I've been home since Sunday and now it's off again on another business trip. We had a very good time in Vegas. I actually gambled more than I expected. We might have actually lost $20 to $25!
The next trip doesn't involve my giving a presentation, so the stress level is just a smidgen lower. I'm looking forward to getting to meet many in this industry that is still rather new to me.
In other news, I express my condolences to the family of Scott Muni, the famous disc jockey who made WNEW what it was before Opie & Anthony heralded its demise. Scottso was a familiar voice of my childhood, perhaps only third behind the recently deceased Bob Murphy and his annnouncing partner Ralph Kiner. As a Beatle lover, I also appreciated that Muni always kept them at the forefront of his play list.
And one more note of loss: The Montreal Expos are ending their history where it began -- Shea Stadium, playing the Mets. Unlike in the Expos inaugural game in 1969, their opponent in their final game isn't the future World Series champion. I saw an Expos game at the "Big O," against the Mets in the late 1980s, sitting behind Darryl Strawberry in right field. I was there with a group of young kids from the Summit YMCA who were in my care.
To me, Montreal is losing something, but I don't deny the team had fallen into an untenable situation. No true owner, a dwindling market of supporters and no television contract to keep fans rooting and aware of the players meant the team was doomed. It was once a baseball town, however, second to the Canadiens, of course. It was the city where Jackie Robinson debuted in his affiliation with Major League Baseball (though in my mind the Negro Leagues were filled with Major League capable players and should be considered "major league.")
In my mind it would be appropriate for the new team of the national capital to take on the name of the old Homestead Grays that played in the area half a century ago. It would honor the memory of the Negro Leagues in a city that has a strong African-American population that should provide a huge part of their new fanbase. It would recognize the legacy of their team's predecessor town in a baseball sense. And think of the marketing possibilities!
4 comments:
Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner, and don't forget Lindsey Nelson Mets fans!
re Montreal Expos: Many years ago (1973?) made a trip to Montreal. We tried to see a game at Jarry Park. Couldn't get in. Sold out, like most Expos games. How baseball times have changed.
Speaking of doomed teams, how 'bout this morning's (ny metro area) headlines: 12 people lined up for Nets tickets yesterday.
I'm aware of the Jarry Park trip, though I was too young. My first game was in '75 at Shea. I'll never forget being there: cheering for Staub, rooting for Grote.
As for Lindsay Nelson, unfortunately I can't forget his jackets. Those were louder than his voice.
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