Niners Dominate Cardinals To Stretch NFC Lead To Two Games

At Glendale, Arizona:

Quarterback Alex Smith completed 18 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdown---two to Michael Crabtree (three and nine yards) and one to Randy Moss (47 yards)---as the San Francisco 49ers (6-2) opened up a two-game lead atop the NFC Western Division standings following their 24-3 Monday night road domination of the Arizona Cardinals (4-4).

Ducks Jumped By Notre Dame In BCS Rankings, Still #4; Beavers Fall After Road Defeat

After their 70-14 home pasting of Colorado, the Oregon Ducks remain in fourth place in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings which were released on Sunday.  The Ducks trail, in order, Alabama, Kansas State, and Notre Dame.  Oregon still ranks second in both the Associated Press (media) and USA Today/Coaches polls.

After suffering their first defeat of the season at Washington, the Oregon State Beavers drop four places to #11 in the latest BCS rankings, while dropping to #13 in both the media (down six spots)and coaches (down four) polls.

WORLD SERIES: GIANTS SCORE TIE-BREAKING RUN IN TENTH INNING; SERGIO ROMO STRIKES OUT SIDE; SF FINISHES SWEEP OF TIGERS FOR SECOND TITLE IN THREE YEARS; BIG PANDA NAMED SERIES MVP

At Detroit:



Marco Scutaro delivered an RBI double in the top of the tenth inning, scoring Ryan Theriot from second base, then Sergio Romo(that's him,above, celebrating) struck out the side for his third straight save as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Sunday to complete a four-game sweep of the World Series as the Giants won their second World Series title in three years (and becoming the first National League club to sweep the series since the Cincinnati Reds did the trick to the Oakland Athletics in 1990).  Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who hit .500 (8 for 16) and had those three game-one home runs, was named World Series Most Valuable Player.
USA Today photo by Scott Rovak

Huskies Knock Off Error-Prone Beavers In Seattle

At Seattle:

Bishop Sankey ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns while Travis Coons kicked the winning field goal with 80 seconds remaining as the Washington Huskies (4-4 overall, 2-3 in Pac-12 play) took advantage of four interceptions from Oregon State's Sean Mannion as the Huskies knocked off the visiting (and previously-unbeaten) Beavers (#7 in both the BCS rankings and AP poll, #9 in the USA Today/Coaches poll; 6-1 overall, 4-1 in Pac-12 play) 20-17 on Saturday night.

Argos Top Riders In Regina; Get Home Playoff Game

At Regina, Saskatchewan:

Ricky Ray threw four touchdown passes on Saturday as the Toronto Argonauts (8-9) held off the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-9) 31-26 on the road in Canadian Football League action.  The Argos assured themselves of no worse than a second-place finish in the Eastern Division and would host a divisional semifinal game next month.

2012 World Series: Giants Pitchers Handcuff Tigers Again: SF Now One Win Away From Title

At Detroit:

Ryan Vogelsong pitched 5 2/3 innings of five-hit ball, while Tim Lincecum delivered solid relief pitching and Sergio Romo (that's him here) picked up his second save as the San Francisco Giants became the first team since the 1966 Baltimore Orioles in picking up back-to-back World Series shutout wins with their 2-0 game-three road win over the Detroit Tigers, enabling them to take a three-games-to-none series lead.  Gregor Blanco hit an RBI single, then scored on Brandon Crawford's single in the second inning.  The Giants can go for the four-game sweep and their second World championship in three years with a win on Sunday in Detroit.

US Presswire photo

Ducks Turn Buffaloes Into Hamburger

At Eugene, Oregon:

De'Anthony Thomas scored two touchdowns, one on a 9-yard run, the other on a punt return of 73 yards, while quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for two TDs and ran for another and backup QB Brian Bennett ran for three scores as the Oregon Ducks (ranked #4 in the BCS rankings, #2 in both the AP and USA Today/Coaches polls; 8-0 overall, 5-0 in Pac-10 play) scored 56 points in the first half en route to a 70-14 Saturday home demolition of Colorado (1-7, 1-4).

The 70 points were the most the Ducks ever scored in a conference game.

2012 World Series: Solid Shutout Pitching Combined With Manufactured Runs Give Giants 2-0 Series Lead

At San Francisco:



Madison Bumgarner (that the old MadBum himself above) pitched seven solid innings of two-hit, two-walk, eight-strikeout shutout ball, while  Gregor Blanco's single in the seventh inning trickled a few inches inside fair territory, setting up Brandon Crawford's run-scoring double-play, then Hunter Pence hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to deliver  the insurance run as the San Francisco Giants took a two-games-to-none lead in the World Series following their 2-0 game-two Thursday home victory over the Detroit Tigers.  The Series will resume on Saturday at Detroit with Ryan Vogelsong set to start on the mound for the Giants while Anibal Sanchez will start for the Tigers, who are now in a must-win situation.

San Francisco Chronicle photo by Michael Macor

2012 World Series: Big Night For Big Panda With Three Homers; Giants Coast To Easy Series-Opening Win

At San Francisco:



Pablo Sandovar (shown here) hit three home runs (two off starter Justin Verlander) while Barry Zito pitched 5 2/3 solid innings as the San Francisco Giants coasted to an 8-3 home victory over the Detroit Tigers in Wednesday's opening game of the World Series.  The Big Panda joins Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Albert Pujols as players who hit three homers in a single World Series game.

US Presswire photo

NLCS: GIANTS ANNIHILATE CARDINALS TO BOUNCE BACK FROM 3-1 SERIES DEFICIT TO WIN NL PENNANT; HOST TIGERS IN WORLD SERIES OPENER WEDNESDAY

At San Francisco:

Matt Cain pitched 5 2/3 innings of five-hit shutout ball while series Most Valuable Player Marco Scutaro  produced his sixth multi-hit game of the series and Brandon Belt hit a home run as the San Francisco Giants, who scored five runs in the third inning, roasted the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 on Monday night in winning game seven of the National League Championship Series and captured their second pennant in three years.  The Giants won their record-tying sixth consecutive elimination game.  They will host the Detroit Tigers in the opening game of the World Series on Wednesday.

Lanced Again

Not only has the disgraced Mr. Armstrong lost his seven Tour-de-Farce, uuuuhhhh, Tour-de-France titles, he's now lost his last remaining sponsor.

Congratulations, Greg!

A warm and hearty congratulations are in order for Greg Lemond.

As of today, Greg is once again the only American to win the Tour de Farce, I mean, France.

BCS: Ducks Drop A Spot; Beavers Climb A Spot

Even after their Thursday win at Arizona State (and remaining ranked #2 in both the Associated Press (media) and USA Today/Coaches polls), the Oregon Ducks dropped a spot to #4 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings that were released on Sunday, trailing Alabama, Florida, and Kansas State.

Meanwhile, coming off their home win over Utah, the Oregon State Beavers (who moved up to #7 in the AP poll and #9 in the coaches' rankings) climbed up a spot to #7 in the BCS standings.

NLCS: Giants Dominate Cardinals, Force Game Seven

At San Francisco:

Ryan Vogelsong pitched seven innings of four-hit, nine-strikeout ball as the San Francisco Giants scored four runs in the second half en route to a 5-1 home victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night to square the National League Championship Series at three games apiece.

The seventh and deciding game will be played on Monday night at AT&T Park, with the winner hosting the first two games of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, beginning on Wednesday.

Beavers Hold Off Utes In Rainy Corvallis; Off To First 6-0 Start Since 1907

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Running back Storm Woods ran for three touchdowns (the first two coming after an interception and a fumble recovery) as the Oregon State Beavers (ranked #8 in the BCS, #8 in the Associated Press media poll, #11 in the USA Today/Coaches poll; 6-0 overall, 4-0 in Pac-12 play) are off to their first 6-0 start since 1907 following their 21-7 victory over the visiting Utah Runnin' Utes (2-5, 0-4) on a rainy Saturday night.

Alouettes Outlast Riders In Regina

At Regina, Saskatchewan:

Quarterback Anthony Calvillo completed 16 of 28 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown and ran for two others as the Montreal Alouettes (10-6), who already locked up the Eastern Division regular-season title, defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-8) 34-28 on the road in Saturday Canadian Football League action.

UFL: End Of The Line?

Then why in Sam Hill did they start their now-suspended league season in the first place?

NLCS: Barry Zito Too Much For Cardinals; Big Panda Hits Homer; Giants Stay Alive, Move Series Back To Frisco

At St. Louis:

Barry Zito pitched 7 2/3 innings of six-hit shutout baseball while the bullpen did the rest as the San Francisco Giants avoided elimination on Friday night with a 5-0 road victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in game five of the National League Championship Series, cutting the Cardinals' series lead to three games to two as the series heads back to San Francisco for game six on Sunday.  Pablo Sandoval delivered a home run for the Giants for the second straight night.

Ducks Douse Sun Devils In Desert To Remain Unbeaten

At Tempe, Arizona:

Running back Kenjon Barner ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns while quarterback Marcus Mariota ran for another 135 yards and another score (as well as receiving a touchdown pass from fellow QB Bryan Bennett) as the #3-ranked (BCS) Oregon Ducks (ranked second in both the Associated Press and USA Today/Coaches polls; 7-0 overall, 4-0 in Pac-12 play) came back from an early deficit and spanked the home-standing Arizona State Sun Devils (ranked #24 in the coaches' poll; 5-2, 3-1) 43-21 on Thursday night.

Niners Hold Off Seahawks In Defensive Battle

At San Francisco:

Quarterback Alex Smith threw a third-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Delanie Walker while Frank Gore picked up 182 yards (131 rushing, 51 receiving) of offense as the San Francisco 49ers (5-2) came from behind and held off the visiting Seattle Seahawks (4-3) 13-6 in Thursday National Football League action.

NLCS: Cardinals Dominate Giants; St. Louis One Way Away From World Series Rematch With Tigers

At St. Louis:

Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings of four-hit five-strikeout ball while Matt Holliday, John Jay, and Yadier Molina each delivered two RBIs on Wednesday night as the St. Louis Cardinals dominated the visiting San Francisco Giants 8-3 in game four of the National League Championship Series.  The Cardinals, who lead the series three games to one, can lock up the National League pennant and open the World Series at home against the Detroit Tigers next Wednesday with a win at home on Friday.

ACLS: TIGERS BLAST YANKEES, COMPLETE SWEEP, WIN AL PENNANT

At Detroit:

Max Scherzer pitched 5 1/3 Innings of 2-hit baseball, while Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta (who also hit a solo shot in the eighth inning) each hit a two-run homer in a four-run fourth inning as the Detroit Tigers demolished the visiting New York Yankees 8-1 in game four of the American League Championship series, enabling the Tigers to complete a four-game sweep and lock up their eleventh American League pennant, their first since 2006.  The Tigers will open the upcoming World Series next Wednesday at St. Louis or San Francisco.  The Tigers' Delmon Young was named series Most Valuable Player.

NLCS: Matt Carpenter Hits Two-Run Homer As Cards Overcome Carlos Beltran Injury, Long Rain Delay, And Giants For 2-1 Series Lead

At St. Louis:

Matt Carpenter, subbing for the injured Carlos Beltran, hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants 3-1 in the second game of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night to take a two-games-to-one advantage.  The game was delayed by rain for three and-a-half hours during the seventh inning.

NOTE:  Rain caused the postponement of Wednesday's scheduled fourth game of the American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and hosts Detroit Tigers, who lead the series three games to none.  The game has been rescheduled from Thursday, when the Tigers will go for the four-game series sweep and a trip to the World Series.

Lanced

Say, Lanny boy, when you cover up such things as doping and it comes out and you don't challenge, you're gonna have trouble keeping your sponsors.

The now-disgraced Mr. Armstrong has resigned as chairman of the Livestrong charity foundation that he had founded.

ALCS: Tigers One Way Away From First World Series Appearance Since 2006

At Detroit:

Justin Verlander pitched 8 and 1/3 strong innings of three-hit ball while Delmon Young hit a home run in the fourth inning and Miguel Cabrera delivered an RBI double in the fifth as the Detroit Tigers held off the visiting New York Yankees 2-1 on Tuesday to take a three-games-to-none lead in the American League Championship Series.  The Tigers can lock up their first American League pennant since 2006 with a home win in game four on Wednesday.

NLCS: Giants Dominate Cards, Gain First Postseason Home Win, Level Series At One Game Apiece

At San Francisco:

Ryan Vogelsong pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, while Angel Pagan hit a home run, and Marco Scutaro (who was blindsided at second base in the first inning Matt Holliday's hard slide) hit a two-run single during a four-run fourth inning as the San Francisco Giants squared the National League Championship Series at a game apiece on Monday night with their first home postseason victory, a 7-1 beatdown of the St. Louis Cardinals in game two.

The series resumes in St. Louis for the first of three games there starting on Wednesday.

End Of The Line For Ray-Ray?

It isn't easy to bounce back from a torn triceps muscle at age 37.

This guy's been the face of the franchise since 1996.

Computing, 1956 Style

Television commercial for Remmington-Rand's UNIVAC Computer.

Possibly aired during the February 5, 1956 CBS Network telecast of What's My Line?

Time For A Polka!

"The Liechtensteiner Polka" as performed by The Six Fat Dutchmen under the direction of Harold Loeffelmacher.

Early 1960s Dot Records recording.

Time For A Lullaby, Boys And Girls

From Decca Records in 1953, we present "Whoopee" John Wilfahrt and his orchestra with "Banjo Lullaby."

Vocal chorus by the "Whoopee" John Trio.

NLCS: Cardinals Start Fast, Hold Off Giants In Game One

At San Francisco:

Carlos Beltran and David Freese each hit a two-run homer on Sunday as the St. Louis Cardinals raced to a six-run lead, then held off the San Francisco Giants 6-4 on the road in the opening game of the National League Championship Series.

ALCS: Tigers Blank Derek Jeter-less Yankees To Take 2-0 Series Lead Back To Detroit

At New York:

Anibal Sanchez pitched seven brilliant innings of three-hit shutout baseball as the Detroit Tigers took advantage of few opportunities they had on offense on Sunday as they blanked the New York Yankees 3-0 in game two of the American League Championship Series.  The Tigers, who now lead the series two games to none, will have Justin Verlander on the mound for game three in Detroit on Tuesday.

Delmon Young delivered an RBI on a forceout grounder in the seventh inning, then Avisail Garcia and Miguel Carbrera each had an RBI single in the eighth inning for Detroit.

Less Than Memorable Sunday For Niners: Giants Run Roughshod In NFC Title Game Rematch

At San Francisco:

Antrel Rolle intercepted two Alex Smith passes and Prince Amukamara picked off another, while Ahmad Bradshaw carried the ball 27 times for 116 yards and a third-quarter touchdown and Lawrence Tynes kicked four field goals as the New York Giants (4-2) handed the home-standing San Francisco 49ers (4-2) their most lopsided defeat of the Jim Harbaugh regime 26-3 on Sunday in a rematch of last January's NFC Championship Game, which the Giants won in overtime, thanks in part to Niners' special teams miscues.

Ducks Stay #2 In Both Polls (#3 In BCS Rankings); Beavers Climb Up To #8 (Media, BCS Rankings) And #11 (Coaches)

Despite being idle this week, the Oregon Ducks remained ranked #2 in the latest Associated Press (media) and USA Today/Coaches polls that were released on Sunday.

Meanwhile, coming off their road win over BYU, the Oregon State Beavers climbed up to #8 in the AP poll and #11 in the Coaches' rankings.

In the first Bowl Championship Series ranking of the season, also having come out on Sunday, the Ducks are ranked third behind top-ranked Alabama and Florida, while the Beavers are at #8.  Kansas State and Notre Dame rounded out the top five.

ALCS: Yankees Lose Derek Jeter For Rest Of Playoffs With Fractured Ankle, Lose To Tigers In 12 Innings In Series Opener

At New York:

Despite ninth-inning heroics from Ichiro Suzuki and Raul Ibanez (each hitting a ninth-inning two-run homer to erase a four-run deficit and force extra innings), the Detroit Tigers, with Delmon Young doubling in the go-ahead run in the 12th inning, defeated the New York Yankees 6-4 on the road in the opening game of the American League Championship series on Saturday.  It was during that twelfth inning that Yankees captain and shortstop Derek Jeter suffered a fractured left ankle while attempting to make a play.  He will miss the rest of the playoffs.

Riders Fall To Eskimos In Edmonton As Kerry Joseph Haunts His Former Team

At Edmonton, Alberta:

Quarterback Kerry Joseph haunted his former team on Saturday as he completed 19 of 29 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns while running back Hugh Charles ran for 152 yards and a TD on 17 carries as the Edmonton Eskimos (7-8) cooled off the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7) 37-20 in Canadian Football League action.

Cody Vaz Leads Beavers To Road Win Over BYU; First 5-0 Start For OSU Since '39

At Provo, Utah:

Starting his first game at quarterback since high school, Cody Faz, playing in place of the injured Sean Mannion, threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns , two to Markus Wheaton (11 and 24 yards) and one to Colby Prince (5 yards) as the Oregon State Beavers (ranked #10 in the Associated Press poll and #14 in the USA Today/Coaches poll; 5-0 overall, their best start in 73 years) defeated Brigham Young University (4-3) 42-24 on Saturday on the road.

Gary Collins, Actor, TV Personality, R. I. P.

Gary Collins, an actor who went on to host the 1980s syndicated daytime television series Hour Magazine (for which he won an Emmy Award in 1983 for Outstanding Talk-Show Host) and who was a former master of ceremonies for the Miss America Pagaent, passed away on Saturday from natural causes at Biloxi, Mississippi Regional Medical Center at the age of 74.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Collins had been married for 45 years to former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley, though the two were separated last year.  It was Gary's second marraige.

NLDS: Cards Overcome Six-Run Deficit, Score Four With Two Out In Ninth; Overcome Nats To Get Crack At Giants

At Washington:

The St. Louis Cardinals battled back from a six-run deficit on Friday night, scoring four runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning (being down to their last strike twice), and overcame the Washington Nationals 9-7 in game five of their National League divisional playoff series, winning the series three games to two.  Daniel Descalso, who hit a home run in the eighth inning, delivered a two-out game-tying single in the ninth, then scored the insurance run (after David Freese scored the game winner) on Pete Kozma's base hit.

The Cardinals will open the National League Championship series against the San Francisco Giants on the road at AT&T Park on Sunday. 

Incidentally, this marked the first time that all four divisional playoff series went the maximum five games.

ALDS: C.C.'s Complete Games Helps Yankees Finish Off Orioles To Advance To ALCS

At New York:

C. C. Sabathia pitched a four-hit complete game as the New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 in game five of their American League divisional playoff series at home on Friday, winning the series three games to two. Curtis Granderson hit a home run in the contest as the Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, which starts on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

ALDS: Orioles Top Yanks In 13 Innings To Force Game Five; Justin Verlander Blanks A's As Tigers Advance To ALCS

Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Thursday.

At New York:

J. J. Hardy delivered a go-ahead double in the 13th inning, scoring Manny Machedo from third base as the Baltimore Orioles leveled their divisional playoff series with the New York Yankees at two games apiece following their 2-1 13-inning road victory, forcing the fifth and deciding game to be played at Yankee Stadium on Friday with the winner advancing to the American League Championship Series.

At Oakland:

Justin Verlander pitched a complete-game, four-hit, eleven-strikeout shutout as the Detroit Tigers broke the game open with four runs in their half of the seventh inning as they blanked the Oakland Athletics 6-0 on the road in game five to win their divisional playoff series three games to two.  The Tigers face the Baltimore-New York winner in the American League Championship Series.

NLDS: Giants Erupt For Six Runs In Fifth Inning, Hold Off Reds Comeback To Take Game Five And Win Series; Jayson Werth Comes Through For Nats, Force Game Five With Cards

Both National League divisional playoff series resumed on Thursday.

At Cincinnati:

Buster Posey hit a grand-slam home run, part of a six-run fifth inning as the San Francisco Giants held off the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 to win game five of their divisional playoff series, enabling the guests to overcome a two-games-to-none deficit and win the series three games to two, becoming the first National League club to come back from two games down to win a divisional playoff series.  The Giants will open the National League Championship Series this coming Sunday at home or at Washington, depending on who wins Friday's deciding game between St. Louis and Washington.

At Washington:

Jayson Werth hit a walk-off home run to leadoff the bottom of the ninth inning as the Washington Nationals squared their divisional playoff series at two games apiece with the St. Louis Cardinals with their game-four 2-1 victory at home.  The fifth and deciding game of this series---and the San Francisco Giants' National League Championship Series opponent---will be decided at Nationals Park on Friday.

Beano Cook, ESPN's Longtime Cardinal Of College Football, R. I. P.

Beano Cook, the longtime ESPN folksy college football analyst, passed away in his sleep in Pittsburgh at the age of 81, the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Cook's alma mater, announed on Thursday.

Beano was the sports information director at Pitt from 1956 to 1966 and had held a variety of jobs before joining the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.

Beano had worked at ESPN since 1986.

ALDS: Raul Ibanez Comes Up Huge For Yankees As Bronx Bombers Top O's In 12 Innings To Take 2-1 Series Lead; Coco Comes Through For A's As Oakland Forces Game Five With Tigers

Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Wednesday.

At New York:

Raul Ibanez hit two home runs, one in the ninth inning to tie the game, and the game winner in the 12th as the New York Yankees took a two-games-to-one divisional playoff series lead following their 3-2 home victory over the Baltimore Orioles.  The Bronx Bombers can finish off the series with a home win on Thursday.

At Oakland:

Coco Crisp delivered the game winning RBI, scoring Seth Smith from second base as the Oakland Athletics capped off a three-run, ninth-inning comeback, erasing a two-run deficit as they defeated the visiting Detroit Tigers 4-3 in game four of their divisional playoff series.  The series, now level at two games apiece,  will be decided in Oakland on Thursday.

NLDS: Cards Blow Out And Stifle Nats To Take 2-1 Series Lead; Giants Use Timely Offense And Good Relief Pitching To Force Game Five With Reds

Two games were played on Wednesday as both National League divisional playoff series continued.

At Washington:

Chris Carpenter pitched 5 and 2/3 innings of shutout ball while the bullpen delivered no-hit baseball the rest of the way while Pete Kozma hit a three-run second-inning home run as the St. Louis Cardinals ruined the first postseason baseball game to take place in the nation's capital since the 1933 World Series by once again running roughshod over the Washington Nationals, this time by the score of 8-0 on the road as the Redbirds took a two-games-to-one divisional playoff series lead.  The Cardinals can finish off the series with a game-four victory in Washington on Thursday.

At Cincinnati:

Angel Pagan hit a lead-off home run while Pablo Sandoval and Gregor Blanco also hit round-trippers while the bullpen, led by Tim Lincecum pitched 4 and a third innings of one-run ball (and got the victory) as the San Francisco Giants leveled their divisional playoff series as two games apiece with their 8-3 game-four road win over the Cincinnati Reds.  The series is slated to be decided in game five at Great America Ballpark on Thursday.

Alex Karras, Ex-All Pro Defensive Lineman With Detroit Lions, Later Starred On TV Sitcom "Webster," R. I. P.

Alex Karras, a former All-Pro defensive lineman with the Detroit Lions who later went on to be a member of the three-man broadcasting team for Monday Night Football and later on co-starred in the 1980s sitcom Webster, passed away on Wednesday morning at his Los Angeles home at age 77.

Mr. Karras had suffered from kidney failure and was diagnosed with dementia.  He also suffered from heart disease and, over the past two years stomach cancer.

During his 12-year career with the Lions, Alex (who was the 10th overall draft selection from Iowa in 1958) was a four-time All-Pro defensive tackle and anchored the Detroit defense.

After his playing days ended (he retired in 1970), Alex was part of ABC's Monday Night Football three-man booth (1974-76), alongside play-by-play man Frank Gifford and fellow analyst Howard Cosell.

It was on one telecast that Alex first regarded then-Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Otis Sistrunk as that graduate from the "University of Mars."

Alex also appeared in motion pictures and slugged a horse in the Mel Brooks-directed Western comedy and satire "Blazing Saddles," which starred Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, and Harvey Korman.

It was in the 1980s that Alex Karras co-starred with Emmanuel Lewis in the ABC Network sitcom Webster, where Alex and his wife (his real-life wife Susan Clark) adapted little Emmanuel as their son.  The series ran on ABC from 1983-1987, then two more years in first-run syndication.

This past April, Alex joined the more than 3500 veterans suing the NFL for not protecting them better from head injuries.  His passing will now be connected with the league's conflict with its' former players over concussions.

ALDS: Athletics Stay Alive After Shutout Win At Home

At Oakland:

Brett Anderson pitched six innings of two-hit, six-strikeout shutout ball while Seth Smith hit a home run as the Oakland Athletics came up with key defensive plays in their 2-0 home win over the Detroit Tigers, who were held to four base hits.  The Tigers, who still lead the series two games to one, can still wrap up the series with a Wednesday game-four win in Oakland.

NLDS: Giants Take Advantage Of Reds 10th-Inning Miscue, Extend Series

At Cincinnati:

Third baseman Scott Rolen's two-out error in the tenth inning enabled Buster Posey to score the go-ahead run while Sergio Romo pitched two perfect innings in relief as the San Francisco Giants avoided the sweep with their 2-1 10-inning victory on the road over the Cincinnati Reds in game three of their National League divisional playoff series on Tuesday.  The Reds, who still lead the series two games to one, can still close out the series with a win at home on Wednesday.

Unless His Appeal Is Successful, Or Unless He Serves Only The Minimum, Is Granted Parole Right Off The Bat, And Is Still Alive.............

Looks like ol' Jerry will spend the rest of his days in the pokey.

ALDS: O's Outlast Yanks, Even Series At One Game Apiece

At Baltimore:

Rookie Wei-Yin Chen scattered eight hits over 6 1/3 innings in outdueling 40 year-old Andy Pettitte while Chris Davis drove in two runs as the Baltimore Orioles outlasted the visiting New York Yankees 3-2 on Monday night to even their American League divisional playoff series at a game apiece.

NLDS: Cards Mash Nats To Square Series At One Game Apiece

At St. Louis:

Carlos Beltran hit two home runs as the St. Louis Cardinals squared their National League divisional playoff series at one game apiece following their 12-4 drubbing of the visiting Washington Nationals on Monday.

Riders Ground Up Argos In Toronto

At Toronto:

Running back Kory Sheets ran for 106 yards on 17 carries, 48 of those yards on a third-quarter touchdown run as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-6) dominated the Toronto Argonauts (7-7) 36-10 in Canadian Football League action on Monday, which happened to be Thanksgiving Day in Canada.  The victory was the 'Riders' fifth in their last six games.

Ducks Stay At #2 In Both Polls; Beavers Reach Top Ten In AP Poll, #14 In Coaches Rankings

Following their Saturday victory over Washington, the Oregon Ducks remained ranked #2 in both the Associated Press (media) and USA Today/Coaches polls released on Sunday.  The Ducks received the lone first-place coaches' poll vote not given to top-ranked Alabama (who were a unanimous #1 in the media poll).

The Oregon State Beavers, following their triump at Washington State's expense, climbed up four placed to #10 in the AP poll while moving up three spots to #14 in the coaches' poll.

Niners Make NFL History As They Turn Bills Into Buffaloburgers

At San Francisco:

Alex Smith completed 18 of 24 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns (43 yards to Kyle Williams; 28 yards to Michael Crabtree; 10 yards to Mario Manningham) while Frank Gore carried the ball for 106 yards and a touchdown (one yarder) as the San Francisco 49ers (4-1) scored the last 42 points en route to a 45-3 home annihilation of the Buffalo Bills (2-3).  In the victory, the Niners became the first team in National Football League history to rush AND pass for 300 or more yards in the same game.

NLDS: Late Herorics Lift Nats To Series-Opening Win; Giants Shrunk To Size At Home By Reds, On Verge Of Elimination

The National League divisional playoff series continued with two games on Sunday.

At St. Louis:

Tyler Moore delivered a pinch-hit two-RBI single with two outs in the top of the eighth inning as the Washington Nationals, playing their first playoff game since the Montreal Expos days of 1981, came from behind to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in the opening game of their divisional playoff series.   The Cards blew a chance to break the game open when leading 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, when they loaded the bases with nobody out, and were unable to score.

At San Francisco:

Bronson Arroyo pitched seven innings of one-hit, one-walk, shutout baseball while Ryan Ludwick hit a second-inning homer, Ryan Hanigan hit a two-run single in the fourth, Joey Votto had three hits as the Cincinnati Reds scored an additional five runs in their half of the eighth and demolished the San Francisco Giants 9-0 on the road in game two of their divisional playoff series.  It was the most lopsided playoff shutout defeat in Giants history.  The Reds will go for the three-game series sweep Tuesday in Cincinnati.

ALDS: Late Heroics Give Tigers 2-0 Series Lead; Yankees Break Open Tight Series Opener In Ninth Inning

Two games were played on Sunday in American League divisional playoff series action.

At Detroit:

Don Kelly, who scored the tying run on a wild pitch in the eighth inning, hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the ninth inning that carried the Detroit Tigers to a 5-4 home victory over the Oakland Athletics in game two of their best-of-five divisional playoff series.  The Tigers, who lead the series two games to none, can finish off the Athetics with a victory in Oakland on Tuesday.

At Baltimore:

In a game that was delayed by two-and-a-half hours by rain, the New York Yankees broke open a deadlocked game with five runs in their half of the ninth inning, starting with Russell Martin's lead-off solo homer, to ruin the Baltimore Orioles' first home playoff game since 1997, winning the opening contest of their divisional playoff series 7-2.

Ducks Dominate Visiting Huskies

At Eugene, Oregon:

Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 198 yards and four touchdowns, two of them to tight end Colt Lyerla as the Oregon Ducks (ranked #2 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/Coaches polls; 6-0 overall, 3-0 in Pac-12 play) dominated the visiting Washington Huskies (#23 in AP poll; 3-2, 1-1) 52-21 on Saturday night.

NLDS: Homers And Relief Pitching Help Reds Hold Off Giants In Series Opener

At San Francisco:

Solid work from the bullpen, along with home runs from Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce, helped the Cincinnati Reds overcome the loss of starter Johnny Cueto (via back injury) and down the San Francisco Giants 5-2 in the opening game of their National League divisional playoff series on Saturday.  The win was the Reds' first postseason game victory since 1995.

Beavers Bottle Up Cougs' Offense, Stay Unbeaten

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Cornerback Jordan Poyer intercepted three passes on Saturday and Markus Wheaton caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Sean Mannion as the Oregon State Beavers (ranked #14 in the Associated Press media poll and #18 in the USA Today/coaches poll; 4-0 overall, 3-0 in Pac-12 play) defeated the visiting Washington State Cougars (2-4, 0-3) 19-6.

ALDS: Justin Verlander Fans Eleven As Tigers Overcome Athletics In Series Opener

At Detroit:

Justin Verlander surrendered a lead-off home run to Coco Crisp but then settled down and struck out eleven batters during a strong seven innings on Saturday as the Detroit Tigers came from behind to down the visiting Oakland Athletics 3-1 in the opening game of their American League divisional playoff series.  Alex Avila homered in the fifth inning to help seal the win for the Tigers.

Orioles End Rangers Two-Year Reign As American League Champions

At Arlington, Texas:

Joe Saunders pitched effectively into the sixth inning on Friday night and Adam Jones, with his sacrifice fly, delivered the game-winning run in the same sixth inning as the Baltimore Orioles, in their first postseason match since 1997, added two more runs in the ninth inning as they defeated the Texas Rangers 5-1 to capture the American League's inaugural wild-card playoff game, ending the Rangers' two-year run as AL champions, and earning a berth in the divisional playoffs.

The Orioles will host the New York Yankees in the opening game of their divisional playoff series, which starts on Sunday.

Cardinals Take Advantage Of Shoddy Braves Defense And Blown Call In 8th Inning To Advance To NLDS

At Atlanta:

On the opening day of the Major League Baseball playoffs, Matt Holliday hit a home run as the St. Louis Cardinals took advantage of three Atlanta errors and a controversial call on an infield fly ball in the eighth inning (which led to fans dumping trash on the baseball field, leading to a 19-minute delay) as they defeated the Braves 6-3 on the road in the National League's inaugural Wild-Card playoff game on Friday.

The Cardinals will take on the Washington Nationals in a divisional playoff series, best-of-five, starting on Sunday in St. Louis.

Oooooh, That's A Big Spider!

From Universal-International Pictures in 1955, we present, "Tarantula."  In this one, a spider escapes from an isolated desert laboratory which is experimenting in giantism.  The anachrid grows to tremendous size and causes havoc on the local inhabitants.

John Agar, Mara Corday, and Leo G. Carroll headline the cast, and are joined by Nestor Paiva, Ross Elliott, Erwin Rand, Raymond Bailey, Hank Patterson, Bert Holland, and Steve Darrell.

With screenplay by Robert M. Fresco and Martin Berkeley, story by Jack Arnold and Robert M. Fresco, photography by George Robinson (ASC), special photography by Clifford Stine (ASC), and musical supervision by Joseph Gershenson, this film was William Alland and directed by Jack Arnold.

When You're Out Of Schlitz...

You're out of beer!

1969 Schlitz Beer TV commercial.

And Now, A Few Words

Here are some commercials that aired on TV during the 1968-69 period:

1. Aero Wax Floor Cleaner
2. Easy-On spray starch
3. 7up
4. Easy-Off Oven Cleaner
5. Sani-Flush Bowl Cleaner
6. Hi-Karate After Shave with self-defense Training Course
7. Coty Elan Cologne
8. Woolite
9. American Gasoline Car Sweepstakes

Then Why The Hell Did You Get Married In The First Place?

From Decca Records in 1957, we present "Whoopee" John Wilfahrt and his orchestra with "I Wish I Was Single Again."

Vocal by the Ensemble.

Enjoy!

Time For A Song From "Whoopee" John!

Here's a 1956 Decca recording of "It Took Me All Night To Get Home Last Night," with "Whoopee" John Wilfahrt and his orchestra.

Whoopee's son Patrick handles the vocal.

Time To Swing And Sway With Sammy Kaye

From RCA Victor records in 1950, here's Sammy Kaye and his orchestra with "My Lily And My Rose," with vocal by Don Cornell and The Kaydets.

Time For Benny!

Here's Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Buddy Rich on drums, with a song that Benny co-wrote, "Rattle and Roll," recorded for Columbia Records on December 19, 1945.

Here's Another One From 'Whoopee' And The Boys

Here's a 1958 Decca recording of the "West Wind Polka" by "Whoopee" John Wilfahrt and his orchestra.

Enjoy!

Time For Music From Whoopee John!

From Decca Records in 1957, we present "Whoopee" John Wilfahrt and his orchestra with the "Clariechen Laendler."

Enjoy!