in 6 games.  In 2010, both Game 5 and the Series went to the Giants on November 1.  Finally, the last two Cubs’ victories against the Indians last year were in November.  After tonight’s World Series finale and a new “Mr.  November” potentially crowned, eleven November games will have been played.

Judging from all the facial hair sported by current baseball players, “Movember” came early this year.  It’s typically a month-long campaign to create awareness for men’s health issues, but everyone in baseball that can grow a beard already has one.  Without a doubt, regardless of the outcome of tonight’s game, I vote for Justin Turner of the Dodgers to be “Mr. Movember.”

Retirement is not without Hassles: The Numbers #310 = 4

October 22, 2017 / / 0 Comments

I had another “66” moment yesterday, as I continue to be reminded of my age. We were at Coeur de Terre winery to pick up our member shipment, and I was having a discussion with the owner. Music was playing in the background but I really didn’t notice until Nat King Cole started to sing “Route 66.” It caught me by surprise, and I pointed the coincidence out to my wife, further adding to the number of times my age number of 66 has surfaced in the past few months.(See Post #302).

In the study of numerology, the “Angel Number 66 is a message from the angels to put your faith and trust in the benevolence of the Universe as your daily needs are continually met.” Some consider it to be “a powerful number of unconditional love, healing and faith and trust in the Devine.” Others say that it “shows a double 6th sense and an ability to connect with others.” Words are converted to numbers by adding them together.  A=1, B=2, C=3….J=10 or 1, K=11 or 1+1=2….Z=26 or 2+6=8.  Words that add up to 66 include Discipleship, Resurrection, Spiritual Work, and Transformation.  Technically, 66 breaks down to:  6+6 =12, a master number of learning spiritual lessons, and even further to 1+2=3, referring to the Trinity, meaning you’re receiving divine protection, help, and guidance.  You find your personal numerology number by beginning with your full birthdate, adding the digits together after reducing them to a single digit.  Mine is August 27, 1951 or 8+9+7=24 and 2+4=6.  My life path is a 6 – The Nurturer.  I apparently was meant to by my own boss – so retirement has given me a chance to be just that, except for my wife!

The only numbers I was worried about today was my annual property tax statement, showing that our taxes had gone up 9.2 percent when compared with last year.  Our property value only went up about 3%.  It’s inflation like this that concerns retirees on fixed incomes.  With a working wife, our household income isn’t yet susceptible to the growing costs of staying in The Rose City.  Hopefully, our dollars are going to support a retiree in the Portland area education community.  The letters RCTID are on billboards all over town, and the battle cry of the Timbers Army, who we saw in action today.  Rose City Till I Die will not be the case with these levels of tax increases.  RCTIL is more like it – Rose City Till I Leave!

My wife and I wrapped our Portland Timbers Army scarves around our necks for the big game today.  Only soccer fans sport scarves, an element of the unique tradition of this game that is universally known as futbol.  I immediately spotted #66 for the Vancouver White Caps opposition; the biggest man on the pitch, Ali Ghazal.  Since he really stood out, I was immediately concerned that he might be a factor, but the Timbers ultimately prevailed 2-1.  Soccer is filled with chants, mysterious abbreviations, and lore.  For example, the 80:00 minute mark is celebrated with the song, “You are my Sunshine.”  It’s done in remembrance of the daughter of original mascot Timber Jim Serrill, who died at the tender age of 8.  Currently, Timber Joey celebrates each Timber goal by sawing off a slab of log with a chainsaw.  The trophy is then presented to the goal-scorer in a post-match ritual.  Today’s ceremony also included the presentation of the Cascadia Cup.

The Cascadia Cup honors the rivalry between the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver White Caps.  The Timbers won it in 2009, 2010, and 2012, so it’s been 5 years since the cup has been claimed by Portland.  In the 2015 Championship season, the Timbers actually finished a distant last in the running for the 2-foot-tall silver cup.  Honestly, I hadn’t been to a match since early in that Championship year, so this was a good game to attend.  Everyone waves and twirls their scarves to honor the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” and in this particular game to “O Canada.”  In other sports this tradition might be considered disrespectful, especially in lieu of the recent hubbub over kneeling or sitting during the anthem.

Caleb Porter is the successful coach of the Timbers, a fellow Indiana University grad, who played on the soccer team from 1994 to 1997.  He was also an assistant coach for the Hoosiers from 2000-2005 and helped guide the school to two of their 8 NCAA Championships.  Porter, himself, starred on IU’s 1994 squad that lost 1-0 to Virginia for the national title.  This year, Indiana is currently the #1 team in the country, undefeated through 16 games, and allowing only 3 total goals.  In fact, their scoreless-minute streak reached an incredible 922:28 minutes.  The last time they were undefeated this far into the season was 10 years ago in 1997 when Porter was an IU Senior.  As a fair weather fan, I typically follow soccer when the football season looks hopeless and basketball hasn’t started yet.

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Old Fashioned #308

October 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments

This afternoon’s “Leadership Meeting” went well. We’re not really sure how many participants it takes to form a “Leadership Convention,” but the most that have attended at one meeting has been six. I’m the self-proclaimed leader of organizing these weekly leadership meetings. Most of the attendees are former business leaders, but we do include a couple of current workplace leaders to remind us how good it is to be retired.  It also keeps us up to date on the state of the current work environment, so we don’t get completely out of touch with the business world. We often talk about comings and goings, which include those who unfortunately pass away, as we enter the obituary stage of life – where we check the daily obituaries to make sure that we’re not in there. I mentioned to the other attendees today that a former Indianapolis business leader, a former radio station General Manager, lost his battle with cancer earlier this week at the disturbing age of 66 – my age. It makes you feel very vulnerable, and you can only joke about it, while feeling fortunate to still be alive.

I still having trouble remembering to use only one space between sentences, having the old-fashioned way of including two spaces exposed in a recent article.  My wife also pointed out that I was wasting paper, shelf space, and binders to print copies of this blog.  My old fashioned way of thinking does not allow me to trust the cloud, preferring to have a printed record of each of my blog posts. I’m probably also a bit vain, thinking that my son might someday want a copy of my musings.  I would love to have a written diary or a record from my mom and dad, even though they did leave me an overabundance of family and personal photos. My sister has my dad’s war diary somewhere in her possession, but has yet to find it. Even though these hand-me-downs weren’t meaningful a few years ago, I’m glad I didn’t dispose of them. I feel that part of retirement is taking the time to organize family history, and to write about personal experiences, hoping they just might be interesting to others.

The Cubs have been eliminated, so that gives me less to write about.  It was a great season, filled with hope about back-to-back good fortune, The Dodgers put an end to that pipe dream, but gave themselves a chance to end their own 29-year drought of not winning a World Series. The Houston Astros are currently avoiding potential elimination by the Yankees as I write.  Watching baseball provides a great opportunity to multi-task, not having to totally focus on the screen.  You can even many times take a nap and not miss a thing.

My wife came home and took a nap after a long week of work.  It reminded me that the weekend is here. It’s still hard to believe that I no longer have to look forward to them, with the exception of spending more time with her. I didn’t even know it was Friday today until I had to dodge some neighborhood trash containers during my run this morning.  Hopefully, the rain will hold off and the dogs will get a little more exercise this weekend.  They are not as content as I am to hang around the house all day, and look forward to their weekend jaunts through the nearby park. Happy weekend everyone who’s not retired!

 

Old Sport Shorts: Cubs Win #307

October 19, 2017 / / 0 Comments

The Cubs won their first game against the Dodgers last night, hopefully it won’t be the last in their quest for back-to-back Championships. Javier Baez was the hero, clubbing two home runs, to go along with Jake Arrieta’s stellar pitching performance.  They get to play another, but still badly in a hole. I thought it was interesting that the announcers talked about the fact that Arrieta had just tied “Three-Fingers” Brown for the most Cubs post season victories. (See Post #2).  I think it was an unfair comparison.  Mordecai “Three Fingers” Brown pitched for the 1906-1908 Cubs, losing their first World Series to the White Sox and then rebounding with back-to-back titles against the Tigers.  That was the last time that the Cubbies found the magic to win consecutive titles, with last year finally ending an 108-year drought of just winning one.   Back then, there was only the regular season and the World Series, not the Wildcard, League Championship series, and World Series that count towards post-season stats.

It’s not easy to go back-to-back.  The Yankees hold most of the records here winning 5 straight 1949-1953, 4 straight from 1936-1939, 3 straight from 1998-2000, and two straight 1927-28 & 1961-62.  The last National League team to do it was the Cincinnati Reds 1975-76, and the only other team to win 3 straight was the Oakland Athletics 1972-74. Besides the Cubs, the only other two time winners were the Philadelphia Athletics 1910-11 & 1929-30, the Boston Red Sox 1915-16, New York Giants 1921-22, and the Toronto Blue Jays 1992-93.  Only 8 baseball clubs in history have done it!  The odds are against the Cubs, as they face elimination tonight.  The Cubs, by the way, have now won five consecutive elimination games!

It was not a convincing victory against the Dodgers last night, but it was a start.  Arrietta gave them seven strong innings, holding LA to just one homer.  Puig was not a long ball threat for once against Cub pitching, but Turner has continued to be a problem.   Cubs relief pitching is giving up twice as many runs as starters, and that’s why the champagne is on ice in the Dodgers’ locker room.  Not to mention, 26 Dodger walks in the first four games.  It’s the Cubs job to keep the corks from popping.  At any rate, it was good to avoid the sweep and to Fly The “W” one last time.  Can we keep it flying?

Retirement is not without Hassles: Rain Woes #306

October 19, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Portland is crying again after a long, beautiful summer. Fall here is when the rain starts “Falling” and it won’t stop until Spring. We typically get to skip the snow and ice from my years living in the Midwest, but that was not the case this past year. We’ve covered the patio furniture, put out the pumpkins, and can only hope for warmer rainfall this year. I was soaked to the bone on my run this morning, and never saw the light of day.  It can be quite depressing here without the sun, only to rely on my Happy Lamp and double doses of Vitamin D3.

My wife made arrangements to attend “The Mighty Endeavor – Veteran’s Legacy” at Stoller Winery in a couple of days, plus a Timber’s game on Sunday afternoon. In a week from now we’ll leave for New York City, so being a homebody again this week has been a pleasant break from flight schedules and hotels. My wife thinks that I sit here and watch TV all day, but I’ve rather enjoyed the Longmire Series on Netflix. I’m finally getting my moneys worth out of cable. Besides, Sheriff Longmire has enough energy for all of us, but they want him to retire. The new season starts on November 17 and by then we will have returned from both New York and Indiana.  I also have a credit for American Airlines that I have to use by the end of the year, and have to find a mid-week flight somewhere.

I’ve been asked by a former client to help him market his father’s book, “Willing to Die,” about their family’s flight from Bulgaria to freedom here in the United States. His business provides service dogs to veterans, so I would like to offer some suggestions, maybe trying to tie-in with this event we’re attending this weekend. It’s a good book with a heroic message, but I haven’t found any success for myself in the publishing business, let alone assisting others.

Tonight is Date Night, having shifted days to accommodate yoga classes. With my days of the week only relevant to my wife’s work schedule, it only serves to further confuse me on what day it is.  She did agree to go someplace with a television in the background tonight, so that I can monitor the Chicago Cubs, on their seemingly impossible quest for back-to-back World Series titles. We attended the first game of the Dodgers series last weekend, but this year’s version of the team is frustrating to watch. The dogs will be glad that I’m watching it somewhere else than home, after last night’s outbursts. (Post #305).  They had a tough day “dodging” the rain drops on their short outings – so they’re not for the Dodgers either!

 

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Game Day #305

October 18, 2017 / / 0 Comments

I am watching television, wishing for a Cubs rally.  I yelled out loud in the first inning and the poor dogs scattered, thinking I was “barking” at them.  Temper…temper!  Tinker already had a tough day, fighting an infection that led to another $750 vet bill.  I’m not sure she understands that I’m retired and on a fixed income.

I’m nearly finished watching five seasons of Longmire on Netflix.  I haven’t been as hooked on a TV series since Walter White and  Breaking Bad.  It was about a 50 hour commitment, but what the heck- I’m retired.  I didn’t think I would like a western, but he’s a cool sheriff, also named Walt, with a little bit of Clint Eastwood and a touch of Harrison Ford.  I’ll be anxious for Season 6 and move on to Justified, another made-for-television recommendation from a friend.

I have a paperback copy of Stephen King’s It sitting on my desk.  It’s about 2 1/2” thick with small print. For indoor reading, I’ve selected Dan Brown’ Origin on my I-pad.  Clowns, religion, and macho sheriffs make an odd combination of topics.

I just read an article that claims that I no longer need to use two spaces when typing a new sentence.  Apparently, it identifies me as an “old school author,” dating back to typewriter spacing. I will hopefully stop that habit, beginning with this sentence.

Date Nights have now shifted to Thursdays on my wife’s calendar, further confusing my ability to know what day it is. I was cooking on Thursday nights, that had recently been moved from Tuesday. This is all to accommodate my wife’s shifting Yoga classes and hair appointments. It keeps me on my toes.

What was once Date Night is Game Night tonight, and my Cubs are in a must-win situation. If they don’t, at least college basketball tips-off this weekend.  It’s also looking favorable for a New York City World Series, while I happen to be there.  Unfortunately, the odds are against the Cubs joining me. I’ve promised the dogs I’ll try not to yell again if they are eliminated tonight. Single space- get in the habit “old man.”

Old Sport Shorts: dOdgers #304

October 17, 2017 / / 0 Comments

I was in the stands Saturday night, at Dodgers Stadium, and watched my Cubs lose their fourth consecutive road game in LA.  The Cubs had taken a 2-0 lead for Quintana, but the late innings were once again their downfall.  It was a reoccurring nightmare on Sunday night, but the big bomb didn’t come until the last out was on the line.  I was on an airplane headed back to Portland and had just completed my $10 internet transaction to be able to watch the end.  There were frustrating wifi complications, and I finally got a connection just as Justin Turner hit the walk-off against John Lackey, with memories of Kirk Gibson.  He will probably never pitch again in a Cubs’ uniform, and the Cubs fell behind in the series 2-0.  They are down but not out.

I just watched the Yankees come back from a four-run deficit to tie their series with the Astros. “Here Comes The Judge.”  The Yankees came through and so can the Cubs.  Kyle Schwarber will get a chance to bat second, and try to avoid losing his uniform.  Baez will find himself on the bench and Hendrick’s will be on the mound.  Hopefully, the “friendly confines” will be just that!  The road to LA has not been kind, with the Cubs 0-5 at Caesar Chavez…..dOdgers.  I will not get the chance to see another game at Wrigley Field this year.  My only hope to see a Cub victory in person is very slim:   The Cubs have to beat the Dodgers, the Yankees have to get by the Astros, the World Series games in NY will need to be with  in my travel window, and the ticket prices at Yankee Stadium will need to be reasonable.  But first, Hendricks needs to stop Puig, who just missed another homer. He strikes him out!

I remember the off-season high from a World Series Championship, and the resulting hangover to start its defense.  I then recall the “Leisure Suit” trip to LA, when the Cubs were clowning around early in the season. (Post #101).  They were swept by both the Dodgers and Padres.  I remember them being down 5 games at the All-Star break to the Brewers.  (Schwarber just homers).  I remember that only one Cub played in the All-Star game, and Joe Maddon got the “L.”   Finally, I remember when the “W” was last flying, and I want to see it again tonight!

Retirement is not without Hassles: All I Want To Do #302

October 16, 2017 / / 0 Comments

I may still be hungover from Friday night’s dinner at Ivy on the Shore here in Santa Monica.  I’m not getting any younger, so starting with Happy Hour at five with two martinis, then drinking two more at the restaurant after accepting a glass of “welcome-in” champagne, adding a couple of glasses from my wife’s bottle of wine, and capping off the evening with a generous pour of Limoncello for dessert, turned me into a  stumbling, bumbling drunk.

I woke up Saturday morning with a headache, and the Sheryl Crow hit, “All I Want to Do,” playing on my wife’s phone.  Coincidentally, it was the background music as part of a friend’s Smilebox tribute to their recently departed dog.  It was late morning, long after when “the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard.”  After I finally got my nauseous self out of bed, a run on the beach was predictably painful.  As a result, I remained abstinent from alcohol until after the Cubs’ loss.  We did finish off the to-go bottle as a nightcap late last night after getting back from Dodger Stadium, but it’s been strictly diet colas  ever since.   One big negative about Marriott Hotels is that they only serve Pepsi products.

Saturday evening my wife and I were “bleacher bums,” as Yasiel Puig and the Dodgers easily outscored the Cubs.  The unexpected “all-you-can-eat” Right Field Pavilion deal took away some of the discomfort of the hard, wooden seats, but did little to settle the obnoxious fans in our section.  I’ve been making a big deal out of Birthday 66, having posed for a picture in front of the “Trail Ends Here” Route 66 sign on Santa Monica Pier. A similar picture of me was taken at Pier 66 in Seattle, peering through the symbolic numbers.  Puig’s uniform #66 took away any buzz that was left from Friday night.  He hit a double for his first RBI, and followed with a solo Home Run against the Cubs vulnerable pitching staff.  He was indeed Muscle Beach strong in leading the Dodgers to victory in Game 1!

During my 66 Birthday celebration in Seattle, I had my picture taken in front of Pier 66.  We also went to see Tom Petty, who died a month later at age 66. Today I’m flying out of Alaska gate #66, so the number continues to be a reoccurring “sign of the times.”  I should probably get my next tank of gas at Phillips 66 (See Post #234), and go to Vegas and bet on  rolling Double Sixes – Boxcars.  Maybe the Cubs can score 6 in the 6th tonight?

The bottom line of this past weekend in Santa Monica – “All I want(ed) to do is have some fun.”

My Hangover’s Hungover.

Too many drinks,
With little to eat.
This morning I’m lucky,
To stand on two feet.
.
Yesterdays breakfast,
Is on the front lawn.
I seem to ache more,
As the day goes on.
.
Hung at my hang out,
And drank until drunk.
Last night is a blur,
And I’m still in a funk.
.
My Hangover’s hungover,
Longer than should be.
I have a headache,
Of the worst degree.
.
It’s no wonder my friends,
Have left me alone.
All night paying homage,
To the porcelain throne.
.
My Hangover’s hungover,
Much longer than fair.
I’m feeling so bad,
And need nursing care.
.
What’s the recipe,
To cure this malady?
Hair of the Dog,
Is just not for me.
.
Run down and ragged,
My head could crack.
Shouldn’t have chugged,
That first six pack.
.
Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz,
I need a quick cure.
How much pain,
Can one man endure?

.

Wrung out, strung out,
And in no condition.
I hurt everywhere,
And have no ambition.

.

I can’t remember,
What happened last night.
My eyes just can’t take it,
Turn off that damn light.

.

I had foolish thoughts,
After drinking alot.
That’s when I ordered,
A second, last shot.

.

My hangover’s hungover,
I drank until drunk.
I must have imbibed in,
More drink than I thunk.

.

Copyright 2010 johnstonwrites.com

 

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Schwarbs #301

October 13, 2017 / / 0 Comments

After the double-error in left field on Monday, I didn’t think that the “Mighty Schwarber” (Post #119) would ever get a chance to redeem himself.  Schwarbs, as I fondly call him, hit a very respectable 30 Home Runs this season for the Cubs.  However, he joined several of his teammates in the doghouse, during the “Battle of the Blunders.” (Post #297).   I have been reading about the Revolutionary War, so this label seemed appropriate for the Nationals-Cubs series, as both teams and their Generals made a lot of mistakes.

Last night’s game was no exception. After a near perfect performance from Strasburg in Game 4, the other Nats’ “S,” as in Superman and Starter, found himself in a relief role in Game 5.  Max Scherzer allowed an uncharacteristic four runs to get the loss, and set the stage for a clutch base hit by Kyle Schwarber in the 7th off “S” as in Solis.

Schwarber’s drive was mighty, making a big dent in the right field wall, but ricocheted quickly back to Bryce Harper, who skillfully held him to just a long single.  However, that hit would also turn into the winning run.  Schwarbs scored on Bryant’s fielder’s choice when the Nats elected to go for the double-play.  Bryant narrowly beat it out and the Cubs held on dearly for the victory 2 gut-grinding innings later.

Kyle Schwarber may very well be traded at the end of this season to serve as an American League designated hitter.  However, the season isn’t over yet, and he still has a chance to equal or exceed last year’s heroic post season performance.  After all, as a fellow I. U. grad, in my eyes he’s still the “Mighty Schwarber.”  Don’t give up on him yet!  Go Cubs!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Beverly Hills #299

October 13, 2017 / / 0 Comments

I’m in Beverly Hills today, at a Marriott located in the heart of a Jewish neighborhood.  Yesterday, I was hoping to see the Anne Frank exhibit at the nearby Museum of Tolerance but it like everything else in the area is closed for the Holidays.  I wanted to get some background on her life before visiting the Museum in Amsterdam next spring.  Instead, I bought a chicken burrito from a food truck, and read until the start of the Cubs series finale against the Nationals.  Once again, for a critical Cubs game I was in a Marriott bar, thinking of the similar circumstances from last year’s World Series clincher.  My nerves needed an extra martini, as my wife returned from her business meetings to watch the tense conclusion to what I’ve termed, “The Battle of the Blunders.”  (See Post #297: Old Sport Shorts).   As the game dragged on, we left the bar and went to our room so my wife could get some sleep after a long work day.  Just exactly  like last year’s World Series Game 7, I turned down the sound and watched from the edge of the bed, while she calmly fell asleep.   This time, however, the local cable provider somehow lost the TBS signal in the bottom of the 8th inning, and it never returned.  I ended up watching the final outs through a real-time game simulation on my phone.

I couldn’t sleep after the game, so I went to Seat Geek and bought a couple of pricey tickets for Saturday night’s game 1 at Dodger Stadium.  I was there for the first time earlier this season.  (See Post #41).  My wife and I also have a trip planned to N.Y. during the World Series – could it be possible that the Yankees and Cubs could meet while we’re there?  I figure that the shear coincidence that the Cubs are here in L.A. at the same time that we are is perhaps Providence.  My wife probably sees it as unfortunate, as she’s stuck going to another game.

On my run this morning, I passed by a number of Synagogues and observed many families dressed for the Simchat Torah services.  It is also Friday the 13th, so I called a friend celebrating a “Lucky” Birthday today.  I happened to turn to a local radio that was celebrating their final days on the air.  As it turns out, 100.3 “The Sound” is a very popular Classic Rock station here in L.A. was recently sold to a Christian Rock group, and will become K-LOVE at the end of this month.  Happy Halloween.

I haven’t seen any hillbillies here in Beverly Hills, but I’m pretty sure that I spotted “Granny” at the Walgreen’s last night.  My wife’s knee was giving her some trouble, so to blow off some steam during the “Battle of the Blunders” last night, I walked there to get her a knee brace.  I noticed it on my way to the Museum of Tolerance yesterday afternoon, right next to an herb store and psychic.  Rodeo Drive this is not!  Santa Monica is my next stop, and monumental Post #300 will come from there.

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