August 18, 2010
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The Daily News
Photo not courtesy of the New York Daily News.1 So...Bobby Thomson walks into a bar...2 Goes yard.
3 A part of me took the long drive with him.
4 Thomson is famous for the famous (or infamous, if you're a Dodger fan) "Shot heard 'round the world."
5 It was 1951, and in late August, the Giants had found themselves a seemingly hopeless 13 1/2 games behind the Dodgers, prompting Dodgers' manager Charlie Dressen to declare, "The Giants is dead."
6 Well, in most circles, you aren't bound to win any championships when you are THAT behind in August. But the Giants went on a 16-game tear, beating every team in their path to tie the Dodgers by the season's final weekend.
7 When the two teams faced one another for a best of 3 series, the Giants won the opener, 3-1 with Thomson delivering a two-run home run at Ebbets Field. Ralph Branca, the pitcher who ultimately delivered the Dodgers' fatal pitch, also gave that one up to Thomson.
8 But true to form in this classic rivalry, the Dodgers came back in the Polo Grounds, pounding the Giants to the tune of 10-0.
9 Thomson, who had already had a bad day by getting caught in a rundown, blundered two groundballs, which broke a 1-1 tie, leading ultimately to a Dodgers 4-1 advantage going into the ninth.
10 In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants got one run in, and had two runners on second and third with one out, when Dressen decided to bring in Branca. Thomson took a strike on the first pitch.
11 The next pitch was certainly one of the greatest moments in baseball history. Branca challenged Thomson with a fastball, and Thomson smashed it into the lower stands, prompting Giants' announcer Russ Hodges to scream, "There's a long drive...that's gonna be I believe...the Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the left field stands! The Giants win the pennant, and they're going crazy; they're going crazy, yay-HAY!!!"
12 FAMOUS call, the "Shot Heard 'ROUND the Word" they called it. As a kid growing up, I would always dream about that game, and about my Giants winning the pennant. It was a total Cinderella story, only for boys. They would play that stuff every year, and every year I would listen to it and just try to imagine the excitement of that moment. I think it was the first time in my life that I learned to appreciate history.
13 I bought a sports vinyl record with all sorts of sports' highlights on it, including Thomson's epic drive. Of all the great moments on that record, Thomson's always dominated.
14 Even if you aren't a baseball fan, you could certainly understand making a comeback of that magnitude, especially if THEIR coach declared you dead.
15 So Bobby, wherever you are, thanks for a moment all many in baseball will never forget.
16 As an end note, the Giants lost the World Series that year to the dreaded Yankees, who got them in six games, but I still think that Hodges' call of the Thomson home run is among the greatest in sports' history.
17 You'll be missed, but not forgotten. Thanks Bobby, for bringin' it all back.
18 Moving on, Part the First: Had an outstanding opening day yesterday, and believe me, I was worried.
19 The nice thing was that I had already planned almost the first two weeks last week, so it ran smoothly. I worried about my classes, but within seconds of meeting them, I could see brilliance everywhere I looked.
20 My group of teacher goofs all met in the morning, and looking like the Hollywood stars we are, moved to the picture area to get our ID's done. = ) <---sideways smiley dude.
21 Not IDS, you Freudian fools!
22 ID's!23 As in, "Boy, I have a GOOD ID. Let's git our pictures took!"
24 Okay, that didn't work.25 I shoulda said, "Boy, I have a GOOD idee." Then you bring in that poetic hillbilly touch to the proceedings.
26 AnywayZ, when the Gang of Four walked toward the picture hall, we got flocked by enthusiastic students who high-fived, and were all ears and braces.
27 We felt like movie stars, or at LEAST the Pope. It was SO wonderful because that group of friends gave tons of money to Haiti, and to people fighting genocide, as well as many other causes. We were always together, trying to get stuff goin', or at least contributing, so the students respected our swagger.
28 And yeah, I must admit...we were all dressed fashionably, and were doing the opening day swagger!
29 But it wasn't because we were peacocking or anything. It was picture day, and a few teachers who help with every cause imaginable bounced to the quad area, and it was terrific fun!
30 Well, everything ran wonderfully, there was great interaction with the students all day long, and by the end of the day, I realized that it is time to give everything I could to our new students.
31 Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe my freshmen are the Class of 2014? I honestly don't really know. You lose track after a hundred years.
32 Anybody feelin' old?
33 Haha!
34 Thank God for me that I have been youthening for the past 900 years.
35 Just like the legendary Merlin.
36 Okay folks, that's the only update so far. Things ran well at our school, despite being ridiculously understaffed. We're STILL out there doing it!37 I realize that today will be a lot tougher, but for now, thanks to some amazing people in all areas of our school, we have taken the challenge, and will do everything in our power to make 2010-11 one of the greatest challenges, and greatest school years ever!
38 I intend to give everything I have to achieve that.
39 Write it in your heart.
40 It's getting late, even though it seems early. I couldn't sleep the other night because I was so excited about starting the new school year, so I think some nice rest on the second day out might really serve both myself, and my students.
41 It's good to be back.
42 Well, that's it for today. Hope y'all enjoyed reading about the challenges facing educmacation in the 21st C! The first week is always pretty scary, but always pretty exciting as well. You remember how it is. I remember many of you on the first day!
43 Ah, vell, wish me luck. Wish us all luck.
44 Love you all.
45 Peace.
~H~
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