Monday, October 30, 2017

A New Night & We Celebrate All Hallows Eve

Trivia Night at Professor Thom’s officially moves over to Tuesday nights beginning this Tuesday, October 31st at 8:30 PM. And since it is Halloween Night, the Special Category will indeed be “Halloween Trivia”, seven questions connected to the holiday. The Q Train lightning round will be “Horror Films Trivia.” I will give you the names of ten famous horror films throughout history, and you will tell me which decade it had its original release. (It will be originals only, no remakes.)

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
“In ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,’ who did Linus mistake for the Great Pumpkin?”

I hope many of you can come out on Tuesday nights from now on. Looking forward to seeing you on Halloween Night for a great night of Trivia!

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Trivia Q&A: October 25

We had 13 teams in for Trivia last night, and it was an extremely close night, as the scores weren't very high for the first two rounds. But by the time we finished General Knowledge, we had six teams with five points of each other. But something happened last night that rarely happens in all the years I've hosted Trivia: a team came from sixth place to win! The Iron Bank, who had gotten off to a slow start in the first three rounds, had a good fourth round, and did the best of any team in IQ Trivia, getting 4 of the 5 questions correct (and every team in front of them got 2 or less right, so the stars aligned for them), wound up with 34 points and won the night by one point. My congratulations to the boys on their win. Hey, you  know what can happen on some nights!

Second place went to Div's Got Dibs on "Dims" with 33 points, and third place went to DIMS with 31 points.

Best Team Name: Looks Like I Picked the Wrong Week to Quit Trivia

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Trivia Night at Professor Thom's is moving over to Tuesday nights, starting next Tuesday, October 31st, at 8:30 PM. This is a permanent move, with the Celtics and Bruins playing so many Wednesday night games this season, Tuesday nights will be a better night for us going forward. The Trivia Night will stay exactly the same, but on a different night. I will be posting the Special Categories and Sneak Peek question here every Monday instead of Tuesdays from now on. I hope you will continue to join us at Thom's for a great night of Trivia each week!

Current Events
1. What pop singer got stuck suspended in the air during a show in Nashville last week, and after a few minutes was lowered to the stage by her crew?
2. What actor claimed in court documents filed last week that his girlfriend who committed suicide in 2015 tried to extort millions of dollars by faking medical records that she had STDs?
3. What comedian was awarded the 20th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor last Sunday?
4. What pop singer will headline the Super Bowl halftime show this coming February, 15 years after previously memorably headlining it?
5. Last week, Brooklyn councilman Stephen Levin introduced a bill in the NYC Council to rename what NYC bridge after legendary jazz sax player Sonny Rollins?
6. What university posted scientist Stephen Hawking's doctoral thesis from 1966 on their website, and it crashed the site as it had over 60,000 downloads in less than 24 hours?
7. What department store chain announced this week that it was ending its century-old ties with Whirlpool, and will no longer sell the company's products?

World Series Trivia
1. What MLB Hall of Famer holds the record for the most World Series home runs in a career, with 18? a. Babe Ruth; b. Mickey Mantle; c. Joe DiMaggio; d. Reggie Jackson.
2. How many World Series have the current AL champion Houston Astros won in their history? a. 1; b. 2; c. 3; d. 0.
3. What NL team did the Red Sox defeat to win their last World Series title in 2013? a. Rockies; b. Dodgers; c. Cardinals; d. Mets.
4. Which AL team did the Yankees defeat to win their last World Series title in 2009? a. Phillies; b. Mets; c. Dodgers; d. Cardinals.
5. How many times have the San Francisco Giants won the World Series in this century? a. 0; b. 1; c. 2; d. 3.
6. What Yankees Hall of Famer holds the record for playing on 10 World Series champions? a. Babe Ruth; b. Yogi Berra; c. Mickey Mantle; d. Joe DiMaggio.
7. Which one of these teams has never won a World Series? a. Marlins; b. Braves; c. Astros; d. Blue Jays.

The Q Train: New York City Places Trivia
1. Pelham Bay Park
2. Red Hook
3. Fort Totten
4. Sunset Park
5. Turtle Bay
6. Snug Harbor
7. Willets Point
8. Fort Wadsworth
9. Co-Op City
10. Gerritsen Beach

General Knowledge
1. Olympic Airlines is the national airline of what country? ( 1 pt)
3. The Ginza is a shopping street in what capital city? ( 1 pt)
4. What was the one-word name of the magazine founded by John F. Kennedy Jr.? ( 2 pt)
5. What continent is divided into the most countries? ( 2 pt)
7. The Straits of Mackinac connect what two Great Lakes? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What now standard piece of automobile equipment was introduced at the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911? ( 4 points)
2. The Tarsus bones are found in what part of the human body? ( 3 points)
3. What did Russian Valentina Tereshkova do in 1963 that made her world famous? ( 4 points)
4. What actor, who won his Academy Award in 2004, is at 6'5", considered to be the tallest Oscar-winning actor in history? ( 4 points)
5. Which playing card is also known as "The Suicide Card?" ( 5 points)

Current Events
1. Katy Perry; 2. Jim Carrey; 3. David Letterman; 4. Justin Timberlake; 5. Williamsburg Bridge; 6. Cambridge; 7. Sears.

World Series Trivia
1. b; 2. d; 3. c; 4. a; 5. d; 6. b; 7. c.

The Q Train: New York City Places Trivia
1. The Bronx; 2. Brooklyn; 3. Queens; 4. Brooklyn; 5. Manhattan; 6. Staten Island; 7. Queens; 8. Staten Island; 9. The Bronx; 10. Brooklyn.

General Knowledge
1. Greece; 2. discretion; 3. Tokyo; 4. George; 5. Africa; 6. eight; 7. Michigan and Huron.

IQ Trivia
1. Rearview mirror; 2. feet; 3. First woman in space; 4. Tim Robbins; 5. King of Hearts.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

All Hallows Eve Trivia This Week

Trivia will be happening this Wednesday night, October 25th at 8:30 PM at Professor Thom's, with "Halloween Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected in some way to the holiday that concludes this month. The Q Train lightning round will be "New York City Places Trivia." I will give you the names of ten neighborhoods in our great city and you have to tell me which of the five boroughs you would find that place.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Olympic Airlines is the national airline of what country?"

I look forward to seeing many of you this Wednesday night, which should be a great night of Trivia Q&A!

UPDATE (10/24, 8:30 PM): We've had a change in the Special Category for this week, as "Halloween Trivia" has been bumped in favor of "World Series Trivia", in honor of the start of the Fall Classic this week. It will be seven questions that will all be multiple choice. Sorry for the late change, but I still hope to see many of you on Wednesday night!!

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Trivia Q&A: October 18

We had 10 teams in for Trivia at Professor Thom's on Wednesday night. The crowd was a bit off, as there were baseball fans in to watch the ALCS, but most left when it concluded. We still had a great night, and it featured many wacky team names. We had a tie going into IQ Trivia, but the boys from DIMS emerged victorious, garnering 45 points, and winning by four points. They've got another streak going, and my congratulations to them on their win.

Cocktoberfest had a great IQ Trivia round and wound up in second place with 41 points. Third place went to Carry On Hayward Son with 40 points (and they also won for Best Team Name).

Current Events
1. The NY Daily News reported last week Hillary Clinton is in talks with what Ivy League school for a professor role?
2. What filmmaker said last Friday that he was "stunned" and "heartbroken" over the revelations about his friend Harvey Weinstein and was criticized for making no mention of his victims?
3. A Mississippi school district removed what classic novel from its lesson plan because of the book's language they said makes people feel uncomfortable?
4. What company announced recently they were building a second headquarters in an undetermined location, setting off a $5 billion bidding war with proposals due later this week?
5. 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz was elected to be the leader of what European nation last Sunday, the youngest leader of any country in the world?
6. What rapper led the crowd at his sold out concert in Arizona last Saturday with a chant of "F**k Donald Trump"?
7. At last 276 people were killed and over 300 people were injured last Saturday after a massive truck bomb exploded in what African country?

Green Trivia
1. What city's river is dyed green every St. Patrick's Day?
2. Martin Balsam portrayed Mr. Green in what 1974 NYC-based film that was remade in 2009?
3.What Ivy League school's athletic teams are known as "The Big Green?"
5. "Green River" was a hit single what 1960s rock band?
7. What Nickelodeon TV show was known for dropping green slime on its characters?

1. On a telephone, this number key is associated with the letters G, H and I.
2. Pitcher is this number on a baseball team.
3. This is the total number of Oscars Daniel Day-Lewis has won.
4. This is the atomic number of helium.
5. This is the maximum number of times Friday the 13th can happen in any given year.
6. The total number of World Series won by the New York Mets in their history.
7. In Astrology, Aries is this number sign of the Zodiac.
8. This is the number of Noble Truths in Buddhism.
9. In bowling, this many strikes thrown in a row is called a turkey.
10. This is the number of future US presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence.

General Knowledge
1. "XC" is what number in Roman numerals? ( 1 pt)
2. The novel "Brave New World" was written by what 20th century author? ( 1 pt)
3. What pop singer renamed herself "Sasha Fierce" for a 2008 double album? ( 1 pt)
5. What song was playing when Tom Cruise famously danced in his underwear in the 1983 film "Risky Business?" ( 2 pt)
6. How many digits are in most US passports? ( 2 pt)
7. The soccer kick sometimes called "overhead" and "scissors" is more commonly known by the name of what everyday object? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What 20th century US president is the only president who earned a Ph.D degree? ( 4 points)
2. What 2017 TV hit's characters include Ofglen, Ofwarren and Ofsamuel? ( 4 points)
3. In 2016, President Obama signed a proclamation recognizing October 9 in honor of what historic European figure? ( 5 points)
4. The first US postage stamp honoring a black woman featured what historic 19th century figure? ( 3 points)
5. In what two films has Tom Hanks played a former military pilot? ( 4 points)

Current Events
1. Columbia; 2. Quentin Tarantino; 3. "To Kill a Mockingbird;" 4. Amazon; 5. Austria; 6. Macklemore; 7. Somalia.

Green Trivia
1. Chicago; 2, "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3;" 3. Dartmouth College; 4. Chlorophyll; 5. Creedence Clearwater Revival; 6. Sam; 7. "You Can't Do That On Television."

1. 4; 2. 1; 3. 3; 4. 2; 5. 3; 6. 2; 7. 1; 8. 4; 9. 3; 10. 2.

General Knowledge
1. 90; 2. Aldous Huxley; 3. Beyoncé; 4. Alaska; 5. "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll;" 6. 9; 7. bicycle.

IQ Trivia
1. Woodrow Wilson; 2. "The Handmaid's Tale:" 3. Leif Erickson; 4. Harriet Tubman; 5. "Apollo 13" and "Sully,"

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Lots of Green Stuff This Wednesday

Trivia will be happening this Wednesday night, October 18th at 8:30 PM, with "Green Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected to the color green in all different ways. The Q Train lightning round will be "1, 2, 3, or 4 Trivia." I will ask you ten general knowledge questions where the answer will be one of those numbers.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"XC" is what number in Roman numerals?

We had a terrific turnout last week, as the crowds have been increasing as the fall has gone on. So make sure you get in early enough to grab a good seat or table. Looking forward to seeing many of you at Professor Thom's on Wednesday night!

Saturday, October 14, 2017

On To 2018

The Red Sox' 2017 came to a disappointing end last Monday, as they went out to a clearly better Houston Astros team in four games in the ALDS.

And as everybody and their brother-in-law knew what would happen in the wake of that was John Farrell would be let go as Red Sox manager after five years at the helm.

Farrell leaves with a World Series title in 2013 and three AL East division titles, the latter something no other Red Sox manager can claim. But the second straight ALDS loss gave management the impetus to give him the boot.

It was time to change. I never thought of Farrell as a good in-game manager, as too many times he left me scratching my head. This season brought another postseason berth, but it seemed like a slog too much of the time, as the Sox would struggle to score runs at times, and the background drama didn't help much at all, like the dustup in Baltimore, the David Price-Dennis Eckersley confortation, and the nonsense with the Apple Watch. To me, it looked like Farrell wasn't much of a leader in these situations.

OK, he's out. Who replaces him? You've heard all the names: Alex Cora, Brad Ausmus, Jason Varitek, Sandy Alomar Jr, Gabe Kapler, etc, etc. I personally would love to see the Sox bring in Alex Cora, a member of the 2007 champions and a guy with a great rep for baseball smarts. I remember back in those days, Cora was talked about being a future manager. I'm betting it won't be a long wait to name a new boss (although the Sox have to wait for the Astros season to end to talk with Cora, as he's a coach there).

And what will the Red Sox do this offseason? There are obvious holes to fill. Who plays first base? Do the Red Sox bring Mitch Moreland back, or go after free agent Eric Hosmer? I'd love to see Hosmer in a Sox uniform, but with Scott Boras as his agent, he'll be looking for a huge payday. There's now a big question over second base, as Dustin Pedroia's knee looks like it will be a continuing problem, even if he does have surgery this offseason. Eduardo Nunez impressed in his brief stint here, but he's a free agent, and I'd love to see him back as insurance, especially if Pedroia isn't ready to start 2018 on time.

You can't go on any Red Sox fansite and not see someone who thinks trading for Giancarlo Stanton will solve the Red Sox' big need for a big bat in the middle of the order. Don't count me as one who agrees with this. Stanton has a contract with 10 years still on it, and $295 million still owed him. And the Marlins will want a nice haul of players should they talk trade this winter. His value right now is as high as it will ever be, so moving him now makes some sense for them. But from the Sox they would be looking for players like Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, and Eduardo Rodriguez. The Marlins don't want prospects for him, they want young MLB talent in the Show right now. I'll pass.

Going after free agent J.D. Martinez also makes sense for the Sox right now. The only problem now is that they have a crowded outfield right now, unless Martinez is interested in being a DH. The Sox also have to figure out what to do with Hanley Ramirez. He had a solid ALDS, but this season was a slog for him, as he didn't replace David Ortiz as a solid DH. He's got one more year on his deal.

The Red Sox rotation for 2018 right now looks like: Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright (remember him?). That's six starters, so they'll have to make a decision about how to get that down to five. Sale, Price and Porcello aren't going anywhere, as is Pomeranz. Wright is coming off a season that ended early with an injury and you figure he'll be back. So that leaves Rodriguez. He's been someone who makes you incredibly frustrated, as he looks like an ace one start, and someone who belongs back in the minors the next. Could he be packaged in a deal for a big bat?

The bullpen looks like Craig Kimbrel will be back as closer, with Joe Kelly, Carson Smith and the return of Tyler Thornburg setting him up. Addison Reed was terrific as a late-season addition, but he's looking to close and will sign elsewhere as a free agent. Austin Maddox was a pleasant surprise as a late-season callup, and Brandon Workman showed flashes of his 2013 brillance, returning from Tommy John surgery. Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree? I'd rather see them on other teams but they figure to return.

The Sox also have to address the catching situation. Christian Vazquez had a solid year, both at the plate and behing the plate. He should be getting more playing time in 2018. The Sox have to decide who backs him up: Sandy Leon or Blake Swihart. Leon came back to earth at the plate in 2017, but Swihart is out of options after dealing with injuries at AAA in 2017. He has value and figures to be moved if the Sox go with Leon  next season.

2017 will probably not be remembered fondly by most Red Sox fans years from now. They were beaten in the ALDS by a heavily favored and loaded Houston Astros team, so I don't look at like it was an incredibly disappointing year. But they have holes that have to be addressed in order to rise to the top of the AL, especially with those behemoths to the south (no names but you know who I'm talking about) getting stronger.

Keep the faith, folks. Pitchers and catchers report to Ft. Myers in 124 days from now (give or take a few).

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Trivia Q&A: October 11

We had a great turnout at Professor Thom's last night, with 19 teams taking part, and lots of new faces and young ones as well. That was good to see, and I'll bet the crowds will pick up more as the fall goes on. It was a loud crowd that was really into the Trivia last night. It was close throughout the evening,  with the top five teams just seperated by four points heading into IQ Trivia. But it was the boys from DIMS who locked up the victory, getting 4 of 5 correct in IQ Trivia and getting 55 points. They just missed a "perfect game" by one question they got wrong in the Italy Trivia round. Congrats to them on another great win.

Second place went to Helen Keller's Answering Machine with 52 points, and Our IQ Is Higher Than Rex Tillerson's with 49 points.

Best Team Name: I Went To Massage Harvey Weinstein & All I Got Was An Audition

Current Events
1. What NFL player apologized last week when after talking with a female reporter, he said "It's funny to hear a female talk about routes."?
2. Congressman Tim Murphy, from what eastern state, resigned last week after admitting he had an extra marital affair with a woman he also encouraged to get an abortion?
3. What rap star was arrested last weekend in Washington state on a charge of rape, which he strongly denied?
4. Actress Rose McGowan called out what actor/director, calling him a liar and to "f**k off" after he tweeted the allegations against Harvey Weinstein made him "sick"?
5. Galen Rupp became the first American man to win what city's marathon race since 2002 last Sunday?
6. What much-anticipated movie sequel earned $31 million at the box office last weekend to become the number one film in the US?
7. Chris Foerster, the offensive line coach of what NFL team, resigned earlier this week after a video of him surfaced where he was snorting cocaine through a rolled up $20 bill?

Italy Trivia
1. What is the name of Italy's largest island?
2. How many times has Italy hosted the Olympic Games?
3. Who is the patron saint of Italy?
4. Venice's international airport is named for what Italian traveler and explorer?
6. Christopher Columbus was born in what Italian city?
7. Who was the last Pope born in Italy?

The Q Train: Celebrity Real Names
1. Jamie Foxx
2. Sandra Bullock
3. Katy Perry
4. Kate Winslet
5. Joaquin Phoenix
6. Sylvester Stallone
7. Jon Stewart
8. Bruno Mars
9. Christina Aguilera
10. Justin Bieber

General Knowledge
1. What does "AC" stand for in the abbreviation "AC/DC?" ( 1 pt)
3. What current nation was called Hibernia in ancient times? ( 1 pt)
4. In what state would you find "Old Faithful?' ( 2 pt)
5. The songwriting trio of Holland, Dozier and Holland wrote 25 Top 10 hits for what record label? ( 2 pt)
6. According to the Girl Scouts, what is their best-selling cookie? ( 2 pt)
7. In championship darts, how many points are awarded when the red inner circle of the bullseye is hit? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. The Lake of Death and The Sea of Tranquility are both located where? ( 4 points)
2. What movie bad guy was voted the American Film Institute's "Worst Villain of All-Time"? ( 5 points)
3. "Earth in the Balance" was a 1992 book written by what American politician? ( 3 points)
4. On what 1980s sitcom did First Lady Nancy Reagan make a famous guest appearance to talk about drug abuse? ( 4 points)
5. Queen Victoria's 1840 wedding is credited with popularizing what tradition? ( 4 points)

Current Events
1. Cam Newton; 2. Pennsylvania; 3. Nelly; 4. Ben Affleck; 5. Chicago; 6. "Blade Runner 2049"; 7. Miami Dolphins.

Italy Trivia
1. Sicily; 2. three (1956, 1960 & 2006); 3. St. Francis of Assisi; 4. Marco Polo; 5. Milan; 6. Genoa; 7. John Paul I.

The Q Train: Celebrity Real Names
1. no (Eric Bishop); 2. yes; 3. no (Katheryn Hudson); 4. yes; 5. no (Joaquin Bottom); 6. yes; 7. no (Jonathan Leibowitz); 8. no (Peter Hernandez); 9. yes; 10. yes.

General Knowledge
1. Alternating current; 2. Portland; 3. Ireland; 4. Wyoming; 5. Motown; 6. Thin Mints; 7. 50.

IQ Trivia
1. The Moon; 2. Hannibal Lecter; 3. Al Gore; 4. "Diff'rent Strokes;" 5. White bridal gown.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Italy Trivia Up This Week

Trivia will be happening on Wednesday night, October 11th at 8:30 PM at Professor Thom's, with "Italy Trivia" as the Special Category, in honor of Columbus Day being this week. The Q Train lightning round will be "Celebrity Real Names Trivia." I will give you the names of ten current celebrities and you have to tell me if they are known by their real names or not.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"What is the state of Maine's most populous city?

Hope to see many of you for a great night of Trivia on Wednesday!

Thursday, October 05, 2017

Trivia Q&A: October 4

We had 13 teams in for Trivia on Wednesday night, and it was another spirited crowd that joined in. It was a close race for the first three rounds, but we had separation after the General Knowledge round, and the team of Quick Pick won convincingly, getting the best score in IQ Trivia, getting four right and winding up with 49 points. They had a few straight second place finishes in previous weeks, but now enter the winner's circle. My congratulations to them.

DIMS finished in second place, with 37 points, and NFI (No F**king Idea) finished third with 36 points.

Best Team Name: Multiple Scoregasms

Current Events
1. What American classic rock star suffered a seizure after his group's Monday night show in Brazil last week and forced the cancellation of the band's South American tour?
2. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner died last week and it was revealed that he purchased a crypt in an LA cemetery and will buried next to what iconic celebrity?
3. MLB announced last Friday they were renaming the World Series MVP trophy after what legendary living player, who once played on a World Series winner but wasn't the MVP?
4. 22 people were killed and over 20 injured in a stampede on a bridge near a railway station in what Asian country last Friday?
5. Tom Price, who was what member of President Trump's cabinet, resigned last Friday over his misuse of private planes?
6. Seven people were arrested at a pop music concert in what Middle Eastern country after waving a rainbow flag in a wave of ant-gay arrests last week?
7. Americans Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young were jointly awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in what field last Monday?

Red Trivia
1. What two card suits in a standard deck of cards are colored red?
2. Airing in 2013, the massacre known as "The Red Wedding" occurred in what TV drama series?
3. What current MLB team was established in the NL in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings?
4. What actor reprised his Oscar-winning role in the 2002 film "Red Dragon?"
6. Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith are two members of what popular rock band?
7. Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding Was a main character in what 1994 Oscar-nominated film?

The Q Train: Odd Numbered Trivia
1. This is the number of years of marriage marked in a sliver wedding anniversary.
2. In tennis, this number represents the first point in a game.
3. In Islam, Muslims are required to pray this many times a day.
4. This is the number of letters in both the Turkish and Norwegian alphabets.
5. Hall of Fame athletes Wilt Chamberlain and Dan Marino both wore this number.
6. Alfred Hitchcock directed a film called This Number Steps.
7. Alaska is this numbered US state to enter the Union.
8. The left fielder in baseball is represented by this number.
9. This is the total number of amendments to the US Constitution.
10. The debut album from Adele is entitled this number.

General Knowledge
2. Nairobi is the capital of what African country? ( 1 pt)
3. What popular annual sporting event has been called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports?" ( 1 pt)
5. What Olympic sport uses the smallest ball? ( 2 pt)
6. In England, what is a rubbish tip? ( 2 pt)
7. In 1981, what beverage was named the official state beverage of New York State? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Hippophobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of what animal? ( 4 points)
2. What eastern US city has more bridges than any other city in the world? ( 4 points)
3. What superstar British rock band was banned from the city of Boston in 1975 and never played there again after thousands of fans caused $50,000 worth of damage before tickets at the Boston Garden went on sale? ( 5 points)
4. What was the first color film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture? ( 3 points)
5. In 2011, what singer became the oldest ever to have the number one album on Billboard Album Chart, and it was also his first ever number one album as well? ( 4 points)

Current Events
1. Steven Tyler; 2. Marilyn Monroe; 3. Willie Mays; 4. India; 5. Health & Human Services; 6. Egypt; 7. medicine.

Red Trivia
1. Diamonds & Hearts; 2. "Game of Thrones;" 3. Atlanta Braves; 4. Anthony Hopkins; 5. Tom Clancy; 6. Red Hot Chili Peppers; 7. "The Shawshank Redemption:."

The Q Train: Odd Numbered Trivia
1. 25; 2. 15; 3. 5; 4. 29; 5. 13; 6. 39; 7. 49; 8. 7; 9. 27; 10. 19.

General Knowledge
1. Larynx; 2. Kenya; 3. The Kentucky Derby; 4. 25; 5. table tennis; 6. garbage dump; 7. milk.

IQ Trivia
1. Horse; 2. Pittsburgh; 3. Led Zeppelin; 4. "Gone With The Wind;" 5. Tony Bennett.

Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Blue One Week, Red The Next

Trivia will be happening on Wednesday night, October 4th at 8:30 PM, with "Red Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions on all different subjects connected to the color red. The Q Train lightning round will be "Odd Numbered Trivia." I will ask you ten questions where the answer will be an odd number from 1-49. And all answers will be a different number.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"What is the technical name for one's voice box?"

I look forward to seeing many of you on Wednesday night at Professor Thom's for a great night of Trivia!

Monday, October 02, 2017

"Spirit of '67"

50 years ago yesterday, the Boston Red Sox did something that none of their fans in their wildest dreams thought they could pull off before the season started in 1967: they won the American League pennant in one of the most dramatic and thrilling races in baseball history. And now that incredible 1967 season has been captured in a new book by Thomas J. Whalen called "Spirit of '67: The Cardiac Kids, El Birdos and the World Series that Captivated America." (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers)

The book captures not just the Red Sox historic run, but that of the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals, and all they went through to reach the Series. Whalen grew up in Beverly, MA as a devoted Red Sox fan, and describes what it was like growing up a Sox fan before the 1967 season. The Red Sox were annual also-rans for the previous decade, and they ceased being an important of the sports landscape, in a time when the Celtics were racking up championships.

It was also a time America was going through some tumultuous changes, with the Vietnam War raging, and race riots in many of the country's big cities. The Beatles were at the height of their influence, and sexual mores were changing rapidly.

Whalen sets the background of the nation first, and then gives some historical background to both the Red Sox and Cardinals going into 1967. You know the Red Sox story: five World Series won until 1918, Babe Ruth leaves, the Sox don't win another pennant until 1946, don't have a black player until Pumpsie Green in 1959, and Tom Yawkey runs the Sox like a country club until Dick Williams becomes the manager.

The Cardinals weren't a successful team until Branch Rickey took over the club in 1919, and revolutionized the farm system and brought in Hall of Fame players like Dizzy Dean and Stan Musial, and went through a dry spell after beating the Red Sox in 1946, and more Hall of Famers are brought into the Cardinals in the 1960s, like Bob Gibson and Lou Brock.

Whalen profiles players on both clubs in alternating chapters, as well as the two managers, Dick Williams and Red Schoendienst.And he updates many of the players after the 1967 Series was played and how they spent their post-baseball careers.

I definitely enjoyed the book, and if you either remember that World Series, the incredible AL pennant race, or just like to read a fascinating baseball story, I suggest you read "Spirit of '67." It's more than worth your time to relive when Red Sox Nation was born.