I Didn't Wait for 2 Hours and 47 Minutes to see the Mets to Lose 10-5 to the Houston Astros in 11 Innings

If it is Sunday, Lee and I are at Citi Field watching the Mets.  The Astros took a 4-0 lead with a home run by Jon Singleton in the second inning followed by two runs in the fourth inning followed by a single run in the fifth.  The Mets had no hits until the sixth inning when Mark Vientos doubled to left scoring Nimmo and Alonso.  Brando Nimmo hit a two-run homer at 4 in the seventh inning.

The score stayed tied until the middle of the ninth inning at 4 PM when it started raining very hard.  We decided not to stay since we were getting hungry and we sensed there would be a very long rain delay.  We went out to dinner at Ginos of Whitestone and then returned home.

The game resumed at 6:45 PM after a 2 hour and 47 minute delay.  There were some diehards in the stands who stayed.

Both teams score in the 10th inning to tie the game at 5. Matt Festa, a New York native made his Mets debut and first big league appearance this season and gave up all five runs in the 11th to lose the game.

Game Recap

 

Bob Dylan was Featured at the Outlaw Fest at Jones Beach

 

Wantagh, New York Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater June 29, 2024

1.	Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on piano)
2.	Shooting Star (Bob on piano and harp)
3.	Love Sick (Bob on piano)
4.	Little Queenie (Bob on piano) (song by Chuck Berry) (Tony on standup bass)
5.	Mr. Blue (Bob on piano)(song written by DeWayne Blackwell) (Tony on standup bass)
6.	Early Roman Kings (Bob on piano and harp) (Tony on standup bass)
7.	Can't Wait (Bob on piano)
8.	Under The Red Sky (Bob on piano and harp)
9.	Things Have Changed (Bob on piano)
10.	Stella Blue (Bob on piano) (song by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia)
11.	Six Days On The Road (Bob on piano) (song by Earl Green and Carl Montgomery)
12.	Soon After Midnight (Bob on piano and harp)
13.	Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob on piano and harp)
14.	Simple Twist Of Fate (Bob on piano) (Mickey Raphael on harp)
15.	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob on piano and harp)

The setlist above is certainly different from the ones at the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.  There were songs from several periods in his career plus covers.  My favorite was Highway 61 Revisited.  I was intrigued by Mr. Blue, a cover of a 1959 hit by the Fleetwoods.

It took us about an hour to drive to the theater.  We had to park far from the theater, but we are walkers.  We caught the very end of the opening act, Celisse.  She was followed by Allison Krause and Robert Plant.  Dylan was next.  

Willie Nelson was to appear but was taken ill.  His son Lucas led a band that played covers of Willie's hits.  We didn't want to stay to the bitter end to avoid traffic at the end of the concert.  About 15 minutes into our trip home it began to rain.  At least it didn't rain during the concert.  Most of the people were middle-aged or elderly like myself.

Cell phones were allowed at this venue.  I did take some photos, but I was too far away from the stage.

I had seen Dylan at Jones Beach several times in the past.  The opening acts were:

• Santana
• Ani DiFranco
• Paul Simon
• Leon Russell
• Laura Nyro

The New York Times Editorial Board Calls on Joe Biden to Leave the Race

 

Based on his performance on Thursday night's debate the New York Times editorial board has called on Joe Biden to leave the race for president.  I have gifted this article so that my readers can click on the link and get access to it.  Many good points are made, but it does not discuss the consequences of Biden's leaving the race.

Since no more primaries exist, a new candidate would have to be chosen at the Democratic National Convention.  How many Democrats would throw their hats into the ring?  Would this phenomenon splinter the party so badly and allow Trump to win.

We have to hope for the best.

Mets Hang on to Beat Yankees 9-7 in Game 1 of the Subway Series

 

It appears that Yankee pitcher Gerrit Cole may not have completely recovered from his injuries as he gave up 6 runs and 7 hits in 4 innings.  This included home runs by Mark Vientos (2), Harrison Bader, and Brandon Nimmo.  Juan Soto hit a home run in the fifth inning to make the score 6-1.  The Mets scored three more runs in the sixth inning to make the score 9-1.  It appeared to be a blowout at this point, but the Yankees fought back.  Their comeback featured a grand slam by Aaron Judge.  I was so afraid that the Mets would collapse and lose the game, but the bullpen without the suspended Edwin Diaz closed the door on the Bronx Bombers.

I am guessing that about 40% of the crowd was Yankee fans who went crazy when Judge homered.

Lee posed with Grimace before the game

The Mets are now 10-2 in the Grimace era.

I Got a 4th Generation Amazon Echo

In November 2016 I bought an Amazon Echo.  I used it primarily to listen to music.  I would regularly say  "Alexa, play Pop Gold Radio."  I also would say "Alexa, play Bob Dylan."  Suddenly, the top came off the cylinder and I could not place it properly.   No product lasts forever,  I can't complain as I got 7 1/2 years of use out of it. I thought it was time to get a new one.  The 4th generation Amazon Echo is shaped like a ball and does the same things as the older model.

 

Too Many Fish in the Sea - Versions by The Marvelettes and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels

 

 

 The Marvelettes version peaked at #25 on the Billboard Chart in 1965

   

 The Mitch Ryder version peaked at #24 in Billboard in 1967.  The two versions are quite different.

Thank Goodness I Don't Have to Be Concerned About Amtrak/NJ Transit Overhead Wire Problems

 

For the third time this week, overhead wire problems caused massive delays for riders of Amtrak and New Jersey Transit.  Whenever I feel down, I am grateful I don't have to commute from NYC to Newark as I did for 25 years.  One of the reasons I decided never to revisit my former employer was the fear of getting caught in a miserable train delay.

Can Amtrak solve this problem?

Remembering Willie Mays 1931-2024

 

Last night we got the terrible news that Willie Mays passed away at 93.  There is nothing that I can add to the tributes that have come in over the last day.  Above is a tribute video narrated by John Miller.

SABR Biography by John Saccoman

Willie Mays' statistics from Baseball-Reference

Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas - Appropriate Oldie for the Next Several Days

 

You don't need a weatherman to know that the next several days will be hot.  This oldie never appeared in Bruce's Journal

My Father's Day Present Mets 11 Padres 6

The Mets are surging as they won their 5th in a row, 9th out of their last 11, and 11 out of 15.  There is a very long time to go in the season, but the Mets are only 1 1/2 games out of the last wild card spot.  Francisco Lindor led off the game with a home run while Pete Alonso had five RBIs.  I just hate reading stories that the Mets will trade him before the deadline at the end of July.  J. D. Martinez was 2 for 3 with a pair of walks to continue his hot streak.

There was a scare in the eighth inning as the bullpen faltered allowing the Padres to score 4 times to make the score 7-6. The offense answered back in the bottom half as Alonso capped a four-run frame with a two-run single.

The Mets now travel to Texas to play the Rangers and Chicago to play the Cubs.  They will return to Citi Field on June 25 to play the Yankees.

Game Recap

 

Pat A. Riley, an Avid Listener of Cousin Brucie, Has Passed Away

 

Back in the day one had to live near NYC to hear Cousin Brucie on WABC radio.  I guess there were some dxers that could pull in the station, but reception could be spotty.  When Cousin Brucie returned to WABC in September 2020 he could be heard on the internet worldwide.  One of his most avid listeners was Pat A. Riley from Texas seen above with the Cuz.  He actually drove to New Jersey from Texas to meet him.  He phoned Cousin Bruce quite often.

His sister announced today on Facebook that Pat passed away.  It is a shame that my last two journal entries announced passings.  Last December, Pat asked me to send him a file of his recent conversation with the Cuz.  As a big Buddy Holly fan he requested Rave On.

Pat Riley with the Cuz on December 30, 2023

My condolences to his family and friends.

My Uncle Simon Wagman Passed Away at 101

 

I found out this week that my Uncle Sy passed away in Washington, D.C. at 101.  I remember him best for his kindness and generosity to the family.  I am grateful that he lived a long and wonderful life.

His obituary in the Washington Post

Mets 10 Marlins 4

 

My 20-game plan included a few mid-week games including Wednesday night's matchup vs the Miami Marlins.  The Mets' offense featured home runs by Harrison Bader, Starlin Marte, and Franciso Lindor.  At the end of five innings, the Mets were ahead 6-4 when starting pitcher Dave Peterson was removed.  I crossed my fingers that the bullpen could hold the lead.  Dedniel Núñez, Jake Diekman, and Reed Garrett held the Marlins scoreless over the last 4 innings as the Mets' hitting helped by some sloppy defense by the Marlins won 10-4.

Game Recap

Adriana Harmeyer - Latest Jeopardy Superstar

 

I consider any contestant who wins ten or more games a Jeopardy Superstar.  With last night's 10th victory, Adriana has won $225,700.  According to The Jeopardy Fan, the only women who have exceeded her dollar amount in regular competition are Amy Schneider, Mattea Roach, Julia Collins, and Hannah Wilson.

Adriana is an archivist for university history at Purdue.  Thus she is a librarian.  Her education and job history are documented on her LinkedIn account.

We don't know how many games she will win since we don't know her future competition.  The luck factor in Jeopardy is hitting the Daily Doubles and getting them correct.  I wish her well in her Jeopardy appearances and her career as an archivist.

Think by Aretha Franklin - Random Oldie of the Day

 

When I have writer's cramp, I just post a song.

The 60s 70s Show with Bob Radil Will Return on Friday July 5 - Best Radio News in Years

 

For several years, I listened to the 60s 70s Show on Friday nights on WNHU - New Haven or on Rewound Radio.  Sadly, in Fall 2019, a dispute between two radio people forced the show off the internet.  Friday nights have been different for almost five years.  Here is the announcement Bob Radil just made stating the show will return on July 5.

Plans are in the works for a return of the 60s70s Show.

The date ---  July 5th, 2024 --- is penciled in!

The time – 6:00 PM, Eastern USA time!

A couple details yet to be worked out, but we’ll do our best.

But mark the date on your calendars!

*  *  *  *

Technical improvements have been done.

Server repairs and upgrades have happened.

Our internet service has also been greatly improved.

You be able to hear us on Pop Gold Radio or the 60s70s+ Channel.

Our 60s70s+ streams are working perfectly! We’re striving for the highest audio quality. These streams will work on most, if not all, Windows computers, Mac computers, and handheld devices.

We’re looking to supplement the Pop Gold Radio service.

We also have a neat new website feature called ''The Listener Lounge''. It’s basically a message board, but with a few added features. Features include the display of the title and artist of the record currently being played, an image of the record currently being played(if loaded), and free coffee! Check it out!

We’ve already done a few ''Bob and Snoop'' shows.

Stay tuned for more details as they happen.

We’ll be stocking up on coffee and air guitars!

Snoop is here. ''Supercat'' is here. We hope you will be here, too!

Yes... it's been WAY too long.

Over the years I have made several posts in this journal about the show.

Happy Jack by the Who - Random Oldie of the Day

I hope everyone is happy today.

 

Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix in "Honor" of the Congestion Pricing Controversy

 

Since I never drive my car into Manhattan, congestion pricing is not an issue for me.  I see both sides of the problem as money is needed to improve mass transit, but this new tax can burden businesses and the general public.  IMHO, this pause is a political ploy by the governor not to antagonize voters.  Too much money has already been invested in infrastructure needed to support congestion pricing.  I predict it will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Still Crazy after All These Years by Paul Simon - Reminds Me of a Reconnection with an Acquaintance

 

I knew HF when I was active in a Jewish singles group in Queens from 1978-81.  He was an avid sports fan and went to countless events.  He sat in section 1 of the upper deck of Shea Stadium with Fuzzy and his crew of diehards.  He would watch one game in person and listen to another on his little transistor radio.  He had a one-track mind and could only talk about sports.

I reconnected with him when I saw him at the trivia events at Commonpoint Queens in Bayside.  He was a sloppy dresser back then and still is. He can still only talk about sports.  Now he sits in Section 515 of Citi Field with Mike and his crew of diehards.  I will speak to him, but keep a distance as I want to look ahead to the future, not back upon the past.

He is "still crazy after all these years."

Mets Lose to the Diamondbacks 5-4 on a Blown Save by Jake Diekman

This is not Jake Diekman

The only good thing about the afternoon was the Darryl Strawberry bobbleheads we got as we entered the ballpark.  Ketel Marte hit a home run on the third pitch of the game.  Later that inning Lourdes Gurriel Jr, homered to make the score 2-0.  The Diamondbacks plated another run in the second inning to make the score 3-0.  In the third inning which featured back-to-back triples by Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez, the Mets scored four runs to take the lead.  There was no further scoring so as we entered the top of the ninth inning I was cautiously optimistic that the Mets could pull out a victory.  Jake Diekman was brought in and gave up a double to Gabriel Moreno and a home run to Ketel Marte to win the game for the visitors.

Manager Carlos Mendoza made a poor decision by not letting 8th-inning reliever Adam Ottavino finish the game.  He was effective and had a low pitch count.  Even with the three-batter rule there are just too many pitching changes.

Game Recap

 

June 1 is National Game Show Day

 

I will list  some game shows I have watched over the years.  Many are no longer seen:

• Jeopardy
• Wheel Of Fortune
• Family Feud
• 25 Words or Less
• Concentration
• Beat the Odds
• Break the Bank
• The Who What or Where Game
• Password
• Pyramid
• Twenty-One
• TicTac Toe
• The Price is Right
• Let's Make a Deal
• Hollywood Squares
• $64,000 Question
• Master Minds
• The Chase
• The Weakest Link

I am sure there are many more.