October 31, 1991: The Halloween snow storm

I do indeed recall the Halloween blizzard which blanketed the Twin Cities area 25 years ago.

I was almost two months into my senior year of college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Midterm exams were that week but, thankfully, my last one took place the morning of October 31 (the worst of the storm didn't occur until that evening). If I had an exam on Friday, November 1, no way would my little Chevy Nova have made it the 25-mile drive from St. Paul to River Falls, WI.

Thankfully the weekend job I had (a security officer at the Gillette Co. in downtown St. Paul, now the site of the St. Paul Saints stadium) was a mere 4 miles from my house. Typically weekends saw production workers from all three shifts come in to work overtime. However, other than a handful of maintenance workers, the plant was pretty much abandoned that Saturday and Sunday due to employees not wanting (or being unable) to endure poor road conditions.

The MN Dept. of Transportation was so ill prepared for a storm of this magnitude before mid to late November that Hwy 94 was a quagmire for a solid week after the storm. My commutes to school the following week felt as though I was driving on rocks for several miles. Yet the millisecond I crossed the border into Wisconsin, I-94 was dry as a bone. Yes, even 25 years ago Wisconsin's state government appeared more effective and efficient than that of Minnesota.

What do you remember most about that storm?

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The odds are against us, but you know we still stand a chance....

The number of days until Election Day is now in the single digits, so it's crunch time on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. This week's edition of The Closer kicks off at 2:00 PM Central Time.

The big story from this past week is FBI Director James Comey informing Congressional Committee chairs that he is continuing investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices from her time as Secretary of State. I will monitor this situation for any new developments.

At 2:30, the GOP candidate for U.S. House in MN Congressional District Four, Greg Ryan, will drop by to tout his candidacy.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast if you so desire. Check it out here.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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A funny thing happened on the way to a landslide victory....

FBI Director James Comey penned the following letter to the Congressional Committee chairs:

Given that an investigation into a presidential candidate is being re-opened a mere 11 days before Election Day, there must have been some serious irregularities found over the past few months.

Getcha popcorn!

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It happened 25 years ago today - October 27, 1991

The first six games of the 1991 World Series featuring the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins made this Fall Classic arguably one of the best in MLB history. But it was Game Seven which removed all doubt: The 1991 World Series was the best, most compelling postseason series ever.

I shared my recollections here.





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It happened 25 years ago today - October 26, 1991

Kirby Puckett and the Minnesota Twins force a Game Seven of the 1991 World Series. I shared my memories of that occasion here.





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What's Bartman thinking?

I have to say that I am eagerly anticipating the start of the 2016 World Series, despite not having an allegiance to either team. When it's a 100% certainty that either the Chicago Cubs or Cleveland Indians will win it all for the first time in my lifetime, I embrace the opportunity to witness a truly historic event.

Despite the myriad story lines involving the Cubs and their 108-year championship drought, most seemed to be fixated on one in particular: What does Steve Bartman think about all this?

I maintain that if the Cubs do indeed emerge victorious, Bartman should be given an invitation by the Cubs' brass to ride in one of the victory parade cars. I feel that would be a more than appropriate gesture given his life was thrown into upheaval after the 2003 NLCS. While I have no way of knowing for sure, my sense is that only a minority percentage of the Cubs' faithful still harbor any bitterness towards Bartman. As such, I imagine he'd be welcomed back to Wrigley Field for the World Series, a story line which would approach the enormity of the Cubs actually being in the Fall Classic for the first time in 70+ years.

Alas, such an appearance seems unlikely.

Ray Sanchez of CNN spoke with Frank Murtha, a sports agent and family friend who has served as Bartman's spokesperson for the past 13 years. Murtha was asked if Bartman might make an appearance at Wrigley Field during the World Series, perhaps to throw out a first pitch. Murtha's answer seemingly shut the door on the possibility.

"The likelihood that he would return to throw out a first ball or anything like that is probably slim, none and no chance," Murtha said. "Steve just wishes the Cubs well and has no interest in being any distraction from whatever happens to them."

Bartman was a distraction in 2003. With the Cubs up 3-2 on the Marlins and five outs from the World Series, Bartman reached for a foul ball. Left fielder Moises Alou threw a fit, seeming to believe he would have caught the ball. Fans turned on Bartman and he had to be escorted from the park as the Cubs went on to lose both Game 6 and Game 7 the following night.

The flip side to this is what if the Cubs go on to lose the series after Bartman attended a game? I guarantee there would be some fans who would blame such a defeat on his mere presence.

According to Sanchez, Bartman still lives in Chicago, works at a financial firm, and is still a Cubs fan.

In fact, while it has not been confirmed, Tom Waddle of ESPN Radio in Chicago says that he has heard that Bartman has indeed been to Cubs games since the incident in 2003.

"It is my understanding that he has actually been to games, Waddle said on ESPN Radio. "He's just done it in a very low key, kinda secretive fashion. He remains a Cubs fan."

Despite the image of the green turtlenecked/glasses wearing/headphones donning super fan being seared into the collective minds of all baseball fans, would anyone even recognize Bartman if he, say, starting wearing contact lenses, wore no hat and grew a goatee? Yes, I absolutely believe he has been to Wrigley Field in the 13 years since his own personal day of infamy.

Murtha also told Newsday that the Cubs have indeed invited him back to Wrigley. Bartman spurned those invitations along with numerous lucrative offers to make personal appearances.

Among the offers turned down by Murtha, according to Sanchez, were book proposals, "six-figure" offers to do a commercial, a six-week Florida vacation, and even a Broadway play.

Hearing of this causes me to give Bartman the utmost respect. From what we learned about him in the aftermath of the 2003 NLCS Game 6 incident was that he was a lifelong Cubs fan who wanted nothing more then to see his beloved team finally exorcise its multi-generational demons. Naturally seeing his Cubs fall short would have been heartbreaking enough. But the idea that Bartman may have felt partially responsible for prolonging the franchise's agony is unconscionable. Yet despite all that, Bartman loves his Cubs so much that he wouldn't even entertain the multiple generous offers (which I would argue he more than deserved given what he's had to endure) to emerge from the shadows and share his story.

While Murtha says that Bartman's goal "has been to return to a normal life," he also concedes that there is still a safety concern, and that Steve still receives threats.

"There’s a certain number of people in our society who are wrapped real tight and they’re a couple of bricks short of a full load," Murtha told Newsday. "Death threats and the like show up on social media, attempts to get through to him at his workplace."

If for no other reason, I would like to see the Cubs win just for the opportunity for a middle-aged man to resume living a (somewhat) normal life. That is the absolute least he deserves.

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Box Score of the Week (Final one of 2016)

The Cleveland Indians will take on the Chicago Cubs in this year's World Series. Most know the Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908, but the Indians are in the midst of their own drought having not won it all since 1948.

With that, let's take a look at Game 3 of the 1948 Fall Classic featuring the Indians and Boston Braves.

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Game 3 marked the third consecutive game this series where neither team hit a home run, a World Series record that stood until the 2014 Giants-Royals Fall Classic.

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How is it what I came for is floating away.....

Back in the Patriot bunker today for the 1-hour edition of The Closer. The broadcast will get started at 2:00 PM Central Time.

I'll be taking a look back at the fallout from the final presidential debate, specifically the nonsensical gnashing of teeth over Trump's statement about accepting election results. On the local scene, Gov. Mark Dayton unwittingly helped the MN GOP in their quest to control both chambers of the MN Legislature.

At 2:30 I welcome to the show Amanda Peterson, who is chair of the MN College Republicans. We'll discuss what the MNCRs have going in these final two weeks until Election Day.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast if you so desire. Check it out here.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Accidental moment of coherence

I don't follow much network TV programming but I've grown to enjoy the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory via reruns on TBS. It's a show about four adult super nerds (comprised of physicists and engineers) and their attempts to assimilate to everyday life.

One episode in particular involved aerospace engineer Howard needing FBI security clearance in order to work on a project involving the U.S. Dept. of Defense. One of his colleagues, Sheldon, was interviewed by FBI Special Agent Angela Page and let it slip that Howard crashed the Mars Rover (while trying to impress a woman no less) and subsequently covered up the incident. As such, Howard was denied his security clearance. 

Upon being awash in massive guilt over his gaffe, Sheldon attempted to make amends with the FBI agent who interviewed him.

Sheldon: Thank you for agreeing to see me, Agent Page.

Page: Thank you for filing a complaint with my superior, Dr. Cooper. I understand you want to recant your statement about Howard Wolowitz.

Sheldon: Yes.

Page: Was your statement untrue?

Sheldon: No.

Page: Then I’m afraid you can’t withdraw it.

Sheldon: I’m sorry. I don’t recall you saying no backsies.

It's analogous to the aftermath of when Minnesota governor Mark Dayton said the Affordable Care Act is "no longer affordable."

Dayton said he regrets ACA statements are being used against candidates and asks caucus ldrs to agree to fix by Nov. 1 for special session pic.twitter.com/0pBle1Ornu

— Briana Bierschbach (@bbierschbach) October 21, 2016

Sorry Little Lord Fauntleroy Gov. Dayton, but we've essentially said "no backsies." Republicans at the state and national levels have been decrying this unsustainable law since day one and have offered numerous fixes and replacements. All have been rebuffed. You especially bear a significant responsibility with your myriad condescending statements and dismissals whenever the GOP presented alternatives.

So while we appreciate the sound bite that can be used against your Democrat colleagues, your statement on the ACA no longer being affordable is more of a confirmation than a revelation.

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Minnea-PUH-LEEZE JUST ONE

Last April, ESPN debuted the 30 for 30 documentary Believeland, which detailed much of the heart-break endured by fans of the professional sports teams in Cleveland. Up to that point, Cleveland was the only American city which had at least three of the four major sports franchises (NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL) but had not won a championship in the previous 50 years.

Two months after the premiere of Believeland, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA title. Then a few months after that, the Cleveland Indians clinched a berth in the World Series for only the third time in the past sixty years.

Since the city of Minneapolis now has the longest active championship drought of 25 years, I say some aspiring Twin Cities filmmaker should put together a similar self-loathing documentary about the gut-punch losses suffered by our NFL, MLB and NBA franchises during that time (Chill, NHL fans. The Wild plays in St. Paul).

Such bemoaning certainly seemed to be the catalyst for Cleveland's fortunes taking a positive turn.

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Third (and, thank the Lord, FINAL) presidential debate of 2016

Nope. I didn't partake. There is nothing Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump could say that would sway me to vote for either of them come Election Day.

However, I reluctantly opened social media to check out the so-called "hot takes" on the debate.

Yeah, I oughta know better by now.

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Quick Hits: Volume CXXXVII

- My appreciation and enjoyment of someone's work in the entertainment industry is not necessarily impacted by their political beliefs. I'd enthusiastically attend a Bruce Springsteen concert or willingly go see a movie starring Matt Damon (Stuck on You being a glaring exception) despite them being hardcore leftists. However, I'd have an expectation that entertainers would be cognizant of the fact that approximately half their fans don't agree with their lefty politics and thus would steer clear of inflammatory rhetoric.

But if I were a fan of a certain raunchy comedienne? I would not have such lofty expectations.

About 200 people walked out of Amy Schumer's comedy show at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Sunday when she mocked Donald Trump as, among other things, an "orange, sexual-assaulting, fake- college-starting monster."

Loud booing from a vocal, but small minority of the arena crowd started about halfway through the show, when Schumer's raunchy humor veered into more topical matters, including gun control and the presidential election. She has been a vocal advocate for stricter gun laws since a man opened fire during a showing of her movie Train Wreck last year, killing two young women, Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson, in Louisiana, and was an early Hillary Clinton supporter.

She made it clear she doesn't understand how people can support Trump. At one point, she asked for a Trump supporter - preferably one with sleeves, she told security personnel - to join her up on stage to explain their enthusiasm for Trump. One fellow did, but he said he was voting for Trump mainly because he doesn't trust Clinton. When some audience members booed, the actor/comedian invited them to leave and also asked security to remove anyone booing.

Again, I personally would not even attend one of Schumer's shows since I would have zero expectations of her not spewing leftist pap or that I would even emit a laugh at her "comedy."


- You can pretty much come up with as many double entendres as you so desire regarding a certain campaign bus engaging in sh*tty tactics.

Photos of a Hillary Clinton campaign bus allegedly dumping human waste into a storm drain have prompted police in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to launch an investigation. The incident reportedly occurred Tuesday morning on Georgia's Grayson Highway, while the "Forward Together" bus was between campaign stops.

In photos snapped by a local businessman, liquid can be seen "seeping out from underneath the Clinton bus," The Hill reported. When police arrived on the scene, they reportedly found "toilet paper scattered everywhere and a foul smell." An employee at an auto parts shop along the highway also reported seeing a bus dumping sewage.

Who knew that cousin Eddie was part of the Clinton campaign?

- I've made no secret of the fact that Florida senator Marco Rubio was my preferred GOP candidate for President. Sadly that didn't come to fruition.

In a recent U.S. Senate debate against his Democrat opponent Patrick Murphy, Rubio's statement on the life issue only galvanized my admiration of this man.




The current GOP presidential candidate has been hit with October surprises such as audio of him describing how he would sexually assault women and then some women coming out saying how Trump did to them exactly as he described in said audio.

If nothing else, it certainly makes me long for a candidate whose worst deeds appeared to have been traffic violations.

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Box Score of the Week (postseason edition)

Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series with the L.A. Angels of Anaheim at the Chicago White Sox.

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Not since Chicago's Mark Buehrle in this game has a starting pitcher tossed a complete game in the postseason while throwing less than 100 pitches.  

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I wish that I could help you, but you seem less than helpless...

With the Vikings on a bye, there should be no barriers to tuning into the Northern Alliance Radio Network this afternoon. The 1-hour edition of The Closer gets started at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Right at 2:00 I will be joined by MN state Senate candidate Paul Anderson, a Republican running in Senate District 44. With incumbent DFL senator Terri Bonoff choosing to be the Democrats' sacrificial lamb in Congressional District Three not seeking reelection, SD44 is ripe for a flip to the GOP. Since the Republicans need a net gain of six seats to regain a majority in the Senate, a Paul Anderson victory would go a long way to achieving that feat.

At 2:30 I welcome to the Patriot bunker Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary's Point). We'll discuss Sen. Housley's reelection campaign as well as myriad topics like grandchildren, hockey and Carrie Underwood.

If time permits, I will also weigh in on the proverbial clown car that is the presidential race.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast if you so desire. Check it out here.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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FLOTUS told us

I can't say I disagree much with what the First Lady had to say the other day.

Michelle Obama issued a deeply personal denunciation of Donald J. Trump on Thursday for his lewd comments about women, exhorting voters in scathing terms to reject his candidacy and the campaign’s increasingly vulgar tenor by backing Hillary Clinton as a matter of conscience.

“This is not normal. This is not politics as usual,” Mrs. Obama said in a 25-minute speech here during which her voice at times quavered with emotion. “This is disgraceful, it is intolerable, and it doesn’t matter what party you belong to,” she added. “No woman deserves to be treated this way — none of us deserves this kind of abuse.”

In remarks that were among the most outspoken by a first lady in modern history, Mrs. Obama, who has mostly avoided the political limelight, positioned herself at the center of a campaign she characterized as having devolved into “madness.” She implored voters to “stand up and say enough is enough.”

Again, I have no interest in defending Trump here simply because I'm not in the habit of defending the indefensible. But as is normally the case with the President or First Lady, their indignation is sprinkled with hypocrisy.

My friend Erin Haust said it best.

Oh SPARE ME! The woman who idolizes Beyonce & Jay Z, whose lyrics & music videos are some of the most disgusting displays of objectifying & degrading women in today's society, is lecturing us on "intolerable" language?

The hypocrisy is nauseating. Cannot wait for 2016 to be over.

I know what some of you may be thinking. You're thinking that someone like Jay Z merely raps about such acts whereas Trump actually perpetrates the actions of his vile rhetoric. If that's your mindset, then it's the equivalent of saying it's OK to merely deal hard drugs as opposed to actually using them.

Hey, whatever helps you assuage your conscience.

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The 2016 presidential race in a nutshell

The Libertarian Party ticket is not comprised of libertarians.

The Republican Party nominee is more like a Democrat in regards to policy.

The Democrat nominee is the first female in American history to be atop the presidential ticket of one of the two major political parties, and will likely be the first female U.S. President. But in this day and age can the first woman President of the United States even be considered historic since we can identify as any gender we so desire?

What a time to be alive.

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Superseded

My faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is by far the most important aspect of my life. Without Him, I am nothing. Without Him, I face a long suffering eternity with no hope of escape.

So when people ask me how I am holding up given my preferred political party could potentially endure a devastating defeat at the polls next month, I merely shrug. In the grand scheme of things, this world ain't my home. As such, I'm going to continue to ask God for anointing as I press on in my quest to be a better ambassador for His kingdom.

I guess what I'm saying is my faith...**ahem**...."trumps" my allegiance to politics. While I have never firmly committed to vote for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, I can now say definitively he has irretrievably lost my support. When I read the transcript of the vile comments he made in 2005 which basically had Trump describing the act of sexual assault, my decision was easy. I personally know a good number of women who have endured such unwanted physical advances. While many have been able to live productive lives despite such a horrific event, there are emotional scars which endure.

This is why I'm grateful a God fearing woman like Beth Moore has chosen to speak out regarding some members of the Church still supporting Trump.

“I’m one among many women sexually abused, misused, stared down, heckled, talked naughty to. Like we liked it. We didn’t. We’re tired of it,” Moore said. She also had a word about evangelical leaders still supporting Trump: “Try to absorb how acceptable the disesteem and objectifying of women has been when some Christian leaders don’t think it’s that big a deal.”

Moore’s broken silence about the 2016 race—rooted in her own experience with sexual assault—signals a widening gender divide between evangelicals. Increasingly, moderate and conservative Christian women are speaking out about Trump’s brand of misogyny and divisiveness, and condemning support for the nominee or silence about him from male evangelicals.

My hope is there is also a standard for protecting life. If elected, Hillary Clinton would be one of the most (if not the most) radically pro abortion presidents in history. As a church, we need to speak out against her just as fervently. I only bring this up because I've heard some Christian women object to Trump's candidacy (perfectly understandable even before this latest audio leak) but inexplicably flock to Mrs. Clinton merely because she's a woman. To me, that's just as short-sighted (if not more so) as Christian men blindly voting for Trump just because he's (allegedly) a Republican. And voting GOP is just what Evangelicals do, doggone it.

Protecting the life and well-being of all people at all stages is the proverbial hill worth dying upon, even if it means casting a vote outside the two major party candidates (I know. Perish the thought).

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Box Score of the Week (postseason edition)

Going real old school with Game 3 of the 1924 World Series featuring the Washington Senators and New York Giants.

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In last Saturday's Game 2 of the NLDS, Chicago Cubs pitcher Travis Wood became the first relief pitcher to hit a home run in a postseason game since Rosy Ryan did so in the game I referenced above.  

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I have done all that I could to see the evil and the good without hiding....

Down to less than a month until Election Day and, to be honest, it can't come fast enough. Nevertheless, we'll be discussing many aspects of this crazy cycle today on The Closer. The one-hour blitz begins at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Right at 2:00 pm I welcome to the Patriot bunker Minnesota state senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake). Sen. Benson will discuss the Republicans' plan to fix the debacle that is MNsure. She will also discuss the GOP's prospects for a MN Senate majority.

Then at 2:30 we'll chat with national political wonk Matt Mackowiak. We'll get Matt's perspective on the latest (and perhaps the most damaging) controversy involving GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump and where the party goes from here.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast if you so desire. Check it out here.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Indefensible

While I haven't heard the audio of Donald Trump's vile comments regarding (let's call it what it really is) sexual assault, I've read transcripts. I can't defend him. I won't defend him. And whatever scintilla of a chance he had to be elected President of the United States has vaporized. I honestly don't know how he could possibly even show up for Sunday's presidential debate.

Naturally there will be a scant few Trump apologists who will not back down and thus continue to point out how Hillary Clinton and her supporters have no moral authority to be outraged given her husband's dalliances as Commander in Chief. Sorry, that ain't gonna fly. Yes, I realize the folks on the political left are flaming hypocrites on this stuff. But you had prominent political pundits on the right forewarning that a Trump candidacy would come to this. What's scary is there are rumors floating around that there are even more damning stories to be released. 

So what happens from here? I honestly don't know. Even if Trump drops out voluntarily or is convinced to drop out, there's no way a replacement GOP candidate can win. However, Trump's toxic presence would no longer impede the Republicans' chances to hang on to the U.S. Senate majority, which was going to be no easy task regardless of who was atop the ticket. 

Prominent Republican politicians such as House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Marco Rubio and Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, just to name a few, have swiftly condemned Trump. Ryan even uninvited Trump from a GOP unity event set to take place in Wisconsin this weekend. 

It's your move, Republican National Committee.

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Tough out

It's an even year and the San Francisco Giants are in the MLB postseason.

Despite a horrid post All Star Break that saw them go 26-42 before winning their final four games just to get in the playoffs, the Giants used an eerily familiar formula in Wednesday's 3-0 NL wildcard game win over the New York Mets: Madison Bumgarner taking the mound in a winner-take-all contest.

Trying to follow their World Series titles in 2010, '12 and '14, the Giants open the NL Division Series on Friday at the best-in-the-majors Chicago Cubs.

Bumgarner has pitched 23 consecutive scoreless innings in winner-take-all postseason games -- all on the road -- following a four-hitter at Pittsburgh in the 2014 wild-card game and five innings of relief at Kansas City to save Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

Naturally the motto among Giants fans in this being an even year is they're "BeliEVEN'."

On paper the Cubs are a vastly superior team who will likely exploit the Giants' weakness in games Bumganer isn't pitching, which is the lackluster San Francisco bullpen. If I had to make a prediction, I say the even year magic will not help the Giants in this upcoming series against the best team in Major League Baseball.

But would I bet my house on that? Not. A. Flippin'. Chance.

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Checked out

"So, Brad, did you watch Tuesday evening's VP debate?"



via GIPHY


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Vin Scully

By all accounts, legendary Dodgers baseball announcer Vin Scully is a much better man than he was a broadcaster.......and he was a phenomenal broadcaster.




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Box Score of the Week

Dodgers announcer Vin Scully wrapped up his legendary broadcasting career this past Sunday. Exactly 50 years earlier, Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax pitched the final regular season game of his career.

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Steve Wulf of ESPN.com has the story:

It was the last game of the season, the second game of a doubleheader against the Phillies in Connie Mack Stadium, a game the Dodgers needed to win to get into the World Series, a game (Koufax) started on a moment's notice with just two days of rest. It was the last victory of his career.

"The situation was that the Dodgers needed to win one game of the doubleheader if the Giants won their game in Pittsburgh," Scully says. "What we didn't know was that Sandy had already decided this would be his last season. So you can imagine the pressure he must've felt."

Definitely read the whole thing. 

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On assignment

I will be taking a "rare and well deserved break*" from my radio show today.

Veteran radio guy (and now prolific podcaster) Bob Davis will be assuming the reins from 2:00 until 3:00 PM Central Time.


You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

Until then......


*Another quarter into the Brian "St. Paul" Ward retirement fund for using his patented phrase.

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