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Odds & Loose Ends
Every once in awhile, thanks to responses from readers and to clear out miscellaneous notes around my computer, a blog such as follows seems in order:
(1) With a record-number of comments about local drinking establishments, a few people around town reminded me of Dallas, a bar on the outskirts of town, just before you get to Cliff Haven. I went there a few times to see Pat Maynard and also recall her son Mickey serving up drinks as well. That building is now the home for the beautiful girls of Diamond Dolls.
(2) Since baseball season began I have discovered another benefit of retirement. I get to watch the afternoon antics of "Mike and the Mad Dog" on the YES Network. Although I don't agree with everything they say, they are entertaining and opinionated.
(3) Speaking of baseball, everyone in the baseball world, especially Yankee fans, are scratching their heads about the poor pitching of Randy Johnson. Many announcers, including Michael Kay, who probably never even played Little League baseball, have tried to analyze why Randy is no longer dandy. Right in front of their faces, and no one has even mentioned it yet, is one of the best pitching coaches in baseball over the past ten years. I don't mean Yankees' pitching coach Ron Guidry. This is his first big league pitching coach job. I mean Joe Kerrigan, the Yankees' bullpen coach. Kerrigan has been a pitching coach with the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies and is highly regarded for his ability to turn around or jumpstart pitchers' careers. I wonder if he has been involved in helping Johnson through his first-ever pitching crisis.
(4) Do you like pickles? Did you know that New York State hosts a pickle festival? I'm going! I love pickles! My favorites are dills, but I can enjoy bread-and-butters and sweet gherkins just as well. The International Pickle Festival is in Rosedale, not far from Newburg, in November. Hopefully a "Fox on the Run" show will be made. But I'm not entering the pickle-juice-drinking contest!
(5) I heard from Tom & Carol Rennell, who read my blog "Freddie Garrity" about the lead singer of Freddie & the Dreamers. Garrity recently passed away, and in the blog I mentioned several singing groups from the same time period. While visiting Disney World recently Tom & Carol saw Paul Revere & the Raiders! Paul is the only one of the original group left. He's 69 years old, but looks much younger, as proven by two pictures that Tom e-mailed me. Tom and Carol look pretty young themselves! Tom, my old Army Reserves sidekick, recently retired, so I'll be seeing him in stores, giving the nod of "The Brotherhood of Old Guys" (see On the Sly blog, April 17).
(6) My bout with Bell's Palsy has been frustrating, but it has given me the opportunity to admire all the more the courage and determination of someone who has overcome a stroke or other serious problems. While Bell's Palsy is a temporary ailment, usually with no long-term after-effects, a stroke victim can expect months, sometimes years, of therapy and treatments before full recovery. It was two weeks ago that I woke up with numbness on the left side of my face and within 24 hours I could not move my forehead, eyebrows, mouth, etc. on the left side. This morning I have partial, about 75%, movement and I am looking forward to eventually getting my mouth around a nice submarine sandwich or hamburger for lunch. Thanks to all those who expressed concern. In another week or so, I'll be back to normal and you won't be able to shut me up!
If you have an idea for a future blog make a comment immediately following this blog or send me an e-mail at foxman@westelcom.com. Have a pleasant and safe Memorial Weekend.
Comments
I think you hit the nail on the head with the prescence of Joe Kerrigan on the Yankee coaching staff. Guidry is a legend, but he can't possibly have the technical answers that bullpen coach Kerrigan has thru years of experience. I'm sure Guidry provides some positive ideas, but he is most likely a "figurehead" pitching coach at this point, with Kerrigan doing most of the actual "coaching".
I remember going to a game between the Expos and Cubs a few years back and enjoying your stories about the early years of the Expos and their players at the time (including Kerrigan).
I hope you feel better soon!
Mike Bordeau
Posted by: Mike Bordeau | May 30, 2006 12:35 PM
this is the first time i read your blog. I was gone to myrtle beach for the winter but some of the snowbirds from up here would bring in a copy of your blog. A good taste of home and nostalgia of the local bars and restaurants always makes me want to have another beer . I havent read all your other ones but ill get around to it eventually. Have a good one. I hope your malady will clear up soon. Take care. Skip
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from Skip, another former English teacher enjoying retirement.)
Posted by: skip zatonski | May 28, 2006 7:21 AM