The Bronx is Burning, Part I

SPOILER ALERT

As enjoyable as the HR derby was last night, it couldn't end fast enough. I was really looking forward to seeing part one of the ESPN mini-series, "The Bronx is Burning". As we talked about back in January , the series is based on the Joseph Mahler book by the same name.

What we learned about the Yankees in this first part was nothing we didn't already know: Reggie is an egomaniac, George is a megalomaniac, and Billy was just a sad story. The show opened as George discusses hiring Billy Martin with Gabe Paul during the 1975 season. Despite Paul's protests, George hires Billy to be his man.

A quick montage is shown of the Reds sweeping the Yankees in the '76 World Series. At the end of Game 4, Billy, (as portrayed by John Turturro), gets tossed by 1st Base ump Bruce Froemming. After the game, a furious Steinbrenner, (played by Oliver Platt), storms into the Yankees' dressing room looking for Martin. He finds him alone, sobbing in the trainer's room. Instead of consoling him, Steinbrenner rips into him for humiliating him and promises that he will be running the show in '77.

An off-season discussion follows between Steinbrenner, Paul, and Martin concerning free agents. The Yankees decide they want to concentrate on getting Bobby Grich to play shortstop, even though he's a natural 2nd baseman. Martin was happy with Fred Stanley at short (of course later on Bucky Dent would be brought in). Then, the discussion turns to getting a big bat. Martin wants Joe Rudi, but Steinbrenner wants Reggie; a guy who is as big as the game. Neither Paul or Martin want Reggie, but Steinbrenner is insistant that once they go after Grich they'll concentrate on Reggie. Once Grich signed with the Angels the full focus went to Reggie.

Spring Training arrives and first impressions are not good ones. Reggie ("Rescue Me"'s Daniel Sunjata) goes in to meet Billy and Martin is less than warm in greeting him. Then Reggie quickly puts off Thurman Munson and his new teammates by refusing to run before taking batting practice. This all leads to the eventual disastrous Sport Magazine article in which Reggie is quoted as saying, "I'm the straw that stirs the drink". Making it worse, of course, was his comment about Munson only being able to "...stir it bad".

The actor playing the SPORT Magazine writer was no actor- it was the writer himself, Robert Ward. There was an interesting epilogue to the first episode in which the real Reggie and Ward, in separate interviews, each defend their side of the story. Reggie, of course, says his comments were taken out of context.

The final scene of episode one concludes with George and Billy clashing in the clubhouse over Billy not taking the bus with the rest of the team and for the team losing to the Mets in an exhibition game.

Just a few comments in general about the show and performances: Very little, thus far, has been shown about the Son of Sam murders or the city's turmoil. I have not read the book, so I don't know if the show is true to it or not. It may also be the intention of the producers and director to concentrate more on the Yankees for ratings purposes.

I don't remember Billy Martin having the drawl that Turturro is using, but he's believable in the role. The fake ears are a riot.

It's going to take some time to get used to Platt playing Steinbrenner, though there were certain nuances that were definitely on the money. But they should have gotten the guy who voiced Big George on Seinfeld.

I didn't like the quick portrayal of Mickey Mantle, which was basically some actor having trouble staying upright in his chair because he was drunk.

The Bronx is Burning, Part I

SPOILER ALERT

As enjoyable as the HR derby was last night, it couldn't end fast enough. I was really looking forward to seeing part one of the ESPN mini-series, "The Bronx is Burning". As we talked about back in January , the series is based on the Joseph Mahler book by the same name.

What we learned about the Yankees in this first part was nothing we didn't already know: Reggie is an egomaniac, George is a megalomaniac, and Billy was just a sad story. The show opened as George discusses hiring Billy Martin with Gabe Paul during the 1975 season. Despite Paul's protests, George hires Billy to be his man.

A quick montage is shown of the Reds sweeping the Yankees in the '76 World Series. At the end of Game 4, Billy, (as portrayed by John Turturro), gets tossed by 1st Base ump Bruce Froemming. After the game, a furious Steinbrenner, (played by Oliver Platt), storms into the Yankees' dressing room looking for Martin. He finds him alone, sobbing in the trainer's room. Instead of consoling him, Steinbrenner rips into him for humiliating him and promises that he will be running the show in '77.

An off-season discussion follows between Steinbrenner, Paul, and Martin concerning free agents. The Yankees decide they want to concentrate on getting Bobby Grich to play shortstop, even though he's a natural 2nd baseman. Martin was happy with Fred Stanley at short (of course later on Bucky Dent would be brought in). Then, the discussion turns to getting a big bat. Martin wants Joe Rudi, but Steinbrenner wants Reggie; a guy who is as big as the game. Neither Paul or Martin want Reggie, but Steinbrenner is insistant that once they go after Grich they'll concentrate on Reggie. Once Grich signed with the Angels the full focus went to Reggie.

Spring Training arrives and first impressions are not good ones. Reggie ("Rescue Me"'s Daniel Sunjata) goes in to meet Billy and Martin is less than warm in greeting him. Then Reggie quickly puts off Thurman Munson and his new teammates by refusing to run before taking batting practice. This all leads to the eventual disastrous Sport Magazine article in which Reggie is quoted as saying, "I'm the straw that stirs the drink". Making it worse, of course, was his comment about Munson only being able to "...stir it bad".

The actor playing the SPORT Magazine writer was no actor- it was the writer himself, Robert Ward. There was an interesting epilogue to the first episode in which the real Reggie and Ward, in separate interviews, each defend their side of the story. Reggie, of course, says his comments were taken out of context.

The final scene of episode one concludes with George and Billy clashing in the clubhouse over Billy not taking the bus with the rest of the team and for the team losing to the Mets in an exhibition game.

Just a few comments in general about the show and performances: Very little, thus far, has been shown about the Son of Sam murders or the city's turmoil. I have not read the book, so I don't know if the show is true to it or not. It may also be the intention of the producers and director to concentrate more on the Yankees for ratings purposes.

I don't remember Billy Martin having the drawl that Turturro is using, but he's believable in the role. The fake ears are a riot.

It's going to take some time to get used to Platt playing Steinbrenner, though there were certain nuances that were definitely on the money. But they should have gotten the guy who voiced Big George on Seinfeld.

I didn't like the quick portrayal of Mickey Mantle, which was basically some actor having trouble staying upright in his chair because he was drunk.

Remembering Reggie and Billy

30 years ago today, June 18, 1977, one of the most embarrassing moments in Yankees history took place. Yes, way more embarrassing than A-Rod's "Hah" moment. It was a Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. NBC's Game of the Week was in town for a national television audience.

The Red Sox had spanked the Yankees on Friday night, 9-4. On Saturday the Yankees jumped to quick 2-0 lead, but by the bottom of the 6th they trailed 7-3. Fred Lynn singled with one out against Mike Torrez. Jim Rice stepped in to the batter's box and all hell broke loose.

Rice hit a bloop into right field for a single- well it should have been a single. Reggie Jackson looked like he was moving in quick sand as he approached the ball, allowing Rice to leg out a double.

Yankees' manager Billy Martin nearly blew a cork in the dugout. After replacing Torrez with Sparky Lyle, he sent Paul Blair out to replace Reggie. Reggie was talking with backup catcher Fran Healy, Reggie's only real friend on the team, over the bullpen wall, when Blair approached.

Reggie saw Blair coming at him and gestured at himself as if to say, "me?!". As soon as Reggie hit the dugout steps, Billy's temper boiled over and he exploded at Reggie. Reggie put down his glass expecting a brawl and if not for coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, there may very well have been one.

Teammate Jimmy Wynn escorted Reggie from Fenway and a tale that would live in infamy was born.

~~~

On a better note, yesterday was the 29th anniversary of Ron Guidry's remarkable 18 strikeouts against the California Angels. It was the first game where fans rhythmically clapped for a 3rd strike.

Remembering Reggie and Billy

30 years ago today, June 18, 1977, one of the most embarrassing moments in Yankees history took place. Yes, way more embarrassing than A-Rod's "Hah" moment. It was a Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. NBC's Game of the Week was in town for a national television audience.

The Red Sox had spanked the Yankees on Friday night, 9-4. On Saturday the Yankees jumped to quick 2-0 lead, but by the bottom of the 6th they trailed 7-3. Fred Lynn singled with one out against Mike Torrez. Jim Rice stepped in to the batter's box and all hell broke loose.

Rice hit a bloop into right field for a single- well it should have been a single. Reggie Jackson looked like he was moving in quick sand as he approached the ball, allowing Rice to leg out a double.

Yankees' manager Billy Martin nearly blew a cork in the dugout. After replacing Torrez with Sparky Lyle, he sent Paul Blair out to replace Reggie. Reggie was talking with backup catcher Fran Healy, Reggie's only real friend on the team, over the bullpen wall, when Blair approached.

Reggie saw Blair coming at him and gestured at himself as if to say, "me?!". As soon as Reggie hit the dugout steps, Billy's temper boiled over and he exploded at Reggie. Reggie put down his glass expecting a brawl and if not for coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, there may very well have been one.

Teammate Jimmy Wynn escorted Reggie from Fenway and a tale that would live in infamy was born.

~~~

On a better note, yesterday was the 29th anniversary of Ron Guidry's remarkable 18 strikeouts against the California Angels. It was the first game where fans rhythmically clapped for a 3rd strike.

The Bronx is Burning

I was 15-years old in the summer of 1977, and while life was serene in the 'burbs, it was anything but that in New York City. A blackout lead to widespread looting and rioting, and "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz was shooting unsuspecting lovers. During that same summer, the Yankees were continuing their ascent to the top of Major League baseball. It was Reggie Jackson's first year in the Bronx and the start of a tumultuous relationship with Billy Martin, Thurman Munson, George Steinbrenner, and others.

ESPN will debut a new original series this summer, 30 years after that crazy time. "The Bronx is Burning" premieres in July and will cover all of the aforementioned events. Fran Healy, who was a member of that 1977 Yankees club and is now an announcer for the cross-town Mets, recently profiled the series on the show "The Game: 365" on the MSG network.




Joseph Mahler's novel goes Hollywood







Healy spent time with the cast and crew, including actor Loren Dean (star of Mumford) who is portraying Healy. Among the rest of the cast are John Turturro (Billy Martin), Oliver Platt (George Steinbrenner), Christopher McDonald (Joe DiMaggio), and Rescue Me's Daniel Sunjata as Reggie Jackson. Actor Erik Jenssen eerily resembles Thurman Munson.

The blackout started when lightning struck a substation along the Hudson River on the evening of July 13. Some shoddy equipment intensified the situation, which got markedly worse when other areas were struck by lightning. An hour later the entire city was in darkness. The next 24 hours saw massive rioting and looting. Especially hard hit were the Crown Heights and Bushwick sections of Brooklyn. More than 3,700 people were arrested for crimes relating to the blackout and damages were estimated at over $300 million.

Son of Sam had been striking fear in the city since 1976 and police were desperate to arrest a suspect. He was originally known as the "44-caliber killer" because that was his weapon of choice. Before he was arrested in August of 1977, he had murdered six and injured seven others.

The '77 Yankees served as a distraction to the city, which was already suffering from severe financial difficulties before the blackout even occurred, and a very nasty mayoral race. The Yankees drive to the championship didn't go all that smoothly either. Who could forget Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin going nose-to-nose before a national TV audience after Martin accused Jackson of dogging it in right field. Martin threw grease on the fire when he sent Paul Blair out to replace Jackson in the middle of the inning. Knowing Billy's temper, Reggie immediately removed his glasses as he entered the dugout and expected a brawl. If not for coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard intervening, it may have very well happened.




Good thing there were photographers around, because this is a scene that didn't happen often.





The pennant victory over the KC Royals and the World Series win over the LA Dodgers would smooth things out internally until the fur started to fly again the following season. But Reggie's 3 home runs in Game 7 vs. the Dodgers will be what resonates most in the minds of Yankees fans. That's the way it should be.

***

The 1977 team was honored last night at the annual Baseball Assistance Team (BAT) dinner. Noticeably absent was BAT chairmen Bobby Murcer who was missed by those in attendance. Earlier in the day Bobby was on 1050 ESPN radio and was very upbeat. Former Yankee Ron Blomberg also spoke to Bobby on the phone yesterday and echoed the same feelings.

The Bronx is Burning

I was 15-years old in the summer of 1977, and while life was serene in the 'burbs, it was anything but that in New York City. A blackout lead to widespread looting and rioting, and "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz was shooting unsuspecting lovers. During that same summer, the Yankees were continuing their ascent to the top of Major League baseball. It was Reggie Jackson's first year in the Bronx and the start of a tumultuous relationship with Billy Martin, Thurman Munson, George Steinbrenner, and others.

ESPN will debut a new original series this summer, 30 years after that crazy time. "The Bronx is Burning" premieres in July and will cover all of the aforementioned events. Fran Healy, who was a member of that 1977 Yankees club and is now an announcer for the cross-town Mets, recently profiled the series on the show "The Game: 365" on the MSG network.




Joseph Mahler's novel goes Hollywood







Healy spent time with the cast and crew, including actor Loren Dean (star of Mumford) who is portraying Healy. Among the rest of the cast are John Turturro (Billy Martin), Oliver Platt (George Steinbrenner), Christopher McDonald (Joe DiMaggio), and Rescue Me's Daniel Sunjata as Reggie Jackson. Actor Erik Jenssen eerily resembles Thurman Munson.

The blackout started when lightning struck a substation along the Hudson River on the evening of July 13. Some shoddy equipment intensified the situation, which got markedly worse when other areas were struck by lightning. An hour later the entire city was in darkness. The next 24 hours saw massive rioting and looting. Especially hard hit were the Crown Heights and Bushwick sections of Brooklyn. More than 3,700 people were arrested for crimes relating to the blackout and damages were estimated at over $300 million.

Son of Sam had been striking fear in the city since 1976 and police were desperate to arrest a suspect. He was originally known as the "44-caliber killer" because that was his weapon of choice. Before he was arrested in August of 1977, he had murdered six and injured seven others.

The '77 Yankees served as a distraction to the city, which was already suffering from severe financial difficulties before the blackout even occurred, and a very nasty mayoral race. The Yankees drive to the championship didn't go all that smoothly either. Who could forget Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin going nose-to-nose before a national TV audience after Martin accused Jackson of dogging it in right field. Martin threw grease on the fire when he sent Paul Blair out to replace Jackson in the middle of the inning. Knowing Billy's temper, Reggie immediately removed his glasses as he entered the dugout and expected a brawl. If not for coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard intervening, it may have very well happened.




Good thing there were photographers around, because this is a scene that didn't happen often.





The pennant victory over the KC Royals and the World Series win over the LA Dodgers would smooth things out internally until the fur started to fly again the following season. But Reggie's 3 home runs in Game 7 vs. the Dodgers will be what resonates most in the minds of Yankees fans. That's the way it should be.

***

The 1977 team was honored last night at the annual Baseball Assistance Team (BAT) dinner. Noticeably absent was BAT chairmen Bobby Murcer who was missed by those in attendance. Earlier in the day Bobby was on 1050 ESPN radio and was very upbeat. Former Yankee Ron Blomberg also spoke to Bobby on the phone yesterday and echoed the same feelings.