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Tennis Fans Enjoy the Afternoon on Day 1 of the 2015 U.S. Open
Neil A. Carousso reports from the 2015 U.S. Open, where fans enjoy the qualifying rounds with free admission on a beautiful afternoon.
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Caroline Sorokoff Talks Althea Gibson, A Tennis Pioneer
By Neil A. Carousso
“Althea” is a documentary about the trailblazing tennis star Althea Gibson, who broke the color-barrier for the sport of tennis. Caroline Sorokoff is the director of the Gold Coast International Film Festival, which will premiere the movie on Long Island before its release.
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LISTEN: 2015 Hall of Fame Exclusive Coverage
By 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
By 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
By 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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