Some Thoughts on My 60th Birthday

I have about 2 hours to go, but I shouldn't be writing my personal journal at work. 60 years seems a long time, but we are on this earth for such a short time. We can all reminisce about the past, and I have done that many times in this journal. Nobody can predict their future, be it tomorrow or years from now. There is always things that elude us in life. Nobody can get everything he or she wants in this world. We can always hope for the best.

For this occasion I have selected what I feel is Bob Dylan's most underrated song "When the Ship Comes in" written in 1963. Like most Dylan songs it is vague and open to interpretation. Please interpret it your way. Thanks to Youtube, I am including the Dylan version and the cover by Peter Paul, and Mary.

Thanks for reading and listening.

Theme Time Radio Hour Will Return in the Fall

Since this week's theme is "Goodbye" there was some speculation that Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour would be leaving XM radio permanently. Frank D'Agostino sent me a link to an article by David Hinckley in the New York Daily News with that concern. I went to the the XM Radio Web Site there was a short announcing saying that the show ill be back in the Fall. Bob certainly picks some very rare tracks for different genres of music.

My 60th Birthday Dinner Today

Karen and Lee took me to Anthony's restaurant in Bayside to celebrate my 60th birthday (it's actually on Tuesday). We have gone to this Italian restaurant for many years. It was previously known as Villa Armando and then Villa Venuto. Anyway, we just had my mother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew Scott and old friend Roy Herschaft. Roy entertained us with his knowledge of cultural events in many genres of entertainment.

Check http://picasaweb.google.com/bigtownman/60thbirthdaydinner# for more photos

Our First Game at Citifield - The Mets beat Milwaukee 1-0

There are certain days in your life you always remember:

July 15, 1957 - my first baseball game at Ebbets Field as the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Braves 20-4. I was lucky to catch the Boys of Summer before they moved to Los Angeles. By the way, today the Cleveland Indians beat the Yankees 22-4

May 30, 1962 - My first Met game at the Polo Grounds as the Mets lost a doubleheader to the Dodgers. I went with my Dad and family friend Seymour Rosenberg. Back then there was always a doubleheader on a major holiday.

April 18, 1964 (45 years ago today) - My first game at Shea Stadium. The Mets lost to the Pitsburgh Pirates. I went with my 9th grade classmate Alan Metzger. I remember taking the #7 train to the game and seeing our Spanish teacher Miss Singer on the platform also on the way to the game. On Monday we discussed the game in Spanish.

April 18, 2009 - our first game at Citifield. The pitching was fantastic for both teams but the Mets won on an unearned run. Johnann Santana pitched 7 innings, whille J.J. Putz pitch the 8th and Francisco Rodriguez got the save. Recap. Hopefully we'll see more hitting in future games.

Check http://picasaweb.google.com/Bigtownman/FirstGameAtCitifield# for more photos.

Bob Dylan and the Byrds Play Together

How can you top this? Bob Dylan joins the Byrds in 1990 to sing Mr. Tambourine Man.

Yankees lose to Cleveland 10-2 in opener of new stadium

I was at work today so I couldn't watch the Yankees open their new stadium. I had to grade papers so I couldn't listen on the radio in my office. I did monitor the game from time to time on ESPN.com . Anyway the Yankees lost to Cleveland 10-2. Hopefully the YES Network will rebroadcast the ceremonies before the game.

I am working late at NJIT tonight so I'll pass Citifield on the #7 train on the way home as the Mets complete their opening series with the San Diego Padres. I'll be able to catch the last few innings on TV when I get home.

Retired Numbers of the Yankees and Mets

Regular reader of this Journal Frank D’Agostino suggested that I write something about retired numbers of baseball players. Let me first discuss the New York Yankees who in my opinion have devalued the meaning of the retired number. Let me analyze each. No comment means that it was deserved:

1 – Billy Martin was fired 5 times. Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy should be similarly recognized.
3 – Babe Ruth
4 – Lou Gehrig
5- Joe Dimaggio
7 – Mickey Mantle
8 – Yogi Berra
8 – Bill Dickey
9. – Roger Maris – beside one fantastic season had a mediocre career
10 – Phil Rizzuto
15 – Thurman Munson – some sympathy involved due to his untimely passing. He likely would have mad the Hall of Fame had he had a full career
16 – Whitey Ford
23 – Don Mattingly – excellent career but did not make the Hall of Fame. The Yankees were not big winners during his playing days
32 – Elston Howard –sadly he died at 48, but his credentials did not justify his number being retired.
37 – Casey Stengel
44 – Reggie Jackson – He only played 5 years for the Yankees
49 – Ron Guidry – excellent career, but in my opinion without election to the Hall does not deserve a retired number.

The following numbers should be retired in the future

2 – Derek Jeter
6 – Joe Torre

The Yankess will retire A Rod’s #13 although it will be tainted by steroid use and other off field activities.

I suggest the Yankees immediate honor Bob Sheppard with a plaque in Monument Park. Likewise, Mel Allen and Frank Messer should be recognized. I would also put a microphone by Phil Rizzuto’s #10.

The Mets have retired only 3 numbers:

14 – Gil Hodges
37 – Casey Stengel
41 – Tom Seaver

Next to those numbers the Mets have honored William Shea.

I would definitely retire #31 for Mike Piazza and #45 for John Franco when and if they are elected to the Hall of Fame. Sadly Gil Hodges has not been elected. I would also honor broadcasters Bob Murphy, Lindsay Nelson and Ralph Kiner.