The New York Knicks have become the biggest joke in sports. The Knicks lose game after game yet James Dolan, chief cheech of everything stamped with a Madison Square Garden logo, keeps defending Thomas, no matter what. On the heels of the sexual harassment case decision to award former Garden executive Anucha Browne Sanders $11.6 million, payable by both Dolan and Thomas just this week, comes another absurdity - this statement from Isiah: "I fight til I die. It's not about giving up or quitting. To me it's win or die. I literally mean death. I don't mean walk away. I mean death." Huh? Some fans were heard to say, the only ones dying are us, we have to watch this team lose every night...
This has not been a good year for either Thomas or Dolan. If you don't think it can get any worse, stick around. The Thomas statement made me wonder if Bill Belichick feels the same way ("I don't mean walk away. I mean death"). If he does then the 24-points the Patriots are favored over the Jets by is a joke and very charitable if you're giving the 24 points...
Back to Isiah -this is actual footage of Isiah Thomas testifying on the use of the "B" word in the Anucha Browne Sanders case: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ocb4MFkDiAY . For those who wondered where Isiah goes when he puts each Knick loss behind him, we take you to his beautiful escape from reality: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GX-pVhTZg0U ...
10 Timeline Memories (with video):
- 1896] The roots of Radio: Guglielmo Marconi gives the public the first demonstration of radio at London's Toynbee Hall. The following year he establishes the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Ltd. in Chelmsford, England. Uncle Walter gives us the story: http://youtube.com/watch?v=b-ROgaU8GDI ...
- 1897] Debuted on this date: "The Katzenjammer Kids", the pioneering comic strip by Rudolph Dirks makes its debut in the New York Journal...1915] Francis Albert Sinatra is born in Hoboken (NJ) which would have made 'Old Blue Eyes' 92 today. This is how some of Sinatra's old haunts celebrate the event: http://youtube.com/watch?v=M1SIVf2aVME ...1925] The first motel, the "Motel Inn" opens in San Luis Obispo (CA)...1946] Tide detergent is introduced...
- 1930] Ground rule double: Baseball changes the rule on balls bouncing into the stands in fair territory, from a home run to a double. One rule not changed is a ball hitting the head of an outfielder and going into the stands in fair territory. That's still a home run. Ask Jose Canseco...
- 1937] Going mobile: NBC and RCA send the first TV mobile unit vans into the streets of New York. Contrary to popular belief, Gabe Pressman was not the first reporter...
- 1965] Running wild: The Packers' Paul Hornung runs for 5 touchdowns while Gayle Sayers of the Bears runs for 6 in two separate NFL games. What's that worth in Fantasy Football???
- 1975] Guilty as charged: Sara Jane Moore pleads guilty to an assassination attempt on the life of President Gerald R. Ford. Sara is still doing the time for the crime, captured on video tape: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hgqHts5cSBc ...1989] Leona ("Queen of Mean") Helmsley is fined $7 million and sentenced to 4 years in prison for tax evasion...
- 1976] Curtains: Joe Namath bows out as Jets QB in a 42-3 blowout by the Bengals. Joe Willie will end his career with a 'cup of coffee' as a Los Angeles Ram...
- 1982] John Deere to the rescue: Mark Henderson uses a John Deere tractor to clear a spot in the snow for John Smith's 33-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a 3-0 win over the Miami Dolphins at Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough. This game became known as the "Snow Plow Game"...
- 1991] Wedding Bells: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford walk down the aisle. The marriage lasts 3 years before dissolving...
- 1999] "Happy Trails": "Catch-22" author, Joseph Heller dies of a heart attack at 76...2003] Keiko, the killer whale made famous in "Free Willie" dies of pneumonia at 27 in the Norwegian fjord he called home...2006] Actor Peter Boyle passes away from multiple myeloma and heart disease at 71...
Music Memories (with video):
- 1955] Recorded on this date: "See You Later Alligator" - Bill Haley & Comets. This was a cover of the original version by Bobby Charles. Here's a hilarious scene from "Rock Around The Clock" (1956) that features Bill Haley & the Comets: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tI4qO5Y9M1Q ...
- 1964] Released on this date: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" - Righteous Brothers...
- 1969] Debuted on this date: "Hello Dolly" starring Barbra Streisand...1980] Marie Osmond's solo TV series on NBC-TV...
Commentary:
John Gorman comments following Led Zeppelin's great reunion concert this week: "I wish I still had my Boston Tea Party ticket for Led Zeppelin. My ticket read "The new Yardbirds. They changed their name a week later"...In response to my mention of the UNICEF start up yesterday, Len Zola adds: "I hope you're aware that Frank Avruch, recently inducted (in May) into the Boston Broadcast Hall of Fame, was the one selected to do a UNICEF tour back a few decades ago, chosen from among ALL the guys playing that role across the U-S-of-A!". Since Len referred to Frank, as our 'Bozo', I assume that was his role...Thanks to Mike Reiss (Boston Globe) for this football factoid: "It was Red Hickey, as coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 1960 who is credited with unveiling the version of the shotgun formation used by most NFL teams today. Hickey was looking for a way to combat Baltimore's dynamic and powerful pass rush. The 49ers pulled off a 30-22 upset that day and the shotgun has been an integral part of the game ever since." Why the shotgun? "Hickey told the San Francisco Chronicle, well, I'm an old country boy and I used to go hunting with a shotgun. How about we call it the shotgun." And now you know...the rest of the story (with credit to Paul Harvey)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Hank Williams III (XXXV), Jennifer Connelly (37), Mike Golic (45), Tracy Austin (45), Sheila E (48) Sheila E lives 'The Glamorous Life': http://youtube.com/watch?v=DXa6GVEg8Zw , Cathy Rigby (55), Dionne Warwick (67), Connie Francis (69) seen here in 1981 doing a medley of her hits: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hr1OPjMMOb8 , Ed ("Hey how'm I doin?") Koch (83) and the recently retired Bob Barker (84)...
Timeline Countdown: Chanukah ends at sundown, 11 days until winter, 12 days until Festivus, 13 shopping days until Christmas, 19 nights until New Year's Eve and 24 days until the NFL Wild Card Playoffs...
