Inoki, Lopez & More

RIP pro wrestling legend Antonio Inoki, 79. Born in Yokohama, he was the sixth son, one of eleven children, of an affluent businessman who died young. When the family fell on hard times, most of it emigrated to Brazil, where Inoki excelled at Track and Field. He returned home at 17 and began his ring career. In Japan in 1979 Inoki “defeated” Bob Backlund for the WWF title, which Backlund “won back” in December. Laughably, Inoki’s brief reign is not recognized by the WWF/WWE. He will probably be remembered most for his bout with Muhammad Ali, a no-decision farce that went 15 rounds, and in which he stayed in a crab-like position for almost the entire match. In 1989 he took a step backward in life when he entered politics. He served two terms, separated by eight years, in the House of Councilors. He is the father of a son. Facts from Wiki, photo from Google Images:

RIP two-time World Series champion Hector Lopez, 93. Born in Panama, his MLB career spanned 1956-’66. His life changed dramatically in 1959 when he was part of a trade to the Yankees, who would move him from thirdbase to the outfield. Overall, he hit .269 and had 136 homers. In 15 World Series games he hit .286 (8-for-28) with four runs scored, two doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs. After his playing days, he managed at the minor league level, coached at Malverne High School in Long Island, and worked for the Hempstead parks department. He is a dad of two sons. Well done, sir. Facts from Wiki, photo from GI:

Headline from nypost.com: “‘Enough is enough’ Queens residents call to ‘defund the politicians’ after FDNY vet slay.” By all means.

Iran is the number one sponsor of terrorism worldwide. Yesterday it experienced a dose of its own medicine. Headline from NYP: “Attack on Iran police station leaves 19 dead, including 4 from elite revolutionary guard.” The response of its leaders? A community chant of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

NYP headline: “Biden’s ‘woke’ green energy is a joke that makes us dependent on China.” Unfortunately, the joke is on the lower and middle classes.

From the column of NYP sports media critic Phil Mushnick: “Reader Ed Sukenick has a question: “If we don’t allow athletes to bet on games because they have the ability to influence them, why do we allow Congress to invest in companies they regulate?” Why indeed?

Headline from newsmax.com: “Trump: ‘I Am Their №1 Target,’ but Will Keep ‘Fighting’.” Almost everyone would wilt under the relentless attacks he faces. He seems energized by them. He is made of sterner stuff than most humans.

Uh-oh — headline from NM: “OPEC+ Considering Cut of More Than 1 Million Barrels Per Day.” Just what the world needs, less oil going into winter. Only environmental zealots could be happy about such news.

Second straight washout for the floating book shop, forecast for tomorrow iffy as well. The heat came up for the first time since Spring, most welcome since the cool down began a few days ago. I wonder if complaints swayed co-op management.

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