Red Sox
I think you and your stinkin' comments about the Red Sox are
immature and completely childish. If you don't have anything decent to
say, keep your comments to yourself.
Denny
Nardillo
New York City, NY
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Poison Ivy
What a great story. At age 55 I
got hit by poison ivy (for the first time) growing up the front of my
brick house and spreading out. I was caught by surprise like you. You
didn't mention how long it takes to recover from this. I will spare no
expense on Roundup to nuke it incessantly. Unbelievable how poisonous
something so innocent looking can be. Thanks,
Dennis Bernstein
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Graig Nettles
I like the article, and I really appreciated Greg
Nettles! Man he played on the dream team with Reggie Jackson! To me
regardless that was the best Yankee team ever! Yes, put Greg in the Hall
of Fame -- Please do!!!!!
-- Monte Petersen
Greenwich, CT USA
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Bobby Murcer
Bobby Murcer was the reason I loved baseball so much. I
lived in DC, but would visit Yankee Stadium with my grandfather (who lived
in Manhattan). And in the early 70's, when I was between 10-14, nobody was
better than Bobby Murcer.
And I remember being so annoyed when he barely lost out
to Tony Oliva for the batting title.
RIP Bobby.
-- Andrew Kennedy
Washington DC, USA
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Jeremy Guthrie
I notice you're sponsoring his page on
baseball-reference.com, with the following note:
One of the best young pitchers in
the game. Swear to god. There are times when he looks really good. He lost
17 last year, but that's been done before by great young pitchers on bad
teams -- Catfish Hunter, Gossage, etc.
Guthrie will turn it
around too.
I hate to break this to you, but Guthrie will turn 31
on April 8th, so he isn't a young pitcher. Catfish Hunter was 21; Rich
Gossage was 24 (and switching to starting for the first time
in his pro career). His strikeout rate has been dropping like a rock (6.3
to 5.7 to 5.0), so the problem isn't mysterious-- he just isn't fooling
people any longer.
This isn't the stupidest thing you guys have ever
written -- the thing about why the Knicks are unappreciated wins -- but
it's up there.
Woodrow L. Goode, IV
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Shanghai,
China
Terrific article! The skyscrapers look
strange, beautiful and menacing all at once, especially in that fog!
Star Wars is right. I think a lot of
Irish people have a
similar feeling when they visit NYC for the first time -- we have no
skyscrapers here. I remember rounding a corner to see St Patrick's
Cathedral nestled among its massive new-world neighbours and I stood
rooted to the spot looking up all round me.
I'd love to get to
Shanghai one day. You seemed to cram a lot into your short stay
there.
Ray Tomany
Ireland
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Graig
Nettles for the Hall
I understand
your feelings about Graig Nettles and I think a better argument can be
made that he is better than Bill Mazerowski who is in the Hall. Don't get
me wrong, we loved Bobby Murcer (my wife's favorite player ever) and think
he was not only an outstanding ball player but a terrific human being.
However, Bobby doesn't merit consideration for the Hall of Fame and was
not better than Tony Perez. Don Mattingly's #s are very much similar to
Kirby Puckett's and he and Thurman deserve consideration.
Chuck and Randi McGivney
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American
Canoo Alliance Controversy
Gentlemen,
As a newcomer to your site and a former Tufftown resident, I am pleased
with the content I've perused thus far. As a longtime friend/nemesis of
one Dick Acorn, I have enjoyed a sense of nostalgia on this, my first
virtual visit with The Ignorant Traveler. My only problem (so far) is
with Dick's piece on the founding of the American Canoo Alliance (ACA).
The last line of paragraph five mentions a "frosty mug of vodka" as if
that frosty mug of vodka, or FMOV as I lovingly term them, is an everyday
ordinary libation, as casually ordered and imbibed as a short beer or a
Harvey Wallbanger might be. Not so! As memory tends towards the fuzzy, I
am relying on Dick's sense of propriety (not to mention his adherence to
the ACA's Moral Coda) and ask whether he remembers being present when the
term was coined. I am only certain of the fact that I came up with the
moniker for the Holy Grail of alcoholic beverages in the presence the dear
departed JT Burner, God rest his fun lovin' soul.
If Dick was
there, I want credit for coming up with the idea of the ultimate
refresher, the glistening, frozen delight that is the FMOV. If he wasn't
then, alas, Jimbo may have been my only witness. The FMOV is the only, I
say ONLY drink that has the ability, nay the allure, to bring me out of my
self-imposed drinking retirement. I imparted as much to Mr. Turner, and I
now remember that Mr. Acorn was indeed there, pestering me about whether I
would never again have "not even just ONE beer, man" with my old pals. My
answer was that he'd need to stick around all night and most of the next
day and continue feeding me drinks until I was no longer capable of even
the simplest of motor functions.
That's just
how The Bo-Man drinks, baby. After pondering such a debaucherously
wonderful spree, I determined that the most effective way to ensure such a
spiritual jaunt, would obviously begin and end at the altar of the fabled
FMOV. Clear. Cold. High Octane. God's gift to the reticent relapser.
Actually, it was a no-brainer. For better or worse though, I've yet to
swill one o' them bad boys myself -- but it's a comfort to know that when
I'm ready they're just waiting there for me like an old friend. An old
friend who likes to punch you in the head every now and then, but like I
said, that's just me.
Hey, I also
plan to visit frequently so get some new stuff up pronto, Laresch.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. Drennan
(aka the Eggless Boodles Bay Bo-Man)
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Boston
Sucks Again
I went yesterday and they were not enforcing that rule at the new stadium;
it was all over 8/8/09.
-- Jules
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the Story]
The
Wheelman
Great article on "THE WHEELMAN" AND
Sacred Heart Church. Fantastic pictures. When I read what Dick
wrote I started crying. A once great area now a
war zone. Than You Dick and God Bless.
William "TheWheelMan" Badashaw
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On the
Delaware
I do believe there is a person named Phil Laresch that might be related to
Dick Laresch. Also with regard to that Canoo Alliance article in the
Ignorant Traveler, there was a place along the
Delaware River that
was named by a gentleman Phil Laresch, "Boodles
Bay". I remember it well; it was either the Summer of 1980 or 1981! I was
there! I remember BO-MAN (TOM DRENNAN) trying to start a fire along the
Delaware River, so he could cook some eggs, and suddenly The BEAR who was
sitting on the tree log inbibing suddenly got up and grabbed the pan with
the eggs and threw them in the Delaware River, and said lets go to Mickie
D's! (BO-MAN could not cook the eggs). This comment is for
Dick Sheppard. Also remember that map of
Vietnam you left on
the wall at the Sheraton in Hasbrouck Heights
Super Bowl Sunday
(January 1981)?
Guess Who?
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Poison Ivy
Great article on
Poison Ivy. Although I don't think I have any on my property
it's great to get a little heads up info & keep my eyes open. I caught
what I think was
poison sumac a couple years ago & ever since I'm leery of
potentially poisonous vines.
Thanks
Dave Di Pietro
Cortland, NY
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Editor's Note: Thanks for reading the story and
your feedback, Dave. We tried to email you back at your personal email
address, but it bounced back due probably to a typo. Having spent a
summer in Cortland NY in the eighties, I can attest to what a beautiful
area of NY State it is.
John Lennon
Great job on a great, memorable life moment. Even
after all these years, we remember life's moments.
-- Brad Hopshaw
Dayton, Oh.
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Patrick Ewing
Ewing was a great player! Had the Knicks management
been able to plug in other key players to play with Ewing and Oakley,
they would have possibly won a championship! I believe that
Patrick Ewing nor
Dominique Wilkins never received the credit that they deserved!
Just imagine putting those two together in their prime!!
-- Kyle Clark
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NFL Skating Strumps -- All True
This is all the truth. No announcer ever says so,
but the
young women who are skating are partly there for their beauty. In couples skating, the men wear long pants, and the women
wear short skirts and tights. There is nothing wrong with this, but it
is a fact that I have never seen pointed out before. Obviously, these
young women have to be very skilled; but much of their performance is
based on the female beauty that they add to the contest.
-- Garold W. Newton
Gering, Nebraska
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Calling Graig Nettles
My name is Charles P. Nettles and I can remember my dad
telling me when I was a kid that we had a cousin that played M.L.B. I
asked him 'well, who is he' and my dad said Graig Nettles. I might have
responded something like 'well I would like to meet him at a family
reunion'. My dad said that he didn't know where he was. Graig looks like
one of my grandfather's brothers. I would like to find out
what side of the Nettles he is from? My dad was a vet in St.Tammany Parish
for 28 years and was born in McComb, Ms. and his uncles where from Auburn,
Ms. and Summit, Ms. plus all over the state of Mississippi. If you know
who John "Webb" Nettles is or Dr. C.P. Nettles D.V.M. please email me [see
editor's note]. I would like to hear from you so if you are not too busy
please drop me a line or two.
-- Charles Nettles
Folsom, Louisiana
Editor's Note: We have published this letter so that,
in the event Graig
Nettles reads it, he can get in contact with Charles. We do not post
email addresses on this board, but if Graig Nettles would like to contact
Charles, we will facilitate through the Contact Us form.
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Murcer
BOBBY MURCER -- A BALLPLAYER'S BALLPLAYER.
-- Kenny Naughton
Northport, New York
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More Murcer
NICE WORDS ABOUT MURCER, A CLASS GUY.
-- LARRY G./ L.B., N.Y.
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Graig Nettles and the Hall of Fame
Great article. I came across your website after
Googling "Nettles hall of fame." I was talking about this at work
yesterday. Nettles absolutely deserves to be there. Why is defense
always overlooked? It bothers me that Reggie Jackson, a one-dimensional
player, was a shoe-in and Nettles always gets overlooked. (Jackson was
a great HR hitter, but was a defensive liability.) Ask any player or
coach from the 70's Yankees who they would rather have on their team
(Nettles and Jackson), I bet 100% would pick Graig.
Frank Notaro
Metuchen, NJ
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Bobby Ray Murcer
Bobby Ray Murcer -- RIP
You made me realize I had a heart when I was 4 --
What a crush I had on you -- Dad had me watching the Yankees since I can
barely remember -- You were the reason I kept watching -- Your record
speaks for itself -- So whether they decide to put you in their Hall of
Fame or not -- You will be in the Hall of Hearts for thousands to
cherish -- Thank you Bobby Ray Murcer for filling my life with true All
American Ideals. My deepest repects for your families loss and finally.
At the All Stars? THEY SHOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME
DEVOTED TO YOUR MEMORY THEN THEY DID.
There, enough said
A female fan since 1969
-- Tami Palladino
Brooklyn, NY
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Pete Rose
Pete Rose should be allowed into the HOF as a player,
not as a manager. With all his faults, he is still one of the greatest
men to ever play the game.
Many other members of the HOF have backgrounds that
leave a great deal to be desired but they were considered for their
actions on the field, not off.
There are many members of the HOF who are less
deserving of the recognition and cannot match the accomplishments of
Pete Rose.
Charlie Hustle should be voted in.
-- Unsigned
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Oldsmobile and Bobby Murcer
I ran across your site while looking for Bobby Murcer
info. Great site! Enjoyed "Willie" and being on the fence!
I specially enjoyed the Oldsmobile article as the
marquee has many fond memories for me. The first car I drove was a '48
Olds convert with three on the tree. I took my driver's test with a '56
and the first car I ever got it on with a fem was in (ample interior
room) an Olds.
Oh yeah....the Bobby Murcer and Graig Nettles stuff
was good too. Remember when he cut his hand doing some gardening? Martin
(?) told him he made enough to hire a landscaper!
-- JZ
Longwood, FL (lifelong NYer)
Janet Jackson "Feedback"
Janet Jackson....wow, we can go on and on..ok, I used
to love Janet back in the day, her stuff used to be so good when she was
with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in the early days. Velvet Rope and all
the music to follow, except for ALL FOR YOU (single) sucks big time. Now
I USED to be a die hard for Janet. I would love to be still, I am not a
hater, just disappointed her music style changed from what was working
for her back in the day. Her barely audible voice is weak, but with the
right production can sound good. I just don't understand with Jermaine
Dupri as her man, Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis I am sure produces some stuff.
Still..why the hell it has not been better creativity in her camp to
give her the sound that made her famous.
Maybe it's that Janet is no longer a girl, she is a
women and part of her charm was her innocent like charm, her cute high
cheekbones and sweet persona. Now, she tries too hard to show her body
too much, puts out records nobody really wants to hear over and over and
that to die for smile with those pearly teeth? Fake. I used to love that
about her, but after seeing so many interviews on her and documentary
stuff, her personality is kinda a bitch and that plastic smile, well
it's plastic. She is pretty though with make up and stuff.
Baby Girl, do all your diehard fans a treat and get
some producers who can recapture what made everyone love you back in the
day.
-- Kitty Kat
Chicago, Illinois
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