Sci Fi History: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Aliens attack a small town and replace people with duplicates devoid of emotion or individuality. A doctor discovers the plot and tries to stop the invaders. Critics have argued for years about the film’s theme. Some believe it was a commentary on conformity in Middle America. Others argue it is a warning about communism. One critic claims it is an examination of the reduction of personhood in the face of extreme leftist ideology. Still others point to Senator McCarthy as inspiration. It could also be the loss of one’s self in the modern world. One thing is for certain, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is about the loss of individuality.

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

Sam Rice: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1963

Born: February 20, 1890

1912: Travelled to Illinois for a tryout. A tornado killed his wife, two kids, mother, father, two sisters, and a farm hand.

1913: Joined the Navy; took part in the occupation of Veracruz

1914: Tried out for a team in Virginia and later sent to Washington to pay off a debt

Debut: August 7, 1915 (Senators)

1916: Switched from pitcher to outfield

1924: Senators win World Series

1925: Rice makes one of the great World Series catches. He tumbled into the stands and came out with the ball in his glove. Washington loses the series.

1933: Senators win Pennant

1934: Released by Washington, Signed by Indians

1934: Retired

1963: Elected to Hall of Fame

1965: Rice reveals existence of his first family for the first time in an interview

Died: 1974

Accomplishments:

1924 World Champion

.322

34 HR

1078 RBI

1514 runs

2987 hits

498 doubles

184 triples

351 steals

708 walks-275 strikeouts

.801 OPS

.374 OBP

3955 TB

Led league in games (141): 1919

Led league in AB: 3x

100+ runs: 5x

Led league in hits: 2x

200 hits: 6x

30+ doubles: 10x

10+ triples: 10x

15+ triples: 2x

Led league in triples (18): 1923

30+ SB: 2x

Led league in SB (63): 1920

Hit .300: 13x

.407 OBP (1930)

Postseason: .302, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB, .635 OPS (3 World Series)

Elmer Flick: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1963

Born: January 11, 1876

Debut: April 26, 1898 (Phillies)

Sometime between 1898-1900: Broke Napoleon Lajoie’s hand in a fight

1901: Jumped to A’s

1901: Phillies won an injunction against Flick. He could not play in Pennsylvania, so he signed with Cleveland.

1902: Signed by Cleveland Bronchos (later Naps and Indians)

1905: Won batting title (.308)

1907: Tigers tried to trade Ty Cobb for Flick, but the Indians (Naps) refused

1910: Stomach problems forced his retirement

1938: Received 0.4% of HOF vote and dropped off ballot

1963: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vet Committee)

1971: Died

Accomplishments:

1905 Batting Champion

.313

48 HR

756 RBI

950 runs

1752 hits

164 triples

330 steals

.389 OBP

.834 OPS

Hit .300: 9x

Hit .367 (1900)

Led league in games (157): 1906

Led league in AB (624): 1906

Led league in runs (98): 1906

100+ Runs: 2x

200 hits (1900)

30+ doubles: 4x

10+ triples: 11x

15+ triples: 7x

22 triples (1906)

Led league in triples: 3x

11 home runs (1900)

110 RBI (lead league): 1900

Led league in SB: 2x

20+ SB: 11x

30+ SB: 7x

41 steals (1907)

.400+ OBP: 3x

.500 SLG: 2x

Led league .462 Slugging (1905)

Led league in OPS (.845): 1905

John Clarkson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1963

Born: July 1, 1861

Debut: May 2, 1882 (Worcester Ruby Legs)

1882: Released

1884: Purchased by White Stockings

1885: 53 wins, 308 strikeouts

1885: No-hit Providence Grays

1885: White Stockings win pennant

1886: Won 36 games/313 strikeouts

1886: Pitched in World Series

1887: Won 38 games

1888: Purchased by Beaneaters

1888: Won 33 games

1889: Won 49 games

1889: First pitcher to strikeout side on 9 pitches

1889: Won Triple Crown (49 wins, 2.73 ERA, 284 strikeouts)

1890: Involved in player revolt

1891: Boston won pennant

1892: Signed by Cleveland Spiders

1894: Traded to Orioles

1894: Retired

1894-1906: Lived in Bay City, Michigan and ran a cigar shop

Died: 1909 (pneumonia)

1963: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:

328-178 record

.648 win %

2.81 ERA

518 CG

37 SHO

4536.1 IP

1978 strikeouts

No-Hitter

Triple Crown (1889)

Won 20+ games: 8x

Won 30+ games: 6x

Won 40+ games: 2x

53 wins (1885)

Led league in wins: 3x

Led league win %: .721 (1889)

Sub 2 ERA: 1.85 (1885)

Led league in games: 3x

Led league in GS: 3x

Led league in CG: 3x

600+ IP: 2x

Led league in IP: 4x

200+ Strikeouts: 5x

300+ Strikeouts: 2x

Led league in strikeouts: 3x

Postseason: 2-5, 2.67 ERA, 7 CG, 52 strikeouts (3 series)

Eppa Rixey: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1963

Born: May 3, 1891

He attended the University of Virginia

Debut: June 21, 1912 (Phillies).

1915: Phillies lose World Series to Red Sox

1916: Faced the minimum in 4-hit shutout of Giants

1920: Traded to Reds after several run-ins with Phillies management

1921: Allowed 1 home run in 301 innings pitched

Retired: 1933

1959: Held NL record for wins until 1959 when Warren Spahn passed him

1963: Elected to HOF

1963: Died

1986: Steve Carlton broke his record for most seasons by a LHP

Accomplishments:

NL Record for wins (266) upon retirement (since broken)

266-251

3.15 ERA

4494.2 IP

1350 Strikeouts

1.272 WHIP

Led league in wins (25): 1922

15+ wins: 8x

20+ wins: 4x

Sub 3 ERA: 7x

Led league GS: 2x

290 CG

10+ CG: 15x

15+ CG: 9x

20 CG: 7x

37 SHO

Led league in SHO (4): 1924

200+ IP: 12x

300+ IP: 3x

Led league (313.1 IP): 1922

Postseason: 0-1, 4.05 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 2 strikeouts (1 start)

Quotes of the Month: January 2013

Quote of the Month: “What difference does it make?”

-Hillary

Stupid Quote of the Month:

“The people of New Orleans and that area, they were hurt, but nothing in comparison to what happened to the people in New York and New Jersey.”

-Senator Harry Reid

And the rest:

"Sadly, Harry Reid has again revealed himself to be an idiot, this time gravely insulting Gulf Coast residents."

-Senator David Vitter

Go fuck yourself.

-John Boehner to Harry Reid

This will be my last ride.

-Ray Lewis announcing his retirement

"Spread your legs, you’re gonna be frisked.”

-Joe Biden to Senator Heidi Heitkamp

 “I’m proud to be President of the United States.”

-Joe Biden

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.”

-Barack Obama

“Proud of my husband and the Pats. By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis’ Wikipedia page. 6 kids 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. Yay. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!”

 -ANNA BURNS WELKER

"If you want to keep people away during an earthquake,” he said, “buy some shotgun shells.”

 -JOE BIDEN

"If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you'll see more of them doing it."

 -BARACK OBAMA

"I am the father of the destruction of Western civilization"

-Jerry Springer

Phlox (Star Trek) Timeline

Born: late 21^st Century

2115: Became physician

2149: Joined the Interspecies Medical Exchange

2151: Working at Starfleet Medical in San Francisco

2151: Joined Enterprise NX-01

2151: Produced antidote for pollen toxin that made an away team

2151: Became ship’s de facto counselor

2152: Saved Archer’s dog Porthos

2152: Infected by Borg nanoprobes, but discovered treatment before assimilation was complete

2153-4: Xindi mission

2154: Augment Crisis

2154: Vulcan Awakening

2154: Romulan Telepresence Crisis

2154: Kidnapped by Klingons-helped solve Klingon Augment Crisis

2155-61: Romulan War: Remained CMO on Enterprise.

Mid-23^rd Century: Phlox Prize named in his honor