Cousin Bruce Morrow is Leaving SiriusXM after 15 Years - Facts and My Speculation

Yours truly with Cousin Bruce on the WABC Cruise in June 2007

Last night Cousin Brucie announced that he is leaving SiriusXM.  He emphasized that he was not retiring.  Keith Gehring, a poster on the Fans of Cousin Brucie Facebook page posted the audio of the announcement.   I initiated the Fans of Cousin Bruce Morrow Facebook Page in the early days of Facebook c. 2007.  It predates Cousin Brucie's Official Friendship Page.

The Cuz really loves his job playing the oldies and talking to listeners.  Is he leaving voluntarily?  Perhaps he is as he is approaching his 85th birthday.  He is energetic and doesn't appear to have health issues.  Maybe 60+ years on the radio is enough.  SiriusXM is a business and must watch the bottom line.  I am sure that in this recession caused by the COVID-19 crisis many listeners have dropped their subscriptions to SiriusXM which is not an essential service to its customers.  My sense is that he is being let go as an economy move.  I am also certain that many listeners will drop their subscriptions to SiriusXM since they can no longer listen to Cousin Bruce there.

The Cuz said that you'll hear me again, but where?  I doubt he will go back to WCBS-FM since he is not associated with the 1980s hits that the station now plays.  A friend of a friend believes he will go back to WABC which is a news talk station under new management.  I doubt if WABC will go back to oldies on weekends.  It is possible that the Cuz could do a specialty show from time to time on WABC.  It is possible that he could start his own internet radio station similar to Jonathan Schwartz's Jonathan Channel.  It is also possible that he will appear on new fundraising programs seen on PBS as he has done this in the past.

Certainly, everyone wishes the best for the Cuz.  God Bless Him.

Is Bob Dylan Guilty of Plagiarism?

Laura Tenschert on her radio show Definitely Dylan discussed the issue of  False Prophet from Dylan's new album Rough and Rowdy Ways sound very much like If Lovin' is Believing which was recorded n 1954 by Billy 'The Kid' Emerson on Sun Records.  This possibility was also discussed on a Music Feature on NPR.  I am not a musicologist, but I say this is plagiarism.  Will there by a lawsuit?

What do you think?

Should the Baseball Season be Canceled?

In the video seen above, Lincoln Mitchell, a political analyst, pundit and writer based in New York City and San Francisco, argues that the Major League Baseball season be canceled.  He has appeared in this journal before as I have attended his talks at the New York Giants Preservation Society.

It was certainly sad to hear that several players and coaches of the Miami Marlins tested positive for the Coronavirus causing the postponement of a few games.  Lincoln bases his logic on that.  It is important for baseball to provide some diversion for the American public.  If players and coaches from several teams test positive, it is likely for the better to cancel the season.  I hope that will not happen, but baseball personnel should not have to be sickened or even die from this dreadful disease.

Complaining to the New York Yankees about their Refund/Exchange Policy

I did a little research and found a page on MLB.com that listed Yankees executives and found out that Rose Barre is the Executive Director of  Ticket Sales.  I tried to send her an email via LinkedIn, but I couldn't since I was not a premium member.  I found her on Facebook and sent a message.  I was limited to 240 characters on Twitter, but I will send her a link to this journal entry to Twitter.  I always believe that sometimes the squeaky wheel gets oiled.  If this doesn't work, I'll send a complaint to the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.

Ms. Barre:

I must respectfully disagree with the Yankees' ticket refund/exchange policy.  In late February I went to the stadium ticket office and purchased 6 tickets for two games in 2020 for $255.  There is a statement on the Yankees' web site stating that tickets purchased at box office can only be exchanged when the office reopens.  This will not happen until Spring 2021. However, tickets purchased from Ticketmaster automatically receive a credit.  I made a special trip to the stadium to purchase tickets to avoid excessive fees charged by Ticketmaster. I think is grossly unfair to have to wait one year to get a refund or exchange.  Is there any way that I can get a refund in a timely manner?  Thank you very much.

Yours truly,


Bruce Slutsky
bruce@bruceslutsky.com

Edwin Diaz = Blown Save

It was 2019 all over again as Edwin Diaz blew a save in game #2 of this shortened season.  He pitched well in the opener as the Mets won yesterday 1-0.  The situation was similar today as the Mets brought a 2-1 lead into the 9th inning.  Edwin Diaz was brought in to get the save.  He got the first two men out, but with two strikes Marcell Ozuna hit a home run to tie the game.  Diaz gave up 15 ninth-inning home runs last season, so it looks like he is picking up where he left off.

This was the first time the Mets played in extra innings since the new rule putting a runner on second base took effect.  Reliever Hunter Strickland was ineffective giving up 3 runs in the 10th inning as the Mets lost 5-3.

Since this is a short season new manager Luis Rojas has to evaluate the relief pitching very quickly.  He has the following options for the closer:

• Seth Lugo
• Dellin Betances
• Justin Wilson
• Jeurys Familia

I promise there will not be a journal entry for every Met game this season.

Mets 1 Braves 0 in Opener at Citi Field

The 2020 season finally started today at Citi Field. without fans  Sadly it was delayed on account of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Jacob deGrom started for the Mets as he was outstanding as he allowed only 1 hit over 5 innings.  Of course, he was not the winning pitcher as the Met could not score for him.  The only run came on a  home run by designated hitter Yoenes Cespedes in the 7th inning.  This was his first appearance for the Mets in two years. I held my breath in the 9th inning as Edwin Diaz who had a terrible 2019 came into the game.  He got the save as he allowed just a walk in his inning of work.  Can he keep this up?

The Mets are now 39-20 in openers in their history.  Will it be downhill from here?  A 60-game season is a sprint, not a marathon and every game counts more.

It bothered me to hear Cespedes speaking Spanish at a post-game news conference.  Since he makes big bucks, we can't he hire a tutor to teach him how to speak English?  I think many other Latino players refuse to learn to speak English.

I have collected every Mets yearbook since the inception of the team in 1962.  Apparently, they are not publishing one for this abbreviated 2020 season.

Game Account from ESPN

Box Score

Blowin' in the Wind Covered by Sam Cooke

I never heard this version of Blowin' in the Wind until today.  We'll never know what Sam would have done in his musical career had he lived.