SABR Day Was Virtual This Year - Zoom Saved The Day

 

The local chapters of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) hold meetings exactly 8 days before Superbowl Sunday.  The Casey Stengel Chapter in New York City held meetings at the New York Public Library and at Scandinavian House in Manhattan.  I documented several meetings in this journal:

• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020

There was no local meeting this year since the COVID situation does not allow for large meetings.  Those described above generally drew from 80-100 people.

The virtual meeting held today commemorated the 50th anniversary of SABR.  It included congratulatory messages from players including Johnny Bench, Steve Garvey, Reggie Jackson, and Dave Winfield.

The first part of the program was an interview of National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum President Tim Mead.  He discussed how his career developed from an intern with the Los Angeles Angels to his current position.

Marty Appel, author and longtime New York Yankees public relations director interviewed broadcasting legend, Bob Costas.  The highlight of the event for me was hearing Bob describe his professional relationships with the 10 Hall of Famers who passed away over the past 9 months.

I hope that SABR recorded the event so others may view it.

Owners of IPhones and iPads should update to IOS 14.4 ASAP

 

I was watching the Today Show this morning when a short story advised owners of iPhones and iPads to upgrade to IOS 14.4.  It seems that there are so many updates to Apple products, but this one seems to be very important.  Apple stated that an anonymous researcher found that attackers may be able to remotely hack certain iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

This website from CBS News describes the situation in detail.

My Next Visit to Citi Field will be for a COVID Vaccination

A week or so ago New York City announced that Citi Field will be a mega site for the distribution of the COVID vaccine allowing for between 5,000 and 7,000 vaccinations each day.  Since I am over 65 years old I am now eligible.  However, the city exhausted its supply of the vaccine and suspended the program.

We don't know what will happen with the forthcoming baseball season.  Will there be a 162 season?  Will fans be allowed in the ballparks?  I think it is not likely at the beginning of the season.  It is possible that only a percentage of the seats will be allowed to be filled.  For that reason, I have not purchased any tickets for the 2021 season.

 

Thanks to Google Chrome and Spectrum Internet I won a Cousin Brucie - T-Shirt

I was never much of a radio contest "nut" over the years.  Usually, the DJ announces the first phone caller wins the prize.  Thousands of people dial the number milliseconds after the announcement is made, and one lucky person wins the prize.  On Saturday night January 16 Cousin Brucie gave a website and stated the first 25 people who submit their contact information will win the shirt seen above.  When I got to that site I typed in my first name and Google Chrome automatically put the rest of my contact information in the proper boxes.  That certainly saved several seconds by not requiring me to type in the information.  My Spectrum Internet then transmitted the information quickly.  The next day I received an email stating that I won the shirt.

I certainly hope that the next time WABC runs that contest Mary Shaw and Leslie Peskoff Fisch will win since they are Cousin Brucie's biggest fans.

 

I Was Born in Brooklyn in 1949 - Here is a Narrated Tour of the Borough in that Year

 

Mary Shaw who also was born in Brooklyn posted this video on Facebook.  I was born in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn in 1949, but my family moved to Queens two years later.  This film offers a narrated tour of the borough in that year.  

Will Zoom Meetings Prevail When "Normalcy" Returns?

 

Since people can not gather for face-to-face meetings during this pandemic Zoom meetings have become very popular for online classes and discussions among hobbyists.  There are more meetings online than there ever was face-to-face before the pandemic.  For example, the New York Giants Preservation Society (baseball) held about 3 meetings a year at a sports bar.  Over the past few months, this group has run meetings almost every week.  For a while, I attended these online meetings, but as long as I don't want to ask a question, I view the archived version at my convenience.  Since the meetings are online, people from all over the country can attend.

Likewise, a Bob Dylan fan group that I organized in Fall 2019 used to hold meetings at NYU in Greenwich Village.  We now hold monthly meetings online.

Once this miserable pandemic ends, will people prefer online meetings?  It remains to be seen..

Good Luck to the Biden Harris Administration

 

Today was the big day as Joe Biden became President and Kamala Harris became the first woman to become Vice-President.  There are many problems in today's society that will not disappear as there is a new team in Washington.  Mr. Biden will sign 17 executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations from the Oval Office on his first day in office.  This will help to undo the legacy of his predecessor who in my opinion never had the qualities to be president in the first place.  It is hard to believe that 74 million people voted for him.

I wish the best of luck to the new administration in all their endeavors.  Joe Biden will be president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him.  If they succeed, the American people will benefit.

On another topic, I hope that Donald Trump will be prosecuted to the fullest extent to the law on all charges.  Nobody is above the law.

Why Do People Do Such Stupid Things?

 

ESPN Reports that recently hired New York Mets general manager Jared Porter sent explicit, unsolicited photos to a female reporter in 2016.  Steven Cohen, the new owner of the Mets, stated in a Tweet: "We have terminated Jared Porter this morning. In my initial press conference, I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it. There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.

I think Jared Porter has committed career suicide.  This reminds me of the situation with former Congressman Anthony Weiner who committed a similar act using Twitter a few years ago.  His wife divorced him and lost his career in public service.

I Just Love "The Wall of Sound" but its Producer was a Murderer

 

The Crystals had many hits featuring the Wall of Sound

The Wall of Sound is a music production formula developed by American record producer XXXXX at Gold Star Studios, in the 1960s, with assistance from engineer Larry Levine and the conglomerate of session musicians later known as "the Wrecking Crew".  That unmentioned producer died today at age 81 in prison while he was serving a life sentence for murder.  I don't think there should be a tribute to a murderer.

Here is a list of some of the hits of the 60s featuring the Wall of Sound.

• He's a Rebel The Crystals.
• Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home) The Crystals.
• Be My Baby The Ronettes.
• Then He Kissed Me The Crystals.
• (Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry Darlene Love.
• Baby, I Love YouThe Ronettes.
• He's Sure the Boy I LoveThe Crystals.
• Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Bobby Soxx & The Blue Jeans.
• River Deep Mountain High -Ike and Tina Turner
• You've Lost that Loving Feeling by The Righteous Brothers
• Good Vibrations by the Beach Boy

It's Getting Better by Cass Elliot - Oldie of the Day

 

 

Last night I watched a YouTube video of a biography of Cass Elliot.  This was part of a series that was seen on the A&E Cable Network.  I certainly hope that things will get better for everyone healthwise and otherwise.

Extraordinary Security for the Presidential Inauguration

The inauguration of the president should be a joyous occasion as the Americans celebrate the peaceful transition from one administration to the next.  The two inaugurations that I recall are:

• January 1961 when John F. Kennedy took office.  It was a snow day so I was able to stay home to watch it.
• January 2009 when Barack Obama became the first African-American president.  I was working at NJIT where a viewing area was set up in the campus center.  

A report from WTOP news describes the extraordinary security provided for the Biden inauguration this coming Wednesday.  Thousands of National Guard troops are already on patrol on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, which was the site of a deadly siege by supporters of President Donald Trump last week, and elsewhere around D.C.

This is quite sad as President Trump has brainwashed his followers into thinking that the election was rigged and that he should remain as president.  I hope that an impeachment trial be done after January 20th so that Trump can be forbidden from running for office and that perks given to former presidents are denied to him.

Prayers for a pieceful day.

 

Get Together by the Youngbloods - A 1969 Hit That Has Meaning Today

 

Get Together by the Youngbloods peaked at #5 on the Billboard Chart in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War.  I remember how polarized the nation was at the point.  Please read the lyrics as it asks people to get together even if they have different opinions on political issues.

America is more divided now than at any time since the Civil War.  Hopefully, President Biden will bring the nation today at this very difficult time.  He pledged to be the President for all the people even the ones who voted for his opponent.

The events of January 6, 2021 were tragic.  Nobody is above the law and those who participated in this act must be brought to justice.  Hopefully, a former president will go to prison over this.

Still No Talk About Abolishing the Electoral College

I have written in this journal about my opinion that the electoral college be abolished in:

• March 2017
• July 2020

I still stand by the opinions that I expressed then.

In 2020 Joe Biden won the popular vote by 7 million. I can't believe that 74 million people voted for Donald Trump.  Biden's margin of victory was very small in several battleground states.  Thus Trump challenged the results in those states.  In 2000 the election was decided as George W. Bush won Florida by 537 votes.  Al Gore took the loss like a man.  Gore did have about 500,000 more popular votes than  Bush.

It would take a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College.  It would take a 2/3 majority in the House and Senate followed by approval by 3/4 of the state legislatures.  Obviously, the Republicans would oppose this, but there should be at least some movement to abolish this dinosaur that was established in the early days of our republic.

 

Changing the Subject - Ebony and Ivory By Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder - Please Read the Lyrics

 

All Things Must Pass - The tragic events of January 6, 2021, will eventually be history.  Let's think positively.

25th Amendment or Impeachment - Trump Must Go Before January 20

 

The events of January 6, 2021 were tragic, to say the least as the President of the United States incited a riot.  A few days earlier he tried to get the State of Georgia to change the results of the voting.  I just never understood why he wanted to be president in the first place as he had no interest in public service until he declared his candidacy.  He never served in government in an appointed or elected position.  He is unstable and must leave office one way or another before January 20th.  Even though this is less than two weeks away our elected officials must make a statement.

Already many Democrats have called on him to resign.  Likewise, several members of his cabinet have resigned less than two weeks after they would have to leave their office.  If Mike Pence does not meet with the cabinet to impose the 25th Amendment which would force Trump to leave office on the grounds of mental incompetency, Congress should immediately start impeachment proceedings.  If Trump is impeached and convicted, he can never run for president again.  As it stands now, Trump could run for president in 2024.  It is hard to believe that 74 million Americans voted for him in 2020.

Random Thoughts of the Day

 

I keep seeing more motorcycles on the sidewalk usually from take-out restaurants.  I notified my City Councilman and local police precinct, but of course, nothing has been done.  I certainly hope there will not be an accident. Likewise maintenance men from building ride golf carts on the sidewalk that could endanger pedestrians.

In two weeks Donald Trump will leave the White House.  He has to be the worst president in the history of this republic.  What a sore loser he is.  I doubt if he will show up to Joe Biden's inauguration.  His phone call to Georgia's Secretary of State is likely an impeachable offense.  Certainly, Trump will be facing criminal charges after he leaves office.

Several MLB free agents including DJ LeMahieu, George Springer, and Trevor Bauer still have not signed.  I think they are all asking for too much money.

RIP Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers

 It was reported yesterday that Gerry Marsden passed away at the age of 78.  It is so sad that so many recording artists of the 1960s have passed away.  My favorite hit of the group is How Do You Do It

The Beatles recorded a version of it but didn't want to release it in the early 1960s.  It did appear on Anthology 1.

I Didn't Know That Gene Pitney Wrote the Hit Song She's a Rebel

 

I found out tonight by listening to Cousin Brucie.  I never heard Gene Pitney's version until I found the YouTube version.

Best of Luck to Five Anchorwomen Who are Leaving NY1

 

I have been an avid viewer of NY1 News since the inception of the station in 1992.  All of the anchors and reporters have done an excellent job in reporting New York City News to the viewers.  Some have moved on to other news organizations or changed careers and became executives in the public relations field.

Five anchorwomen filed an age and gender discrimination case against Charter Communications, the parent company:

• Roma Torre
• Jeanine Ramirez
• Amanda Farinacci
• Vivian Lee
• Kristin Shaughnessy

The New York Times reported today that the litigation was settled and that the five anchors/reporters will be leaving the station.

This is sad since the five were excellent in their endeavors at the station and will be sorely missed by their viewers.  They were all great assets to the station.  Roma was employed by the station since its inception, while the others were long-term employees.

Some years ago Kristin Shaughnessy interviewed me about stolen cars in Flushing one morning as I walked past the 109th Precinct.  I had about 30 seconds of fame on NY1.

I hope that all of them will land on their feet and be reemployed very soon.  Perhaps they will go to other TV stations in NYC or pursue careers in related areas.