Skip to main content

The Bronx is Burning


Great new mini series on ESPN about Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson and the 1977 New York Yankees. I remember that team well and as a nine year old I was captured by 'Captain' Thurman Munson, Reggie, Greg Nettles and, of course, Manager Billy Martin and coach Yogi Berra. I also remember NYC during that time and the general feeling of despair and decay. The series captures the mood well.

The Yankees website reports:
The mini-series is based on the acclaimed book "Ladies and Gentleman, the Bronx is Burning" by Jonathan Mahler, and it represents one of the most significant original programming efforts in ESPN's history. The story is set against the backdrop of a city that in 1977 was in financial turmoil and moral decay, where a bitter mayoral race was being waged, where Rupert Murdoch's brand-new influence on the Post tabloid was felt in a sensational way, where the Son of Sam case gripped a city in terror, where a heat wave and subsequent blackout led to widespread looting, where arson and racism and Studio 54 decadence all converged in a sordid, searing summer.

And right there in the middle of it all, surely in the starring role for this series, was the ceaseless battle featuring: a "superduperstar" known simply as "Reggie" (played by Daniel Sunjata); Martin (John Turturro), the firebrand manager who had won so often before as a Yankee infielder; and meddling club owner George Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt), who bought the Bombers in 1973 and was determined to see them win a title they had not seen since 1962 ... whatever it took.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Unknown6:41 PM

    ESPN made the mistake of premiering the series in NYC at 11 PM (after the 3-hr HR derby) -- so I and countless other NYers will have to catch it in reruns.

    ReplyDelete
  2. John Liotti7:44 AM

    I think you can see the episode on the website..

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

YWAMers Praised for Faith and Leadership

The Denver Post reports on the memorial service at the Denver YWAM base: "We're going to celebrate a life, we're not accentuating a death," said Faith Bible Chapel pastor George Morrison, in opening a memorial service today for two people killed at a missionary training school in Arvada . The service is called "A Celebration of Life for Tiffany and Philip." Philip Crouse and Tiffany Johnson died Sunday when a gunman opened fire at the school's dormitory. Youth With a Mission director Peter Warren said today both Crouse and Johnson embodied the spirit of the group. First the service focused on Crouse . "Phil gave his life to Jesus Christ and was never the same again," said Zach, a friend of Johnson's who met him years ago at a youth ministry in Alaska. At the time, Crouse was tough and wouldn't let people get close to him. "Over the years, Phil became a humble, teachable, sweet guy" who was able to reach kids with rough e
Post a Comment
Read more

Non Profit Payday Loans?

Here's a recent New York Times article sent to me from Katie at NCHM on payday lending. I know that the NCUD / CTCU-EPA partnership is going to have to create the right program addressing the needs for short term lending for low income families. We don't have the answers yet, but it's definitely on our radar. APPLETON, Wis. — This city of 70,000 has five McDonald’s franchises, three Pizza Huts, four Starbucks shops — and 19 payday loan stores, brightly lighted storefronts with names like EZ Money and Check Into Cash that offer two-week loans without credit checks. Peggy Truckey, 53, knows the allure. Last year she owed nearly $1,300 to four of those stores, and was paying about $600 a month in finance fees alone. “I thought I was going to have to take a second job just to pay off the interest,” Ms. Truckey said. Then she heard about a new nonprofit program operated out of a Goodwill thrift store, one of several hundred lower-cost payday loan products that are now bein
7 comments
Read more

Samuel Liotti TV Interview about Obama's Nomination

Check this out this link! Samuel, his best friend Malik and other students at East Palo Alto Academy were interviewed on TV  where they were asked about their views on Obama.  The students has some interesting and revealing comments. With all the politics, it may be easy for some to overlook the significance and importance of the first truly viable African-American candidate for president. Obama's nomination to especially many young people in our community speaks volumes about who they are and what they can become. This is an exciting and important time in our history.  Please join me in praying for both our candidates, but especially Obama. I've felt impressed that I should pray specifically for his safety during the next months.  Follow the link and check out the interview! What about you? How significant do you feel is Obama's nomination?
4 comments
Read more