The Sommer Frieze

Everybody has a favorite player, even Mr. Ed.

A classic episode. The scene of Mr. Ed sliding into home after hitting an inside-the-park HR off Sandy is hilarious. Click on the link. If you don’t find yourself singing along with the theme song, you are a better man than me (or far younger!)

Ah….TV was so much more innocent then, wasn’t it?

A local legend where I live, Andy Tomasic, passed away. Andy was a pro in two sports. He played for the Steelers in 1942 and 1946 (WWII interrupted his career) and also pitched in two games for the NY Giants in 1949, going 0-1, 18.00. His nephew is Matt Millen.

Another family where I live has it in the genes as well. Dennis Onkotz was an All-American LB at Penn State in 1968 and 1969, two undefeated seasons. Onkotz was drafted by the Jets but broke his leg during a game vs. the Rams at the LA Coliseum and that was that. A relation of his is Jimmy Druckenmiller, who QB’d Va. Tech to a Sugar Bowl win before being a 1st round pick of the 49ers. Like his relative, Druckenmiller’s NFL tenure was short.

Speaking of Penn State, it looks like I get the opponent I want (barring a major upset). PSU had defeated Oregon State 45-14 back in September and I didn’t want a Rose Bowl rematch. What was there to prove for the Nittany Lions? Instead Oregon St., needing a win to clinch a Rose Bowl berth, got whipped by rival Oregon. USC, by thoroughly trashing Notre Dame (whose QB, Jimmy Claussen, comes from the town in which one of my sisters resides) is now in the driver’s seat for the Rose Bowl, providing they defeat archrival UCLA on Dec. 6th, which, considering that the Bruins are 4-7, the Trojans should do.

Joe Paterno vs. Pete Carroll. JoePas all-time college football wins record vs. a guy 86-15 as head coach of USC. The soon to be 82 year old legend coming off hip replacement surgery taking a nice WR trio of Williams, Butler and Norwood vs. a fine USC defense. Even though I’m a PSU alum, USC should be favored by a TD, maybe slightly more. It should be a good game. East Coast vs. West Coast. The ratings should be huge for it. The matchup all wanted to see. Beating the Beavers wouldn’t have meant much to PSU. Beating USC however, would. It wouldn’t give the Nittany Lions a #1 ranking, but should everything fall into place, they probably would finish top 3. Three years ago, two points…one second…cost PSU an undefeated season. They finished 3rd. Who knows, maybe this year one point and a few seconds will do the same.

Here’s hoping my Steelers beat the Patriots today. It promises to be a raw day for that game late this afternoon. Where I am, it’s cold and drizzling. It started as snow flurries, then a little sleet, now drizzle. But downright yucky and miserable. A good day for coffee, hot cocoa, soup, etc.

Boston this week dealt with Texas. The Red Sox continue to try to strengthen their bullpen. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Rangers traded righty Wes Littleton to the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash. GM Jon Daniels said the player may not be named until close to opening day. Littleton, 26, was 0-0, 6.00, in 12 games (18 IP) for the Rangers in 2008. For his career, he is 5-3, 3 saves, 3.69, ERA+ 123, in 80g, 102 1/3 IP.

It’s sad what happened in Long Island, where a stream of shoppers trampled a man to death. I think people lining up to shop at 5 a.m. on Black Friday is downright ludicrous. Especially waiting in line for two hours or so to do so. Worse yet, when the store wanted to close because of the tragedy (and besides the death, four others were taken to the hospital—one a woman eight months pregnant. Why she put herself into that kind of situation…).

As we approach Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza (sp.?) whatever seasonal holiday you embrace, let’s remember that the real meaning isn’t found in Walmart, Toys R Us, etc.