Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City."

When I sit here at my desk in the early morning hours, I find that listening to the people who call into Coast to Coast AM and its host George Noory, to be a fascinating way to get a new slant on life. I get to hear songs that don't often get played on radio too often, and also some insights into what other night-owls like myself are doing @ this late/early hour. For example, George used this song by Sammy Davis Jr., as a segue from one segment of his show to the next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5vFvt3fJpw

As many of you may know, the late Sammy Davis Jr, was a member of Frank Sinatra's "Rat Pack" composed of Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, all now deceased. At any rate, Sammy Davis Jr., was an incredible talent, who could sing, dance, and do stand-up comedy with the best of them. As I noted earlier in this blog, listening to George Noory and then surfing on YouTube™, allows you to discover/rediscover songs and things that you had forgotten, like this version of Mr. Bojangles as performed by Sammy as he sang and danced in the 1970s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKP8TbtLFew

However, there exists this version of Mr. Bojangles as performed by the late John Denver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnuF9WSDydA

I'll leave it to my faithful readers and history to judge which artist performed the song better, but my vote goes to Sammy Davis Jr.

Since I was @ the YouTube™ site, I also found this version of Denver's Leaving on a Jet Plane performed as a duet in 1972 with the late Cass Elliott, of the Mamas and Papas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKdknYaSHgE

However, I'd be remiss if I didn't include this performance by Joni Mitchell on the Cass Elliott Show in 1972, as she sang her song, Both Sides Now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NdsnFZm0X4

Contrast that 1972 version of her song and this performance from more than 30 years later. I like the later version better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCnf46boC3I

Ah, but once again I digressed, as I went down the YouTube™  wormhole. So, I'd best pick up the pace or I'll run smack dab into my next blog.

The 48 - 43, 1st place in the NL Central Cubs, and Yu Darvish, who didn't get the decision while pitching well, won their game over the 44 - 46, 4th place Pirates yesterday afternoon 4 - 3. Pedro Strop tried to lose the game as he served up a "Gopher Ball" in the 7th to allow the Pirates to tie the game, but the Cubs came back to win the game, as Jason Heyward got a single to score the winning run. Today, the Cubs and the Pirates play once again @ 2:20 p.m. EDT, as Jon Lester gets the call.

My beloved, 50 - 41, 3rd place in the AL East Red Sox, won their game over the 60 - 33, 1st place in the NL West Dodgers, 8 - 1. Eduardo Rodriguez notched his 10th win against 4 losses, as he netted 10Ks for the Sox. Tonight's game versus those same Dodgers, features the pitching of Chris Sale, 3 - 8, @ 7:15 p.m.

The 28 - 58, 5th place in the AL Central Tigers, lost to the the 4th place, 31 - 61, Kansas City Royals, 5 - 8. Spencer Turnbull wasn't very sharp as the Tigers found a way to lose, again. Tonight's game has Matthew Boyd, 6 - 6, going for the Tigers @ 7:15 p.m.

The also woeful, 8 - 13, 7th place in the MWL East West Michigan WhiteCaps, dropped yet another game, this one to the 12 - 8, 4th place in the MWL West, Quad City River Bandits, 2 - 6. The Caps are home again tonight to play the Kane County Cougars @ 7:05 p.m.

We spent yesterday afternoon in the Secretary of State's office here in GH, renewing our driver's licenses and license plates. The wait was long, but the service was excellent. I guess that the experience is the same in most offices of the Secretary of State, no matter your locale.

Today, we have to decide to either stay at home or to go out to Hemlock Crossing for a presentation about Hummingbirds. Right now, I am leaning towards staying home. Ciao.