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60 YEARS AGO: in 1957 BASEBALL LOST ITS INNOCENCE WHEN THE DODGERS SAID SEE YA TO BROOKLYN
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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Bull Allen. August 9, 2017:
I’m sitting in the Ebbets Field Gondola where Red Barber and Connie Desmond sat and broadcast Dodger baseball on WMGM 1050, and Red gave Vince Scully the chance to broadcast Dodger games, and the rest of course, is history.
I’m looking back on the echoing green of memory of a ballpark, a culture, a feeling that baseball destroyed back in 1957, when baseball allowed the Dodgers and the Giants to move to the West Coast.
When I was a kid, Gussie Moran the tennis player (of all people), Ted Brown and Marty Glickman did Baseball Extra on WMGM, and on WOR-TV there was Happy Felton’s Knothole Gang where Felton hosted different groups of little leaguers on every telecast.
Hilda swung her bell from the upper deck when the Dodgers were rallying. The one game I saw in Ebbets Field was from the lower leftfield deck. I swear you were close enough to Frank Robinson the leftfielder to see the sweat on his neck. And the Dodger lit up Warren Hacker.
No uniforms were whiter than Dodger home whites. The field was so colorful. The banked rightfield wall with its colorful billboards The pennants flapping from the “Schaeffer Scoreboard” and the noise. The catwalks you had to walk on into the upper deck. The park was edgy.
The fans loved the Dodgers. The players: Gil, Duke, Campy, Skoonj, lived in the neighborhood around the ballpark, I think. They were our players. They played for us.
But Walter O’Malley the owner of the Dodgers destroyed all that when he did not like the Little Bandbox on Flatbush and Bedford. He wanted a bigger ballpark. New York City refused to build one for him, but Los Angeles would. And San Francisco would build one for the Giants. Ever since baseball instead of serving the communities it plays in has used the communities, blackmailed them, and rarely given back.
Baseball now just takes.
There had been franchise shifts in baseball before the abandonment of Brooklyn USA and Coogan’s Bluff where the New York Giants played by major league baseball,
Bill Veeck shifted the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore. The Perini family shifted the hapless Boston Braves to Milwaukee. The storied Philadelphia A’s moved to Kansas City. But those cities did not support the Browns and the Braves. Brooklyn drew one million fans in Brooklyn their last year. The Giants 600,000.
They moved for money.
Baseball now has the largest attendance of any sport except soccer and sports car racing. Tickets to baseball games, concessions, season tickets are dear. But the caring for the game the way it used to be is gone, it’s just not there.
I was not a Dodger fan growing up. I rooted for the Yankees because I liked Mel Allen and the Yankees represented excellence consistency. Yankee Stadium was dignified, an environment where the men went to games in suits and ties. Ebbets Field was different. The fans were involved they knew the game, they cared. They had passion.
There was no passion in the Yankee Stadium of 1957. Yogi’s game winning homers were greeted like a opera diva’s aria.
O’Malley and his fellow carpet bagger Horace Stoneham owner of the New York Giants, sold them all out.
They started a trend:
Within 15 years the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta. In four years the Washington Senators moved to Minneapolis and became contenders, leaving Washington with an expansion team, when then moved to Texas. Kansas City moved again to Oakland. The Montreal Expos on the verge of a dynasty were allowed to move to Miami. All moves to make more money.
What did the New York area get back:
The New York Mets who throughout their 55 Years in baseball (most of which have been forgettable) have tried to supplant the lovable Bums’ personality, glamorizing mediocrity, and making excuses for wrecking not one but three superb pitching staffs: The Seaver, Koosman, Gentry, staff of the 1969-73 Mets; The Viola, Gooden, Darling staff of the mid-80s, and now the pitchers of the hapless Terry Collins era, destroyed by overworking young arms too soon by pitching coaches who have never had big seasons in the big leagues.
But the old Dodgers were not mediocre and they never made excuses and they played hard.
They were swashbuckling even when they lost: Babe Herman, Van Lingle Mungo, Zack Wheat, Phil Cavereta, and of course the team that broke baseball’s color line: Reese, Gilliam, Jackie, Gil, Campy, Podres, Newk, Roger, Hoak, Gino, the Duke, Furillo, Ed Roebuck. The team did not have the glamour and polish of the Yankees, but The Dodgers had style, class, and heart.
You believed the Dodgers played for Brooklyn. When they won they brought joy to Brooklyn, when they lost, well that’s all right we’ll get em tomorrow. That was back when as a fan you wanted to win every game, even though you knew it was impossible. That was when baseball had such a grip on the young and the old, that you believed you could win. You flipped baseball cards.
So New York still misses the Dodgers. They were one of a kind. They gave fans the best moments of baseball. The executives before O’Malley built teams that lasted. We all knew it was a business, but we did not care. They were our guys.
Now, today we know all too well baseball is a business, and because we do know that, we don’t care. Perhaps some cities still do. Boston loves the Red Sox. Chicago the Cubs and the Pale Hose. St Louis the Cardinals.
When they killed the Brooklyn Dodgers sixty years ago, they killed what made baseball great: it’s heart—now baseball has no heart.
You can win by finishing second.
You can cheat.
The umpire gets no respect.
The baseball keeps getting more lively every year
The pitching is worn out
You can’t see it on the radio anymore.
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING FIRMING AND GOING UP WITH CONFIDENCE. JULY SALES PRICES UP 13%
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WPCNR REALTY REALTY. AUGUST 10, 2017:
July in White Plains put smiles on home sellers faces, according to figures from Julia B. Fee/Sothby’s international Real Estate
The median price of a White Plains home sold in July was $630,800, up $71,000 from July of 2016.
The average price of homes sold in the White Plains July was $664,534, up 13% from $588,933 in July of a year ago, indicating that it is not just high end sales driving the price increases.
Through the first six months of 2017, Fee/Sothby reports home sales were up 2.6% over the first six months OF 2016, 196 TO 191. An encouraging trend was it was taking 7 weeks to sell a home and sellers were getting just about what they were asking for.
Inventory is increasing at a very slow pace, giving consumers more homes to choose from, and putting homeowners the ability to hold for their price.
THE VETO PLAY. AS OLD AS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAY. WHO LOVES YA? DEMOCRATS DO. WHO PROTECTS YOU?ROB ASTORINO DOES. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, VOTERS. THE MUTUAL PROTECTION SOCIETY IS PLAYING YOU FOR SUCKERS
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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. August 9, 2017:
When will the voters and the residents of Westchester County “wake up and smell the coffee,” as Ann Landers used to say?
There is one government, not two parties and both parties work to protect one another and keep themselves in power.
Here we go again:
The Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino and the Westchester County Legislature are working the tried and true “Veto Play.”
This time they are working the Veto Play with Immigrants.
Immigrants: The hardest working people in Ameria. Afraid of deportation by the Trump Administration secret police (ICE). Afraid everytime they are stopped by police. (Keep those tail lights functioning!)
Afraid each night they go back to their over-crowded illegal housing which is permitted callously by the administrations of countless towns and cities in the county, who do not enforce housing codes.
Afraid employers will fire them immediately on a whim and report them. What Hell it is to be an immigrant these days who may be illegal. Or legal but speak Spanish. Or in fear of not having their VISA renewed.
Here’s how the two parties…the Astorino administration and the County Legislature are working the Veto Play that makes everyone look good under the shameless sham of protecting immigrants.
The Democratic-controlled legislature cooks up some legislation, in this case, the Immigrant Protection bill, allegedly to protect immigrants from exposure to the ICE authorities currently scouring the county for immigrants here illegally, with expired visas or with possible criminal backgrounds and the purpose of the Immigrant Protection Bill is to as County Legislator Catherine Borgia puts it,
“immigrants have reported that they are less likely to contact police officers if they have been the victim of a crime because of potential immigrant consequences. Westchester is too diverse a County for our residents to live in fear.”
So what does this bill do?
It follows New York State Attorney General Eric Sneiderman’s guidelines: it says that local authorities limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement by not serving civil immigration warrants; by refusing to detain and hold “uncharged” individuals in custody for over 48 hours (allowing ICE to “pick them up”); restricting federal authorities to individuals presently being held; and restricting information-gathering to federal immigration enforcement (local police not asking for i.d. papers, personal information, etc.).
So, the Democratic-controlled legislature cooks up this “feel good” immigrant protection bill, passes it 10-5, to demonstrate that and these are my quotes: “we are behind you immigrants. We will protect you. Democrats are for you. Vote for us.”
The County Executive then steps and in and plays his role, threatening to veto the legislation they passed Monday within 10 days.
Kenneth Jenkins candidate for County Executive nomination for the Democrats in the September 12 primary vows to work hard to override the expected Astorino veto. State Senator George Latimer has not yet weighed in on the side of the immigrants.
So now both sides of the aisle working the Veto Play to perfection look good.
The Democrats appear to be championing the population of the county of immigrants. The Astorino Republican side does a careful appeal by vetoing to the Trump constituency upcounty while appearing to support local law enforcement.
Aren’t we tired of this game yet, voters?
Don’t you see right through these political maneuvers? Both parties are playing you for suckers.
The Democratic Party that controls the legislature of the county, did the same ploy on the Astorino “no tax increase” budgets the last eight years. They wring their hands over cuts to services, but always two Democrats vote with the Republicans to pass the budget, despite moaning over the $15 Million budget deficit in 2017and borrowing to balance the budget. That happened again in December of 2016.
The Democratic party now is running on the lame premise that the county is running a deficit. But they did not. The county had a surplus this year. Now the Democrats’ loan issue is the airport lease agreement, objecting to leasing the airport for 20 years. They talk about “Westchester Values,” whatever they are.
They also did a reverse veto play on Playland.
The Democrats rejected Sustainable Playland, Rob Astorino’s first plan because Sustainable did not have financing. So that deal went away. Then the Democrats got behind the Standard Amusements plan, only to agree to a deal that will cost the county $50 Million in new Playland debt over the next 20 years if Standard Amusements finally accepts the deal.
Don’t you remember that County Executive Robert Astorino’s original deal with Sustainable Playland and then Standard Amusements would eliminate Playland debt with payments? Well, it did.
But nooooooooooooo, the Democrats said the Sustainable Playland deal was not well financed, so they threw it out. Then Standard Amusements, after having three years to inspect Playland, said they would not pay for all the repairs needed and the county said they would: instead of Playland debt being reduced to nothing, it went up $30 Million. Then the Legislators said they wanted to keep the Playland Pool…Boom! Another $10 Million was added to the debt, up to $40 Million. Then you have the $10 Million the county has spent on the Children’s museum Then the City of Rye sued over the Standard Amusements deal, and if the City of Rye does not withdraw the suit, well if I were Standard Amusements, I’d walk. Attendance is down 22% anyway.
Now we are multiplying the county Playland debt ten times to $50 Million if you include the $10 million we have burned on the Children’s Museum.
The County Legislators have to learn how to count. They are not good businesspersons. They only want to make the County Executive look bad and their efforts to do so, only make situations worse.
Now—back to the Immigrant Protection Act.
If the promised Robert Astorino veto is overridden, then it will only take a couple of tough calls from the Department of Justice to force local law enforcement agencies to “cooperate.” If the Trump Troopers want you to do something they will apply the pressure: pulling back community development funds, threats, threats and more threats.
The county, the cities in the county will fold like the cheap suits they wear.
COULD WE GIVE DONALD HIS “MEDS?” WHATEVER HAPPENED TO “SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK” ?
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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. August 8, 2017:
Ivanka and Mellania Trump are our only answer.
They have to get Donald back on his “meds” now.
Impeachment proceedings have be be launched because Don is an unstable, irrational individual who does not realize the consequences of his actions. He does not think 5 minutes ahead.
Today we had the ludicrous, insane spectacle right out of Dr. Strangelove of the President of the United States threatening “fury” if North Korea does what?
His absolutely unacceptable temper tantrum “look how powerful I am” statement issued a few hours ago at North Korea is reminiscent of Saddam Hussein’s rants against the United States before the first Iraq War and the second. It’s right out of Adolf Hitler.
He is the ranting President. He does not think things through. Does he think?
Trump is a 17 year old gang leader, right down to the phony pompadour, dealing with a testosterone-heavy 25 year old gang leader of North Korea. It’s West Side Story.
This behavior is unacceptable. Donnie has to do some damage control somehow.
But the Republicans and the Democrats in congress have to launch impeachment proceedings within the hour.
Now.
The nuclear codes have to be quietly taken away from him.
Nicky Haley the Ambassador to the U.N. has to make a face saving statement;
The U.S.A. does not go around threatening countries with “fire”.
Photographs I just saw of Mr. Trump, are reminiscent of Adolf Hitler. The livid expression, the slashing motions.
It is time for the congress to get off of their protocol collective backsides, and visit the President — long touted as the best businessman in the U.S whoever thought he was?– and tell him he is putting the world at risk by his irrational behavior.
I learned when threatened years ago, never to say what I would do. Not to respond. I learned to ignore it. When politicians threatened to sue me, I just ignored it. When they did sue me, I got lawyer to negotiate.
This guy who is running the country doesn’t even know how to do that? For God’s sake. Did he ever raise his own children?
A 25 year old is full of himself. The fact that that a 25 year old runs a possible nuclear power means his need for attention has to be placated. Has to be stroked. Doesn’t Donald the great dealmaker know that?
He doesn’t.
Doesn’t he know that threatening a strike back and hopefully not a preemptive strike is daring Kim Jung Un– there I think that might be right– might press every button he has.
He doesn’t.
The point is if Trump had any intelligence he would call a face-to-face with Kim Jung- Un and chat him up. Go to him. Play to his ego.
Is Donnie too inexperienced to know this?
He is.
But, now is the time for the U.S. Congress to go on mass to the “President” and say this is not good for you, your administration, America, or the world to act this way. You can’t do it.
He is sounding like a leader of ISIS and Al Queda.
He is not cute anymore.
He is no longer entertaining. He is no longer funny.
He deserves no respect any more.
I am tired of this respecting the President crap. You acquire respect through your behavior.
He’s a lousy President. The worst ever elected.
In six months he has proven he is the worst President since Andrew Johnson. But Donnie does not even know who that is or why.
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Saturday, August 12 at 9 am
Wednesdays, Now – November 26
Here Comes the Astorino Veto within 10 Days. Immigrant Protection Bill “Not Good Law”:Astorino. Promises Veto
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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. August 7, 2017:
Joined by Westchester County’s largest Hispanic law enforcement organization, members of the county’s Departments of Public Safety and Correction, and union leaders from the Department of Correction, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today promised to veto legislation that would make Westchester a sanctuary county because it would jeopardize public safety, particularly those in our immigrant communities, would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and would be nearly impossible to enforce.
The Immigration Protection Act was approved 10-5 by the Board of Legislators earlier today. The county executive now has 10 days to veto the Act.
“Westchester is a diverse county with vibrant immigrant communities that are welcomed and valued,” Astorino said. “I’m opposed to this Act because it puts public safety at risk, especially those in our immigrant communities; puts Westchester at odds with our own federal government; creates rights not available to ordinary citizens; will jeopardize approximately $13 million in federal funds and is so confusing as to be unenforceable. It all adds up to be a dangerous idea, and for those reasons I will veto this legislation.”
In addressing issues with the Act, Astorino noted that enforcing immigration laws and deportations are the responsibility of the federal government, not county police, and that this Act severely restricts how local communities and law enforcement communicate with federal agencies, such as the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
The county executive also said that his Administration had long worked with legislators and immigration groups to come up with workable legislation. But after much testimony from advocates, public safety, corrections and social services, the grave flaws in the Act were apparent and unworkable. In this case, political grandstanding was put before public safety, Astorino said.
“Just because proponents of the bill say it doesn’t create a sanctuary county, doesn’t make it so,” Astorino said. “Our County Attorney has given us an opinion that passage of this act makes Westchester a sanctuary county and at odds with the federal government.”
In his legal opinion, County Attorney Robert Meehan raised concerns that the law established “sanctuary policies,” jeopardizes millions of dollars in federal funds, and raises substantial questions as to whether it violates federal law.
“There are several provisions of the IPA which specifically limit the discretion of and prohibit county law enforcement agencies and officers from cooperating with federal law enforcement authorities,” Meehan wrote. “As such, the legislation, based upon a review of recent statements by the Attorney General of the United States and the Department of Justice, establishes ‘sanctuary policies’ which jeopardize receipt by the county of federal law enforcement grants.”
Hector Lopez, president of the Westchester Hispanic Law Enforcement Association, the county’s largest law enforcement group representing Hispanic officers, said that while his members respect and understand the vital role that immigrants play in this county, passage of the law endangers law-abiding residents while providing a safe haven for undocumented immigrants who have broken the law.
“The passing of this Act opens the doors for undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activity, such as the ruthless MS-13 gang, to migrate to Westchester and prey on other immigrants, many of whom will not report crimes committed against them for fear of retribution,” Lopez said. “This act is placing handcuffs on our law enforcement officers, not the criminals.”
George Longworth, commissioner of the Westchester County Office of Public Safety, called it reckless.
“I want to be 100 percent clear: This bill is being passed over the objections of Westchester County law enforcement authorities,” Longworth said. “It will make Westchester families and police officers less safe. Anything that inhibits our ability to work with federal law enforcement partners like the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies is a bad and reckless idea.”
In working closely with the county, Legal Aid Society of Westchester Executive Director Clare J. Degnan lauded the valid goals of this Act, but was concerned with its potential for unintended consequences. She was particularly concerned with areas relating to sharing information with federal authorities and issuing of judicial warrants for inmates, along with conflicting and contradictory language within the law itself.
Immigration reform is needed, Astorino said, but it is the duty of Congress, not local legislatures.
“Let me also stress that I support immigration reform. For more than two decades, Republicans and Democrats have failed to fix our nation’s immigration system. That failure is why we are here today. So yes, reform is needed. But this legislation is not it. Good intentions do not make good law.”
Immigration Protection Act Approved 10-5. Veto Override would need two more votes if County Executive Vetos Bill.
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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Democratic Caucus. August 7, 2017:
The Immigrant Protection Act, an Act introduced by Majority Leader Catherine Borgia & 7 Democratic Legislators in February, passed with a bi-partisan vote of 10-5.
“The intent of this bill is to create a policy of public safety for all in Westchester County,” said Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining). “In surveys all across the country, immigrants have reported that they are less likely to contact police officers if they have been the victim of a crime because of potential immigrant consequences. Westchester is too diverse a County for our residents to live in fear. Thank you to all of the advocates who put countless hours of hard work into helping craft this law for the people of Westchester. It is now time for the County Executive to do the right thing for all of those who call our community home.”
This legislation will protect the confidential information of all residents, regardless of immigration status, and ensure that limited county resources are not misappropriated.
“The Immigrant Protection Act improves public safety for all county residents,” added Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). “Law enforcement agencies around the country agree that community trust and cooperation is critical to their work. When an immigrant mother in Westchester is the victim of a crime she needs to trust that she can seek the support of the police – this legislation aims to do exactly that.”
“We are deeply gratified to have the support of the majority of the Westchester Board of Legislators and for the leadership of Legislators Borgia and Maisano, who worked tirelessly alongside us to create the Immigrant Protection Act. We are also incredibly grateful to the collaborative effort by a stellar collection of advocates who worked to bring this bill forward,” added Carola Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link. “We strongly encourage County Executive Astorino to uphold the will of the majority of legislators who support this vital piece of legislation.”
“The United States is a nation of immigrants. It has always been a strength of our democracy. Having first-hand experience of what it is like to be an immigrant in this country today, I am certain this will improve public safety for everyone and allow better cooperation between law enforcement & Westchester County residents,” said Legislator Virginia Perez (D-Yonkers).
“This legislation is not a sanctuary bill. It simply ensures county law enforcement focuses their attention and resources on protecting public safety in Westchester – while complying fully with federal law,” concluded Borgia.
National Association of Sports Officials Condemns Replacement of Referee by Tournament Officials Based on Coach Protest
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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. From the National Association of Sports Officials. August 7, 2017:
| RACINE, Wis. — LaVar Ball had had enough. A female referee working his game was felt to be so unsatisfactory to him that she needed to be replaced – and now – at halftime of the game…
Or, he was picking up his marbles and taking his team home. The management of the Adidas Summer Championships in Las Vegas ordered that she be replaced. A firestorm erupted inside the officiating community and from well outside the officiating community. As for us, we are outraged, and not just at Mr. Ball for his boorish behavior. NASO was asked to issue a brief statement: The National Association of Sports Officials, a 26,000-member organization, abhors the thought that a coach’s dissatisfaction could lead to a referee being replaced during a contest. Further, NASO takes strong issue with any sponsoring entity requiring that sports officials turn a blind eye to poor and unsporting-like behavior during a game. That is simply unacceptable. The officials should not agree to such an arrangement – ever. The game is entitled to better. Our integrity requires better. |
72 YEARS AGO TODAY: HIROSHIMA
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WPCNR OBSERVATIONS. By John F. Bailey. Reprinted from the WPCNR Archives. August 6, 2017:
Seventy-two years ago in 1945, the Enola Gay, a single American bomber dropped an Atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan.
The terrible effects of that single bomb are a horror that has never been repeated
A second bomber, Bock’s Car on August 9, dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
Unknown thousands of Japanese citizens’ lives were vaporized, burned, and maimed and two cities leveled to the ground in an instant in both bombings.
To grasp what one atomic bomb did to Nagasaki. Readers may see the photographs Japanese photographer Yosuki Yamato took of the aftermath of Nagasaki the day it happened at http://www.exploratorium.edu/nagasaki/photos.html#journey/63.jpg
The decision to drop the bombs was made after the United States, Great Britain and the Republic of China demanded Japan surrender in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26 or face “prompt and utter destruction”.
The Japanese government did not surrender.
The United States deployed two nuclear weapons dropping one on Hiroshimi, 72 years ago today and one on Nagasaki on August 9.
Over four months the bombs resulted in the deaths of 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, half dying the day the bombs fell.
The Hiroshima prefecture health department estimated that, of the people who died on the day of the explosion, 60% died from flash or flame burns, 30% from falling debris and 10% from other causes. During the following months, large numbers died from the effect of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness.
In a US estimate of the total immediate and short term cause of death, 15–20% died from radiation sickness, 20–30% from burns, and 50–60% from other injuries, compounded by illness. In both cities, most of the dead were civilians, although Hiroshima had a sizeable garrison.
The horror of those two bombings and the aftermath, the injuries created have resulted in an effort and reluctance on the part of nuclear-armed powers to avoid any nuclear attacks since that date.
Within a few days of those bombings, Japan surrendered unconditionally, officially ending World War II.
The decision to use the bombs by the United States has long been debated. A dialogue on what the bombs did, why the decision was made was collected in 1995, the fiftieth year since the bombings. It is available at http://www.exploratorium.edu/nagasaki/commentary/decision.html
Today the missile rattling engaged in by the North Korean leadership makes it more and more possible that such unthinkable destruction is being contemplated as an option.
It shouldn’t.