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The Story of Mr. November (Apologies to Mr. October)

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Reggie Jackson earned the “Mr. October” nickname during the 1977 World Series when he played for the New York Yankees. In Game 6 of that series, on October 18, 1977, Jackson had one of the most remarkable single-game performances in baseball history. He hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches from three different pitchers (Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa, and Charlie Hough) of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His incredible power display led the Yankees to an 8-4 victory, clinching the World Series title.

After his performance in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, Jackson was given the nickname “Mr. October” by the media for his ability to come through when it mattered most—in the high-stakes, high-pressure postseason. The name has stuck with him ever since, symbolizing his clutch hitting during baseball’s most important month

Baseball historians also note Reggie Jackson is an ego-maniac so we offer our apologies to him – this story is about “Mr. November”.

The 2001 MLB season was disrupted by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which led to the postponement of games for about a week. As a result, the playoffs and World Series were pushed back, extending the postseason into November for the first time in Major League Baseball history.

In Game 4 of the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks, the game went into extra innings. It was late on October 31, 2001, and the clock struck midnight, officially turning the calendar to November 1.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, with the score tied 3-3, Derek Jeter came to the plate. He hit a walk-off home run off Arizona’s Byung-Hyun Kim, giving the Yankees a dramatic 4-3 victory. Since it was the first time any game in MLB history had been played in November, and Jeter’s home run won the game, the crowd and media began to call him “Mr. November,” a play on the nickname “Mr. October,” which had been famously given to Reggie Jackson for his own postseason heroics previously discussed.

Although the Yankees eventually lost the 2001 World Series to the Diamondbacks in seven games, the moment cemented Jeter’s status as a clutch performer and earned him one of the most iconic nicknames in baseball history. The name “Mr. November” symbolizes his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments on the biggest stage.

That Time the Harlem Globetrotters Got Stuck On Gilligan’s Island

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The iconic Gilligan’s Island made a return in 1978 with a made-for-television movie called “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island.” The movie served as a sequel to the original series and brought back the original cast members, including Bob Denver as Gilligan, Alan Hale Jr. as the Skipper, Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III, Natalie Schafer as Lovey Howell, Russell Johnson as the Professor, Dawn Wells as Mary Ann, and Tina Louise as Ginger.

The storyline of “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island” revolves around the castaways finally being rescued after many years. However, upon their return to civilization, they face a variety of challenges and comedic situations. The movie was well-received by fans of the original series and provided closure to the story of Gilligan’s Island. Or did it?

The success of “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island” led to three subsequent made-for-television movies featuring the castaways which expanded on the original series and continued the adventures of the beloved characters. One of these forgotten gems may be of some interest to sports fans around the Globe.

In a two-part episode titled “The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island,” which aired in 1981, the Harlem Globetrotters made a guest appearance on the television show. This crossover episode was a fun collaboration between the popular comedy series and the legendary basketball team. While the Globetrotters still exist today, the squad that took the court on the island in 1981 was a who’s who of iconic street ballers including Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal. It was perhaps the team’s most distinguished lineup from over the years.

The Globetrotters’ presence on the island is a result of this unexpected turn of events. In the storyline of “The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island,” it is explained that the Harlem Globetrotters were on a cruise ship named the S.S. Minnow II, which was named after the ill-fated original S.S. Minnow from the Gilligan’s Island series. The ship gets caught in a storm and ends up stranded on the same deserted island where the main characters of Gilligan’s Island have been marooned. The Globetrotters and the castaways of Gilligan’s Island end up having to work together to solve a series of challenges and conflicts on the island. Naturally, many shenanigans ensue.

Mainly, both parties discover that a band of Russian spies, led by a character named Vasily Kandinsky, is also on the island engaging in nefarious activities. Throughout the episodes, the Harlem Globetrotters display their basketball skills while getting involved in comedic adventures with the castaways. They face challenges such as building a raft, searching for treasure, and of course outsmarting the spies. Their unique talents and comedic interactions contribute to the lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere of the show.

Ultimately, with the combined efforts of the Globetrotters and the castaways, they manage to thwart the spies’ plans and create a plan to escape the island. The episodes conclude with a fun and lively basketball game between the Globetrotters and the castaways, adding a final touch of humor and entertainment to the story. You’ll have to watch the episode to see which team won!

Athletes that Deserve a Movie, and the Actors that Should Portray Them

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(PointSpreads.com) – Not all heroes wear capes. Many of them wear football pads, cleats, sneakers, and skates, and some even carry a bat or a stick. We’re talking about transcendent athletes who can make the jump from the field of battle to the silver screen.

With the release of Air – a movie inspired by Michael Jordan – PointSpreads.com, known for its reporting on the latest sports betting news (and the latest point spreads, of course), has compiled a shortlist of athletes whose larger-than-life personas, accomplishments or backstory would be worthy of the big screen – as well as the best actor to portray each one.   Which athlete will be the subject of the next Hollywood megahit?

“That sounded like a fun bet, so we decided to put some odds to it,” says Robert Jones, a former bookmaker at a major sportsbook and senior contributor at PointSpreads. 

Tom Brady

Now that he’s retired, Brady is the glamor boy who showed the world he was much more than a pretty face. Brady had a career spanning two decades, rarely got injured, and has more records than Motown.

A handsome face and an ‘aw-shucks’ demeanor is what is needed to play the seven-time Super Bowl champ. So, who is the perfect fit? We believe Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son, Patrick, would be the man to do justice to the role, according to PointSpreads.com.

“We think Brady has great odds of a Hollywood portrayal of his life and career.  The man is a legend.  The consensus around our office would be +300, or 3-to-1 odds, just behind Kobe Bryant,” Jones says.

Kobe Bryant

The Black Mamba needs to be memorialized in film, and not just any movie, but one that will stand the test of time. An all-time classic with superb directing and cinematography worthy of capturing one of the most electrifying ball players ever to grace the hardcourt.

His tragic death, made even more heart-wrenching when his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other souls lost their lives in a plane crash on that fateful day in January of 2020, will have the audience misty-eyed and searching for Kleenex. PointSpreads.com’s pick to play Kobe is Michael B. Jordan. 

“There must be a Kobe film coming. I’d give it +150 odds,” Jones says.

Conor McGregor

Another celebrity that is no stranger to the pages of PointSpreads.com is Conor McGregor. Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to ignore him. The Irish MMA superstar exploded onto the scene with outrageous trash-talking and a unique fighting style that seamlessly blended a hammer-fisted boxing approach with the nuanced techniques of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art rarely seen within the confines of the Octagon.

McGregor is a natural southpaw but can switch to orthodox at the drop of a dime and his Billionaire Strut, fashioned after WWE founder Vince McMahon’s imperious swagger, is cinematic gold. Tom Hardy, an acclaimed martial arts practitioner himself, gets the gig with no audition required.

“McGregor’s personality, backstory and Irish heritage appeal to a big demographic and there must be a producer in Hollywood wanting to make this happen.  I’d give it a solid +450,” Jones says.

Simone Biles

Considered to be the greatest gymnast in the history of the sport, Simone Biles is a 4’8” pixie mounted on a pair of hydraulic lifts and a body of twisted steel that allows her to do what few others have been able to do.

Seven Olympic and 25 World Championship medals comprise her gymnastics resume but the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to her by Joe Biden in 2022 reflects how truly transcendent and entrenched in the fabric of American culture she has become. Marsai Martin has our full support to recreate the wonder that is Simone Biles on the big screen.

“Simone captured our hearts and attention and any movie about her would most certainly be well received.  I’d give it 6-to-1, or +600 odds that we’ll be seeing a trailer with her likeness in the near future,” Jones says.   

Image credit: Brian BAHR / AFP (PointSpreads.com)