Casper The Friendly Ghost (1945) Full Movie

From 1945, we present "The Friendly Ghost," which marks the debut of Casper, The Friendly Ghost.

Based on a 1939 story (Casper The Friendly Ghost) by animator Joe Oriolo and Seymour Reit.

With story adaptation by Bill Turner and Otto Mesmer, animation by Nick Tafuri, John Wahlworth, and Tom Golden, narration by Frank Gallop, musical arrangement by Winston Sharples, and scenics by Shane Miller, this cartoon was directed by Isadore "Izzy" Sparber.

Produced in New York City.

Originally released by Paramount Pictures as part of Famous Studios' Noveltoons series.

National Telefilm Associates TV syndication print.

Timbers Thump Galaxy, Clinch Playoff Berth

At Portland, Oregon: 

Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored twice (6', 19') while Diego Valeri (PK-30'), Eryk Williamson (60'), and Andy Polo (74') each tallied once as the Portland Timbers locked up their fourth consecutive playoff berth on Wednesday by dominating the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 5-2 in Major League Soccer action.

Cristian Pavon (46', 90'+1) scored both Galaxy goals.

The Timbers will host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (Timbers TV Network via KPDX-TV, Portland/ESPN+). 

Leggy Dorothy!

 Here's a glamour photo of 1930s and 1940s screen actress Dorothy Burgess.

DODGERS OVERCOME RAYS, CAPTURE FIRST WORLD SERIES TITLE IN 32 YEARS; COREY SEAGER NAMED SERIES MVP

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

In the sixth inning of Tuesday's sixth game of the World Series, Austin Barnes scored on Nick Anderson's wild pitch, then Mookie Betts scored on as series Most Valuable Player Corey Seager came aboard on a fielder's choice.  The aforementioned Mr. Betts hit a solo home run in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 and won their seventh Fall Classic title (their first since 1988) four games to two.

Seven Dodgers pitchers combined to strike out 16 batters while Tampa Bay starter Blake Snell pitched 5 and 1/3 innings of two-hit, nine-strikeout ball before being yanked by manager Kevin Cash.

Madeleine!

 Here's a glamour photo of West Bromwich, England-born 1930s and 1940s screen actress Madeleine Carroll.

2020 World Series: Dodgers Recover To Take 3-2 Series Lead; Can Lock Up First WS Title Since 1988 With Victory On Tuesday

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Clayton Kershaw chased away some October demons by pitching 5 2/3 innings of five-hit, six-strikeout baseball while Joc Pederson homered in the second inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers recovered from the Saturday heartbreak on Sunday by holding off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in game five of the World Series.

The Dodgers, now up three games to two, can lock up their first World Series title since 1988 with a game-six victory on Tuesday (5:08 PM Pacific Time, FOX).

Niners Paste Pats In Foxborough

 At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

In a triumphant return to Foxborough, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 20 of 29 passes for 277 yards while running back Jeff Wilson, Jr. carried the ball 17 times for 112 yards and three touchdowns as the San Francisco 49ers (4-3) demolished the New England Patriots (2-4) 33-6 on Sunday.

The Niners' defense did their part by intercepting four New England passes.

Ducks Stay At #15 In Coaches' Gridiron Poll, Drop A Spot In AP Rankings

 With the Oregon Ducks still two weeks away from their season opener, they stilled ranked #15 (same as last week) while dropping a spot (to #13) in the USA Today/Amway Coaches and Associated Press respective college football polls released on Sunday.

No support for the Oregon State Beavers in either poll this week.

Sally!

 Mum's the word from 1930s and 1940s screen actress Sally Eilers.

2020 World Series: Dodgers' Defensive Boo-Boos Carry Rays To Wild Win To Square Series At 2-2

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

With two outs and two men on base on Saturday in the last half of the ninth inning, Brett Phillips' bouncer into shallow right field was mishandled by outfielder Chris Taylor, then catcher Will Smith was unable to handle the ball (on the same play) as Kevin Kiermaier (from second base) then Randy Arozarena (from first) scored as the Tampa Bay Rays came from behind to shock the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 to level the World Series at two games apiece.

2020 World Series: Dodgers Overpower Rays To Take 2-1 Series Lead

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Walker Buehler pitched six innings of three-hit, ten-strikeout baseball on Friday (becoming the first pitcher to strike out at least ten batters while pitching six or fewer innings in a Fall Classic contest) while Justin Turner and Austin Barnes each homered as the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 in game three of the World Series, which the Dodgers now lead two games to one.

Timbers Cough Up Late Equalizer, Settle For Road Draw With Sounders (Blow Chance To Take Over West Lead)

 At Seattle:

Will Bruin's equalizer at the death (90'+3) lifted the Seattle Sounders to a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers in the lone Thursday Major League Soccer match.

Andres Flores scored for the Timbers in the tenth minute.

Due to a superior goal differential, with Portland and Seattle level on points and wins, the Sounders still lead the Western Conference standings.

The Timbers will host the Los Angeles Galaxy next Wednesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time in a nationally-televised game, to be aired on ESPN. 

2020 World Series: Rays Level Series With Dodgers At 1-1

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Brandon Lowe hit two home runs while Blake Snell pitched four and 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball before surrendering a two-run homer (by Chris Taylor) as the Tampa Bay Rays squared the World Series at one game apiece on Wednesday by holding off the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4.

2020 World Series: Dodgers Too Much For Rays In Game One

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas (site of all games):

Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of two-hit, eight-strikeout baseball while Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts each hit a home run on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-3 in the opening game of the World Series.

Connie!

 Here's a glamour photo of screen legend Constance Bennett.

Timbers And LAFC Battle To 1-1 Draw

 At Portland, Oregon:

Christian Torres' equalizer at the death (90'+3) enabled the Los Angeles Football Club to gain a 1-1 Sunday Major League road draw with the Portland Timbers.

Jeremy Ebobisse scored for the Timbers in the 47th minute.

The Timbers will visit the Seattle Sounders on Thursday at 7:30 PM Pacific Time (Fox Sports One).

Jimmy G Throws Three TD Passes As Niners Get Back On Winning Track At Rams' Expense

 At Santa Clara, California:

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 23 of 33 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers (3-3) snapped a two-game skid by holding off the visiting Los Angeles Rams (4-2) 24-16.

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series) Dodgers Overcome Braves To Capture NL Pennant And World Series Berth

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Enrique Hernandez and Cody Bellinger each hit a home run on Sunday as the Los Angeles Dodgers came from behind to upend the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in the seventh and deciding game of the National League Championship Series, enabling the Dodgers to overcome a three-games-to-one series deficit and win their third National League pennant in four years, four games to three.

The Dodgers will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, set to open on Tuesday at 5:29 PM Pacific Time (FOX).

Mixed Bag For Ducks In Gridiron Polls

 With their first regular-season game three weeks away, the Oregon Ducks dropped a spot (to #13) in the Associated Press college football poll while picking up a spot (to #15) in the USA Today/Amway Coaches rankings.

Again, no support in either poll for the Oregon State Beavers.

T2 To Skip 2021 Season

 They plan to return in 2022.

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series); Rays Hold Off Astros For First Pennant And World Series Berth Since 2008

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Rays held off the Houston Astros 4-2 to win their first American League pennant since 2008 as they won their league championship series four games to three.

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series): Dodgers Force Game Seven Against Braves

 
At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Back-to-back home runs, produced on Saturday through the courtesy of Corey Seager and Justin Turner, propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in game six of the National League Championship Series, now deadlocked at three games apiece.

The series, and the Senior Circuit's World Series berth, is set to be decided on Sunday at 5:15 PM Pacific Time (FOX).

Autographed Merle!

 Here's an autographed glamour photo of 1930s-1970s screen actress Merle Oberon.

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series): Dodgers Top Braves To Force Game Six

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Corey Seager hit two home runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 7-3 in game five of the National League Championship Series, cutting the Braves' series lead to three games to two.

The Dodgers' Will Smith hit a three-run homer off his Atlanta Braves' namesake.

The Braves can still wrap up their first pennant and World Series berth since 1999 with a game-six victory on Saturday (1:38 PM PM Pacific Time, Fox Sports One).

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Astros Force Game Seven After Beating Rays Again

 At Petco Park, San Diego:  

In Friday's sixth game of the American League Championship Series, the Houston Astros became only the second team in Major League Postseason history to come back from a three-games-to-none deficit to force a game seven (the Boston Red Sox in 2004 becoming the first as they overcame the New York Yankees and won the American League pennant, en route to their first World Series title since 1918) by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4.

Franber Valdez pitched six innings of one-hit, nine-strikeout ball for the victory, while the Astros scored four runs in the fifth inning.

The series will be decided on Saturday at 5:37 PM Pacific Time (TBS).

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series): Dodgers Look To Square Series With Braves

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

In a four-for-five performance on Thursday, Marcell Ozuna hit two homers and drove in four runs as the Atlanta Braves scalped the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 in game four of the National League Championship Series.

Bryce Wilson pitched six solid innings for the Braves.

Atlanta, up three games to one, can lock up their first National League pennant and World Series berth since 1999 with a game five victory on Friday (6:08 PM Pacific Time, Fox Sports 1)

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Astros Top Rays Again, Force Game Six

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Carlos Correa hit a game-winning home run in the ninth inning on Thursday as the Houston Astros upended the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in game five of the American League Championship Series, cutting the Rays' series advantage to three games to two.

Tampa Bay can still wrap up the American League pennant (and the Junior Circuit's World Series berth) with a game-six win on Friday (3:07 PM Pacific Time, TBS).

RSL Hold Off Timbers To End Portland's Five-Game Winning Streak

 At Sandy, Utah:

Douglas Martinez (11') and Damir Kreilach (26') each scored once as Real Salt Lake snapped a three-game losing streak on Wednesday ending the visiting Portland Timbers' five-game winning run (and seven-game unbeaten streak) 2-1 in Major League Soccer action.

Bill Tuiloma scored for the Timbers in the 77th minute.

The Timbers will look to get back on the winning track as they will host the Los Angeles Football Club on Sunday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (ROOT Sports Northwest/ESPN +).

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Astros Hold Off Rays, Stay Alive In Series

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

George Springer hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning on Wednesday as the Houston Astros extended their season by holding off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in game four of the American League Championship Series.

The Rays can still lock up their first American League pennant in 12 years with a game-five win on Thursday.

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series): Dodgers Blow Out Over Braves To Cut Atlanta Lead To 2-1

 At Glove Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Max Muncy smacked a grand-slam homer while Joc Pederson added a three-run round-tripper and Edwin Rios delivered a solo shot as the Los Angeles Dodgers set a postseason single-inning scoring record with 11 runs in the opening inning as they delivered a frontier-styled 15-3 fist-beating to the Atlanta Braves in Wednesday's third game of the National League Championship Series, which the Braves still lead two games to one.

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Rays Go Up 3-0 On Astros; Tampa Bay One Victory Away From First World Series Appearance Since 2008

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Joey Wendle and Hunter Renfroe each drove in two runs during a five-run sixth inning (made possible by an error by Jose Altuve) as the Tampa Bay Rays overpowered the Houston Astros 5-2 in Tuesday's third game of the American League Championship Series.

The Rays, up three games to none, can salt away their first pennant (and World Series appearance) since 2008 with a game-four victory on Wednesday.

The Astros will now attempt to do what was successfully done once in Major League Baseball history, overcoming a three-games-to-none deficit to win a best-of-seven series (Boston Red Sox, ALCS, 2004).

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series): Braves Extend Series Lead Over Dodgers

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Home runs, presented through the courtesy of Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies (each doing it for the second successive day) carried the Atlanta Braves to a 8-7 game-two Tuesday victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers as the Braves now lead the National League Championship Series.

MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Series) Braves Top Dodgers To Open Series

 At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Home runs courtesy of Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies in the ninth inning propelled the Atlanta Braves to a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Monday's opening game of the National League Championship Series.

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Game): Rays Top 'Stros Again, Take 2-0 Series Lead

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Manuel Margot delivered a three-run home run in the first inning on Monday as the Tampa Bay Rays doubled up the Houston Astros 4-2 in game two of the American League Championship Series, which the Rays now lead two games to none.

Falcons Can Coach And GM

 The Falcons are off to their first 0-5 start since 1997.

Defensive Coordinator (and former Tampa Bay head coach) Raheem Morris has been named interim head coach.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff also got the ax as club president Rich McKay will handle control of Atlanta's football operations.

The Falcons still have not fully recovered from their Super Boal LI second-half collapse.

'58 Stude

 Here's a 1958 Studebaker President two-door hardtop.

Lizabeth!

 Here's a glamour photo of 1940s and 1950s Film Noir icon Lizabeth Scott.

Ducks Stay At #12 In AP Gridiron Poll; Climb Up To #16 In Coaches Rankings

 The Oregon Ducks, still awaiting their first game of the college football season, remained at #12 in the Associated Press poll that was released on Sunday.

The Ducks climbed up a spot in the USA Today/Amway Coaches poll, also released on Sunday, to #16.

Again, the Oregon State Beavers were bereft of support in both polls.

Timbers Stay Hot Against Resurgent Quakes

 At Portland, Oregon:

Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored twice (46', 52') while Felipe Mora added a goal (86') and Steve Clark made seven saves for his third shutout in his last four games on Sunday as the Portland Timbers downed the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 for their fifth straight Major League Soccer victory (and sixth in their last seven games).

The Timbers, level on points with Seattle for top spot in the Western Conference, will visit Real Salt Lake on Wednesday at 6:30 PM Pacific Time (ROOT Sports Northwest/ESPN+).

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Rays Grab Series Opener

 At Petco Park, San Diego (site of all games in this series):

In Sunday's opening game of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, Randy Arozarena hit a home run while Blake Snell pitched five innings of one-run two-strikeout ball as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 2-1.

LAKERS FINISH OFF HEAT TO WIN FIRST NBA CROWN SINCE 2010; LEBRON NAMED SERIES MVP

 At the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Bay Lake, Florida:

LeBron James (named series Most Valuable Player) scored 28 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists on Sunday as the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their first NBA championship since 2010 by defeating the Miami Heat 106-03 in game six of the league's championship series which Los Angeles won four games to two.

The title was the Lakers' 18th overall (see below).

Anthony Davis (who pulled down 15 boards) and Rajon Rondo (off the bench) each added 19 points to the Lakers' coffers.

Bam Adebayo topped the Heat with 25 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.

Here's a list of the Lakers' league titles:

MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS:

National Basketball League: 1948

Basketball Association of America: 1949

National Basketball Association: 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954

LOS ANGELES LAKERS:

National Basketball Association: 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020

Not bad for a club that began its' history in the old National Basketball League as the Detroit Gems in 1946, before moving to Minneapolis in 1947; they jumped to the Basketball Association of America in 1948 and became part of the new National Basketball Association following the merger between the NBL and BAA in 1949; the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960.

Fins Embarrass Niners At Santa Clara

 At Santa Clara, California: 

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 22 of 28 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns as the Miami Dolphins (2-3) dominated the San Francisco 49ers (2-3) 43-17 on Sunday.

Jason Sanders kicked five field goals for the Fins.

Hedy!

 Time for a glamour photo of screen legend Hedy Lamarr.

Glenda!

 Here's a glamour photo of 1930s-1960s screen actress Glenda Farrell.

    

Ann!

 Here's a glamour photo of 1930s and 1940s screen actress Ann Dvorak.

NBA Finals: Heat Hold Off Lakers, Force Game Six

 At the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Bay Lake, Florida:

A Jimmy Butler triple-double (35 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) helped propel the Miami Heat to a 111-108 Friday victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the fifth game of the NBA Finals, cutting the Angelinos' series advantage to three games to two.

Duncan Robinson helped the Heat's cause with 26 points.

LeBron James scored 40 points (while grabbing 13 rebounds) and Anthony Davis added 28 (to go with his 12 boards) to lead the Lakers.

Los Angeles can still lock up their first NBA championship since 2010 with a game-six victory on Sunday (4:30 PM Pacific Time, ABC).

Whitey Ford, Yankees' Winningest Pitcher, R.I.P.

 Whitey Ford, the New York Yankees' Hall of Fame pitcher who won more World Series games than any other, passed away on Thursday night at age 91.

Mr. Ford, who spent his entire 16-year Major League career with the Yankees, played on six World Series championship teams and was a ten-time All-Star.

Whitey was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1974 (the same year as fellow Yankee legend Mickey Mantle).

More on Whitey's career can be found here.

MLB Playoffs (American League Divisional Round): Rays Upend Yankess, Will Play Astros For World Series Berth

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Mike Brosseau hit a home run off Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays knocked off the New York Yankees 2-1 in Friday's fifth and deciding game of their American League divisional playoff series.

The Rays will take on the Houston Astros for the American League pennant beginning on Sunday at San Diego's Petco Park at 4:37 PM Pacific Time (TBS).

MLB Playoffs (American League Divisional Round): Astros Advance To ALCS, Will Take On Yankees-Rays Series Winner As New York Forces Game Five With Tampa Bay

 Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Thursday.

At Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles:

Michael Brantley hit two home runs as the Houston Astros finished off the Oakland Athletics 11-6 in game four of their divisional playoff series, which the Astros won three games to one.

At Petco Park, San Diego:

Home runs courtesy of Luke Voit and Gleyber Torres powered the New York Yankees to a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, thus leveling their divisional playoff series at two games apiece.

This series, the divisional round's only series to go the full five games, will be decided in San Diego on Friday at 4:10 PM Pacific Time (TBS).

MLB Playoffs (National League Divisional Round): Braves, Dodgers Complete Three-Game Sweeps, Will Play For NL Crown

 Both of the National League's divisional playoff concluded on Thursday.

At Minute Maid Park, Houston:

Kyle Wright pitched six innings of three-hit, seven-strikeout baseball while relievers A.J. Minter, Jacob Webb, and Shane Greene each pitched an inning to preserve the shutout as the Atlanta Braves, who scored four runs in the fourth inning,  completed a three-game divisional playoff series sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 7-0 game-three pasting.

The Braves will be playing in their first National League Championship Series since 2001.

For the Marlins, this marked the first time they have ever lost a playoff series, having won their previous seven postseason encounters.

At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Will Smith set a franchise postseason record with five runs while Jac Pederson added a two-run single to cap off a five-run third inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers demolished the San Diego Padres 12-3 to complete a three-game divisional playoff series sweep of their Southern California rivals.

Franco-American Spaghetti commercial

Here's a 1960s commercial for Franco American Spaghetti.

Timbers Stay Hot At Galaxy's Expense

 At Carson, California:

Felipe Mora (14', 60') and Jeremy Ebobisse (23', 80') each scored twice while Diego Valeri (47') and Larrys Mabiala (63') each tallied once as the Portland Timbers equaled their roughly three-week old MLS-era franchise record for most goals in a game by doubling up the Los Angeles Galaxy 6-3 on the road in Wednesday Major League Soccer action.

The victory was the Timbers' fourth successive.

Julian Araujo (34'), Ethan Zubak (55'), and Cristian Pavon (71') each scored once for the Galaxy.

The Timbers will be aiming for a fifth straight victory on Sunday as they will host the San Jose Earthquakes (7:00 PM Pacific Time, Timbers TV Network via KPDX-TV, Portland/ESPN+).

MLB Playoffs (American League Divisional Round): A's Stave Off Elimination To Force Game Four; Rays One Game Away From Ousting Yankees

 Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Wednesday.

At Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles:

Chad Pinter hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning while Ramon Laureano produced a pair of sacrifice flies in the eighth inning, then Sean Murphy produced the go-ahead sac fly in the same inning as the Oakland Athletics overcame the Houston Astros 9-7 in game two of their divisional playoff series.

The Astros, up two games to one, can still wrap up the series on Thursday (12:35 PM Pacific Time, TBS) with a game-four victory.

At Petco Park, San Diego:

Randy Arozarena hit a home run for the third straight game while Kevin Kiermaier and Michael Perez also went deep as the Tampa Bay Rays doubled up the New York Yankees 8-4 in game three of their series.

The Rays, with a two-games-to-one series lead, can advance to the American League Championship Series with a game-four victory on Thursday (4:10 PM Pacific Time, TBS)

MLB Playoffs (National League Divisional Round): Braves, Dodgers One Win Away From League Championship Series

 Both National League divisional playoff series continued on Wednesday.

At Minute Maid Park, Houston:

Ian Anderson pitched 5 and 2/3 innings of shutout (and eight-strikeout) baseball while Travis d'Arnaud and Dansby Swanson each hit a home run as the Atlanta Braves blanked the Miami Marlins 2-0 in game two of their divisional playoff series.

The Braves, up two games to none, can finish off the Marlins with a game-three victory on Thursday (11:00 AM Pacific Time, Fox Sports One)

.

At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of six-strikeout baseball while Corey Seager batted in a pair of runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers held off the San Diego Padres 6-5 in game two.

Cody Bellinger (who hit a home run in the game) turned in what may have been the biggest defensive play of the postseason as he leaped in the air and made a catch in the seventh inning that robbed the Padres' Fernando Tatis of what would have been a go-ahead two-run homer.

The Dodgers, up two games to two, can close out the series with a game-three victory on Thursday (6:08 PM Pacific Time, MLB Network).

Like Your Flavor Big?

Here's a 1957 TV commercial for Chesterfield Cigarettes with Daws Butler doing all the voices.  This is for Chesterfield's king-sized smokes.

Bugs Bunny Kool-Aid Commercial

Time for a 1960s commercial for Pre-Sweetened Kool-Aid with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.

This TV advertisement was directed by Tex Avery and animated by Rod Scribner and Ben Washam.

Texans Ax Head Coach/GM

Associate head coach (and former Cleveland Browns head coach) Romeo Crennel will take over as interim head coach at Houston. 

NBA Finals: Lakers One Victory Away From First Crown Since 2010

 At the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Bay Lake, Florida:

LeBron James scored 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out eight assists on Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Miami Heat 102-96 in game four of the NBA Finals, which the Lakers now lead three games to one.

Anthony Davis helped the Lakers' cause with 22 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

Jimmy Butler scored 22 points (while grabbing ten rebounds and dishing out nine assists) and Tyler Herro added 21 to pace the Heat.

Los Angeles can close out the series and claim their first NBA championship since 2010 with a game-five victory on Friday (6:00 PM Pacific Time, ABC).

MLB Playoffs (American League Divisional Round): Astros Put A's Backs To Wall; Rays Level Series With Yankees

 Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Tuesday.

At Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles:

George Spring whacked a pair of homers as the Houston Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics 5-2 in game two of their divisional playoff series.

The Astros, who lead two games to none, can close out the series with a game-three victory on Wednesday (12:35 PM Pacific Time, TBS).

At Petco Park, San Diego:

Home runs courtesy of Austin Meadows, Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot, and Mike Zunino enabled the Tampa Bay Rays to square their series with the New York Yankees at one game apiece after their 7-5 game-two victory.

MLB Playoffs (National League Divisional Playoff Series): Braves, Dodgers Grab Series Openers

 The National League's two divisional playoff series opened on Tuesday.

At Minute Maid Park, Houston (site of all series games):

Ronald Acuna, Travis d'Arnaud (who batted in four runs), and Dansby Swanson each belted a home run as the Atlanta Braves overcame a three-run deficit and overpowered the Miami Marlins 9-5 in their series-opening contest.

At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas (site of all series games):

Corey Seager's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning sent in the go-ahead run as the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their divisional playoff series with the San Diego Padres with a 5-1 victory.

MLB Playoffs (American League Divisional Playoff Series): Astros, Yankees Take Series Openers

 The Major League Baseball Playoffs divisional round opened on Monday with the opening games of both American League divisional series.

All series are best-of-five.

At Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles (where all games in this series will be played):

Carlos Correa smacked two homers as the Houston Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics 10-5 in the opening game of their divisional playoff series.

At Petco Park, San Diego (where all games in this series will be played):

Four players--Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Clint Frazier, and Kyle Higashioka--each hit a home run as the New York Yankees outslugged the Tampa Bay Rays 9-3 in their series-opening contest.

Ducks Are #12 In AP Gridiron Poll; #17 In Coaches Rankings

 The Oregon Ducks, whose season doesn't start until November, climbed up two spots in the Associate Press college football poll to #12 while returning to the USA Today/Amway Coaches rankings at #17.

Both polls were released on Sunday.

No support for the Oregon State Beavers in either poll.

Eagles Knock Off Niners In Santa Clara

At Santa Clara, California: 

Travis Fulgham caught a go-ahead touchdown pass with 5:50 remaining in regulation while Alex Singleton returned an intercepted pass for another score on Sunday night as the Philadelphia Eagles (1-2-1) upended the San Francisco 49ers (2-2) 25-20 on the road, despite a 15-catch, 183-yard, one-touchdown performance from the hosts' George Kittle.

NBA Finals: Heat Top Lakers To Cut LA's Series Advantage To 2-1

 At the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Bay Lake, Florida:

Jimmy Butler's  triple-double (40 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds) enabled the Miami Heat to cut the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Finals series advantage to two games to one after their 115-104 game-three victory.

LeBron James topped the Lakers with 25 points while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out eight assits.

T2 Blown Out In Sacramento To End Season

 At Sacramento, California:

In Saturday's USL Championship season finale for both clubs, Darek Formella scored twice (2', 4') as the Sacramento Republic peppered visiting Portland Timbers 2 with four goals in the first half-hour en route to a 4-0 demolition.

The victory secured a playoff berth for the Republic.

145th Preakness Stakes: Upset Win For Swiss Skydiver Who Becomes First Filly To Win Race Since 2006

 At Baltimore:

Swiss Skydiver, with jockey Robby Albarado aboard, held off Kentucky Derby winner Authentic on Saturday to win the 145th edition of the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first filly to win this jewel of the Triple Crown since Rachel Alexandra did the trick in 2006 and only the second since 1924.

Trainer Kenneth McPeek won his first Preakness.

Jesus' Team finished third.

NBA Playoffs: Lakers Top Heat Again, Lead Series 2-0

 At the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Bay Lake, Florida:

LeBron James scored 33 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out nine assists while Anthony Davis added 32 points and 14 boards on Friday night as the Los Angeles Lakers extended their NBA Finals series lead to two games to none after their 124-114 game-two victory.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points while dishing out 13 assists and pulling in eight rebounds while Kelly Olynyk came off the bench to add 24 points (to go with his nine rebounds).

MLB Playoffs (National League Opening Round): Marlins, Padres Advance To Divisional

 Two National League games were contested on Friday as the opening round of the Major League Baseball Playoffs concluded.

At Chicago:

Garrett Cooper hit a home run in the seventh inning while starter Sixto Sanchez pitched five strong shutout innings as the Miami Marlins completed their two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 2-0 game-two victory.

The Marlins have never lost a playoff series as they now made it seven series in a row.

At San Diego:

Nine pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout as the San Diego Padres won a playoff series for the first time since 1998 as they blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in game three of their first-round series, which the Redbirds won two games to one.

MLB Playoffs (American League Opening Round): A's Upend ChiSox, Get Astros In Divisional Round

 At Oakland, California:

In the final game of the opening round of the American League playoffs on Thursday, Chad Pinder's go-ahead two-run fifth-inning single helped the Oakland Athletics defeat the Chicago White Sox 6-4 in game three of their series, enabling them to advance for the first time since 2006.

MLB Playoffs (National League Opening Round): Braves, Dodgers Advance To Divisional Round; Padres Force Game Three With Cardinals

 The National League's opening round continueed on Thursday with three games.

At Atlanta:

Ian Anderson pitched six inning of nine-strikeout shutout ball while Adam Duvall and Marcell Ozuna each hit a home run as the Atlanta Braves completed a two-game sweep of their first-round series with the Cincinnati Reds following their 5-0 game-two triumph.

At San Diego:

Fernando Tatis and Wil Meyers each homered twice as the San Diego Pardres outslugged the St. Louis Cardinals 11-9 in game two of their opening round series, now deadlocked at one game apiece.

The series is set to be decided on Friday (4:08 PM Pacific Time, ESPN)

At Los Angeles:

Clayton Kershaw pitched eight shutout innings, striking out 13 batters in the process while Mookie Betts had a double and batted in two runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a two-game series of the Milwaukee Brewers by shutting out the Beer City gang 3-0 in game two.