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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Day in baseball is not as special as it used to be but what is these days? If I had my way, Cincinnati would host the home opener as it often did last century because the Reds franchise is the oldest MLB team, its roots going back to the Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869.

 

This year MLB actually opened in Seoul, Korea on Mar 20 & 22 with the Dodgers and Padres splitting games. During the Korean trip, the shocking news broke that over $5 million of the bank account of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' new superstar hitter-pitcher, was used to pay off the gambling debts of Ippei Mizuhara, his American-born interpreter/roommate/best friend since Ohtani's arrival in the USA as a member of the Angels in 2018.    

 

After Mizuhara initially told ESPN in an exclusive interview that Ohtani had full knowledge of the payments but the interpreter insisted that he never bet on baseball, 24 hours later word came from Ohtani's camp that the prior interview was inoperative.  Ohtani's people didn't actually use the word "inoperative" in their statement, but it is one of my favorite words from the Nixon White House as the Watergate scandal metastasized over 50 years ago.   

 

The Dodgers quickly fired interpreter Mizuhara and word came out that his resume claiming that he previously had worked for other baseball teams turned out to be George Santos-like in its falsehoods. The team is charging Mizuhara with "theft" of the 5 million from Ohtani's account.

 

How big this scandal becomes is up to how thoroiugh media coverage will be as well as the depth of the MLB investigation which was somewhat belatedly promised. I am among the large group of skeptics who wonder whether such a probe will actually happen given the status of the popular Ohtani who signed in the off-season a $700 million Dodgers contract for 10 years with the money heavily backloaded. 

 

The wits and wags are already having a field day with this story. My favorite so far is: "If Pete Rose had an interpreter, he'd be in the Hall of Fame." (Thanks to Jay Goldberg, creator of the "Memory of America" project taping reminiscences of people's first baseball game, for sharing that beauty.)

 

This case broke in California because it is one of only 12 that doesn't allow legal bookmaking. In the Murphy v. NCAA case decided in May 2018,  a unanimous Supreme Court ruled that the long-standing NCAA edict against players betting on its games violated the constitutional rights of the 50 states.  

 

As a historian needing to stay aware of the decaying civic life of his country, I cannot ignore this story. Yet I remain more devoted to the game on the field and the sagas of those who play this difficult and beautiful game. 

 

So let me turn now to my Orioles' promising start which actually began with a 23-5 record in spring training games, however meaningless the results were. With brand-new onwer David Rubenstein in attendance, Baltimore won its home opener on Th afternoon Mar 28, 11-3, over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, not exactly a prime opponent. 

 

New ace Orioles starter Corbin Burnes, a 2021 Cy Young winner for the Brewers, gave up a solo home run to Mike Trout in first inning and nothing more in six sterling innings that included 11 strikeouts.  

 

They took a 2-1 lead on Jordan Westburg's timely two-out single in bottom of the first and never looked back. How I love driving in the run from third with two out!  If I have a tombstone, it will read: AT LEAST HE DIDN'T DIE ON THIRD. 

 

Long home runs by right fielder Anthony Santander, a free agent after this season as will Corbin Burnes, and centerfielder Cedric Mullins added rich icing to the tasty cake of starting the year 1-0. 

 

It is a heady feeling for an Oriole fan to root for a genuine contender.  I like it, I like it.  Last year I put aside my alter ego Masochist Mel as the Birds soared to 101 regular season wins.  They couldn't handle the eventual world champion Texas Rangers in the playoffs but no team could. 

 

One other aspect of Opening Day that was especially heartwarming was the first ball thrown out by 10-year-old Aubree Singletary, the daughter of a Baltimore city postal worker.  The look of awe and bliss on her face as she walked on the field and gazed at the 45,000 people in the stands and the billowing Oriole flags on the field were enough to make a prince of paranoia forget his doubts about the future of his team and our great game itself. 

 

Cal Ripken Jr., who will be a part of the new ownership group, caught Aubree's short toss from in front of the mound.  What made this moment especially endearing is that David Rubenstein is the only child of a Baltimore city postal worker. 

 

Back to some reflections on the game. Westburg, a native of New Braunfels, Texas and a product of Mississippi State's fine program, was starting at DH but he should also see action at 2B and 3B during the year.  The Orioles seem loaded at almost all positions with a lot of hot young prospects - infielders Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo and outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers, among them - starting the year in the minors. 

 

Thanks to my quick finger on the remote clicker, I was able to see Yankee newcomer Juan Soto's great throw from right field that prevented the Astros from tying their home opener in bottom of 9th innning. One out later, the Yankees could enjoy an impressive 5-4 come-from-behind victory.  If Soto's performance in the field picks up to match his offensive productivity, the Yankees may be a worthy adversary for the Orioles throughout 2024.

 

Of course, it is far too early to make any accurate predictions but the rest of the AL East could be very competitive making for a great race.  Unfortunately, the so-called "balanced" schedule has cut intra-divisional games from 19 to 13 so there will be fewer dramatic August-September matchups. 

 

 

Now on to some brief basketball post-mortems for my favorite college teams:  The Wisconsin men and the Columbia women will have to wait until next year.   The Badgers landed with a thud on Friday Mar 21 when the upstart James Madison Dukes from Harrisonburg, Virgina rushed out to a 18-5 lead and never looked back.  But on the following Sunday, the blue blood Duke Blue Devils gave JMU a thrashing of their own to make the Sweet Sixteen against powerhouse Houston on Fri Mar 28. 

 

Wisconsin was led in scoring this year by St. John's transfer AJ Storr but he thinks he is NBA ready and will not return next season.  Thanks to an Ian Eagle comment on a CBS broadcast, I learned that Storr previously had attended FOUR high schools before choosing St. John's and then Wisconsin.

 

Whenever I throw up my hands at the transfer portal and the NIL opportunities for the players (Name, Image, Likeness), I remind myself that the coaches have always had the opportunity for free agency.  The latest example is Mark Byington, who led James Madison, will now coach at Vanderbilt.,  

 

It seems to me that Purdue and Connecticut are heading for a final matchup in the men's March Madness (spilling of course into April) but we'll see.  As Red Barber wisely advised us, "That's why they play the games." 

 

On the women's side, I was saddened to see Abbey Hsu's brilliant Columbia career end on a minor note as the larger and defensive-minded Vanderbilt Commodores held her to 13 points on 3-14 shooting in Columbia's debut in the NCAA tourney. The final score was 72-68 but the Lions never recovered from a big hole in the second period that led to a Dores' 10-point halftime lead.   

 

It was still thrilling to be part of a crowd of over a thousand that watched the game from the Virginia Tech home court on the big scoreboard screen in Columbia's Levien gym.

 

Vanderbilt was spanked by Baylor three days later and now the NCAA and the ESPN-ABC TV combine are hoping that Caitlin Clark's sparkling game can carry the Hawkeyes into the women's Final Four. 

 

Clark wasn't that impressive in Iowa's narrow win over West Virginia's plucky team that knocked out Princeton, the perennial Ivy representative.  It says here that Dawn Staley's undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks will be hard to dethrone but once again we'll see what happens. 

  

On the college baseball side, Columbia won two of three from Harvard last weekend and now faces defending Ivy champion Penn in a Sat doubleheader on Mar 29 and a single Easter Sunday game at noon, all games at Satow Stadium just north of Columbia's football field overlooking the Hudson.  In a short 20-game league season, these early matchups are especially crucial because only two teams qualify for the best-of-three playoff at the home of the first place team.   

 

Rutgers won a series over UConn last weekend and are on the road at Michigan State the weekend of Mar 28.  They return home to Bainton Field for local matchups against Hofstra Tu Apr 2 at 3p, Marist W Apr 3 at 6p, a weekend series against Purdue April 5-6-7 at 6p, 3p, 1p.

They travel to Seton Hall in South Orange on Tu Apr 9 at 4p and host Nebraska F-Su Apr 12-14 at 6p 3p, 12N. 

More on these programs and the perennial area powers St John's and Seton Hall and NYU's Division III team in the next post.

 

And now some TCM Turner Classc Movie tips into early April. The starred ones have some baseball and/or sports content.

*M Apr 1 1PM  Buster Keaton in "The Cameraman" (1928).  His baseball pantomime filmed at an empty Yankee Stadium is a special 4-minute masterpiece.

 

Tu Apr 2 Ann Dvorak day in the daylight hours. 

115P "Dr. Socrates" (1935) dir. William Dieterle and co-starring Paul Muni.

*645P "Racing Lady" (1937) Ann is hired by a well-to-do millionaire (a film so obscure it isn't even Leonard Maltin's indispensable guide!)

 

Th Apr 4 - two classics back-to-back

8P "Annie Hall" (1977) - Woody Allen and Diane Keaton and Christopher Walken as Keaton's weirdo Wisconsin brother 

10P "Diner" (1982) one of Barry Levinson's bouncy Baltimore-based films

 

F Apr 5

*1015A "Woman of the Year" (1942) the first Tracy-Hepburn film with Spencer as sportswriter and Katherine as international political influencer 

     Later in the evening come back-to-back Billy Wilder classics

8P "Double Indemnity" (1944) Stanwyck and MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson

10P "The Major and the Minor" (1942) Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland and a Robert Benchley moment early in film always worth re-seeing 

 

Sa Apr 6 more back-to-back classics

545P "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948) dir. John Huston with Bogart/Walter Huston/Bruce Bennett/Tim Holt

8P "Blood on the Moon" (1948) dir. Robert Wise with Robert Mitchum/Barbara BelGeddes/Robert Preston (pre "Music Man"!)

 

Su Apr 7 12M "Violence" (1947) Noir Alley brings you Michael O'Shea/Sheldon Leonard/Nancy Coleman

   later that evening two music-themed movies of interest

8p "Young Man With A Horn" (1950) dir. Curtiz. Kirk Douglas/Lauren Bacall/the great Juano Hernandez

10p "New Orleans" (1947) a bit too talky but good performances by Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday

 

That''s all for now.  Stay positive, test negative, and always remember:  Take it easy but take it!