Sci Fi History: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

What could be better than a Godzilla film? A Godzilla film with King Kong! Toho Studios released this classic in 1962 and it remains the most successful Godzilla film to date. At this point, Godzilla remained a villain, so Kong emerged victorious after the climactic battle on Mount Fuji. For decades, rumors persisted that Godzilla won the Japanese version and King Kong the English version. However, this is incorrect. Toho Studios even announced Kong won the battle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_9dVE1dSOk

Willie Hernandez: Detroit Tigers timeline

Born: November 14, 1954

1973: Signed with Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent

1976: Drafted by Cubs in Rule 5 draft

Debut: April 9, 1977 (Cubs)

1980: Cubs unsuccessfully experimented with Hernandez as a starter

1983: Traded to Phillies

1983: Phillies lose World Series

1984: Traded to Tigers

1984: AL MVP and Cy Young

1984: Tigers win World Series

1985: Last MLB at bat

1986: Went by Guillermo and not Willie

1987: Loses closer’s role

1987: Tigers lose ALDS

1989: Released by Tigers

1989-95: Attempted a number of comebacks

1995: Received 0.4% of Hall of Fame vote and dropped off ballot

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

1984 AL MVP

1984 AL Cy Young

3x All Star

70-63 Record

3.38 ERA

744 Games (11 starts)

147 Saves

1044.2 IP

788 Strikeouts

1.245 WHIP

1.92 ERA (1984)

Led league 80 games (1984)

Led league 68 games finished (1984)

100+ IP: 5x

112 strikeouts (1984)

1.000 Whip (or less): 2x

Postseason: 0-0, 1.32 ERA, 10 games, 3 saves, 13.9 IP, 0.805 ERA (4 series)

Sci Fi History: The multiverse is born: Flash discovers Earth 2 (1961)

A pair of physics students once approached Albert Einstein with their theory of a multiverse. Einstein blew them off. He thought the idea of alternate universes absurd. In the 21^st century, many respected scientists advocate the idea as plausible and even probable. In 1961, DC Comics used the idea to explain discrepancies in continuity. The Flash vibrated into an alternate universe. The Flash #123 explains the theory of the multiverse in some detail. A few years later, Star Trek covered the idea in “Mirror Mirror” and “The Tholian Web.” In 1995, the television series, Sliders, devoted itself to the topic. J.J. Abrams loves the idea and incorporated it into Fringe and the Star Trek reboot. The multiverse allows every conceivable possibility to occur. So, in one universe, Donald Trump is president. In another, he is a pauper. DC Comics has used the idea to reset its universe more than once. The Flash introduced the concept into popular culture over 50 years ago.

Joe Medwick: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1968

Born: November 24, 1911

Debut: September 2, 1932 (Cardinals)

1934: Ejected in Game 7 of 1934 World Series for own protection

1934: Cards win World Series

1937: Won Triple Crown (.374, 31, 154)

1937: NL MVP

1940: Traded to Dodgers

1940: Suffered near fatal beaning

1941: Dodgers lose World Series

1943: Purchased by Giants

1944: Visited Vatican on USO Tour & met Pope Pius XII

1945: Traded to Braves

1946: Signed by Browns

1946: Released by Browns/signed by Dodgers

1946: Signed by Yankees

1947: Released by Yankees/Signed by Cardinals

1948: Released by Cardinals

1949-52: Played in minors

1968: Elected to Hall of Fame

1999: Finalist for All Century Team

Accomplishments:

1934 World Champion

1937 NL MVP

1937 Triple Crown winner

Last NL Triple Crown Winner

10x All Star

.324

205 HR

1383 RBI

1198 runs

2471 hits

540 doubles

113 triples

.362 OBP

.505 slugging

.867 OPS

3852 TB

Led League in games (156): 1937

Led league in runs (111): 1937

100+ runs: 6x

Led league in hits: 2x

200+ hits: 5x

Led league in doubles: 3x

30+ doubles: 11x

40+ doubles: 7x

50+ doubles: 2x

64 doubles (1936)

Led league in triples (18): 1934

10+ triples: 7x

20+ HR: 3x

Led league in HR (31): 1937

Led league in RBI: 3x

100+ RBI: 6x

Hit .300: 11x

Hit .350+: 3x

Led league (.374): 1937

.414 OBP (1937)

Led league .641 slugging (1937)

.500 slugging: 7x

1.056 OPS (1937)

300+ TB: 6x

Led league in TB: 3x

406 TB (1937)

Postseason: .326, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .811 OPS, 1 fight (2 World Series)

Goose Goslin: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1968

Born: October 16, 1900

1917: Left home to play semi-pro baseball

1921: Purchased by Washington Senators from Columbia (South Atlantic League)

Debut: September 16, 1921 (Senators)

1924: Hit for cycle

1924: Washington won the World Series

1925: Senators lost the World Series

1928: Won Batting Title (.379)

1930: Traded to St Louis Browns

1932: Traded to Senators

1933: Senators lost the World Series

1933: Traded to the Detroit Tigers

1934: Tigers lost the World Series

1935: Had GW walk-off hit in Game 6 of World Series to clinch title for Detroit

1935: Goslin is one of three players to be the final at bat in two World Series (Edgar Renteria and Boss Schmidt)

1935: Tigers win World Series

1938: Signed by Senators

1938: Retired

1968: Elected to Hall of Fame

1969: Retired from a Boat Rental company

1971: Died

Accomplishments:

2x World Champion

1928 Batting Champion

Most home runs by a visiting player at Yankee Stadium (32)

1936 All Star

.316 Average

248 Home Runs

1610 RBI

1483 Runs

500 Doubles

173 Triples

176 SB

949 walks-585 strikeouts

.387 OBP

.500 Slugging

.887 OPS

4325 TB

100 runs: 7x

200+ hits: 2x

30+ doubles: 10x

42 doubles (1931)

10+ triples: 9x

15+ triples: 5x

20 triples (1925)

Led league in triples: 2x

20+ HR: 3x

37 HR (1930)

100+ RBI: 11x

Led league in RBI (1924)

20+ SB: 2x

Hit .300: 10x

.400 OBP: 5x

.500 slugging: 8x

.600 slugging: 2x

300 TB: 6x

Postseason: .287, 7 HR, 19 RBI, .836 OPS (5 World Series)

Kiki Cuyler: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1968

Born: April 30, 1898

1921: Purchased by Pirates from Bay City Michigan

Debut: September 29, 1921 (Pirates)

1925: Pirates win World Series

1927: Traded to Cubs

1929: Cubs lose World Series

1932: Cubs lose World Series

1935: Signed by Reds

1938: Signed by Dodgers

1938: Retired

1939: Managed in minors

1940s-1951: Coach for Red Sox

1951: Died of a heart attack

1968: Elected to Hall of Fame

2013: Bar he owned still in existence with his name on it in Harrisville, Michigan

Accomplishments:

1925 World Champion

1934 All Star

.321

128 HR

1065 RBI

328 SB

1305 Runs

2299 Hits

157 Triples

.386 OBP

.860 OPS

.474 Slugging

3391 TB

100+ runs: 5x

155 runs (1930)

Led league in runs: 2x

200+ hits: 3x

30+ doubles: 5x

40+ doubles: 3x

50 doubles (1930)

Led league doubles (42): 1934

10+ triples: 6x

15+ triples: 4x

Led league in triples (26): 1925

100+ RBI: 3x

20+ SB: 7x

30+ SB: 6x

40+ SB: 2

Led league in SB: 4x

Hit .300: 10x

Hit .350: 4x

.400 OBP: 5x

.500 slugging: 4x

300 TB: 2x

Led league HBP: 2x

Postseason: .281, 2 HR, 12 RBI, .798 OPS, 1 SB (3 World Series)

History Shorts: Charlemagne is crowned Roman Emperor (800 A.D.)

Charlemagne is considered the “Father of Europe.” His reign ushered in a cultural renaissance in the midst of the Dark Ages. During his tenure, Charlemagne fought the Muslims in Spain, protected the Papacy, and united Western Europe for the first time since Rome’s collapse. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned him the Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. The act culminated Charlemagne’s life and career. At the same time, it helped establish religious authority and control over secular governments. 1000 years later, Napoleon crowned himself in the pope’s presence to avoid any possibility that religious leaders could claim dominance over his empire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGkUNK8kmDw

Aurelio Lopez: 1984 Detroit Tigers timeline

Born: September 21, 1948

1967: Began pro career in Mexican League

1967-77: Played in Mexican League with brief MLB stints mixed in

1974: Purchased by Kansas City Royals

Debut: September 1, 1974 (Royals)

1975: Purchased by Mexico City Reds

1977: Purchased by St. Louis Cardinals

1978: Traded to Detroit Tigers

1984: 10-1 record, 2.94 ERA, 1.169 WHIP, 14 saves

1984: Won Game 5 of the 1984 World Series

1984: Tigers win World Series

1986: Signed with Astros

1986: Lost the Epic Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets

1987: Released by Astros

1990: Elected major of Mexican town

Died: September 22, 1992 (Car accident)

2005: Detroit band The Electric Six named their album, Senior Smoke, after Lopez

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

1977 Mexican League MVP

1983 All Star

62-36 Record

3.56 ERA

1.266 WHIP

459 games (9 starts)

93 Saves

910 IP

785 Hits

635 Strikeouts

367 Walks

Won 10+ Games: 3x

20+ saves: 2x

100+ IP: 4x

106 Strikeouts (1979)

Postseason: 2-1, 2.89 ERA, 9.1 IP, 12 Hits, 6 BB, 9 strikeouts, 1.929 WHIP (3 Series)

History Shorts: The Viking Age begins (793 A.D.)

The Vikings left Scandinavia for new lands. In 793, they raided the English monastery at Lindesfarne ushering in the Viking Age. Europe seemed on the verge of exiting the Dark Ages when the Vikings struck.  Viking raids over the next few centuries bankrupted kingdoms and tossed the continent back into disarray. The Viking Age ended when the Earth entered into the Little Ice Age.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVh53a8aRo

Sci-Fi History: The Fantastic Four (1961)

The Fantastic Four ushered in “The Marvel Age” of comic books. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought a new level of character development and realism to their subjects. The FF were exposed to radiation granting superpowers. Reed Richards became hyper-elastic, Sue Richards could project force fields and become invisible, Johnny Storm became the Human Torch, and Ben Grimm evolved into a rock monster. Unlike other heroes, the quartet squabbled and at times fought. On top of this, they did not keep secret identities like Batman or Superman. Lee and Kirby’s human touch to the FF made Marvel unique in the comic world. Instead of cardboard cutout heroes, the FF, and subsequent Marvel heroes, were identifiable and relatable to readers.

Early Cartoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxzI1X8Heg

Quotes of the Month: June 2013

Quote of the Month: "It's like shearing a piglet: a lot of squealing and little wool."

-Vladimir Putin on Edward Snowden

Stupid Quote of the Month: "Alex should just shut the (expletive) up."

-Brian Cashman to Alex Rodriguez

And the rest…

"I've heard more from Bush, asking for my advice, than I've heard from Obama," Klein stated from various sources close to the Obama administration. "I have no relationship with the president -- none whatsoever. Obama doesn't know how to be president. He doesn't know how the world works. He's incompetent. He's an amateur!"

-Bill Clinton

Seizing phone records of millions of innocent people is excessive and un-American.”

-Representative Jim Sensenbrenner, Republican of Wisconsin and author of the Patriot Act

“Is it just me, or is secret blanket surveillance obscenely outrageous?”

-Al Gore

“I’m uhhh….people….oh goodness….uhhhh...folks are sweating back there right now.”

-Barack Obama when his staff forgot his speech

“I didn’t want to be pope.”

-Pope Francis I

“I will be made to suffer.”

-Edward Snowden: Self-identified NSA surveillance program leaker.

"I don’t usually worry about someone’s personal hygiene."

 -Jim Leyland

"I just blasted away."

-72-year-old Jan Cooper after shooting at an intruder at 12:30 A.M.

"If you refuse to act and you cause a calamity, the one thing you cannot say when all the eggs have been broken is, 'Oh my god, two years ago there was a poll that said 80 percent of you were against it, you look like a total fool."

-Bill Clinton on Obama’s handling of Syria

"So long as nuclear weapons exist, we are not truly safe."

-Barack Obama

“The IRS has ruled Obama can write off the first half of his second term as a total loss.”

-Jay Leno

"American popular music is our only art form. It's our most important export, period. And since time began, it's been handled not as an art form but as a commodity.”

-Huey Lewis.

 “I’m not going to be scrambling jets to get a 29-year-old hacker”

-Barack Obama

Beverly Crusher: Star Trek Timeline

Born: October 13, 2324 (maiden name Howard)

2328: Her parents died when she was very young. Beverly was raised by her grandmother.

2342-50: Starfleet Academy (Likely SF Medical as well)

2347: Married Jack Crusher

2348: Son, Wesley, is born

2350: Graduated SF Academy

Early 2350s: Served on Stargazer (conjecture)

2352: Interned on Delos IV

2354: Jack died

2354: CMO Starbase 32

2354-60: Private Practice

2362: Promoted to commander

2364: Assigned to USS Enterprise-D

2364: Modified Leonard McCoy’s polywater intoxication remedy to rescue crew

2364: Cured disease on Quazulu VIII

2365: Head of SF Medical

2366: Returned to Enterprise

2366: Kidnapped by terrorists

2367: Removed Borg implants from Picard

2367: Caught in a warp bubble, but escaped

2367: Helped deliver a large space lifeform

2367: Cured Tarchannen III Syndrome

2368: Travelled to 19^th century to help stop Devidians from preying on humans

2368: Helped Worf walk again using experimental procedure

2369: Sent on secret mission to spy on Cardassians; Picard is captured

2369: Discovered ancient message from humanoids that spread DNA throughout the galaxy

2370: Unleashed Barclay’s Protomorphosis Syndrome

2370: Assumed command during Lore-Borg Crisis

2370: Attended her grandmother’s funeral on Arvada III. She encountered an alien that controlled the Howard women.

2371: Enterprise destroyed

2372: Assigned to USS Enterprise-E

2375: Ba’ku incident

2379: Shinzon Incident on Romulus

2379: Head Starfleet Medical

2380: Borg Incident

2380: Married Picard

2381: Borg attempts to destroy Federation; stopped and assimilated by Caeliar

2382: Son born

2387: Romulus explodes