Brewers Beat the Mets 4-1 in Our First Game of the Season - The Mets Start the Season at 0-3

 

It is a Sunday afternoon, and here we are at Citi Field to see our first Met game of the season.  The only highlight for the Mets was an RBI single by Tyrone Taylor.  The star of the game for the Brewers was rookie Jackson Chourio who hit an RBI double to drive in a run.  He also caught a fly ball Omar Narvaez hit after the Mets loaded the bases.  This is the first time the Mets started a season at 0-3 since 2014.  There are 159 games left and the season will have peaks and valleys for all teams.  Hopefully, the Mets will snap out of this poor start soon.

Our record for the season is 0-1

Game Recap

Why is this Woman Smiling?

 

Why is this woman smiling?

• Did she win the lottery for $1 Billion?
• Is she going to marry the richest man in the world?
• Did she win no Nobel Prize for Literature?

She is going to a Bob Dylan concert in Memphis.  She is Erin Callahan, a Professor of English at San Jacinto College in Houston.  She actually traveled from Houston to Memphis to see the concert.  Her doctoral dissertation from Drew University was titled I Am America Signing: Bob Dylan's Identity Unified through Linguistic Performance.

I met Erin at the Bob Dylan conference in Tulsa in 2019.  She regularly attends the monthly Bob Dylan online chats on Google Meets.

Happy Birthday Lee!

 

Lee in Tampa, FL on the Jay Buckley

Baseball Tour April 2023

It is hard to believe that my son Lee is 36 years old today.  Where did all these years go?  His Bar Mitzvah was 23 years ago.

I am going to post Lee's favorite song - Return to Sender by Elvis Presley.

The New York Mets Will Honor Bud Harrelson by Wearing a Patch

 

Bud Harrelson played shortstop for the Mets from 1965-77.  He later coached for the team and served as manager from 1990-91. Sadly, he died from complications of Alzheimer's Disease in January. He was the only person on the field for the 1969 and 1986 World Championships.  He was well-liked by teammates and fans.

Bud's statistics from Baseball-Reference

Biography from SABR

Meeting of the Casey Stengel Chapter of SABR

 

The local NYC chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research met today at Scandinavia House on Park Avenue.  After Ernestine Miller gave introductory remarks Kevin spoke about his new book The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City.  An excellent review of this book is in the New York Times.

Most of the session was devoted to a panel discussion among Laura Albanese, a special writer for sports and a baseball columnist for Long Island's Newsday, Billy Altman, an official scorer for MLB at Yankee and Mets home games, and Anthony McCarron,  a well-known freelance writer, and journalist who appears on and contributes to the SportsNet New York.  He was previously a sportswriter for the New York Daily News.  They considered issues of interest to New York baseball.  One of their topics was the "walk year" before a player can declare free agency,  After this season Juan Soto of the Yankees and Pete Alonso of the Mets can become free agents.

Jay Goldberg showed a short film where he interviewed baseball fans about their very first game. Jay previously owned the Bergino's Club House where he sold baseball memorabilia.

The program concluded with Eric Weiss's trivia contest.  I didn't do too well.

Frankie Valli at Radio City Music Hall

 

I don't know if this recording is legal.  If not, YouTube will delete it.  Some people think that Frankie lip-syncs at his concerts.  I can't tell for sure. He had four backup singers that you can call the Four Seasons, but likely, the original members of the group have passed away.  The Wikipedia entry linked above lists current and past members of the group.  He sang his solo and group hits including:

• Grease
• Let's Hang On
• Walk Like a Man
• Tell it to the Rain
• Opus 17
• Big Girls Don't Cry
• Oh What a Night (December 1963)

Remembering Bowling Alleys of the Past

 

So far nobody has told me they saw me on NY1 news when I was interviewed about the closure of Whitestone Lanes.  I announced it on Facebook, Twitter, and in this journal, but I didn't want to "toot my horn" about it any further.  When Pat Kiernan introduced the story he stated that in the last 12 years about 700 bowling alleys in the country closed.  I scratched my head and thought of some in Queens that are gone:

• Hollywood Lanes in Rego Park on Queens Blvd. I think this was where I bowled for the first time.
• Woodhaven Lanes in Forest Hills on Woodhaven Blvd.
• Tri-bowl on 63rd Drive in Rego Park across the street from P.S, 139. I think it had only 12 lanes
• Sterling Lanes in New Hyde Park
• Cross Bay Lanes in Howard Beach

Back in the early 1970s I dated some girls in Brooklyn.  Bowling was an inexpensive date.  Two bowling alleys that are still there:

• Gil Hodges Lanes
• Mill Basin Lanes - this is where Mike popped the question to Heidi

I was Interviewed by NY1 News for a story about Whitestone Lanes

 

Here is the back story on how I was interviewed on NY1 for a story about Whitestone Lanes that will eventually be demolished and replaced by an apartment building.  As a member of the Mitchell Linden Civic Association, I started a petition to stop the construction of the building.  Noorulain Khawaja, a reporter for NY1 found this petition by Googling and located me on Facebook.  She interviewed me in front of the bowling alley,

The interview

Presently, it is not known when Whitestone Lanes will close and construction will begin.  In any event, I got about 30 seconds of fame.

NYC Radio Ratings for February 2024

 

Station	Format	Owner	Dec 23	Hol 23	Jan 24	Feb 24
WLTW-FM	AC	iHeartMedia	11.3	14.3	7.7	8.4
WAXQ-FM	Classic Rock	iHeartMedia	6.7	5.9	6.6	6.9
WHTZ-FM	CHR	iHeartMedia	4.9	4.6	5.5	5.6
WNYC-FM	Public Radio	New York Public Radio	4.3	4.1	4.5	4.7
WBLS-FM	Urban AC	Mediaco Wbls License	4.5	4.7	4.8	4.6
WCBS-FM	Classic Hits	Audacy	4.9	4.4	6.2	4.6
WINS-FM	News	Audacy	4.1	3.9	4.7	4.5
WKTU-FM	Hot AC	iHeartMedia	4.7	4.0	4.0	4.2
WNEW-FM	Hot AC	Audacy	4.4	3.9	3.7	4.1
WSKQ-FM	Tropical	Spanish Broadcasting System	4.2	4.6	4.3	4.1
WABC-AM	News/Talk	Red Apple Media	2.8	3.0	3.5	3.8
WXNY-FM	Spanish Hits	Univision Radio	2.3	2.3	2.8	3.1
WPAT-FM	Tropical	Spanish Broadcasting System	1.9	2.1	2.2	2.2
WPLJ-FM	Christian CHR	Educational Media Foundation	1.9	2.1	2.1	2.2
WFAN-FM	Sports	Audacy	2.5	2.3	2.7	2.0
WQHT-FM	Hip Hop	Mediaco Wqht License	1.9	1.9	1.6	1.9
WQXR-FM	Classical	New York Public Radio	2.3	2.0	1.9	1.8
WWPR-FM	Hip Hop	iHeartMedia	2.2	1.8	1.7	1.8
WCBS-AM	News	Audacy	1.7	1.6	1.7	1.7
WOR-AM	News/Talk	iHeartMedia	1.1	1.2	1.7	1.6
WXBK-FM	Classic Hip Hop	Audacy	1.6	1.3	1.3	1.4
WNYC-AM	Public Radio	New York Public Radio	1.0	1.0	1.2	1.1
WKXW-FM	News/Talk	Townsquare Media	0.9	0.8	1.0	1.0
WSKQ-FM-STR	Tropical	Spanish Broadcasting System	0.8	0.9	1.2	0.9
WFAN-FM-STR	Sports	Audacy	0.9	0.7	0.8	0.8
WBGO-FM	Jazz	Newark Public Radio Inc.	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.6
WFUV-FM	AAA	Fordham University	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.6
WAWZ-FM	Christian CHR	Pillar of Fire	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.5
WHUD-FM	AC	6 Johnson Road	0.9	0.6	0.5	0.5
WKMK-FM	Country	Press Communications	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5
WMGQ-FM	AC	Beasley Media	0.7	0.9	0.5	0.5
WWRV-AM	Spanish Christian	Radio Vision Cristiana Management	0.7	0.9	0.7	0.5
WBBR-AM	Business News	Bloomberg Communications	0.4	0.3	0.4	0.4
WINS-FM-STR	News	Audacy	0.3	0.4	0.5	0.4
WARW-FM	Christian CHR	Educational Media Foundation	0.4	0.2	0.3	0.3
WKXW-FM-STR	News/Talk	Townsquare Media	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.3
WWZY-FM	Classic Rock	Press Communications	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.3
WADO-AM	Spanish Sports	Univision Radio	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2
WDHA-FM	Rock	Beasley Media	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.2
WFME-FM	Religious	Family Stations	0.3	0.2	0.1	0.2
WJLK-FM	Hot AC	Townsquare Media	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2
WNVU-FM	N/A	N/A	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2
WQXR-FM-HD2-STR	Classical	New York Public Radio	N/A	0.2	0.2	0.2
WXBK-FM-HD2	Country	Audacy	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
WXPK-FM	AAA	6 Johnson Road	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
WBGO-FM-STR	Jazz	Newark Public Radio Inc.	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
WCBS-AM-STR	News	Audacy	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1
WFDU-FM	College	Fairleigh Dickinson University	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
WINS-FM-HD2	Alternative	Audacy	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
WPST-FM	CHR	Townsquare Media	0.1	N/A	N/A	0.1
WEPN-FM	Sports	Emmis Radio	1.3	1.2	N/A	N/A
WFRS-FM	Religious	Family Stations	0.1	0.1	0.1	N/A
WHTG-AM	Oldies	Press Communications	0.1	0.1	0.1	N/A
WSOU-FM	College	Seton Hall University	N/A	N/A	0.1	N/A
WYMK-FM	Religious	Family Stations	N/A	N/A	0.2	N/A

WLTW is number 1 as usual. I think people turn it on in their offices and in retail establishments.  WCBS-FM dropped from 6.2 to 4.6 in one month.  I don't listen to it very much any longer since the music mix is just not for me.  They don't want older adults anyway since we are not attractive to advertisers.  They don't play hits of the 60s and 70s anymore.

WNYC-FM is doing quite well at 4.7.  I guess many intellectuals interested in the news are listening.

I am disappointed that WFUV and WBGO are low at 0.6.  They both provide excellent programming with no commercials.

Older Adults Especially Should Watch Out for the Lottery Scam

 

Yesterday there was a letter in the mail addressed to my late wife Karen with a postmark from Canada with no return address.  I opened it up and there was a note saying she had won $500,000 in a lottery.  They enclosed a check for $6,985  to cover taxes, insurance, and other expenses.  They gave me a phone number to call an agent to get instructions.  A courier would later deliver the rest of the prize.

The letter was from a lottery company in Atlanta while the check was from another company with a bank in Charlotte, NC.

It is obviously a scam.  I Googled and found that other people received similar letters.  I don't understand how they got Karen's name and address three years after she passed away.

My advice is to watch out for this and similar scams that can be sent via, snail mail, email, and the phone.

Random Thoughts of the Day - March 15, 2024

Every day there is a new story about gun violence.  It is not just in the subway or NYC.  There is gun violence throughout the United States.  Why do these people need guns?  It is too easy for people to buy guns and one can manufacture illegal guns using 3-D printing.  Sadly, too many guns are getting into the hands of mentally disturbed people.  Another day, another tragedy.

I just don't understand American's fascination with the British Royal Family.  What would happen if the mass media just ignored them?  King Charles III, the most important royal gets the least press coverage.

Tattoos are popular with people of all ages.  All I can say is to each his own.  It is your body, so do what you want with it.

 

New York City Chapter of SABR to Meet on Saturday March 23 - All Baseball Fans are Welcome

 

Our annual in-person meeting is on Saturday, March 23 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm when Casey Stengel Chapter members have another exciting program for you at Scandinavia House - 58 Park Avenue (between 37th and 38th Streets) - a short walk from Grand Central Terminal.

A Guest Presentation will be by Kevin Baker - The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City and there will be a Panel Discussion on The Pulse of New York Baseball: Present and Past with Anthony McCarron (The Mets: A 50th Anniversary Celebration - with Andy Martino), Billy Altman, and Laura Albanese. Additionally, newly added Jay Goldberg will give a Presentation on The Memory of America: Stories from a New York Baseball Clubhouse. This meeting is open to non-members so please feel free to invite a guest!

Pre-registration for this event is preferred. Please contact David Lippman, Treasurer by emailing him at kiwiwriter47@gmail.com (Credit Card, Check or PayPal). Please note that checks should be made out to New York City Committee SABR. In-person registration (Cash Only) on March 23 is also an option. It is $30 admission and $10 for students. Pre-register today!

Full Official Program:

https://sabrnyc.org/2024SABRNYCschedule.pdf

Chapter news and updates:

https://sabrnyc.org/

Inquiries and suggestions:

questions-comments@sabrnyc.org

An Example of the Media Creating the News - Are We Interested in Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana?

 In an NBC News exclusive, it was reported that Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, revealed that he was sexually abused at age 11.  He is now  59 years old.  Why should anybody care about what happened to him 48 years ago?  I never understood the fascination of the American public with the British royal family.  Charles Spencer is a marginal member of the family.  I think this is a perfect example of the media creating the news and brainwashing viewers that this is important.  I will not provide a link to the video of this story.

St. Johns 86 Georgetown 78 at Madison Square Garden

 Today's game was the Red Storm's last before the start of the Big East Tournament next week.  Daniss Jenkins paced the Red Storm with 23 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. The 6-foot-4 point guard dished out seven assists, made two steals, and blocked two shots.  The Johnnies led most of the game but didn't blow away the Georgetown Hoyas.  It was good to see a competitive game.

Game Recap

Roll Over Beethoven by Bob Dylan, Beatles, and Chuck Berry

 

Last night in Fort Myers, Florida during the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour, Bob Dylan sang Roll Over Beethoven.  Somebody was able to sneak in a recording device and posted the audio on YouTube.  Someone may take it down.

The Editorial Board of the New York Times Tells it Like it is About the Sad State of Politics

 

I suggest that my followers read this article by the editorial board of the New York Times.  I just hope that all Americans understand what is said here and vote for a democracy, not for a dictatorship.  I can't believe that millions would vote for a man indicted 91 times in four jurisdictions.  How could any woman vote for him after he was abusive to several?

I am in an oy very state of mind.