Douche Bag of the Year (2011)

Been a good year for Douche Bags…Here are the nominees for Douche Bag of the Year for 2011...

Casey Antony & other baby killers: There seemed to be an inordinate amount of people suspected of murdering their children. Casey Anthony became the poster child for this lot. In her case, another stupid jury decided to acquit as opposed to use common sense. The Anthony Jury’s infamy ranks with the O.J, Michael Jackson, and Robert Blake juries.

Charlie Sheen: ‘nuf said.

Herman Cain: Cain served as a lesson to those looking to run for presidency without really expecting to win.

Kim Kardashian: A total waste of space.

Barack Obama: Entering the fourth year of a failed presidency, Obama decides to attack Washington and engage in bigoted class warfare…even though he’s been part of the Washington establishment for a decade. He is no longer interested in governing.

Occupy Wall Street: A vacuous movement that has railed against capitalism and big banks. While most can sympathize with the attacks on banks, the movement has engaged in a number of crimes and vandalism leading to over 5000 arrests.

Justin Bieber: Is his 15 minutes up yet?

Donald Trump: The term media whore applies here.

Eric Holder: Holder sues Arizona while shipping guns to Mexican drug cartels. He absolves voter intimidation in 2008 while attacking states for trying to ensure people’s voting rights.

Ashton Kutcher: Not quite Charlie Sheen, but he did replace him on TV.

The NBA: Anyone notice the lockout?

The Philadelphia Eagles: They dubbed themselves the Dream team…hubris.

Pedophiles in sports: Penn State, Bill Conlin, & Syracuse all had their own scandals involving underage abuse.

Congress: Osama Bin Laden may be more popular than Congress.

and the winner: Casey Anthony

Former winners: Reality TV people (2009), LeBron James (2010)

Person of the Year (2011)

I have been doing this since 2006 (all winners listed at the bottom)....

Here are the candidates for 2011:

Justin Verlander: Won the AL Triple Crown, MVP, and Cy Young Awards. He won 24 games, led the Tigers to the ALCS, and no-hit Toronto. It was the best season for a MLB pitcher since 2000.

Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is setting all sorts of passing records and won the Superbowl. Going into Sunday’s season finale against the Lions, Rodgers had not lost a game in over a year.

Mike Kryzewski: Coach K became the winningest coach in NCAA history and he did it scandal-free.

Seal Team 6: These anonymous guys wacked Osama Bin Laden.

Adele: She was omnipresent on the pop charts and had a song that would not go away. Thank god it was not Ke$ha.

Gabrielle Giffords: Representative Giffords survived a vicious attack by a deranged gunman. The assassination attempt killed six others and wounded 13, including the congresswoman. Since recovering from surgery, she has attended congress and watched he husband’s shuttle launch.

Paul Ryan: Congressman Ryan put forth a plan to save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. It also established a blueprint toward fiscal solvency. The Democrats savaged Ryan for his efforts while dramatically cutting these very programs themselves.

Tim Tebow: Through 12 game starts, Tim Tebow was 8-4 with a record six come-from-behind fourth quarter victories. Tebow accomplished this with old school talents. At times, he looked like something from the 1945 Army squad. Tebow wins ugly, wins late, and sometimes wins pretty. On top of this, “Tebowing” has become a fad around the nation.

And the winner is…Justin Verlander!

Past winners: Rahm Emmanuel (2006), Al Gore (2007), Barack Obama (2008), Leonard Nimoy (2009), Drew Brees (2010)

Frank Chance: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: September 9, 1876

Debut: April 29, 1898 (Cubs)

1905: Became Cubs manager

1906: Cubs win 116 games, but lose World Series to White Sox

1907: Cubs win World Series

1908: Cubs win World Series

1910: Tinker to Evers to Chance is written by Franklin Pierce Adams

1910: Cubs win Pennant (Lose World Series to A’s)

1912: Left Cubs to manage Yankees Cubs record: 768-389 (.664) 4 pennants & 2 championships

1913-14: Managed Yankees 117-168 (.411)

1916-17: Managed in Pacific Coast League and became part owner of a team

1923: Managed Red Sox 61-91 (.401)

Died: October 15, 1924

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:

As a Manager:
946-648 (.593) with 4 Pennants and 2 World Championships

11 seasons as a manager

100 win seasons: 4

MLB record 116 wins (1906)

90+ win seasons: 7x

As a player:
2x World Champion

.296 average

20 HR

596 RBI

403 steals

1274 hits

798 runs

556 walks-319 strikeouts

.394 OBP

Led league in runs (103): 1906

10+ triples: 4x

Led league in steals: 2x

20+ steals: 9x

30+ steals: 5x

40+ steals: 3x

50+ steals: 2x

67 steals (1903)

.300+ average: 4x

.400+ OBP: 4x

Led league in OBP (.450): 1905

Postseason: .300, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .774 OPS (4 World Series-70 AB)

Jack Chesbro: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: June 5, 1874

1892: Began playing sandlot ball

1894: Earned nickname “Happy Jack” while working at a mental hospital

1895: Began minor league ball

1896: Cooperstown newspaper changed his name from Chesebrough to Chesbro to fit the boxscore

Debut: October 2, 1899 (Pirates)

1899: Traded to Louisville Colonels

1900: Sent to the Pirates after Colonels ceased to exist

1901: Pirates win the Pennant (No World Series)

1902: Pirates win the Pennant (No World Series)

1903: Jumped to the Highlanders (Yankees)

1904: Began throwing a spitball

1904: 41-12 record (next closest pitcher won 26)

1904: Won 14 straight games

1904: Threw a wild pitch on the last day of the season costing NY the pennant. Some claim it was a passed ball. The controversy continues…

1905: Involved in first squeeze play in MLB history

1909: Selected off waivers by the Red Sox

1910: Returned to New York, but refused a minor league assignment and was placed on ineligible list.

1910: Returned to his farm and pitched semi-pro ball

1912: Tried a comeback, but teams passed on him.

1924: Coach for the Senators

1927: Player/Manager for a minor league team

Died: November 6, 1931

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:
198-132 (.600)

2.68 ERA

1265 strikeouts

15+ wins: 7x

20+ wins: 5x

41-12. 1.82 ERA (1904)

Most single season wins (41) in history

Led league in wins: 2x

Led league in win %: 2x

Sub 3 ERA: 8x

1.82 ERA (1904)

Led league in games: 2x

Led league in GS: 2x

260 CG

10+ CG: 10x

20+ CG: 8x

30+ CG: 3x

48 CG (1904): Led league

35 shutouts

Led league in shutouts: 2x

2896.2 IP

200+ IP: 9x

300+ IP: 4x

454.2 IP (1904): Led league

1.152 WHIP

0.937 WHIP (1904): Led league

239 strikeouts (1904)

Jesse Burkett: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: December 4, 1868

1888-90: Played in New England League

Debut: April 22, 1890 (New York Giants)

1891: Purchased by Cleveland Spiders

1899: Assigned to St. Louis Perfectos (Cardinals)

1902: Jumped to the St. Louis Browns

1904: Traded to the Red Sox

1905: Retired after season

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Died: May 27, 1953

Accomplishments:
.338 career

3x batting champ

Holds MLB record for most inside-the-park HR (55)

Hit .300: 10x

Hit .350: 7x

Hit .400: 2x

75 HR

952 RBI

1720 runs

2850 hits

182 triples

389 steals

.415 OBP

.446 Slugging

.861 OPS

2067 games

Led league in games played: 2x

Led league in PA: 3x

Led league in AB: 2x

Led league in runs: 2x

100+ runs: 9x

150+ runs: 2x

Led league in hits: 3x

200+ hits: 6x

20+ doubles: 10x

10+ triples: 10x

10 HR (1901)

20+ steals: 10x

30+ steals: 5x

41 steals (1895)

1029 walks-613 strikeouts

.400 OBP: 9x

.500 slugging: 5x

1.000 OPS: 2x

300 TB: 2x

Led league in TB: 2x

Postseason: .320, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4 SB (6 games-25 AB)

Pitching: 3-11, 5.56 ERA

Johnny Evers: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: July 21, 1883

Debut: September 1, 1902 (Cubs)

1905: Began feud with Joe Tinker. It started over cab fare.

1906: Cubs win Pennant (Lost World Series to White Sox)

1907: Cubs win World Series

1908: Alerted umpires about “Merkle’s boner” costing the Giants the pennant

1908: Cubs win World Series

1910: “Tinker to Evers to Chance” is written by Franklin Pierce Adams

1914: Ejected 9 times during the season

1910: Cubs win Pennant (Lose World Series to A’s)

1913: Player-Manager of the Cubs: 88-65 (.575)

1914: Traded to Braves

1914: Braves win World Series

1914: NL MVP

1914: .279, 1 HR, 40 RBI, .390 OBP

1917: Selected off Waivers by Phillies

1917: Retired after season

1920: Coached for the NY Giants

1921: Managed Cubs for second time: 41-55 (.427)

1922-23: Coach for the Chicago White Sox

1924: Managed White Sox: 51-72 (.415)

1929: Made final appearance

1929-32: Coach for the Boston Braves

After 1932: GM for Albany Senators “for a time.”

1938: Spoke to Joe Tinker for first time in 33 years while doing radio broadcast of the World Series

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Died: March 28, 1947

Accomplishments:
3x World Champion

1914 NL MVP

.270 career hitter

12 HR

538 RBI

778 walks-292 strikeouts

324 stolen bases

919 runs

1659 hits

11 triples (1912)

20+ steals: 7x

30+ steals: 3x

40+ steals: 2x

108 walks (1910)

Hit .300: 2x

.400 OBP: 3x

.873 OPS (1912)

Postseason:
.316, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .718 OPS, 11 runs, 8 SB, 24 hits (4 World Series)

Hit .438 in 1914 World Series

Managerial:
180-192 (.484)

Clark Griffith: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: November 20, 1869

Debut: April 11, 1891 (St. Louis Browns)

1891: Jumped to Milwaukee

1891: Signed by the Boston Reds as a free agent

1893: Signed by Chicago Colts as a free agent

1901: Led players exodus to the American League

1901: Jumped to the White Sox as player-manager (157-113 record)

1901: White Sox won Pennant (No World Series)

1903: Traded to the New York Highlanders (Yankees) as player-manager (419-370 record)

1907: Retired as a player, but made occasional appearances until 1914

1909: Managed Reds (222-238 record)

1912: Managed Senators and purchased a stake in the franchise (693-646 record)

1920: Moved to Senators Front Office. He rented out his stadium to the Redskins for additional income.

1924: Senators win World Series

1925: Senators win Pennant (Lose World Series to Pirates)

1933: Senators win Pennant (Lose World Series to Giants)

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Died: October 27, 1955

1955: Ownership of the Senators passed to his son

1961: Senators move to Minnesota

Accomplishments:

Owned Washington Senators (1912-1955)

As a manager:

1491-1367 (.522) and 1 pennant

Claimed to have invented the screwball

Known for doctoring the balls

As a player:

237-146 record

3.31 ERA

.619 Win %

Won 15+ games: 8x

Won 20+ games: 7x

Led league in win % (.774): 1901

Led league in ERA (1.88): 1898

Sub 3 ERA: 6x

Sub 2 ERA: 2x

372 GS

Led league in GF: 3x

337 CG

Led league in CG (38): 1897

10+ CG: 11x

20+ CG: 10x

30+ CG: 5x

22 Shutouts

Led league in Shutouts: 2x

3385.2 IP

200+ IP: 11x

300+ IP: 5x

955 Strikeouts

1.313 WHIP

0.954 WHIP (1905)

Tommy McCarthy: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: July 24, 1863

Debut: July 10, 1884 (Boston Reds)

1885: Signed by Beaneaters as a free agent

1885: Sent to Haverhill

1886: Ended up with Philadelphia Quakers

1888: Traded to Browns

1888: 93 steals (may have been over 100)

1890: Managed Browns (15-12 record)

1892: Traded to Beaneaters

1895: Purchased by Brooklyn Grooms

Died: August 5, 1922

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

2001: Rated worst Hall of Famer of all time by Bill James

Accomplishments:
.292 career average

44 homers

732 RBI

Led league in PA: 2x

Led league in AB (604): 1889

Scored 100+ runs: 7x

1066 runs scored

1493 hits

20+ doubles: 6x

13 HR (1894)

100+ RBI: 2x

30+ steals: 7x

40+ steals: 6x

50+ steals: 4x

80+ steals: 2x

93 steals: 1888

Led league 83 steals (1890)

536 walks-163 strikeouts

Hit .300+: 4x

Hit .350 (1890)

.400+ OBP: 3x

Postseason batting: .290, 1 HR, 11 RBI (2 postseasons)

Pitching: 0-8, 4.99 ERA

As a manager: 15-12

Joe McGinnity: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: March 20, 1871

Debut: April 18, 1899 (Baltimore Orioles)

1900: Sent to Brooklyn Superbas

1900: Brooklyn won the pennant (No World Series)

1901: Jumped to Orioles

1902: Signed as Free Agent by New York Giants

1903: Started both games of a doubleheader three times in a month earning the nickname “Iron Man.” (He went 6-0)

1903: 31-20

1904: 35-8, 1.61 ERA

1905: Giants win the World Series (McGinnity 1-1, 0.00 ERA, 0.765 WHIP)

1908: Plays final Major League game, but continues in the minors until age 54

1925: Finally retired from baseball with 453 wins

Died: November 14, 1929

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

2009: Don Doxsie publishes Iron Man McGinnity: A Baseball Biography

Accomplishments:
1905 World Champion

Pitched both ends of three doubleheaders in one month (1903)

Pitched 5 hit shutout, 1-0 win vs. Giants (Game 4 1905 WS)

246-142 (.634)

Led league in wins: 5x

15+ wins: 9x

20+ wins: 8x

30+ wins: 2x

Led league in Win %: 2x

.600 win %: 6x

.700 win %: 2x

.814 win % (1904)

Led league in ERA (1.61): 1904

Sub 3 ERA: 9x

Sub 2 ERA: 1904 (1.61)

465 games

Led league in games: 6x

Led league in GS: 2x

314 CG

Led league in CG: 2x

10+ CG: 9x

20+ CG: 9x

30+ CG: 7x

44 CG (1903)

Led league in saves (5): 1904

32 shutouts

Led league in shutouts (9): 1904

3441.1 IP

200+ IP: 9x

300+ IP: 9x

400+ IP: 2x

Led league in IP: 4x

100+ Walks: 2x

Led league in walks (113): 1900

1.188 WHIP

1.000 or lower WHIP: 2x

0.963 WHIP: 1904

Postseason: 1-1, 0.00 ERA, 17 IP, 10 hits, 3 walks, 6 Ks, 1 CG, 0.765 WHIP (1905 WS)

Eddie Plank: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: August 31, 1875

Debut: May 13, 1901 (A’s)

1905: A’s win Pennant (Lose World Series to Giants)

1910: Sat out season due to sore arm

1910: A’s win World Series

1911: A’s win World Series

1913: A’s win World Series

1913: Pitched 2-hitter, 1 unearned run, to defeat Christy Mathewson (Game 5 World Series)

1914: A’s win Pennant (Lose World Series to Braves)

1914: Jumped to Federal League after World Series loss

1915: Becomes first lefty to win 300 games

1916: Purchased by Browns

1917: Final game: 1-0 11-inning loss to Walter Johnson

1918: Traded to the New York Yankees. Retired rather than play.

Died: February 24, 1926

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

1999: Finalist for All Century Team

Accomplishments:

First lefty to 300 wins

3x World Champion

326-194 record

2.35 ERA

2246 strikeouts

Won 15+ games: 15x

Won 20+ games: 8x

Led league in Win % (.760) in 1906

Sub 3 ERA: 15x

Sub 2 ERA: 2x

Led league in games (43): 1903

Led league in game starts: 2x

10+ CG: 16x

20+ CG: 13x

30+ CG: 5x

Led league in CG (35): 1905

69 shutouts

Led league in shutouts: 2x

Led league in saves (4): 1911

200+ IP: 15x

300+ IP: 5x

200+ Strikeouts: 2x

1.119 WHIP

Led league in WHIP (0.991): 1915

Postseason: 2-5, 1.32 ERA, 32 strikeouts, 54 2/3 IP, 6 CG (4 World Series)

Ed Walsh: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: May 14, 1881

Debut: May 7, 1904 (White Sox)

1906: White Sox win World Series (Walsh 2-0)

1906: 12 strikeout game in 1906 World Series

1908: 40-15 record

1910: Set record for lowest ERA (1.27) for a pitcher with a losing record (18-20)

1912: Requested a year off to rest his arm

1913: Began experiencing arm problems

1916: Suffered a “dead arm”

1917: Attempted comeback with Braves, but failed. He retired in 1917. Walsh later pitched in the minors, served as an umpire, and became a White Sox coach.

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame by Old Timers’ Committee

Died: May 26, 1959

Accomplishments:
195-126 Record

1906 World Champion

Won 20+ games: 4x

Led league with 40 wins (1908)

Led league in losses (20) in 1910

.607 win %

Led league in win % (.727) in 1908

1.82 ERA is lowest ever

Led league in ERA: 2x

Sub-3 ERA: 7x (154+ IP)

Sub-2 ERA: 5x

Lowest ERA ever for a pitcher with losing record in 1910 (1.27)

Led league in games played: 5x

Led league in game starts: 3x

Led league in games finished: 3x

Led league in CG: 2x

20+ CG: 7x

30+ CG: 5x

250 Complete Games

57 shutouts

Led league in shutouts: 3x

10+ Shutouts: 2x

Led league in saves: 5x

10 saves in 1912

200+ IP: 7x

300+ IP: 5x

400+ IP: 2x

Led league in IP: 4x

2964 1/3 IP

1736 Strikeouts

200+ strikeouts: 5x

Led league in strikeouts: 2x

1.000 WHIP

1.000 WHIP or less: 4x

Led league in Whip: 2x

Postseason: 2-0, 1 shutout, 15 IP, 17 Ks, 0.60 ERA (1906 WS)

12 strikeouts in Game 3 1906 WS (2-hit shutout)

Rube Waddell: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: October 13, 1876

Debut: September 8, 1897 (Louisville Colonels)

1898: Loaned to Detroit Wolverines for “seasoning”

1899: Returned to Colonels

1899: Traded to Pirates

1900: Loaned to Milwaukee and later returned to Pittsburgh

1900: Won both games of a doubleheader. He pitched a complete game victory in 17 innings in the first game.

1901: Purchased by Cubs

1901: Jumped to Los Angeles

1902: Jumped to Philadelphia A’s

1902: Struck out three batters on nine pitches

1902: A’s win pennant (No World Series)

1902: Played pro football

1905: Won Triple Crown (27 wins, 1.48 ERA, 287 strikeouts)

1905: A’s win pennant (Lose World Series to Giants)

1905-06: Experienced serious injuries. Alcoholism and mental problems exacerbated his relationship with teammates. He suffered severe mental health issues for the remainder of his life.

1907: Pitched 13-inning scoreless tie against Cy Young

1908: Purchased by Browns

1908: 16 strikeout game vs. A’s

1910: Released due to personal problems

1911-13: Pitched in minors

1914: Died of pneumonia

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:
193-143 record

2.16 ERA

2316 Strikeouts

1905 Triple Crown

Led league in strikeouts: 6x

200+ strikeouts: 6x

300+ strikeouts: 2x

Set record with 349 strikeouts (since broken)

.574 win %

10+ wins: 10x

15+ wins: 7x

20+ wins: 4x

Led league with 27 wins (1905)

Led league in win % (.730) in 1905

Led league in ERA: 2x

Sub 3 ERA: 10x

Sub 2 ERA: 3x

Led league in games pitched (46) in 1905

261 CG

Led league with 34 CG in 1903

50 shutouts

200+ IP: 11x

300+ IP: 3x

1.102 WHIP

Led league with 1.107 WHIP in 1900

Joe Tinker: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1946

Born: July 27, 1880

1900: Played in Pacific Northwest League

1901: Purchased by Cubs

Debut: April 17, 1902 (Cubs)

1905: Began feud with Johnny Evers over a cab

1906: Cubs win pennant (Lose World Series to White Sox)

1907: Cubs win World Series

1908: Hit pennant winning double off Christy Mathewson

1908: Cubs win World Series

1910: Tinkers to Evers to Chance poem is published by Franklin Pierce Adams

1910: Cubs win pennant (Lose World Series to A’s)

1912: Salary dispute led to his sale to the Reds

1913: Player/Manager of Reds (64-89)

1914: Jumped to Federal League

1914-15: Managed in Federal League (173-133)

1915: Won Federal League Pennant

1916: Purchased by the Cubs

1916: Managed Cubs (67-86)

1916: Retired

Retirement: Scouted, managed, real estate and club management.

1938: Tinkers and Evers talk to each other for the first time since 1905 when reunited to broadcast the World Series

1946: Elected to Hall of Fame

Died: July 27, 1948

Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

.262 career

31 HR

783 RBI

Led league in games played (157) in 1908

Hit .317 in 1913

114 triples

10+ triples: 5x

336 stolen bases

20+ steals: 11x

30+ steals: 5x

41 steals in 1904

Postseason:
.235, 1 HR, 6 RBI (4 World Series)

As a Manager:
304-308 (.497) 1 Pennant

Sci-Fi History: Dracula (1931)

Bela Lugosi defined the vampire for the next century. Every incarnation of the creature has been influenced by Lugosi either as a knock-off or as a reaction to. Lugosi dominates the film and is a presence even when not on screen. The classic spawned several sequels including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The film is now in the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVPxAgy7lBA

The 200 Greatest Albums of All Time: "R" artists

OK Computer: Radiohead (1997)
Few bands can get away from changing their sound. Fans and critics excoriated U2 when they turned to electronic music. On the other hand, Radiohead enhanced their reputation with OK Computer. They used a wide range of influences to craft the album and moved away from more guitar-driven tracks. Now, the work represents a transition to Radiohead’s later efforts.

Key Tracks:
Paranoid Android
Karma Police
No Surprises

Kid A: Radiohead (2000)
Kid A lacked a lead single, but still went platinum in a week. The band decided to market the album with a coordinated internet leak, which built anticipation. Musically, Radiohead incorporated jazz, classical, and Krautrock and mixed it with more abstract concepts and lyrics. It is amazing the album experienced any success at all and did not kill Radiohead’s career.

Key Tracks:
Everything in the Right Place
The National Anthem
Optimistic
Idioteque

Rage Against the Machine: RATM (1992)
Rage Against the Machines’ freshman effort is considered one of the heaviest albums ever recorded. In addition to the musically hard edge, the songs all contained leftist political messages. Maynard from Tool provided guest vocals on “Know Your Enemy” and has been known to join the band onstage to perform the song.

Key Tracks:
Bombtrack
Killing in the Name
Bullet in the Head

The Ramones: The Ramones (1976)
By 1976, rock appeared to be dying. With the exception of Springsteen, whom some consider the genre’s savior, disco and pop fluff dominated the music scene. In 1976, the punks returned rock n roll to its roots. The Ramones led the charge. Although their sound was reminiscent of the fifties, their attitude and subject matter led to the punk label. The Ramones established the genre and later popularized it.

Key Tracks:
Blitzkrieg Bop
I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Judy is a Punk
Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue

Blood Sugar Sex Magik: Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)
Rick Rubin produced and guided the Red Hot Chili Peppers throughout the making of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Critics praised Rubin for steering the band away from a more metal sound and refocusing their energies. “Under the Bridge” made the band superstars and recounted lead singer Anthony Kiedis’ drug addiction. Drugs, death, lust, and sex provided the album’s themes which played well during the alternative explosion of the early 1990s.

Key Tracks:
Give it Away
Under the Bridge
Suck My Kiss
Breaking the Girl

Lou Whitaker

A timeline...

Born: May 12, 1957

Debut: September 9, 1977

1978: Won Rookie of the Year

1983: Appeared in episode of Magnum P.I. with Alan Trammell

1983: Lou’s best season (.320, 12, 72, 94 runs, .380 OBP, .837 OPS)

1984: Tigers win World Series

1985: Cleared the Tiger Stadium roof with a homer

1985: Whitaker forgot his jersey for the ASG. He bought a replica and used a magic marker to fill in the #1 on the back. It currently resides in the Smithsonian.

1986: Homered in All Star Game

1986: Entire Tiger infield hit 20 homers

1987: Tigers win AL East (Lose ALCS to Minnesota)

1989: Hit career best 28 homers with 85 RBI

1992: 2000^th hit

1992: 200^th homer

1995: Whitaker and Trammell become longest running double play combination in history

1995: Retired

2001: Removed from HOF consideration after garnering 2.9% of the vote. 5% was needed to remain on the ballot.

2015: Eligible for review for HOF candidacy

Accomplishments:
1984 World Champion

1978 ROY

5x All Star

4x Silver Slugger

3x Gold Glove

.276 career average

Hit .300+: 2x

Led league in games played (109) in 1981

100+ Runs: 2x

1386 career runs scored

2369 career hits

206 hits (1983)

420 doubles

30+ doubles: 3x

40 doubles (1983)

244 home runs

20+ home runs: 4x

1084 RBI

20 steals (1979)

1197 walks-1099 strikeouts

.363 career OBP

.412 OBP (1993)

.518 slugging (1995)

Postseason: .204 with 1 HR and 1 RBI (2 postseasons)

Sci Fi History: Frankenstein (1931)

The 1931 film, Frankenstein, deviates dramatically from Mary Shelley’s book. In the literature, the monster can read and displays an interest in classical works. The film portrays him as a grunting beast. Additionally, the monster’s behavior is the result of poor treatment. The film makes it clear that it was the result of an abnormal brain being implanted. Lastly, the book ends with the monster plotting suicide while the movie sends a lynch mob to eliminate him.

Today, people might giggle at some of the scenes in the film, but in 1931, it scared people senseless. In fact, the film opens with a warning. Although tame by today’s standards, the flower girl scene remains disturbing and creepy to this day. The film has spawned many sequels, parodies, and imitations.

It’s Alive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H3dFh6GA-A

Girl in the pond:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9opHsLACk

The Monster’s end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoL6a37d1Rg

Quotes of the Month: November 2011

Quote of the Month:

"If we were trying to run a regular offense, he'd be screwed."

-Broncos coach John Fox on Tim Tebow

Stupid Quote of the Month:

“We’ve been a little lazy over the last couple of decades.”

-Barack Obama

And the rest:

“So if you win, you suddenly produce what sounds like 1984 from their brief."

-Stephen Breyer

"It’s not gonna happen.”

-Jorge Posada on his returning to the Yanks

“This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”

-Joe Paterno

"How can you pick against SMU? Look at that one there — red, white and blue. [Picks up SMU megaphone] U-S-A! … Ah, f___ it!

-Leo Corso on College GameDay

“Go get a job right after you take a bath.”

-Newt Gingrich to OWS

“I’m a devout Catholic and I honor my faith and love it . . . but they have this conscience thing.”

-Nancy Pelosi

“What the hell are we paying you for?”

-Chris Christie to President Obama

"Unfortunately, we at www.elviscostello.com find ourselves unable to recommend this lovely item to you as the price appears to be either a misprint or a satire."

-Elvis Costello to his fans

"We have to do an assessment as to whether or not this is going to create too much of a cloud, in some people's minds, as to whether or not they would be able to support us going forth."

-Herman Cain