Jays, Dodgers amaze the sporting world
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Like millions of other Canadians, this week, I am suddenly a baseball expert and Blue Jays fan.
Or perhaps in reverse order.
Regardless, suffice to say I was fortunate enough to watch an amazing piece of sports history unravel in front of me on Monday. Everything about that game helps it earn the tag ‘iconic’ or ‘legendary’ for indeed there is a very good chance anyone who witnessed the third game of the World Series match between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers will never see another one like it in their lifetime.
In reality it wasn’t one game but two rolled into one. With the best of seven series set at one game each most regular ball fans figured game three would see reality set in and LA would breeze through the Jays and grab the title.
Toronto never got that message.
What fans got was the longest game in baseball history. Six hours and 39 minutes of intense, highly skilled ball over 18 innings of play. (The equivalent of two games). When LA went through their tenth pitcher late in the night that set a league record for pitchers used in one game.
There’s a plethora of other firsts or records I’m sure but I am scrambling to write this now before my column deadline and can’t wait any longer tonight to hear more. The boys’ play time has cut into my work time.
It was a masterful game by coaches who shuffled their players to fit various circumstances including moves and counter-moves by the opposite coach with players. For example, Dodger superstar Shohei Ohtani was walked five or six times intentionally because he was simply too big a homerun hitting threat to allow a chance at the batter’s plate.
At the end of the night the Dodgers won 6-5.
The real challenge will be tomorrow (Tuesday) as the teams meet for game four. If they can wake up and or stand.
I know that Tez and I will be checking it out (in between periods of the Leaf game of course).
So, congratulations Dodgers and Jays – you’ve turned me into a ball fan.
Meanwhile if you are looking for other forms of entertainment, I have some musical friends who can help.
The highly skilled Robert Fine has found a harmonious way to celebrate his 65 birthday hosting a one night only show while raising some money for the ALS society.
Titled An Unforgettable Night of Timeless Tunes and Musical Memories, Fine steps into a world of nostalgia fun joined by the 17-piece Lake Country Big Band for a concert set for the Creekside Theatre November 14.
Fine will perform tunes by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, and many others.
Expect moving arrangements, unforgettable vocals, and a surprise musical guest (or two!)—all wrapped in a night of celebration, legacy, and jazz-infused magic.
If Robert isn’t enough musical pleasure than add the talented Ryan Donn to your choice list.
Donn is combining his volunteering with the Central Okanagan Heritage Society to help them raise funds. Donn is hosting their 2nd annual Hits for Heritage show featuring Trooper.
“Our hope is to raise a ton of cash for the COHS as they work on the logistics of owning the recently donated Bennett house,” Donn says.
Trooper is one of Canada’s legendary rock bands.
The concert is set for the Kelowna Community Theatre on Friday, November 21 and promises a high energy, nostalgic, powerful night to remember.
As a bonus to the evening Donn and his talented band will open the concert for Trooper. Should be an excellent show.
