Finally - Gil Hodges is Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

 There is always some prejudice as to why some players are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame while others who are worthy are denied that honor.  Gil Hodges played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 1950s before this era of analytics.  He finished his playing career for the New York Mets in 1962 and 1963.  He appeared in 8 All-Star games and won the Gold Glove Award for first basemen 3 times.  His statistics are detailed in Baseball-Reference.

His biggest accomplishment was turning the New York Mets from perennial losers to World Champions in 1969.  His wife Joan survives him almost 50 years after his untimely passing in 1972.  To use an old cliche, better late than never.  Certainly, many of the living 1969 Mets will be at the induction ceremony next summer.

Gotta Serve Somebody - My Favorite from the 2021 Tour

 

This video was taken at the Sunday, November 21 show.  Of course, the quality is poor since the "filmmaker" was filming blind.  He was lucky to escape the "Beacon Theater Police".  I assume that in the future it will be deleted when the YouTube Police find it.

Below is the studio version from the Album Slow Train Coming.

What Will Bob Dylan do in 2022?

 

There were 21 concerts from November 2 to December 2 on this leg of the Never Ending Tour.  According to the graphic above this was part of a worldwide tour from 2021-2024.  Before the pandemic, the tour would resume in the spring.  My guess is the next leg of the tour will be in Europe.  Perhaps in the next months, he will record some new material.  If so, there could be a new album late in the year.  Will Bootleg Series #17 be released?  If so what will it feature?  I would love to see a Never Ending Tour sampler.

I guess my speculation is as good or bad as anyone else's.

The Multi-Millionaire Players are Locked Out

 

The bottom line is that everybody is out for the almighty buck.  The most divisive issues that caused this lockout include revenue sharing, years to arbitration, and the luxury tax.  Someone will be getting $43 million per year to pitch 32 times a season if healthy.  Relief pitchers get millions for pitching one inning.  My feeling is that a settlement will come before the start of spring training as not to jeopardize the 2022 season,  Too much money will be lost if games are canceled.

In the end, the fans will be paying increased ticket prices.  Will it be $75 to sit in the upper deck of Citi Field?

Nobody's Child - 2 Versions of a Very Sad Song

 Here I go again.  I heard Nobody's Child by the Traveling Wilbury's on the Deep Tracks Channel.  I vaguely recall hearing a Beatles version of this from the early 1960s.  Tony Sheridan was the singer in the latter version.  George Harrison holds the distinction of being on both versions.

Random Thoughts at the End of November

I felt I need a little time off from social networking to attend to a health issue.  I am OK, but not 100%.  I would rather not discuss health issues in a public forum.  I have not met most of my Facebook friends and don't feel comfortable revealing health problems to strangers.

So the Mets are paying Max Scherzer $140 Million over 3 years.  I am just afraid that at age 38 his best years are behind him.  Pedro Martinez signed a 4 year deal with the Mets and only had one good season.  Likewise, Bret Saberhagen at the end of his career did not perform for the Mets.

So Javier Baez signed with the Detroit Tigers.  Will Pete Crow-Armstrong become a superstar for the Cubs?  Will Robinson Cano or Jeff McNeil win the second base job?
 

Bob Dylan at the Beacon Theater Saturday Night November 20

 

Since Dylan is now 80 years old, this is likely his last concert in NYC.  The Rough and Rowdy Tour is supposed to last until 2024. so I am guessing that he will stop touring after that.  My only "complaint" about the evening was that Dylan and his backup band were all dressed in black.  Dylan should have worn a lighter color to distinguish himself.

His voice sounded quite good for an 80-year old.  I was able to understand his words as his mumbling days seem to be over.  My favorite of the evening was an updated version of Gotta Serve Somebody.

This setlist was posted on Bill Pagel's Boblink's page within minutes after the end of the concert.

New York, New York Beacon Theatre November 20, 2021

1.	Watching The River Flow
2.	Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine)
3.	I Contain Multitudes
4.	False Prophet
5.	When I Paint My Masterpiece
6.	Black Rider
7.	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
8.	My Own Version of You
9.	Early Roman Kings
10.	To Be Alone With You
11.	Key West (Philosopher Pirate)
12.	Gotta Serve Somebody
13.	I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You
14.	Melancholy Mood
15.	Mother of Muses
16.	Goodbye Jimmy Reed
--	Band introductions
17.	Every Grain of Sand