A memory of America’s pastime on her birthday
Merrick, L.I.: Forty years ago, I stayed up way past any reasonable hour to watch what turned out to be the wildest, wackiest regular season baseball game I’ve ever seen, and probably ever will. On July 4, 1985, the Mets and Braves squared off in a 19-inning marathon that didn’t end until nearly 4 a.m. the next day, thanks in part to two rain delays and a whole lot of baseball madness in between.
Keith Hernandez hit for the cycle, finishing it off in the 12th inning with a single. And in the 18th, with the Mets clinging to a lead, Braves broadcaster John Sterling — yes, the same Sterling who’d later become the voice of the Yankees — told his booth mate Ernie Johnson, “If [Rick Camp] hits a home run to tie this game, this game will be certified as absolutely the nuttiest in the history of baseball.” Moments later, Camp, a career .060 hitter, crushed a game-tying home run, the only one of his career. Think Bartolo Colón but more unpredictable.
The Mets finally won after six hours and 10 minutes of mayhem. Then came the fireworks — literally — sending panicked Atlanta residents into a frenzy, calling police to report explosions in the sky. Most fans had long gone to bed, but I stayed with it. I watched every pitch, every twist, every moment of disbelief.
And 40 years later, I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was a long, exhausting, and completely crazy game — baseball at its most unpredictable. Put it in the books! Curtis Izen
Less concerted effort
Ridgefield, Conn.: Is it too late to have another TV station besides NBC telecast the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks? For the past few years, NBC has shown more of the bands, singers and audience than the actual fireworks! I would enjoy watching the fireworks while listening to the music. Michael Pickering
Patriotic service
Brooklyn: I’ll bet I’m not the only person who views the Fourth of July as more than an opportunity for a barbecue and fireworks displays. Independence Day should embody the best of the U.S., the promise of our country. Lately, I haven’t felt too optimistic about the direction our nation is taking, but on this July 4, I invite you to dedicate yourself to making this country better in some small way. Help improve the environment or the education and conditions of young people. Pitch in to make our roads safer, or donate blood and platelets. Help register voters or do worthy volunteer work. Help make the U.S. a better place for all of us, not only a few of us. Ellen Levitt
Not quite right
Brooklyn: A contestant answered “Grand Central Station” to one of the clues on Monday night’s “Jeopardy!” and was declared correct by Ken Jennings. But as native New Yorkers, we know the only proper and right reply would be “Grand Central Terminal.” C’mon, Ken, you need a “Jeopardy!” demerit for allowing that, so please announce the correction on a future show. William R. Sarnataro
Industry leaders
Manhattan: I heard Zohran Mamdani talk and was surprised to hear he wants city government to open up one supermarket in each borough. First off, I think putting the government in charge of something it knows nothing about is a terrible idea. There are supermarkets that are doing very well and that have good prices on food, including Whole Foods Market (if you buy their 360 brand), Trader Joe’s and Lidl. Instead of having the government open supermarkets, why not open more Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Lidls? Also, maybe put the wholesale price (that the supermarkets paid) on the price tags. Not to pick on Trader Joe’s, because they are the only supermarket I know how to shop at, but they generated approximately $16.5 billion in revenue, so if that’s the case, maybe they and other supermarkets that are making huge revenue should lower their prices. Edward Drossman
Irrelevant examples
Hicksville, L.I.: To Voicer William Ina Kay: You are correct about the five countries you listed as great to live in. I’ve been to two of them, Sweden and the Netherlands. Absolutely great places to live. What you failed to mention is that between those five countries, their total population is less than that of New York State, and almost everyone pays into the system. In the U.S., 40% of Americans do not pay into the system, which means you have to hit the high- and middle-earners heavily. Socialist countries that don’t have many paying into the system — Venezuela and Cuba — are what the U.S. would look like. But it’s not the economic policies of Mamdani that scare me, because they’re destined to fail. It’s defunding police and letting criminals do what they want that should really concern everyone. Look at Chicago. That’s what he will bring to NYC. John Gelormino
Voters want change
Bronx: I believe that Mamdani won because New Yorkers are sick of the hate and injustice of the Trump administration. Curtis Sliwa, a cosplay vigilante, would only promise more hate, more racism and more of the same. Try a Republican? I don’t think so. Sandi Lusk
Contested race
Brooklyn: The famous saying by baseball great Yogi Berra — “it ain’t over til it’s over” — also applies to mayoral elections. Data from the Board of Elections shows that less than 30% of registered Democrats voted in this primary. Therefore, those who claim that Mamdani has all but won the November election are extremely premature. There are more than 1 million Republicans and registered Independents who could not vote in the primary — added to the 70% of registered Democrats who didn’t vote, the general election is far from over. The Democratic primary is no longer the kingmaker thanks to independent candidate Jim Walden, whose bid prompted Mayor Adams and Andrew Cuomo to seek third-party lanes to run in in November. Robert Mascali
Right to die
Linden, N.J.: Regarding assisted suicide: If you love them, help them go / Though your heart be filled with woe / It is simply not your business / That their pain they want to finish / People have the right to die / At the time that they decide / Be ashamed to claim that they must struggle on. Ron Jackowski
You need Jesus
Brooklyn: To Voicer Mark Alesse: A priest once said that those who insult religion are the ones who are most yearning for God. Wanda Lucci
Anointed one
Staten Island: I think Jesus is overwhelmed by what is going on in this country, so he appointed Elon Musk as our savior, but the brainless refuse to accept him as such. Fran Bocignone
Predictable
Itasca, Ill.: My record at picking Super Bowl winners is dismal. I’m bad at stock picking too. But even I could see the Trump-Musk blowup coming a mile away. After enduring their buffoonish, billionaire bromance, it’s tempting to scream “I told you so!” from the rooftops. That would be churlish, unforgiving and hateful. I’m going to anyway. Jim Newton
One big betrayal
Charlotte, N.C.: How sad for our country that the One Big Beautiful Bill was passed not on its merits (debatable) but because of the fear of Trump’s retribution against anyone who voted against it. Trump picked an arbitrary date he wanted it signed by, July 4, and any reasoned consideration of the bill was tossed out the window as everyone rushed to do his bidding. Sen. Thom Tillis gave a sensible explanation for why he could not vote for it due to its effects on his constituents, and he’s been run out of town. When I moved to Charlotte, I disliked Tillis and called him Zelden-light because of his lockstep loyalty to the party and not the country, but he grew into the job and became more bipartisan as he realized Democrats were not the devil’s spawn. Down goes another reasonable Republican, and another Trumper takes his place. Barbara Haynes
Grievous gift
Flushing: Chuck Schumer wants answers on Qatar’s gift plane. My response: the Trojan horse. Charles J. Lercara
Vacation option
Midland Park, N.J.: To Voicer Shirley Forde: There’s always Italy. Anthony Merlino
