<a href="http://www.amazon.com/State-Play-Russell-Crowe/dp/B002DU39GW" target="_blank">"State of Play"</a>&nbsp;- the 2009 U.S. movie, not the BBC television show - is not a baseball film. It's not about baseball whatsoever. It's mostly about politics and jounalism (newspapers, specifically) and a little bit about the seedier side of Washington, D.C. 
 So why am I giving it away here? Because I got my hands on this film so I could confirm a "Pop Quiz" question (part of my Sunday Insider) submitted by my Newsday teammate Dave Whitehorn. Ben Affleck's character, a U.S. Congressman in trouble, has a vintagePhillies pennant in his office. 
 So what the heck. It's an eminently watchable movie, and I don't need it anymore. I'll give it to the first person who e-mails me - at kdavidoff@newsday.com - with the correct answer to this question: 
 The 1964 Phillies blew a 6 1/2-game National League lead with 12 games left to play, finishing in second place behind St. Louis. Name the pitcher who picked up both the '64 Phillies' last win of the season and their last loss of the season. 
 --Here are the <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/state-of-play-giveaway-1.2779894?qr=1" target="_blank">contest rules</a>. 
 --UPDATE, 4:14 p.m.: We have a winner! Devon from Long Island knew that Jim Bunning suffered the '64 Phillies final loss, on <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN196409300.shtml" target="_blank">September 30</a> to the Cardinals, and then picked up their final victory <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196410040.shtml" target="_blank">four days later</a>, over Cincinnati.

"State of Play" - the 2009 U.S. movie, not the BBC television show - is not a baseball film. It's not about baseball whatsoever. It's mostly about politics and jounalism (newspapers, specifically) and a little bit about the seedier side of Washington, D.C. So why am I giving it away here? Because I got my hands on this film so I could confirm a "Pop Quiz" question (part of my Sunday Insider) submitted by my Newsday teammate Dave Whitehorn. Ben Affleck's character, a U.S. Congressman in trouble, has a vintagePhillies pennant in his office. So what the heck. It's an eminently watchable movie, and I don't need it anymore. I'll give it to the first person who e-mails me - at kdavidoff@newsday.com - with the correct answer to this question: The 1964 Phillies blew a 6 1/2-game National League lead with 12 games left to play, finishing in second place behind St. Louis. Name the pitcher who picked up both the '64 Phillies' last win of the season and their last loss of the season. --Here are the contest rules. --UPDATE, 4:14 p.m.: We have a winner! Devon from Long Island knew that Jim Bunning suffered the '64 Phillies final loss, on September 30 to the Cardinals, and then picked up their final victory four days later, over Cincinnati.

Sports

Baseball

Contest: "State of Play"

Newsday

More MLB news

baseball article rail

Floral Park's John Re said: "[David] Stearns, in general, put together a terrible team and unfortunately [Carlos] Mendoza took the hit on it, was a scapegoat."

Mets fans from Long Island point finger at Stearns for club's woes

Shohei Ohtani hit his 300th career homer but two errors by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning led to three runs by the Colorado Rockies, who rallied for a 4-3 victory Tuesday night.

Rockies rally past the Dodgers 4-3 after 2 errors in the eighth

Jonatan Clase hit his first home run of the season, Ernie Clement had three hits, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the San Francisco Giants 9-3.

Blue Jays beat the Giants 9-3 as Jonatan Clase hits his 1st homer of season

Jake Cronenworth's three-run home run off Zac Gallen capped a four-run first inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 for just their second victory in 11 games.

Cronenworth's 3-run homer carries Padres to 4-1 win over Gallen, Diamondbacks

Colorado Rockies All-Star Hunter Goodman has been scratched from the lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rockies scratch Hunter Goodman vs. Dodgers with a left hand contusion

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

Eric Nickel played varsity basketball and football at Kings Park High School.

New Knick Nickel's dad grew up on LI rooting for the team

The Yankees struck out 17 times for the second straight night. The 34 strikeouts are the most in a two-game stretch in club history.

Boland: Yanks continue to whiff vs. Rays, set ugly franchise mark

As for what the Mets can anticipate from Jorge Polanco the rest of the way, it's more about keeping him upright on a more permanent basis.

Lennon: Mets' Polanco returns, but injury-plagued season has gotten away from him

Sports articles trending links SATL

Watch highlights

Scores and stats

Columnists

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Baseball - megaslot

Complete coverage of NY Yankees & Mets baseball news, scores, analysis and schedules. Follow along with stories, videos and more from Spring Training through the World Series.

More MLB news

Stay logged in.