Friday, October 31, 2014

MLS Cup Playoffs: BWP's Late Double Stuns SKC, Leads Red Bulls Into Conference Semifinal Series With DC United

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored twice late in the second half (77', 90') as the New York Red Bulls came from behind Thursday to dethrone defending champions Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference knockout playoff match.

New York will host DC United in the opening match of an Eastern Conference two-game semifinal series on Sunday at 1:00 PM Pacific Time (Univision Deportes) with the return contest set for Washington on November 8 (11:30 AM Pacific Time, NBC).

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

GIANTS TOP ROYALS 3-2 TO WIN THIRD WORLD SERIES IN FIVE YEARS; MADBUM PITCHES FIVE SHUTOUT INNINGS IN RELIEF, WINS SERIES MVP AWARD

At Kansas City:
giants celebrate title 10 29
Madison Bumgarner (named series Most Valuable Player; that's him celebrating the victory with teammates) pitched five innings of two-hit, four-strikeout scoreless baseball in relief  while Michael Morse delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the fourth inning as the San Francisco Giants won their third World Series championship in five years on Wednesday with their 3-2 road victory in game seven over the Kansas City Royals.  

The Giants won their first World Series game seven in five tries and ended a string of nine straight game-seven victories by home teams.

A key to the Giants' victory came in the third inning as second baseman Joe Panik turned in a double play (this after video replay overturned an earlier ruling that he didn't) to help snuff out a Royals rally (Kansas City had tied it up at 2-2 in the second inning after the Giants had scored twice in their half of that same inning).

USA Today photo by Denny Medley

MLS Cup Playoffs: Michel Delivers Late PK As Hoops Oust Caps In Knockout Match; Get Sounders Next

At Frisco, Texas:

Michel's penalty kick in the 84th minute carried FC Dallas To a 2-1 home victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference one-game knockout playoff as the Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs commenced on Wednesday.

The Hoops will next take on the newly-crowned Supporters' Shield winners, the Seattle Sounders in a two-game Western Conference semifinal series, which begins this coming Sunday at Frisco, Texas (6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, ESPN 2), with the return match to be played in Seattle on Monday, November 10 (7:30 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

2014 World Series: Royals Use Seven-Run Second-Inning To Demolish Giants, Square Series At Three Games Apiece, Force Game Seven

At Kansas City:
USP MLB: WORLD SERIES-SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AT KANS S BBO USA MO
Lorenzo Cain looped a two-run single, part of a seven-run second inning while Yordano Ventura pitched seven innings of three-hit shutout baseball as the Kansas City Royals demolished the visiting San Francisco Giants 10-0 in Tuesday's sixth game of the World Series.

The series, now deadlocked at three games apiece, will be decided in game #7 on Wednesday night in Kansas City.  Tim Hudson will start for the Giants while Jeremy Guthrie will start for the Royals.

Here, we see Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer feeling his oats after hitting an RBI double in that second inning.  That's Giants second baseman Jim Panik beside him.

USA Today photo by Christopher Hanewickel

Ducks Ranked Fifth In Inaugural College Football Playoff Rankings

The Oregon Ducks ranked fifth in the first edition of the College Football Playoff Committee Rankings released on Tuesday.  Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn, and Ole Miss were ranked #1 through #4.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

2014 World Series: MadBum Pitches Complete-Game Four-Hit Shutout While Brandon Crawford Bats In Three Runs As Giants Stifle Royals For 3-2 Series Lead; San Fran Can Close Out Third WS Crown In Five Years With Game-Six Win At KC On Tuesday

At San Francisco:
2014-10-26-madison-bumgarner
Madison Bumgarner (that's him here) pitched a four-hit complete-game shutout on Sunday while shortstop Brandon Crawford batted in three runs as the San Francisco Giants smothered the visiting Kansas City Royal 5-0 in the fifth game of the World Series.  

The Giants, who now lead the series three games to two, can close out their third World Series crown in five years with a game-six victory in Kansas City on Tuesday.

USA Today photo by Christopher Hanewickel

Ducks Climb Up A Spot In Both AP And Coaches Polls

Following their Friday victory at Levi Stadium over California, the Oregon Ducks climbed up one spot in both the Associated Press and USA Today/Coaches polls.

The Ducks moved up to #5 in the AP poll and #6 in the Coaches' rankings.

2014 World Series: Giants Score Ten Runs During Three-Inning Stretch, Thump Royals To Level Series At Two Games Apiece

At San Francisco:

Pablo Sanoval's single in the fifth inning set up Hunter Pence to score the tying run and the 2012 series Most Valuable Player followed with a go-ahead two run single as the San Francisco Giants, who scored two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, and four in the seventh, overcame a 4-1 deficit and delivered a frontier-styled fist beating to the visiting Kansas City Royals 1-4 in Saturday's fourth game of the World Series, which is now squared at two games apiece.  That's the Big Panda himself celebrating.

USATSI photo

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Timbers Top Hoops; Whitecaps Win, Too; Portland Misses MLS Cup Playoffs

At Frisco, Texas:

With goals from Darlington Nagbe (43', his first of the league season) and Maximiliano Urruti (81'), the  Portland Timbers blanked FC Dallas 2-0 in the road in Saturday Major League Soccer action.  Despite the victory, because of the Vancouver Whitecaps' 1-0 home win later Saturday over the Colorado Rapids (Kendall Waston scoring that contest's lone goal in the 70th minute), the Timbers were eliminated from playoff contention.

Riders Crumble In Fourth Quarter, Fall To Stampeders For Fifth Straight Defeat

At Calgary, Alberta:

In Friday Canadian Football League action, the Calgary Stampeders (14-2) scored 25 points in less than seven minutes during the fourth quarter as they battled back to upend the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-8) 40-27, handing the 'Riders their fifth straight defeat and sixth in their last seven starts.

Cardinal Too Much For Beavers

At Palo Alto, California:

Quarterback Kevin Hogan threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third, while Ty Montgomery ran back a punt 50 yards for still another score on Saturday as the Stanford Cardinal (5-3 overall, 3-2 in Pac-12 play) dominated the visiting Oregon State Beavers (4-3, 1-3) 38-14.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Marcus Mariota Throws Five TD Passes As Ducks Top Cal Bears In Santa Clara

At Santa Clara, California:

Marcus Mariota completed 18 of 30 passes on Friday night for 326 yards (increasing his career total to 8,625, making him his school's all-time career leader in passing yards) and five touchdowns as the Oregon Ducks (#6 in the Associated Press poll, #7 in the USA Today/Coaches rankings; 7-1 overall, 4-1 in Pac-12 play) defeated the California Golden Bears (4-4, 2-4) 59-41 in the first collegiate football game to be played at Levi's Stadium.

2014 World Series: Another Big Sixth Inning Powers Royals Past Giants As KC Takes Two-Games-To-One Series Lead

At San Francisco:
USP MLB: WORLD SERIES-KANSAS CITY ROYALS AT SAN FR S BBO USA CA
Alex Gordon hit a run-scoring double and Eric Hosmer had an RBI single, both in the sixth inning on Friday while four relief pitchers (Brandon Finngan, pictured here, amongst them) pitched four hitless innings of relief for starter (and winner) Jeremy Guthrie as the Kansas City Royals knocked off the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on the road in the third game of the World Series, which the Royals now lead two games to one.

USA Today photo by Kelley L. Cox

Boo-Boo

And we ain't talkin' about Yogi Bear's sidekick here.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

2014 World Series: Sixth-Inning Rampage Allows Royals To Level Series At One Game Apiece

At Kansas City:
USP MLB: WORLD SERIES-SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AT KANS S BBO USA MO
Salvador Perez delivered a two-run double and Omar Infante hit a two-run homer as part of a five-run sixth inning on Wednesday night as the Kansas City Royals squared the World Series with the San Francisco Giants at one game apiece following their 7-2 game-two home domination.  Designated hitter Billy Butler (shown here) drove in the go-ahead (and ultimately winning) run in that sixth inning.

USA Today photo by John Rieger

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Timbers Fall To CD Olimpia In Honduras; Portland Eliminated From CONCACAF Champions League

At Tegucigalpa, Honduras:

Goals from Rommel Quioto (2') and Antony Lozano (4', 54') carried CD Olimpia to a 3-1 Tuesday night home victory over the Portland Timbers in the CONCACAF Champions League Group Five finale for both clubs.  With both clubs level on overall points with nine and each team having scored five goals in the two clubs between them, the Honduran club, with the two goals scored last month in the match played in Portland, as opposed to the one that the Timbers scored on Tuesday in Honduras,  won the group and advanced to the quarterfinal round on away goals.

The Timbers' Major League Soccer regular-season finale will take place at Frisco, Texas as Portland will pay a visit on FC Dallas on Saturday (5:30 PM Pacific Time; ROOT Sports Northwest.  A Portland win, combined with a Vancouver defeat or draw at home, would give them the fifth and final Western Conference playoff berth.  The Timbers would also qualify should they gain a draw against the Hoops and the Whitecaps fall to visiting Colorado.

2014 World Series: Giants Overpower Royals In Opener As MadBum Has Solid Pitching Performance

At Kansas City:
USP MLB: WORLD SERIES-SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AT KANS S BBO USA MO
Madison Bumgarner (that's him, folks) pitched seven strong innings on Tuesday night while outfielder Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer in the opening inning as the San Francisco Giants dominated the Kansas City Royals 7-1 in the opening game of the World Series.  The defeat ended the Royals' run of eleven straight post-season wins (eight this year).

USA Today photo by Jamie Square

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Payton Manning Sets Career TD Pass Record As Broncos Buck Visiting Niners

At Denver:

Quarterback Peyton Manning completed 22 of 26 passes for 318 yards and four touchdown passes on Sunday to set a new National Football League career record for touchdown passes (510) as the Denver Broncos (5-1) dominated the visiting San Francisco 49ers (4-3) 42-17.

Riders Crumble In Second Half, Lose To Eskimos At Home; Cannot Host Playoff Game

At Regina, Saskatchewan:


Kendial Lawrence returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown while quarterback Mike Reilly completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards and ran five yards for another major score on Sunday as the Edmonton Eskimos (11-5) locked up second place in the Canadian Football League's Western Division and a home playoff game with a 24-19 road win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7), who have now lost four games in a row and five of their last six starts.





Ducks Climb In Both Polls; Beavers Coaches Poll Support Vanishes

After their victory on Saturday over visiting Washington, the Oregon Ducks climbed up three spots to #6 in the Associated Press poll, two spots to #7 in the USA Today/Coaches' rankings.

After being knocked off at home Thursday night by Utah, what support the Oregon State Beavers had in the Coaches' poll evaporated.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Ducks Dominate Huskies At Home

At Eugene, Oregon:

True freshman running back Royce Freeman ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday as the Oregon Ducks (#9 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/Coaches polls; 6-1 overall, 3-1 in Pac-12 play) dominated the visiting Washington Huskies (5-2, 1-2) 45-20.  Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 336 yards and two TDs. The victory was Oregon's eleventh straight over the Huskies.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Timbers Held To Scoreless Home Stalemate By RSL; Draw Level On Points With Caps For Final Western Conference Playoff Berth

At Portland, Oregon:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, Real Salt Lake held the home-standing Portland Timbers to a 0-0 draw.  RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando (who made six saves) and his Portland counterpart Donovan Ricketts each delivered a shutout in the match.

The Timbers are now level on points with Vancouver for the final Western Conference playoff berth (with Portland having the superior goal differential) with one regular-season contest left.  The Whitecaps, with a game in hand,  will travel to Santa Clara, California for the San Jose Earthquakes' final game at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night.

The Timbers will close out the regular season next Saturday at FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas (5:30 PM Pacific Time, ROOT Sports Northwest).

Wellllllllllllllllllllll, Doggies!

Here's the cast of The Beverly Hillbillies (standing, left to right, are Donna Douglass, Max Baer, and Buddy Ebsen, with Irene Ryan, seated) on the cover of the November 10-16 issue of TV Guide magazine.


Loretta!

Here's the cover of the December 26, 1959-January 1, 1960 issue of TV Guide magazine with Loretta Young.



BLESS YOUR PEA-PICKIN' HEART!

Here's the cover of the March 23-29, 1957 issue of TV Guide magazine with that ol' pea picker himself, Tennessee Ernie Ford!


Time For Dean and Jerry!

Here are Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on the cover of the June 5-11, 1953 issue of TV Guide magazine.



Ernie and Edie

Here's the cover of the May 14--20 issue of TV Guide with Ernie Kovacs and his wife, Edie Adams.



Refreshing

Here's a 1962 magazine advertisement for Bubble Up, a lemon-lime soda that was competing with Seven Up.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Beavers Fall To Runnin' Utes In 2 OT

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Running back Devontae Booker ran for 229 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner from 19 yards out in the second overtime period on Thursday night as the Utah Runnin' Utes (#20 in the Associated Press poll, #23 in the USA Today/Coaches' poll; 5-1 overall, 2-1 in Pac-12 play) knocked off the Oregon State Beavers (4-2, 1-2) 19-13 on the road.

NCLS: TRAVIS ISHIKAWA'S WALK-OFF THREE-RUN HOMER SENDS GIANTS TO THIRD WORLD SERIES APPEARANCE IN FIVE YEARS; MADISON BUMGARNER NAMED SERIES MVP

At San Francisco:

After Michael Morse (batting for starting pitcher---and series Most Valuable Player---Madison Bumgarner) equalized the game with his eighth-inning lead-off pinch-hit homer, Travis Ishikawa, in the ninth inning, crushed a walk-off three-run shot (the first game-ending home run in National League Championship Series history) as the San Francisco Giants locked up their third National League pennant in the last five years with their 6-3 championship series game-five home win on Thursday over the St. Louis Cardinals and took the series four games to one.

The Giants will face the Kansas City Royals in the World Series, which starts on Tuesday night in Kansas City.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

NCLS: Giants Overcome Three-Run Deficit With Five Runs In Fifth And Sixth Innings, Beat Cards 6-4, Take 3-1 Series Lead; Can Close Out Series With Home Win In Game Five

At San Francisco:

Buster Posey drove in three runs on Wednesday night as the San Francisco Giants came back from a 4-1 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth to upend the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 in game four of the National League Championship Series.

The Giants, who now hold a three-games-to-one lead in the series, can wrap up their third National League pennant and trip to the World Series in the last five years with a game-five home victory on Thursday.


ACLS: ROYALS HOLD OFF ORIOLES, COMPLETE CHAMPIONSHIP-SERIES SWEEP, WIN FIRST AL TITLE SINCE 1985; GET HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE IN WORLD SERIES; LORENZO CAIN NAMED SERIES MVP

At Kansas City:

Jason Vargas combined with three relievers on a four-hitter while Greg Holland picked up his fourth save of the series on Wednesday as the Kansas City Royals completed a four-game sweep of the American League Championship Series with a 2-1 game-four win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain was named the series' Most Valuable Player.

Thanks to the American League's victory in this year's All-Star Game, the Royals, league champions for the first time since 1985, will have home-field advantage in this year's World Series, with the opening game to take place at Ewing Kaufman Stadium on Tuesday against the winner of the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

ACLS: Royals Trip O's Again, Take 3-0 Series Lead; Kansas City One Victory Away From First World Series Since '85

At Kansas City:

Billy Butler drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning as the Kansas City Royals racked up their tenth straight post-season victory by defeating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 at home in Tuesday's third game of the American League Championship series.

The Royals, who now lead the series three games to none, can lock up their first American League pennant and first World Series appearance since 1985 with a game-four home win on Wednesday. 

NLCS: Tenth-Inning Defensive Boo-Boo Allows Brandon Crawford To Score Winning Run, Give Giants 2-1 Series Lead Over Cardinals

At San Francisco:

An errant tenth-inning throw from relief pitcher Randy Choate on a bunt allowed Brandon Crawford to score the winning run as the San Francisco Giants recovered from blowing a four-run lead and defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 in game three of the National League Championship series on Tuesday as the Giants now hold a two-games-to-one series lead.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Niners Overcome Sluggish Start, Beat Rams In St. Louis

At St. Louis:

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed 22 of 36 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns (80 yards to Brandon Lloyd; 11 yards to Anquan Boldin; 32 yards to Michael Crabtree) while Phil Dawson kicked a 54-yard field goal and defensive back Dontae Johnson intercepted an Austin Davis pass and returned it 20 yards for the game's final touchdown on Monday night as the San Francisco 49ers (4-2) overcame a 14-0 deficit and scored 31 of the last 34 points en route to their third successive victory, 31-17 on the road over the St. Louis Rams (1-4). 

Crappy Thanksgiving For Riders As Montreal Throttles Saskatchewan At Home; Roughriders Still Clinch Playoff Berth

At Montreal:

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton completed 12 of 25 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns (four of the completions, 107 of those yards, and two of those TDs went to Duron Carter) on Monday as the Montreal Alouettes (6-8) , who retired former legendary quarterback Anthony Calvillo's #13 jersey, throttled the slumping Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-6) 40-9 in Thanksgiving (in Canada) Monday Canadian Football League action.

The Riders have dropped three  straight contests and four of their last five games.  Still, Saskatchewan clinched a berth in the Grey Cup Playoffs despite the setback.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

NCLS: Cardinals Pull Out Late Win Over Giants, Square Series At One Game Apiece

At St. Louis:

Kolton Wong delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday as the St. Louis Cardinals squared the National League Championship Series at one game apiece with a 5-4 game-two home win over the San Francisco Giants.

The series will resume in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Ducks Return To Top Ten In Both Polls; Beavers Regain Support In Coaches' Poll

Following their Saturday road win at UCLA's expense, the Oregon Ducks climbed up to #9 in both the Associated Press (up three spots) and USA Today/Coaches (up two) polls.

Despite being idle this weekend, the Oregon State Beavers regained some support in the Coaches' poll, where they would be ranked #36.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

NLCS: Solid Pitching From Madison Bumgarner Helps Giants Grab Series Opener In St. Louis

At St. Louis:

Madison Bumgarner pitched 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball and the bullpen did the rest as the San Francisco Giants took the opening game of the best-of-seven National League Championship series 3-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals on the road Saturday.  Pablo Sandoval had three hits and scored a run for the Giants.

ACLS: Late Heroics Again Lift Royals Past O's; Take 2-0 Series Advantage To KC

At Baltimore:

Alcides Escobar doubled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on Saturday as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 on the road (for their ninth consecutive post-season victory) to take a two-games-to-none lead in the American League Championship Series.  The series will resume on Monday in Kansas City.

Ducks Coast To Victory Over Bruins At Rose Bowl

At Pasadena, California:

Quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 17 of 27 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball seven times for 75 yards and two more scores while Royce Freeman ran 18 times for another 121 yards and ran for a pair of TDs himself as the Oregon Ducks (#12 in the Associated Press poll, #11 in the USA Today/Coaches rankings; 5-1 overall, 2-1 in Pac-12 play) coasted to a 42-30 Saturday road win over UCLA (#18 AP, #17 Coaches; 4-2, 1-2).

They'r G-R-R-REAT!

Says Tony the Tiger in this 1953 magazine ad for what was then known as Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes.

http://www.vintage-adventures.com/1324-large/1953-kellogg-s-frosted-flakes-ad-battle-creek.jpg 

Friday, October 10, 2014

ALCS: Tenth-Inning Heroics Pace Royals Past O's In Series Opener In Baltimore

At Baltimore:

Home runs in the tenth inning from Alex Gordon (solo shot) and Mike Moustakas (two runs) carried the Kansas City Royals to a 8-6 road victory on Friday night over the Baltimore Orioles in the opening contest of the best-of-seven American League Championship series.

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

Timbers Dominate Shorthanded Quakes, Climb Back Into Fifth Place In MLS West

At Portland, Oregon:

Rodney Wallace (41') and Diego Valeri (PK-51', 74') delivered the goals on Wednesday night while goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts garnered his fifth shutout of the season as the Portland Timbers dominated the visiting----and depleted----San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 in Major League Soccer action.

The Timbers climbed past the Vancouver Whitecaps back into the fifth and final Western Conference playoff berth with two regular-season contests left.  The Whitecaps, with a game in hand, visit the Seattle Sounders in a critical Cascadia Cup contest on Friday (7:00 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).

As for Portland, the Timbers will host Real Salt Lake in their final regular-season home match of the season on Friday, October 17 at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (NBCSN).

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

MLB Playoffs: Cardinals, Giants Close Out Respective NL Divisional Playoff Series; Will Meet For National League Pennant

Major League Baseball's playoffs continued as both National League divisional playoff series concluded.

At St. Louis:

Matt Adams hit a three-run homer off of Clayton Kershaw in the seventh inning as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 to win their divisional playoff series three games to one and advance to their fourth straight National League Championship Series.

At San Francisco:

Joe Panik scored what proved to be the game---and series-winning run in the seventh inning on Aaron Barrett's bases-loaded wild pitch as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 3-2 and won their divisional playoff series three games to two and advance to their third National League Championship Series in five years.

The Giants and Cardinals will open the National League Championship Series on Saturday in St. Louis.  Two years ago, the Giants overcame a three-games-to-one deficit against the Cardinals and won the National League pennant, then swept the Detroit Tigers in four games in the World Series.

Monday, October 06, 2014

MLB Playoffs: Nats Hold Off Giants On Road, Stay In NL Divisional Series; Cardinals Hold Off Dodgers, Take 2-1 Series Lead

Both National League divisional playoff series continued on Monday as the Major League Baseball Playoffs continued.

At San Francisco:

Doug Fister pitched seven innings of four-hit shutout baseball as the Washington Nationals, thanks to two runs scored on Madison Bumgarner's seventh-inning throwing error and another run on Bryce Harper's ninth-inning solo homer, snapped the San Francisco Giants' ten-game postseason winning streak with a 4-1 road victory in game three of their divisional playoff series.  The Giants, still with a two-games-to-one advantage, can still close out the series at home on Tuesday.

At St. Louis:

Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 deadlock as the St. Louis Cardinals held off the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 to take a two-games-to-one series lead.  The Cardinals can close out their divisional playoff series with a home win in St. Louis on Tuesday.

Paul Revere, Founder Of 1960s Rock Band, R.I.P.

Paul Revere, who founded the 1960s rock and roll band that bore his name, passed away on Saturday at his Garden Valley, Idaho home at age 76 from cancer.

Mr. Revere, who was the keyboardist for his band, Paul Revere & The Raiders, had formed a band called the Downbeats, which were renamed the Raiders in 1960.

Those of us who remember watching Paul and his band perform on such television shows as Where The Action Is, which was a weekday afternoon program hosted and produced on the West Coast by Dick Clark and aired over ABC, remember the band wearing Revolutionary War-era costumes.

The band reached its' peak when a song entitled "Indian Reservation" reached the top of the pop charts in 1971.

By that time, lead singer Mark Lindsay had left the band and had a big hit around 1970 with "Arizona."

Here's Paul in the foreground, with, from left to right, Phil Volk, Drake Levin, Mike Smith, and Mark Lindsay.
 
Associated Press photo

No More Uncola Nuts

Geoffrey Holder, the actor, dancer, and artist best remembered to a generation of television viewers for his appearing in a long-running series of 7-Up commercials explaining the differences between cola and "Uncola" nuts (lemons and limes), passed away on Sunday of complications from pneumonia at age 84.

As I recall, it was during the 1970s that the Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago-born Mr. Holder explained how 7-Up's fresh clean taste came from these so-called "Uncola" nuts compared favorably with all those cola drinks.

Sunday, October 05, 2014

MLB Playoffs: O's, Royals Complete AL Divisional Playoff Series Sweeps; To Meet In ALCS

Both American League divisional playoff series continued---and concluded---on Sunday.

At Detroit:

Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer in the 6th inning as the Baltimore Orioles held off the Detroit Tigers 2-1 on the road to complete a three-game sweep of their divisional playoff series and advanced to their first American League Championship Series since 1997.

At Kansas City:

Alex Gordon delivered a bases-clearing double in the first inning while Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas each hit a home run as the Kansas City Royals completed a three-game divisional playoff series sweep of the Los Angeles Angels (who had the best overall record in Major League Baseball during the regular season) with a 8-3 home victory (their seventh straight post-season win) in game three and advanced to their first American League Championship Series since 1985.

The Royals and Orioles open up the American League Championship Series (best of seven) this coming Friday in Baltimore.

Niners Top Chiefs At Home

At Santa Clara, California:

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson while Phil Dawson converted all five of his field-goal attempts (31, 55, 52, 27, and 30 yards) and Frank Gore carried 18 times for 107 yards as the San Francisco 49ers (3-2) defeated the visiting Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) 22-17 on Sunday.

Ducks Fall Out Of Top Ten In Both Polls

In the aftermath of their home upset at the hands of Arizona, the Oregon Ducks dropped ten places to #12 in the Associated Press poll and seven spots to #11 in the USA Today/Coaches rankings.

Despite their road win at Colorado, the Oregon State Beavers, who have the same overall and conference record as the Ducks, received no support in either poll.

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Rugged Rodney Leads Timbers To Critical Road Win Over Ten-Man (And Now-Eliminated) Quakes

At Santa Clara, California:

Rodney Wallace scored twice in the second half (71', 74') as the Portland Timbers came from behind to defeat the ten-man San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on the road in Saturday night Major League Soccer action, eliminating the Quakes from MLS Cup playoff contention.

The Timbers climbed back to within one point of the Vancouver Whitecaps (who earlier blanked FC Dallas 2-0 on the road) for the fifth and final Western Conference playoff berth.

Portland and San Jose will go at it again this coming Wednesday at Portland at 7:30 PM Pacific Time (ROOT Sports Northwest and Comcast SportsNet California).

MLB Playoffs: Giants Win Longest Playoff Game In MLB History As Brandon Belts Game-Winning Homer In 18th Inning; San Fran Takes 2-0 NL Divisional Playoff Series Lead Over Nats; Dodgers Top Cards To Square Series At 1-1

Both National League divisional playoff series continued on Saturday.

At Washington:

Brandon Belt hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in the top of the 18th inning as the San Francisco Giants won the longest playoff game in Major League Baseball history (and it lasted six hours and 23 minutes) with a 2-1 game-two road win over the Washington Nationals.  The Giants, who have now won ten consecutive playoff games, can close out their divisional playoff series (which they lead two games to none) with a game-three home victory in San Francisco on Monday.

At Los Angeles:

Matt Kemp hit a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers squared their divisional playoff series with the St. Louis Cardinals at one game apiece following their 3-2 home win in game two.

Beavers Hold On For Road Win Over Colorado

At Boulder, Colorado:

Terron Ward ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday, including the game winner from 10 yards out with 5:09 remaining as the Oregon State Beavers (4-1 overall, 1-1 in Pac-12 play) held off the Colorado Buffaloes (2-4, 0-3) 36-31 on the road.

Friday, October 03, 2014

Stampeders Pull Out Late Win Over Riders In Regina

At Regina, Saskatchewan:

Quarterback Drew Tate scored the winning touchdown from one yard out in the final minute on Friday night as the Calgary Stampeders (12-2) recovered from blowing a 24-point lead and defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-5) 31-24 on the road in Canadian Football League play.

MLB Playoffs: O's Scored Four Runs In Eighth Inning To Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Tigers; Royals Top Angels In Extra Innings Again

Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Friday.

At Baltimore:

Delmon Young drove in three runs on a pinch-hit double and the Baltimore Orioles scored four runs in the bottom half of the eighth inning and defeated the visiting Detroit Tigers 7-6 in game two of their divisional playoff series.  The Orioles, who lead the series two games to none, can finish off the Tigers with a game-three victory on Sunday in Detroit.

At Anaheim, California:

Eric Hosmer's two-run homer in the 11th inning carried the Kansas City Royals to a game-two 4-1 road victory over the Los Angeles Angels.  The Royals became the first team in Major League Baseball history to start their playoff campaign with three straight extra-inning games.  The Royals, who have now won six straight playoff games and who currently lead their divisional playoff series two games to none, can finish off the Angels with a game-three victory at home on Sunday.

MLB Playoffs: Giants, Cardinals Take NL Divisional Playoff Series Openers On Road

Both of the National League's best-of-five divisional playoff series opened on Friday.

At Washington:

Jake Peavy pitched 5 2/3 of shutout baseball as the San Francisco Giants racked up their league-record ninth straight post-season victory by holding off the Washington Nationals 3-2 on the road in the opening game of their divisional playoff series.

At Los Angeles:

Matt Carpenter hit a go-ahead three-run double in an eight-run seventh inning off fading starter Clayton Kershaw as the St. Louis Cardinals battled back to upend the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-9 on the road in the opening contest of their divisional playoff series. 

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Wildcats Shock Ducks In Eugene

At Eugene, Oregon:

Terris Jones-Grisby scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:54 seconds remaining as the Arizona Wildcats (5-0 overall, 2-0 in Pac-12 play), for the second straight year as an unranked team, stunned the Oregon Ducks (#2 in the Associated Press poll, #4 in the USA Today/Coaches poll; 4-1, 1-1), this time on the road,  31-24 on Thursday night.

MLB Playoffs: Orioles (Who Score Eight Runs In Eighth Inning) Crush Tigers; Royals Top Angels In 11 Innings As AL Divisional Playoff Series Commence

Both American League best-of-five divisional playoff series got under way on Thursday.

At Baltimore:

Nelson Cruz and J.J. Hardy each hit a home run as the Baltimore Orioles, who scored eight runs in the eighth inning, opened their divisional playoff series with a 12-3 fist beating of the visiting Detroit Tigers.

At Anaheim, California:

Mike Moustakas led off the top of the 11th inning with a solo home run, then pitcher Greg Holland retired the side in order in the bottom of the same inning as the Kansas City Royals seized home-field advantage in their divisional playoff series following their 3-2 game-one road win over the Los Angeles Angels.


Wednesday, October 01, 2014

MLB Playoffs: Madison Bumgarner Pitches Brilliant Game As Giants Flog Pirates In NL Wild Card Game To Get Crack At Nats

At Pittsburgh:

Maidson Bumgarner pitched a complete-game, four-hit and one-walk shutout while striking out ten batters as the San Francisco Giants demolished the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0 on the road in Wednesday's National League Wild Card Game.  In the fourth inning, Brandon Crawford became the first shortstop in Major League Baseball history to hit a postseason grand slam home run.

The Giants will take on the Washington Nationals in a best-of-five divisional playoff series, set to start in the nation's capital on Friday.

Here We Go Again

This is just par for the course.

Another case of the crumbling and downfall of American culture and society.

How 'Bout A Dr. Pepper Float?

Here's a 1964 ad for Dr. Pepper.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcQu5JmzxWE/U7WZU44O2xI/AAAAAAAAp9M/Nmp1Ap91MM0/s1600/Dr+Pepper.jpg