Tinker to Evers to Chance was a TRIPLE play. I didn't know the players either as it happened before my time and I am 82 years old. However, I have heard about it from my earliest memories.
No, Tinker to Evers to Chance refers to the double play combination of the Chicago Cubs from 1902 to 1912. Tinker was SS, Evers was 2B, and Chance was 1B.
6
A poem by Franklin Pierce Adams from the early 1900's:
These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double-
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double-
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
The Cubs used to be the one constant in my life. They would never win the World Series. That (and seemingly ONLY that) was assured. Why, even the continents started moving in my lifetime. (Well, they've been moving for hundreds of millions of years, and I'm not quite that old, but we only realized they move in my lifetime). The Cubs's futility was my bedrock truth. The terra firma that held me rooted. I used to think that Plate Tectonics was an earth-shattering theory, but this? How am I to cope?? Now that the Cubs have won, anything, and I mean anything is possible! Even something as outrageous as Donald Trump winning the presidency! (And yes - I blame the Cubs for this.)
3
When I was a young child, we were taught in school about our planet's natural resources. These included such things as coal and timber and metals. We were also taught that water and air were a special category ... called "inexhaustible" natural resources.
1
If clue is CUBS' divisional rival, answer SHOULD be the name of the team, not the abbreviation of the city. CARDS, not STL.
5
It is hard to say whether or not David Kahn is a Cubs fan because of a few things in the puzzle. For instance, in the clue for 22D he omitted the word “hated” before the word “rivals.” Usually the Billy Goat thing (17A) is referred to as a curse, not a jinx. But the one that really gave me pause was SOSA. Most Cub fans today probably refuse to admit he was a Cub. While the 609 is impressive by itself, it was achieved through the help of corked bats and steroids, and Mr. Sosa’s abrupt departure from Chicago was welcomed by all.
6
John,
My favorite long-time Cubs fan who didn't live to see the Series:
...Rosenfield was at one time chief minority stakeholder in the Chicago Cubs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Rosenfield
My favorite long-time Cubs fan who didn't live to see the Series:
...Rosenfield was at one time chief minority stakeholder in the Chicago Cubs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Rosenfield
This is a clip of the top ten lines from Casablanca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxFwq0iu0fA
Unfortunately, there are too many good lines from that flick that didn’t make it, including this one:
RICK
-- Hello, Ilsa.
ILSA
Hello, Rick.
RENAULT
Oh, you've already met Rick,
Mademoiselle?
There's no answer from either.
RENAULT
Well then, perhaps you also ---
ILSA
-- This is Mr. Laszlo.
LASZLO
How do you do?
RICK
How do you do?
LASZLO
One hears a great deal about Rick in
Casablanca.
RICK
And about Victor Laszlo everywhere.
LASZLO
Won't you join us for a drink?
RENAULT
(laughing)
Oh, no, Rick never --
RICK
-- Thanks. I will.
Rick sits down.
RENAULT
Well! A precedent is being broken.
Er, Emil!
LASZLO
This is a very interesting cafe. I
congratulate you.
RICK
And I congratulate you.
LASZLO
What for?
RICK
Your work.
LASZLO
Thank you. *I TRY.*
RICK
We all try. You succeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxFwq0iu0fA
Unfortunately, there are too many good lines from that flick that didn’t make it, including this one:
RICK
-- Hello, Ilsa.
ILSA
Hello, Rick.
RENAULT
Oh, you've already met Rick,
Mademoiselle?
There's no answer from either.
RENAULT
Well then, perhaps you also ---
ILSA
-- This is Mr. Laszlo.
LASZLO
How do you do?
RICK
How do you do?
LASZLO
One hears a great deal about Rick in
Casablanca.
RICK
And about Victor Laszlo everywhere.
LASZLO
Won't you join us for a drink?
RENAULT
(laughing)
Oh, no, Rick never --
RICK
-- Thanks. I will.
Rick sits down.
RENAULT
Well! A precedent is being broken.
Er, Emil!
LASZLO
This is a very interesting cafe. I
congratulate you.
RICK
And I congratulate you.
LASZLO
What for?
RICK
Your work.
LASZLO
Thank you. *I TRY.*
RICK
We all try. You succeed.
5
64A: "We'll always have PAREE."
2
I'm a baseball fan, naturally, so easy puzzle for me. Fun tribute by Mr. Kahn, replete with appropriate short fill along with the longer theme answers. On the other hand, I tried to warn my friends that the Cubs winning the WORLDSERIES would throw the universe out of balance, but they wouldn't listen. I like the idea of DROLL TROLLS. Took me an extra second to parse ELOAN.
Speaking of ELROY and the rest of the Jetsons: in the mid-80s, a record label called TeeVee Toons hit on the idea of a compilation album of TV theme songs. Aimed at nostalgia-craving baby boomers, it was so popular that it spawned 7 further volumes. In 1996, the label issued a single titled "Jane, Get Me Off This Crazy Thing!," a high-powered dance remix of the Jetsons theme song, sprinkled with sound-bites from other 60s and 70s-era cartoon shows. It was a sensation in dance clubs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEHp3JRZgKM
Speaking of ELROY and the rest of the Jetsons: in the mid-80s, a record label called TeeVee Toons hit on the idea of a compilation album of TV theme songs. Aimed at nostalgia-craving baby boomers, it was so popular that it spawned 7 further volumes. In 1996, the label issued a single titled "Jane, Get Me Off This Crazy Thing!," a high-powered dance remix of the Jetsons theme song, sprinkled with sound-bites from other 60s and 70s-era cartoon shows. It was a sensation in dance clubs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEHp3JRZgKM
2
Fun seeing all the Cub references, including the choice of how to define TOWN at 1A.
As a tournament Scrabble player, I'm confused by the plethora of objections to STUBBLES. There are a few nouns that don't take the -S plural, such as CATTLE. But when our dictionary committee with a straight face defends such acceptable words as SEICENTOS (seventeenth centuries), I just don't have any problem with STUBBLES. I was told, when I questioned SEICENTOS, that it could refer to alternate universes with their own set of centuries.
As a tournament Scrabble player, I'm confused by the plethora of objections to STUBBLES. There are a few nouns that don't take the -S plural, such as CATTLE. But when our dictionary committee with a straight face defends such acceptable words as SEICENTOS (seventeenth centuries), I just don't have any problem with STUBBLES. I was told, when I questioned SEICENTOS, that it could refer to alternate universes with their own set of centuries.
3
I have a serious objection to the clue for 9A. The "former Mrs. McCartney" is Heather Mills. They were divorced. Linda Eastman was not the "former" wife. She was his wife who tragically died at age 56 after 29 years of marriage. "Former" wife means there was a divorce. This clue is not only inaccurate, but disrespectful to Ms. Eastman. Very surprising mistake by the NYT.
8:20 AM
8:20 AM
8
Here with Airymom is the second wave of well-deserted outrage over the former/late matter, following Liz B's very first post in today's comments.
N.B. Even if one finds a dictionary that says "former" can include "late," the clue would still be incorrect for using "The" instead of "A."
N.B. Even if one finds a dictionary that says "former" can include "late," the clue would still be incorrect for using "The" instead of "A."
3
I understand the complaint but not Barry's last point.
Ignoring the former v. late issue for the moment,
"Linda, the former Mrs. McCartney."
"Heather, the former Mrs. McCartney."
are both correct. Calling either "a former ..." seems even more insulting.
For what it's worth, "former Mrs. McCartney" is more neutral, more of a title, than "former wife" and "former wife" is more neutral than "ex-wife," to my ear.
I guess "late Mrs. McCartney" would have seemed more respectful to some, and so would have been a better wording, but I can't say the current clue strikes me as wrong.
Ignoring the former v. late issue for the moment,
"Linda, the former Mrs. McCartney."
"Heather, the former Mrs. McCartney."
are both correct. Calling either "a former ..." seems even more insulting.
For what it's worth, "former Mrs. McCartney" is more neutral, more of a title, than "former wife" and "former wife" is more neutral than "ex-wife," to my ear.
I guess "late Mrs. McCartney" would have seemed more respectful to some, and so would have been a better wording, but I can't say the current clue strikes me as wrong.
Was surprised to see a tribute puzzle in the Times, but this one was certainly justly deserved (or desserved, depending on your persuasion). Fast and easy solve for this baseball fan of course.
With all the things I can't remember, the entire Jetsons family is still occupying needed brain space. I could only think of two other ELROYs and got curious about the clue history. Was surprised that it's popped up 10 times in the last 5 years, clued to the Jetsons all but once (definition of the name the other time). Pre-Shortz it was never clued that way, even though the TV series was old news by then. As I suspected it was mostly clued to 'Crazylegs' Hirsch, and earlier to the pitcher ELROY Face. And there's evidently a town in Wisconsin.
In the midst of all that I looked at the Wikipedia disambiguation page and found that it lists only five towns and ELROY Jetson. No mention of either Hirsch or Face even though both of them have their own Wikipedia pages. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.
Sorry for all that. I just couldn't think of much else to say about the puzzle. It's a beautiful day, I think I'll play two.
With all the things I can't remember, the entire Jetsons family is still occupying needed brain space. I could only think of two other ELROYs and got curious about the clue history. Was surprised that it's popped up 10 times in the last 5 years, clued to the Jetsons all but once (definition of the name the other time). Pre-Shortz it was never clued that way, even though the TV series was old news by then. As I suspected it was mostly clued to 'Crazylegs' Hirsch, and earlier to the pitcher ELROY Face. And there's evidently a town in Wisconsin.
In the midst of all that I looked at the Wikipedia disambiguation page and found that it lists only five towns and ELROY Jetson. No mention of either Hirsch or Face even though both of them have their own Wikipedia pages. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.
Sorry for all that. I just couldn't think of much else to say about the puzzle. It's a beautiful day, I think I'll play two.
4
Brace yourself for another shock, RiA.
I knew ELROY Hirsch. The two football players whose names I remember are Crazylegs Hirsch and Y.A. Tittle.
Oh, I also know Joe Namath, but my association there is not football. It's more obscure--Mario Procaccino, who did not win the 1969 election for Mayor of New York.
I knew ELROY Hirsch. The two football players whose names I remember are Crazylegs Hirsch and Y.A. Tittle.
Oh, I also know Joe Namath, but my association there is not football. It's more obscure--Mario Procaccino, who did not win the 1969 election for Mayor of New York.
1
Deadline,
You really did shock me, until I realized that you did not, in fact, know Elroy Hirsch, you recognized the name. I recognize the name Mel Ott when it shows up in crosswords; my grandmother had drinks with him a few times.
You really did shock me, until I realized that you did not, in fact, know Elroy Hirsch, you recognized the name. I recognize the name Mel Ott when it shows up in crosswords; my grandmother had drinks with him a few times.
1
You're gonna shoot me over a missing "of"?
C'mon. Close 'nuff for XWPs.
C'mon. Close 'nuff for XWPs.
2
Yesterday, CC LIVes; today, David "Blue J" (hi, R/Elke!) Kahn GOUP to bat with the best of them. Better late than nEVERS, I always say!!
Ah me! Two shots at 'What many writers write on', and neither of them was RAVEN.
Some residual questions I'll have to workon:
What was that just went "Moo"? 'SCOW
"I don't know you from Ellas, Mr. McDaniel. Should I call you BO OR Diddley?"
Did we just live through some kind of ELECTRIC?
Mens SANA in corpore sano
Back in college days, I made a birthday present for a young friend, then still in HS: inside a lovely old oval hammered metal frame, I mounted the hand-lettered saying, 'Womens SANA in corore sano'. My only-EVERS shot at calligraphy, and probably my first bilingual pun.
My 'umble thanks to John from Chicago. I SPEC that without the way he always CARAY on, I could never MOPUP this puzzle. My best also to Charles.
Ah me! Two shots at 'What many writers write on', and neither of them was RAVEN.
Some residual questions I'll have to workon:
What was that just went "Moo"? 'SCOW
"I don't know you from Ellas, Mr. McDaniel. Should I call you BO OR Diddley?"
Did we just live through some kind of ELECTRIC?
Mens SANA in corpore sano
Back in college days, I made a birthday present for a young friend, then still in HS: inside a lovely old oval hammered metal frame, I mounted the hand-lettered saying, 'Womens SANA in corore sano'. My only-EVERS shot at calligraphy, and probably my first bilingual pun.
My 'umble thanks to John from Chicago. I SPEC that without the way he always CARAY on, I could never MOPUP this puzzle. My best also to Charles.
5
Thanks, Leapy, Had lunch with Charles today. Thursday he is having lunch with a published author who just finished a book on Dean Smith. I'll let you know when it is released.
1
John, I look forward to it. Dean Smith was a great coach (barring the indefensible 12 minutes of first-half 4-corners that led to the 45-second rule) and an upstanding, unassuming gentleman. In support of his unassuming nature: just before Hallowe'en, we took part in the Cemetery Walk that the Chapel Hill Preservation Society holds annually. We visited a host of gravesides and learned some fascinating history, but were told near the end that we would not be seeing the Dean Smith grave. Apparently it has a very simple headstone and (by his wish) a secret location, as he didn't want any fuss.
As an aside (mainly to RiA): this cemetery is divided by a walkway into two sections, the smaller being the side where slaves were buried. There were, of course, fascinating stories attached, but I was completely taken by surprise when the last grave we visited was Elizabeth Cotten's. Turned out that I wasn't the only one in the group that knew she was famous for "Freight Train", but it was our having discussed her ra-cheer that had me know her unique way of playing left-handed on a right-hand strung guitar was the origin of the phrase "cotton-picking". So the benefits of WP were further disseminated and enjoyed.
As an aside (mainly to RiA): this cemetery is divided by a walkway into two sections, the smaller being the side where slaves were buried. There were, of course, fascinating stories attached, but I was completely taken by surprise when the last grave we visited was Elizabeth Cotten's. Turned out that I wasn't the only one in the group that knew she was famous for "Freight Train", but it was our having discussed her ra-cheer that had me know her unique way of playing left-handed on a right-hand strung guitar was the origin of the phrase "cotton-picking". So the benefits of WP were further disseminated and enjoyed.
Obviously not in my wheelhouse. Or ballpark.
The surprise is that I was able to get as many entries as I did. That's why they're called CROSSWORD puzzles, because the CROSSing WORDs help you get the ... other stuff.
Double NxN where 45A crossed 46D and 30D. Put another way, EL?O? crossing ?EN and CARA?. I tried ELTON. When I had filled the whole puzzle and MHP didn't appear, I decided to skip the part about trying to find mistakes and asked Ms. Check, who identified the two offending squares (only two? yay me!). So I decided to skip the running-the-alphabet part and settle for two Red Triangles of Shame.
I almost had a third, in the 20 square, but I vaguely recalled having heard of ERNIE, but not ARNIE, BANKS. Also TIGE sounded better than TIGA.
What I learned today is that individual players on the winning WS team get their very own RINGs. I'm happy for them. Hope the RINGs are pretty. I already knew that EVERS the baseball player was pronounced differently from EVERS the assassinated civil rights leader. Never heard of CALE Yarborough.
Oh! I knew about the GOAT. (My friend Maureen, who is from Chicago, told me, some years ago.)
Just for the record: I am not complaining. I am not anti-sports, as some seem to assume. I'm just disinterested, but am happy for those who enjoy these diversions.
And thanks again for that puzzle a few days ago--the nice one with the comma.
The surprise is that I was able to get as many entries as I did. That's why they're called CROSSWORD puzzles, because the CROSSing WORDs help you get the ... other stuff.
Double NxN where 45A crossed 46D and 30D. Put another way, EL?O? crossing ?EN and CARA?. I tried ELTON. When I had filled the whole puzzle and MHP didn't appear, I decided to skip the part about trying to find mistakes and asked Ms. Check, who identified the two offending squares (only two? yay me!). So I decided to skip the running-the-alphabet part and settle for two Red Triangles of Shame.
I almost had a third, in the 20 square, but I vaguely recalled having heard of ERNIE, but not ARNIE, BANKS. Also TIGE sounded better than TIGA.
What I learned today is that individual players on the winning WS team get their very own RINGs. I'm happy for them. Hope the RINGs are pretty. I already knew that EVERS the baseball player was pronounced differently from EVERS the assassinated civil rights leader. Never heard of CALE Yarborough.
Oh! I knew about the GOAT. (My friend Maureen, who is from Chicago, told me, some years ago.)
Just for the record: I am not complaining. I am not anti-sports, as some seem to assume. I'm just disinterested, but am happy for those who enjoy these diversions.
And thanks again for that puzzle a few days ago--the nice one with the comma.
4
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=buster+brown%27s+dog+tige&view=...
TIGE and TIDE await no man.
TIGE and TIDE await no man.
3
Did no one notice the lack of symmetry in today's puzzle? There are no matches for the theme entries at 16A EVERS and 22D STL.
Hmmm... isn't 64A the symmetrical counterpart to 16A? And 46D for 22D?
If you rotated the puzzle 180 degrees it would look exactly the same...
If you rotated the puzzle 180 degrees it would look exactly the same...
Joseph is pointing out that 16-Across (for example) is thematic, while 64-Across is not.
Those small entries are theme lagniappes. With this much major theme material, a couple of extras are not a flaw.
Those small entries are theme lagniappes. With this much major theme material, a couple of extras are not a flaw.
1
STUBBLES? Really? You count each and every emergent whisker? It's possible that there is a one-and-only, singular facial STUB?
Even a post-harvest field would not have STUBBLES. This puzzle might have felt worth the STUMBLE had it come sooner; now, other events have overtaken and drowned the euphoria.
Had to wait to be sure of Harry C- or K- -ARAY. Not sure I've ever seen it written. (Heard but not seen?)
Even a post-harvest field would not have STUBBLES. This puzzle might have felt worth the STUMBLE had it come sooner; now, other events have overtaken and drowned the euphoria.
Had to wait to be sure of Harry C- or K- -ARAY. Not sure I've ever seen it written. (Heard but not seen?)
2
How about "All the Beagle Boys had stubbles"?
1
What about several unshaven people?
One of the least attractive of recent male attempts at being trendy is the facial hair fashion that seems like a two- or three-day growth of beard. I'm fine with beards, and I'm fine with a clean shave, but them STUBBLES is Ugh-Ly!
It's like baggy pants on basketball players.
One of the least attractive of recent male attempts at being trendy is the facial hair fashion that seems like a two- or three-day growth of beard. I'm fine with beards, and I'm fine with a clean shave, but them STUBBLES is Ugh-Ly!
It's like baggy pants on basketball players.
No.
What baseball theme?
All I could see was the copywriter toiling at his DESK, typing rapidly on his DELL, wishing he had his old IBM(S), unhappy about working on SPEC, rubbing his STUBBLES (on both cheeks so, of course, it's plural) struggling to come up a big IDEA, perhaps something DROLL, something on the EDGE with an unforgettable PLOT so original it would be picked up by the MEDIA and possibly win a CLIO.
OK, OK, I loved this tribute to the Cubs! Thank you, David Kahn!
All I could see was the copywriter toiling at his DESK, typing rapidly on his DELL, wishing he had his old IBM(S), unhappy about working on SPEC, rubbing his STUBBLES (on both cheeks so, of course, it's plural) struggling to come up a big IDEA, perhaps something DROLL, something on the EDGE with an unforgettable PLOT so original it would be picked up by the MEDIA and possibly win a CLIO.
OK, OK, I loved this tribute to the Cubs! Thank you, David Kahn!
11
Though I was never a Cubs fan, the baseball cues didn’t cause me any trouble. The two long Down entries were easy to decipher, whereas the old-timers, ERNIE BANKS and EVERS, were in my memory bank, as was more recent SOSA.
The large number of non-baseball pop-cultural names cost me some time. All of them could be deciphered from the crosses except ELROY, whom I had to look up. As far as my prior knowledge is concerned, he might well have been, say, ELTON, as I had didn’t know either REN or CARAY.
My favorite entry was SPEC, situated across from SPED and the identically clued DESK.
The large number of non-baseball pop-cultural names cost me some time. All of them could be deciphered from the crosses except ELROY, whom I had to look up. As far as my prior knowledge is concerned, he might well have been, say, ELTON, as I had didn’t know either REN or CARAY.
My favorite entry was SPEC, situated across from SPED and the identically clued DESK.
1
As someone who knows less about sports than Deadline, I was delighted when I also remembered EVERS, ERNIE BANKS, and SOSA and was able to finish this puzzle without any look-ups, thanks to fortunate crosses and lucky guesses. I remembered the sportscaster, Harry CARAY, because he always sounded to me as if he were about to commit Japanese suicide, and his final Y allowed me to guess ELROY instead of ELTON.
4
Cubs win! This is going to be a good day for sure. BTW, the 3rd baseman in that famous Cubs infield with Tinker, Evers, and Chance was one Harry Steinfeldt. But he gets no respect.
4
This puzzle did something for me that no other puzzle has been able to do for several months -- it has replaced the Hamilton ear worm in my head. First, right 'off the bat' with the Buster Brown theme song ("Does your shoe have a boy inside ..."). Then with the theme from the Jetsons ("Meet George Jetson ..."). Visited Chicago and Wrigley Field for the first time a few years ago. Loved both. Definitely my kind of TOWN.
Liked having STL with MUNI. Never been, but daughter has auditioned for the MUNI in ST. Louis several times.
Liked having STL with MUNI. Never been, but daughter has auditioned for the MUNI in ST. Louis several times.
3
I love the clue for EDEN, and liked the answers MOPUP and DROLL. There's a SPED up, a high TIDE, and EDGE is right where it should be. After yesterday's animal theme, we have an echo with DOG, GOAT (which has an appropriate cross with ODOR), some mules, as it were, and an anagrammed COWS.
My word of the day -- thank you, @john -- is GONFALON, which I found out means a pennant.
And I think I'm on your wavelength, Deb. The Cubs! Remember that ELECTRIC feel-good moment? I almost forgot because it was obscured by a dark shadow. Every theme answer here pressed happy buttons, buttons the Cubs recently pressed, and reawakened a joyful feeling that has been SQUIRRELED AWAY. I'm deeply grateful for that, David!
My word of the day -- thank you, @john -- is GONFALON, which I found out means a pennant.
And I think I'm on your wavelength, Deb. The Cubs! Remember that ELECTRIC feel-good moment? I almost forgot because it was obscured by a dark shadow. Every theme answer here pressed happy buttons, buttons the Cubs recently pressed, and reawakened a joyful feeling that has been SQUIRRELED AWAY. I'm deeply grateful for that, David!
2
David did flex some constructing muscles here. Two vertical grid spanners each cross the horizontal grid spanner plus another theme answer. That ain't easy. Also, there are only six 3's, pretty low. With this I can accept a random Roman numeral, and maybe even STUBBLES.
Wheelhouse city, smack dab in the middle of my sweet spot. Superlative puzzle; thanks and congrats to those Cubs and David J. Kahn for this fitting cruciverbial tribute. That's truly heartfelt, coming from an original Met fan...If you've never heard of New Yorker Terry Cashman (he played in the Tiger's farm system in '59 &'60) check out some of his remarkable WP on "Talking Baseball And The Cubs."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r7woiy0R4k
This is from Chi Shorty and is well on its way to 5 million hits; no runs, no errors, nobody left on base:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9XtDyDUjIU&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r7woiy0R4k
This is from Chi Shorty and is well on its way to 5 million hits; no runs, no errors, nobody left on base:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9XtDyDUjIU&t=2s
3
The WP was fine, Bru, but it was the baseball memorabilia that I loved!
In a classic Simpsons episode from season 3, Mr. Burns recruits an all-star roster of baseball players to be ringers on the power plant softball team. Terry Cashman rewrote his signature song for the closing credits, redubbed "Talking Softball (Homer, Ozzie, and The Straw)":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJHDiO8Fr0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJHDiO8Fr0
I finally got the right screen for changing my avatar, and for cropping the new one. I did Save, and am now waiting to see what happens. The old one was from 11 years ago, and the new one is updated to one year ago.
There was a lot to like in today's puzzle, very easy for me as a baseball fan but plenty of general knowledge and good cluing.
I had a natick in the middle - I didn't know the Jetson guy, and for EL-O- I didn't know the crosses CARAY or REN. I finally had to reveal something, and chose the final Y, which gave me both of the others.
There was a lot to like in today's puzzle, very easy for me as a baseball fan but plenty of general knowledge and good cluing.
I had a natick in the middle - I didn't know the Jetson guy, and for EL-O- I didn't know the crosses CARAY or REN. I finally had to reveal something, and chose the final Y, which gave me both of the others.
4
Sorry, Viv. I posted my comment before reading yours, or any of the others,
My experience with the double NxN of ELROY with CARAY and REN was the same as yours, but I avoid "revealing" if I can get the entry with Google, I can then know when I have filled the grid to my own satisfaction whether or not my solution contains any residual errors.
My experience with the double NxN of ELROY with CARAY and REN was the same as yours, but I avoid "revealing" if I can get the entry with Google, I can then know when I have filled the grid to my own satisfaction whether or not my solution contains any residual errors.
Nice picture, Viv.
Love the new pic, Viv. Now I can picture you dancing at your daughter's wedding on Skype!
1
a 1910 baseball poem by Franklin Pierce Adams
1
It was fun to see the XWP staple NLERS all spelled out.
For some reason that reminds me of another XWP staple, Etta James. I knew that name only from puzzles, and didn't know if it was James Etta (boy) or Etta James (girl) until she passed away and I saw an obit.
I remember Tinker to EVERS to Chance from my very young childhood (and that was a long time ago!). Basic sports fact.
For some reason that reminds me of another XWP staple, Etta James. I knew that name only from puzzles, and didn't know if it was James Etta (boy) or Etta James (girl) until she passed away and I saw an obit.
I remember Tinker to EVERS to Chance from my very young childhood (and that was a long time ago!). Basic sports fact.
2
Viv, Etta James is one of my favorite singers and her signature song is appropriate for both your avatar change and the Cubs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5dpYDTEMRU
And now I'm stuck with a slightly miniaturized version of my avatar, after about CCLIV times clicking on 'Edit Profile.' Oh, and I like the new picture, but you had to know that I'd miss the view from Mount Carmel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5dpYDTEMRU
And now I'm stuck with a slightly miniaturized version of my avatar, after about CCLIV times clicking on 'Edit Profile.' Oh, and I like the new picture, but you had to know that I'd miss the view from Mount Carmel.
1
What, Rich, you see the new picture? I don't. (The view is the inside of my study)
Viv, yes I see it so it definitely got changed.
I suspect that you still seeing the old one probably has something to do with cookies (Martin may explain in detail). It should show up eventually.
I suspect that you still seeing the old one probably has something to do with cookies (Martin may explain in detail). It should show up eventually.
Very enjoyable. Only a TYPO kept me from finishing in record time. I am very happy for all of the long-suffering fans of the Chicago Cubs.
2
I haven't followed baseball for quite a long time, but no one could miss the excitement of the Cubs win, so found today's crossword a fun tribute puzzle. I figured that a few lookups were OK for such a specialist theme, even on a Tuesday.
It was very impressive to get so many baseball mostly specifically Cubs entries to fit in. I learned that the first NIGHT GAME wasn't until very recently.
It will be interesting to see what Deadline has to say.
It was very impressive to get so many baseball mostly specifically Cubs entries to fit in. I learned that the first NIGHT GAME wasn't until very recently.
It will be interesting to see what Deadline has to say.
2
Loved this easy Tuesday puzzle! Can't wait for April. Cubs vs my Cards first game.
Thanks for a bit of joy.
Thanks for a bit of joy.
2
quite easy if you are a baseball fan. not easy if you don't know Jon Lester, ERA,
ivy-covered walls, night games, etc.
ivy-covered walls, night games, etc.
1
It's so nice to have something to smile about. Was it really less than two weeks ago? It seems like another world.
8
Martin, I laughed when I did the puzzle. I want to thank Will and David for dedicating it to me. Since it was about my favorite team, I chose an avatar from my favorite movie.
Franklin Pierce Adams wrote a weekly column for the New York Evening Mail, called "Always in Good Humor". Adams hoped to leave work to attend a Giants game, but his editor found that Adams had not produced enough content for his column. While traveling to the Polo Grounds to see the Giants play the Cubs, Adams wrote the poem that would become Baseball's Sad Lexicon, while reflecting on Tinker, Evers, and Chance. He considered the lines to be forgettable as he wrote them
.
This work was first published as "That Double Play Again" in the New York Evening Mail on July 12, 1910. The Chicago Daily Tribune reprinted it as "Gotham's Woe" on July 15, 1910. Three days later, on July 18, the New York Evening Mail republished it under the title by which it is best known today, "Baseball's Sad Lexicon."
These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly emuing our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double –
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Yes, Deb they were real. They existed as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists. They played on the 1908 Cubs championship team.
Franklin Pierce Adams wrote a weekly column for the New York Evening Mail, called "Always in Good Humor". Adams hoped to leave work to attend a Giants game, but his editor found that Adams had not produced enough content for his column. While traveling to the Polo Grounds to see the Giants play the Cubs, Adams wrote the poem that would become Baseball's Sad Lexicon, while reflecting on Tinker, Evers, and Chance. He considered the lines to be forgettable as he wrote them
.
This work was first published as "That Double Play Again" in the New York Evening Mail on July 12, 1910. The Chicago Daily Tribune reprinted it as "Gotham's Woe" on July 15, 1910. Three days later, on July 18, the New York Evening Mail republished it under the title by which it is best known today, "Baseball's Sad Lexicon."
These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly emuing our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double –
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Yes, Deb they were real. They existed as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists. They played on the 1908 Cubs championship team.
5
Martin, I first posted a similar comment with the poem as written and when it did not appear I remembered the Emus' objection to the poem. Emus can be tricky about jibes.
2
Nice dedication.
Emuing indeed.
Emuing indeed.
2
And please note: "Evers" is pronounced "EEvers," not "eVVers."
2
and Elke
Good thing that this puzzle is not part of a crossword tournament, or John of Chicago would have to recuse himself.
Am glad that I followed the banter between John and Martin during the playoffs, so this puzzle was sort of fun. Would REALLY have been fun if it had been the Blue Jays.....
Next Year !
Good thing that this puzzle is not part of a crossword tournament, or John of Chicago would have to recuse himself.
Am glad that I followed the banter between John and Martin during the playoffs, so this puzzle was sort of fun. Would REALLY have been fun if it had been the Blue Jays.....
Next Year !
1
I had to log in to comment on how much I didn't like this puzzle. Never got into baseball so this was a 100% miss for me. Took a lot of extra time. Definitely not a Tuesday two weeks later kind of puzzle.
6
■ 5D: Hmm. For my money, the plural of “stubble” is “stubble.”
Deb,
A real dictionary *does* show "stubbles" as correct, but *not* for the definition about beards. Perhaps the shavers were farmers.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/stubble
Deb,
A real dictionary *does* show "stubbles" as correct, but *not* for the definition about beards. Perhaps the shavers were farmers.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/stubble
3
Deadline will love this one.
2
Nice puzzle for John.
For Deadline, not so much.
IBID
For Deadline, not so much.
IBID
3
3
As hinted at in Barry's link above, it's debatable whether Tinker, Evers, and Chance would be in the Baseball Hall of Fame if they hadn't been immortalized in the famous poem.
1
Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Frank Chance. Yes, they were real players.
2
.
.
Martin,
Nice inclusion of MUNI as a bonus theme entry. No room for THEWIFE, DUCK, or NORTHWESTERN?
.
Martin,
Nice inclusion of MUNI as a bonus theme entry. No room for THEWIFE, DUCK, or NORTHWESTERN?
1
Oh, Deb, Tinker to EVERS to Chance is very famous. And I'm not even a baseball expert.
It was fun to see all the Cubs references! Great job, Mr. Kahn.
But I do think the clue for LINDA should have been "The late Mrs. McCartney" and not "The former Mrs. McCartney". Especially since there is a former Mrs. McCartney named Heather. If I'm remembering correctly.
It was fun to see all the Cubs references! Great job, Mr. Kahn.
But I do think the clue for LINDA should have been "The late Mrs. McCartney" and not "The former Mrs. McCartney". Especially since there is a former Mrs. McCartney named Heather. If I'm remembering correctly.
14
You are, Liz, and I had the same reaction.
And Tinker to EVERS to Chance is something that even I knew. I suspect it's rather ancient history though. I remember my mother telling me about it, in the past tense, when I was a little kid.
And Tinker to EVERS to Chance is something that even I knew. I suspect it's rather ancient history though. I remember my mother telling me about it, in the past tense, when I was a little kid.