The ‘65 blackout was more eventful for me. I was in HS & involved in CB radio at the time. I had jumped up on our roof to play with the antenna which was also close to our TV antenna. When I got back into the house I turned the TV on to find no channels broadcasting. I thought I had done something. My Father was on his way home & I got paranoid thinking I had done something; he wasn’t a fan of my CB by any means. Little did I realize the NY stations were off the air. We had power in Jersey but man…. I was SO relieved to find NY was in the dark, as horrible as it was.
That is a great anecdote, Jeff! "Oh, man, what'd I touch??" Relief at knowing the problem was far larger BUT not caused by you is one of those complex emotions the German language probably has a specific word for, like schadenfreude, as it's a feeling I think most people can relate to. Some of the network stations were completely off the air, nationwide, for 8-10 minutes. A few TV movies and an episode of "Baretta" were interrupted--I am sure local interruptions could have gone on much longer. New Jersey (and its functioning power grid) has a big moment in Part 2, I think you and your fellow New Jerseyites will be proud.
Jerseyites are already proud; highest car insurance in the Country, the glorious odors you get to inhale for free driving down the overpriced Jersey Turnpike past Newark Airport, beach syringes although that’s been cleaned up mostly & our gas stations not allowing self service. There’s more like our great diners & of course the world famous White Manna diner in Hackensack (where I actually worked close to) many years ago.
I should’ve known that having two parents that had escaped Hitler & ended up in NY before moving to Bergen County NJ. I have more CB stories with neighbors (and the FCC) but they don’t relate to baseball.
Another good one, Paul! The ten minutes of shadow baseball was really creative. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the organist, as well as the non-price-gouging stationer selling candles. New Yorkers are the best.
If and when you ever run out of ideas, I would love to hear about the 1972 All Star Game: such greats on both the AL and NL rosters! Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Palmer, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, etc. Meg
Thanks Meg! I tried to front-load some of the good details about the incident in Part 1--in Part 2 we have to highlight some of the moments the event is known for, moments when some New Yorkers were definitely NOT the best, but as in any emergency, people (collectively) are often at their best AND worst.
I will put the '72 All Star game in my research queue and see what nuggets I can find. The All Star games of that era were absurdly loaded with players who'd go on to the Hall of Fame. It just doesn't seem like that is the case in some of our present-day All Star games, but maybe that is just the benefit of hindsight...and the bias of someone who loves writing about the past.
The ‘65 blackout was more eventful for me. I was in HS & involved in CB radio at the time. I had jumped up on our roof to play with the antenna which was also close to our TV antenna. When I got back into the house I turned the TV on to find no channels broadcasting. I thought I had done something. My Father was on his way home & I got paranoid thinking I had done something; he wasn’t a fan of my CB by any means. Little did I realize the NY stations were off the air. We had power in Jersey but man…. I was SO relieved to find NY was in the dark, as horrible as it was.
That is a great anecdote, Jeff! "Oh, man, what'd I touch??" Relief at knowing the problem was far larger BUT not caused by you is one of those complex emotions the German language probably has a specific word for, like schadenfreude, as it's a feeling I think most people can relate to. Some of the network stations were completely off the air, nationwide, for 8-10 minutes. A few TV movies and an episode of "Baretta" were interrupted--I am sure local interruptions could have gone on much longer. New Jersey (and its functioning power grid) has a big moment in Part 2, I think you and your fellow New Jerseyites will be proud.
Jerseyites are already proud; highest car insurance in the Country, the glorious odors you get to inhale for free driving down the overpriced Jersey Turnpike past Newark Airport, beach syringes although that’s been cleaned up mostly & our gas stations not allowing self service. There’s more like our great diners & of course the world famous White Manna diner in Hackensack (where I actually worked close to) many years ago.
I should’ve known that having two parents that had escaped Hitler & ended up in NY before moving to Bergen County NJ. I have more CB stories with neighbors (and the FCC) but they don’t relate to baseball.
Another good one, Paul! The ten minutes of shadow baseball was really creative. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the organist, as well as the non-price-gouging stationer selling candles. New Yorkers are the best.
If and when you ever run out of ideas, I would love to hear about the 1972 All Star Game: such greats on both the AL and NL rosters! Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Palmer, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, etc. Meg
Thanks Meg! I tried to front-load some of the good details about the incident in Part 1--in Part 2 we have to highlight some of the moments the event is known for, moments when some New Yorkers were definitely NOT the best, but as in any emergency, people (collectively) are often at their best AND worst.
I will put the '72 All Star game in my research queue and see what nuggets I can find. The All Star games of that era were absurdly loaded with players who'd go on to the Hall of Fame. It just doesn't seem like that is the case in some of our present-day All Star games, but maybe that is just the benefit of hindsight...and the bias of someone who loves writing about the past.
Boy, I don’t remember this at all, and, back in 1977 I was still an avid Cubs fan - great story!