Some Comments about the Mets

 

Congratulations to Edgardo Alfonzo, Ron Darling, and Jon Matlack for being inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

There has certainly been much speculation on trades that the Mets and other teams should make before the trade deadline on July 30.  Most of the trades we read on websites or hear on sports talk radio never happen.  The Mets do need a starting pitcher and have just traded for Rich Hill.  I sense that he will not be a panacea.  Hopefully, Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard will return in time to make a difference.

I am a little disappointed that the Mets are not doing anything to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the 1986 championship

Random Thoughts of the Day

• Much has been written in the last few days about the streaming video Shadow Kingdom and the forthcoming Bootleg Series #16.  I think many of my Dylan enthusiast friends are nitpicking his words, music, and actions to death.
• I found an excellent review of Shadow Kingdom written by Sean Latham
• We are now approaching the trading deadline in Major League Baseball.  I just don't like reading articles that are strictly speculative.  Most of the trades that writers and callers to sports talk radio dream up will never happen.  I know the Mets are looking for a starting pitcher, but don't give up too much.
• Are Americans really very interested in the British royal family?  There are so many stories about them on network TV news.  Very little is said about Prince Charles who is a direct heir to the throne.
• I question the statistics that Blogger offers for Bruce's Journal that states that 75% of my hits are from Indonesia and France.  There must be bots over there that hit my blog.

 

Bob Dylan Bootleg Series 16 - Springtime in New York (1980-85) Will Be Released on September 17

 

All the information you need is in this 1-minute video.  I will be checking with Amazon.com and pre-order it.

I don't understand why this video was pulled after a few hours.  I assumed it was an official video from Sony Records.  However, a day later it was reinstated.

Shadow Kingdom: The Set List and Some of My Comments

The Set List:

• When I Paint My Masterpiece
• Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine
• Queen Jane Approximately
• I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
• Just Like Tom Thumb Blues
• Tombstone Blues
• To Be Alone with You
• What Was it You Wanted (from Oh Mercy)
• Forever Young
• Pledging My Time
• Wicked Messenger
• Watching the River Flow
• It's All Over Now Baby Blue

My Comments:

• This was not really a concert as it was recorded in a studio.
• Dylan's voice sounded good.  I guess he rested is vocal cords during the pandemic.
• The instrumental arrangements were different from the original recordings.  There were no drums or piano.
• I don't see the point in filming this in Black and White.
• I enjoyed seeing people dancing to some of the Dylan songs
• I disliked seeing so much cigarette smoking in the audience.  Smokers are pariahs these days.
• Of course, Dylan did not talk to the audience or introduce his backup musicians.  Their identities were revealed in the credits.  They were not the musicians who toured with him.
• I was disappointed that the performance was only 50 minutes.

Recordings of this "concert" may be gound at:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/nnebx4flls0nmnc/Shadow_Kingdom.mp4/file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L4vOj-SEpAmyVTFSHAJBzM3H8pX6yMD5/view

https://www.facebook.com/100009954030584/videos/939531146625380   -check this out before it is taken down.

 

Videos Discussing Rego Park Then and Now by Historians Ron Marzlock and Jeff Gottlieb

 I grew up in Rego Park and have written about it extensively in Bruce's Journal.  Today as I was perusing through Facebook I found this 3-part video lasting about 30 minutes outlining the history of Rego Park.  It obviously could not be exhaustive in such a short time.  It did not include Remo Hall (61-40 Saunders Street) where I lived during my formative years.  This was the first apartment building in Rego Park.  I don't know when these videos were produced, but I am guessing it was before 1990 since only postal addresses were given to ask for further information.

I Just Signed Up for the Ultimate Game Day Weekend of the Jay Buckley Baseball Tours

 

We went on Jay Buckley Baseball Tours in 2006, 2007, and 2010.  There are many entries in Bruce's Journal documenting those trips.  We thoroughly enjoyed watching the games in other cities and meeting other baseball fans.  In recent years we have gone to one city, visited museums during the day, and gone to baseball games at night.  We have seen games on our own in:

• Boston
• Philadelphia
• Washington
• Atlanta
• Houston
• Denver
• Seattle
• San Francisco
• Oakland
• Los Angeles
• Anaheim

This 2021 tour is unique since it includes baseball and football games.

• Oakland A's vs Astros at Minute Maid Park
• Cleveland Indians vs Texas Rangers at Globe Life  Field
• Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium

When Will the Permanent Host of Jeopardy be Announced?

 

There have been many guest hosts of Jeopardy in 2021.  All of them have been very good.  Obviously, nobody can replace Alex Trebek, but someone must be appointed to succeed him.  I assume that recordings of shows for the next season must start soon since new shows begin by mid-September.  I could be wrong but the new host will be one of the guest hosts who "auditioned" over the past several months.  Most of them have other commitments and may have to give up their previous jobs to become hosts.

Again, I may be wrong, but I predict Ken Jennings will get the nod.  He was given a 6-week gig, while the others appeared for only 2 weeks.  He is popular with the viewers and would be an excellent choice.