Watch out for moose crossing the field
As the daylight hours keep lengthening, it’s time to think about Alaska and the upcoming 104th Midnight Sun Baseball Classic.
Since 1906, there has been a late-night baseball game played on the summer solstice in Fairbanks, where on June 21, and at about 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the sun basically doesn’t set.
Lore has it that this tradition began as a contest between two local bars. It’s now a major social event in Fairbanks, with the first pitch thrown at 10:30 p.m. and with the game usually ending by 1 or 2 a.m., and played without any artificial light.
The hometown amateur team is the Alaska Goldpanners and former players include ex-big leaguers Tom Seaver, Barry Bonds, Dave Winfield and Bill Lee. Seaver pitched in the 1965 midnight game.
Lee, the former Boston Red Sox left-hander, took the loss in the 1967 Midnight Sun game and it obviously bothered him, though probably not as much as blowing a three-run lead in Game 7 of the 1975 World Series. Nevertheless, last summer at age 61, Lee got his revenge. He started for the Goldpanners, pitched six innings, gave up four runs and got the win.
For those planning to attend this year’s Midnight Sun game, the Goldpanners play host to the Lake Erie Monarchs. Gates open at 8 p.m. Passes are $10. And at the half inning closest to midnight, the game is halted for the singing of the “Alaska Flag Song.”
Trivia time
Since 2000, what’s the longest winless streak Tiger Woods has endured in a calendar year on the PGA Tour? (a) three, (b) five, (c) eight or (d) 15.
Bottom dwellers
With the NBA All-Star game coming up, let’s look at some of the worst performers in the league this season in some key statistical areas, through Tuesday.
Worst free-throw shooter (minimum 50 attempts): Kwame Brown, Pistons, is shooting 38.5%.
Most fouls per game: Paul Millsap, Utah, 3.9.
Worst three-point shooter (minimum 50 attempts): Marquis Daniels, Indiana, 18.2%.
Most turnovers per game: Stephen Jackson, Golden State, 3.9.
Trivia answer
In 2004, Woods won only one tournament on the tour -- and he played 15 consecutive events without winning.
And finally
From David Letterman’s “Top Ten Signs You Are Watching Too Much Football” comes No. 6: Got a telestrator in the bedroom.
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