Half Moon by Janis Joplin - It is Halfway Through 2026

 

Where does all the time go?  We are halfway through 2026.  The days just fly by.  The days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.

Phillies 5 Mets 4 - New Manager Same Result

On the way to the game, there were signal problems on the #7 train.  So what else is new after all these years of riding the trains?  We arrived in time for the start of the game, as with other Met games this season.  The Mets left 14 men on base and batted 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position.  The only highlight for the home team was a two-run pinch-hit homer by A.J. Ewing that tied the game at 3-3.  But Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer to put the Phillies ahead 5-4 in the 7th inning.  He now leads MLB with 30 home runs.

There were many Phillie fans in the stands.  It is an easy drive or train ride from Philadelphia to Queens.

Game Recap

 

David Stearns Should Have Been Fired - The Manager is Always the Scapegoat

 

This man should be on the unemployment line

. 

As a Mets fan since 1962, I should throw my two cents in at this time.  I thought of an analogous situation. In October 1960, the Yankees lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 7 games.  Shortly thereafter, Casey Stengel was fired as manager, even though he won several World Series for the Bronx Bombers in the 1950s.  Casey managed the expansion Mets from 1962-65, who were big losers.  The players on the two teams were the difference.

David Stearns made several offseason player moves that turned out to be disasters.

• He signed Jorge Polanco to play first base, even though he had very minimal experience there.  He has missed most of the season so far to injury.  Did Stearns examine his medical history?
• Luis Robert Jr. was signed to be the centerfielder, but he too, has missed most of the season to injury.
• He traded Jeff McNeil to the Athletics for a low-level minor leaguer.  If you make a trade, get something of equal value back.
• He traded for an aging Marcus Semien to play second base.

This week he traded pitcher David Peterson to the Cubs for another low-level minor leaguer.

I don't like how Sterans has handled the roster.  A pitcher comes in and does well.  A day later, Stearns sends him back to the minors.  How can a pitcher develop confidence when that happens?

Several players, including Bret Baty, Mark Vientos, and Bo Bichette are playing new positions.

The world's greatest manager can not win if he doesn't have good players.  Carlos Mendoza was made the scapegoat for David Stearns' mistakes.

Adam Remsen - Latest Jeopardy Superstar

 

Adam Remsen, an attorney and theater producer from Memphis, won his 10th game to qualify as a Jeopardy Superstar.  Most of his victories were runaways.  Of course, he qualifies for the next Tournament of Champions.

Adam Remsen, career statistics:
263 correct, 29 incorrect
23/28 on rebound attempts (on 44 rebound opportunities)
42.11% in first on buzzer (240/570)
11/14 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $36,400)
6/10 in Final Jeopardy

We have to watch one show at a time to see how far he goes.  I assume there are 4 more weeks in this season.

Cubs 9 Mets 6

 

Last night's game was part of our 20-game package so we were in our usual seats in section 516 in the upper deck behind home plate.  It was a disaster for Kodai Senga, who gave up 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings.  In 7 games that he pitched this season, his record is 0-6 with an ERA of 10.08.  What was David Stearns do now?  The highlight of the game for the Cubs was a three-run home run by Pete Crow-Armstrong. At the trade deadline in 2021, the Mets traded Pete to the Cubs and received Javier Baez, who just stayed with the Mets until the end of the season.  He then signed with the Detroit Tigers.

I can't see the Mets having a decent record this season, even after Francisco Lindor returns.

Game Summary

Following Up On a Journal Entry I Wrote in 2015 - Just a Random Thought

 

Every day, I check Blogger, which lists the journal entries that were accessed over the last day.  I never know if they were accessed by real people or robots.  On July 22, 2015, I wrote an entry listing Facebook friends I would like to meet.  Here is my list:

• Gary Brefini - radio enthusiast extraordinaire.  He runs an internet radio station XL5 which features current hits.
• Amy Kearns - a New Jersey librarian and a big Met fan.  She was actually at the same Met game as me about a month ago
• Joanna Ente - I knew her late husband Bernie and brother-in-law Phil back in high school.  She is also a big Met fan.
• Michael Judge - his Facebook postings remind me of the late Alan Berman
• Joy Jeong - a young radio enthusiast.  He actually lives in Queens
• Kate Kosturski - a graduate of the Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science who lives in Connecticut
• Dave Stein - an oldies enthusiast extraordinaire
• Steven Jay Gilinsky - owns a radio station in Binghamton and is a personal friend of Harry Harrison
• Terry Morgan - a radio enthusiast who works at the New York Public Library
• Dave Freeman - another radio enthusiast who is a big aircheck collectorose 10 

Out of those 10, I only met Joanna Ente and Kate Kosturski, both at Citi Field. Sadly, David Stein passed away. In recent years, I haven't had much online contact with the people listed.  I guess "out of sight, out of mind" also applies to online relationships.

Fathers Day Song - Color Him Father by the Winstons and Keb Mo

 

Last night, Phil Tolotta, an original member of The Winstons, was Cousin Bruce Morrow's guest.  The Winstons had the hit version of Color Him Father that charted in 1969.  This morning on the syndicated radio show, The Acoustic Storm, I heard Keb Mo's version of it.

Wikipedia entry for Color Him Father

Whitestone Lanes is Definitely Closed Permanently

 

In March 2024, I was interviewed on NY1 News about the closing of Whitestone Lanes.  Finally, 27 months later, the bowling alley closed permanently.  There was a Facebook post about a week ago saying it was closed, but I know there is often fake news on social networking sites.  I drove past a few times, but I couldn't tell for sure whether the alley was open or closed.  I decided to walk over today and saw a small handwritten sign stating Whitestone Lanes is permanently closed.  There were no stories about this yet in the local Queens newspapers.  I think if the owners gave a few weeks' notice, they could have earned some extra bucks from bowlers making one last trip.

The next step would be to gut the building and dispose of the bowling equipment.  Could anyone else use that stuff?   Now Jib Lanes on Parsons Blvd. is the only bowling alley left in Queens.  Once the building is demolished, construction will begin on affordable housing.

Would You Believe There Was No Parade for the 1970 and 1973 Champion New York Knicks?

 

There were reports that about 2 million people tried to get to the New York Knicks parade on Thursday.  Many could not get to see it since it was too crowded.  They had to stand about a block away.  The people who stayed at home and watched on TV were better off.  This article in the New York Times explains why there were no parades in 1970 and 1973 when the Knicks were champions.

I guess for both the parade and the watch parties, fans had to jump on the bandwagon.

Happy 84th Birthday to Paul McCartney - Featuring Penny Lane

 

I decided not to comment today about the parade of the century.  June 18th is Paul McCartney's 84th birthday.  I decided to feature Penny Lane, which is one of my favorite Beatles songs with Paul singing lead.  The other three Beatles are also shown in this video.

A Few Comments About the Knicks Winning the NBA Championship

 

• I was more excited about the Knicks winning the NBA Championship in 1970 and 1973.  I guess the kids get more excited over sports teams.  Older people realize there are more important things in the world than sports.
• It was really disgraceful to see violence during the celebrations.
• I sense there are many "fair-weather" fans out there.  Where were they when the Knicks were mediocre?  I guess everybody loves a winner.
• The Mayor, Governor, and other elected officials should not gain popularity when a team wins a championship.  We should judge them on how they handle problems that face everyone.
• How many kids are going to play hooky from school on Thursday to come to the victory parade?  The mayor is not postponing Regents exams scheduled for Thursday.  I am surprised that the Regents exams were never cancelled.  The curricula had to be geared to the standardized test.

Mets 8 Braves 1

It was nice to watch an easy victory for the Mets at Citi Field during this disappointing season.  A. J. Ewing was the hitting star of the game as he finished a triple short of the cycle.  Ewing and Marcus Semien had home runs on consecutive pitches to open the fifth inning.  There were plenty of fans dressed in New York Knicks garb in the stands.

 

Knicks Win NBA Championship

 

Congratulations to the New York Knicks for winning the 2025-26 NBA Championship.  There is no sense for me to repeat what has been written in other places.  Everyone loves a winner, but where were these people when the Knicks were losers?  I haven't attended Knicks games in a few years since ticket prices are so high.  They were at least $200 for seats in the 200 level.

It is so sad that the celebrations after the victory had to be violent. A crowd set school buses on fire in Times Square last night.  Why?  The victory parade is scheduled for Thursday.

The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music

 

My readers may also want to see this video from PBS

I was never that much of a Bruce Springsteen fan.  I am so much into Bob Dylan, the Beatles and other acts that started in the 1960s.  Thus, I never developed an interest in Springsteen and his music.  I did buy a few CDs of his over the years, but it is a small fraction of my collection.

Today, the Springsteen Center is opening on the campus of Monmouth University in New Jersey.  It is very similar to the Dylan Center in Tulsa, but there are some differences.

Monmouth University is in the general vicinity where Springsteen was born and started his musical career.  Dylan performed a few concerts in Tulsa, but has no roots there.

The Dylan Center contains artifacts that the George Kaiser Family Foundation purchased.  I believe the Springsteen Center is an outgrowth are artifacts from a local collector that was once housed in a local public library.

Bob Dylan nevert foot into the center in Tulsa and never gives interviews.  Springsteen was interviewed in his center in the video from PBS.

Monmouth University is about a 90 minute drive from home.  I will have to check it out sometime.

I Always Hate Looking for a Parking Spot

 

I am grateful that my co-op offers parking garages.  For $75 a month, it is a blessing since I never have to hunt for a parking spot when I get home.  However, when I travel, I must find parking upon arrival.  I often take public transportation, so I don't have to worry about parking.  I refer my readers to this article in the New York Times that discusses parking in the city.  It states that on the average, a New Yorker will spend 107 hours a year looking for parking.

Thoughts About Spectrum News NY1

 

I have watched NY1 News since its launch in 1992.  I guess I am "devoted" to it as I am to the New York Mets, whom I have followed since their beginning in 1962.

Certainly, like any organization, there are changes over time.  Originally, it was owned by Time-Warner, which later spun off its cable TV division, including NY1. It was sold to Charter Communications, which branded it as Spectrum News.  I usually watch it at 10 PM.

Most of their reporters over the years were excellent.  Some have stayed for many years, while others have made career moves to other news organizations or left the news business.  Some are now working for public relations firms.  I admire the 5 women who sued the organization, believing they were victims of ageism and gender discrimination.  They settled out of court, resigned, and have moved on.  Those 5 were excellent journalists.

I was interviewed twice by the station.  In 1996, as I was walking by the 109th Precinct, a reporter stopped me and interviewed me about stolen cars in Flushing.  I detailed my interview about Whitestone Lanes in 2024 in a previous journal entry.  After two years, the bowling alley is still standing.

I intentionally did not give names of reporters or anchors.  The people who work behind the scenes are also essential to any news organization, but are unknown to viewers.

I wonder if anyone from NY1 will see this journal entry.

Random Thoughts of the Day - June 7, 2026

 

• Best wishes to Mary Ellen Brown, companion to Bob Radil, for a speedy recovery.  She is a big New York Mets fan.
• Fadi Deek found my review of his latest book, Portrait of an Expatriate: A Lebanese-American Story, in this journal.  I revised and edited my review and had it published on Amazon.com.  As of today, my journal entry has received 88 hits.  I don't know how many are from real people and how many are from NJIT people.
• My Bob Dylan friends report that " Baby, Won’t You Be My Baby, which was played in the last 2 concerts, had never been played in concerts before.  It first appeared on The Basement Tapes box set and was recorded in 1967.
• Some of those "baseball nuts" really amaze me.  One guy traveled to Seattle and San Diego to see the Mets.  On the way home, he stopped off in Chicago to see a game at Wrigley Field.  What is he trying to prove?  Where does he get the money to cover travel expenses?

Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour Resumes

Above is the setlist from the first concert of this leg of the tour in Troutdale, Oregon.  I assume this will be the same setlist on July 21, when I will see him at Forest Hills.

 

Ode to Billy Joe - This Song Mentions The Third of June

 

I don't want to mention another event on June 3.

It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day
I was out choppin' cotton, and my brother was balin' hay
And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat
And mama hollered out the back door, y'all, remember to wipe your feet
And then she said, I got some news this mornin' from Choctaw Ridge
Today, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas
Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please
There's five more acres in the lower forty I've got to plow
And mama said it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow
Seems like nothin' ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge
And now Billy Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And brother said he recollected when he, and Tom, and Billie Joe
Put a frog down my back at the Carroll County picture show
And wasn't I talkin' to him after church last Sunday night?
I'll have another piece-a apple pie; you know, it don't seem right
I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge
And now ya tell me Billie Joe's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And mama said to me, child, what's happened to your appetite?
I've been cookin' all morning, and you haven't touched a single bite
That nice young preacher, Brother Taylor, dropped by today
Said he'd be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, oh, by the way
He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge
And she and Billy Joe was throwing somethin' off the Tallahatchie Bridge

A year has come and gone since we heard the news 'bout Billy Joe
And brother married Becky Thompson; they bought a store in Tupelo
There was a virus going 'round; papa caught it, and he died last spring
And now mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything
And me, I spend a lot of time pickin' flowers up on Choctaw Ridge
And drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchie Bridge

History of the Polo Grounds

 

Since my last journal entry was so long, I'll make today's very short.  I found this video by accident when I accessed YouTube.  I am sure that Gary Mintz and everyone in the New York Giants Preservation Society know everything discussed here.  This video did not describe any non-baseball events at the Polo Grounds.

I received an email from Fadi Deek saying he read review of his book and appreciated my comments.