Tuesday, July 28, 2015
At the Conclusion of the Pan American Games-2015
As an avid fan of
international sports contests and games, I was intrigued when an announcer
mentioned that there were tickets remaining for the Closing Ceremonies of the
Pan American Games in Toronto Canada and Brazil
I was intrigued
enough to go on line to see what tickets might be available. In short order, I
bought a pair, at $ 95 each, to attend the closing ceremonies. I heard that a
special commemorative program was going to the first 10 000 to enter the gates,
so I planned to get there early. As we often do, we drove to Oshawa
Once we had arrived
at Union Station, we walked along Front
Street Rogers
Our seats were in the
upper area of the Rogers
There has been much
controversy concerning the selection of the entertainers at the event. That
discussion continued after the show. I was amazed at the acoustics, and the
brilliant use of technology to get all of the acts co-ordinated for the show.
And then, somehow, there was a failure. Near the conclusion of Kanye’s presentation,
the music stopped in the middle of a song, and his microphone did not function.
He tried to continue, but without success. He tossed the microphone in the air,
and departed.
Well! That has really
upset the group that did not want him to perform in the first place.
Personally, I am not terribly fond of his musical interpretations. But he has
garnered 57 Grammy nominations, and has won 21 Grammys. Obviously, he is doing
something right. His fans stood throughout his presentation, and mouthed the words
of every song.
Armando Christian
Perez is presented in the program as: musician, performer, business
entrepreneur, fashion icon, and actor. As indicated, we know him as “Pitbull”.
He certainly put on a better show than Kanye, and had the audience in the palm
of his hand. All of the athletes who had paraded into the stadium got the
groove much easier with his presentation.
Alas, all of this
kerfuffle has little to do with sport. There were flags lowered, and others
raised. The next Pan American Games will take place in Lima , Peru
James Hurst
July 28, 2015.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Roy Bonisteel Canadian Citizenship Reaffirmation Ceremony
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
The 50 Greatest Dodger Games of All Time
J. P. Hoornstra
There was a knock on
our door last fall, just after we had settled in. It is a long and exhausting
journey to Fort Myers from Wellington Anderson Anderson
Erskine grew up in
Anderson, attended high school, and still lives there. He will be 89 in
December. Erskine played for the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn, then in Los Angeles
He played for the
Dodgers from 1948 to 1959, and retired because of injury. He entered the
business world, and later became president of the Star Bank of Anderson Indiana Anderson
Community School Erskine
Elementary School
The exploits of the
Dodgers from that era are well recorded in Roger Kahn’s great book, “The Boys
of Summer”. Another book on Dodger baseball has recently hit the shelves: “The
Fifty Greatest Dodgers Games”. It was written by J. P. Hoornstra who is the
ultimate authority on Dodger baseball. He reports on the team for the Los
Angeles News Group. I am certain that he bleeds “Dodger Blue”.
For many years,
beginning in the early 50s, I was a New
York Canada Cleveland
The fifty chapters in
the book tell the tales of the fifty games that Hoornstra has selected. In the
countdown from 50, chapter 11 refers to Manager Charlie Dressen’s time with
Erskine. “Oisk” was the name attached to Erskine. It is a derivative of his
last name in “Brooklynese”. In 1952, Oisk had just pitched the fifth game of
the World Series, all eleven innings. After the game, he fielded questions from
the media, while shaving. He had a date that evening. It was his fifth wedding
anniversary.
The Dodgers jumped
out to a 4-0 lead in that game on an RBI single from Andy Pafko, a sacrifice
fly from Pee Wee Reese, and a two run homer off the bat of Duke Snider. The
Yankees came storming back and took the lead. Erskine was sure that he was
going to get the hook at that stage; however, in his trip to the mound, Dressen
asked Erskine what his plans were for that evening. He retired the next
nineteen Yankee batters, with none reaching first base. He was supported by
great fielding, particularly by Pafko and Carl Furillo. Yankee manager Casey
Stengel remarked, “I never saw two better catches anywhere”. Unfortunately, the
Dodgers lost the next two games, and the Series.
The chapters are not
in any chronological order. Each one is a fine read all on its own. Little
fragments of baseball history.
As is the case with
these reviews, this book will be on the shelves of the Wellington
James Hurst
July 14, 2015
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Prior to the game on Canada Day, the roof was closed at the Rogers Toronto Blue
Jays and the Boston
Once the anthems had
been sung, and the flag tucked away, the Blue Jays took the field for another
day of baseball. Keep in mind that these guys do this 162 days a year. I only
mention that to keep the losses and the victories in perspective. It is a very
long season. Mark Buehrle took the mound for the Jays, and shut the Red Sox
down, with the exception of a single to David Ortiz. Any time you can shut the
big fella down, and leave him stranded on base, it is a victory of sorts.
Jose Reyes started
things off for the Jays. To my mind, he is the straw that stirs the drink for
the Jays. He is always in perpetual motion, and it is obvious that he loves to
play the game. He singled to begin the game. Josh Donaldson also singled,
moving Reyes to second. It was a bunt attempt, an indication from the Blue Jays
that they just wanted to start the game with a run on the board. “Small ball”,
they call it. They both advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jose Bautista struck
out, the first out of the inning.
Edwin Encarnacion at
that point was second on the team in home runs, trailing Bautista by two
dingers. The ball he hit travelled to the second deck, giving the Jays a three
run lead. Catcher Russell Martin was hit by a pitch, and took first base. I am
certain that Major League baseball players expect to see close pitches
following home runs. There is an element of frustration for the pitcher at that
time, and that tiny emotional upset often leads to an errant pitch. On occasion,
it is intentional.
Justin Smoak, a
switch-hitter from goose Creek, South Carolina, lined an offering from Rick
Porcello into the stands to bring home Martin. Kevin Pillar doubled to keep the
parade alive, but was picked off at second base. Ezequiel Carrera flied out to
right field to end the inning. Bottom of the first: Blue Jays 5-Red Sox 0.
Always a great way to start the day. So much for small ball.
The Blue Jays
continued to pour it on in the second inning, scoring twice. Smoak hit a
towering home run in the third inning into the third deck, just above the name
of Tony Fernandez. Most of you will remember Fernandez with a smile. Yet
another Jay who played the game hard, day in and day out, somewhat in the style
of Jose Reyes, without the hoopla.
Donaldson homered in
the eighth inning to finish a triple shy of a cycle. He has received a voting
spot to the All Star game next week. Well deserved. Certainly a step up from
last year’s third baseman, Brett Lawrie. Bautista and Martin will accompany
Donaldson to the mid-season classic. It is promoted as “The game that will
decide who will host Game Seven in the 2015 World Series”. Pretty weak, from my
perspective. Then again, the selection method leaves a lot to be desired. Fans
vote to get their favourite players a chance to play. Each fan is limited to 35
votes on the internet. Maybe some astute political party will suggest the same
for an upcoming election. Please, no.
This promises to be a
roller coaster season for the Jays. Let not your emotions swing too high or too
low. But with the guns on the staff, and the lack of sustained pitching, it
will be an exciting second half for the Jays.
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
July 7, 2015
