Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |

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Matt Jones’s Jonesin’ Crossword, “Alphabetically Correct” — in the right order. – Erin’s write-up

Jonesin’ solution 9/30/25

Hello lovelies! For this week’s Jonesin’ theme we have phrases containing the word BEFORE in which the first word precedes the last word alphabetically.

• 20a. [Instruction on liquid medicine or salad dressing] SHAKE BEFORE USE
• 25a. [Brand-new, like film footage] NEVER BEFORE SEEN
• 43a. [Door holder’s quip] AGE BEFORE BEAUTY
• 48a. [Villainous “Superman II” demand (RIP Terence Stamp)] KNEEL BEFORE ZOD

Other things:

• 56a. [Vegan brand made with mycoprotein] QUORN. It’s fermented Fusarium venenatum.
• 55d. [Garth’s portrayer in “Wayne’s World”] DANA. I love how this crosses with 58a’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” clue given how Wayne and Garth rock out to it in the 1992 film.

Until next week!

Shmuel Schmell’s Universal Crossword “On Deck” — Eric’s Review

Shmuel Schmell’S Universal Crossword “On Deck” — 9/30/25

I’m not a fan of crosswords where the theme is in the Down answers — unless there’s a good reason for it. Here, there is, as the theme answers have circled letters that hold a trio of famous hitters, running UP from bottom to top:

• 4D [*Deteriorate] GO TO SEED I’m guessing this is Juan Soto, who in eight seasons (if I counted correctly) has played for the Washington Nationals, the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. At least that last move may have spared him the hassle of relocating.
• 8D [*Says no more] LEAVES ÍT AT THAT That surname is new to me, and I don’t know if this is Fernando Tatís, Sr. or Fernando Tatís, Jr. Both seem pretty accomplished players;. Given that the other two names are active players, I’m going with Junior here (not that it matters for purposes of the puzzle).
• 14D [*0.1%] ONE IN A THOUSAND This is undoubtedly the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.
• 37D [Umpire’s cry, and a theme hint] BATTER UP

These phrases are all nice finds and would make good answers in a themeless crossword. But without making a list of the many baseball players known for their hitting, it’s impossible to know what other possible theme answers there are. Between the relatively unfamiliar names and the fact that they run backwards, I didn’t use the theme to help me solve the puzzle.

Other stuff:

• 9A [Beer ingredient] HOPS Not MALT.
• 17A [Marilyn Monroe’s given name] NORMA The original version of Sir Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” is likely forever etched in my brain. “Goodbye, Norma Jean [Mortenson].”
• 19A [Embarrassing outtakes] BLOOPERS I’m moderately surprised this wasn’t clued as “a weakly hit fly ball.”
• 27A [Quick pitch] FASTBALL
• 32A [French friend] AMIE/28D [Spanish friend] AMIGO One can’t accuse this puzzle of being unfriendly.
• 50A [Fencers and boxers, e.g.] ATHLETES I’m also a bit surprised that this didn’t get a baseball clue, too.
• 1D [Grant’s ___, Manhattan mausoleum] TOMB Isn’t the real question who is buried there?
• 39D [Untamed] WILD This could’ve been clued “Like some pitches.”