Category: Sports

Notes from the road

I'm playing a bit of catch-up, ever since I left town this past weekend to see Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show. Here are a few things of interest to roadies ... -- The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa this year was a doozy, with more than 7,000 runners participating, along with 60 classic cars and … Continue reading Notes from the road

LA Marathon includes parts of Route 66

The annual LA Marathon in March will include parts of Route 66 in its 26.2-mile course -- including the western end of Route 66 in Santa Monica, it was announced today. From the news release: Along the way, runners will pass signature sites, including El Pueblo de Los Angeles (the city's birthplace), Los Angeles City … Continue reading LA Marathon includes parts of Route 66

An Olympic-sized effect

The Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register examines what the draws will be for downstate tourism if Chicago wins its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. In effect, those draws will be Abraham Lincoln and Route 66. “We’ve worked for 10 years to reach international markets through the city of Chicago, and we know most … Continue reading An Olympic-sized effect

The sad story of Chavez Ravine

Most people know of Chavez Ravine, located just off the Arroyo Seco Parkway (aka Route 66), as the site of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. But many don't know what was there before the baseball park. This video helps explain it. The saga inspired one of Ry Cooder's most-acclaimed albums, "Chavez Ravine."

66 Bowl marks 50th year

The Oklahoman has a feature article about 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City, which is marking its 50th year. Owner Jim Haynes, 77, a former bowling supply salesman, bought the bowling alley in 1978. "I see people all the time out there who take pictures of the sign and they do come in and talk,” Haynes … Continue reading 66 Bowl marks 50th year

Mickey Mantle’s widow dies

Merlyn Mantle, 77, the widow of New York Yankees baseball star Mickey Mantle, died Monday from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Mickey died of liver cancer in 1995. Merlyn's obituary in Newsday has an excerpt of interest to Route 66 fans: Mickey and Merlyn met two years before he debuted in the major leagues, while both … Continue reading Mickey Mantle’s widow dies

Tulsa to bid for 2020 Olympics?

I've been digesting this for the past day since the story was first reported by the Tulsa World. Here's the gist, in case you missed it: The Tulsa 2020 Committee on Tuesday presented the City Council with the idea of the city making a bid to host the 2020 summer Olympic games. [...] Such a … Continue reading Tulsa to bid for 2020 Olympics?

Voice of the Dodgers set to retire after next season

After the close of the 2010 maj0r-league baseball season, it appears that a living legend will finally hang up the microphone after more than 60 years. Summers in Southern California will never be quite the same. Reported Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune noted that Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully gave himself a little … Continue reading Voice of the Dodgers set to retire after next season

Baseball and Route 66

Linda Campbell, a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, offered interesting thoughts from her family's trips over the years to see America by visiting baseball parks, large and small. My family takes baseball road trips to towns that would never have made our radar screen were it not for a love of baking on the … Continue reading Baseball and Route 66