Three hours before Game 6, I posted Hot Stove #145. The Lonnie’s Jukebox section celebrated some #1 hits from 1970, and the final selection was “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross. I borrowed from the song and finished the post with this message to the Tampa Bay Rays:
And a final word to the Tampa Bay Rays…Ain’t no mountain high enough…to keep you away from winning the World Series. Well, maybe Mookie. Continue reading
As we stand in the virtual line awaiting Game 6 tonight…
Some nostalgia to occupy you between innings or while new relief pitchers are coming in. My post on the 2020 World Series will arrive later this week.
Go Rays! Continue reading
The NLCS and ALCS did not disappoint. Both went the full seven games, and each ended with a tense and highlight-filled Game 7. Tonight, Game 1 of the World Series.
We have advanced from the Sweet Sixteen to the Elite Eight to the Final Four. Just can’t get enough of the March Madness terminology.
In the short 60-game season, the Royals played only nine teams – their counterparts in the Central Divisions of the AL and NL. The idea was to eliminate the amount of travel during the pandemic. Seven of those nine Royals opponents made it to the first round of playoffs, the Sweet Sixteen. None of the seven made it to the second round, the Elite Eight. Now we have the Final Four: Tampa Bay, Houston, LA Dodgers and Atlanta. Continue reading
Today feels like March Madness. Eight games being played by the 16 teams in the expanded MLB playoffs. Rita and I plan to have the TV on from noon to midnight, switching among the four channels broadcasting the games. Plus checking in on Game 1 of the NBA finals pitting the Lakers against the Heat in the Orlando bubble. It is a good day to be a sports fan. Continue reading
Not actually today. It was yesterday, the first day of absentee voting in Missouri. Rita and I went to the election board offices at Union Station and used our “over-65” status to cast an early ballot. It was a breeze and safely conducted in an expansive area with mask-wearing and social-distancing. Highly recommended for those eligible.
Last Thursday night, I had a dilemma. Rita and I were watching the Chiefs game, but my Twitter feed was telling me that Brady Singer had allowed no hits through six innings. Then seven innings. I switched channels to DVR the Royals game. Then back to football, but following the Royals on my phone. Two outs in the 8th – then a hit. Damn. But what an exciting night for KC sports fans.
I’ll start with a Yogi-ism. “If people don’t want to come out to the ballpark, nobody’s going to stop them.”
This quote is from the 1960s, and Yogi was referring to the sagging attendance of the Kansas City A’s caused by Charlie Finley’s persistent efforts to relocate the A’s. Charlie got his wish and moved the team to Oakland in 1968. Continue reading
Hot Stove #138 – A Season on the Edge
Just when we thought the Royals season might be gone, they win four in a row. Baseball. Let’s hope the winning streak gets extended tonight in Cincinnati. Continue reading
“Hi, my name is Ray Webb. Perhaps you’ve heard of me.”
That was Ray Webb’s trademark opening line when he met someone new. A lot of people had indeed heard of Ray. And a good number of us will never forget him.