52 Pickup

And so it has come to pass that, against tremendous odds, I have reached the age that matches the uniform numbers of CC Sabathia, Mike Webster, Ray Lewis, Jamaal Wilkes and Adam Foote.

I'm so old. (How old are you?) I'm so old, I can remember when the New York Yankees were owned by a man who said, "Winning is second to me, only to breathing" -- and ran the team as if he believed it.

I can remember when Michigan beating Ohio State in football was a common occurrence.

I can remember when Donald Trump was considered a mostly harmless egomaniac.

Last night, I visited the site of many memories, my alma mater, East Brunswick High School in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It was the 1st basketball game of the 2021-22 season. My first event there since I began the hip replacement process. I was a bit unsteady on the bleachers. And nobody recognized ne, although that was understandable, due to the mask mandate.

Nevertheless, it was good to be back, and to see the redevelopment with the new pennant-type banners. Da Bears played arch-rival Old Bridge, and won, 64-48.

I've seen a lot. I wish I'd seen less of that. I wish I'd seen more of other things.

But I'm still here. All the crap that's been thrown at me hasn't stopped me yet. I'm still walking (with some difficulty), and I'm still talking, and I'm gonna keep at it until I no longer can.

As Lou Gehrig, who didn't even get within 14 years of my current age, said, "I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

*

Hours until the next Arsenal game: 5, at 12:30 this afternoon, New York time, away to Leeds United of Yorkshire.

Hours until the next game of the U.S. National Soccer Team: 8, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time tonight, a friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina (that's 1 country), at Dignity Health Sports Park, in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, home of MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy.

Days until the New Jersey Devils again play a local rival: 26, on Thursday, January 13, 2022, against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena at Belmont Park.

Days until the next North London Derby: 29, on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at 11:30 AM New York time, at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Under 1 month.

Days until the 1st Baseball Hall of Fame election for which Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz will be eligible, and we will know for sure whether known steroid use keeps a player out, or if it's only been a Yankee who's accused of it that does: 38, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Under 6 weeks.

Days until the next Winter Olympics open in Beijing, China: 48, on Friday, February 4, 2022. Under 7 weeks.

Days until the next New York Red Bulls game: 70, on Saturday, February 26, 2022, away to the San Jose Sharks. Just 10 weeks.

Days until the Yankees play another game that counts: 103, on March 31, 2022, away to the Texas Rangers.

Days until the Red Bulls again play a nearby rival: 105, on Saturday, April 2, 2022, away to the New England Revolution.

Days until the Yankees' home opener: 110, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, against the Boston Red Sox.

Days until the Yankees' next series against the Boston Red Sox begins: See the previous answer.

Days until the next Rutgers University football game: 259, on Saturday, September 3, 2022, away to Boston College.

Days until the next East Brunswick High School football game: 265, on Friday, September 9, 2022, against arch-rival Old Bridge. Hopefully, our home field, under renovation through the entire 2021 season, will be ready, so we don't have to go back to the purple pit.

Days until the next East Brunswick-Old Bridge game: See the previous answer.

Days until the next elections for the U.S. Congress and for the Governors of most States in the Union, including New York and Pennsylvania: 325, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Under 11 months.

Days until the next World Cup opens: 338, on Friday, November 21, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. A little over 11 months.

Days until the next Rutgers-Penn State football game: 343, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26, at 12:00 noon, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. A little over 11 months.

Days until the next Women's World Cup opens: 569, on Friday, July 10, 2023, jointly held in the neighboring nations of Australia and New Zealand. A little over a year and a half.

Days until the next Summer Olympic Games: 951, on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. A little over 2 and a half years.

Days until the next Presidential election: 1,053, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Under 3 years.

Days until the next elections for Governor of New Jersey and Mayor of New York City: 1,417, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Under 4 years.