Bob Dylan in Triplicate Coming March 31

It was certainly a surprise finding out today that Bob Dylan will be releasing a 3 CD set called Triplicate at the end of March.  Of course, I just pre-ordered it on Amazon.com.  If you look at the tracklist you will tell that it is another album of adult standards.  Has Dylan stopped writing songs?  The last CD of his compositions was the Tempest released in 2012.  Perhaps, his recording of these songs was his reason for not attending the Nobel Prize ceremony in December.  Below is "I Could Have Told You", a sample from the album.

Radio Legend Herb Oscar Anderson Passes Away at 86

While growing up Music Radio WABC was the premier top 40 station in NYC.  Herb was the morning man there from 1960-1968. He also was heard on WMCA, WOR, and WHN.  He opened every show by singing Hello Again as seen and heard on the Youtube video above.  I refer my readers to a profile of him written by Scott Benjamin.

Herb was actually a Facebook friend of mine.  I guess he liked to friend radio enthusiasts.  He appeared on several of the radio greats reunions heard on WCBS-FM.  I also have in my collection of cassette tapes an album of his singing adult standards.

My condolences to his family.

Meeting of the Casey Stengel Chapter of SABR in NYC Today

Today the NYC Casey Stengel chapter of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) held its annual meeting at the Mid-Manhattan Library.  It is traditional that the local chapters meet on the weekend before the Super Bowl.  This is the third meeting that I have attended.  Ernestine Miller, the moderator, made some introductory remarks stating that 2017 marks some significant milestone anniversaries:

• 1947 – Jackie Robinson breaks the color line
• 1927 – New York Yankees Murders Row Team – Babe Ruth hits 60 HRs
• 1962 – The New York Mets are born

She introduced Max Mannis who talked about baseball cards.  There is a baseball card exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which will close on May 14.

Marc Appleman, the CEO of SABR spoke about the national convention that will take place in NYC from June 28-July 2.  I should make sure that I ask for vacation at that time.

Kristie Ackert, the New York Daily News reporter for the Mets spoke of her experiences as a woman sports reporter.

I walked around the area during lunch as I had worked for the Science and Technology Division of NYPL from 1983-1990.  Certainly, that area has changed dramatically over the last 26 years.  Back then Bryant park was a real dump back then with drug dealers and homeless people.  There is now a skating rink and several restaurants there.

After lunch, Eric Weiss ran a trivia contest.  I didn’t do very well.

The next speaker was Marty Appel, an author and public relations professional who spoke about his forthcoming book about Casey Stengel.  He related several anecdotes about the “Ole Professor”.   I didn’t realize that in the early days of the Mets his coaches, Solly Hemus and Cookie Lavagetto, were the “defacto” managers of the Mets.  Back then the nascent Mets needed a noted figure like Casey to promote the team.

Steve Nadel showed videos of some controversial calls that would have likely been overruled had the replay rule been in effect.  Johann Santana would have lost his no-hitter for the Mets in 2012 as a ball that was called foul would have been a double.  Also, it was obvious that the infamous fan Jeffrey Maier obviously interfered with a home run in 1996.  It would have been ruled a catch by the outfielder.

I wish that the local SABR chapter would have more than one meeting a year.

Brian Matthew Will Not Return to Sounds of the Sixties on BBC2

I have reported several times that I am an avid listener of Sounds of the Sixties on BBC2 for several years.  The show is broadcast live in the UK only Saturday morning, but it is a ritual for me to listen to the podcast on Sunday mornings.  It was reported in late November that host Brian Matthew was out for health reasons while Tim Rice became the host at least temporarily.  The nature of the illness was not revealed.

It was announced today in Radio Today and the Telegraph, two British publications, that Brian will not be coming back to the show.  Brian who is 88 years old fell in his home and was taken to the hospital.  He returned home and wanted to return to hosting the show.  However, the BBC felt that it was the right time to leave the show.  It is presently unclear whether Tim Rice will become the permanent host or if someone else will take over the show.

This is really a shame since Brian has hosted Sounds of the Sixties since 1990 and has worked at the BBC since 1954.  It is sad that organizations just don't reward loyalty.  I certainly wish Brian all the best.

Statement by the BBC  - I still take this with a "grain of salt".  I really think that Brian wanted to continue as host of Sounds of the 60s.

Bad Fire in Downtown Flushing This Afternoon

They say that a picture is worth 1000 words.  Regular readers of Bruce's Journal may not be aware that I have a companion blog NYNJcommuting.wordpress.com where I document my commuting woes from Flushing to Newark.  You can read about today's adventure here.

It can best be described as Oy Vey.

Call Me Lightning by the Who - Classic Hit of the Day

Nothing much to report today.  I was reading Don Tandler's Facebook feed today as he mentioned this song by the Who.  He seemed to be intrigued by Dum Dum Dum Duway (whatever that means).  I guess he'll play it on Pop Gold Radio.

Another Saturday of College Basketball

For many years we have gone to Hofstra to see college basketball.  It is about a 1/2 hour drive from Flushing and the seats are reasonably priced.  Today the Hofstra Pride held on to beat Northeastern 78-73 after almost losing a 16 point lead.

Game recap

When I got home I logged into ESPN3 to see the NJIT Highlanders play Florida Gulf Coast University.  Unfortunately, NJIT lost 84-71 to bring their Atlantic Sun record to 1-4.  Superstar Damon Lynn suffered an injury and had to leave after the first 5 minutes.  Hopefully,  it will not be serious.

Box Score