Blog

Briefly. (really, I’m on vacation) 

Trivia #1: Teaticket is an alias for the name of what Massachusetts town?

Trivia #2: Babe Ruth was sold after the 1919 season, the year he also set a new homerun record. How many did he hit that season? 18, 29, 32, 35, 40, 42, 54? 

Baseball overload. ‘Tis the season. 

So you may have heard that Big Papi’s shooting was a case of mistaken identity? Ya, right. That is like going to Disney with the intent of shooting Mickey Mouse and instead shooting a random tourist.

The women’s World Cup. Get over it. Yes, you! It’s USA vs. the world. Go USA! U-S-A, U-S-A! 

The yankees have set an MLB record for consecutive games (28) with a homerun. Keep it up, but give me the Sox in a 7-game series. 

Speaking of the chankees, Sunday’s game across the pond starts at 10:10am local time. I’m on vacation, at the beach and the forecast is suspect. Brunch and bloodies anyone?! 

Headline of the week. This was an actual headline in the Boston Globe on June 26, 1934: “Red Sox Scalp Indians 6-3 Again Go Into Third Place.” Ya, that would go over well today. 

This past Wednesday night was ‘Margaritaville Night at the Park’ (Hadlock Field, Portland, ME) for the Sea Dogs/Fisher Cats game. All fans were encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts, the first 500 fans to enter the park got lei’d, any fan that sang at least two lines of any Jimmy Buffet song at the ticket window received a Buy One Get One Free general admission ticket and all were entertained by Tiki Thom and the Beach Band. You gotta love minor league baseball! 

Stat from Tuesday night’s Sox game. David Price has been averaging a career low 92 MPH on his fastball this season. He has also struck out a career high 27.4% of the batters he’s faced. 

Matt Barnes’ ERA is 10.39 pitching with no days rest. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: If a student wants a copy of his/her yearbook at a local public middle school here, he/she needs to cough up $27. Middle school!

This week’s sign of the apocalypse part deux: Kevin Durant declines $31.5M player option. 

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has decided to not allow sportsbooks to take bets on Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, despite several requests. 

Throwing heat, you’re doing it wrong (or too much)! St. Louis pitcher Jordan Hicks owned the top 21 fastest pitches in MLB so far this season, ranging between 103 mph and 104 mph. He left last Saturday’s game and was later diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. 

Look. If you can’t putt, it doesn’t matter whether the pin is in, or out! 

Trivia #1 answer: Teaticket is an alias for the name of what Massachusetts town? East Falmouth

Trivia #2 answer: Babe Ruth was sold after the 1919 season, the year he also set a new homerun record. How many did he hit that season? 18, 29, 32, 35, 40, 42, 54? 29 (he hit 54 the next season with the chankees) 

“Seagulls circle endlessly
I sing in silent harmony
We shall be free”

Briefly. 

The Orioles are 28^th in MLB in attendance at 16,758 per game. During last weekend’s Red Sox series they averaged 25,799. 

Trivia #1: What MLB team leads the league this season in attendance?

Trivia #2: In The Wizard of Oz, what is Dorothy’s last name? 

Magic, you’re doing it wrong. A crane lowered ‘Wizard Mandrake’, born Chanchal Lahiri, into the river at Kolkata (India), while the Indian star’s loved ones, fans, reporters and police watched from the river banks last Sunday. But the tightly-shackled 40-year-old failed to emerge from the water after being released into the current from a metal hook in a bid to recreate a Houdini trick. His body was found after a frantic 24-hour search. Before Lahiri entered the river he reportedly said it would be “magic” if he freed himself, but “tragic” if he couldn’t. 

What a great Father’s Day with the 8-run 10^thinning in the Sox game. Exciting, at least. Kinda made up for the crappy weather here in the northeast. 

Speaking of that game, what about the giveaway that day at Camden Yard – the orange fedora’s. What a great idea. I thought it was hysterical. 

World Cup. That’s soccer, right?

There was so much time between some hockey games this past playoff season that I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins have a game this weekend. 

James Holzhauer, of recent Jeopardy fame, donated $1,109.14 to pancreatic cancer research “For Alex Trebek and all the other survivors.” Nice. Trebek last month revealed that he is “near remission” – something that, in the past, has often been unheard of when it came to pancreatic cancer. 

I haven’t mentioned the Orioles’ Chris Davis yet this season. Ya, he’s still striking out. 72 times already this year which, by the way, isn’t even leading the Orioles! (Jonathan Villar – 76) 

Happy Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year (most sunlight). DYK: Solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still). 

I love reading all of the basketball experts who bash Danny Ainge and others. Amazing how knowledgeable they all are. 

Be careful out there. Four people have died in the United States this year from carbon monoxide poisoning after leaving a keyless ignition car running in their garage. 

Remember all those stats about Xander Bogaerts that I put out a week or so ago? Ya, he’s currently 6^th (6^th!) in All-Star voting for AL shortstops. What a joke! 

Don’t look now but JBJ is batting .210, above the Mendosa line and climbing! 

Trivia #1 answer: What MLB team leads the league this season in attendance? – The Los Angeles Dodgers at 47,608.

Trivia #2 answer: In The Wizard of Oz, what is Dorothy’s last name? Dorothy Gale (yes, you do care) 

“It’s getting’ near dawn
When lights close their tired eyes
I’ll soon be with you my love
To give you my dawn surprise
I’ll be with you darling soon
I’ll be with you when the stars start falling 

I’ve been waiting so long
To be where I’m going
In the sunshine of your love”

Briefly. 

Happy Penta Day! 

Sorry, no trivia. 

I wonder what happens when Mrs. Neely burns the toast? 

Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles (and your wallet) down the drain. 

Big Papi. I hope the truth comes out. Godspeed. 

Kyrie or no Kyrie, the Celtics cannot hang with either of the teams in the NBA Finals. There is much work to be done. 

Do you know what I like about Alexa? She does what she’s told! 

Tuesday’s 9-5 loss to the Rangers saw two ejections, an inside-the-park homerun and 8 walks and 15 K’s by Red Sox pitching. What a night! 

On average, 10 people will die in the United States a day as a result of drowning. 

Chris Sale has 7 quality starts this year without getting a ‘W’. He has not won a game at Fenway since July 11, 2018. 

If your biggest problem is having to change your schedule for the Sox game because your hockey team is playing game 7 in the Finals later that night, you’re doing OK.

For you puckheads who comment about the pussies in other sports nursing their injuries. I heard the same about Kevin Durant. The type of injury that doesn’t affect hockey players much because a completely different set of muscles are used when skating as opposed to running/jumping. Durant was out for an extended period of time with a calf injury. Pussy? He still came back too soon and as a result blew out his Achilles. 

Why is the name ‘Roberta’ pronounced the way it is and ‘Robert’ is pronounced the way it is? 

Back to the pizza thing. Why aren’t pizza boxes round?

Heart condition is the most expensive health condition in the U.S. totaling about $555B, much more than 2^nd place cancer at $225.8B. 

“What is this that stands before me
Figure in black that points at me
Turn around quick and start to run
Find out I’m the chosen one

Oh no” 

Happy Penta

Day!

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Briefly. 

Just when I thought the NHL playoff schedule was a joke. The NBA Finals schedule: Thu, Sun, Wed, Fri, Mon, Thu, Sun. Bunch of snowflakes I tell ya.

Trivia #1: Which NHL team is the only one to average five goals in a four-game playoff sweep – Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings?

Trivia #2: Which goaltender has the lowest career goals-against in the Finals since the red line was adopted in 1943 (minimum 15 games played)? Ken Druden, Chris Osgood, Patrick Roy, Gump Worley, Peter Harris? 

Congratulations to Mike Yastrzemski for getting the big call-up to the bigs after seven years in minors. 

I guess it would be kinda cool to be a zombie. I mean you don’t have to bathe or change your clothes, and you’re no uglier or better looking than anyone else but all that walking must be a drag. 

I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. 

UCLA won the College World Series the other day over Oklahoma. It was UCLA’s 13^th national title. 

The Red Sox are 9-3 when Eduardo Rodriguez starts. 

I saw a bumper sticker this morning that read: My Child Is Your Honor Student’s Drug Dealer 

The Red Sox drafted two shortstops this past week. With the 43^rd pick they selected Cameron Cannon. I hear he’s got a strong arm. A real cannon you might say. (ouch) 

My all-name team of MLB draft picks from Monday – Trejyn Fletcher, T.K. Sikkema, Gunnar Henderson, Chas Strumpf, Jard Triolo, Jackson Rutledge, Will Wilson, Keoni Cavaco, J.J. Bleday 

Tom Terrific? How about Giselle Delicious! 

Since 2015 (through Wednesday), Xander Bogaerts leads all MLB shortstops in average (.295), RBI (375), runs (413), hits (760) and doubles (164). 

In celebration of the 50 year anniversary of the 1969 Charles Manson-led slayings, California Governor Gavin Newsom overruled a parole board decision on Tuesday to free the youngest member of the murderous cult, Leslie Van Houten. She was 19 years old at the time and now has been denied parole three times. As Red would say, “Rehabilitated? Now I don’t even know what that means.” 

That cute young girl who kicked off game 3 the other night, Kaila Anderson, is the only Blues fan I like. 

Once you understand why we put a round pizza into a square box and cut it into triangles, you will finally understand women. 

And for you baseball nuts, in celebration of its 30^th anniversary, the classic baseball film, Field of Dreams, returns to movie screens this summer for two days only. Before and after each presentation, TCM Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz will offer fascinating insight into the making and legacy of the film. Screenings will be held at more than 600 movie theaters throughout Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network on June 16^th and 18^th for a mere $12.50. 

You know things are not going well when you have to pull your goalie with 5:30 remaining, you let up a goal, put the goalie back in and let up another. 

Trivia #1 answer: Which NHL team is the only one to average five goals in a four-game playoff sweep – Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings? The 1970 Bruins scored 20 goals in their sweep of the Blues.

Trivia #2 answer: Which goaltender has the lowest career goals-against in the Finals since the red line was adopted in 1943 (minimum 15 games played)? Ken Druden, Chris Osgood, Patrick Roy, Gump Worley, Peter Harris? – Chris Osgood had a 1.67 goals-against in 18 Final games for the Red Wings 

“Do you, don’t you want me to love you
I’m coming down fast but I’m miles above you
Tell me tell me tell me come on tell me the answer
Well you may be a lover but you ain’t no dancer”

Briefly. 

Wednesday was the St. Louis Blues first ever Stanley Cup Final win, but you knew that. 

Trivia #1: What Red Sox record does Bill Buckner hold?

Trivia #2: What St. Louis Blues player was in the movie “Forrest Gump”?

Trivia #3: What player led the St. Louis Blues in scoring (points) in the 92-93 season? 

I received some change the other day and got a couple of shiny, new 2019 pennies. They’re wicked shiny. 

If listening to joe Buck isn’t painful enough, Saturday night he was talking about how many games the Sox were out of first place. Ahhhh, it wasn’t even Memorial Day yet, Joe. 

Moneymaker. Nepal has issued 381 permits this year at $11K per to climb Mt. Everest. In a related story, the “Death Zone” near the summit is living up to its name as seven more climbers died there just last week, most of them caught in a traffic jam of climbers on the way to and back form the summit. 

I am not a fan of the “Official Shot of the NHL” – Jägermeister. Though it may be older, I consider it a millennial drink. 

Don’t look now but JBJ’s average is up to .185. 

I saw a headline referring to why people are not buying groceries online. Hello!? How do you squeeze the Charmin online? 

Mike Milbury is such a redneck. He showed his true form on Wednesday night between the 3^rdperiod and OT dropping a “what the fudge!” – What a goof 

Thought for the day: “A flute with no holes is not a flute and a donut with no holes is a Danish.” – Ty Webb (Caddyshack) 

Say what you want about playoff hockey, it’s just better with Doc Emrick. 

Thanking donors, you’re doing it wrong. In the premium seating area at Sanford Stadium (University of Georgia), beer and wine will be sold to only donors who have agreed to give tens of thousands of dollars to the school. In the specific area where drinking is permitted, you are not able to view the game. Gimme a break.   

Useless headline of the week: “AL East could be decided this weekend if Red Sox don’t show up for critical series” 

Trivia #3 hint: He was once a Boston Bruin. 

In recent days, river gauges along the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Quincy, MO have come within feet of their all-time record levels. There is potential for some gauges to set new records as they crest. Farther south, the Arkansas River has swelled out of its banks such that both Arkansas and Oklahoma have declared states of emergency in response to the flooding. 

Rafael Devers is on a short list of players who have an extra base hit and a run scored in seven straight outings, at the age of 22 – Ronald Acuna Jr (2018), Jack Clark (1978) and Hank Aaron (1956), all in the NL. In the AL, he is the first player to do it in the past 80 years, Barney McCosky (1939). (Be thankful that Barney wasn’t a trivia question today!) 

Did you see Cleveland’s relief pitcher, Adam Cimber? He pitches from the windup. His right foot is just in front of the rubber, parallel with it and his left foot is perpendicular to the rubber, toes facing centerfield! He uncoils and throws sidearm/submarine style. Bizarre. 

R.I.P. Bart Starr (85) – QB of the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971, he won five titles including the first two Super Bowls in 1967 and 1968, winning MVP honors in both. He was league MVP in 1966 and was inducted into the HOF in 1977.

R.I.P. Bill Buckner (69) – as underappreciated a local athlete as there ever was. 

Trivia #1 answer: What Red Sox record does Bill Buckner hold? – The single-season record for at-bats by a left-handed hitter (673 in 1985) (come no, you didn’t know that?!)

Trivia #2 answer : What St. Louis Blues player was in the movie “Forrest Gump”? – Brendan Shanahan (was in a football scene)

Trivia #3 answer: What player led the St. Louis Blues in scoring (points) in the 92-93 season? – Craig Janney (106) 

“Long as I remember, the rain been comin’ down.
Clouds of myst’ry pourin’, confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages, tryin’ to find the sun;
And I wonder, Still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain.”

Briefly. 

The girls’ softball team at SUNY Geneseo was trailing Trine University (IN) 3-1 in the final inning of the Division-III Women’s College World Series, and had runners on first and second and two outs. Senior pitcher Kate Saupe rounded a fake throw to second and her teammates did their best to sell that the ball was errantly thrown into centerfield. The runner on second broke for third only to be tagged out by the pitcher who had the ball the entire time. Game over – DOH! 

Trivia #1: What is the nickname of Trine University (IN)?

Trivia #2: Who is the only goalie to have his name appear on the Stanley Cup as the captain of a Cup-winning team? Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Patrick Roy, Charlie Gardner, Bernie Parent?

Trivia #3: What player holds the record for most career goals in the Stanley Cup Finals? Wayne Gretzky, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, Mark Messier, Guy LaFleur? 

Now this is just wrong. Despite the objections of workers at an animal shelter in Chesterfield, VA, the executor of a woman’s estate had Emma, her healthy Shih Tzu mix, euthanized, cremated and buried with her. Say I, thankfully she didn’t have any children! 

Brock Holt, rehabbing in Triple-A Pawtucket, is batting .300 during a recent, modest 6-game hitting streak. His problem is, when he returns to the big-boy club, he will be even more relegated to spelling Devers/Bogaerts and now Mike Chavis due to Chavis’ recent rise.

Tyler Thornberg is on the IL. Thank the Lord!

The Ole Miss men’s golf team was participating in the NCAA Regionals in CA and needed to finish in the top five to advance to the NCAA Championship. The Rebels were up four strokes over LSU for the final spot when freshman Sarut Vongchaisit hit a bird with his third shot and the ball fell out of bounds. He finished the hole with a nine, finished the round seven over and Ole Miss finished one stroke behind LSU for the final spot. 

The Saints’ Ted Ginn Jr. will race you, or anyone, for $10,000. 

Marv Albert continues to be one of the all-time great commentators. 

Yes, the Bruins beat St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1970. DYK, the Blues had also lost in the Finals in 1968 & 1969? 

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination. Headline: “Halle Berry defends latest topless cooking photo, new back tattoo” Ya, I’ll skip that article. 

Greek NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has agreed to fund the construction of an indoor basketball court in a fire-ravaged area outside Athens where at least 100 people were killed last year. Nice. 

Parenting, you’re doing it right! Bryan Bellace, 23, was arrested last Sunday after a video circulated seemingly showing him urinating in a playground on a memorial for a 9-year old boy who had died of cancer. Bryan’s father, Bruce, subsequently fired him from Bruce Bellace Plumbing & Heating, the family business. 

Chris Sale has one win in last 14 starts dating back to last season. 1-5 with 8 ‘No Decisions’. 

Trivia #1 answer: What is the nickname of Trine University (IN)? – The Thunders

Trivia #2 answer: Who is the only goalie to have his name appear on the Stanley Cup as the captain of a Cup-winning team? Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Patrick Roy, Charlie Gardner, Bernie Parent? – Charlie Gardner (Blackhawks, 1934)

Trivia #3 answer: What player holds the record for most career goals in the Stanley Cup Finals? Wayne Gretzky, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, Mark Messier, Guy LaFleur? – Maurice Richard (34) 

R.I.P. Tim Conway (85) – I missed this last week as he died on May 15. One of the funniest, most talented comedians of all-time. (my opinion) 

“To seek the secret river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise” 

Good night everybody!

Briefly. 

In case you missed it, Julian Edelman received his college degree from Kent State University last Saturday. Good for him! 

Trivia #1: On Sunday, Rafael Devers became just the second Red Sox player since 1908 to record three straight three-hit games at the age of 22 or younger. Who is the other?

Trivia #2: Chris Sale became the second pitcher ever to put together back-to-back outings of at least 14 K’s and no walks. Who is the other? 

Chris Sale’s 17 K’s on Tuesday night are a record for any pitcher who never went more than seven innings. 

A hot goalie will take you far. A well-deserved rest coming up for the boys. 

You know when you try to lean forward in your car/truck but the seatbelt locks up? And then you lean back to reset it and try to lean forward but it locks again? I HATE that! 

Michael Chavis now has seven homeruns and has hit the 5 longest homeruns of the season for the Sox. He is 23. 

Less than half of the first period of Tuesday night’s Bruins/Hurricanes game was played 5-on-5. 

Remember back in the day, NFL players could trap the puck between their skates along the boards and get a faceoff? Imagine if back then they could battle like they do now, with no whistle? There would be a fight every 2 minutes! 

New machines being tested by Amazon can pack up boxes at a rate of 600 to 700 per hour, or four to five times faster than human workers. Rolling out the machines to additional warehouses could add up to more than 1,300 job cuts at U.S. fulfillment centers. 

Kawhi Leonard’s walk-off shot falling in the corner was truly one of the greatest NBA finishes I’ve seen. 

Only in minor league baseball do you see a headline like: “Yard Goats mow down Sea Dogs” 

Jamie Collins, welcome back! 

People ask my all the time (not really), what is Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K) up to? Dice-K is still sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered when a fan pulled on his pitching arm. He was recently disciplined by his team (the Seibu Lions) for playing golf on his scheduled practice day. 

Somehow, “Crafty” Bob Kraft is going to get off. Then what does the NFL do?? 

Quote of the week: “I hope I don’t get a lot of grief from fans.” – John Daly who rode in a cart during yesterday’s PGA Championship because of knee problems. Ya John, right! 

R.I.P. Doris Day (97) – The article I saw read “the beautiful blonde whose sunny screen presence and silken voice guaranteed box-office and record-chart hits in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” Apparently she has kept a low profile for years devoting most of her time to her charitable organization “The Doris Day Animal Foundation.”

R.I.P. Robert Maxwell (98) – Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for selflessly throwing himself on an exploding German hand grenade – saving the lives of a battalion commander and several other soldiers in World War II. The oldest living recipient of the nation’s highest military honor, Maxwell was also awarded two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars and a Bronze Star while serving as a communications specialist with the 7^thRegiment, 3^rd Infantry Division. 

Trivia #1 answer: On Sunday Rafael Devers became just the second Red Sox player since 1908 to record three straight three-hit games at the age of 22 or younger. Who is the other? Xander Bogaerts in 2014.

Trivia #2 answer: Chris Sale became the second pitcher ever to put together back-to-back outings of at least 14 K’s and no walks. Who is the other? Dwight Gooden (Mets) in 1984 as a rookie. 

“The middle of the road is trying to find me
I’m standing in the middle of life with my plans behind me
Well I got a smile for everyone I meet
As long as you don’t try dragging my bay
Or dropping a bomb on my street”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: When was the last time a team from Canada won the Stanley Cup and which team was it?

Trivia #2: What is the highest education level you need to become a NASA astronaut? – None, High school diploma, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Ph.D. ? 

OK, I admit I was a little tough on David Pastrnak last week. However, in my defense, he has been having tremendous difficulty controlling the puck lately, at least twice last night right in front of the net.

In the Massachusetts specialty license plate race for sports teams, it’s a landslide. Red Sox plates are at 43,620; Patriots – 28,295; Bruins – 15,861 and the poor Celtics – 4,808. Other plates beating the Celtics right now – CAPE COD plates, MSPCA, and WHALE plates. Ouch. 

Pablo Sandoval (remember him, former Sox bust) recently became just the second player since 1900 with a homerun, stolen base and one scoreless inning pitched in a single game. Christy Mathewson also accomplished the feat although he pitched nine scoreless innings! 

Counter-poaching, you’re doing it wrong. A 22-year old British soldier of the 1^st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was on patrol Sunday in Malawi on a counter-poaching operation when he was killed by an elephant. 

I do think the Sox have righted the ship. Funny in that Devers can’t make a play in the field but has been one of their most consistent hitters, and JBJ can’t hit to save his life but is still one of the greatest fielding outfielders in the game. If you haven’t seen his catch from Wednesday night, google it up.

Again, as a public service, I believe that the best site for googling information iswww.google.com. 

I understand some of the Red Sox players went to the White House yesterday. Whatever. 

In useless information, May is ‘Disability Insurance Awareness Month.’ 

In pertinent information, May is ‘Military Appreciation Month.’ 

Also in May – Duluth, Minnesota experienced its single snowiest day in May since 1902 – 8.3”. In the lower Mississippi Valley, central Gulf Coast and the Tennessee Valley, it may only take 1 to 2 inches to trigger flooding across the region. When combining rainfall from earlier this week, 16 inches is possible across southern Texas, portions of Louisiana moving northeastward. There is some freaky weather all around out there! 

As for the Celtics, huh? 

I’ve made this comment before but in reference to what Chris Sale did on Wednesday night. That is, he pitched an “immaculate inning” (three strikeouts on 9 pitches). As I’ve said before, I would think an “immaculate inning” for a pitcher is two weak groundouts and an infield pop-up… on three pitches. 

R.I.P. Peter Mayhew (74) – Otherwise known as Chewbacca. DYK: He was actually 7’3” tall? 

Trivia #1 answer: When was the last time a team from Canada won the Stanley Cup and which team was it? – The Montreal Canadians in 1993.

Trivia #2 answer: What is the highest education level you need to become a NASA astronaut? – None, High school diploma, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Ph.D. ? – Bachelor’s degree 

“Into this house were born
Into this world we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm”

Briefly.

With a light rain on Tuesday, this past April just went down as the wettest April in local history with 21 days of measurable rain. May hasn’t started much better. 

Trivia #1: Where is Chateau Marmont and what is it significance?

Trivia #2: For you Celtics historians. “Havlicek stole the ball!” – who inbounded it?

Trivia #3: What does MVR mean?

Trivia #4: Ya, going with four today: What do the television show Gilligan’s Island and the cartoon show Mr. Magoo have in common?

Comedian Frank Caliendo, known for his impersonations, did just that impersonating Ian Rapoport, Adam Schefter and Raiders’ coach Jon Gruden in separate calls to Arizona GM Steve Keim just hours before Keim made the number one pick on the NFL draft. Keim admitted he really thought he was getting legitimate trade offers. (Man, he’s got a better sense of humor than me because I would have been pissed!) 

For you locals, be careful not to take for granted the fact that our baseball team won the World Series last fall, our football just won the Super Bowl and we are watching our hockey and basketball teams in the playoffs. Imagine if we lived in Cleveland! 

Go figure. It was the Red Sox who won to avoid Black Tuesday in New England sports this past week. Prior to Tuesday, it had been 3,280 days (May 7, 2010) since the Bruins and Celtics both lost a playoff game on the same day. 

I drank a carton of milk yesterday and David Pastrnak’s picture was on it. 

In disturbing news, “13 Reasons Why”, a show about a teen girl’s suicide, first aired on March 31, 2017. The following month, suicides among children age 10 to 17 was the highest in 19 years, with an estimated 195 more suicides in the nine months after the show aired than in the same period in preceding years. 

Red SOX CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed that the Red Sox are in talks to bring a college bowl game to Fenway Park. 

I shouldn’t even put this out there because some of you might follow suit, but… 88-year old billionaire Warren Buffet typically consumes five cans of Coca-Cola per day, eats McDonald’s chicken nuggets at least three times per week and loves Dairy Queen ice cream for dessert. As for salt? Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf once said “When the food comes, Warren grabs a salt shaker in his left hand and one in his right, and it’s a snowstorm.”

I want to grow my own food but can’t find any bacon seeds. 

Trivia #3 hint: It has to do with professional baseball. 

I’m not interested if you stood with the great. I’m interested if you sat with the broken. 

Trivia #1 answer: Where is Chateau Marmont and what is it significance? Chateau Marmont is in L.A. and John Belushi lived, partied and later died there in 1982.

Trivia #2 answer: For you Celtic historians. “Havlicek stole the ball!” – who inbounded it? – Philadelphia’s Hal Greer

Trivia #3: What does MVR mean? – Mound Visits Remaining

Trivia #4: What do the television show Gilligan’s Island and the cartoon show Mr. Magoo have in common? Jim Backus played Thurston Howell III on Gilligan’s Island and was the voice of Mr. Magoo. 

“Every time I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It went by like dusk to dawn

Isn’t that the way
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: When was the last time no QB was taken in round one of the NFL draft? 2007, 2001, 1996, 1988, 1971?

Trivia #2: Who was the last kicker selected in round one and what team picked him? Same question for the last punter select in round one? 

Apparently Nashville is a popular destination for bachelorette parties. There are some brides and bridesmaids who are upset that several bars in Nashville are shut down due to the NFL draft, which started last night. I feel bad for the grooms. 

The Giants took a Duke QB at #6. ‘Nuf said. 

Some dude gave the Pats a C+ with their pick of N’Keal Harry. So what?! (My wife and I were going to name our second child “N’Keal” but at the last minute settled on Michael) 

The best thing about the Pats taking a WR at #32 is that no one, the experts, barstool geniuses and others who just knew what they were going to do, were wrong. 

I was going to go to the gym but couldn’t find my membership card. A replacement card costs $10. A coffee and donut costs $3. Guess who saved $7! 

This may be a little old news but… did you hear Gronk’s response to denting the Lombardi Trophy while using it as a bat at Fenway? “Oopsies” 

Police say three suspects broke into a medical facility on Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, last Saturday and fled with 18 colonoscopes – devices used for examining the health of patients’ colons. Now what?!?!?! (Frankly, I wish they had broken into the facility I was in on Wednesday…) 

Last Friday night the Red Sox’ Matt Barnes threw out a runner at first after striking him out. You don’t see that every day. Kinda like my one-putt for a nine last night. You don’t see that every day. 

The truth comes out. Other than Twitter rants I read about, I had heard/read nothing about “the head.” What head? The guy who’s head took up two thirds of the screen during the end of the frantic third period of Sunday’s Bruins/Maple Leafs game. NBC, which broadcast the game for U.S. viewers, came out yesterday and said that technical difficulties forced the network to switch to a replacement camera during the third period. If you were watching I think you’ll agree it was as humorous as it was frustrating. 

Cameron Platt, now 25 and former valedictorian at Princeton U, just got engaged to her 71-year old former professor at the school. I’d say she had stayed after school a few times for a little “extra help.” 

I’ve stated in the past that I like Dennis Eckersley as a color commenter for the Sox. He has some great phrases/references. He did however, stump me on Wednesday when the leadoff batter for Detroit bounced out to Bogaerts. It was an easy play and Eck said; “that’s major kitchen.” What the heck, Eck, does that mean?! 

Guys, put the seat down! The ex-boyfriend of a 37-year old Pittsburgh woman was wanted by police and had been hiding in her house for about two weeks, unbeknownst to her. Her first clue that someone was in her house was that the toilet seat was left up. DOH! 

The National Cyber Security Center teamed with Troy Hunt, an Australian cybersecurity expert to determine the most common hacked passwords. “123456” was identified 23 million times in worldwide breaches. Really? That’s like locking the door to your house and leaving the key on the doorstep. Also listed were “password”, “111111” and “qwerty”. Dudes!

There’s a fine line between a batter drawing a walk and a pitcher who can’t find the plate. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The New York Yankees have decided to no longer run Kate Smith’s version of “God Bless America” during their seventh-inning stretch because of Smith’s affiliation with songs that carried racist lyrics.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: The Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliot got a massive tattoo of himself, taking up nearly all of the outside of his calf. 

R.I.P. John “Hondo” Havlicek (79) – Celtic fans may sound bias when speaking of how great he was but he is also known as one of the top 50 players in the NBA, all time. ‘Nuf said. 

Trivia #1 answer: When was the last time no QB was taken in round one of the NFL draft? 2007, 2001, 1996, 1988, 1971? – 1996 (Tony Banks was taken with the 12^th pick in the 2^ndround by the Rams)

Trivia #2: Who was the last kicker selected in round one and what team picked him? Same question for the last punter select in round one? – Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders) and the punter was Ray Guy (Raiders) 

“Oh, what a night
Why’d it take so long to see the light
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right
What a lady, what a night”