Cleaning out the inbox

The cleaning of the inbox continues with a few notable articles to peruse at your leisure.

Bruce Markusen's Card Corner for the Baseball Hall of Fame starts out with a reference that I should have seen, never have previously, made me howl with laughter and will now never leave me with his comparison of the Phillies slugging outfielder Johnny Callison with the actor Edward Winter- best known to fans of MASH as Colonel Flagg!
Markusen's article made me laugh with the remembrance of some of the best lines of Winter/Flagg. "The Wind just broke his leg" along with the career of Callison, who had the Phillies not blown the pennant in 1964, would have been the likely National League MVP.



SABR is in the middle of an extensive series that looks at ownership history for each team and it is tremendously interesting to read about the attendance and the triumphs and failings of the various teams through the years.
The series has just started, but the Indians and Giants have already been posted.

ESPN writes about one of my favorites in Dale Murphy in a long article.
Dale Murphy seems to be one of the rare people in public life that seems to be exactly as his image portrays and the article also looks at the generation that grew up watching him on WTBS.
Author Wright Thompson has written several terrific articles for the Worldwide Leader.

The Altoona Mirror writes about the history of the team's theme song "Everybody Loves Curve Baseball".
Played every time the Curve scores a run as well as other times during the game, the song is sung by a Slovakian group and the words are written to the music of a Slovakian hit.
I'm not sure that you can go to a Curve game and not hear or remember - Everybody Loves Curve Baseball.


In the Canadian Football League, a huge rivalry was once played for a trophy that now isn't awarded at all.
The Harold Ballard trophy was awarded to the winner of the season series between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts and it was named after the unpopular owner (who named it after himself) of the Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
That seems awkward to start with- an owner that owns a team in each city that generally doesn't care for each other with Toronto looking down on Hamilton's working-class status, Hamilton disliking Toronto's metropolitan status along with never forgiving the Leafs for always (along with the Buffalo Sabres) foiling Hamilton's perpetual efforts to bring an NHL team to their town.
Add to that the bombastic and cheap owner, it was almost as if Canada had their own "Mr.McMahon" 30 years before the heel owner existed.

Last Saturday's football game between Texas Tech and Houston left me a little conflicted as the former SWC rivals played in a non-conference game in Lubbock.
While I've been a Red Raider fans since I was a child, I actually watch more Cougars games now with scheduling.
I did watch as a reasonably passive observer, the SWC Roundup did an excellent job at looking back at the series between the schools and their game history.
I would have liked a look at their 1976 game in which both teams entered the game in the top ten in the nation and Houston's 27-19 win would be the tiebreaker in deciding which team would represent the SWC as champion in Dallas for the Cotton Bowl against undefeated Maryland.
Houston would defeat Maryland in that game 30-21.

We wrap with Philadelphia Magazine's ode to Mayonnaise and why it says millennials have killed that condiment.
I sure would not report its demise, but then again I'm not of that age bracket either!
I won't be stopping my use of it, that is a promise that I can easily keep!

CFL Memories

I've been listening to a CFL podcast of late and was able to reconnect with an old friend, Joe Pritchard, who is one of the hosts of the podcast.
Joe and his fellow hosts have reignited my CFL interest and I'm having to re-learn the league's rosters again, but I'm having fun doing just that.

I was a pretty big CFL fan in the early 80's when we first had cable available and ESPN showed a lot of CFL games.
Somewhere in the archives, I still have a booklet that ESPN sent out upon request that explained the rules and a little history on each team.
During that period, I mainly rooted for the Ottawa Rough Riders, even though they were terrible because they had J.C. Watts as their quarterback (remember my Oklahoma fandom in the Barry Switzer days?) ,but I also rooted for a team in the same division as well- the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and when Watts retired, I rooted more for the Ti-Cats.
I've always spoken well of the league to others and tried to make a few fans by recommending its high-octane and fast-paced game.

ESPN gave up the CFL rights in the US and the rights through the years shuffled between several networks and currently is back with ESPN, who streams a lot of the games and shows a fair amount on the "over the air" stations until the fall and the college season begins,but my peak CFL interest was the middle 90's and early 2000's with this thing called the internet and a device long forgotten-WebTV.

WebTV was our first entry on the WWW and one of the neat things was discovering Usenet, which was a message board on about every topic you could dream of including the CFL and hosted chat rooms on tons of topics as well.
Those chat rooms most notably here are remembered by the lovely Cherie meeting what turned out to be her best friend, Christine in a homeschooling chat room in what Cherie says was the ONLY time she ever entered a chat room!
I didn't use the chat often, but I did spend lots of time on Usenet discussing the CFL and actually listening to the audio of live CFL games.
This was after the Baltimore franchise had moved to Montreal to become the "new" Alouettes after the CFL's American expansion, I had watched a lot of those games and was very knowledgeable about the league and wanted to "talk" with other fans.
I was arguably more of a CFL fan than an NFL fan then as Baltimore had stolen the Browns and then had no further use for their CFL Stallions and passionately rooted for the Tiger-Cats.

I was a Doug Flutie fan as almost everyone was, but I liked other passers as well such as Damon Allen, Tracy Ham and my favorite of all- Matt Dunigan.
I was happy when Dunigan joined Hamilton following his season with the defunct Birmingham Barracudas, but alas Dunigan would play just a few games with the Ti-Cats with his career ending due to concussion issues and just one football card in a Hamilton uniform,
Dunigan was a quarterback before his time with a strong arm, but at 5'11, Dunigan didn't even have an NFL opportunity.
Had he played today, he would have at least been drafted and given a chance and he might have been an NFL starter in today's game.

Hamilton became even more fun to follow in 1998 and 1999 under new head coach Ron Lancaster as they split a pair of Grey Cups with Calgary.
CFL veteran Danny McManus manned the quarterback position with hard running back Ronald Williams combining with receivers Darren Flutie and Mike Morreale to pace a strong offense, but the defense was the best part for me with rush end (basically the CFL's version of a 3-4 outside linebacker that rushes the passer) Joe Montford along with CFL veteran linebackers Calvin Tiggle and Lamar McGriggs with a punishing hitter in Canadian safety Rob Hitchcock to lead the defense to two Eastern titles.
Somewhere in the archives, I have an official 2000 Grey Cup Football from those teams and I should dig it out sometime.
The CFL football is a little different than the NFL ball, a little thicker around the middle makes it a stubbier looking ball that you really cannot tell unless it is side by side with another football.

Another Ti-Cat that I liked was electric wideout Earl Winfield, who I remembered at first from his college days at North Carolina and even though Winfield wasn't part of the Grey Cup title teams (Winfield retired a few years before), he still was my favorite player from the era of the 80's.
Winfield was one of those players that you didn't want to take your eyes off because when he touched the football, he had the potential to take it to the (larger) end zone.
I was able to meet Earl (Now a CFL Hall of Famer) a few years back when Winfield and I appeared on a local radio show and what a class gentleman he is!
I took a picture with Earl, had him sign some cards and a Hamilton mini helmet and it ranked right up at the top with the famous people that I've been able to meet.

The Tiger-Cats have a new stadium now and I still haven't kicked the habit of calling their home Ivor Wynne (the name of the old park), so it'll be a little different as I start to watch more CFL, but there will be quite a few players that I'll be familiar with and it won't take me long to get back to speed.

There is one more thing that I love about the CFL and that is the better than average chance of getting some snow football during the postseason.
And with only one of the league nine facilities being indoors after Toronto's recent return to the great outdoors, even the championship game has a reasonable chance of inclement weather.
I remember quite a few snow classics during my years watching the CFL.
1993's Western Final with Edmonton upsetting Doug Flutie and Calgary, 1994 with BC on a miracle run to the championship (BC won two road games and then the Grey Cup over the top three teams in the league by a total of five points) in pulling a massive upset again over Calgary and Flutie with a touchdown on the last play of the game that ranks as the best CFL game I've ever watched and 1996's Grey Cup at Ivor Wynne with Flutie and Toronto holding off Edmonton in the snow daddy of them all for me, to just name a few.
Snow football is just so much fun to watch and the CFL allows you to see many battles in the white stuff!





Hope you enjoyed some of my CFL memories, I have a CFL Forgotten Superstars entry planned in the future and maybe even something else perhaps as well, if time permits.
Back later with game two of the Cavaliers and the Warriors-hopefully some real referees show up for this one!

Cleaning out the inbox

We return to clean out the filling up inbox with a few notes and news!

The Houston Astrodome recently had a "yard sale" selling all sorts of stuff from the "eighth wonder of the world"which was the first domed stadium that opened in 1965.
The Astrodome looks headed for demolition after Houston voters defeated a plan to renovate the old girl,but before the vote,the sale was held with seats,turf,lockers etc available for sale.
Why do I never hear about these types of things until it's too late?
I would love to install in my sports room,seats from Cleveland Municipal Stadium,Three Rivers Stadium,Richfield Coliseum and yes,the Astrodome....

My beloved Aunt Becky sends word of the opening of the new Westbound Inner Belt Bridge in Cleveland.
We have written here in the past about the decrepit state of the two inner belt bridges to the point that Becky refuses to drive on them!
With the West bridge completed,work will now commence on the new Eastbound bridge after the old one is demolished.
The West will hold two way traffic until the Eastern is completed in 2016...

More Grantland as an Atlanta lifer discusses his pain on the Braves leaving Atlanta for the suburbs of Cobb County GA.
It's an article filled with pain from a team leaving town,even if it is just 20 miles or so.
It could be worse,you could lose them to Fredericksburg VA. Sniffle.

Congrats to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for their upset win in the CFL Eastern Final on Sunday over the hated Toronto Argonauts in Toronto!
The win boots the Cats to the Grey Cup against Saskatchewan Sunday and rest assured I'll be on the couch watching and rooting for the Tabbies!
Before the game,the Canadian press was filled with articles on the heated Hamilton-Toronto rivalry.
The Toronto Globe and Mail's take is here,the Toronto Sun looks at it here and the Hamilton Spectator glances from the Eastern Ontario side.
I am considering coverage of the Grey Cup since I will be able to watch it live!

This Thanksgiving is a rarity as Thanksgiving and Hanukkah crossover on the same date for the first time since 1888 and for the last time until 79,811.Thats right 79,811.
It is because the 28th is the earliest that Hanukkah can start and the latest that Thanksgiving can be held.
The Baltimore Sun takes a look at all the possibilities here.

Battlin' Bob sends me word that the Cleveland Browns have found their 1946 All American Football Conference trophy in a garage in North Carolina.
The trophy was with a former minority owners grandson and discovered on a TV show named "Garage Gold".
Great to have this piece of Browns history where it belongs!

We wrap up with my friend Tricia sending me a link from NPR about the work being done to make sports video games commentary better and better.
I remember those robotic early SEGA Genesis games and their basic commentary and they have come a long way!
I still shudder remembering the first play by play game-Joe Montana's football for SEGA, "Back to pass,better hurry".
It was delivered far duller than it reads!

Ah,the inbox is now clear for a while.Thanks to all who sent links and remember full credit for anything I use.

Photo Credits;
Astrodome and CFL:Unknown
Trophy:Cleveland Browns

Random Ramblings

The Pirates have won their last four games since we last wrote, winning two each vs the Rockies and Astros.
They conclude today vs the Astros in Houston.

An internet rumor stated that Daniel Moskos was going to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2008 season.
However, the Pirates announced that Moskos has no health issues, but has been removed from live action to "Correct a mechanical flaw".
No word on removing Dave Littlefield from action to "Correct a mechanical flaw" in his head.

More on Moskos-Moskos was recently removed from a State College game without recording an out.
Moskos has a 5.68 ERA in his five games in State College, and the controversy continues over his selection.
So, Moskos was picked because the Pirates thought he was near ready for the bigs and would accelerate through the system, yet he cannot get anyone out in Short-Season play?
Geez.............

Final word on Moskos- IF this turns out to be a health issue, the furor over this pick will intensify and could be the final straw in sending the Captain packing off to sea.
And take this apparently bargain basement medical staff with you!!!

Speaking of that terrific medical staff, check this read on Lynchburg pitcher Clayton Hamilton.
Hamilton was told for a year that he had an oblique strain when actually he had a broken rib and pitched with it all season!
Seems to me, if Hamilton's career sputters out, he has quite a lawsuit possibility going vs the Pirates and their medical staff.

Nice article sent to us by Battlin Bob on the aftermath of Baseball in Montreal after the Expos moved to Washington.
Anyone else miss the 70's outfield of the future of Warren Cromartie, Andre Dawson, and
Ellis Valentine???

Another Expo-related article on how the Vermont Lake Monsters (formerly Expos) have a special Expo day every year.
The Vermont team is the closest in affiliated baseball to the city of Montreal and is a step below the Hagerstown Suns in the Nationals system.

And speaking of the Suns- Nice work with two good late-season promotions with Nationals t-shirt day and mini-bat day.
Kudos to the Suns.

Canadian filly champion Dance Smartly died at 19.
She was the first Canadian-based and bred horse to win a Breeders' Cup race with her Distaff win in 1991.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats looked pathetic in a 27-9 loss in Montreal.

3 Nick Setta field goals were all that the Tabbies could muster on the board in a lifeless effort.
The Cats fall to 1-7 in the season and play Toronto at home on Labor Day Monday in a traditional CFL battle.

Romeo Crennel says Brady Quinn will not be the opening day starter for Cleveland, despite the rookie's solid preseason performance.
Smart move, there is plenty of time for Quinn to see game action later in the year.

For those of you waiting for Browns, Seahawks, and Ohio State previews,I am just waiting until baseball season wraps up for the pro preview,s and the Ohio State one should be a day or two before the opener.

And in High School action, the Ashland Arrows won their opener over the Willard Flashes in Willard 35-21.

The score was a bit deceiving in its closeness, as the Arrows shot out to a 28-0 lead.
The Arrows should get a tougher battle in their next two games.
Their home opener is next week against the always tough Bellevue Redmen, and the following week at the Shelby Whippets.

Shelby is one of the Ohio towns damaged by the massive flooding, and whether the game will be at Shelby or a neutral site is still to be determined.

Guess that covers the notes, back to normal Pirate coverage tomorrow!!

Photo Credits
Ashland Football-Ashland Times-Gazette-Duane Martin
Dance Smartly-Fort Erie Racecourse
Jason Maas-Canadian Press