Beyond Perfection

RIP Don Larsen, 90, whose mediocre career included an incredible accomplishment, a perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series vs. the Brooklyn Dodgers. He pitched for seven different teams during a 14-year career in the big leagues, compiling a record of 81–91. Remember — it’s an unbelievable accomplishment just to make it to MLB. Like so many players, he was at his best in pinstripes. He went 45–24 in five seasons, ‘55-’59, and 3–2 in four World Series starts with New York. He won Game Six of the 1962 series in relief for the Giants vs. the Bronx Bombers, who won the series in seven. Here’s the iconic photo of Yogi Berra jumping into Larsen’s arms after the final pitch of the game of his life:

RIP Sam Wyche, 74. An undrafted QB out of Furman, he played seven seasons in the NFL, mostly as a backup. As an assistant coach, he was on the staff of the 49ers, champions of Super Bowl XVI in 1981. He was the Bengals head man for eight seasons, guiding them to Super Bowl XXIII in 1988, where they lost to San Francisco, which took the lead with 34 seconds left. He also coached the Buccaneers for four seasons, without success. Overall, his record was 84–107. Considered an innovator, he was the first to use the no-huddle offense as a staple.

Sign of the times in Chicago:

From an article at foxnews.com, edited by yours truly: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has announced that further laboratory tests confirm that e-cigarette or vaping products containing THC are in fact linked to most of the cases and played a major role in the outbreak of recent vaping lung injuries and deaths. They are black market products, not the e-cigs most people use. Smoking disgusts me, but I hate that what seems a far safer alternative, one that doesn’t produce a foul odor, is under attack.

Here’s a headline from FN: “‘Last Man Standing’ star Tim Allen: ‘We just don’t make fun of stuff… except liberals.’” Allen graduated from Western Michigan U. in ’76, five years after I did. Although I’m not a fan of sitcoms, I’m tempted to tune in. We’re black sheep of WMU alumni, if I may put myself in the company of one so successful.

What a gorgeous day, perfect for sidewalk vending. My thanks to Ira, who bought Star Trek Movie Memories by William Shatner; and to the gentleman who purchased a book on Chess; and to the young mom who selected The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge; and to the woman who needed a time-killer while she waited for her appointment at the eye doctor across the street, and found it in Heiress by Janet Dailey.

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