Farewell, Bob McGrath -- the original nice guy

Plus: The ordeal of Britney Griner, the insidious march of 'Best Of' lists and more

Hope you folks are enjoying your weekend. I started writing my Monday post this morning, and then decided, “Why wait?” I’m sending this to you tonight. Maybe we’ll operate on an afternoon/evening schedule this week? Maybe this will just be a bonus? Who’s to say? Perhaps the Snoopy item below will provide some insight …

Friendly neighbors, here’s where we meet …

Bob, 1932-2022

You could make the case that Bob from Sesame Street (is a last name even necessary?) was the most important man on television in my early childhood, that he was on a par with Fred Rogers. Sesame Street is the No. 1 show from my earliest memories, with Mister (Not Mr.) Rogers Neighborhood second.

Mister Rogers was warm and rewarding and I think you could say, cerebral. Sesame was the more entertaining show, the place that really felt like a family. That was the neighborhood I most wanted to be a part of. If Gordon was the cool dad of that neighborhood, Bob seemed like the guy who intutively understood you. His presence was never anything but cheerful and comforting.

News came Sunday that Bob McGrath passed away at age 90. The news took me directly back to my childhood, a connection that is now throbbing thanks to this news. By all indications, McGrath had a full life well-lived, one in which he buoyed the spirits and the souls of millions of children, some of whom are certainly now grandparents themselves.

I never knew McGrath. I could go years as an adult without thinking of him. But I miss him.

Grinding down Britney Griner

Britney Griner is living a Midnight Express-level nightmare. The 6-foot-9 Houston native is a basketball immortal, a champion at every level of the game and one of the 20 best WNBA players of all-time, But she has been rendered all too mortal by the Russian prison system.