Every Day Was Christmas Day for Yankees in 1961

The greatest home run race of all time featured the M&M boys, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961 and Mantle belted 54.
Growing up a Yankee fan in New York, every day was Christmas day in 1961. Home runs were stocking stuffers, wins were gift-wrapped presents under the tree.
Ten [...]

Elementary, My Dear Watson: Blanda’s NFL Senior Moments

Tom Watson, who came oh so close to winning the British Open at age 59, is not the only senior citizen to achieve success in sports. Remember George Blanda?
Back in the 1970s, 48-year-old George Blanda was still playing an important role in the NFL in a sport where young men rule.
As an Oakland Raider, he [...]

July 20, 1969: Man on The Moon, Baseball As Usual

Casey Stengel always said the Mets would win when they put a man on the Moon. Both miracles happened in 1969.
The whole world didn’t stop on July 20, 1969, when astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the Moon. It just seemed that way.
For even as astronaut Neil Armstrong was [...]

Nine for Cooperstown: These Active Players Headed for Hall

Derek Jeter, left, and Mariano Rivera are sure bets for the Hall of Fame.
From this catbird’s seat, the SportsLifer sees nine active players heading for the Hall of Fame.
Criteria for consideration includes at least a 10-year, major league resume. Players linked to steroids, who might otherwise be Cooperstown bound, are instead banished to the Mark [...]

Sultans Swinging for Glory in Nightcap Fantasy Baseball

Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval, Kung Fu Panda, was a sleeper pick in fantasy baseball drafts this year. Now if he ever gets a couple more games at catcher…
It’s been a topsy-turvy first half for the Sultans of Swat in the Nightcap Fantasy League, or NFL, of baseball.  The team, co-owned by Dr. Larry G and [...]

When Yogi Berra Speaks, We All Listen

Yogisms always seem to catch a deeper meaning.
As Yogi Berra likes to remind us, he didn’t actually say everything he said.
Although not always grammatically correct, Yogi’s words usually capture the inner essence of a profound thought, a deeper meaning. Quite simply, Yogisms as we know and love them make a lot of sense when you [...]

Marichal And Spahn And A Classic by The Bay

Juan Marichal, left, gives Wilie Mays a playful hug after the Giants – behind Mays home run — beat Warren Spahn and the Braves, 1-0, in 16 innings on July 2, 1963.
Forty-six years ago today, July 2, 1963, Hall of Famers Juan Marichal of San Francisco and Warren Spahn of Milwaukee hooked up in [...]