“Dancers are athletes of God.”

Albert Einstein

Boston Ballet is an internationally acclaimed classical ballet company that has more than 50 full-time dancers. The Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education instructs 9,000 students a year and is dedicated to the highest standards of performance, training, and education. Continue Reading

To deal…….or not to deal? That is the question among baseball’s general managers.

After Friday, major league players must clear waivers before they can be traded. That makes it a little more difficult to acquire someone who might not only improve a team’s chances of making the post-season, but also enhance a club’s opportunity to succeed in those playoffs. Continue Reading

Hi, Ross:

I hope you’re doing well. My biggest surprise in the baseball season has been the Dodgers record. San Francisco might be my second biggest surprise. I would love to see a Freeway World Series—Dodgers and Angels. It could happen this year. We had some good chats on Dodger Talk over 14 years. I miss those chats. You handled the callers well. I wish you were still calling the games also. You and Vin were my favorites. What year did you enjoy the most? Your favorite Dodger team? I’m proud of the Lakers. Ariza made a bad decision, I think. Take care.

Clyde Smith Riverside

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Ross:

It’s always good to hear from you, Clyde. You were one of our best callers on Dodger Talk. You are right when you say we could see the Angels and Dodgers in the World Series. I never had a favorite Dodger team, but my first two seasons in 1977 and 1978 were exciting because they went to the World Series. The 1981 and 1988 clubs won the world championship so those were special years. After three trips to the World Series in my first five seasons and four in 12 years, the Dodgers never got there again in my last 16. That was disappointing.

Hi, Ross:

I would love your opinion of my top six National League pitchers.

1. Sandy Koufax
2. Juan Marichal
3. Bob Gibson
4. Warren Spahn
5. Tom Seaver
6. Greg Maddux

How did you see ‘em?

Harry Bluebond Los Angeles

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Ross:

That is a very impressive group you have there, Harry. How did I see ‘em? Well, Spahn, Koufax, Marichal and Gibson were retired when I began announcing in the majors so I saw those four only on television. I’m guessing you are talking about the last 50 years. It’s difficult to rank baseball talent so I won’t try. As for others I saw who could be considered for your group, Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, Don Sutton and Fernando Valenzuela ( when he broke in ) come to mind. I’m sure that I have missed a few, including some tremendous closers.

Are you like me and curious about who shares your birthday? Continue Reading

It was 40 years ago today that U. S. astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to step on the surface of the moon.

Most of us heard Walter Cronkite——who called it “the most extraordinary story of our time”——-describe it on CBS-TV this way…. “Oh, boy! Whew! Boy!”……He said later, “Those were my first words. They were all that I could muster.” Continue Reading

Hi, Ross !

I was disappointed that Tom Watson did not win the British Open. What is the background of Stewart Cink?

Joel Crawford
Boise, Idaho

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Ross:

As the four-hole playoff was about to begin, one blogger wrote, “Stewart Cink is the most hated U. S. athlete at this moment.” Joel, a huge percentage of golf fans were pulling for Watson to win a major at 59 which is 11 years older than Julius Boros when he won the 1968 PGA. However, Cink made a 15-footer for a birdie on the 72nd hole and forced the playoff which was one-sided. Stewart grew up in Florence, Alabama and played on a course which didn’t have room for a driving range so he concentrated on chipping and putting. Cink went to Georgia Tech, joined the PGA tour in 1997, and although he had never won a major before, has earned 27 million dollars. I was impressed with Stewart’s comments after he won the tournament. Everyone says he is one of the nicest guys on the tour.

Ross:

Do you think the Blue Jays will trade Roy Halladay this month?

Bob Johnson
Westminster, Ca.

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Ross:

I’ve got to think it’s 50-50, Bob. If some contender comes up with a solid multi-player package, Toronto might pull the trigger. The Blue Jays are not going to the playoffs so this might be the way to improve their club for next year. A bona fide starting pitcher and a good shortstop might be enough to make a deal If  he  is  going  to  be  traded,  Roy  might  secretly  be  hoping  it’s  to  the  Cubs.  They  play  a  majority  of  their  home  games  in  the  afternoons,  and  Halladay  has  the  highest  winning  percentage  in  day games  of  any  major  league  pitcher  ever.  Pedro  Martinez  is  second  and  Whitey  Ford  is  third.

Dear Mr. Porter:

I’m a Laker fan, and it made me sick when Trevor Ariza signed a contract with Houston. What happened?

Carolyn Neal
Burbank

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Ross:

Ariza and his agent made a terrible mistake in judgement. I believe, Carolyn, they felt by rushing into talks with the Rockets, the Lakers would increase their offer quickly. What they didn’t know was that the Lakers had Ron Artest locked up, and the bluff by Trevor’s agent exploded in his face. I feel sorry for Ariza. He won’t be playing for a ring with his new team, and had a chance for several more with his hometown club.

Ross,

Which major league teams have surprised you this season, and which ones have been big disappointments?

Floyd Turnbull
Costa Mesa, Ca.

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Ross:

Floyd, the pleasant surprises to me have been the Giants, Rockies and Astros in the National League, and the Mariners, Rangers and Tigers in the American League. Two teams that I expected to have better records are the Mets and the Diamondbacks.

CHICAGO———-As we visited here in one of our favorite cities for five days last week, Lin and I were blessed with perfect weather and some wonderful experiences although we never got to Wrigley Field. Continue Reading

Outwitted

He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout,
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!

Edwin Markham Continue Reading

Has there ever been a more popular baseball player in Chicago than Ernie Banks?

I don’t think so. Continue Reading