Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Triumph and tragedy...

August 2nd will go down as one of the most memorable dates in New York sports history because of two separate events, one triumphant, the other tragic...

The morning of August 2nd, 1992, a hot blistering sun lit up the skies over the sleepy village of Cooperstown, New York. It would be the biggest day in the life of the greatest pitcher in New York Mets history. Notice that the metaphor, "arguably" did not disgrace that pronouncement. George Thomas Seaver was about to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. The pitcher forever known as "The Franchise" would thank his parents and single out manager Gil Hodges as the person most responsible for putting number 41 where he so justly deserved to be, immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame with the highest percentage (98.84%) of votes in history...

Thirteen years earlier on August 2nd, 1979, 32-year old Yankee captain Thurman Munson was piloting a plane near Canton, Ohio, close to his family home when it crashed taking his life and leaving behind a wife and family. A pall fell over not only Yankee fans but the entire city as we all mourned his passing...

The same date, separated by 13 years with results that are diametrically opposed will make August 2nd a date never to be forgotten...

More August 2 Memories...

1824) Fifth Avenue is opened in Manhattan...

1858) Boston and New York City install the 1st mailboxes in the U.S...

1960) Brian Hyland tops the charts with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"...

1961) The Beatles become the house band at Liverpool's Cavern Club...

1962) Robert Zimmerman legally changes his name to Bob Dylan...

1971) The Bee Gees are #1 with "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart"...

1974) John Dean is sentenced to 1-4 years in prison for his role in the Watergate cover-up...

1979) Yankee catcher Thurman Munson dies tragically (feature story)...

1981) Rick Springfield takes "Jessie's Girl" to the top of the charts...

1990) Iraq invades oil-rich Kuwait...

1992) Tom Seaver enters Baseball's Hall of Fame...

1992) Kevin Bacon's relationship with Kyra Sedgwick sizzles as the couple exchange marriage vows...

1992) Jackie Joyner-Kersee picks up gold up the Barcelona Olympics...

2000) Republicans nominate Texas Governor George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for president and vice president...

Happy Birthday to...

1932) Peter O'Toole...

1937) The Band's Garth Hudson...

1939) Country singer and songwriter Hank Cochran...

1939) Hollywood director Wes Craven...

1940) Dorris Kenner (Shirelles)...

1943) Kathy Lennon...

1945) Joanna Cassidy...

1950) O.J. judge Lance Ito...

1953) Butch (Eddie Munster) Patrick...

1959) SNL's Victoria Jackson...

1966) Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield...

1971) Pete Sampras...

1993) Cassidy Gifford...

Commentary...

While I didn't attend Tom Seaver's Hall of Fame induction, I did see "The Franchise" pitch on many occasions including one of his biggest games against the Yankees. I was lucky enough to witness Tom Seaver's 300th win as a member of the Chicago White Sox. He beat the Yankees on Phil Rizzuto Day, no less, at Yankee Stadium in 1985. I don't think anyone would disagree when I call him the greatest pitcher to ever wear a New York Met uniform...

Two things come to mind about Thurman Munson. I was at work at CBS Records International when I got a call from my son, Rob who broke the tragic news of the fatal plane crash which I found hard to believe. The other thing I remember about the Yankee captain was his ability to throw 2 baseballs to 2 different Yankees while warming up before each game. One motion, 2 baseballs to usually Roy White and Graig Nettles who would be standing side by side. Never saw that before and will never see it again...

It is with sadness that I report on the passing of Al Aronowitz who lost his battle with cancer on August 1st. Al was a fighter but he couldn't win this battle. Early plans call for a private burial. There are no details yet on any memorial service...