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November Tails
Here are some more odds and ends during the first week of November:
1. Has anyone noticed that the National Basketball Association season has officially started? Does anyone care? It is apparantly a popular sport, what with heckling fans calling players animal names. As much as I loved watching the NBA when I was a kid, with guys like Bob Cousy, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Dolph Schayes and, later, Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller, I don't think I can name you five NBA players today!
2. I don't mind the political signs all over the city -- that's part of campaigning and politics. And I don't mind the endless TV ads -- although I've seen far too many Bernie vs. Richie ads -- that's part of campaigning too. But I do mind when I get home from a hard day of videotaping or grocery shopping and find that my telephone answering machine is full of recorded messages from politicians wanting my vote. I can't hit the delete button quickly enough!
3. My blog about my Top Ten TV Characters received several comments, but the Carver might have missed the boat on of his claims. The Carver likes the character Otis Campbell of The Andy Griffith Show and claimed that the Mayberry town drunk was from Massena, New York. My friend Sal Righi disagrees and e-mailed a webpage declaring that Harold "Hal" Smith, the actor who portrayed Otis Campbell, was born in Michigan and died in Los Angeles in 1994.
4. One sad note from the baseball world -- and it didn't even make any headlines -- was that the San Diego Padres did not exercise their option on catcher Mike Piazza, my favorite player over the past 15 years. This, sadly, might be the end of his career, even though he hit .283 with 22 home runs this season for the Padres. I hope some American League team will sign him as a designated hitter. Already a sure Hall of Famer, Piazza has hit 419 career dingers and has a lifetime batting average of .309. A 12-time All-Star, I'd like to see him around the game for a few more years. He's 37 years old and a life-long National Leaguer, but I bet he could pop a few out of Fenway Park and Camden Yards as he toured the American League.
5. Another news story that may have slipped your view is that Mark Sudol is leaving as the sports guy at Channel 5 WPTZ. Mark has been here a long time and is one of the best ever. His easy-going style is a perfect fit for us North Country sports fans. He was innovative, creating the often-hilarious "I Challenge Mark" series. His subtle wave at the end of each newscast is in a way symbolic of Mark -- quiet and friendly. I can recall some other Channel 5 news guys that I liked -- Rick Whitlow, Tim Singer, Chris Kelly -- but I think Sudol is tops! We will miss him!
6. And, finally, my ponytail. I know you've been wanting to hear more about my long locks at the back of my head. It's not as important as the Duniho-Kasprzak mayoral vote, but soon I'll be tossing my ponytail out for a vote. Finally my ponytail is sort of long enough to wear in public regularly. It does make the sides of my head look neater and fool people into thinking that I have short hair. But when they see the actual tail I still think they are stifling a laugh. Anyway, I have learned to make my own ponytail, thanks to a certain someone who has given me a few lessons. I can wrap that hair-tie around my hair rather than it ending up wrapped around my wrist. It's a true Fox tail! If you see me in public, just humor me and quietly decide if it should stay or go. A New Year's vote is in order!
Comments
I was a counselor @ Dolph Shayes camp (Valcour) during the summers of '57,'58. Any one know the state of the site now?
(Foxy's note: Great question. Maybe the Old-Timer can help on this one!)
Posted by: Bob O'Toole | July 5, 2007 1:28 PM
I just came across your websight on a comment made by your friend sal righi's comment about hal smith of the andy grififth show not being from massena. he is very, very, very wrong! don't trust the information supplied by various websights on hal smith. hal wasnt born in massena -- but lived here with his family and graduated from massena high school in 1936. his family traveled due to his fathers work. they lived once in north carolina and hal was born in michigan. massena was his home for several years. he had many friends here. I wrote a book on his life with many details. people don't believe me until I pull out my book. its called more than otis: no bull!
john d. michaud III massena new york
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the info, John.)
Posted by: john michaud III | June 18, 2007 12:16 AM
Im glad its Tuesday and all the TV hype from here and across the pond will be over. I never thought I would welcome those GEICO commercials again, but they are a bit better than those political diatribes and back slapping or stabbing, whichever your prefer, are over.
Another note that V8 Juice mixed as a Bloody Mary is better for your health, depending of course, how much horseradish is in it.
Posted by: skip zatonski | November 7, 2006 1:45 PM
1. NBA folded around the same time as the Celtics.
2. Only slam dunk left is Donny K tommorrow by about 3-1
3. Mike Piazza was awesome, unfortunately isn't anymore. Still better to be a has-been than a never-was.
4. I know a lady that was in the pants of several mayors. Of course she was a seamstress so it really isn't worth press headlines. Sorry Clyde - no scandal here.
5. Ponytail- there is a reason that we don't try to look like horses by design.
9. WPTZ- how about bringing a local home like Mike McGill?
(Foxy's note: rubble is proving to be a great addition to our list of bloggers!)
Posted by: rubble | November 6, 2006 5:27 PM
hey fox,what does NBA stand for? (not basketball anymore?)
and ya gotta love those campaign recordings... I think I got one from everyone but "Tarmac Jack" himself. if they'd only work that hard after being elected!
Piazza was good but he's no Joe Proctor
Good Luck to Mark Sudol, he was great and will be missed... someone told me you might step in to fill his shoes?? or maybe WIRY's got a spot for you... I can hear it now -- foxy doing "LISTEN HERE PLATTSBURGH"
and hey I never said "otis" was born in massena only that he lived there! ( We all know Geoff Blum once lived in Plattsburgh but wasn't born here!).... if you see Mike or Bill Deloria ask em ... they were neighbors with Otis back in the day!
and the ponytail....hope you don't start a new craze. next thing ya know all OLVA alumni will have em! poor Sister Genevieve would roll over in her grave...
Posted by: the carver | November 6, 2006 1:22 PM
A couple of thoughts. Mike Piazza wont show up at Fenway. Big Papi is not going to be moved out of the DH spot, and at 37 could Piazza handle Wake's knuckleball ?
Campaign signs are ok but do we really need the huge billboards all over the city ?
An old democratic veteran politician told me over the weekend "this isnt going to be close" does anybody else see it that way ?
A couple more WPTZ sports anchors that went on to bigger and better things. Edd Harding from the 70's working in Boston. Jed Drake now a big shot at ESPN and Rich Becker working in the Albany market.
(Foxy's note: No, the Red Sox don't need Piazza, but as a visiting player (maybe the Angels or White Sox?) he could put a few dents in that Green Monster! And I agree about the large political signs... time for a city ordinance!)
Posted by: Rick K | November 6, 2006 12:03 PM
Good way to start off November with this blog. I too agree, that Mark Sudol did a nice job on WPTZ and will be missed. Maybe that girl Dionne Miller (I think that was her name) will come back from San Diego!
I have called George (The Boss) and put in a request for the Yankees to seriously look into picking up Piazza, he would not have to catch everyday and that would help his knees and he could spell Jorge Posada and that would help him but most of all the two of them would make the pitching staff better.
Regarding Mayor Jack. I think that Bove Project vote could have waited until after the election. If Plattsburgh is interested in sprucing up downtown they should send a group to Saratoga and see that downtown. There is a vital, clean and active downtown.
Finally I hope everyone gets out and votes tomorrow. It is important.
(Foxy's note: What? Piazza, my favorite player, a YANKEE???? What would I do?)
Posted by: Mike Mannix | November 6, 2006 10:20 AM
Dolph Schayes ran a summer basketball camp down by Valcour Lodge back in the early 60's and then mid-60's down by Bolton Landing. My brothers Alan (Valcour) and Chris (Bolton) went and obviously learned from the NBA players Dolph had as teachers. I went to the Bolton camp but didn't learn anything - I played basketball like I played football - contact sport. Do you remember the Harlem Globetrotters coming to Plattsburgh and putting on a show? I think they played @ the Memorial Gym @ Plattsburgh State. And there was always great basketball to watch out at the PAFB gym.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the memories, Miney. I brought a group of students to the Globetrotters show in Plattsburgh and we had seats right behind their bench. They picked my 4-year-old son to do the spin-the-ball-on-his-finger trick, and I have a great shot of that on display in my den.)
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | November 6, 2006 9:40 AM