Monday, July 28, 2014

History Shorts: The Little Ice Age (1250-1850)

The Earth cooled following the Medieval Warm Period. It began in 1250 (or 1350) and ended around 1850. The cause of the cooling is debated. Theories range from solar activity to ocean currents to volcanic activity. Glaciers spread, winters lengthened, famines occurred, and rain increased. Essentially, it was a cold, wet period in global history. The Little Ice age caused some of histories great famines, ruined crops helping to precipitate the French Revolution, walloped Napoleon in Russia, led to ice in the Great Lakes during June, ended the Viking Age, and may have led to witch hunts after crop failures. It finally ended around 1850. This coincided with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. As a result, some have proposed that global warming began as a result of industrialization. Others have pointed to other natural factors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuZSMVwJLq0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdK6zbPnHw4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AXbSRjMmRI

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sci Fi History: Kolchak The Night Stalker (1974-75)

Kolchak began as two popular TV movies. Their success led ABC to commission a series starring Darren McGavin as the reporter, Carl Kolchak, who investigated paranormal incidents and crimes. Kolchak was a consummate reporter, a bit slovenly, and definitely Midwestern. The show featured the "monster of the week" formula, which might have been its downfall. Kolchak inspired the X-Files two decades later. That show featured both an overall mythological story arch AND monster of the week episodes. The X-Files tried to bring the Kolchak character aboard, but copyright issues prevented it. Instead, McGavin made two appearances as Arthur Dales, the FBI agent that created the X-Files.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfmK8YUdSpY

Saturday, July 26, 2014

History Shorts: The Magna Carta (1215)

King John was just a bad monarch. He was incompetent and overbearing. John lost a war in France, lost baronial lands to the French, and crushed the people with high taxes. Finally, the nobles had enough and revolted. They defeated the king and forced him to sign Magna Carta. It marked the first time an English king had his power limited. The document also protected the rights of the nobles. The Magna Carta marked the first step toward British constitutional government and later the American Constitution.
:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfAq0Lp-AmA



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


King John:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTNe_uJ4cnU


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCMgoDu3WkU
 

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Chuck Finley: California Angels timeline

Born: November 26, 1962

1984: Drafted by California Angels (Did not sign)

1985: Drafted by Angels again

Debut: May 29, 1986 (Angels)

1990: 18-9, 2.40, 236 IP, 177 Strikeouts, 1.233 WHIP

1999: Struck out 4 batters in one inning 2x

1999: Signed with Indians

2000: Struck out 4 batters in one inning for third time (only pitcher to do so)

2002: Traded to Cardinals

2002: Retired

2008: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot (0.2% of vote)


Accomplishments:
5x All Star

200-173

3.85

524 games-467 starts

63 CG

15 SHO

3197.1 IP

2610 Strikeouts

1.376 WHIP

Won 15+ Games: 7x

Sub 3.50 ERA: 4x

Sub 3.00 ERA: 2x

13 CG (1993)

251.1 IP (1993)

200+ IP: 9x

200 Strikeouts: 2x

Led League in GS (25): 1994

Led League in CG (13): 1993

Led League in IP: 183.1 (1994)

Led League in WP: 2x

Postseason: 1-2, 4.50, 22 IP, 19 Strikeouts, 1.455 WHIP, 7 Games, 4 GS (4 Series)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

David Justice: Atlanta Braves timeline

Born: April 14, 1966

1982: Graduated High School after skipping two grades

1985: Drafted by Atlanta Braves

Debut: May 24, 1989 (Braves)

1990: NL Rookie of the Year

1991-2: Braves lose World Series

1992: Appeared in an episode of The Young and the Restless

1993: Braves lose NLCS

1994: People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"

1995: Hit GW HR in Game 6 of the World Series

1995: Braves win World Series

1996: Experienced season-ending shoulder injury in May

1996: Braves lose World Series

1997: Traded to Indians

1997: .329, 33 HR, 101 RBI, 1.013 OPS

1997: Indians lose World Series

1997: Comeback Player of the Year

1998: Indians lose NLCS

1999: Indians lose NLDS

2000: Traded to Yankees

2000: ALCS MVP

2000: Yankees win World Series

2001: Yankees lose World Series

2001: Traded to Mets

2001: Traded to A's

2002: A's lose NLDS

2002: Retired

2007: Braves Hall of Fame

2007: Named in Mitchell Report

2008: Dropped off HOF Ballot (0.2% of the vote)


Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

3x All Star

2x Silver Slugger

1990 NL Rookie of the Year

2000 ALCS MVP

1997 Comeback Player of the Year

2x Player of the Month

4x Player of the Week

.279

305 HR

1017 RBI

929 Runs

1571 Hits

.378 OBP

.500 Slugging

.878 OPS

30+ Doubles: 3x

20+ HR: 9x

30+ HR: 3x

40+ HR: 2x

100+ RBI: 3x

.300: 2x

.400 OBP: 3x

.500 Slugging: 6x

1.013 OPS (1997)

Postseason: .224, 14 HR, 63 RBI, .717 OPS (21 Series)

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Travis Fryman: Detroit Tigers/Cleveland Indians timeline

Born: March 25, 1969

1987: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers

Debut: July 7, 1990 (Tigers)

1993: .300, 22 HR, 97 RBI, 37 doubles, 98 runs, .865 OPS

1997: Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks

1997: Traded to the Cleveland Indians

1998: Indians lose ALCS

1999: Indians lose ALDS

2000: .321, 22 HR, 106 RBI, 93 runs, 184 hits, .908 OPS

2001: Indians lose ALDS

2002: Retired

2008: Manager in NY-Penn League

2008: Dropped off HOF ballot (0.4% of vote)

2014: Minor League instructor


Accomplishments:
5x All Star

1992 Silver Slugger

2000 Gold Glove

2x Player of the Week

.274

223 HR

1022 RBI

895 Runs

1776 Hits

.779 OPS

30+ Doubles: 7x

20+ HR: 7x

100+ RBI: 3x

.300: 2x

.500 Slugging: 2x

.908 OPS (2000)

Led league in AB: 2x

Led league in SF (13): 1994

Postseason: .191, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .565 OPS, 3 SB (4 series)

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Dave Concepcion:Cincinnatti Reds timeline

Born: June 17, 1948

1967: Signed by Cincinnati Reds

Debut: April 6, 1970 (Reds)

1970: Reds lose World Series

1972: Reds lose World Series

1973: Became the Reds' starting shortstop

1973: Broke his ankle and missed half the season

1973: Reds lose NLCS

1975: Hit .455, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 SB, 1.227 OPS in NLCS

1975: Reds win World Series

1976: Reds win World Series (hit .357, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .971 OPS in WS)

1979: .281, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 91 runs, 19 SB, .764 OPS

1979: Reds lose NLCS (hit .429 in NLCS)

1982: Hit 2-run home run in NL's 4-1 All Star victory

1982: All Star MVP

1986: Barry Larkin assumed the starting shortstop job

1988: Pitched in a game

1988: Released by Reds

1989: Attempted to make California Angels, but failed and retired

2007: Reds retire his #13

2014: Became V.P of the Tigres de Aragua of Maracay


Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

9x All Star

5x Gold Glove

2x. Silver Slugger

1982 ASG MVP

.267

101 HR

950 RBI

993 Runs

2326 Hits

.679 OPS

3114 TB

30+ Doubles: 2x

41 Steals (1974)

30+ Steals: 2x

20+ Steals: 7x

.306 (1981)

Postseason: .297, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 7 SB, .789 OPS (9 Series)

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sci Fi History: The Omega Man (1971)

Richard Matheson's novel, I am Legend,, had been adapted three times into motion pictures. Vincent Price starred in the first in 1964. The Omega Man with Charlton Heston came next. Will Smith starred in the third in 2007.

In the Heston version, biological warfare wipes out the planet in 1975. Robert Neville survives and creates a serum to cure survivors that were transformed into zombie-like albino nut jobs. These infected people, the Family, try to destroy technology because they feel that technology destroyed the world. In the end, Neville dies, but gives the serum to unaffected survivors who head for the hills.

On a side note, the film featured the first interracial kiss in movie history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUkU18MrBzU

Saturday, July 12, 2014

History Shorts: Genghis Khan unites Mongols (1206)

Genghis Khan united the nomadic Mongolian tribes in 1206. Afterward, Khan began his conquest of the known world. Mongol armies swarmed across Eurasia. No one seemed able to stop the warlord. Along the way, he massacred entire populations in order to terrorize potential adversaries. The Mongols used their experience as skilled horsemen and transformed it into unbeforeseen battlefield tactics. By the time of his death in 1227, Khan controlled much of Asia and China.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqHUmWFOegI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq1K0Y-I6vg

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Joe Sewell: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1977

Born: October 9, 1898

1916: Graduated High School

1917-19: Letterman at University of Alabama (Football)

1920: Purchased by Cleveland Indians

Debut: September 10, 1920 (Indians)

1920: Indians won World Series

1923: .353, 98 runs, 195 hits, 41 doubles, 10 triples, 3 HR, 109 RBI, 98 walks, .456 OBP, .935 OPS

1931: Signed by New York Yankees

1932: Set record: struck out 3 times

1932: Yankees win World Series

1964-69: Baseball coach at Alabama

1977: Elected to the Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)

Died: 1990


Accomplishments:
2x World Champ

1,103 Consecutive Games Played

Second Lowest Strikeout rate in history (1 k for every 62.5 AB)

Fewest strikeouts in a season (3): 1932

Record: 115 consecutive games without a strikeout

.312

49 HR

1054 RBI

2226 Hits

436 Doubles

842 walks

114 strikeouts

.391 OBP

.413 slugging

.804 OPS

2945 TB

102 runs (1931)

204 hits (1925)

30+ doubles: 8x

40+ doubles: 5x

10+ triples: 2x

100+ RBI: 2x

Less than 10 strikeouts: 9x

.300+: 9x

.353 (1923)

.400 OBP: 3x

Led league in games (155): 1928

Led league in doubles (45): 1924

Led league in SH (41): 1929

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Amos Rusie: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1977

Born: May 30, 1871

1889: Signed with the Burlington Babies and then the Indianapolis Hoosiers

Debut: May 9, 1889 (Indianapolis Hoosiers)

1889: Hoosiers disbanded

1890: Acquired by New York Giants

1890: Set MLB Record for walks in a season (289)

1891: No-Hit the Brooklyn Bridegrooms

1891: Won both games of a doubleheader vs. Brooklyn

1891: 33-20

1892: 32-31

1893: He was so wild, they changed the distance from the mound to home from 50 feet to 60 feet 6 inches.

1893: 33-21

1894: Won Triple Crown (36 wins, 195 Strikeouts, 2.78 ERA)

1894: Won Pitching Title

1896: Held out for entire season after being fined for an obscene gesture

1897: Hit Hughie Jennings in the head; Jennings was comatose for 4 days

1897: Won Pitching Title

1899-1900: Did not play due to injury-Line Drive to the head

1900: Traded to Cincinnati Reds for Christy Mathewson

Died: 1942

1977: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)


Accomplishments:
2x Pitching Title

1894 Triple Crown

246-174

3.07 ERA

463 Games-427 Starts

393 CG

30 SHO

5 Saves

3778.2 IP

1950 Strikeouts

1.349 WHIP

Won 20+ Games: 8x

Won 30+ Games: 4x

Sub 3.00 ERA: 5x

15+ CG: 9x

30+ CG: 8x

40+ CG: 6x

50+ CG: 4x

200+ IP: 9x

300+ IP: 8x

400+ IP: 5x

500+ IP: 3x

200+ Strikeouts: 5x

300+ Strikeouts: 3x

Led league in wins (36): 1894

Led league in ERA: 2x

Led league in games (56): 1893

Led league in GS: 2x

Led league in GF (11): 1889

Led league in CG (50): 1893

Led league in SHO: 4x

Led league in IP (482): 1893

Led league in strikouts: 5x

Led league in WHIP (1.410): 1894

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Al Lopez: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1977

Born: August 20, 1908

1924: Began pro ball in Florida State League

1924-27: Minor Leagues

1927: Purchased by Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers)

Debut: September 27, 1928 (Brooklyn)

1933: .301, .715 OPS

1935: Traded to the Boston Braves

1940: Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates

1945: Set MLB record for games at catcher (broken in 1987). It remained the NL record until 1990.

1946: Traded to the Cleveland Indians

1947: Released by the Indians

1948-50: Minor League manager

1951-56: Indians manager (570-354)

1954: Indians won 111 games (AL record-broken in 2001)

1954: Indians won pennant

1956-65, 1968-9: Chicago White Sox manager (840-650)

1959: White Sox won pennant

1965-70: White Sox executive

1970: Retired from baseball

1977: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee as a manager)

2005: Died


Accomplishments:
2x All Star

Retired with record for most games caught in MLB history

.261

51 HR

652 RBI

1,547 Hits

.663 OPS

As a Manager:

1410-1004 record

.584 win %

2 AL Pennants

111 wins (1954)

10 seasons with 90+ wins (15 full seasons as a manager)

Friday, July 4, 2014

Quotes of the Month: June 2014

Quote of the Month: "Mr. President, you love to trade people. Why don’t we set up a trade? But this time, instead of five Taliban, how about five Democrats? I’m thinking John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi; couldn’t we send them to Mexico? "It was a joke. Except for Nancy Pelosi, I was serious about her."

-Rand Paul

 
Stupid Quote of the Month: "We need to consider whether we can talk about trying to reduce population growth and whether that’s compatible with the very reasonable concerns people have about women’s right to control their life decisions and their reproduction."


-Professor Peter Singer on controlling women to stop climate change.

 

and the rest...
"We all say stupid stuff when we're mad."

-David Price on David Ortiz

"There were times—there are still times—when I turn on the TV and I wish they'd just beheaded him on TV and gotten it over with."


-One of Sgt. Bergdal's would-be rescuers
"You see that there's that unfortunate bubble in the White House where they are too often isolated on something like this."


-Bob Woodward on The Obama Administration
"They [the Obama administration] have no idea what they actually did. Even those of us who might grudgingly accept the cost of that swap would understand that this is a defeat for the United States."

Charles Krauthammer

"But there will be hell to pay if we find they go on to kill Americans."


-Senator Mark Kirk
"Where’s the dishonesty in the portrayal of Bergdahl so far? I haven’t seen it. What’s been misconstrued about him so far?"


-Chris Matthews
"If [President Obama] just tried to empty that jail, people would be calling for his impeachment,"

-Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"This is the coward's way out, in my opinion."


-Owner of California Chrome on his competition not running in the Kentucky Derby
"We came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt."


-Hillary Clinton
"Rarely has a U.S. President been so wrong about so much at the expense of so many."


-Dick Cheney
'History has proven that you got it wrong in Iraq'


-Megyn Kelly to Dick Cheney
"I don't believe you."


-Paul Ryan to the IRS Commissioner
"I hate that man Obama more than any man I've ever met, more than any man who ever lived."


-Bill Clinton
"Not only does the president regularly ignore the law, he brags about it and brags about his willingness to change it unilaterally."


-John Boehner