Top 10 St Louis Cardinals Moments

Rogers Hornsby hits a 20th century high .424 (1924): Rogers Hornsby’s numbers were ridiculous. He hit .400 over a five year span during the twenties. He hit .400 three times during that stretch with a high of .424 and that was not even his best year!

Grover Alexander strikes out Tony Lazzeri (October 10, 1926 Game 7 World Series): Grover Cleveland Alexander celebrated his Game 6 World Series victory with a drinking binge. Supposedly, he was drinking out of a flask throughout Game 7 when called upon to save the Cardinals. Starter Jesse Haines loaded the bases with two out in the seventh. Alexander trudged in, but refused to warm up lest he allow the Yanks know his true condition. New York sent rookie second baseman, and future Hall of Famer, Tony Lazzeri to bat. Alexander struck out the rookie saving the game for the Cardinals. He pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and got the first two out in the 9th when he walked Babe Ruth. With Bob Meusel at the plate, Ruth decided to steal second. He was gunned down and St. Louis claimed the World Series.

Cards upset the A’s (1931): St. Louis won 101 games in 1931. Despite this, the “Gashouse Gang” were decisive underdogs in the World Series. Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics won the 1929 and 1930 World Series titles and 107 regular season games in 1931. The two sides battled to a seventh game. St. Louis won the game 4-2 clinching the championship.

Whitey Kurowski’s World Series clinching home run (October 5, 1942 Game 5 World Series): Whitey Kurowski’s homer is often forgotten. In 1942, the Cardinals led the Yankees 3 games to 1 in the World Series. The two teams entered the 9th inning of Game 5 tied at 2. With one out, Kurowski slammed a two-run homer to provide the series winning margin.

Enos Slaughter’s Mad Dash (October 15, 1946 Game 7 World Series): The Red Sox and Cardinals went to the bottom of the 8th inning of Game 7 of the World Series tied 3-3. From Mel Allen’s recreated broadcast: "Enos Slaughter is on first base with two away. Harry Walker at bat. Bob Klinger on the mound. He takes the stretch. Here's the pitch... there goes Slaughter. The ball is swung on, there's a line drive going into left-center field. It's in there for a base hit. Culberson fumbles the ball momentarily and Slaughter charges around second, heads for third. Pesky goes into short left field to take the relay from Culberson... And here comes Enos Slaughter rounding third, he's going to try for home. Here comes the throw and it is not in time. Slaughter scores!" Boston failed to score in the 9th. Neither team returned to the Fall Classic until the sixties.

Gibson wins Game 7 (1964 and 1967): Bob Gibson cemented his reputation as an ace with a pair of Game 7 victories. In 1964, the underdog Cardinals defeated the mighty Yankees. Three years later, Gibson bested the “Impossible Dream” Red Sox. The following year, he added to his legend with a game for the ages.

Bob Gibson strikes out 17 Tigers (October 2, 1968 Game 1 World Series): Bob Gibson dominated the Detroit Tigers like few pitchers have ever dominated. He struck out 17 batters en route to a 4-0 victory. Gibson allowed five hits in outdueling 31 game winner Denny McLain. Al Kaline and Norm Cash each struck out three times. Gibson nailed Willie Horton, Jim Northrup, and Bill Freehan twice each. The Cardinal righty returned to defeat Detroit 10-1 in Game 4, but the Tigers finally beat the ace in Game 7 breaking the air of invincibility.

Keith Hernandez 2-run single sparks Game 7 win (October 20, 1982 Game 7 World Series): Milwaukee led St. Louis 3-1 in the bottom of the 6th inning with Cy Young Winner Pete Vuckovich on the hill. St. Louis put two on with one out in the frame when the Brewers went to the pen. Rollie Fingers was unavailable and Bob McClure entered the game instead. Keith Hernandez lined a two-run single tying the score. George Hendrick followed with the game winning hit. The Cards tacked on two additional runs for good measure. Four years later, Hernandez repeated his feat tying Game 7 of the 1986 World Series for the Mets with a two-run single.

Go Crazy Folks! (October 14, 1985 Game 5 NLCS): The switch hitting Ozzie Smith never homered left handed. Then, he met Los Angeles Dodgers relief ace Tom Niedenfuer. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Smith homered for the victory and a 3-2 series lead for the Cardinals. The homer is also known for the great call by Cards announcer Jack Buck.

Should have pitched to Van Slyke (October 16, 1985 Game 6 NLCS): The Dodgers led the Cardinals 4-3 in the 9th inning of Game 6 of the 1985 NLCS. They hoped to force a seventh game. With two on, Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda agonized over whether to walk slugger Jack Clark and pitch to Andy Van Slyke. He chose to pitch to Clark and Niedenfuer coughed up another game winning home run. St. Louis went to the World Series.

Top 10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episodes

Hush (1999): Joss Whedon wanted to do an episode without dialogue. Hush contains only 17 minutes of speech. In the episode, The Gentlemen arrive in Sunnydale, take away everyone’s ability to speak, and then cut hearts out of their speechless victims. City residents are forced to communicate without speech and have to cope with their affliction.


Once More With Feeling (2001): Xander summons up a demon that forces Sunnydale residents to sing out their deepest secrets. Once the secrets are revealed, the characters have to live with the consequences. The episode was a musical with the cast singing their parts. The songs were original and written for the characters.

I Only Have Eyes For You (1998): A pair of ghosts are haunting Sunnydale High and forcing students to relive his murder/suicide over and over. The pair possess Buffy and Angelus forcing them to relive the incident, but allowing the couple to reconcile. The relationship between the ghosts parallels Buffy’s relationship with Angel who had reverted to Angelus after experiencing a moment of pure happiness. On a side note, the episode uses the Flamingos 1959 hit of the same name, but the murder/suicide took place in 1955.

Passion (1998): Ms. Calendar discovers a way to restore Angel’s soul, but is murdered by Angelus. The vampire then torments Giles by leaving her body in his bed. In a rage, Giles attacks Calendar’s murderer, but has to be rescued by Buffy. The murder forced Buffy to face reality and she vows to slay the vampire.

Graduation Day (1999): The Mayor decides to transform into a pure demon on graduation day. Unfortunately for him, Buffy put Faith into a coma rendering her useless to him. Meanwhile, the Scoobies organize a military-style campaign to fight off the Major in his new demon form. In the end, they blow up the school, but graduate. The final shot is a scorched yearbook.

The Body (2001): The episode focuses on death. Buffy’s mom dies from a brain aneurysm and there is nothing she can do. She is completely helpless. The gang is used to death, but this one frustrates them. They can deal with demons and vampires, but have a hard time accepting something so mundane as an aneurysm.

Becoming (1998): Angelus and Drusilla plan to bring forth the apocalypse and bring hell to Earth. Buffy and Spike move to stop the pair while Willow works to restore Angel’s soul. The episode climaxes with a sword duel between Buffy and Angelus. At the end, Willow is successful and Angelus reverts to Angel. Unfortunately, Buffy is forced to kill Angel to save the world.

Prophecy Girl (1997): Buffy finally faces the Master, but is defeated. He leaves her to drown in a shallow pool of water. However, Xander arrives and provides CPR bringing her back. Meanwhile, Giles, Cordy, Ms. Calendar, and Willow face the Hellmouth which opens revealing a multi-headed creature. After returning from the dead, a stronger Buffy faces the Master a second time defeating him. His death seals the Hellmouth and the gang decides to go to the Bronze.

Chosen (2003): In the series finale, Buffy faces the First Evil and an army of Uber-Vamps with Faith, the Scoobies, Spike and her own slayer army. Buffy uses a magical battleaxe which held the essence of the slayer to empower the potentials. In the end, the gang destroy the Hellmouth and Sunnydale. The show ends with Buffy beginning to smile as she realizes she is no longer alone.

Conversations With Dead People (2002): Buffy, Dawn, and Willow all have encounters with the dead. Buffy meets a former classmate turned vampire. She slays him after discovering he was sired by Spike. Joyce visits Dawn and the First arrives to destroy the living room. Willow is visited by Cassie who claimed to have a message from Tara. It turned out to be a ploy by the First who threatens to destroy the Scooby Gang.

Greatest 200 Albums of All Time: The Beatles

This is the third (and final) entry for the "B" artists. So far, I have listed 35 albums from artists in four posts.


Please Please Me: The Beatles (1963)

On February 11, 1963, the Beatles recorded their live shows on vinyl in about 10 hours. The album is a time capsule capturing the Beatles of the Cavern Club Era. Producer George Martin considered actually recording them at the club, but time constraints dissuaded the effort. The album represented a dramatic change in the sound of pop music and led to Beatlemania and the British Invasion the following year. For one brief moment, rock n roll was the culture's dominate music form.

Key Tracks:

I Saw Her Standing There
Please Please Me
Love Me Do
Twist and Shout

A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles (1964)

The Beatles’ third studio album was also a soundtrack to a film of the same name. The album demonstrated a marked improvement in songwriting. In particular, “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a monster hit that remains amazingly popular nearly 50 years later. The title came from a malapropism. Ringo inadvertently mentioned his hard day’s night and a title was born.

Key Tracks:

A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Things We Said Today
If I Fell

Help!: The Beatles (1965)

Help! is another soundtrack album. The original release included instrumentals to accompany new studio tracks. The album continues to demonstrate the band’s progression. Among the new songs, “Ticket To Ride” and “Yesterday” enjoyed the most success. “Yesterday” is the most covered song in history.

Key Tracks:

Help!
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ticket To Ride
Yesterday

Rubber Soul: The Beatles (1965)

Many consider Rubber Soul the greatest album ever recorded. The album expanded the Beatles sound and incorporated a variety of influences. The Beatles branched out like no act had ever done before. George incorporated world music into American pop music with the sitar on “Norwegian Wood.” This kicked off a sitar craze in rock. The album also featured studio innovations and more introspective songs. “In My Life” represents both these changes. The song was very personal and the piano solo sounds like a harpsichord thanks to producer George Martin.

Key Tracks:

Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
In My Life
Nowhere Man

Revolver: The Beatles (1966)

George Harrison considered Revolver and Rubber Soul as basically the same album. Although it was more electric than its predecessor, Revolver was just as groundbreaking. The album experimented with musical diversity in new and exciting ways. Often when bands attempt this, the albums are unequal at best. However, the Beatles managed to pull it off with song topics ranging from loneliness to tax protests. Additionally, the work introduces psychedelic music to the masses with "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said She Said."

Key Tracks:

Eleanor Rigby
Got To Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows
She Said She Said

Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles (1967)

For years, many considered Sgt. Peppers the greatest album ever recorded. In recent years, Revolver has surpassed it in the eyes of many. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band furthered the Beatles’ musical expansion and exploration. By this point, the band abandoned touring to concentrate on recording and writing. It allowed the Beatles to incorporate multiple musical styles into the album. It included rock, jazz, Indian, classical, psychedelic and old style music hall.

Key Tracks:

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
She’s Leaving Home
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

Magical Mystery Tour: The Beatles (1967)

The Beatles decided to film a television special. The show bombed mostly because most people did not see it in color. However, the album was a success and included many classics. The album included previously released material such as “Penny Lane,” but also showed the Beatles cutting sense of humor. John Lennon wrote “I Am The Walrus” after reading teachers were analyzing Beatles songs in class. He decided to write a song about nothing. “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” slammed their former manager. The album concludes with “All You Need Is Love” which was originally performed live in the first global satellite broadcast. The album is not as even as their previous albums because it is a collection of new and old, but it still was nominated for a Grammy.

Key Tracks:

Hello, Goodbye
Strawberry Fields
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love

The White Album: The Beatles (1968)

The Beatles released their unnamed double album in 1968. The unofficial title, The White Album, derives from its blank white sleeve. It was their first album after their manager Brian Epstein’s death and ninth overall. The Beatles drew from every potential source including avant-garde, traditional, rock, blues, country, etc. The Beatles provide a complete history of popular music up until 1968 on this record.

Key Tracks:

Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Blackbird
Julia
Yer Blues
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1

Abbey Road: The Beatles (1969)

By February 1969, The Beatles were imploding. Amazingly, they managed to record a masterpiece. The album includes George Harrison’s best known works in “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Additionally, the record is split in two. The first portion contains stand alone singles. The second part contains a number of short tunes that transition into each other culminating in the “Golden Slumbers Medley.” Although technically the band released Let It Be in 1970, Abbey Road is the last album the Fab Four recorded making “Golden Slumbers” the Beatles farewell.

Key Tracks:

Come Together
Something
Here Comes the Sun
Golden Slumbers Medley

Let It Be: The Beatles (1970)

The Beatles released Let It Be following their breakup. The band recorded the album before Abbey Road, but did not like the outcome. They brought Phil Spector in to rework the album and decided to film the sessions which became notorious. The film documented the band’s dysfunction as opposed to their genius. It’s hard for a band with three front men to succeed and cameras recorded the end for posterity.

Key Tracks:

The One After 909
Get Back
Let It Be
The Long and Winding Road
Two of Us

Top 10 Arizona Diamondbacks Moments

Diamondbacks: 3 Giants: 2 (April 5, 1998): The Diamondbacks lost the first five games in the team’s history. On April 5, 1998, they finally broke through with a win against the Giants. Andy Benes pitched 7 strong innings for the win. Arizona finished their inaugural season 65-97.

Diamondbacks clinch NL West (September 24, 1999): In an amazing turnaround, the Diamondbacks won 100 games in 1999. On September 24, they clinched the division title with an 11-3 victory over San Francisco. Arizona made the playoffs in just their second season in existence making them the fastest expansion team to go to the postseason.
Randy Johnson k’s 20 (May 8, 2001): Randy Johnson dominated the Reds. The lefty struck out 20 equaling the mark held by Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood. Unfortunately, his team could not win in regulation. The Diamondbacks won in 11.

Tony Womack’s NLDS walk-off single (October 14, 2001): Curt Schilling pitched a complete game as the Diamondbacks defeated the Cardinals in five games. Tony Womack’s 9th inning single scored Danny Bautista to clinch the series.

Diamondbacks win the pennant (October 21, 2001): Randy Johnson led the Diamondbacks to their first pennant beating the Braves 3-2. Byung-Hyun Kim finished up for the save.

The Gonzalez single (November 4, 2001): In the conclusion to an exciting World Series, Luis Gonzalez capped off a 9th inning rally with a single to win the title. The Yankees took a 2-1 lead into the ninth after an Alfonso Soriano home run off Curt Schilling. Randy Johnson finished the 9th and earned his third victory.

Curt Schilling throws 1-hitter (April 7, 2002): Curt Schilling allowed a second inning single to Raul Casanova and that was it. He shut out the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 and struck out 17 batters. Three different Brewers scored a hat trick. Not a single batter reached second base.

Randy Johnson perfect game (May 18, 2004): Randy Johnson is the oldest man to throw a perfect game. At 40 years 7 months old, Johnson handcuffed the Atlanta Braves striking out 13.

Brandon Webb 42 scoreless IP (August 17, 2007): Brandon Webb shutout the Atlanta Braves to extend his scoreless streak to 42. The major league record is 59 innings held by Orel Hershiser. It was the twelfth longest streak in history. His three straight shutouts was the longest streak since 1998. The scoreless streak ended in the first inning of his next start against Milwaukee.

Doug Davis returns from cancer (May 23, 2008): Pitcher Doug Davis returned from thyroid cancer to beat the Atlanta Braves 11-1. The Dbacks made it easy on Davis with 5 first inning runs. Davis went 7 innings allowing 5 hits and a single run for the win.

Top 10 Movies of the 1970s

Just my opinion...not in any particular order

Star Wars

The Godfather

The Godfather II

Apocalypse Now

The French Connection

Jaws

Rocky

Patton

Taxi Driver

A Clockwork Orange

For my picks for the 80s, 90s, and 00s:

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/06/1980s-movies-top-10.html

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/06/best-movies-of-1990s.html

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/03/movies-of-decade-aughts.html

Top 10 Moments in Los Angeles Dodgers History

In chronological order (Brooklyn included):

Jackie Robinson desegregates baseball (April 15, 1947): Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball since 1887. That season, baseball owners entered into a “gentlemen’s agreement” barring blacks from the majors. That barrier remained until Branch Rickey decided to reincorporate blacks into America’s pastime. Although there were better players, Rickey chose Robinson because of his tough demeanor. The first season proved difficult on Robinson as he became the target of racial epitaphs and taunts. However, his success on the field helped changed many minds and led to desegregation in society as a whole.

Johnny Podres beats Yanks (October 4, 1955): In 1955, the Dodgers FINALLY won a World Series defeating the hated Yankees in seven games. Johnny Podres was Brooklyn’s hero as he won both his starts. He won Game 3 by an 8-3 score and then shutout the Yankees 2-0 in Game 7 to deliver the title. A couple seasons later, the Dodgers left Brooklyn for California where they went on to greater success.

Koufax is perfect (September 9, 1965): Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Cubs. He faced a lineup that included Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Ernie Banks plus Ron Santo. Former batting champion Harvey Kuenn came in to pinch hit against the ace of aces. Koufax needed to be perfect that evening. The Cubs Bob Hendley pitched a one-hitter. The Dodgers won 1-0.

Koufax wins Game 7 (October 14, 1965): Sandy Koufax and Jim Kaat faced off in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series. Koufax allowed three hits shutting out the Twins. For the series, he boasted a 2-1 record with a 0.38 ERA.

Fernandomania! (1981): The Dodgers integrated baseball in 1947. In 1981, they cornered the Hispanic market by promoting Fernando Valenzuela to the big club and watching him have a season for the ages. He started the 1981 season 8-0 with five shutouts. His success, stocky physique, and demeanor made Fernando a star. He won the 1981 Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and Silver Slugger. He also won the key game of the World Series that year as the Dodgers captured their first title since 1965.

Blue Monday (October 19, 1981): The Dodgers and Expos battled to a decisive Game 5 in the National League Championship Series. With the score tied at one in the 9th inning, Montreal brought in Ace Steve Rogers to pitch. He surrendered a game winning home run to Rick Monday sending the Dodgers to the World Series where they defeated the Yankees.

Hershiser breaks Drysdale’s record (1988): Orel Hershiser surpassed Don Drysdale’s record of 58 2/3 scoreless innings. Manager Tommy Lasorda allowed Hershiser to pitch into extra innings in the final regular season contest to break the record. Hershiser won the Cy Young that season leading the league with 23 wins. The streak ended in 1989 at 60 innings.

Mike Sciocia homer stuns Mets (October 9, 1988): The Mets looked to take a commanding 3-1 NLCS lead on the Dodgers when Mike Scioscia launched a 9th inning 2-run homer to tie the game and force extra innings. In the 12th, Kirk Gibson won it with a home run. Orel Hershiser pitched the bottom half to earn a save. The game turned the series around and the Dodgers won the pennant.

Gibson does Roy Hobbs (October 15, 1988): The Athletics led the Dodgers 4-3 in the 9th when they called Hall of Fame relief ace Dennis Eckersley in to finish the game. Manager Tommy Lasorda decided to roll the dice and sent injured Kirk Gibson into the game to pinch hit. Gibson could barely walk and looked bad on Eckersley’s fastball. With two outs and two strikes, Gibson launched a dramatic game winning walk off and then hobbled around the bases. Eck threw a slider.

4 Straight HR tie game/Nomar wins game (September 18, 2006): The Dodgers hit four straight home runs in the 9th inning to tie a game with San Diego. In the 10th, the shell shocked Padres took a one-run lead, but could not hold it. In the bottom half, Nomar Garciaparra hit a two-run shot to win the game.

Greatest 200 Albums of All Time: Artists Beginning with B (part II)

This is the second of three posts with "B" artists.

Slippery When Wet: Bon Jovi (1986)


Slippery When Wet transformed Bon Jovi from just another pop hair band into international superstars. The record differentiated Bon Jovi from its contemporaries with its level of musicianship and crossover ability. It sold over 12 million copies and is an album that helps explain the mid-to-late 80s to listeners. It transitions from arena rock to pop metal and even foresees the unplugged phenomenon of the early 90s. As most of their contemporaries disappeared in the early 90s, Bon Jovi proved adaptable and has continued to score hit records nearly 25 years later.

Key Tracks:

You Give Love A Bad Name
Livin’ On A Prayer
Wanted Dead or Alive
Never Say Goodbye

Boston: Boston (1976)

Boston’s debut album sold 17 million copies. Only Guns n Roses sold more debut records. The band went from unknown to stars literally overnight. They became a curiosity for their meteoric rise and began opening for Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. The album became a soundtrack for 1976 and various tracks still receive extensive radio play to this day. The record became one of several released during the period which convinced corporations to get involved in the music business. The end result being so-called “Corporate Rock.”

Key Tracks:

More Than A Feeling
Peace of Mind
Foreplay/Long Time

Space Oddity: David Bowie (1969)

Bowie mixes folk and prog rock together to create Space Oddity. More than one critic has commented that the album represents where Bowie had been and where he was going. The album was inspired in part by the burgeoning space program and 2001: A Space Odyssey. At the same time, the album incorporates Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and Eastern religions and philosophy. The album may confuse less sophisticated listeners, but is well worth a twirl.

Key Tracks:

Space Oddity
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
Cygnet Committee

Hunky Dory: David Bowie (1971)

Once again, Bowie mixes and combines musical styles to create a masterpiece. Bowie defines himself as well as the youth of his time and the music industry with “Changes.” In addition to this introspection, he borrows from Dylan, Nietzsche, and the Velvet Underground. Once again, he gives some insight into what would come with his future work.

Key Tracks:

Changes
Life on Mars?
Quicksand
Oh! You Pretty Things

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: David Bowie (1972)

David Bowie decided to create his own imaginary rock star. The character Ziggy Stardust is an alien that comes to Earth to present the planet with a message of peace and love. Ziggy falls to all the temptations including sex and drugs and is destroyed by rock excess. This album is the most creative and innovative of the period between the end of the sixties and the rise of disco.

Key Tracks:

Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
Starman
Rock n Roll Suicide

Heroes: David Bowie (1977)

The second, and best, of Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy (Low and Lodger) is the only one actually recorded there in its entirety. Bowie’s trilogy is influenced by Cold War Berlin and "Heroes" reflects the grit of the period. In fact, the studio sat 1500 feet from the Berlin Wall and Communist troops watched Bowie through binoculars. The album contains some dark and brooding pieces, but is downright cheerful compared to Low.

Key Tracks:

Heroes
Beauty and the Beast
Joe the Lion

Let’s Dance: David Bowie (1983)

David Bowie spent a decade as an artistic chameleon. By the early 80s, he decided to move into a pop direction and created an album to appeal to the masses. The end result was a monster album filled with catchy radio tunes. Let’s Dance also featured an up and coming guitar hero in Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Key Tracks:

Modern Love
China Girl
Let’s Dance
Cat People

Live at the Apollo: James Brown (1963)

James Brown recorded Live at the Apollo on October 24, 1962. Brown’s record label initially opposed releasing a live album. They felt an album lacking new material would not make money. However, Brown convinced them and the album was a smash. Stores could not keep the record on the shelves. The album represents a transition of old school R&B into soul.

Key Tracks:

I’ll Go Crazy
I Don’t Mind
Lost Someone

Buffalo Springfield Again: Buffalo Springfield (1967)

Personal problems surrounding Neil Young and Bruce Palmer created problems during the recording of Buffalo Springfield Again. However, those problems may have helped the songwriting along. As a result, the band’s sophomore effort surpasses its debut effort.

Key Tracks:

Mr. Soul
Broken Arrow
Expecting to Fly
Rock n Roll Woman

Mr. Tambourine Man: The Byrds (1965)

The album Mr. Tambourine Man, along with the title track, provided an American alternative to the British Invasion. The Byrds combined the Beatles sound with American folk to create a new genre. The album contained both originals and reworked folk songs. Hence, the band helped pioneer the folk rock genre. The Byrd’s influence is heard in Simon and Garfunkel, The Mamas and the Papas, Jefferson Airplane, Tom Petty, Big Star, R.E.M., The Gin Blossoms, The Smiths, and many other artists.

Key Tracks:

Mr. Tambourine Man
All I Really Want To Do
The Bells of St. Rhymney

Barack Obama: The Motion Picture

So who would star in an Obama biopic?

Barack Obama: Will Smith

Michelle Obama: Aunt Esther

Hillary Clinton: Glenn Close

Joe Biden: Homer Simpson

Robert Gibbs: Peter Griffin

Harry Reid: Will Ferrell

Steny Hoyer: John C Reilly

Nancy Pelosi: The Wicked Witch of the West

Robert Gates: Chris Cooper

John Boehner: George Hamilton

Mitch McConnell: Constable Odo

Janet Napolitano: Rex Ryan

Tim Geithner: Larry David

Eric Holder: Ron Artest

Rahm Emmanuel: Steve Buscemi

Sheriff Joe Arpaio: Shaquille O’Neal

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Hart Bochner (Die Hard)

Hugo Chavez: Edward James Olmos

Vladimir Putin: Himself

Grady: Greg Oden

The Savior: Tim Tebow

History Shorts: The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.)

Athens angered many of their neighbors. Following the Persian War, the Greeks formed a defensive alliance in the event of a Persian return. Athens came to dominate this Delian League and grew into a superpower that bullied its neighbors. Eventually, Sparta and Athens came to blows launching a conflict which lasted nearly 30 years.

The Peloponnesian War can be split into three phases. During the first phase (431-421 B.C.), Sparta assaulted Athenian interests in Attica. In 421 B.C., the two sides signed the Peace of Nicias ending hostilities. The second phase (415-413 B.C.) began when Alcibiades convinced Athenians to relaunch the war with an invasion of Syracuse. The invasion proved disastrous for Athens. Alcibiades ended up switching sides ushering in the third phase (413-404 B.C.) The final phase of the war witnessed an unlikely alliance between Persia and Sparta. The destruction of the Athenian fleet essentially ended the conflict.

The war devastated Athens. It never again threatened its neighbors. Athens' days as a superpower had ended. The victorious Spartans were mortally wounded in the conflict. The Macedonians eventually conquered all of Greece ushering in the age of Alexander.

Here is a clever video on the Peloponnesian War:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZzyuw_lBTM

Top 10 Colorado Rockies Moments

The Colorado Rockies have only been around since 1993, but they've still managed some exciting moments.

Eric Young leads off the first Rockie home game with a homerun (April 9, 1993): The Rockies beat the Expos 11-4 in their first home game in history. Eric Young paced that victory with a 4-for-4 day which included a leadoff homer. Charlie Hayes also homered for the Rockies and Bryn Smith pitched seven shutout innings for the win.

Andres Galaragga’s 6 hit game (July 3, 1995): In a classic steroid era contest, the Rockies beat the Astros 15-10. In the game, Andres Galaragga went 6-for-6 with 4 runs scored and 5 RBI. He also blasted two home runs. The two teams combined for 25 runs on 34 hits.

Rockies clinch the Wildcard (October 1, 1995): The Rockies beat the Giants 10-9 to clinch their first postseason appearance. Larry Walker and Eric Young both had three hits including a home run.

Dante Bichette becomes first Rockie to hit for the cycle (June 10, 1998): In an interleague contest, Dante Bichette hit for the cycle against the Texas Rangers. Bichette drove in 5 in Colorado’s 10-9 victory.

Rockies score in every inning (May 5, 1999): The Rockies scored a run in every inning in a 13-6 win over the Cubs. Larry Walker and Neifi Perez each had three hits and Dante Bichette had four. Perez and Chris Sexton each drove in three runs. Eleven years later, the Rockies scored 12 in the 8th inning beating Chicago 17-2.

Jason Jennings’ ML debut (August 23, 2001): Jason Jennings had one of the greatest debuts in ML history when he hit a homer and tossed a shutout. Jennings scattered five hits and walked four. At bat, he went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI. Jennings went 62-74 for his career which appears to have ended.

Was Holliday safe? (October 1, 2007): San Diego and Colorado played an extra game to determine the NL Wild Card. In the 13th inning, San Diego held an 8-6 lead with Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman on the hill. The Rockies scored three in the bottom of the frame to clinch a playoff berth. The final run came as Matt Holiday slid home. Personally, I thought he was out...

Rockies sweep Phillies in NLDS (October 6, 2007): The Rockies were one of the hottest teams to ever appear in baseball’s postseason. They continued their regular season hotness by sweeping past the up-and-coming Phillies. They won the series 4-2, 10-5, and 2-1.

Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 to win their first pennant (October 15, 2007): After sweeping the Phillies, the Rockies went on to sweep the Diamondbacks in the NLCS. They won the series 5-1, 3-2, 4-1, and 6-4. Matt Holliday was NLCS MVP. After winning their first pennant by sweeping through the NL playoffs, the Red Sox swept Colorado in the World Series.

Ryan Spilborghs’ walk-off grand slam in 14th (August 24, 2009): The Giants scored three in the 14th inning. The Rockies countered with 5 in the bottom of the inning capped off by Ryan Spilborghs’ grand slam. The two teams combined to use 15 pitchers in the 6-4 game. It was the first walk off grand slam in Rockies’ history.

Quotes of the Year: 2010

Quote of the Year:

"We went to a movie and then had a little midnight picnic on a Satanic altar."

-Christine O’Donnell

And the rest:

"I'd rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president,"

- Barack Obama

“Obama Forgot Option 3 - Mediocre 1- Term President, & That's What He's Been Thus Far."

-Charles Krauthammer

“Plug the damn hole.”

-Barack Obama

'You're being a crazed sex poodle,'

-Al Gore

"We already have a UN on the ground and it's worthless. Now you want to build one in space?"

-Charles Krauthammer

"Each generation gets the music they deserve.”

-Ray Manzarek

“Please don't ask me if I'm going to die today.”

-Joe Paterno

“The rent is too damn high.”

-Jimmy McMillan

“It should be easy to market the Virgin Galactic commercial space flight. It's the name of the company AND the target audience.”

-Dennis Miller

“Dems really have their finger on the pulse of America. If there's one thing people worry about ALL THE TIME, it's the Chamber of Commerce.”

-Caleb Howe

"I don't want to see my old friend Lucifer just yet."

-Keith Richards

"You touch my junk, and I'm going to have you arrested."

-John Tyner to a TSA guy

"We have harpooned every whale in the ocean - and some minnows."

-Debt Commission Co-Chair Alan Simpson

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!!" AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

- Buffalo Bills player Steve Johnson blaming God after dropping a game winning TD pass

"I haven't died. I'm drinking a beer and eating fried chicken."

-Yao Ming

"'When you win, say little. When you lose, say less."

-Tom Brady

"I'm not interested in being a dead f--king hero…so forget 'em, forget 'em."

-John Lennon

"We've become a nation of wusses.”

-Ed Rendell

Stupid Quotes of the Year-2010

“A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.”


-Bill Clinton to Ted Kennedy on Barack Obama

"These 'Snowpocalypses' that have been going through D.C. and other weather events are precisely what climate scientists have been predicting, fearing, and anticipating because of global warming ... In fact you could argue these storms are not evidence of a lack of global warming, but evidence of global warming."

-Dylan Ratigan on how colder weather is evidence of global warming.


"Today is a big day in America, only 36,000 people lost their jobs today, which is really good."

-Harry Reid on Feb job losses


"My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize."

-Congressman Hank Johnson on the deployment of 8000 marines to Guam.


“We’re a victim of our own success.”

-Obama on the economy

Top 10 San Diego Padres Moments

Nate Colbert hit 5 HR and drove in 13 in one day (August 1, 1972): In a double header sweep of the Atlanta Braves, Nate Colbert blasted five round trippers and drove in 13. In a strange coincidence, Nate witnessed Stan Musial’s five home run day in 1954 as a child.


Randy Jones becomes first Padre 20 game winner (1975): In 1975, Randy Jones became San Diego’s first 20 game winner in the franchise’s seventh season. The following year, the sinker baller won 22 and the Cy Young Award. Despite his success, he never pitched for a team that finished better than 4th.

Padres win first NL West Title (September 20, 1984): The Padres beat Giants 5-4 to win the NL West. Winning pitcher Tim Lollar hit a homer and Dave Dravecky picked up the save.

Steve Garvey’s Homer (October 6, 1984: NLCS Game 4): The Cubs led San Diego 2 games to none. Looking to clinch their first pennant since 1945, the Cubs looked to extend Game 4 of the NLCS into extra innings. They had relief ace Lee Smith on the hill when Steve Garvey slammed a two run shot to force a Game 5.

Padres come back against Sutcliffe (October 7, 1984: NLCS Game 5): Chicago led 3-0 with Rick Sutcliffe on the mound. Redbeard had gone 16-1 since coming over from Cleveland. He could not hold the lead when his defense let him down. The Padres went on to win the game 6-3 and went on to their first World Series.

Tony Gwynn hits .394 (1994): Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. No one has hit .400 since. In 1977, Rod Carew hit .388. In 1980, George Brett hit .390. In 1994, Tony Gwynn hit .394. In 1994, baseball experienced a work stoppage which ended Gwynn’s run at history.

Padres win second pennant (October 14, 1998: Game 6 NLCS): The Padres beat the Braves 5-0 in Game 6 of the NLCS to win their second pennant. Sterling Hitchcock surrendered 2 hits and won NLCS MVP. San Diego had the unfortunate pleasure of playing the New York Yankees. In both their World Series appearances, the Padres played historically great teams.

Tony Gwynn gets hit #3000 (August 6, 1999): Tony Gwynn joined the 3000 hit club with a first inning single against the Expos. The Padres won the game 12-10. He finished with 3141 hits for his career.

Jake Peavy k’s 16 (April 25, 2007): Jake Peavy struck out 16 Diamondbacks including 9 straight at one point. Peavy left the game with the lead. Despite the effort, the bullpen could not hold on and San Diego lost the game 3-2.

Trevor Hoffman gets Save #500 (June 6, 2007): Trevor Hoffman became the first reliever to save 500 games for his career. The Padres defeated the Dodgers 5-2. Hoffman’s saved the game for Greg Maddux. He’d go on to save over 600 games.

Greatest 200 Albums of All Time: Artists Beginning with B

This is the first of three posts with Artists starting with B. The Beatles will get their own post.

Music from the Big Pink: The Band (1968)

The Band backed Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour. In 1968, they released their own work. They combined country, folk, rock, soul, and R&B and created their own distinctive style. The album’s title comes from a pink home they shared in upstate New York. “The Weight” received widespread play and acclaim after its appearance in the movie Easy Rider. The Band’s laid back style influenced Eric Clapton to change his own style and leave Cream. Other major acts were comparably influenced.

Key Tracks:

The Weight
Tears of Rage
Long Black Veil
I Shall Be Released
Chest Fever

The Band: The Band (1969)

The eponymous album, often referred to as “The Brown Album” contains most of The Band’s best known works. The Band hoped to capture an Americana feel with the album which countered the modernity and chaos of 1969. It brilliantly captured an older era. Interestingly, one of the best southern rock songs of all time was written by Canadian Robbie Robertson.

Key Tracks:
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Up On Cripple Creek
King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
Jawbone

Pet Sounds: The Beach Boys (1966)

Band leader Brian Wilson stopped touring and concentrated on writing and recording. This freed Wilson to experiment with various sounds, unconventional instruments, and various musical forms. Wilson was especially determined to one up the Beatles Rubber Soul. Competition bred success and Wilson’s work is often cited as the greatest album in history.

Key Tracks:

Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Sloop John B
God Only Knows
Caroline, No

Licensed To Ill: The Beastie Boys (1986)

The Beastie Boys proved white boys could rap. Licensed To Ill was the first rap album to chart in the Top 200 and was the fastest selling debut album up to that point. The album was powered by the rock parody “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)” with Kerry King of Slayer on guitar. The album contained other classic tracks which demonstrated the Beasties talent and proved they were not a Vanilla Ice or Snow.

Key Tracks:

(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Paul Revere
Brass Monkey

Ill Communication: Beastie Boys (1994)

The Beastie Boys scored their second #1 album with Ill Communication. The album was supported with a classic video for “Sabotage” placing the band in a 70s style cop show. “Sabotage later appeared in 2009’s Star Trek. The album became a soundtrack for summer 1994.

Key Tracks:
Sabotage
Sure Shot
Get It Together

Truth: Jeff Beck (1968)

Jeff Beck began as a session guitarist in the early sixties. In 1965, he replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds. After being tossed out of the group, Beck formed his own band. The Jeff Beck Group released Truth in 1968. He had recorded before, but this was his first full length album. Truth is regarded as one of the first heavy metal albums and included guest appearances by Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Keith Moon.

Key Tracks:

Beck’s Bolero
I Ain’t Superstitious
You Shook Me
Shapes of Things

Beck-Ola (Cosa Nostra): Jeff Beck (1969)

The Jeff Beck Group broke up four months after releasing Beck-Ola. The album included several blues-rocks works and some covers of Elvis Presley hits. Rod Stewart provided vocals with Ron Wood on bass. The album ends with the listener wanting more as “Rice Pudding” ends in the middle of the song.

Key Tracks:

Rice Pudding
Jailhouse Rock
All Shook Up

Saturday Night Fever: The Bee Gees (1977)

The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack sold 15 millions copies making it the best-selling soundtrack of all time. It was later surpassed by The Bodyguard. The album became a lifestyle and helped breath new life into the waning disco scene. After the movie and album, disco peaked and became a phenomenon. Even Ethel Merman was doing disco! To learn about late 1970s culture, there is no better place to start than this film and its soundtrack.

Key Tracks:

Stayin’ Alive
How Deep Is Your Love
Night Fever
More Than a Woman
Jive Talkin’
You Should Be Dancing

Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath (1970)

Ozzie Osbourne figured that since people spent money to see horror movies, they might spend money to listen to horror music. Black Sabbath went into the studio and recorded the seven songs making up their debut album in a single day. It was perhaps the first true heavy metal record. Black Sabbath included nightmare themes, the supernatural, and even Satan. The critics hated it in 1970, but now consider it a classic.

Key Tracks:

Black Sabbath
N.I.B.
Evil Woman

Paranoid: Black Sabbath (1970)

Sabbath returned to the studio four months after releasing their self titled debut album. The band lacked enough material for a new album and Tony Iommi’s fiddling in the studio led to the title track. The work contains some of Sabbath’s best known songs and is considered their greatest work.

Key Tracks:

War Pigs
Iron Man
Paranoid

Quotes of the Month: December 2010

Quote of the Month: "I haven't died. I'm drinking a beer and eating fried chicken."

-Yao Ming

and the rest...

“NASA has found a new form of life? Neat. Call me when it's got heat vision, wears blue pajamas, and flies.”

-Batman

"'When you win, say little. When you lose, say less."

-Tom Brady

“If I'm going to be honest with you, I was angry about it."

-Derek Jeter on negotiations with the Yankees

"I'm not interested in being a dead f--king hero…so forget 'em, forget 'em."

-John Lennon

“Coincidence that Julian Assange looks a lot like "Jigsaw" from the Saw movies?”

-S.E. Cupp

“I thought ‘what the heck have I done?’”

-Hal Smith on his 3-run Homer in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series

"Experts built the Titanic. Amateurs built the Ark."

-Anonymous

"They're in the halls of Congress everywhere, and it means, for example, that you sit on a committee and you say something about concern about Chinese influence or something, you don't even know if in the next election, somehow or another, they manage to send some money to some group that now doesn't even have to say where they got it."

-Carol Shea-Porter on Chinese influence in Congress

"We've become a nation of wusses.”

-Ed Rendell

“If it exists, why not put it out?”

-Chris Mathews on Obama’s birth certificate