Category: Chicago White Sox (Page 16 of 24)

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Retirement is not without Hassles: Sweet Home Chicago #906

April 12, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

There’s only one thing better than “Home Sweet Home,” and that’s “Sweet Home Chicago.” I’m writing from the Hotel Chicago Downtown (a Marriott property, of course) right next to the House of Blues. Tonight it’s the band Citizen Cope, a name I don’t recognize, typical of most on this month’s calendar. The only familiar one is Julia Michaels, who we saw open for Pink at the Moda Center earlier this week. I remember seeing the Allman Brothers many years ago at this HOB venue on New Year’s Eve. I also went to a concert back in the days when I was involved with PROMAX and their annual convention. In the meantime, I’ve had lunch there on a couple of occasions and have been to locations in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Orlando. When it comes to the blues in Chicago, I think of the House of Blues and Buddy Guy’s. Unfortunately, I never saw the actual Blues Brothers perform live, but have seen several decent imitations through the years.

This morning’s run was along the Chicago River Walk, but I wasn’t able to get far because of construction. Our room looks out over the river, between the two iconic circular Marina City condo buildings that at one time looked like something out of the Jetson’s. In the past I’ve been able to follow the Chicago River down to the Lake Michigan waterfront where you can see the famous Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. The wind is beginning to pick up here, but at least the sun is shining. This afternoon I’ll take a walk through Millennium Park to the Art Institute of Chicago near the signs marking the start of Route 66. I’ll pass Harry Caray’s, Dick’s Last Resort, Catch 35 and Smith & Wollensky as I contemplate a martini lunch. Tonight, dinner is at the nearby Chicago Cut Steakhouse. There’s always plenty to eat in Chicago, as I anticipate an Italian Beef sandwich at Wrigley Field during Saturday’s game with the Angels.

My wife is having lunch with her clients, so the afternoon is mine here in “Sweet Home Chicago.” The Museum of Broadcast Communications is also in the neighborhood, so that presents another touristy option that I’ve managed to avoid all these years. Perhaps, there will be too many reminders of my working days, but I do have good memories of listening to WLS radio for the hits and WGN-TV for the Cubs and Sox. You certainly couldn’t count on hits from the Cubs and Sox! This morning on my run it was WXRT radio through my ear buds. It’s decided – I’m on my way down memory lane before I spend any time with Rembrandt.

Old Sport Shorts: Bitter #898

April 6, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

After feeling like I pulled off a major victory by simply getting an elusive UPS package in my hands (See Post # 897), I’m watching my 17th straight Final Four without an Indiana University presence, but several Hoosier-grown players. It’s being held in Minneapolis where I watched from great CBS issued seats my Cream & Crimson lose to eventual champ Duke in 1992 Final Four action; the last of the Bobby Knight era. That game was held in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, while this year’s event is at the newer U.S. Bank Stadium. At least, there’s little danger of a roof collapse. Looking back a few decades, the Hoosiers lost to a 7th consecutive championship bound UCLA team in Knight’s second year of coaching at Indiana, but had won it all on three consecutive occasions prior to the Minneapolis loss. I have fond memories of those years, and they certainly spoiled me on expectations for Indiana basketball. That was a time when we were a perennial power and Final Four appearances were a rule rather than a rarity. I’m not bitter!

After another frustrating I.U. basketball season, I have my doubts that the program will ever see another Final Four, at least in my lifetime. This I never imagined 20 years ago. At least it will say on my virtual tombstone “Been There. Done That.” Speaking of things I never expected to see, it was almost Purdue’s turn this year, as they have somehow managed to build a far superior team with strong future expectations. The Boilermakers and Spartans led the BIG conference again this year and both made it to the Elite Eight. Only the Spartans advanced to Minneapolis and the U.S. Bank Stadium excitement. Indiana finished the year with a bitter loss to Wichita State in the disrespected N.I.T.

I remember how embarrassing it was to drive down to Bloomington, Indiana and watch the Hoosiers lose to Lipscomb University 74-69 in 2008. I had never even heard of the Nashville based school before that time. It was all part of a season that started in Maui with two losses in the Invitational and a narrow consolation victory over lowly Chaminade. The only good thing about that trip is that my friends and I ended up spending less time in the gym as spectators and more time in the glorious sunshine. It ended up being the worst season in the history of Indiana Basketball, finishing with the fewest W’s (6) since 1915–16 and a 1–17 conference record. The only win was against Iowa at Assembly Hall. That was ten years ago and marked the transition from Kelvin Sampson to Tom Crean following disastrous NCAA sanctions. This is when the bitterness really started.

Kelvin Sampson took his Houston Cougars to the Sweet Sixteen this year, while Indiana struggled under second year coach Archie Miller. Even Lipscomb was making fun of Indiana’s #1 seed in the N.I.T. “Coming live from Assembly Hall, 45% of the time they lose every time” was their Twitter statement as both teams were scraping for a spot in the Big Dance. Lipscomb ended up with a #5 seed in the Little Dance, but advanced to the Championship game after easily beating I.U. eliminator Wichita State at the Garden. The Bison then lost to Champion Texas who showed their worth as a #1 seed -just one more thing that I.U. could not accomplish this year. At least, Tom Crean, who now coaches the Georgia Bulldogs failed to make either tournament. I think you can feel my bitterness.

It seems of late that the teams I want to win consistently finish second. My adopted Oregon Ducks men’s team barely failed to get to the Final Four, while their women’s team lost in a close Final Four match-up against top ranked Baylor. In the smaller of the round ball battles, the struggling Cubs won big in their season opener to give me a false sense of positive momentum but have fallen short in six straight thanks to poor relief pitching. The “W” flag has not been flying for a week. Even my White Sox have somehow performed better, but they are still only 3-4. My I.U. frustrations have extended into baseball season with the only consolation being a 3-5 Cardinals start – each St. Louis loss is a victory for me. This shows how desperate I am to share my bitter misery with my friends. It’s as pathetic as I.U. free throw shooting and Cubs pitching, and you can brand me with a bitter “L” on my forehead.

And, one last reason to be bitter, after watching this year’s Final Four. Kyle Guy of Indianapolis just hit a clutch three and made three last-second free throws to lead the Virginia Cavaliers to their first National Championship appearance. Kyle attended Lawrence Central High School and was the 2016 Indiana Mr. Basketball. He had deep Indiana roots with a great grandfather who was the commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association and in the Indiana High School Hall of Fame for both basketball and football. I.U. somehow let him slip away in the recruiting wars, just like Michigan State’s Aaron Henry of Ben Davis High School in Indy. Granted, we got home grown one-and-done Romeo Langford, who brought much needed optimism to the program but in the end failed to meet expectations. Coach Archie Miller has made some inroads with in-state recruiting at I.U., but in the bitter end we’ve fallen short on keeping great players from crossing the border. Should we build a wall?

Retirement is not without Hassles: Living In The Past #851

February 24, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

“Living in the Past” is (or should I say was) a 1969 song by Jethro Tull. I was in my final year of high school, 50 years ago. Although they were a British group, their lyrics perhaps reflect the war in Vietnam?

Happy and I’m smiling
Walk a mile to drink your water
You know I’d love to love you
And above you there’s no other

We’ll go walking out
While others shout of war’s disaster
Oh, we won’t give in
Let’s go living in the past

Once I used to join in
Every boy and girl was my friend
Now there’s revolution, but they don’t know
What they’re fighting

Let us close our eyes
Outside their lives go on much faster
Oh, we won’t give in
We’ll keep living in the past

Oh, we won’t give in
Let’s go living in the past

Oh no, no we won’t give in
Let’s go living in the past

With all the recent genealogy work I’ve been doing, I feel like I’m “living in the past,” trying to piece together the story of my adoption. There are all these strangers, mostly dead now, that shaped my life, and I seem consumed in finding out more about them. As a result, I spend a lot of time reading obituaries and consulting Find-A-Grave. It feels a bit morbid to live in this ancestral world.

My other pastime is collecting sports memorabilia, that on the surface seems more uplifting. However, yesterday I realized that there are many similarities. In sorting out the authenticity of certain items and determining their value, I found myself once again utilizing the same resources of obituaries and graveyard data. It’s another odd way that I “live in the past.”

It must have all started in Game 4 of the 1959 World Series when #10 John Sherman Lollar came to bat for the Chicago White Sox. I had just turned 8 years old and honestly remember watching the game at home on our black and white television, maybe one of the first baseball games I ever saw. An unbelievable crowd of 92,650 sat in the stands. The game was held in the expansive Los Angeles Coliseum with a make-shift home run wall. The Dodgers, who had moved the year before from Brooklyn, were leading the series two games to one and had a four run lead in the seventh inning.

Wow! Sherm Lollar hit a three-run blast to tie the game, and in the process won my heart forever. The White Sox went on to lose the series, but Sherm’s #10 became my lucky number. His game-worn 1955 jersey is part of my collection and I installed a mirror so you can see the #10 on the back. I also wore #10 throughout my little league and softball years, but probably never did it justice.

For his defensive efforts alone as a catcher Sherman Lollar should be in the Hall of Fame. I’ve written several letters on his behalf and contacted his son, Kevin, about a potential campaign. I continue to write about his remarkable career on this blog (See Post #5). You can imagine my surprise when I was contacted the other day by a gentleman who had some of his memorabilia for sale. Personally, I was thrilled that he had come across my name associated with this childhood hero and actually read some of my articles in this blog. He immediately struck an ego chord – the first step to making a big sale.

His list of Sherm-related items included:

White Sox hat with “10” written on the underside brim
20 baseball cards, none of which are signed
Post card from Sherm Lollar’s Lanes (his retirement project)
1968 Oakland A’s official scorecard from the Yankees game signed by Sherm Lollar and Joe Keough
Oakland A’s, Tim Mcauliffe brand lime green hat,
Very early (1940’s) Baltimore Orioles jacket
Two ticket stubs from the May 8, 1968 Oakland A’s game where Catfish Hunter threw his perfect game. One of the stubs is signed “Jim Hunter”
Oakland – Alameda County Coliseum parking concessionaire stub

After yesterday’s follow-up conversation, it was revealed that he was not necessarily a baseball fan, but had purchased a storage locker full of items from Jerry Bo Lollar, Sherm’s nephew. He turns out to be the son of Sherm’s brother, Major Jerry Lollar, who was the stand-in recipient for his 1973 induction into the Chicago White Sox Hall of Fame. Included was a newspaper article and photos related to this honor. Sherm died in 1977 at age 53.

This is where yesterday’s step back into the past started. I was curious about this relationship, especially since these items should have probably been kept in the family. It’s where genealogy and baseball card collecting crossed paths, as I Googled obituaries, checked Facebook pages, and checked into graveyard data. Obviously, the seller had done the same thing, carefully researching his options on profiting from these items.

I’m not a collector willing to spend big bucks on mementos from the past. It’s why I focus on Sherm Lollar rather than Mickey Mantle and other Hall of Fame members that command big investments. I did, however, feel strongly that these items had a great story and should probably be kept together, so I made an affordable-for-me offer. Similarly, the A’s and Oriole’s stuff was not important to me, but were part of Sherm Lollar’s history as a coach. By the way, prior to this step, I did consult with about a dozen of my close collector friends to determine value. They may not have known what they were talking about?

These collectors all felt that the Orioles jacket had the most value, followed by the signed ticket stub. Like me, they reasoned that the Sherm association would not generate much auction interest. It seemed more likely to all of us that the jacket was probably from 1964-67 rather than the early 40’s. There was no manufacturer’s tag or means of identifying it as belonging to Sherm, other than it was in his nephew’s storage facility. None of us caught the “gold mine” the ticket stub might be.

The seller sent me an e-mail last night that nearly knocked me off my chair. I was at a fundraiser with my wife. There have been two previous purchases of similar “Perfect Game” ticket stubs. One sold for $4500 and the other for $1000. Neither was signed like the one currently in his possession. Unlike the others, there is a hole punch that might discourage some buyers. I was embarrassed at what I offered him, thinking that he probably was now leery of my honesty and that I might have been trying to take advantage of him. All of my friends are absolutely amazed at the price this might command, once he spends the money necessary to validate it’s authenticity. However, he might also find that it’s a fake. I can’t imagine that Jerry Bo Lollar went to that kind of trouble, although “Catfish” autographs typically include his nickname. This one just says, “Jim Hunter.”

Sherm Lollar was Jim Catfish Hunter’s pitching coach and undoubtedly advised him on strategy for that “Perfect Performance.” There are only 21 in modern era baseball history starting with Cy Young. I happen to have a ball in my collection signed by Mark Buehrle of the White Sox from his 2009 gem. It’s interesting that the great Ted Williams claimed that the White Sox would never have made it to that 1959 World Series of my childhood without Sherm Lollar, who was known to be an outstanding “diamond general” behind the plate. He guided that pitching staff to the lowest ERA in the majors. He also caught a no-hitter for Bob Keegan and a complete game for Bob Feller. If there was a hit, he had a cannon for an arm.

I’m excited for the seller of this storage locker bonanza. He makes a living as a “picker,” and perhaps has found a diamond in the rough. My friends all thought that I hit the mother lode as a Sherm Lollar fan when I got that initial phone call and photos regarding this find. I feel like I’m part of it, even if everything ends up out of my price range. It was fun to share this story with my collector friends because we’re all treasure hunters in some sense. I may never find a “pot of gold” like my new “picker pen pal,” but I did learn a few more things about Sherm Lollar and his family. It’s another great story that proves that one man’s (nephew’s) junk can be another man’s treasure.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Thy Will Be Done #823

January 29, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

One of the gravest responsibilities of retirement and life for that matter is preparing and maintaining a Last Will and Testament. Even those four words sound rather ominous as you think about laying out all of your dying wishes. The fact of the matter is that if you don’t leave a will then you dump that responsibility on your loved ones, or worse yet people that don’t care. I’ve prepared four different wills in my lifetime, working with both attorneys and even Legal Zoom. One of my wife’s recent employment benefits includes legal services, and we certainly want to take this opportunity to update our will in particular.

Our last legal paperwork was done in Texas, so this will be the Oregon version. My wife’s daughter lives here in Portland so it’s an easy decision to make her “Executor” or “Successor Trustee.” Where we end up next is always in question, so chances are we will be making future changes that might involve moving this role to one of our two other children. Our plan this time is to prepare a “Living Trust.” I’ve filled out all the forms and will take them to the attorney tomorrow. My wife and I will then work with him to determine our best strategy based on cost and effectiveness.

I tried to explain some of this back in Post #166, so like most people I’ve been procrastinating on this Last Will update for some time now. As I discovered, a living trust (inter-vivos” or “revocable” trust) is a written legal document through which your assets are placed into a trust for your benefit during your lifetime and then transferred to designated beneficiaries at your death by your chosen representative, called a “successor trustee.” It means faster distribution as the successor trustee pays your debts and distributes your assets. Also, If you become ill or incapacitated, the living trust is written so that your trustee can automatically begin making decisions, as opposed to a will, that without a durable power of attorney, the court will be in control of all related decisions, including appointing an overseer. We definitely want control of our assets and the means by which they are distributed.

The “Living Trust” seems to be the most hassle-free course of action. I mentioned this to my son on the phone today and he immediately jumped to the conclusion that this was all about my recent trip to the Emergency Room. That is not the case – I’ve simply been putting it off, and my wife’s recent legal insurance package essentially removes any cost concerns.

Preparing any will is not a pleasant process. This is why it’s too often avoided. Thoughts of leaving behind all the material goods that you’ve collected in a lifetime can be disturbing. All that you’ve worked for given away to others that probably don’t want them and certainly won’t appreciate them in the same way you did. After all, who wants a 1955 Sherm Lollar White Sox jersey other than me? Even my son is a die-hard Cubs fan. The Egyptians believed you could take them with you, but those were real treasures. (See Post #805). I’m also not a religious man, but I can’t help but think of the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

I highlighted the most important words, “Thy will be done.” After my meeting with my attorney tomorrow, I will have fulfilled this important passage. My Will will be done! Amen.

Old Sport Shorts: Bear Down #796

January 5, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

The Bears are up – not down – although it’s time to “Bear Down.” No one does it better than linebacker Khalil Mack, the “Black and Blue Man” version of a Mack Truck. He has 12.5 quarterback sacks this season, six forced fumbles, and one interception for a touchdown. #52 led the “Monsters of the Midway” defense to an 11-5 record and the NFC North Title. This effort even caused me to buy a new hooded sweatshirt, after many years of frustration. Although the transaction at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport last Sunday morning may have resulted in my credit card being compromised?

I would probably have more confidence in my Bears against the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow if the offense was equally effective. The Eagles were fortunate to earn a Wild Card berth after a bit to much off-season bragging. Da’ Bears, on the other hand, haven’t won it since 1985, when I was half as old as I am right now. That was a special year with a sole loss to the Miami Dolphins, who in the process were able to secure their still-standing “Perfect Season” accomplishment of 1972.

I would like to be comfortable with Bear’s quarterback #10 Mitchell Trubisky. I already have a place in my heart for his uniform number thanks to my baseball idol Sherm Lollar of the White Sox. A few weeks ago I also bought a “Sherm Freakin’ Lollar” t-shirt to muster a few yuks out of my fellow baseball card collectors. They know me as the only guy in the world that collects his cards and memorabilia despite the fact that he’s not even a Hall of Famer. My justification is that the cost of collecting is not as high as the super stars, and he was my true connection between baseball and childhood. This was simply the result of the televised 1959 World Series. The White Sox lost to the Dodgers, but Sherm won a fan for life.

Walter Payton of the Bears has a place on my office wall. “Sweetness” was part of that ’85 Bears Championship. When the team finally returned to the elusive Superbowl of 2007, my allegiance was fractured between the Bears and Colts, dating back to another childhood hero Johnny Unitas. I was a Baltimore Colts fan long before I was a Bears Fan, and when they moved to my then hometown of Indianapolis I was a big supporter. I attended training camps, sold advertising in their games, did promotions & commercials with the team, had personal relationships with coaches & players, and was frequently on the sidelines or a suite. Ironically, I had transferred to Decatur, Illinois, home of the original Bears franchise, when they clashed in Superbowl XLI. I could not pick a favorite.

I’m following the Colts game as I write this; fascinated with Andrew Luck’s return and T.Y. Hilton’s resilience. Plus, they have a Mack of their own. The remarkable Colts are also the first team in history to make the NFL Playoffs after a 1-5 start. I just hope that both the Bears and Colts don’t reach the Super Bowl again, even though I don’t want either team to lose. The Bears game tomorrow is on at the same time as the I.U. vs. Michigan basketball game. I will have to split my time watching. Or, I might get stuck going to the King Tut exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The sad thing is that the Bears are finally televised in Portland after weeks of being forced to follow only bits and pieces of their drives on the Red Zone telecasts. It was frustrating that they were having such a great season, and I could never watch them. They may have to last another week just so I can concentrate solely on watching a Bears game this year, as opposed to dividing my afternoon between I.U., King Tut, and The Bears.

I.U. basketball is also having a good season with a deceptive 11-2 record, 3-0 in the BIG. The concern is that their victories have been against the bottom three teams in the conference by narrow margins, along with a thorough thumping against Duke. Tomorrow they will face an undefeated Michigan team that is both leading the BIG Ten and nationally ranked. Indiana doesn’t seem to have the muscle (a.k.a. thugs) to handle the interior. Their next six conference games are on the road against top opponents, so we’ll be fortunate to win even two of those games. By the end of January, I could have a sour impression of this year’s version of the Hoosiers. I’m also worried that I may end up watching much more of the Bears game, if the I.U. team gets off to another bad start. Unfortunately, I could end up turning off the TV all together if either team doesn’t “Bear Down.”

Colts Win! A good Luck and Mack attack prevails!

Old Sport Shorts: Streaks #728

November 6, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Today marked 3600 consecutive days of my current running streak, approaching the ten year anniversary of when it started in Austin, Texas. It’s been a much cooler experience these last few years in Portland without the 100-plus degree days. It’s the first thing I do every morning, so I finished my 3.1 mile run, joined my wife for breakfast, and got the painters started. College basketball starts today and I’ll join some friends at Buffalo Wild Wings this afternoon where we are regulars. The good thing about watching sports on the West Coast is that the games start early, so I’m not wasting my evenings by the TV or missing anything when we got out.

I’m in the midst of a travel-free streak of now 23-days, but my daily routine has been constantly interrupted by contractors. There are painters in our home from 8 to 5 every day, so this means very little “me time.” It’s not like I’m working hard, but I still have to answer questions and move things around, resulting in very little privacy. Our dogs are also restless, with strangers in the house and their napping areas disrupted with tarps, paint cans, and ladders. I seek refuge in my office, but that area is about to be painted, as well. They are just going to paint the ceiling so I can avoid having to take down my prized sports memorabilia collection. In other rooms, pictures and mirrors are scattered about and my once tidy garage is littered with plants, glassware, and furniture. By next week, I should be able to continue this travel-free streak, expected to extend another 17 days. That will mean 40 straight days at home; a retirement record, and time to enjoy the sports-related memories that surround me every day.

Later this month we’ll head to Bend, Oregon with the dogs, followed by Los Angeles and Disneyworld. I just got my annual maintenance bill from the Marriott Vacation Club, a timeshare arrangement we have yet to take advantage of using. Our first experience will be Thailand in the spring, but right now I feel like I’m paying for nothing. It’s supposed to be a travel investment that will eventually pay-off, but I’m having some regrets. It will not be until my wife retires that we will have enough time to fully benefit from what is currently just a financial hassle. Our plan is to sell our residence, reinvest the proceeds, and rent. This will relieve some of the cost concerns about this “second home,” that we can utilize anywhere in the world when the time comes. Sporting events on my bucket list are a major part of my retirement travel plans.

I went to an unofficial old-timers baseball breakfast yesterday morning, if for no other reason to get away from the contractors for a few hours. It’s interesting to hear all the stories about players from the past and to share the love of baseball with others my age. Each of us collects something different in the way of memorabilia, and we often exchange gifts. I came home with a 1950’s era Luis Aparicio glove and a Chicago White Sox pin-back. I also have his autographed Louisville Slugger as part of my collection. One guy brought some old pictures of the Dodgers team as they transitioned from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. The father of a friend of my wife and I pitched for that 1955 World Series champion team by the name of Karl Spooner. He still holds the record (tied with J.R. Richard) for the most strike-outs in a Major League debut, but was credited for the loss in his last World Series appearance in a promising career hampered by injury. I was also excited that the Indiana University baseball team is coming to Seattle in March for a tournament, including a game against College World Series champion Oregon State. I will probably add that to my travel plans for next year, fulfilling another item on my list of 67 things to do before I’m 68. (See Post #642).

67 years and 3 months of continuous breathing is my most important streak of all at 24,543 days or 589,032 hours. Within this fortunate vein of longevity are all these other streaks that I often write about. To me, maintaining a streak is motivation to continue. However, I certainly wouldn’t want a streak of bad luck or a losing streak. I’ve been pretty successful at avoiding these in life. When I think of streaks, I mostly think of sports and the statisticians that keep track of these things. Even my hapless Chicago Bears have a current two-game winning streak. Here are the ten considered to be the greatest and perhaps the most unbreakable in sports history:

1. Cal Ripken Jr.

Baltimore Orioles’ legend Cal Ripken holds the record for the most consecutive games played in MLB history. His record is 2,632 games straight over a career of more than 16 years. September 6, 1995 marked the day Ripken passed the previous record of 2,130 made by Lou Gehrig. Ripken still holds the record today and is MLB’s Iron Man.

2. Doug Jarvis

Former NHL player for the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers Doug Jarvis holds the record for the most consecutive games started. Between 1975 and 1985, Jarvis started in 964 straight games. He surpassed the Garry Unger’s previous top record of 914 in the 1985-1986 season.

3. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is an especially dominate played on clay courts, and between 2005 and 2007 he won 81 consecutive games on clay. Player Guillermo Vilas held the previous record of 53 that Nadal largely passed, and no one has come close to beating his record yet.

4. UCLA Basketball

Under head coach John Wooden, the UCLA Men’s Basketball team made some impressive records. In the 1970’s, they won 88 consecutive games. They also won ten NCAA championships in Wooden’s 12 years of head coach, and hold the record for the most consecutive NCAA championship titles, winning seven in a row from 1967-1973.

5. Joe DiMaggio

New York Yankees player Joe DiMaggio holds the record for the longest hitting streak of at least one base hit in 56 straight games from May 15, 1941 to July 17, 1941. His record is still unbeaten. DiMaggio beat Willlie Keeler’s 1897 streak of 45 games, and the closest anyone has gotten to either record since was Pete Rose’s streak of 44 games in 1978.

6. Brett Favres

NFL player Brett Favres holds many NFL records, including the most consecutive starts by a player. Favres started in 297 straight games between 1992 and 2010 during his time on the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. He has also won the Associated Press NFL MVP Award three years in a row (1995-1997) and holds the record for the most career pass completions.

7. Glenn Hall

NHL player Glenn Hall, also known as Mr. Goalie, holds the record for the longest streak of games started by a goalie. During his career he started in an impressive 502 consecutive games, a record left untouched.

8. Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs hold the record for the longest World Series drought, playing 108 seasons before finally breaking it and winning in 2016. Other MLB teams have experienced long droughts as well (such as the Red Sox, 85 years before broken), but none come close to the Cubs’ record.

9. Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano retired as the World Heavyweight Champion with a record of 49 straight wins between 1952 and 1956. To end a career undefeated is an impressive feat and one envied by many athletes.

10. Oklahoma Sooners Football

Between 1953 and 1957 under head coach Bud Wilkinson, the Oklahoma Sooners won 47 games in a row and also two national championships. No team has beaten this winning streak, though University of Southern California recently game the closest with a 34 game winning streak from 2003 to 2005.

Credit TBA by Seat Geek

Retirement is not without Hassles: Un-collecting #727

November 5, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I’ve spent a lifetime collecting memories, souvenirs, keepsakes, and other tokens of remembrance. In many cases, even though I paid for them, they really have no value other than personal. They are all only worth what someone else is willing to pay, even those that might have appreciated in value. My wife collects Broadway posters & programs, Fiesta dinnerware, Limoges, signed cookbooks, silverware, jewelry, magnets, and china. She’s inherited Hummel figurines and antique crystal glassware from her mother. My mother left me a stamp collection and lots of photographs. She also collected sewing thimbles and miniatures, that inspired some of my interests in collecting, whereas my father was not a collector, disturbed by anything resembling clutter. Later in life, he put together a small collection of walking sticks, but kept them neatly organized in a corner of the house.

My neighbor growing-up collected baseball cards and coins, so I became interested in these items. Any hobby can get expensive especially if you’re collecting money, so I limited my enthusiasm to pennies. I have yet to finish a collection of Lincoln head cents dating back to 1909. In the last couple years, I’ve gone back to baseball cards as a retirement project, but I’ve tried to stay away from Hall of Fame players because they logically command the highest prices. I’ve also built collections of cuff-links, ties, and suspenders in keeping with my Dapper Dan business image that I tried to maintain while working. With any type of collecting, it’s all about supply and demand; if something is wanted and there are few in existence then the value increases. Thanks to all those moms that threw out childhood baseball card collections from the 1950’s and 60’s, prices on Mickey Mantle cards, for example, have gone through the roof. In the case of collecting pennies, worth is solely determined by the number of coins that were originally minted and current condition.

I’ve spent time in retirement organizing my collectibles and adding to them, even though I should probably be divesting. My son will be interested in some of my baseball memorabilia, but my extensive Sherm Lollar collection is probably not of interest to anyone. He was my favorite player growing up, a catcher for the Chicago White Sox in the 60’s and early 70’s. He will probably never be a Hall of Fame inductee, even though he was arguably the greatest defensive catcher in history. Cooperstown seems to be reserved for great pitchers and offensive powerhouses that often made good pitching look bad. He was my retirement foyer into collecting baseball cards again since most of his cards and memorabilia are affordable. It gave me a good sense of the variety of cards that were produced over the 17-year span of his playing career followed by several coaching stints. He touched the lives of many HOF members along the way from Yogi Berra to Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson. Who was that Masked Man? (See Post #5) and how to eventually get rid of this collection?

At this stage of life, we should be un-collecting rather than collecting, divesting rather than investing. Otherwise, my heirs are going to be stuck with a bunch of stuff that they don’t want. As I’ve learned, it’s much easier to collect things than to get rid of them. I know our family won’t be interested in items like stamps, magnets, cookbooks, photos, porcelain boxes, and even silver service. They take up a lot of space and are a dime-a-dozen on e-Bay. Ideally, we’d like to find people that value these things as much as we do, but without the joy of collecting throughout the years, they are nothing but a pile of junk. It’s a shame that in as we get older, we finally develop the financial resources to buy things we are passionate about, only to realize that they are items that nobody else wants. As they say, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” well it also goes to prove that one man’s treasures are another man’s junk!

Old Sport Shorts: Rainbows #720

October 28, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I feel that my Sports fortunes changed today, so I experienced the overwhelming need to gloat or at least rejoice. I tuned into Indiana University soccer just in time to watch them win an overtime thriller over Michigan State. I had just sent a note to my college friends to remind them that the game was on and they, in turn, warned me not to watch in the interest of the team. I texted back that it was too late, I actually saw them win live, so my luck had certainly changed. I’m sure my skeptical friends were caught by surprise, especially after listening to me bitch about the misfortunes of my favorite teams, and knowing that I could could once again watch and win.

My good friend always speaks facetiously about rainbows. Seeing them in his mind’s eye is how he supposedly maintains his cool as our teams often falter. He always encourages me to “think rainbows” instead of spouting profanities, as I often do. He’s the optimistic alternative to my pessimistic ways. He follows similar teams that I do, and has watched our I.U. football consistently forget there’s a fourth quarter, our basketball team stumble the last ten years, and the University of Oregon Ducks fall short too frickin’ often; not to mention the Cubs, Mariners, White Sox, Pacers, and Trail Blazers, so there must be merit in his words. I, on the other hand, don’t see how it really matters how I react to a loss – it’s still a damn loss! Rainbows – Schmainbows!

We’ve all had to to go outside the traditional boundaries of our interest growing-up to end the losing drought of the past few years, although the Cubs brought some relief with a long-overdue World Series Crown two years ago. We put our support behind the Oregon State baseball team to celebrate a National Championship, and have had to find solace with soccer through the Portland Timbers and our Alma Mater. The problem is that Hoosier soccer has seen great success these past few years but there are few trophies to show for it. The Timbers won it all in 2015, while I.U. lost the National Championship with only one loss all year! I saw no rainbows in that! To make matters worse, despite 35 consecutive BIG Conference victories, it was the ties that cost us the hardware. How does a true competitor react to a worthless tie that only soccer sees as an appropriate way to settle a match?

The storm has apparently passed and today marked the first signs of a rainbow. The Bears, Colts, and Hoosiers all won today, and as icing on the cake, the Packers lost. I.U. won the BIG regular season trophy for the first time in eight years going a perfect 8-0. For 31 consecutive years, the team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament, and 10 straight years before that one off-year in 1986. They have not won the BIG tournament in five years, and have never won it in basketball, that finally starts again this week. I’m hoping this optimistic rainbow over my head leads to many victories in 2019. Unfortunately, the National League could not prevail in the World Series, so my Cub’s favorites were never really in serious contention. This will have to change in years to come!

Here’s to rainbows throughout the remainder of 2018 and into 2019. 2018 has been a tough year, so I’m looking forward to future prosperity in my world of sports. I don’t expect the Bears to win the Superbowl, but I’d like to see an end to the endless criticism about draft choices, and I’d like to see the Colts see a full year of benefits out of Andrew Luck. Maybe more in 2020? Furthermore, I’d like to see freshman Romeo Langford exceed all expectations at Indiana on the basketball court, and lead the team to a pot of gold. In addition, I would wish for another Hoosier NCAA soccer title, their 9th and first in 6 years. I’d like to see another I.U. football bowl bid, and back-to-back Oregon State College World Series titles. I’d also like to see the Timbers take it all, and the Cubs or White Sox back in division contention. The Ducks and Trail Blazers are not necessarily a priority for me personally, but local favorites certainly deserve success. At least, providing a fall-back if my other favorites fail. I’ve certainly seen enough rain here in the Northwest, but not enough rainbow aftermaths to make it all worthwhile. Show me the colors of the Rainbow!

Old Sport Shorts: Division Disaster #683

October 1, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

The Cubs have gotten into the habit this year of falling behind before they can move ahead. It got them in trouble today, as the magic ran out. There was no Bote moment or two-out heroics – they just never came back. I got two messages from my die-heart-Cub-fan son today – both emojies – as the game continued to deteriorate – vomit then poop. They went predictably down to the Brewers 1-0, before Rizzo homered, one of only three Cubs hits, then fell behind again 3-1. Baez tried to set off a spark with a two-out, ninth-inning hit, but Rizzo fell short on his bid for a second long ball. As a result, the Brewers celebrated in Chicago’s house and claimed their first NL Central title since 2011. They deserved it, while my lucky Cubs socks failed to do their job.

“The Crew” finished the season strong with their 8th straight victory. They also won five out of seven games against the Cubbies, and swept the Cardinals to dominate the Division. The Cubs slowly watched it slip away, managing only 16 of 29 victories down the stretch. One more victory would have claimed the title. Instead, they’ll have to come from way behind via the Wild Card route. This time, however, they may not have a shot because they’re behind the Eight Ball.”

Drinking Champagne,

Yelich and Braun.

The Cubs look on,

Division hopes Gone.

Have the Cubs fallen behind too far this time? Can they rebound from this Division Disaster? Five years ago, fans would have been thrilled to simply have earned a Playoff spot, as would any current White Sox fan. However, this fourth playoff appearance in a row is now tainted in Bitter Brew. The Cubs get a second chance tomorrow, as the Rockies come to town, after a similar fate against the Dodgers. Jon Lester takes the mound for the Cubs seeking his 19th victory of the year. The Rockies will pack their bags and fly from L.A. to Chicago, symbolically passing over their Denver home, where both teams will start the second season by trying to forget about what happened today – tomorrow.

The Cubs will need to get more than the three hits they managed today to move forward, and chances are good that they will once again fall behind as soon as the first inning. I can only hope that they will respond as they have all year long, there will be no Wade Davis revenge, and they’ll “Fly the W” at least one more time. In the meantime, the Brewers get a day of rest and the satisfaction of taking that first positive step towards a winning their first World Series in history. They won it as the Milwaukee Braves 60 years ago with MVP Lew Burdette, along with Hall-Of-Famers Warren Spahn, Hank Aaron, Red Schoendienst, and Eddie Mathews. Will the “Comeback Cubbies” eventually earn a second chance to stop the Brewers from winning it all?

Old Sport Shorts: 18 in 2018 #678

September 27, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Tonight was the 18th victory of the season for Cub’s pitcher, Jon Lester, tying him with Max Scherzer of the Nationals for the National League leader in wins for the year. The Nats will definitely not be headed to the playoffs, but Lester and the Cubs may be able to get a few more. The Cubs also lead the league in shut-outs in 2018 with eighteen, surpassing the Cleveland Indians. These two achievements of “18 in 2018” are the sole reasons why they are still in the race. Clearly, it has not been a year of dominance, but rather a year of fingernail-biting comebacks (43 so far).

The Magic Number for the Cubs is now down to three, just to claim the National League Central. The three best records in the National League happen to be in the same division, and all three can still make the postseason. The Cubs and Brewers have already claimed two of these spots, but the regular season comes down to a three-game series against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. The math is simple: if the Cubs win all three, they’ll claim their 3rd straight division title. So, where “eighteen” was the lucky number tonight, tomorrow it’s down to “three.” The Brewers play a final three-game home-stand against the lowly Detroit Tigers, so a Brew Crew sweep could put them in the driver’s seat, if the Cubs stumble. I guess it’s what most fans want going into the final weekend of the season? Personally, I was hoping that it would be wrapped up by now. I hate the idea of the evil Cardinals having even a chance of ruining the Cubs’ final drive; especially, after the Red Birds were absolutely no help against the Brewers, losing all three on their St. Louis home field.

Admittedly, the Brewers have had another great season. They made some fruitful trades this year that have made them a worthy contender. They deservedly clinched their first playoff berth in 7 years. It’s only their fifth in franchise history, so I’m excited that they are a fresh addition to the stale line-up of traditional playoff regulars. I would hate to see them win the division, but beyond that I will support them should the Cubs falter. It would be a shame if the Cubs have to play them again, since they’ve met so many times already this year. By right, the Cubs have already proved their dominance, but unfortunately most of that was determined early in the season. In all honesty, the Brewers have been the better team since the All-Star break, and I would be very concerned about the outcome of a final battle.

I give the Cubs credit for fighting back to square the final series against the Pirates. I also give them credit for a 14-11 record down the September stretch run, despite a tough road schedule. I’m glad I got to see them win against the White Sox in Chicago, and I’m proud that they’ve somehow so-far prevented the hot Brewers from catching them in the standings. They hold a slim one-game lead and maintain the best record in the National League with 93 wins. 96 would be ideal, but 95 probably more realistic, so I’m hoping for a Tiger upset in at least one game.

What I’ve gotten to know as the “Comeback Cubbies,” as they have in too many of their games this year, it seems only appropriate that they once-again fall behind in the race before the finish. Perhaps they tie-it-up in the last game, and have to go to the extra game tie-breaker to win the division at Wrigley? Let’s hope they can get it done without that level of drama. Go Cubs and Tigers! Better luck next year White Sox!