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.
Hot Stove #144 – Coming Up – The World Series; Remembering Whitey Ford and Joe Morgan
Hot Stove
Hot Stove #143 – The Final Four (ALCS/NLCS); Remembering Bob Gibson and Eddie Van Halen
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
Hot Stove #142 – September/October Madness – The Baseball Playoffs
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
Hot Stove #141 – Spiders, Indians, Perfectos and Cardinals
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.
Hot Stove #140 – Brock Seaver Sachs and Angell
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.
Hot Stove #139 – Yogi Berra – A Life Behind the Mask; Special Jukebox Edition – Political Campaigns
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
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
Hot Stove #137 – Opening Day In The Time of Coronavirus
After a league-wide 102-game rain delay, the Royals open the 2020 season tonight at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Hot Stove #136 – John Lewis – American Hero
I woke up Saturday morning with the intent to work on a Hot Stove about baseball’s long-delayed opening day. But there were early emails from Irv Blond, Diana Brewer and Bill Lochman. All with the same sad message – Congressman John Lewis had died Friday night.
New plan. Must write about John Lewis. Continue reading
Hot Stove #135 – Play Ball, Tip Your Cap and Enjoy Some Moments
Are you ready for some baseball? Looks like the clouds are parting. Continue reading