When Merilyn McClung (C8) questioned the international validity of baseball’s World Series, legions of readers emerged from the bullpen to claim that the name came from the competition’s first sponsor, the New York World newspaper. Although it had nothing to do with the World Series, apart from publishing results, the myth is often cited as “fact”, so much so, that John Byrne of West Haven took Granny to task over it: “What? Granny doesn’t know that the World Series is named after a newspaper? You must be getting on.”
Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld) explains that the dilemma came about due to the establishment of a play-off between the National League champions and the American League champions, which meant “both competing teams were already American champions”.
And, the follow-up from Wendy Turner of Newcastle was also somewhat inevitable: “Why does Earth always win the Miss Universe contest?”
“I’ve been caught up in all the interest in Granny’s unchanging appearance (C8), but feel concerned that she’s still wearing that neck brace,” notes Dawn Hope of Wahroonga. “Maybe she should change physios.”
Kerrie Wehbe of Blacktown thinks “it’s clear C8-ers haven’t had dealings with the Tooth Fairy (C8) for a while. As with all tradespeople, the charge for this service has substantially increased. One young family member, I’m told, now gets $20 a tooth! There must be gold in it!”
“I’m not sure if John Sowter (C8) is a fellow ‘monkey-hanger’ (long story), but long-suffering Hartlepool supporters would know that the real noteworthiness of the match against Notts County in which Hartley and Poole scored was that Hartlepool actually won 2-1,” explains Andrew Bristow of Oatley.
David Rodrick (C8) wanted a second opinion on his jilted jacaranda poetry. Meri Will of Baulkham Hills has obliged: “Laudable concept, with mood reversal well-executed; inconsistent use of second-person pronoun is sloppy and a distraction; substantive flaw in that jacaranda blossom lacks notable scent. Try again next year.”
The pairings (C8) return: “Back in the 1980s, we were friendly with a couple who had twin boys,” recalls John Hudson of Bangalow. “They named them Rowan and Martin! Remarkably, they had never seen the famous comedy show. Naturally, the boys were nicknamed Dick and Dan.”
“Guy Fawkes would be pleased to know he’s still remembered,” says David Gordon of Cranebrook. “Though, 416 years later, the ‘treason and plot’ (C8) came perilously close on January 6, 2021.”
Column8@smh.com.au
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