Perfection Reviewed 50 Years Later.

Don't look now but it has been fifty years since history was made in a World Series game. Don Larsen the man who threw it, Yogi Berra the cat who caught it, Sal 'The Barber' Maglie the opponent who tossed a five hitter in defeat, Mickey Mantle who had a catch and a solo blast in the 2-0 Yankee victory, Babe Pinelli was your home plate umpire who called all of Larsen's 97 pitches, and of course the last batter who took a called third strike, Brooklyn Dodger Dale Mitchell.

The only perfect game thrown in World Series history! You've probably seen the black and whites of Yogi hugging Don as they were mobbed off the Yankee Stadium field. Mantle by the way was a few weeks away from winning the Triple Crown with 52 Homers, 130 ribbies and a batting average of .356. Amazing.

Should we be shocked that the Yankees have been knocked out again in the playoffs? Where is it written that a 200 million dollar payroll automatically guarantees success in the post season? Is this the curse of A-Rod? Not likely yet he won't be back or missed by his buddy Derek. The Yankees that I used to watch and root for back in the day did a smart job of harnessing talent from the minors and bringing them up the old fashioned way.

Keep in mind that prior to 1996, New York had not won a World Series since 1978. Many years in between Georgy Porgy didn't have the brass or the talent or trade smarts to make October magic. In my view the 17 year drought came to be from overcoming the loss of Thurman Munson. Every team must have a soul or spiritual leader. Munson was that. If anyone loved to thrive under the New York pressure cooker, it was the pride of Kent State.

As the Yankees began a run of World Championships from 1996-2000 I feel the same way about Paul O'Neil. In thinking of the talent pool that advanced in the mid 90's under the watchful eye of Buck Showalter and Joe Torre, I recall how Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera made for a very strong team fulcrum. I don't see that now. Too many over the hill starters, and too much underachievement. Yankee fans will not stand for this nor should they!

Joe Torre is gone. To his credit, he will have set a record for longevity under the Steinbrenner regime having lasted 11 seasons. Twice as long as Billy Martin survived in five different stints from 1975-1978, 1979, 1983, 1985, and 1988. Lou Piniella will now return as a Yankee skipper for the first time in 20 years. He follows a pattern Yogi Berra set in 1964 and 1984. Whatever happens in Gotham City in 2007 and onward is all a crapshoot. Things will be diferent under Lou's control. What a ride it has been! Piniella kept me entertained for ten years whilst in the NW. He brought baseball credibility to Seattle after A-Rod, Griffey, and Big Unit all booked, and his penchant for kicking dirt and tossing a base around is legendary. Gotta love that Castilian blood!

Cowboy fans in their reactionary ways will no doubt piss and moan about Drew Bledsoe's inability to get a pass off. As Ty Cobb once said after being whiffed by Walter Johnson,'Ya Can't Hit What Ya Can't See!'. The defense of Philly was in Drew's face all day. He never had a chance. Despite what the scoreboard read, I felt the Eagles dominated this game from the get go. So don't start that whine of 'Romo or No Go'. Johnny Unitas would have lost today.

Terrell Owens was a non-factor. I am curious how many T.O. shirts were burned in effigy this day at the Link. The Eagle victory amounted to what many now call 'Their Super Bowl' and a little redemption for all the B.S. T.O. brought last year. Remember that the rematch will be in Dallas on Christmas Day. Imagine...

Reggie Bush's run at games end on the Bucs was epic! I love this kid's enthusiasm and his ability to keep it in team speak. In defeat, that rook for the Buc's Gradkowski made some nice tosses to Joey Galloway...Jeremy Shockey is overrated and he needs to just shut up and perform before he pontificates his usual needless drivel! How is it that the Colts barely squeak by the Titans? At least no faces were stepped on. I haven't chimed in but predict that when the suspension is done, Mr Haynesworth shall be deactivated from Tennessee. Fair and just I'd say. If he were panty hose how much is a Hanes worth?

The 5-0 Bears are reminding me alot of the 1986 Bears defensively. 1986 was also the last time Chicago got off to a 5-0 start. It's early and I do not want to stir the pot, but I do like the way Rex Grossman is fully utilizing all outlets when checking off at the line. Oh yes, that 1986 Bear team went 14-2 and got knocked off in the first round of the playoffs to Washington 27-13. That was more due to infighting between Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, and a new guy named Doug Flutie. What should have been a dynasty 20 years ago blew up after Buddy Ryan went to Philly. Can you imagine if Buddy and Mike could have coexisted? Yes, it's hindsight I know...

For the first time in a while, I believe we have two diamond championship playoffs that might see a seven game push. I really think Detroit Oakland will have a rugged feel to it. Two blue-collar towns going mano a mano. Shades of 1972 without any beanings or bats being tossed. The older set will remember Bert Campaneris and Lerrin LaGrow. Keep and eye on Frank Thomas for the A's and Craig Monroe for the Tigers. It will either wind up Oakland-New York or Detroit-St.Louis. 1968 or 1973 revisited. I'll take it!

Imagine: If alive John Lennon would have turned 66 tomorrow, 67 for John Entwistle.

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will