Happy Gilmore 2

Last night we watched the new Happy Gilmore 2 movie. Very funny. Even Ceil liked it. One cameo after another by golfers and celebrities: Jack Nicklaus, Couples, Faldo, Collin M, Rickie Fowler, Will Z, Scottie, Rory, Bryson, Brooks K, Finau, Sergio, Nancy Lopez, Xander S, Paige Spiranac, Nelly Korda, etc etc etc. 

Several female athletes that I did not recognize. Kelsey Plum was in a couple of scenes. John Daly lived with Happy Gilmore, and was in all the family scenes. Dan Patrick, Verne Lundquist, Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, Steven A Smith, Ben Stiller, Jon Lovitz, Travis Kelce. Actor Haley Joel Osment played a turncoat golfer. Sandler’s wife and daughters had supporting roles.

The waiter (Kelce) asked Nicklaus what he’s like to drink. Jack replied “half iced tea, half lemonade”. The waiter asked “Arnold Palmer?” Jack said “No, I’m Jack Nicklaus – but I get that a lot”.

Shocker opening scene involving Happy's wife, played again by Julie Bowen. Later Rickie Fowler was given a funny line to deliver. Will Zalatoris was given a large role, as Gilmore’s former caddy who was now a professional golfer, who still carried a grudge against Gilmore. Justin Thomas was playing in Gilmore’s group, and acted like a huge Gilmore fan, constantly snapping pictures throughout the round. Funny scene near the end of the movie: as Gilmore hit the climatic winning putt, the camera flashed around to everyone’s reaction. Everyone was jumping up and down – except Nicklaus, Couples, Trevino, and Faldo – who had fallen asleep on the couch, watching on TV.

Scottie got into a fight and was arrested by the police. As the officers approached with their handcuffs, Scheffler moaned “Again?” He spent the rest of the movie watching the tournament from jail.

After the movie we watched the last half of Bryson and Sandler trying to break 50. They shot 11 under on the front nine. They parred the par three 17th hole. On the par five 18th Sandler’s approach rolled to a foot from the cup. Had it rolled in they would’ve shot a 49. The eagle putt gave them a 50.

C fixed Greek turkey meatballs for supper, with lemon orzo and creamy feta yogurt sauce, and grilled peppers and onions.

Up early to work out at the gym. Stopped by Wendys for their $1 biscuits.

Augusta National was recently overwhelmed by floodwaters, newly released video shows. The subcontractor who shared the video was fired from his job. Evidently the “devastation” was actually mostly caused by the work in process on Amen Corner – not the floodwaters. Speaking of the Masters, last week I received my annual rejection letter, saying I missed out on yet another ticket lottery. A tradition like no other.

An online Groundhog Day Theory Makes Bill Murray’s Comedy Much Darker. Near the end of the movie Phil agrees to buy insurance from Ned Ryerson – who these theorists say is Satan, who breaks the spell, allowing Phil’s life to move past the infinite Groundhog Day time vortex loop. Sounds like a stretch to me.

In honor of the passing of their longtime owner Virginia McCaskey, the Chicago Bears will only be wearing their primary home and road uniforms this season: no color rush, no “rivalries”, no throwback. A rare thing in football these days, much less any other sport.

Ken Jennings and Matt Damon successfully answered the final question on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Pretty pathetic how Jimmy Kimmel kept harassing Matt Damon, who never poked back at Kimmel.

Casey Stengel managed Brooklyn from 1934-36. After pitching from 1916-1934, BURLEIGH GRIMES [SABR Bio] was the next Dodgers skipper from 1937-38. Grimes is the first pitcher to surrender a World Series home run to another pitcher. In the 4th inning of G #5 of the 1920 WS (10-Oct-1920), Cleveland’s Jim Bagby hit a 3-run HR off Grimes following an IBB to catcher Steve O’Neill. It was the first home run ever hit by a pitcher in World Series play.  Final score: CLE 8, BRO 1. In 13 of his 19 seasons in the majors, he threw more than 200 innings, leading the league 3 times. Grimes exceeded 200 IP in 1918, 1920-1931, leading in 1923 (327), 1924 (310-1/3), & 1928 (330-2/3).

Denison on the attacks in Cincinnati: what I hope was not at work: a Critical Theory ideological belief that because the attackers were part of a racial minority, as a “victimized collective” they have the right to oppress their oppressors without consequences to themselves. Such “racism to combat racism” is the opposite of Dr. King’s vision of a nation in which people would “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It undoes what the civil rights movement sought to achieve by returning us to a culture of racially-divided subcultures.