Cookies and Milk With "Ike"

 September 1956 ( I think ) I  was about 8 years old. My  Grandfather seemed especially pleased to use me as a Guinea pig for children's dentistry or that howbI felt after having 4 top front teeth yanked that afternoon.  He even tried to convince me that the Parade outside was for me. Upon arriving in the driveway beside the house we were greeted by my beloved Grandma and her molasses cookies. Immediately,  my Grandfather couldn't wait to tell us both that I could have NO solid foods for a couple of days. I was crushed, it n eant he'd get most of her cookies and I would eat mush. Sulking became my new facial expression.  I was devastated. Then my Grandma told me to go to the hall cl I set and put on my Sunday jacket because I had to look my best while taking my cookies across the street to give to our new neighbors for the week. My Grandfather piped up and said, " We are taking him fishing to Furnace Brook on Saturday!!" I just looked at both of  them knowing that I had to do as they said. 

Slowly walking across the street without a look in either direction  I got to the other side and stepped up on the curb a n d heard, " Excuse me young man but shouldn't you look both ways before crossing a street ? "Um yes I said. Shebthen asked who the nice cookies were for and I told her what Grandma said. I continued looking down at the cookies and  she again asked, "Do you ever look up and do you smile ?" That stopped me in my tracks. I told by ervI always looked both ways when I  was home. She said, " you should always look both ways."

I was frowning and tired. Back across the street and was asked," would you like to come in and share your Grandna's cookies with Ike? I said," yes of course, thank you." I didn't tell her I  didn't know any Ike , when she said, don't you worry, milk is waiting for the cookies ! I followed her indside. It was quiet other then the old electric fan. Mamie said, " put the tray down on the table please and follow me. We walked to the side porch and there were two men , a very large man standing in the corner and an older one scanning one of many newspapers on top of a small ratan coffee table. I stood there and Mamie walked in with the tray of cookies and put it down on top of the bewspaper being read.  The man looked up and started to say something when she raised her hand and said, "Ike, this is Johnny from across the street and these are cookies his Grandmother made for us. Talk with him while I go get the pitcher of milk and glasses. Talking to the big man she said, " your cookies and milk are out herenpon the table, I think Ike is safe." She ushered him out and looked at Ike and myself and said," introduce yourselves." I do believe she wore the pants,  lol 😂.  

Ike just looked at her, then back at me and said," How are you young man they call me Ike ?" I had no clue the parade earlier was of or for him nor who he was and said, "Hello  Mr Ike,  my name is John but everyone up here calls me Johnny." Small talk followed, like," I was a Weblo Cub Scout in New Jersey and he had a uniform , too." "My Dad and I came up for me to have teeth pulled because my  Grandfather liked pulling my teeth" and I grinned. He laughed and said that looks like it hurts and I am going fishing with them tomorrow. " Mamie came in handed the tray to Ike, put a towel on the newspapers and set the gasses and pitcher of milk down, took the tray and told Ike to,' pour the milk." He just looked at her, then poured and she said, " now eat your cookies yountwo." Turned and left.

Three years later, Dad made us gather around the new Philco box TV because the President was going to talk to us aka his speech about big business,  big government,  et cetera.  I turned my back and stood in protest, Mom told Dad to shuch and I heard a very familiar,  kind of gruff voice. Turning around my mouth fell open as Ike , the cookies and milk man was talking to many more then me. I was stunned, that was my 1st encounter with politics.  And I wish today's political world would get a grip and try to be like Ike. 

All the  above is true !! I really miss them, they were real people. 

Please comment,  I only come here once in awhile this is my first attempt at writing,  I have been told to write a book for years.

Thank you, John aka Doc after my Grandfather 

1990 Oakland A's - KOD26 Super Series Champs

Super Series Game 7 - "Steinbach...Of Weiss and Men"

Game 7- Game 7, this is what it is all about.  The A’s would send Welch back to the mound while Philly would go with Carlton on short rest.  Philly would strike first this time with a sac fly and a Mcbride RBI single to go up 2-0 after two.  Oakland would get to Carlton in the 3^rd  when Rickey goes deep for a solo shot.  The score remain 2-1 until the 6^th inning when Dave Henderson hits a two-out triple and Mcgwire comes to the plate.  Mark lines a single into left and the game is tied!  The bullpens are amazing from there as we go 7 more innings with no scoring!!  The top of the 14^th and both teams are running out of bodies.  Coach Daly brings in Warren Brusstar to pitch the 14^th.  Terry Steinbach who hit .157 in 178 AB this season steps up and laces a double off the left field wall. There is no one left on the Oakland bench to run for the lead footed Steinbach as Walt Weiss steps to the plate.  Weiss hits a single right up the middle and around comes Steinbach.  The play at the plate and he is SAFE!  3-2 Oakland.  Philly gets out of the inning and has one more chance in the bottom of the 14^th.  Coach Sexton goes to his bullpen where there is very little left.  Little used Steve Chitren will get the call with Eckersley gone wy back in the 10^th.  Chitren starts it off by striking out Ted Sizemore.  Tom Hutton comes up and singles into left. Mcbride steps to the plate and he smashes a double into right center.  Hutton is flying around 3^rd as the throw comes to the plate, Steinbach lays down the tag….and he is………OUT!!!!   Mcbride moves to third on the play but the Phillies are down to their last out.  Garry Maddox just needs a base hit to keep this one going.  Chitren winds up and Maddox hits it sharply to Weiss at short.  He throws to Mcgwire and the A’s are Super Series Champions!!!!!!!  Oakland Wins 4-3

Great series and a lot of fun to play.  Excellent job by Peter Daly.

Super Series Game 6 - "Big Mac Attack"

Game 6-  Back to Philly for Game 6, Oakland with their backs against the wall.  Sanderson vs.

Christenson is the pitching matchup.  Oakland strikes first with a Mark Mcgwire solo HR in the 2^nd to lead 1-0.  They add another with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 4^th  but Philly matches it when Mike Schmidt goes deep in the bottom of the inning.  Bob Boone hits a pinch hit 2 run HR in the bottom of the 5^th to put Philly up 3-2 and things are looking grim for the A’s.  Oakland comes right back in the 6^th to tie the game on a Mike Gallego suicide squeeze.  It would remain tied into the 8^th when Mcgwire leads off the inning with his 2^nd HR of the game to give Oakland a 1 run lead. The great Oakland bullpen would take over from there in the form of Gene Nelson with a clean 8^th and Eckersley with a 1-2-3 9^th.  Series Tied 3-3

Super Series Game 5 - "Hard to Reed"

Game 5- The Phillies decide to go with lefty Jim Kaat in Game 5 while Oakland gets Stewart back on the mound.  Both pitchers are very good with Oakland only getting a solo HR from Dave Henderson in the 5^th to take a 1-0 lead.  In the 6th Philly gets a ledoff triple from Bake Mcbride.  Oakland brings the infield in and Stewart strikes out Gary Maddox for the first out.  Greg Luzinski steps up with the infield still in.  He hits a slow roller to shortstop.  Weiss looks back the runner and goes to first, but Mcbride breaks for home and gets in before the tag!  Ron Reed comes on to pitch for the Phillies and shuts down Oakland so the score is 1-1 into extra innings.  In the top of the 10^th Larry Bowa hits a one out triple off Dennis Eckersley.  Oakland brings the infield in again but Tim Mcarver lifts one deep to center for the go-ahead run.  Reed pitches his 4^th inning in the bottom of the 10^th and retires Oakland in order.  Philly leads 3-2

Super Series Game 4 - "Jay to Go"

Game 4- Carlton takes the mound for Philly once again and he is dominant.  The Phillies get to Mike

Moore early with a 2 run single in the first from Jay Johnstone.  They add 3 more including a Greg Luzinski solo HR and cruise to 5-0 victory.  Carlton ends with a Complete game 5 hit shutout.  Series Tied 2-2

Super Series Game 3 - "Sweet as Honey"

Game 3- Bob Welch took the mound for Oakland as the series moved to California.  The Phillies would throw the crafty veteran Jim Lonborg.  Oakland would strike first with a Canseco RBI single to take a 1-0 lead after 1.  The teams would exchange solo HRs in the 3^rd with Bake Mcbride for Philly and Walt Weiss for Oakland going deep.  Canseco adds another HR in the 4^th to put Oakland up 3-1.  Philly cuts the lead to 1 with a Sac Fly in the 7^th.  Oakland pitching would shut them down from there with Rick Honeycutt getting 5 outs and Dennis Eckersley coming on for the last one.  Oakland leads 2-1

Super Series Game 2 - "Can Say Go!"

Game 2-   The pitching matchup for Game 2 was a little less star-studded as Larry Christenson

matched up with Scott Sanderson but you wouldn’t have known it in the first 3 innings as the score was 0-0.  Christenson faltered in the 4^th however giving up 2 walks and then a 3 run HR to Jose Canseco.  Richie Hebner gets one back for Philly in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot.  Philly cuts the lead to one in the bottom of the 7^th on a Larry Bowa RBI single but Dave Henderson gets it right back in the top of 8 with a solo HR and Lansford adds an RBI single in the 9^th to put Oakland up 4.  Gene Nelson shuts Philly down in order in the 9^th and Oakland steals home field advantage. Series tied 1-1

Super Series Game 1 - "Ritz Carlton"

Game 1-  The ’77 Phillies start LH Ace Steve Carlton at home against Dave Stewart for the ’90 A’s.  Oakland gets to Carlton early as Rickey Henderson doubles down the 3^rd base line and scores on a Carney Lansford RBI single in the top of the 1^st.  Oakland gets another run on a Lansford Sac Fly in the 3^rd to lead 2-0.  Philly cuts the lead in half with a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the inning.  It remained 2-1 Oakland until the bottom of the 5^th when Philly explodes for 3 runs.  Philly adds one more in the 6^th and Carlton cruises the rest of the way.  Philly leads 1-0

-submitted by Andy Sexton--

The Super Series - 1990 Oakland A's vs 1977 Philadelphia Phillies

Clash of the Titans (Pete vs Andy).
We started out with 40 teams and now we are down to the final 2.
An amazing Silver Anniversary Season !

vs

Miracle 90 A's upset '98 Braves in 5

Game 1-  Greg Maddux takes the mound for Atlanta against Oakland’s Dave Stewart.  Oakland jumps on Maddux early as Rickey Henderson and Walt Weiss pull off a double steal and score on a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly.  Atlanta ties it up 2-2 in the bottom of the 2^nd with a solo HR from Ryan Klesko and a Maddux RBI single.  Atlanta would take their first lead in the bottom of the 4^th with an RBI single from Keith Lockhart and a 2 run double from Chipper Jones.  The Braves would add to the lead with a solo HR in the 5^th from Andruw Jones to go up 6-2.  The Braves would add one more in the 8^th and win 7-2 as Maddux allows only 1 hit after the 1^st inning in a complete game win.  Andruw Jones finishes the game 4-4 with 3 runs scored. Atlanta leads series 1-0

Game 2-  Atlanta sends out Ace #2 in Tom Glavine and Scott Sanderson gets the start for Oakland.  Javy Lopez opens the scoring with a solo shot in the bottom of the 2^nd.  A 2 out error in the 5^th allowed Oakland to finally get to Glavine on a 2- run double by Mark Mcgwire to give Oakland a 1 run lead.  Oakland would carry the 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth with Eckersley pitching.  Shockingly, Eck gives up an RBI double to Ozzie Guillen and we head to extra innings.  Oakland gets 2 baserunners in the 10^th but a double play ends the threat.  Eckersley settles down and gets Atlanta out in order in the bottom of the inning.  Harold Baines pinch hits for Eck in the 11^th and leads off with a double.  Rickey singles him home and Oakland gets an insurance run on a Carney Lansford single. Steve Chitren does his best Eckersley impression by shutting down the Braves in the bottom of the inning and Oakland gains home field advantage in the series. Series Tied 1-1

Game 3-  The series shifts back to Oakland and the A’s have 27 game winner Bob Welch on the mound against John Smoltz for the Braves.  Both pitchers are on their game with the notable exception of back to back jacks from the Bash Brothers, Jose Canseco and Mcgwire, in the bottom of the 2^nd.  Oakland would hold the 2-0 lead into the 8^th inning when welch tires and the Braves get an RBI single from Chipper Jones off relief pitcher Joe Klink.  Eckersley is able to do his normal thing this time though and Oakland hangs on for the 2-1 victory.  Oakland leads 2-1

Game 4-  Atlanta goes with Denny Neagle in Game 4, a significant drop off from their Big 3,  and Oakland takes advantage with 2 runs in the 1^st and a 3 run homer from Rickey Henderson in the 2^nd.  Atlanta is able to get a couple on the board against starter Mike Moore but Oakland leads 6-2 going into the 8^th inning.  Rick Honeycutt comes into pitch for Oakland and he is not sharp walking 2 and giving up a 2 run double to Chipper Jones.  Honeycutt settles it down and gets it to Eckersley in the 9^th who is dominant with 2 strikeouts and a groundout.  Oakland leads 3-1

Game 5-  Maddux and Stewart are matched up again in Game 5.  Mark Mcgwire opens the scoring with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 2^nd.  It would remain 2-0 Oakland until the top of the 7^th when Andruw Jones doubled in 2 runs to tie it up at 2.  Dave Henderson and Felix Jose would lead off the bottom of the 7^th with back to back singles.  Willie Randolph hits a third single and Hendu rumbles around 3^rd looking to score the go-ahead run but he is gunned down at the plate.  Terry Steinbach however hits Oakland’s 4^th straight single and Jose and Randolph both score to put Oakland up 4-2 and they are starting to smell championship.  Joe Klink comes in to pitch the 8^th for Oakland and gives up 2 singles and a walk to load the bases with only 1 out and slugger Andres Galaragga at the plate.  Tony Larussa decides to go to Eck needing 5 outs for the title.  Eckersley gets the big strikeout of Galaragga and a flyout from Ryan Klesko to end the threat.  In the 9^th Atlanta gets a couple more 2 out hits off Eckersley but Walt Weiss grounds out to end the inning and the celebration is on in Oakland!-Oakland wins series 4-1

 

'98 Braves defeat '16 Cubbies 4 games to 2

The 98 Braves overcame a weak bullpen and a slugging 2016 Chicago Cubs team to win the Modern LCS 4 games to 2.

First of all, let me thank Cubs manager Kurt Schaden for his patience in getting these games in. Some of the folks I am in other leagues with are aware that my internet capabilities have been in a shambles for the last couple of weeks. This has led to a lot of missed deadlines and cancellations on my part in several outfits. I never knew when or if I was gonna be able to connect. The issue has been resolved and those problems are behind us. But Kurt had to suffer through the end of them with me and I want to thank him publicly for his flexibility and good nature.

Here are some short recaps of the series:

Game 1...Greg Maddux pitched 7 innings and was charged with 3 earned runs  when relievers John Rocker and Odalis Perez had trouble getting anyone out. Finally, with the bases loaded and one out, score 5-4 Braves, Atlanta closer Kerry Lightenberg came on to get Wilson Contreras to ground into an inning ending double play. Lightenberg then shut the Cubs down in the 9th to put Atlanta up 1 game to 0.

Game 2...Jon Lester overcame a pair of solo homers in the Brave 4th and a strong performance by lefty Tom Glavine to tie the series at 1-1. Anthony Rizzo had the big hit for Chicago with a two run single in the bottom of the first. Lester and the stellar Cubs bullpen shut the visitors down after the fourth to win 3-2. On to Turner Field.

Game 3...Jake Arrieta was outstanding for the cubs and John Smoltz got shelled for the home team.  That sums up the Chicago 14-8 win. Arrieta went 6.1 innings and gave up one earned run before his bullpen got a bit sloppy but by that time the Cubs were safe and sound. Smoltzie was not sharp. He gave up 8 hits, 3 walks and allowed 7 earned runs before his relief corps did their best to make his outing look good with their own slovenly performance. Chicago up 2 games to 1.

Game 4...Denny Neagle came on to stop the bleeding for the home team and he really didn't. But he did get enough run support to  make his 8.1 innings of work and 5 earned runs look nice. Cubs starter John Lackey didn't have it today and ran a line of 4 innings pitched and 9 earned runs as the Braves tie the series 2-2 with a 16-5 victory.

Game 5...Maddux goes all the way for the home team and the Braves score 4 in the bottom of the second to make the final Braves 4 Cubs 2. Atlanta takes the series lead 3 games to 2. Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks was injured for the game in the bottom of the second inning and left the game after giving up 5 hits and with runners at first and third  He was charged with three earned runs after reliever Mike Montgomery threw a wild pitch to the first batter he faced allowing one run to score. The Cubs reliever then allowed  a single and a double and two more runs before putting out the fire. Maddux made it hold up.

Game 6...Tom Glavine gets the nod for the Braves and Jon Lester returns to the hill for the home town bunch as the series return to Wrigley Field. Bot pitchers were sharp. Andruw Jones hits a solo homer to put the Braves on top 1-0 but the Cubs come back to tie off Glavine in the bottom of the fourth. That's where it stays as the opposing teams keep slapping up zeros for one another until the top of the 11th inning. After a walk to Andres Galarraga, Andruw Jones strikes again with a run scoring double and Eddie Perez singled him in to make the count 3-1 Braves. Out of bench, Chicago goes to pitcher Jake Arrieta to pinch hit with two out in the bottom of the stanza and closer Kerry Lightenberg on the mound for the visitors. Jake promptly hits a home run 383 feet to left center. Talk about pulling the right strings! Lightenberg struck out Dexter Fowler, the next hitter to make it a moot point however. Atlanta takes the series and the Modern League NL championship 4 games to 2.

Once again, I thank Kurt for hanging in there and for a good series. Frankly, I think the Cubs were the best team in the Modern League and I reckon they would whip the Braves two out of every three series they might play. I never expected to win this one and I'm glad I don't have to see Chicago again.

regards

eab
98 Braves

Bravos (98) sweep '82 Redbirds

The Braves sweep the Cards with....

1) a 2-0 shutout behind Greg Maddux
2) Tommy Glavine pitches the Braves to a 12-3 win
3) The Cards jump out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a George Hendrick 3 run dinger but the Atlanta bunch gets 6 in the top of the 2nd and hang on behind a shaky Denny Neagle to win 10-6.

Thanks are issued to friend Robert Chisholm for subbing for the Cardinals. He did a solid job with an unfamiliar team and was the victim of a bad day by St Louis.

eab
'98 Braves

Tribe wins battle of '54's in 6

Game 1
W Ford gives up 7 walks in 4.2 innings and 8 hits allowing 5 runs ..Tom Morgan holds the Indians for the rest of the game...The Yanks make a charge in the bottom of 9 but fall short final 5-3 Cleveland 54.......Wynn goes 8.2 and gets the win

Game 2
Much of the same Cleveland gets 5 runs on 6 hits and Lemon Goes 8.2 and takes this one 5-3 Cleveland up 2 going home...

Game 3
Yankees take a 5-4 lead going to the bottom of 7 and again the pitching cant get it done ..Cleveland get 3 in the bottom half of 7 this one ends 7-5 and its Cleveland up 3-0 in the series

game 4
The Yankees with there back to the wall explode for 9 and take it 9-1 ..Series is 3-1

Game 5
Whitey is back on the mound and he gives up 7 walks in 7.1 IP but only gives up 2 runs Gorman and Konstanty get the job done and the Yankees pick up another one series is 3-2 going back to New York...

Game 6
the Yankees jump out to a 3-0 lead and then defensively collapse put up 3 errors and Cleveland takes it 7-3 and series 3-2 ..Lemon goes the distance for Cleveland ..
--submitted by C.Pester--

54-NYY defeats 61-NYY to reach all '54 final

In a series that looked to be a promising start for the 1961 Yankees against their 1954 counterparts, the ’54 squad stunned the ‘61s with a 4 run ninth inning in game one to overcome a 5-2 deficit, then went on to win the final two games in all but shutout fashion.

The ’61 club had things in command in game one, as Roger Maris got them started quickly pounding a 3-run homer in the top of the first inning. Both teams tallied two runs after that through 8. Manager Bike Mike elected to lift a tiring Whitey Ford after 8, and brought in usually reliable reliever Luis Arroyo to close things down with a three run lead.

But in what seems to be a recurring theme of bizarre events in post season games for Bike Mike’s teams, Arroyo and his bullpen mates turned in to what would later be known as “Rick Ankiel syndrome”, sometimes called “Steve Blass disease”. The usually solid Arroyo gave up two walks, and two singles, getting out none of the four batters he faced.

On came Roland Sheldon, another strong hurler during the regular season. But this time Sheldon walked both hitters he faced.  Bike Mike tried Jim Coates, to see if he could stem the tide of the bases-loaded-no-out situation, with the score now 5-4. No go; Hank Bauer lined a game winning two-run single to complete the comeback.  The ’61 Yankee bullpen line for the inning showed  seven batters faced, no outs recorded, 3 hits, 4 walks, 4 runs. A legendary meltdown for the record books.

The game one collapse obviously did a number on the ’61 team’s confidence, as they never scored another run in the series. Well, technically they did manage to put one across in the bottom of the ninth inning of game 3 with two outs, but by then they were down 10-0 and the ’54 team’s players not on the field were already popping the champagne.

Bob Grim threw a 4-hit complete game shutout in game two, and Yogi Berra had 3 of the 9 ’54 hits

including a home run as the ’54 club took a commanding two game lead with a 3-0 victory.

Game three was all ’54, as they piled up 13 hits and 10 runs in a blowout. Andy Carey, Irv Noren, Bill Skowron, and Gil McDougald each had 2 hits, and Allie Reynolds went 8 1/3 innings striking out 7 without a walk to lead the onslaught.

Going back to game one for one final bit of the bizarre, the ’61 team had the early 3-0 lead on the Maris homer, as Mickey Mantle walked to open the top of the third. Elston Howard then singled, putting two on and no out. But wait, the game suddenly locked up!! It was a run time error, and thus we had to shut down and resume the game. Upon resuming, Howard had lost his hit, and was back at bat. This time he grounded out, with Mantle running on the play so Mick went to second. So now there is one on and one out, rather than two on and no out. Maris then walked, and Skowron singled. Mick tried to score from second on the hit with about a 2/3 chance to score, but was gunned down at the plate. Hector Lopez then struck out. Had the Elston Howard phantom hit stood, and Maris then walked to load the bases with no out, and Skowron then singled, could the ’61 team have put the game out of reach early? We will never know, but it just adds to the lore of the bizarre in that first game.

Such is life. Good luck to the ’54 Yankees, and hopefully we will see some exciting LCS games.

Bike Mike