ODD Couple 1973: King and Riggs
When Oscar loses everything, including Felix and their apartment betting with tennis legend Bobby Riggs, Felix has a plan to win it all back.
Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King appeared together on an episode of The Odd Couple ( titled "The Pig Who Came to Dinner") spoofing their rivalry less than two months after their Astrodome :Battle of the Sexes" tennis match. Riggs played himself- a male chauvinist hustler- and Billie Jean King, to the surprise of Felix and Oscar, would show up as his ping-pong opponent.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- SIXERS, PHILLIES, EAGLES
- The Sixers traded for All-Star guard Jimmy butler over the weekend. He makes his Sixer debut tomorrow night at home. Butler will bring intensity, shooting and defense to 76ers team that sorely needed all of the above.
Joel Embiid is having an All-Pro, MVP type of season so far. True, the club will miss Robery Covenington's 3-pointers and sticky defense. They will also miss Dario Saric's hustle nad work ethic. But they had to make this movie in order to go deeper int the playoffs. Thus the real value of the deal won't be known until the spring.
Most of all, the organization got a really good player and didn't have to surrender with a No. 1 draft pick.
Markelle Fultz is again having problems shooting, even free throws. He is only 54% from the foul line which is a disgrace for anyone, let alone a guard. His poor shooting is going to keep him out of close games at the end. For the overall top pick of a draft that is unacceptable.
Pretty soon the Sixers will need to come to grips that Fultz was a huge mistake being drafted as the no. pick overall. That blunder will always haunt the Sixers as long as Jayson Tatum continues to play great for the Celtics. You have to play Fultz, a she can't ride the bench. That does no good for anybody. Playing and shopping Fultz at the same time is better than not seeing him at all. He doesn't even look like a good role player or scorer coming off the bench.
- Phillies manager Gabe Kapler lost his home in the midst of all the terrible California wildfires recently. Luckily he and his family are safe.
Rumors persist that the team is "shopping like hell" Mr. Base on Balls, Carlos Santana. Hopefully they find a sucker to take his big contract ( even though the Phils will probably eat much of his deal just to get rid of him). It was a glaring mistake to sign him in the first place. Santana can't play first base- Hoskins needs to move back to first. Santana can't play third base ( a goal is to improve the defense). . He walks too much and strikes out a ton.
Shipping Santana out of town would be a good first step before spring training starts. Franco, Herrera and Hernandez can follow Santana out the door.
- I still can't believe the Eagles lost on Sunday night to a really mediocre Dallas team. With their secondary problems and injuries, facing a red-hot Dree Brees and New Orleans Saints team on Sunday, it could get ugly. the Birds are 7 1/2 point underdogs, but why do I get the feeling it should be more?
Joel Embiid is having an All-Pro, MVP type of season so far. True, the club will miss Robery Covenington's 3-pointers and sticky defense. They will also miss Dario Saric's hustle nad work ethic. But they had to make this movie in order to go deeper int the playoffs. Thus the real value of the deal won't be known until the spring.
Most of all, the organization got a really good player and didn't have to surrender with a No. 1 draft pick.
Markelle Fultz is again having problems shooting, even free throws. He is only 54% from the foul line which is a disgrace for anyone, let alone a guard. His poor shooting is going to keep him out of close games at the end. For the overall top pick of a draft that is unacceptable.
Pretty soon the Sixers will need to come to grips that Fultz was a huge mistake being drafted as the no. pick overall. That blunder will always haunt the Sixers as long as Jayson Tatum continues to play great for the Celtics. You have to play Fultz, a she can't ride the bench. That does no good for anybody. Playing and shopping Fultz at the same time is better than not seeing him at all. He doesn't even look like a good role player or scorer coming off the bench.
- Phillies manager Gabe Kapler lost his home in the midst of all the terrible California wildfires recently. Luckily he and his family are safe.
Rumors persist that the team is "shopping like hell" Mr. Base on Balls, Carlos Santana. Hopefully they find a sucker to take his big contract ( even though the Phils will probably eat much of his deal just to get rid of him). It was a glaring mistake to sign him in the first place. Santana can't play first base- Hoskins needs to move back to first. Santana can't play third base ( a goal is to improve the defense). . He walks too much and strikes out a ton.
Shipping Santana out of town would be a good first step before spring training starts. Franco, Herrera and Hernandez can follow Santana out the door.
- I still can't believe the Eagles lost on Sunday night to a really mediocre Dallas team. With their secondary problems and injuries, facing a red-hot Dree Brees and New Orleans Saints team on Sunday, it could get ugly. the Birds are 7 1/2 point underdogs, but why do I get the feeling it should be more?
Monday, November 12, 2018
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- NOVEMBER 12
At the movies:
Paper Lion (1968)
Alsn Alda portrays journalist George Plimpton and Vince Lombardi plays himself in a loose adaption of the curious writer's foray into the legendary coach's world of professional football.
The film offers the over-matched layman's tragicomic perspective from inside the huddle of the 1968 Detroit Lions, but doesn't quite cover the spread and match Plimpton's poignant self-deprecating "confessions of a last string quarterback."
That same year Plimpton published The Bogey Man, an account of his three-month stint on the PGA Tour.
Paper Lion (1968)
Alsn Alda portrays journalist George Plimpton and Vince Lombardi plays himself in a loose adaption of the curious writer's foray into the legendary coach's world of professional football.
The film offers the over-matched layman's tragicomic perspective from inside the huddle of the 1968 Detroit Lions, but doesn't quite cover the spread and match Plimpton's poignant self-deprecating "confessions of a last string quarterback."
That same year Plimpton published The Bogey Man, an account of his three-month stint on the PGA Tour.
CHIRPING BIRD- EAGLES- COWBOYS REVIEW
- I was at the brutal Eagles game last night at the Linc. A frustrating and disappointing loss to the hated Dallas Cowboys, 27-20. The Birds had everything in their favor- rest, Dallas on a short week, at home, Sunday Night football, Big division game in prime-time..yet the Eagles came out flat.Why?
Wentz' early interception hurt. Yet the defense held Dallas to two field goals through most of the first half. But when the defense needed to make a stop in the second half, after the offense scored consecutive touchdowns to tie the game twice, the defense couldn't hold Dallas.
- I have never like Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz. He doesn't blitz enough and he plays too soft.Schwartz' defense gave up over 600 yards to New England in the Super Bowl, so,even in better times, Schwartz has been shaky. He doesn't adjust very well. and his so-called "prevent" defensive gives up chinks of yardage and usually yields a score anyway.
I would love to see former linebacker, ex-Eagle great Seth Joyner become a coach on the club, either as Defensive coordinator or linebacker coach. Joyner is a good, smart football guy and tells it like it is.
- The Birds only have six takeaways in nine games so far this season. As expected, turnovers were pivotal to the Cowboy game as well. Linebacker Kruiger-Hill had an easy walk into the end zone on a pick six in the second quarter but ended up having the ball skim off his fingertips. A potential game-changer, so close. Last season that interception would've happened. This year these crucial plays are not being made.
- I have also wrote here how I think the team is not as hungry as last year. It's only natural to have a let-down after such a magical season. Fat and sassy, they wrote books, appeared on TV talk shows, and rightfully so, basked in the glow of a first-ever championship. But when it was time to turn the page on a new season, it hasn't happened. The hunger and motivation just isn't there.
- No running game, The Eagles miss Ajayi and Blount. Running back needs to be addressed in the draft. I saw Corey Clemente's dad before the game. He told me that Corey "is OK", and "They need to give him the ball." Clemente ran the ball a few times with minimal success, plus he returned kickoffs.
- It was a cold, crisp night in South Philly. It was dry and the wind died down. Perfect fall night for football. The crowd was pumped for the game but I didn't feel the same intensity and hatred for the Cowboys as in the past. Are the fans fat and sassy too? They showed up to the game, tail-gating all day. We cheered, booed and were loud. But I've heard the Linc louder.
- - George W. Bush tossed the coin since he was in town to accept the Freedom Medal. Jerry Jones prowled the field prior to kickoff, taking pictures with clueless Dallas fans on the sidelines, and having a long, 20-minute conversation with Jeffrey Lurie.
- The fans rightfully booed the Eagles at the end of the first half, yet the media across the nation criticized the fans. Guys like Al Michaels, who thinks the Philly fans should be clueless and passive like his Los Angeles fans, haven't paid for a ticket in years and have lost touch. Reality is that the Super Bowl is over. We appreciated the championship last season, but that was last season. If the players dog-it the fans have a right to let them have it. Eagle fans pay a lot for tickets, travel with the team, buy the merchandise and support the team. We have a right to boo.
What hurts is now fans have to hear it from Dallas fans. We work with annoying Cowboy fans Our family, friends and neighbors could be Dallas supporters. The players may not care but the fans do.
Funny, I didn't see as many Cowboy fans as in the past. Maybe they were laying low because of the way Dallas was playing, and didn't want to get caught up in all the Philadelphia fans taunting? I'm sure all the cockroaches who call WIP Sports Radio- namely Lamont and Captain Cowboy, bot loser Cowboy fans, will be heard on the airwaves this week, at least until the Eagles play them again in Dallas soon.
- The Eagles had no penalties last night. Zero called. yet they lost at home to a mediocre Dallas team. Unacceptable loss after a bye week. Pederson misses departed assistants Reich and DeFillipo. No injury excuses as team had major injuries last season.
What does it all mean? Dallas goes to 4-5 but they're not going anywhere. They aren't that good. Coach Jason Garrett's job is safe for now. Dallas goes to Atlanta next week. Then they play their traditional Thanksgiving home game, this year against the Redskins, which should be a key game. The Cowboys already beat the Skins in Washington, so a Dallas win on Turkey Day would give them any tiebreaker.
The Eagles fall below .500 again and lose a key division game. They won't be a wild card team. The only way to make the playoffs and have a shot to defend their championship is to win the NFC East. technically, they may still be alive in that quest, but let's be real. How can the Eagles be taken seriously when they can't put away Dallas at the Linc in prime-time?
Give Dallas credit. Their backs were against the wall and they came out fighting. They Eagles may have been a bit overconfident. They couldn't start fast again and put a dagger in Dallas' heart. Even tying the game twice after falling behind, they couldn't put the Cowboys away. With the win, the Boys may have picked up a few bandwagon supporters while shaking up the Eagle fan base.
Having an off year wouldn't be total disaster for this franchise. Easier schedule next season, getting a better draft pick, the Super Bowl champs target no longer on their backs. Less distractions, more football. Maybe the motivation would return. No wonder teams rarely win back-to-back Super Bowls, or even NFC East titles.
- Leaving the game last night, it was like "Night of the Living Dead" outside in the cold South Philly night. People on green walking around like zombies, mouths hanging open, stunned, milling around, not sure where they were going. Many watched the final seconds on TV. Some fans yelled and cursed. Didn't see any Cowboy fans celebrating. It was kinda eerie how quiet the stadium became.
- I saw two Eagles games this year, both losses, first to Minnesota and now to Dallas. How often has that happened lately? So, if the Eagles don't post a miracle comeback and run the table and make the playoffs, my football games are done until next September. Tickets go on sale in May for 2019. I'll be back, win or lose.
Wentz' early interception hurt. Yet the defense held Dallas to two field goals through most of the first half. But when the defense needed to make a stop in the second half, after the offense scored consecutive touchdowns to tie the game twice, the defense couldn't hold Dallas.
- I have never like Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz. He doesn't blitz enough and he plays too soft.Schwartz' defense gave up over 600 yards to New England in the Super Bowl, so,even in better times, Schwartz has been shaky. He doesn't adjust very well. and his so-called "prevent" defensive gives up chinks of yardage and usually yields a score anyway.
I would love to see former linebacker, ex-Eagle great Seth Joyner become a coach on the club, either as Defensive coordinator or linebacker coach. Joyner is a good, smart football guy and tells it like it is.
- The Birds only have six takeaways in nine games so far this season. As expected, turnovers were pivotal to the Cowboy game as well. Linebacker Kruiger-Hill had an easy walk into the end zone on a pick six in the second quarter but ended up having the ball skim off his fingertips. A potential game-changer, so close. Last season that interception would've happened. This year these crucial plays are not being made.
- I have also wrote here how I think the team is not as hungry as last year. It's only natural to have a let-down after such a magical season. Fat and sassy, they wrote books, appeared on TV talk shows, and rightfully so, basked in the glow of a first-ever championship. But when it was time to turn the page on a new season, it hasn't happened. The hunger and motivation just isn't there.
- No running game, The Eagles miss Ajayi and Blount. Running back needs to be addressed in the draft. I saw Corey Clemente's dad before the game. He told me that Corey "is OK", and "They need to give him the ball." Clemente ran the ball a few times with minimal success, plus he returned kickoffs.
- It was a cold, crisp night in South Philly. It was dry and the wind died down. Perfect fall night for football. The crowd was pumped for the game but I didn't feel the same intensity and hatred for the Cowboys as in the past. Are the fans fat and sassy too? They showed up to the game, tail-gating all day. We cheered, booed and were loud. But I've heard the Linc louder.
- - George W. Bush tossed the coin since he was in town to accept the Freedom Medal. Jerry Jones prowled the field prior to kickoff, taking pictures with clueless Dallas fans on the sidelines, and having a long, 20-minute conversation with Jeffrey Lurie.
- The fans rightfully booed the Eagles at the end of the first half, yet the media across the nation criticized the fans. Guys like Al Michaels, who thinks the Philly fans should be clueless and passive like his Los Angeles fans, haven't paid for a ticket in years and have lost touch. Reality is that the Super Bowl is over. We appreciated the championship last season, but that was last season. If the players dog-it the fans have a right to let them have it. Eagle fans pay a lot for tickets, travel with the team, buy the merchandise and support the team. We have a right to boo.
What hurts is now fans have to hear it from Dallas fans. We work with annoying Cowboy fans Our family, friends and neighbors could be Dallas supporters. The players may not care but the fans do.
Funny, I didn't see as many Cowboy fans as in the past. Maybe they were laying low because of the way Dallas was playing, and didn't want to get caught up in all the Philadelphia fans taunting? I'm sure all the cockroaches who call WIP Sports Radio- namely Lamont and Captain Cowboy, bot loser Cowboy fans, will be heard on the airwaves this week, at least until the Eagles play them again in Dallas soon.
- The Eagles had no penalties last night. Zero called. yet they lost at home to a mediocre Dallas team. Unacceptable loss after a bye week. Pederson misses departed assistants Reich and DeFillipo. No injury excuses as team had major injuries last season.
What does it all mean? Dallas goes to 4-5 but they're not going anywhere. They aren't that good. Coach Jason Garrett's job is safe for now. Dallas goes to Atlanta next week. Then they play their traditional Thanksgiving home game, this year against the Redskins, which should be a key game. The Cowboys already beat the Skins in Washington, so a Dallas win on Turkey Day would give them any tiebreaker.
The Eagles fall below .500 again and lose a key division game. They won't be a wild card team. The only way to make the playoffs and have a shot to defend their championship is to win the NFC East. technically, they may still be alive in that quest, but let's be real. How can the Eagles be taken seriously when they can't put away Dallas at the Linc in prime-time?
Give Dallas credit. Their backs were against the wall and they came out fighting. They Eagles may have been a bit overconfident. They couldn't start fast again and put a dagger in Dallas' heart. Even tying the game twice after falling behind, they couldn't put the Cowboys away. With the win, the Boys may have picked up a few bandwagon supporters while shaking up the Eagle fan base.
Having an off year wouldn't be total disaster for this franchise. Easier schedule next season, getting a better draft pick, the Super Bowl champs target no longer on their backs. Less distractions, more football. Maybe the motivation would return. No wonder teams rarely win back-to-back Super Bowls, or even NFC East titles.
- Leaving the game last night, it was like "Night of the Living Dead" outside in the cold South Philly night. People on green walking around like zombies, mouths hanging open, stunned, milling around, not sure where they were going. Many watched the final seconds on TV. Some fans yelled and cursed. Didn't see any Cowboy fans celebrating. It was kinda eerie how quiet the stadium became.
- I saw two Eagles games this year, both losses, first to Minnesota and now to Dallas. How often has that happened lately? So, if the Eagles don't post a miracle comeback and run the table and make the playoffs, my football games are done until next September. Tickets go on sale in May for 2019. I'll be back, win or lose.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- SIXERS, EAGLES, PHILLIES, FLYERS ST. JOSEPH'S
- The Sixers eeked out a slim 133-132 victory at home last night over Charlotte. After blowing a 22-point lead, the 76ers hung on for the overtime win. Joel Embiid scored 42 points, including the last 12 points in regular time to pace Philly. Embiid is already having an MVP-type season.
The team is still inconsistent so far in the early season. They play tonight in Memphis against the Grizzlies.
- The Eagles are preparing to face their arch-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at the Linc. The Birds can't- and won't- lose this game. They need it as much a sDallas and there are so many good things on the Eagles' side.
As always, tornovers , penalties and getting off to a fast start will be keys. Getting ahead of Dallas and feeding off the wild energy of the frenzied crowd should push the Eagles to crush the cowboys and set-up a huge game next week in New Orleans.
- If the Phillies don't sign Bryce Harper this off-season, I'll be disappointed. Chances are an announcement will be made at the Winter Meetings in Vegas in early December. Kris Bryant may be on the trade market, as the Cubs may not want to extend his contract after a disappointing 2018 season. Lefty pitcher Madison Baumgarner may also be on the Phillies' radar if San Francisco is willing to deal him. Closer Craig Kimbrel is also rumored to interest the Phils It's going to be an interesting fall, and landing Harper, along with one or two other players, would be a very nice Christmas present for the fans.
- The Flyers, improved after their successful West Coast trip, take on the Chicago Blackhawks this afternoon in South Philly.
- I've been a St. Joseph's Hawks college basketball fan since I was a kid. I could relate to their never-say-die attitude, the way St. Joe players would dive on the court for loose balls. Danny Kelly, Cliff Anderson, Matt Goukas, Mike Bantom, Pat McFarland, Mike Hauer, Jameer Nelson, Delonte West... great players over the years. The Hawk always flapping his/her wings. The underdog mentality, especially against their Holy War rival Villanova.St. Joe always had a special place in my heart out of the other big 5 teams in the city.
We will follow the Hawks together this basketball season. The Hawks got off to a good start last night, beating Old Dominion at home, 79-64. They play at Hagen Arena on Monday night vs Monmouth.
The Hawks are slated for second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference this season. With guys like Charlie Brown, Taylor Funk and Lamarr Kimble, the Hawks should compete, not only in the conference, but in the City Series as well. With Villanova retooling, it would be a perfect year to beat the Wildcats and snap a long losing streak to their Main Line rival.
The team is still inconsistent so far in the early season. They play tonight in Memphis against the Grizzlies.
- The Eagles are preparing to face their arch-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at the Linc. The Birds can't- and won't- lose this game. They need it as much a sDallas and there are so many good things on the Eagles' side.
As always, tornovers , penalties and getting off to a fast start will be keys. Getting ahead of Dallas and feeding off the wild energy of the frenzied crowd should push the Eagles to crush the cowboys and set-up a huge game next week in New Orleans.
- If the Phillies don't sign Bryce Harper this off-season, I'll be disappointed. Chances are an announcement will be made at the Winter Meetings in Vegas in early December. Kris Bryant may be on the trade market, as the Cubs may not want to extend his contract after a disappointing 2018 season. Lefty pitcher Madison Baumgarner may also be on the Phillies' radar if San Francisco is willing to deal him. Closer Craig Kimbrel is also rumored to interest the Phils It's going to be an interesting fall, and landing Harper, along with one or two other players, would be a very nice Christmas present for the fans.
- The Flyers, improved after their successful West Coast trip, take on the Chicago Blackhawks this afternoon in South Philly.
- I've been a St. Joseph's Hawks college basketball fan since I was a kid. I could relate to their never-say-die attitude, the way St. Joe players would dive on the court for loose balls. Danny Kelly, Cliff Anderson, Matt Goukas, Mike Bantom, Pat McFarland, Mike Hauer, Jameer Nelson, Delonte West... great players over the years. The Hawk always flapping his/her wings. The underdog mentality, especially against their Holy War rival Villanova.St. Joe always had a special place in my heart out of the other big 5 teams in the city.
We will follow the Hawks together this basketball season. The Hawks got off to a good start last night, beating Old Dominion at home, 79-64. They play at Hagen Arena on Monday night vs Monmouth.
The Hawks are slated for second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference this season. With guys like Charlie Brown, Taylor Funk and Lamarr Kimble, the Hawks should compete, not only in the conference, but in the City Series as well. With Villanova retooling, it would be a perfect year to beat the Wildcats and snap a long losing streak to their Main Line rival.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- NOVEMVER 10/11
Notre Dame 12, Army 6
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
"I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys- tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be them, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
- George Gipp
On November 10, 1928, with injuries taking a toll on the Irish, Notre Dame's head coach Knute Rockne makes the most famous half-time speech in football history before the team takes the field for the second half against undefeated Army, and Notre Dame wins one for the Gipper.
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
"I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys- tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be them, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
- George Gipp
On November 10, 1928, with injuries taking a toll on the Irish, Notre Dame's head coach Knute Rockne makes the most famous half-time speech in football history before the team takes the field for the second half against undefeated Army, and Notre Dame wins one for the Gipper.
Friday, November 9, 2018
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, FLYERS
- No way the Eagles lose to the Cowboys Sunday night. The Birds are home, on prime-time, with a chance to move closer to the NFL East lead, against a wounded Dallas team, on a short week, who haven't won a road game all season,while the Eagles are well-rested,wearing all-black, vs their arch-rival, with a chance to put a stake in the Cowboys' heart, know we have to play in New Orleans next week..
Need anymore reasons??
A win moves Philly to 5-4 and still in the division hunt. A loss drops them to 4-5, with the Saints ahead. It's just as much of a must-win for the Eagles as it is for Dallas.
The Cowboys could be a dangerous team, with their backs against the wall. Dallas has come into Philadelphia before and have upset the Birds. So it can happen.
I like the Eagles big, 37-10.
Who returns punts this week/ Darren Sproles is still injured and won't play. The team released DeAndre Carter early in the week ( he was picked up by the Broncos). Nelson Agholor returns punts at USC. Stupid local writer Mike Sielski suggests the Eagles put no one back to muff a punt, instead allow Dallas to kick the ball as far as they could. Bad for field position.
Would Golden Tate return punts? It will be interesting come Sunday.
- The Flyers shook off a 4-3 deficit last night against the Coyotes and beat Arizona, 5-4 in overtime. The Orange and black are on a roll. They play the Blackhawks on Saturday.
Need anymore reasons??
A win moves Philly to 5-4 and still in the division hunt. A loss drops them to 4-5, with the Saints ahead. It's just as much of a must-win for the Eagles as it is for Dallas.
The Cowboys could be a dangerous team, with their backs against the wall. Dallas has come into Philadelphia before and have upset the Birds. So it can happen.
I like the Eagles big, 37-10.
Who returns punts this week/ Darren Sproles is still injured and won't play. The team released DeAndre Carter early in the week ( he was picked up by the Broncos). Nelson Agholor returns punts at USC. Stupid local writer Mike Sielski suggests the Eagles put no one back to muff a punt, instead allow Dallas to kick the ball as far as they could. Bad for field position.
Would Golden Tate return punts? It will be interesting come Sunday.
- The Flyers shook off a 4-3 deficit last night against the Coyotes and beat Arizona, 5-4 in overtime. The Orange and black are on a roll. They play the Blackhawks on Saturday.
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