Friday, May 31, 2013

Rod Allen: Timeline


Born: October 5, 1959

1977: Drafted by Chicago White Sox

1981: Traded to Seattle Mariners

Debut: April 7, 1983 (Mariners)

1984: Signed with Detroit Tigers

1984: Tigers win World Series

1985: Traded to Baltimore Orioles

1986: Signed by Cleveland Indians

1988. Released

1989-91: Played with Hiroshima Carp

c.1989-91: Sometime during his time in Japan, he chased a pitcher all over the field after being HBP

1991: Hit four home runs in four consecutive at bats

1991: Hit 2 home runs in Japanese World Series

1992-95: Hitting instructor in Marlins system

1994-5: Hitting coach for Kane County Cougars

1998-2002: Broadcaster for Diamondbacks

2001: Broadcast World Series

2002-present: Broadcaster for Detroit Tigers

2006: Won Michigan Emmy Award

2007: Won Michigan Emmy Award

2004: Son, Rod Jr., drafted by Yankees

2007: Son, Andrew, drafted by Diamondbacks

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

.220 career average

0 HR

3 RBI

.524 OPS

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sci-Fi History: The Twilight Zone (1959-64)


Rod Serling created the first great Sci-Fi television series in 1959. The anthology series ran for five seasons and depicted unusual, or strange events, that generally ended with some sort of morality tale. Serling wrote or co-wrote 60% of the shows 156 episodes. On top of this, the guest stars featured either establish Hollywood types such as Burgess Meredith or up and coming actors like William Shatner, Robert Redford, and Robert Duvall. Two episodes, “To Serve Man” and “It’s A Good Life” rated in the TV Guide’s Top 100 Episodes of All Time. Several other episodes could have made the list. The show also featured a creepy theme song which automatically alerted viewers they were leaving this dimension. There were attempts to revive the series in 1985 and 2002.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Marty Castillo: 1984 Detroit Tigers timeline


Born: January 16, 1957

1975: Drafted by Minnesota Twins (did not sign)

1977: Drafted by California Angels (did not sign)

1978: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

Debut: August 19, 1981 (Tigers)

1984: Starting 3b in postseason

1984: GWRBI in Game 3 of ALCS

1984: Had key 2-run HR in Game 3 of WS

1984: Tigers win World Series

1986: Released by Tigers

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

.190

8 HR

32 RBI

.532 OPS

201 games- 352 Abs

Postseason: .294, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .839 OPS (2 series)

Friday, May 24, 2013

Doug Baker: 1984 Detroit Tigers Timeline


Born: April 3, 1961

1981: Drafted by Oakland A’s (did not sign)

1982: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

Debut: July 2, 1984

1984: Tigers win World Series

1988: Traded to Twins

1990: Played 3 games for Twins and is later granted free agency. He retired soon after.

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

.207

0 HR

22 RBI

.537 OPS

136 games-246 Abs

Postseason: 1 game/0 AB (1984 ALCS)

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sci-Fi History: The Fly (1958)


A poor scientist accidentally mixes his molecules with a fly creating a monster. He asks his wife to find the original fly to reverse the mess before he becomes a fly. Unfortunately, he runs out of time and the fly-brid is killed by his wife. Meanwhile, a fly with the scientist’s head is being hunted by a spider. The film spawned two sequels and a 1986 remake, which also resulted in a sequel.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Ted Williams: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1966


Born: August 30, 1918

1936-7: Played in the Pacific Coast League (discovered by Eddie Collins)

1938: Signed by Red Sox

Debut: April 20, 1939 (Red Sox)

1939: Babe Ruth declared Williams “rookie of the year”

1940: Pitched two innings against the Tigers, he allowed one run and struck out Rudy York

1941: Hit GW walk-off in ASG

1941: Hit .406 (won Batting Title)

1942: Won Triple Crown/DiMaggio wins MVP (36, 137, .356)

1943-5: World War II

1946: Williams shift first employed by Cleveland Indians’ manager Lou Boudreau

1946: Red Sox win Pennant

1946: Williams wins AL MVP

1947: Wins Triple Crown/DiMaggio wins MVP (.343, 32, 114)

1948: Sox lose pennant playoff against Indians

1948: Won batting title (.369)

1949: Wins AL MVP

1950: Breaks arm in ASG

1952-3: Korean War

1954: Broke collarbone

1956: Spat on a fan

1957: Hit .388 at age 40 (Won Batting Title)

1958: Won Batting Title (.328)

1960: Hit 500th home run

1960: Homered in last AB of career

1966: Elected to Hall of Fame

1966: Gave memorable speech honoring Negro League players and calling for their recognition

1969-72: Managed Washington Senators/Texas Rangers (273-364)

1991: Presidential Medal of Freedom

1999: Honored at Fenway Park ASG

1999: All Century Team

2000: Elected to the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame in 2000

2002: Died (litigation followed)

2004: Son, John-Henry died

2004: Red Sox finally win World Series

Accomplishments:

19x All Star

2x MVP

2x Triple Crown winner

6x Batting Champ

4x Home run champ

Last man to hit .400

Led league in games (155): 1949

Led league in runs: 6x

.344

521 HR

1839 RBI

1798 runs

2654 hits

525 doubles

2021 walks-709 strikeouts

.482 OBP (1st all time)

.634 slugging

1.116 OPS

4884 TB

100+ runs: 9x

30+ doubles: 8x

40+ doubles: 4x

Led league in doubles: 2x

10+ triples: 2x

30+ HR: 8x

43 HR (1949)

4x RBI Champ

100+ RBI: 9x

159 RBI (1949)

100+ walks: 11x

Led league in walks: 8x

Hit .300+: 15x

Hit .350+: 5x

.406 (1941)

.400 OBP: 15x

.500 OBP: 3x

Led league in OBP: 12x

.500 slugging: 15x

.600 slugging: 12x

.700 slugging: 3x

Led league in slugging: 9x

OPS 1.000 or higher: 17x

Led league in OPS: 10x

300 TB: 9x

Led league in TB: 6x

Postseason: .200, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .533 OPS

Friday, May 17, 2013

Casey Stengel: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1966


Born: July 30, 1890

1911: Drafted by Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers)

Debut: September 17, 1912 (Dodgers)

1914: Coached Old Miss Baseball

1916: Dodgers lose World Series

1918: Traded to Pirates

1919: Traded to Phillies

1921: Traded to Giants

1922: Giants win World Series

1923: Hit first WS home run at Yankee Stadium

1923: Giants lose World Series

1923: Traded to Braves

1925: Retired

1934-6: Managed the Dodgers (208-251 record)

1938-43: Managed the Braves (373-491 record)

1944-48: Managed in minors

1949-60: Managed the New York Yankees (1149-696 record)

1949-53: Yankees won World Series

1955-59: Yanks won pennant (won Series in 1956, 1958)

1960: Yanks lost World Series/Stengel fired

1962-5: Managed the New York Mets (175-404)

1962: Mets lose 120 games

1966: Elected to Hall of Fame

1975: Died

2009: Named most colorful personality in big league history

Accomplishments:

As Manager:

1905-1842 (.508)

7x World Champion

10 Pennants

Five straight WS titles (1949-53)

Pioneered the platoon

Won 90+ games: 11x

Won 103 Games (1954)

Only person to wear the uniform of four New York teams (Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, Mets)

As a player:

1922 World Champion

.284

60 HR

535 RBI

1219 hits

.766 OPS

Led league in OBP (.404): 1914

10+ triples: 5x

Hit .316 (1914)

Postseason: .393, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1.076 OPS (3 World Series)

Sunday, May 12, 2013

History Shorts: Muhammad flees Mecca (619 A.D.)


Muhammad’s wife and uncle died suddenly. Their clan refused to extend protection to the prophet and he was forced to flee Mecca for Medina. Several converts followed him to Medina, where he portrayed himself as a Hebrew prophet. Eventually, he returned to Mecca in force to exact revenge and convert the polytheistic clans. It was the first Jihad and a key to understanding Jihadists today.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Sci Fi History: The Blob (1958)


 

Steve McQueen, the embodiment of cool for a generation, made his film debut in The Blob. A meteorite strikes a hill unleashing an alien blob monster. The thing oozed into a small Pennsylvania town consuming all in its path. Eventually, the town uses fire extinguishers to freeze the monster. After, the Air Force transports it to the arctic. Some argue the blob represented communist encroachment. Although a number of period films tackle this subject, The Blob seems to be a simple sci-fi horror flick. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Geordi La Forge timeline


Born: 2335 (born blind)

2340: Trapped alone in burning building

2340: Received first VISOR

2353-7: Starfleet Academy

2357: Assigned to USS Victory

2361: Assigned to USS Hood.

2362: Tarchannen III investigation

2364: Named Conn officer aboard USS Enterprise-D

2365: Promoted to full lieutenant and made chief engineer

2365: Taken hostage by Pakled

2365: Used hologram of Dr. Leah Brahms to help ship escape booby trap

2365: Trapped with a Romulan on a rock in space

2366: Promoted to Lt. Commander

2367: Returned to Tarchannen III and transformed into a resident alien. He is later saved by Dr. Crusher.

2367: Programmed to assassinate Klingon Governor Vagh by Romulans. He is stopped by Data.

2368: Rescues and befriends Borg drone, Hugh

2369: Teleported to 19th century to save Data

2370: Met Montgomery Scott

2370: Mother dies

2370: Kidnapped and experimented on by silicon lifeforms

2371: Kidnapped and tortured by Dr. Tolian Soran

2372: Transferred to Enterprise-E as chief engineer

2373: Borg attack; Enterprise sent to 2063. LaForge helps first warp flight.

2375: Battle of Bassen Rift vs. Son’a

2379: Data dies

2379: Declines first officer position on USS Titan

2381: Promoted to commander

2381: Borg invasion

2384: Promoted to Captain, but stays commander temporarily to remain chief engineer

2384: Data returns

2387: Designed the Jellyfish ship Ambassador Spock used to stop Supernova from destroying the galaxy

2390: Captain of USS Challenger

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sci-Fi History: Atlas Shrugged (1957)


Ayn Rand’s masterwork centers around an America where people refuse to be exploited by government. Rather than surrender to high taxes and regulation, they shutter themselves in. The book delves into the failures of big government and focuses on individualism and reason. Leftists HATE the work with a passion. Interestingly, some of the reactions Rand writes about happened in the 1970s and the 2010s.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEDtQkeLFCE
 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Rusty Kuntz: 1984 Detroit Tigers timeline


Born: February 4, 1955

1977: Graduated Cal State

1977: Drafted by White Sox

Debut: September 1, 1979 (White Sox)

1983: Traded to Twins

1983: Traded to Tigers

1984: Tigers win World Series

1984: Had GW SF in Game 5 of World Series

1985: Signed by A’s

1985: Retired

Recently, served in KC Royals front office and first base coach for several teams

2012-present: First Base coach KC Royals

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

.236

5 HR

38 RBI

.650 OPS

277 games-441 at bats

Friday, May 3, 2013

Bernie Williams timeline


Born: September 13, 1968

1984: Won 3 gold medals at Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships

1985: Signed by Yankees

Debut: July 7, 1991

1993: Became starter for Yankees

1993-7: Steinbrenner often wanted to trade Williams

1994-5: Work stoppage

1995: Yanks lose LDS

1996: ALCS MVP

1996: Yanks win World Series

1997: Yanks lose ALCS

1998: Won batting title (.339)

1998-2000: Yanks win World Series

2001: Yanks lose World Series

2002: Yanks lose LDS

2003: Yanks lose World Series

2004: Yanks lose LCS

2005-06: Yanks lose LDS

He never officially retired and has embarked on a music career.

Accomplishments:

4x World Champion

5x All Star

4x Gold Glove winner

Silver Slugger (2002)

ALCS MVP (1996)

1998 batting champ

.297

287 HR

1257 RBI

.858 OPS

.477 slugging

.381 OBP

449 doubles

147 SB

3756 TB

1366 runs

100+ runs: 8x

202 hits (1999

30+ doubles: 6x

30 HR (2000)

100 RBI: 5x

100 walks (1999)

.300 average: 8x

.400 OBP: 4x

.500 slugging: 6x

300 TB: 3x
Postseason: .275, 22 HR, 80 RBI, .850 OPS (25 series)

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Quotes of the Month: April 2013


Quote of the Month: “This is our [expletive] city, and nobody is going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.”

-Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz after the terror attack on the Boston Marathon

Stupid Quote of the Month:

“We have to break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents or kids belong to their families and recognize that kids belong to whole communities.”

 -Melissa Harris-Perry on MSNBC

And the rest…

“Drudge hurts what we are trying to do.”

-Obama Advisor Dan Pfeiffer

"I'll see you at the movies."

-Roger Ebert

“She also happens to be, by far, the best looking attorney general in the country.”

-Barack Obama

 “We're in deep doo-doo."

 -Dick Cheney on North Korea


"I think Carlos Quentin went to Stanford, something like that? I heard there's smart people at Stanford. That wasn't too smart."

-Matt Kemp after Quentin charged Zach Greinke

“Is everyone else sick of this shit?”

-Craig Ferguson on terrorism

"CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody."

-Boston P.D. Tweet

Do you know my name?

 -Reese Witherspoon to cops after her husband was stopped for DUI

 "There was a time in my life when I wasn't likely to be found at a library, much less found one."

 -George W Bush

 “That we expanded freedom at home by raising standards at school and lowering taxes for everybody, that we liberated nations from dictatorship and freed people from AIDS. And that when freedom came under attack, we made the tough decisions required to make the American people safe.”

 -George W Bush

“I’m not the same Muslim Socialist I used to be.”

-Barack Obama

"The truth of the matter is, Barack knows it, I know, had the economy not collapsed around your ears, John, in the middle of literally--as things were moving--I think you probably would have won.”

-Joe Biden

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

-JASON COLLINS

“I should just pack up and go home.”

-Barack Obama