Lee Lowenfish

I don't recall a more chaotic opening to an MLB season than this one.  A look at the standings on Monday morning April 13 reveals that only the filthy-rich but well-run Dodgers possess a record comfortably over .500 at 11-4. The Braves are at a solid 10-6, but no other team is more than three games over .500.  Contenders like the Yankees and Brewers are dealing with 5-game losing streaks and a marginal contender like the Astros has lost 7 in a row.  The non-contending Athletics - in a holding pattern for 3 more years playing in a minor league stadium in Sacramento before they move to Las Vegas - came into NYC last week and won the last 2 games and the series over the Yankees and then over the weekend swept the Mets and are now 8-7. The St. Louis Cardinals who I thought would be non-contenders this year are holding their own a game over .500  Their fans have been historically among the most loyal, but have been turned off by poor teams in recent years. They are still skeptical but if they win enough, they'll likely come back to the ballpark. Patience may have been rewarded with the development of exciting outfielder Jordan Walker.

  

What explains this early example of genuine competitive balance where no team is yet truly buried? It is, of course, only a small sample size of around 15 games, but I think part of the reason is the new ABS system (automated ball-strike) has empowered pitchers, catchers, and batters to appeal plate umpire calls at least twice a game. And if players win the appeal, theoretically a team could get positive calls for the entire game.  There is no doubt that walks have increased with the new system, but in the firm opinion of L.D. (Lively Dinosaur) Lowenfish, MLB doesn't need more of the Three True Outcomes - Home Runs, Strikeouts, Walks. ABS at its worst is creating another break to the rhythm of a beautiful if difficult game that shouldn't be more robotized and constantly bombarded with questionable new statistics (sigh). 

 

Cold weather has probably also been a factor in so many bad offensive performances by supposedly good teams.  Mets owner Steve Cohen was surprised that most fans didn't take up his offer of free tickets for day games last week that were played in 35-degree weather. He shouldn't have been surprised except by an odd 410P starting time for one weekday game. Cold weather probably is a big factor in the number of injuries this early in the season. I fear that too many players have been either unprepared or overprepared in their pre-game physical work.     

 

Oh, for the days when the season opened in mid-April not late March and was "only" 154 games equally spaced among the teams in two leagues of eight teams and then one World Series.  Of course, that schedule is not ever coming back because of expansion to 14 more teams.  At least, MLB will commemorate again Jackie Robinson Day this Wed April 15, the 79th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color bar. He was playing a position new to him, first base. Branch Rickey's close friend, Hall of Famer George Sisler, had helped teach JR the defensive basics in spring training. Although he went hitless in his debut, Jack sparked the game-turning rally in the bottom of the 7th with a walk and a stolen base as the Dodgers won 5-3 over the Boston Braves. Lanky Howie Schultz did go in for defensive purposes at first base in the 9th inning but before the end of the month, he was traded to the Phillies and Robinson soon settled into full ownership of first base. For that year alone - with the development of onetime catcher Gil Hodges, Jack moved to second in 1948. 

 

Here's a little plug - I've been invited to appear on a panel at Stamford CT's main Ferguson Library on Fri Apr 24. The evening opens with a 6P screening of

"42", starring Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey and the late Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson. It will be followed by a panel with Keith Evan Crook. author of the recent OPENING THE DOORS FOR JACKIE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BASEBALL'S INTEGRATION (McFarland) and Peter Eisenstadt who just came out with JACKIE ROBINSON AND THE QUEST FOR BLACK CITIZENSHIP (U of Virginia Press).  The Ferguson Library is located at ! Public Library Plaza in the historic DiMattia Building that is about a 10-minute walk from the MetroNorth train station. All buses at train station head there.  More info at 203-964-1000. 

 

One more plug:  I'll be discussing another chapter in My Rehabilitation of Frank "The Fordham Flash" Frisch Tour at SABR's meeting this coming Sat Apr 18 at the Y at 344 E 14th St, SW corner of 1st Ave.  Also on the program will be Jay Goldberg discussing his First Baseball Game project; author Ken Davidoff discussing his new book with pediatrician Harley Rotbart 101 LESSONS FROM THE DUGOUT (Bloomsbury) and Professor Seth Tannenbaum, recently tenured at Manhattanville U and author of the new book BLEACHER SEATS & LUXURY SUITES: DEMOCRACY & DIVISION IN 20TH CENTURY AMERICA (U of Illinois Press).  

 

And now for some TCM Tips for the later part of April.  Get your recording devices or get up early on:

W April 15 at 530A -a rare showing of "The Joe Louis Story" (1953) starrng former boxer Coley Wallace, who once beat Rocky Marciano as an amateur plus

a bevy of great character actors including John Marley/Paul Stewart/James Edwards (who was so riveting in "Home of the Brave" as a WW2-soldier suffering from PTSD and brought back to health by compassionate doctor played by Jeff Corey)/referee Ruby Goldstein playing himself (how I remember as a kid growing up in late 40s/early 50s watching on TV his dance-like backward movements around the ring!)  And on the soundtrack, Alec Wilder's lovely tune "I'll Be Around" sung by Anita Ellis backed by the Ellis Larkins trio. How I remember in the last decades of 20th century, overly unassuming Baltimore-born Larkins, one of Ella Fitzgerald's favorite accompanists, holding forth at the Carnegie Hall tavern. 

Later on Apr 15 at 930P tax day is commemorated by Robert Benchley's 1938 short, "How To Figure Income Tax"

Followed at 945A by the cartoon "Symphony in Slang" (1951)

 

F Apr 17 8P Peter Bogdanovich directs Boris Karloff in "Targets" (1968) - an aging star wonders about his life while a Vietnam war vet goes on shooting spree.

 

Sun Apr 19 at 12M and 10A - Noir Alley shows "His Kind of Woman" (1951) with Robert Mitchum probably playing a deported gangster to Mexico getting into some more trouble with Vincent Price/Tim Holt. Directed by Mia's daddy John Farrow.

For the night owls at 415A Tom Ewell plays a Little League coach in "The Great American Pastime" with two Anns, Francis and Miller

 

And looking ahead to Noir Alley of Su Apr 26: "711 Ocean Drive" (1950) starring underappreciated Edmond O'Brien as telephone repairman who gets mixed up with gambling group.  With Joanne Dru a couple of years before she plays Mrs. Dizzy Dean (not a well-conceived part) in "The Pride of St Louis" & always-fearsome Otto Kruger. 

Note this sequence of films after Noir Alley on Apr 26.

12N "The Stratton Story" (1949) with Jimmy Stewart & June Allyson & Frank Morgan as the scout who signs Stratton.

Followed at 2P by "Blackboard Jungle" (1955) that I saw in junior high school and will never forget my metal shop teacher Mr. Walsh sternly warn some rambuctious students to cut out the hijinks because he wasn't gonna allow his classroom at Joan of Arc JHS at 154 W 93rd St turned in a blackboard jungle.

Directed by the estimable Richard Brooks with Glenn Ford/Louis Calhern (the memorable Ambassador Trentino in "Duck Soup" sparring with Groucho & also Marilyn Monroe's sugar daddy" in "Asphalt Jungle"/and a memorable Sidney Poitier. 

 

That's all for now - stay positive test negative, and Take it Easy But Take It!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring has sprung in NYC in all its glory.  As I was marveling at the beautiful buds blooming all over my UWS neighborhood (Upper West Side) and sipping my morning coffee while sitting on a bench on an island on Broadway, I started to hum Otis Redding's classic tune, "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay". 

 

OK, my mind has odd synapses but you got a problem with that?!  You see, I was in Madison, Wisconsin on the foggy Sunday night of December 10, 1967 when word came that Otis Redding's plane crashed into Lake Monona three miles short of Four Lakes Airport. 

 

Otis was only 26, and seven of his bandmates perished with him. He had just recorded "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay" which according to many websites was the first posthumous #1 hit.  

It was a very sad day for American music and the best spirit of the 1960s.  RIP Otis - we will never forget you.

 

As for the baseball season so far, it's been pretty wonderfully wacky.  Unless you are fans of the Tigers and Orioles and Rockies and Diamondbacks and Marlins who are sinking fast as I predicted.

 

Believe me, I didn't want to be a prophet and don't want to be a prophet. But a new ownership in Baltimore can't come fast enough. Alas, until there is "cost certainty" on the business side of the franchise, all that's left is rooting for individuals.  

 

I hope southpaw John Means is morphing into an ace. He's already spawned a T-shirt, JOHN MEANS BUSINESS.  I like my idea of MEANS FINDS WAYS.  

 

I cross fingers that Trey Mancini doesn't think he needs the jump-start the offense all by himself.  Just great to see him recovered from colon cancer and ready to play every day.

 

I guess because the season is so long, there's always hope for a turnaround.  

The Oakland A's have proved that, starting 0-6 and 1-7 and then all of a sudden they have won 12 in a row.

 

With two more against the Orioles - and more next week in Oakland - they could be flying high by May. Don't think they are that good, but double-digit winning streaks cerrtainly mean something.  

 

Kudos to veteran manager Bob Melvin - to me somewhat of an Anthony Perkins-lookalike and always a calm presence  - who has steered the ship to far smoother waters. 

 

Returned Bosox manager Alex Cora also quickly turned around Boston.  After they lost three in a row at home to the Woerioles, they ran off nine in a row. Since then, it hasn't been so easy for them.  

 

Surprising Seattle has played everyone hard, including the Red Sox. Much too early to see any patterns in the season yet.  But nice to see Seattle and Kansas City playing so well.

 

One thing is clear - the Padres and the Dodgers are developing a fierce rivalry.  We'll see if the Padres can stay so intense against other teams.  In between their two series against the Dodgers they went home and got swept by the Brewers.    

 

The key point at this early time of season is staying near .500. And then get ready to surge in the warmer months.  Of course, easier said than done - like most things in life.

 

When the Yankees fell to five below .500, the angst in NYC was epidemic.  Suzyn Waldman, John Sterling's sidekick on Yankee radio broadcasts (and who hosts pre-game interviews),  has perceptively noted, "In NYC there are 162  one-game seasons." 

 

With the Yankees beating up on the Indians and soon the Woerioles, they could be at .500 by the time you read this.  (If you think I'm trying to jinx them, you're right.)

 

On the cultural scene, I went to see "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" in a real movie theatre last week, the venerable Paris Theatre just south of Central Park and the Plaza Hotel. "Venerable" meaning it was opened in late 1950s. 

 

The audience was sparse but to be expected on a weeknight with people wisely still cautious about going indoors to a theatre.  Free popcorn and soft drinks were available.

 

Chadwick Boseman's last performance is a don't-miss experience. His electricity opposite Viola Davis is mesmerizing.  Glynn Turman as the piano player in the band also shines as does the whole cast.  

 

Netflix now owns the Paris Theater and I hope it is streaming the movie all over the world.  The talkback at the end between the film's director George C. Wolfe and playwright Tony "Angels in America" Kushner is very stimulating. Not that I agree with everything they say.    

 

Do see the movie and discuss it and the talkback seriously.  If we can ever get beyond the cliche that "slavery is America's original sin," the works of the late August Wilson - who wrote the play on which the film is based - are an essential place to start.  

 

That's all for now. Always remember:  Take it easy but take it!