Monday, December 30, 2013

Sci-Fi History: Captain America returns (1964)


Timely Comics introduced Captain America in March 1941. The book was one of the most popular books during World War II, but fell off after the war. Captain America ceased publishing in 1950. Marvel Comics resurrected Cap in March 1964 when the Avengers found the hero frozen in suspended animation. Cap eventually became the leader of the hero squad, starred in his own comic series, and has been featured in the recent Marvel movies

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Dave Parker: Timeline


Born: June 9, 1951

1970: Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates

Debut: April 21, 1973

1974-5: Pirates win NL East

1977: Threw out 26 runners on the bases

1977: NL Batting Champ (.338)

1978: Fractured cheekbone running the bases

1978: NL Batting Champ (.334)

1978: NL MVP (.334, 30 HR, 117 RBI, 102 runs, .979 OPS)

1979: Became first to earn an average of million dollars a year

1979: Threw out two runners in All Star Game

1979: ASG MVP

1979: Pirates win World Series

1981: Considered one of the 100 Greatest players of all time

1983: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

1985: Involved in drug scandal

1985: .312, 34 HR, 125 RBI, 198 hits, 42 doubles, .916 OPS

1987: Traded to Oakland A's

1988: A's win Pennant

1989: A's win World Series

1989: Signed with Milwaukee Brewers

1991: Traded to California Angels

1991: Signed by Toronto Blue Jays

1991: Jays win AL East

1991: Retired

Since retirement: Coached for Angels and Cardinals

2011: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot after 15 years (15.3% of vote in 2011): The Drug Scandal most likely ended his chances of induction.

2013: Confirmed he has Parkinson's Disease

Accomplishments:

2x World Champion

1978 NL MVP

7x All Star

1979 ASG MVP

2x Batting Champ

3x Gold Glove

3x Silver Slugger

1985 ASG Home run Derby Champ

.290 average

339 HR

1493 RBI

1272 Runs

2712 Hits

526 Doubles

.471 Slugging

.810 OPS

.339 OBP

4405 TB

100+ Runs: 3x

215 hits (1977)

30+ Doubles: 8x

40+ Doubles:  3x

10+ Triples: 3x

20+ HR: 9x

30+ HR: 3x

100+ RBI: 4x

20+ SB: 2x

.300+ Average: 6x

.500 Slugging: 5x

300+ TB: 6x

Led league in games (162): 1986

Led league in hits (215): 1977

Led league in doubles: 2x

Led league in RBI (125): 1985

Led league in slugging: 2x

Led league in OPS (.979): 1978

Led league in TB: 3x

Led league in IBB: 2x

Postseason: .234, 3 HR, 11 RBI, .647 OPS (8 Series)

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Sci Fi History: Bewitched (1964)


Bewitched was a sitcom featuring an all-powerful witch that wished to live life as a suburban housewife. For whatever reason, her husband did not want her to use her powers. The show was an allegory for the women’s rights movement. Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) had the power, but her Darrin (her husband) wished to suppress that power. In the end, Sam had to use her power to get the couple out of a number of situations. Her powers were expressed when she wiggled her nose. This symbolized female empowerment.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Julian Bashir: Star Trek Timeline


Born: 2341

2348: His parents genetically modified Bashir. His IQ increased five points a day for two weeks.

2348: They returned to Earth from Adigeon Prime, moved to a new city, and falsified Julian’s records.

2368: Graduated Starfleet Academy as salutatorian

2369: Assigned to Deep Space Nine

2369: Saved the lives of a delegation of ambassadors

2369: Helped destroy T’Lani bio weapons

2370: Became first person in over a century to cross into the mirror universe.

2371: Transported back to the Bell Riots

2371: Nominated for Carrington Award for work on biomolecular replication

2372: Promoted to full lieutenant

2372: Cured the Teplan Blight

2372: Captured by the Jem Hadar and imprisoned in Internment Camp 371

2373-2375: Dominion War

2374: Selected by Section 31 for covert ops

2375: AR-558

2375: Found cure for virus that threatened the Founders with extinction

2375: Began relationship with Ezri Dax (ended 2376)

2376: Stopped a second Eugenics War by defeating former Section 31 operative Ethan Locken

2382: Undercover operation to Breen homeworld to destroy Typhon Pact slipstream work

2382: Began relationship with Sarina Douglas

2385: Cured Andorian fertility problem, but used extralegal means

2385: Arrested for treason and placed in a black location

2385: Sprung from prison and given sanctuary by Andor

2386: Bashir’s actions helped motivate Andor to rejoin the Federation

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Billy Evans: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1973


Born: February 10, 1884

1902; Attended Cornell University

1904: Father died; Evans dropped out of Cornell

1904: Became sports reporter

c. 1904: Began umpping for extra cash

1906: Discovered by Charlie Morton, who recommended Evans to Ban Johnson

1906: Became youngest MLB ump in history (22 years old)

1906-27: MLB Umpire

1907: Umpired seven double-headers by himself

1907: Suffered skull fracture when a fan hit him with a bottle

1909: Umpired World Series

1912: Umpired World Series

1915: Umpired World Series

1917: Umpired World Series

1918-28: Sports Editor

1919: Umpired World Series

1921: Fistfight with Ty Cobb

1922: Third base umpire during Charlie Robertson's perfect game

1923: Umpired World Series

1927: Retired 

1927-35: GM Cleveland Indians

1936-40: Scout Boston Red Sox

1940: Resigned from Red Sox after they sold Pee Wee Reese over his objections

1941-2: GM Cleveland Rams

1942-6: President of the Southern Association

1946-51: GM Detroit Tigers

1946: Sold Hank Greenberg to Pirates

1947: Published Umpiring from the Inside

1950: Published Knotty Problems in Baseball

1952-6: Retirement

1956: Died 

1973: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:

Six World Series

Pioneered running to base where a play took place in order to make the call

Advocated umpire training

Set High Standards of Professionalism

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Monte Irvin: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1973


Born: February 25, 1919

High School: Set New Jersey state records in Javelin.

Attended Lincoln University

1938-48: Negro Leagues

1942: Mexican League

1943-45: World War II service

1949: Signed by New York Giants

Debut: July 8, 1949 (Giants)

1949-50: Minor Leagues

1951: .312, 24 HR, 121 RBI, .929 OPS

1951: Formed first all-black outfield with Willie Mays and Hank Thompson

1951: Giants win the Pennant

1954: Giants win World Series

1955: Rule 5 pickup by Cubs

1957: Minor Leagues

1957: Retired

1967-8: Scout for Mets

1968-84: PR specialist for MLB

1973: Elected to Hall of Fame (Negro League Committee)

2010: Giants retired his #20

Accomplishments:

1954 World Champion

1952 All Star

5x Negro League All Star

.293 Average

366 Runs

731 Hits

99 HR

443 RBI

.858 OPS

.383 OBP

.475 Slugging

11 Triples (1951)

20+ HR: 2x

Led League 121 RBI (1951)

Hit .300: 3x

.400 OBP: 2x

.500 Slugging: 2x

Postseason: .394, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB, .913 OPS (2 World Series)

Monday, December 16, 2013

Mickey Welch: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1973


Born: July 4, 1859

1880: Signed with Troy Trojans

Debut: May 1, 1880 (Trojans)

July 6, 1880: One-hit Cleveland Blues

1882: Trojans disbanded

1883: Signed with New York Gothams

1884: Struck out 9 straight to start a game (Record still stands, but Tom Seaver set record for consecutive strikeouts with 10 in 1970)

1884: 39-21 record, 345 strikeouts

1885: 44-11 record, 1.66 ERA, 258 strikeouts

1889: Became first pinch hitter in history

1890: Got into an argument with an umpire who declared the game forfeit to the opposition

1890: Won his 300th game

Died: July 30, 1941

1973: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)               

Accomplishments:

307-210 record

2.71 ERA

565 games-549 starts

525 CG

41 SHO

4802 IP

Won 20+ Games: 9x

Won 30+ Games: 4x

44 wins (1885)

Sub 2 ERA: 2x

10+ CG: 12x

20+ CG: 11x

30+ CG: 11x

40+ CG: 7x

50+ CG: 4x

60+ CG: 2x

300+ IP: 9x

400+ IP: 6x

500+ IP: 3x

200+ Strikeouts: 3x

345 strikeouts (1884)

Led league win %: .800 (1885)

Postseason: 1-2 record, 4.09 ERA, 22 IP, 3 strikeouts, 1.500 WHIP (3 games)

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Warren Spahn: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1973


Born: April 23, 1921

1940: Signed by Boston Bees (Braves)

Debut: April 19, 1942 (Braves)

1942: Casey Stengel sent Spahn back to the minors after the pitcher refused to throw at Pee Wee Reese.

1943-45: World War II service (awarded Purple Heart)

1944: Battle of the Bulge

1947: Pitching Title

1948: Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain poem appears

1948: Braves win Pennant

1952: 18 strikeout game

1953: 23-7, 2.10, 1.058 WHIP

1953: Pitching Title

1953: TSN Pitcher of the Year

1957: Braves win World Series

1957: Won Cy Young Award

1957-8: TSN Pitcher of the Year

1958: Braves win Pennant

1960: No hit Phillies

1961: No hit Giants

1961: Lou Gehrig Award

1961: NL Pitching Title

1961: TSN Pitcher of the Year

1963: Dueled Juan Marichal for 16 innings (lost 1-0 on a Willie Mays home run)

1963: Appeared on TV Show: Combat

1964: Purchased by New York Mets

1965: Signed by San Francisco Giants

1965: Retired

1967-71: Managed Tulsa Oilers

1970s: Coached for Cleveland, the minors, and in Japan

1973: Elected to Hall of Fame (83.2%)

1999: All-Century Team

2003: Died

Accomplishments:

1957 World Champion

1957 Cy Young Award

1961: Lou Gehrig Award               

17x All Star

Two no-hitters

363-245 record

3.09 ERA

750 games-665 starts

382 CG

63 SHO

5243.2 IP

2583 Strikeouts

1.195 WHIP

Won 15+ Games: 16x

Won 20+ Games: 13x

Sub 3 ERA: 8x

Sub 2.50 ERA: 2x

10+ CG: 17x

20+ CG: 12x

25+ CG: 3x

200+ IP: 17x

300+ IP: 2x

Led league in wins: 8x

Led league in win % (.667): 1958

Led league in ERA: 3x

Led league in GS: 2x

Led league in CG: 9x

Led league in SHO: 4x

Led league in IP: 4x

Led league in Strikeouts: 4x

Led league in WHIP: 4x

Postseason: 4-3 record, 3.05 ERA, 56 IP, 32 strikeouts, 1.071 WHIP (8 games-3 World Series)

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Person of the Year 2013


Person of the Year: Mariano Rivera : Style and grace. He went out on top.
and the rest...

2. Vladimir Putin : He completely manhandled an overmatched Barack Obama, reinserted Russia into the Middle East after four decades, and somehow became a Nobel Peace Prize candidate (thanks to Barry).

3. Pope Francis I : The dude was a bouncer.

4. Edward Snowden: How he released the info makes him a douche bag and quite frankly, he's a tool, but the Obama spy program goes too far.

5. Prince George of Cambridge : Most likely, George will be the first monarch of the 22nd century. 

and the rest... 

Chris Christie

Batkid

Grumpy Cat

Brian Griffin  (RIP)

Ray Lewis

Megyn Kelly

Previous winners: Miguel Cabrera (2012), Justin Verlander (2011), Drew Brees (2010), Leonard Nimoy (2009), Barack Obama (2008), Al Gore (2007), Rahm Emmanuel (2006)

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

George Kelly: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1973


Born: September 10, 1895
1914-15: Minor Leagues
1915: Purchased by New York Giants
Debut: August 18, 1915 (Giants)
1917: Selected off waivers by Pittsburgh Pirates
1917: Returns to Giants
1917: Pitched in a game and got the win
1918: WWI service
1921-2: Giants win World Series
1923-4: Giants win Pennant
1924: Hit 7 home runs in 6 consecutive games (NL record-since tied)
1924: Accused of fixing games, but exonerated by Commissioner Landis
1924-25: Signed to play pro-basketball, but never played
1927: Traded to the Reds
1930: Signed by Minneapolis and then traded to the Cubs
1931: Joined MLB tour of Japan
1932: Ended by back in Minneapolis and then traded to Dodgers
1933: Retired
1935-7: Reds coach
1938-43: Braves coach
1947-8: Reds coach
1949: Coached in PCL
1954: Managed in minors
1973: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vet’s Committee)
1984: Died
Accomplishments:
2x World Champ
1921 HR champ (23)
.297 career
819 runs,
1778 hits
148 HR
1020 RBI
.794 OPS
30+ doubles: 5x
40+ doubles: 2x
11 triples (1920)
20+ HR: 3x
100+ RBI: 4x
.300 average: 6x
.500 slugging: 2xx
310 TB (1921)
Led league in games (155): 1920
Led league in RBI: 2x
Pitching: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 game, 5 IP, 1.000 WHIP
Postseason: .248, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 101 AB, .577 OPS (4 World Series)