Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Top 10 Third Basemen of All Time

#1 is Mike Schmidt. These are in no particular order...

Wade Boggs

George Brett

Mike Schmidt

George Kell

Eddie Mathews

Brooks Robinson

Pie Traynor

Alex Rodriguez

Chipper Jones

Pete Rose

Monday, June 27, 2011

Top 200 Albums of All Time: "L" Artists

Plastic Ono Band: John Lennon (1970)
Plastic Ono Band is John Lennon’s solo debut. It followed three experimental albums and a live album and was released concurrently with Yoko Ono: Plastic Ono Band. Lennon underwent primal therapy to deal with childhood traumas including his mother’s death. His therapy led to a very raw and personal album that touches on a number of subjects including religion, class relations, and his parents.

Key Tracks:

Mother

Working Class Hero

Love

God

Isolation

Imagine: John Lennon (1971)
John Lennon’s follow up to Plastic Ono Band was less raw and more commercial. It was a softer album which included his signature song. “Imagine” ponders a world without hate and petty strife. Lennon seems less conflicted on Imagine and a tad happier.

Key Tracks:

Imagine

Jealous Guy

Gimme Some Truth

It’s So Hard

John Lennon: Double Fantasy (1980)
John Lennon released Double Fantasy three weeks before his death. He retired in 1975 to care for his infant son. After five years in the wilderness, Lennon returned. People were ready for him. They longed for something in the wake of the Carter years. The album was extremely personal and mature. John and Yoko alternated tracks on the album hence the title.

Key Tracks:

(Just Like) Starting Over

Watching the Wheels

Woman

Cleanup Time

Kiss Kiss Kiss

Little Richard: Here’s Little Richard (1957)
Little Richard’s debut album is rock n roll.

Key Tracks:

Tutti Frutti

Ready Teddy

Long Tall Sally

Rip It Up

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Top 200 Albums of All Time: Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin took blues-rock to another plain of existence. After the Yardbirds’ demise, Jimmy Page formed a new band to fulfill contractual obligations. The “New Yardbirds” performed Yardbirds standards, but also some new material. Following the tour, Page changed the group’s name to Led Zeppelin and the new material turned up on their first album. Interestingly, the album received poor reviews. Perhaps the poor reviews occurred because nothing sounded like it.

Key Tracks:

Good Times Bad Times

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

Dazed and Confused

Communication Breakdown

Led Zeppelin II: Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin continued the themes on their debut with their second album. Their blues-rock continued to progress. Led Zeppelin II provided the blueprint for heavy metal acts which followed. It also marked Robert Plant’s emergence as a songwriter.

Key Tracks:

Whole Lotta Love

Thank You

Heartbreaker

Ramble On

Moby Dick

What Is and What Should Never Be

Led Zeppelin III: Led Zeppelin (1970)
Led Zeppelin expanded their musical parameters to include acoustic and folk music shocking fans and critics alike. As a result of their changing style, the album was savaged by some critics. However, it represents a band in transition and maturing.

Key Tracks:

Immigrant Song

Since I’ve Been Loving You

Gallows Pole

Led Zeppelin IV: Led Zeppelin (1971)
Led Zeppelin IV is probably the band’s most popular album. The album is not only known for its classic tracks, but also its lack of title. Each member designed a symbol for the cover. Sometimes fans call the album “ZoSo” for its symbol.

Key Tracks:

Black Dog

Rock and Roll

The Battle of Evermore

Stairway to Heaven

Misty Mountain Hop

Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy (1973)
Fans dubbed Led Zeppelin concert venues “Houses of the Holy”, so the band appropriated the term for their fifth album. The work included all original songs for the first time. It also marked a change as Zeppelin began to fiddle more and more with layering and other various production techniques.


Key Tracks:

The Song Remains the Same

Over the Hills and Far Away

Dancing Days

The Ocean

Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti (1975)
This is Led Zeppelin’s greatest album. It included hard rock, funk, blues, acoustic, a ballad, and even eastern influence. The band threw everything into this album. Robert Plant argued that it represented the band at its most creative. Jimmy Page thinks it’s their best work.

Key Tracks:

Houses of the Holy

Kashmir

Ten Years Gone

Friday, June 24, 2011

Top 10 Second Basemen of All Time

Hornsby #1. These are not in any order...

Rod Carew

Eddie Collins

Ryne Sandberg

Frankie Frisch

Charlie Gehringer

Rogers Hornsby

Nap Lajoie

Joe Morgan

Jackie Robinson

Roberto Alomar

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Honus Wagner: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1936

Louisville Colonels: 1897-1899

Pittsburgh Penguins: 1900-1917

Born: February 24, 1874

1895: Wagner's brother, Albert, got Honus into professional baseball. He was discovered the following year.

1897: Wagner joined the Louisville Colonels.

1899: Became the first player to steal second, third, and home in succession. He retired with the NL record for steals of home (since broken).

1899: The Colonels were contracted. Wagner needed a team and joined the Pirates.

1900: Wins his first of eight batting titles.

1903: Plays in the first World Series and hits .222 as Pittsburgh loses to Boston.

1904: Becomes a full time shortstop.

1905: Becomes the first player with his signature on his bat.

1908: Retired, but came back when offered a huge contract.

1908: Wagner has the best year for a Shortstop in history (Bill James claims its the best ever). He hit .354, 10 home runs, 109 RBI, and 53 steals.

1909: Pirates win World Series. Wagner hits .333 with 6 RBI and a .967 OPS outdueling Ty Cobb. He also stole 6 bases.

1909: Honus Wagner baseball card issued by the American Tobacco Company. Wagner did not approve because of the ties to tobacco.

1914: Collects 3000th hit.

1915: Becomes oldest player to hit a Grand Slam (broken by Tony Perez).

1916: Becomes oldest to hit an inside-the-park home run.

1917: Manages Pirates (Record: 1-4)

1917: Retires as NL's all time hit leader (broken by Stan Musial and Pete Rose).

After retirement, Wagner played semi-pro ball.

1928: Ran for Allegheny County Sheriff (Pennsylvania) and lost. (Appointed deputy sheriff in 1942).

1933-1952: Pirates hitting coach

1936: Elected to the Hall of Fame

Wagner ran a sporting goods store which still exists in Pittsburgh.

1944: Became the first honorary coach in All Star history.

1955: Died

1999: All Century Team

2000: USPS issues a Honus Wagner postage stamp.

Accomplishments:

1909 World Champion

8x Batting Champ (1900, 1903, 1904, 1906-09, 1911)

Hit .300 or better 17 consecutive years

.329 career average

1739 runs scored (led league 2x)

3420 hits (led league 2x)

643 doubles (led league 7x)

252 triples (led league 3x)

101 Home runs

1733 RBI (led league 5x)

100+ RBI: 9x

723 stolen bases (led league 5x)

40+ steals: 8x

50+ steals: 5x

963 walks and only 734 strikeouts

.391 OBP (led league 4x)

.467 SLG (led league 6x)

.858 OPS (led league 8x)

Career Postseason: .275, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 9 SB in 15 Games

From his official site: "Wagner retired with more hits, runs, RBI, doubles, triples, games and steals than any other National League player."

Monday, June 20, 2011

Babe Ruth: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1936

Boston Red Sox (1914-1919)

New York Yankees (1920-1934)

Boston Braves (1935)

Born: February 6, 1895

1902: Sent St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, where he learned baseball and became a qualified tailor.

1914: Signed with minor league Baltimore Orioles. His teammates dubbed him "Babe" because of his youthful looks (he was 19).

1914: The Orioles sold Ruth to the Boston Red Sox after the A's and Reds passed.

MLB Debut: July 14, 1914

1914: Ruth appeared in 5 games and spent most of the season in the minors.

1915: Earned a spot on the Red Sox as a starting pitcher. He won 18 games. He also hit his first home run.

1915: Red Sox win the World Series. Ruth does not pitch and goes 0-for-1.

1916: Ruth wins 23 games and leads the league in shutouts and ERA. His 9 shutouts were a record for AL left handed pitchers (since matched).

1916: July 11: Starts both games of a doubleheader. Also, he beat Walter Johnson four times in 1916.

1916: Red Sox win World Series. Ruth throws a 14-inning complete game victory in Game 2.

1917: Ruth walked the lead-off hitter on a June 23 game. He threw a tantrum, punched the umpire, and his relief, Ernie Shore retired every batter he faced after the runner was thrown out trying to steal.

1917: Ruth suspended for 10 games for hitting an umpire.

1918: Ruth begins to transition to the outfield and leads the league with 11 home runs.

1918: Red Sox win the World Series (Ruth goes 2-0)

1919: Ruth sets a new home run record with 29.

1919: Sold to the Yankees

1920s

1920: Ruth finishes transition to the outfield and rewrites the record books. In 1920, he hit 54 homers.

1921: 378, 59 HR, 171 RBI. If today's rules regarding foul balls existed, Ruth would have hit 104 home runs. He set the MLB record for Total Bases, Extra Base Hits, and Times on Base, which still stand. He also becomes the All Time Home Run champ (passed by Henry Aaron).

1921-1922: Yanks win Pennant but lose World Series to Giants (Ruth hit .313 and .118 in the two series with 1 homer).

1922: Ruth leapt into the stands to confront a heckler, is suspended, and stripped of the captaincy.

1923: Yankee Stadium opens; Ruth hits the first home run. It is dubbed "The House that Ruth Built" because of the gate he drew.

1923: Wins MVP (rules prevented multiple winners)

1923: Yanks win their first world title. Ruth hits .368 with 3 homers.

1924: Ruth is seriously injured in a collision with a wall. Still, he just misses the Triple Crown by 8 RBI.

1925: The Bellyache heard 'round the world: Ruth suffers a season long ailment and the Yanks experience their last losing season until 1965.

1926: Ruth rebounds to form (.372, 47, 146) and the Yanks win the pennant

1926 World Series: Game 4: Ruth hits 3 homers in a single game (matched by Reggie in 1977).

1926 World Series: Game 7: With NY trailing 3-2 with 2 out in the 9th, Ruth is thrown out trying to steal ending the series. Cardinals win the World Series.

1927: Yanks win 110 games. Ruth hits 60 (17 in September).  Lou Gehrig hits 47.

1927: Yanks sweep World Series

1928: Ruth only hits 54 homers and the Yanks sweep the World Series.

1929: Assigned uniform #3

1930s

1930: The Babe pitches a complete game victory as a stunt.

1930: Ruth demands $80,000 and quips he had a better year than the president (Herbert Hoover)

1932: Yanks win pennant.

1932: Ruth calls his shot in the World Series. Yanks win Series in 4 (Babe hits .333 with 2 homers and 6 RBI)

1933: Hit first All Star Game home run

1934: Hits 700th homer

1934: Barnstorms the Far East with other star players.

1934: Turns down offer to manage minor league club. The Babe wants to manage the Yanks. NY sells Ruth to the Boston Braves in 1935.

1935: May 25: Hits the final three homers of his career.

1935: Retires

1936: Elected to Hall of Fame

1938: Coaches for the Dodgers

1939: Appears at Lou Gehrig Day

1940s and beyond:

1942: Yanks retire his #3

1942: Appears in charity exhibition against Walter Johnson

1947: Served as Director of the American Legion Youth Baseball Program

1947: Yanks hold "Babe Ruth Day"

1948: Attends 25th anniversary festivities for Yankee Stadium

1948: Babe dies

1999: All Century Team

2008: Ruth's daughter throws out first pitch in the final game at Yankee Stadium.

Accomplishments:

7x World Champion (1915-16, 1918, 1923, 1927-28, 1932)

1923 AL MVP

1924 Batting Title

.342 Career Hitter

2x All Star

SI's Greatest Player of the 20th century

714 Home Runs (#2 all time)

Led League HR: 12x

50+ HR: 4x (60 in 1927)

2174 Runs Scored (Led League 8x)

2873 Hits

506 doubles

2213 RBI (#2 All Time)

Led League in RBI: 6x

150+ RBI: 6x

2062 Walks (Led League 11x)

.474 OBP (Led League 10x)

.690 SLG (#1 All Time)

Led League in SLG: 13x

OPS: 1.164 (#1 All Time)

Led League in OPS: 13x

94-46 Win-Loss Record

.671 Win %

2.28 ERA (Led League 1916)

17 Shutouts (Led League 1916)

Postseason Pitching: 3-0 record; 0.87 ERA

Postseason Hitting: .326, 15 HR, 33 RBI, 1.211 OPS



Christy Mathewson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1936

New York Giants: 1900-1916

Cincinnati Reds: 1916

Born: August 12, 1880

1895: Played semi-pro baseball (age 14)

1898: Learned the "fadeaway" pitch (screwball) which made him nearly unhittable.

1899: Finished college

From his official website: "Christy Mathewson was a college man, with a range of interests, who mowed down opposing hitters in his spare time. While at Bucknell University, Mathewson sang in the glee club, belonged to a literary society, played football and served as a model of clean living. On top of these achievements, Mathewson also wrote a series of children's books."

1900: All American Football Player (Drop kicker)

1900: Began playing professional baseball and was claimed by the Reds. Cincinnati traded Mathewson to the Giants.

MLB Debut: July 17, 1900

1901: Throws first No-Hitter vs St Louis (July 15)

1904: Giants win pennant, but manager John McGraw refused to play the upstart American League in the World Series.

1905: June 13: No hits Cubs

1905: Triple Crown (31 wins, 1.28 ERA, 206 strikeouts)

1905: Mathewson throws three World Series shutouts in 6 days leading NY to the championship. For the series: 3-0 record, 27 Innings, 13 hits, 0 runs, 18 strikeouts.

Mathewson became the first modern sports star and celebrity. People admired his high moral standards as well as his talent.

1908: Triple Crown (37 wins, 1.43 ERA, 259 strikeouts)

1911-1913: Giants win three consecutive pennants, but lose the World Series each time. For the three series: Matty went 2-5, but had a sub-1.00 ERA in 1912 and 1913.

1912: Wins 300th game

1916: Traded to Reds and retired at the end of the year.

1916: Pitched in final matchup with Three-Finger Brown. The two greats met up 25 times in their career. Brown won 13 times. Mathewson won 11.

1916-1918: Reds manager (164-176 record)

1918: Enlisted in the army for WWI. Is accidentally gased causing health problems for the remainder of his life.

1919-1921: Coach: New York Giants

1921: Giants win the World Series

1923: President of the Boston Braves

Died: October 7, 1925

His hometown celebrates Christy Mathewson Day every year.

1936: Elected to Hall of Fame

1999: Elected to All Century Team

Accomplishments:

1905 World Champion

373 Wins (3rd all time)

Led league in wins: 4x

Won 20 games: 13x

Won 30 games: 4x

.665 Win percentage (led league 1909)

2.13 ERA (led league 5x)

From 1907-1911: ERA under 2.00

In 15 seasons, had an ERA over 3.00 once

Sub-2.00 ERA: 5x

435 complete games (led league 2x)

79 shutouts (3rd all time)

Led league in shutouts: 4x

4788.2 innings pitched (led league 1908)

2507 strikeouts (led league 5x)

200+ strikeouts: 5x

His 267 strikeouts in 1903 were a record until Sandy Koufax

WHIP: 1.058

Postseason: 5-5 record and 0.97 ERA

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Walter Johnson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1936

Washington Senators: 1907-1927

Born: 11-6-1887

In High School: Struck out 27 batters in a 15 inning game

Debut: 11-2-1907

Johnson may have been the hardest thrower in history which resulted in 3509 strikeouts.

1913: Won Triple Crown (1.14 ERA, 36 wins, 243 strikeouts)

1913: 1.14 ERA

1913: AL MVP

1918: Won Triple Crown (23 wins, 1.27 ERA, 162 Strikeouts)

1924: Won Triple Crown

1924: AL MVP (23 wins, 2.72 ERA, 158 strikeouts)

1924: Senators win World Series behind Johnson. Washington never wins another championship until the team moved to Minnesota.

1924: World Series: Johnson loses first two starts, but saves the team in Game 7 in relief. Game 7 of the 1924 World Series is one of the greatest games ever played.

1925: Sens repeat as AL Champs, but lose World Series

1927: Retired. His final appearance was as a pinch hitter.

1928: Began managerial career

1929-1932: Managed Washington Senators (350-264)

1933-1935: Managed Cleveland Indians (179-168)

1936: Elected to Hall of Fame

1939: Served as a broadcaster

1940: Ran for Congress and lost

1942: Exhibition vs. Babe Ruth to benefit military

Died: 12-10-1946

1999: Voted to All Century Team

Accomplishments:

World Champion: 1924

2x MVP (1913, 1924)

417 wins (2nd all time)

Led league in wins 6x

Twelve 20-win seasons

Two 30-win seasons (1912-1913)

110 Shutouts (1st all time)

Led league in Shutouts: 7x

Win % leader: 2x (1913, 1924)

2.17 Career ERA (led league 5x)

Three Triple Crowns (1913, 1918, 1924)

Led League in Appearances: 2x

Led League in Games Finished: 4x

531 Complete Games (Lead league 6x)

5914.1 Innings Pitched (Led League 5x)

3509 Strikeouts (first all-time when he retired-not surpassed until the 80s)

Led League in Strikeouts: 12x

200 Strikeout Seasons: 7

300 Strikeout Seasons: 2x

1.061 WHIP

Postseason Record: 3-3, 2.52 ERA

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Ty Cobb: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1936

Detroit Tigers: 1905-1926

Philadelphia A's: 1927-1928

Born: 12-18-1886
August 30, 1905: Mother fatally shoots his father. She was acquitted in 1906.

MLB Debut: August 30, 1905 (doubled in his first AB vs. Jack Chesbro).

1906: Cobb became full time centerfielder for Detroit.

1907: Fought a black groundskeeper during Spring Training.

1907: Youngest batting champ in history (until Al Kaline)

1907: Began investing in Coca Cola, which eventually made him a millionaire.

1907-09: Tigers win three consecutive pennants, but lose the World Series each year. Cobb hits .262 in three World Series.

1909: Won Triple Crown. Also, became last man to lead league in home runs without hitting a single ball over the fence.

1910: Chalmers Controversy

1911: 40-Game Hitting Streak

1911: Hit .420
1911: AL MVP

1912: Cobb attacked a heckler in the stands. He was suspended and the Tigers went on strike in support of their teammate. The team fielded replacement players and lost 24-2.

1915: Set single season stolen base record (96). It was later broken by Maury Wills.

1917: 35-Game Hitting Streak

1917: Sent to France for WWI. Served 67 days and was discharged

1921: Collects 3000th hit

1921-1926: Player/Manager for Detroit Tigers

1925: Goes 6-for-6 with 3 HR and 16 TB for an AL record

1927-1928: Finished his career with A's.

1927: Collects 4000th hit.

1928: Retired

1936: Elected to Hall of Fame in Cooperstown

1941: Celebrity golf matches with Babe Ruth

c. 1959-60: Worked on autobiography with Al Stump

July 17, 1961: Died

1994: Cobb biopic is released starring Tommy Lee Jones as Cobb

1999: All Century Team

Accomplishments:

.366 Lifetime Average (#1 all time)

54 Steals of Home (#1 all time)

Hit .400 three times (1911, 1912, 1922)

12 Batting Titles (1907-15, 1917-19)

897 Stolen Bases (3rd all time, led league 6x)

2246 runs scored (led league 6x)

4189 hits (led league 8x)

724 doubles (led league 3x)

295 triples (led league 4x)

1938 RBI (led league 4x)

.433 OBP (led league 7x)

.512 SLG (led league 8x)

.945 OPS (led league 10x)

5854 TB (led league 6x)




Sunday, June 5, 2011

Top 10 First Basemen of All Time

Lou Gehrig #1. The rest are not in any order...

Albert Pujols

Lou Gehrig

Hank Greenberg

Jimmie Foxx

Harmon Killebrew

Willie McCovey

Johnny Mize

Eddie Murray

Bill Terry

George Sisler

Friday, June 3, 2011

Top 10 Catchers of All Time

Here are my Top 10 Catchers of All Time. Johnny Bench is #1 (obviously)!  The rest are in no particular order.

Johnny Bench

Yogi Berra

Gary Carter

Ivan Rodriguez

Mike Piazza

Mickey Cochrane

Carlton Fisk

Bill Dickey

Roy Campanella

Ernie Lombardi

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Quotes of the Month: May 2011

Quote of the Month:
“That ticks me off, I am my own woman, I have not been quote ‘bred’ to look the other way.”

-Maria Shriver 2003 rebroadcast over and over after her separation

Dumb Quote of the Month:
“He doesn’t understand how enhanced interrogation works. I mean, you break somebody, and after they’re broken, they become cooperative.”

-Rick Santorum on John McCain (note: McCain was tortured in Vietnam)

Dumb Quote of the Month part 2:
“Like this right-wing slut, what's her name, Laura Ingraham? Yeah, she's a talk slut.”

-Ed Schultz
and the rest:

“USA! USA!”

-Crowds across the nation after the news of Bin Laden’s death
“Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

-Barack Obama
“Justice has been done.”

-Barack Obama
“Osama always loved Snooki’s hair poof. He called it nature’s turban.”

-Jimmy Kimmel
"We want to make sure that he's really retired first."

- Packers on waiting to retire Bret Favre's #4.

“I had a bad day.”

-Jorge Posada after taking himself out of the lineup b/c he was batting 9th

“With allies like that, who needs the left?”

-Paul Ryan on Newt Gingrich
"The Rays demand profanity-free performances from all of our concert performers and we are extremely disappointed by the language used in last night's show. It is not consistent with the family-friendly atmosphere that Tropicana Field is known for."

-Tampa Rays Spokesman Rick Vaughn on Avril Lavigne’s profanity laced family concert