Wednesday, March 25, 2015

History Shorts: Agincourt (1415)

 Henry V defeated the French at Agincourt on October 25, 1415. The English wiped out a generation of French nobility in one pitched battle. The longbow leveled the playing field and shifted power away from the nobility. It also marked the beginning of professional armies and the beginning of the end of the feudal era. The sweeping victory appeared to end the Hundred Years' War. However, Henry V died soon after leading to a relaunching of hostilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRj01LShXN8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb9ZTypvWK4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRj01LShXN8

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Sci Fi History: Superman (1978)

Richard Donner's Superman launched the modern superhero film. It depicted Superman's life from Krypton to his first major challenge. The film starred many big names including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Glenn Ford, and Ned Beatty. Unknown Christopher Reeve won the starring role and created a new Clark Kent. Every version of Superman since has been overshadowed by Reeve's performance. The wave of films Superman birthed ended with the Batman and Robin disaster in 1997. Bryan Singer's X-Men relaunched and reinvigorated the genre in 2000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk1aQx9hTaE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_izM3y2SE44

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Brooks Robinson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1983

Born: May 18, 1937

1955: Graduated High School

1955: Signed by Baltimore Orioles

Debut: September 17, 1955 (Orioles)

1964: AL MVP (.317, 28 HR, 118 RBI, 194 hits, 82 runs, 35 doubles, .521 SLG, .889 OPS, 319 TB)

1966: ASG MVP

1966: O's win World Series

1969: O's win Pennant

1970: O's win World Series

1970: World Series MVP

1970: Babe Ruth Award

1971: O's win Pennant

1972: Roberto Clemente Award

1973: Started two triple plays

1973-74: O's win AL East

1977: Retired

1977: O's retired his #5

1983: Elected to Hall of Fame (92% of vote)

1999: All Century Team

2008: All Time Gold Glove Team

2012: Statue unveiled in Baltimore


Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

18x All Star

16x Gold Glove

1964 AL MVP

1970 World Series MVP

1970 Babe Ruth Award

1966 ASG MVP

1972 Roberto Clemente Award

23 seasons with one team (record)

.267

268 HR

1357 RBI

1232 Runs

2848 Hits

482 Doubles

.723 OPS

4270 TB

30+ doubles: 5x

20+ HR: 6x

100+ RBI: 2x

.300: 2x

.521 slugging (1964)

300 TB: 2x

Led league in games: 5x

Led league in AB (668): 1961

Led league in RBI (118): 1964

Led league in SF: 4x

Postseason: .303, 5 HR, 22 RBI, .785 OPS (9 Series)

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Juan Marichal: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1983

Born: October 20, 1937

1954: Joined Monte Cristi league

1956: Left High School to play baseball

1957: Purchased by New York Giants

1957: Giants move to San Francisco

Debut: July 19, 1960 (Giants): pitched one-hitter

1963: Dueled Warren Spahn for 16 innings (won 1-0)

1963: No-Hitter

1963: 25-8, 2.41, 321.1 IP, 248 Ks, 0.996 WHIP, 18 CG, 5 SHO

1965: 10 SHO

1965: 22-13, 2.13, 24 CG, 10 SHO, 295.1 IP, 240 Ks, 0.914 WHIP

1965: Johnny Roseboro Incident

1966: 25-6, .806 Win %, 2.23 ERA, 25 CG, 4 SHO, 307.1 IP, 222 Ks, 0.859 WHIP

1969: ERA Champ 2.10

1973: Purchased by Boston Red Sox

1975: Signed by Los Angeles Dodgers

1983: Elected to Hall of Fame (84% of the vote)

1983: Giants retire #27

1999: Finalist All Century Team


Accomplishments:
10x All Star

No Hitter

1965 ASG MVP

May 1966: Player of the Month

1969 Pitching Title

Winningest Pitcher of the 1960s (191 wins)

243-142

.631 Win %

2.89

471 games-457 starts

244 CG

52 SHO

3507 IP

2303 Strikeouts

1.101 WHIP

Won 15+ Games: 8x

Won 20+ Games: 6x

Won 25+ Games: 3x

Sub 3 ERA: 8x

Sub 2.50 ERA: 6x

10+ CG: 10x

15+ CG: 9x

20+ CG: 5x

25+ CG: 3x

30 CG (Led League): 1968

10 SHO (Led league): 1965

200+ IP: 11x

250+ IP: 9x

300+ IP: 3x

200+ Strikeouts: 6x

Sub 1.000 WHIP: 4x

Led league in wins: 2x

Led league in win % (.806): 1966

Led league in ERA (2.10): 1969

Led league in CG: 2x

Led league in IP: 2x

Led league in SHO: 2x

Led league in WHIP: 2x

Monday, March 16, 2015

George Kell: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1983

Born: August 23, 1922

1940: Signed by Brooklyn Dodgers

1943: Purchased by Philadelphia A's

Debut: September 28, 1943 (A's)

1946: Traded to Detroit Tigers

1949: Beat Ted Williams for batting crown on final day of season

1949: Won Batting crown (.343)

1950: .340, 8 HR, 101 RBI, 218 hits, 56 doubles, 66 walks-18 strikeouts, .403 OBP, 310 TB, .886 OPS

1952: Traded to the Boston Red Sox

1954: Traded to the Chicago White Sox

1956: Traded to Baltimore Orioles

1958-96: Broadcaster

1959-96: Tiger Broadcaster

1973-83: Arkansas State Highway Commission

1983: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)

2009: Died


Accomplishments:
1949 Batting Champion

10x All Star

.306

78 HR

870 RBI

880 Runs

2,054 Hits

621 walks-287 strikeouts

.367 OBP

.414 SLG

.781 OPS

2,773 TB

218 hits (led league): 1950

114 runs (1950)

30+ Doubles: 5x

40+ Doubles: 2x

56 doubles (1950)

10 Triples (1946)

101 RBI (1950)

Hit .300: 9x

.400 OBP: 2x

310 TB (1950)

Led league in Games (157): 1950

Led league in AB (641): 1950

Led league in hits: 2x

Led league in doubles: 2x

Led league in SH: 2x

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Walter Alston: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1983

Born: December 1, 1911

1935: Graduated from Miami of Ohio University

1935: Signed by St Louis Cardinals

1935-36: Minor Leagues

Debut: September 27, 1936 (Cards)

1936-47: Minor Leagues

1944-53: Minor League Manager

1954-1976: Dodger Manager (2,040-1,613)

1955: Dodgers win World Series

1956: Dodgers win Pennant

1957: Dodgers move to Los Angeles

1959: Dodgers win World Series

1963: Dodgers win World Series

1965: Dodgers win World Series

1966: Dodgers win Pennant

1974: Dodgers win Pennant

1976: Retired

1977: Dodgers retired his #24

1983: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)

1984: Died


Accomplishments:
4x World Champion

2,040-1,613 record

.558 win %

7 Pennants

As a player: 0-for-1

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Sci Fi History: Black Manta kills Aqualad (1977)

Black Manta's hatred of Aquaman exceeded the normal super villain-hero rivalry. It became an all out blood feud. Manta kidnapped Aquaman's son, Arthur Jr., and murdered the child in cold blood. Eventually, Aquaman captured Black Manta and nearly executed the villain in revenge. However, the hero regained his composure and showed mercy. The story coincided with an era in which comics became grittier and more realistic. Despite this, the murder of a child seemed to step over the bounds and shocked readers.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Best Catchers in team history (National League)

Washington Nationals: Gary Carter (via Montreal)

New York Mets: Mike Piazza

Atlanta Braves: Javy Lopez

Miami Marlins: Charles Johnson

Philadelphia Phillies: Darren Daulton

St Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina

Pittsburgh Pirates: Manny Sanguillen

Milwaukee Brewers: Jonathan Lucroy

Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Bench

Chicago Cubs: Gabby Hartnett

Los Angeles Dodgers: Roy Campanella (via Brooklyn)

San Francisco Giants: Buster Posey

San Diego Padres: Benito Santiago

Colorado Rockies: Chris Iannetta (Wilin Rosario)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Miguel Montero

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Best Catchers in team history (American League)

Baltimore Orioles: Rick Dempsey

New York Yankees: Yogi Berra

Toronto Blue Jays: Ernie Whitt

Tampa Bay Rays: Toby Hall

Boston Red Sox: Carlton Fisk

Detroit Tigers: Bill Freehan

Kansas City Royals: Mike MacFarlane

Cleveland Indians: Sandy Alomar Jr.

Chicago White Sox: Carlton Fisk

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Bengie Molina

Oakland A's: Mickey Cochrane (via Philadelphia)

Seattle Mariners: Dan Wilson

Houston Astros: Brad Ausmus

Texas Rangers: Ivan Rodriguez

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

18th Century Timeline (1726-1750)

1730: First Great Awakening begins

1733-8: War of Polish Succession

1735-9: Russo-Turkish War

1739: War of Jenkin's Ear

1740: Frederick the Great assumes power

1740-8: War of Austrian Succession

1744: Failed Jacobite Uprising

1745: Second Jacobite Rebellion

1748: Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle ends War of Austrian Succession

18th Century Timeline (1701-1725)


1700-21: Great Northern War (Sweden vs. Russia)

1701-14: War of Spanish Succession

1702: 47 Ronin

1702-15: Camisard Rebellion (France)

1703: St. Petersburg founded

1703-11: Rakoczi Uprising

1706: Battle of Ramilies

1706: Battle of Turin

1707: Act of Union

1708: East India Company Founded

1708-09: Prussian Famine

1709: Great Frost of 1709

1709: Battle of Poltava

1710-11: Russo-Turkish War

1712: Battle of Denain

1713: Treaty of Ultrecht ends War of Spanish Succession

1714: Hanoverian Succession

1720: South Sea Bubble

Monday, March 2, 2015

Terry Pendleton: timeline

Born: July 16, 1960

1981-2: Fresno State Bulldogs

1982: All American

1982: Drafted by St. Louis Cardinals

1982-4: Minor Leagues

Debut: July 18, 1984 (Cards)

1985: Cards win Pennant

1987: Cards win Pennant

1990: Signed by Atlanta Braves

1991: Comeback Player of the Year

1991: NL MVP (.319, 22 HR, 86 RBI, .880 OPS, 303 TB)

1991: Won Batting Title (.319)

1991-2: Braves win Pennant

1992: Made All Star Team

1993: Braves win NL East

1995: Signed by Florida Marlins

1996: Traded to Braves

1996: Braves win Pennant

1997: Signed by Cincinnati Reds

1998: Signed by Kansas City Royals

2001-present: Braves coach

2004: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot (0.2%)


Accomplishments:
1991 NL MVP

1992 All Star

3x Gold Glove

NL Comeback Player of the Year (1991)

NL Batting Champ (.319)

5x Player of the Week

.270

140 HR

946 RBI

851 Runs

1897 Hits

.707 OPS

2751 TB

30+ Doubles: 4x

20+ HR: 2x

105 RBI (1992)

20+ SB: 2x

.300: 2x

.517 Slugging (1991)

300 TB: 2x

Led league in Hits: 2x

Led league in TB (303): 1991

Postseason: .252, 3 HR, 23 RBI, .658 OPS (12 Series)

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Quotes of the Month: February 2015

Quote of the Month: "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"


-Leonard Nimoy

Stupid Quote of the Month:
"Because Michael, face it -- the guy was basically average in terms of size, strength, speed, jumping ability, all the things that you seem to think make a great player."


-Bill Walton on Michael Jordan


Dueling Confusion of the Month:
"When the final accounting is done, 2014 will have been the most lethal year for global terrorism in the 45 years such data has been compiled."


- Director of National Intelligence James Clapper
"Despite ISIL, despite the visible killings that you see and how horrific they are, we are actually living in a period of less daily threat to Americans and to people in the world than normally; less deaths, less violent deaths today, than through the last century."


-John Kerry
 


and the rest...
"Unless we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place,

remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible

deeds in the name of Christ."


-Barack Obama at the 2015-national-prayer-breakfast
"The only problem we’re going to have is running out of fuel and bullets."


-King Abdullah
"In attempting to reduce the importance of one great talent over another, you make a mockery of all musicians and music from every genre, including your own."


-Shirley Manson to Kanye West
"They were killed simply for the fact they were Christians."


-Pope Francis I
"I am my own man."


-Jeb Bush
"No religion is responsible for terrorism, people are responsible for violence and terrorism."

-Barack Obama

"I do not believe, and I know this is a horrible thing to say, but I do not believe that the president loves America."


-Rudy Giuliani
"If we looked around the world and say long-term we cannot kill every terrorist around the world nor should we try, how do you get at the root causes of this? Look, it might be too nuanced of an argument for some like I’ve seen over the past 24 hours some of the commentary out but it’s really the smart way for Democrats, for Republicans, military commanders, our partners in the Arab world think we need to combat it."


-Marie Harf