Neil A. Carousso produces NewsNation original “Kurt’s Country” – a celebration of country music and a slice of Americana with host Kurt Bardella.
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Mission: Accomplished! WATCH: Nail Biting “Rogue Nation” Stunts Thrill the Audience
Posted by: Neil A. CaroussoBy Neil A. Carousso
The fifth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” action-thriller series, “Rogue Nation,” is now playing in theatres. I saw an advanced screening earlier this week; watch the above video for a sneak peak and a “thumbs up” review!
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LISTEN: 2015 Hall of Fame Exclusive Coverage
Posted by: Neil A. CaroussoBy Neil A. Carousso
For the second year in a row, I covered the National Baseball Hall of Fame Weekend and induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. My coverage for WRHU-FM in 2015 included two talk shows: “Long Island Community Spotlight Special with Basia and Neil A. Carousso” and “WRHU’s 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special with Neil A. Carousso.”
The “LICS Special,” which aired on Sunday, July 26, 2015 from 11-12 Noon EDT, was a talk show dedicated to the history of baseball, a celebration of America’s Pastime, discussions about Cooperstown, where the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located, and the latest topics and concerns in today’s game.
The “Hall of Fame Live Special” was a live talk show on Sunday, July 26, 2015 from 12 Noon-1:30 PM EDT from the 2015 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Guests included Kenny Albert of Fox Sports, Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Howie Rose, the radio voice of the New York Mets. Discussions with audio ranged from the 2015 class of Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz to the “steroid era” and the Pete Rose gambling controversy and whether or not he should be reinstated in Major League Baseball.
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WATCH: Checking It Off the Bucket List: Baseball Fans Elated Over the Largest Hall of Fame Class of Immortal Players in 60 Years
Posted by: Neil A. CaroussoBy Neil A. Carousso
Cooperstown, NY — Roughly 50,000 fans congregated in the baseball capital of the world in upstate New York for the National Baseball Hall of Fame Weekend and the 2015 induction ceremony, according to the Hall of Fame. Events, like “Play Ball with Ozzie Smith” and the “Legends of the Game Parade” are organized in the village.
In the above video, baseball fans from around the world express excitement, energy and enthusiasm for the weekend and hold high esteems for the 2015 induction class, which includes Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox, and John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves.
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Boggs, Brett Put Randy Johnson Up with the Greats; Relieved They Don’t Have to Face Him Again
Posted by: Neil A. CaroussoBy Neil A. Carousso
Cooperstown, NY — In an era dominated by sluggers, Randy Johnson dominated the game like no other. A gifted 6’10” left-handed power pitcher from California, Johnson imposed fear on Major League and Hall of Fame batters throughout his career.
“[Johnson was] probably the most intimidating guy that I ever faced,” said Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, adding, “I’m just glad everybody wasn’t 6’10” otherwise I wouldn’t be here today.” Boggs, a member of the 3,000 hit club, is 8 inches shorter than Johnson.
Wade Boggs looks away after hitting his first tee shot on Saturday in Cooperstown. The “Big Unit” began his career in 1988 with the Montreal Expos, before primarily playing for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, posting a career 303-166 record with a 3.29 ERA. His 4,875 strikeouts is 2nd best all-time, behind Nolan Ryan, whom Boggs said was another pitcher who caused him stress in the batters box. Johnson is the all-time leaders in strikeouts per 9 innings with 10.6.
“His ace in the hole is that you don’t know when that ball is going to be over your head and then the next thing he does is he paints you three on the outside corner and strikes you out,” said Boggs.
The biggest criticism against Johnson when he debuted in the majors was the fact that he lacked control with his high velocity. Eventually, he developed a mastery of the strike zone and picked his spots like any finesse pitcher. Johnson also introduced a slider that would break into or out of the strike zone at a velocity of 90 mph plus.
“He learned how to throw strikes and change speeds and throw that wicked slider, said Mr. Royal, George Brett, who was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1999. “You throw a slider that breaks that much to a left-hander and you’re throwing 98, 99, 100 miles an hour, and then you throw that 92 mile[sic] an hour slider, he was almost un-hittable,” added Brett.
George Brett looks satisfied, as he walks off the first tee box. Johnson will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame with two other pitchers – Pedro Martinez and and John Smoltz on Sunday afternoon in Cooperstown.
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John Smoltz Gets in Two Rounds of Golf Before His Big Day in Cooperstown
Posted by: Neil A. CaroussoBy Neil A. Carousso
Cooperstown, NY — The Saturday of the annual Hall of Fame Weekend is a busy one between press conferences for that year’s Hall of Fame class, an awards presentation, recognizing excellence in baseball writing and broadcasting, and the “Parade of Legends” in which all the Hall of Famers, who made it out to Cooperstown, are driven around Main Street in the back of a pick-up truck, waving to the thousands of fans who marvel at their baseball accomplishments. However, Saturday morning is a chance for Hall of Fame players to relax and enjoy each others company on the Leatherstocking Golf Course at the Otesaga Resort Hotel, where all the Hall of Fame players and managers stay during the weekend.
“It’s a lot calmer for sure,” said Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine. “This year…my wife and I show up and and ‘what time are we going to eat dinner?’ and ‘when’s our first cocktail?’ so its been pretty good.”
Tom Glavine (right) steps onto the first tee at Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, NY. Glavine was inducted into the Hall last year, along with former Atlanta Braves teammate Greg Maddux and his former manager Bobby Cox. This year, another member of the “big 3,” John Smoltz, will be enshrined.
Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux all pitched for a dominant Braves starting rotation that contributed to a streak of 14 consecutive National League East division titles, from 1991-2005, and one World Series victory against the Cleveland Indians in 1995. Smoltz, earned his 154 career saves during their division title streak, when he converted to the bullpen in 2001, following Tommy John surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of his right elbow. “Smoltzy,” who replaced reliever John Rocker, broke the NL saves record in 2002 with 55; the previous saves record was 53. Closer Éric Gagné tied Smoltz’s record the next season, winning the NL Cy Young award with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But with all the pressure on Smoltz and the other three players in this 2015 class, the largest class of players to be inducted by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America (BBWAA) in 60 years, the starter converted to closer, only to return as a starting pitcher for Atlanta, was able to squeeze in two rounds of golf in Cooperstown.
“I wasn’t surprised in the least when he said he had time to sneak in a round in yesterday, because that’s how John is,” said the lefty Glavine, who notched 305 wins with two NL East teams, the Braves and New York Mets. “Good for him that he’s able to do that and relax to that extent, but I’m sure when he wakes up tomorrow morning, much like I did last year, anyway, I know he’ll wake up with that feeling, almost like you had when you’re getting ready to pitch a big game…I’m sure he’ll have nerves no matter what he does.”
Tomorrow is the induction ceremony outside Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center. All Hall of Famers tell anecdotes about their speeches, either forgetting someone important to them, or going over the allotted time.
“It’s natural when you get here. You have a lot of things on your mind, particularly your family…and then, you are inevitably are worried that you forgot somebody or somebody’s going to be mad at you, whatever the case may be, but you can’t do anything about it,” said Glavine, adding, “Once your here, all that stuff is pretty much done and there isn’t anything you can do about it other than come here, enjoy it, embrace it.”
Tom Glavine fielded questions, as a HOF inductee in 2014. Most players even make fun bets about whether an inductee will go over or under the 12 minute bench mark.
“Take the over,” said Glavine, emphatically. “Putting 40 years of your life and 20 odd years of baseball into 12 minutes is really hard to do.”
Smoltz will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon with Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox.
