Sci Fi History: Batman (1939)

Superman's success led to imitators. Bob Kane invented Batman in 1939. Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents' murder and swore vengeance against criminals. Kane took inspiration from Zorro, Robert Bruce, Mad Anthony Wayne, the Shadow, and Sherlock Holmes. Over the years, Batman became a cultural phenomenon in comics, radio, movies, and television.The early stories were gritty and violent. Censors forced publishers to clean them up. Before Marvel Comics arrived to challenge the DC Universe, Batman was relegated to playing baseball with Superman.  By the eighties, the character appeared tired when Frank Miller reinvigorated the Bat with The Dark Knight Returns. Wayne and Batman returned to a primal, darker place as did the villains.

Quotes of the Month: July 2012

Quote of the Month and Stupid Quote of the Month:
"If you got a business-you didn’t build that."

Barack Obama referring to things businesses built or helped build

Slam of the Month:

"I wish the president would learn how to be an American."

-John Sununu


and the rest...
"(One fan) actually called me a racial slur to begin the game with. He was the only one I had a problem with. People in Boston don't even do that."

-Carl Crawford

"The fact is, I’m gay."

-Anderson Cooper

"I don't want to take anything off the table."

-NCAA President Mark Emmert on possible sanctions against Penn State

"There seems to be something "liberating" about ignorance -- especially when you

don't even know enough to realize how little you know. Thus an administration

loaded with people who have never run any business is gung-ho to tell businesses

what to do, as well as gung-ho to tell the medical profession what to do,

lenders whom to lend to, and the military how to fight wars."

-Thomas Sowell

"We got a problem because we've got a president who's all foam and no beer."

-Tim Pawlenty

"Lay off commenting about defending and goalkeeping until you get more educated. The game has changed from a decade ago."

-Hope Solo to Brandi Chastain

Chief Bender: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1953

Born: May 5, 1884

Attended college before joining A's

Debut: April 20, 1903 (A's)

1905: A's lose World Series

1910: Threw no-hitter against Indians

1910: A's Win World Series

1910s: Innovated the slider

1911: A's win World Series

1913: A's win World Series

1914: A's lose World Series

1914: Jumped to Baltimore Terrapins

1916: Purchased by Phillies

1918: Worked in shipyards during World War I

1926-50: Worked in A's organization

1953: Elected to Hall of Fame

1954: Died

Accomplishments:
3x World Champion

No-Hitter

212-127

1.113 WHIP

2.46 ERA

255 CG

40 shutouts

3017 IP

.625 win percentage

Won 15+ games: 8x

Won 20+ games: 2x

Led league in win %: 3x

10+ CG: 13x

15+CG: 9x

20+ CG: 5x

Led league in saves: 2x

200+ IP: 9x

250+ IP: 3x

1.000 whip or less: 3x

Postseason: 6-4, 2.44 ERA, 85 IP, 1.012 WHIP, 59 strikeouts (5 World Series)

Ed Barrow: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1953

Ed Barrow Timeline:

Born: May 10, 1868

1887-89: Worked in Des Moines newspaper industry

1889: Soap salesman

1894: Partnered to sell concessions at games

1896: Bought Paterson Silk Weavers and discovered Honus Wagner

1897-99: President of Atlantic League

1899-1902: Managed and owned teams in Atlantic League

1903-04: Managed Detroit Tigers (97-117)

1904: Quit as Tiger manager

1905-07: Various minor league managing stops

1910-17: ditto

1918-20: Managed Boston Red Sox (213-203)

1920: Became business manager of New York Yankees. In that capacity, he created the Yankee monster. Also was the first to require Star Spangled Banner be played before every game.

1920-46: Worked in Yankee front office

1930: Assaulted a sports writer

1953: Died

1953: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:
Managerial Record: 310-320 (.492)

Built Yankee Dynasty

Star Spangled Banner

Harry Wright: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1953

Born: January 10, 1835 (England)

1850s-60s: Played amateur ball

Official debut: May 5, 1871 (player/manager)- Boston Red Stockings

1882: Moved to Providence Grays

1884: Moved to Philadelphia Quakers

1890: Moved to Phillies

1895: Died from lung ailment

1953: Elected to Hall of Fame

2009: Hunt auction controversy

Accomplishments:
Created the shift and pioneered back up plays

As manager:
1225-885 (.581): 6 pennants

As hitter (7 years):
.276

4 HR

113 RBI

Dizzy Dean: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1953

Born: January 16, 1910

Debut: September 28, 1930 (Cardinals)

1934: 30-7

1934: NL MVP

1934: Cards win World Series (Dean 2-1)

1935: 28-12

1937: Line drive injures Dean’s foot in All Star Game. He is never the same

1938: Traded to Cubs

1938: Cubs lose World Series (Dean 0-1)

1941: Dean’s last game until 1947

1941-68: Broadcaster

1947: Plays last game

1950: Guest starred on TV shows

1952: The movie, The Pride of St Louis, is based on Dean

1953: Hall of Fame

1974: Died

1974: Cards retired #17

1976: Broadcaster Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:

Known for his flamboyant antics

1934 World Champion

4x All Star

1934 NL MVP

Last NL 30 game winner

150-83 record

Led league in wins: 2x

20+ wins: 4x

25+ wins: 2x

30-7 (1934)

Led league in win percentage (.822): 1934

3.02 ERA

Sub 3 ERA: 2x

Led league in games: 2x

Led league GS (36): 1935

154 CG

15+ CG: 6x

20+ CG: 4x

Led league in CG: 3x

Led league in IP: 3x

200+ IP: 5x

300+ IP: 3x

1163 strikeouts

Led league in strikeouts: 4x

Postseason: 2-2, 2.88 ERA, 34.1 IP, 0.990 WHIP (2 series)

Tom Connolly: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1953

Born: December 31, 1870 (England)

Minor League Ump: 1894-1897

Major League Umpire: 1898-1931

1901: Umpired first American League game

1903: Worked first World Series

Worked 8 World Series

1908: Umpire for Addie Joss’ Perfect Game

Umpired a total of four no-hitters

1931: First supervisor of Umpires

1954: Retired

1961: Died

1999: Larry Barentt broke his record for most seasons as an AL Umpire (31)