Red Ruffing: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1967

Born: May 3, 1905

In youth, lost four toes in a mining accident. The accident forced Ruffing to move from the outfield to the pitcher’s mound.

1923: Traded to Red Sox by Danville

Debut: May 31, 1924 (Red Sox)

1930: Traded to Yankees

1932: Pitched 10 inning shutout and hit GW HR (1-0 win)

1932: Yanks win World Series

1936-39: Won 20 or more games

1936-39: Yanks win World Series

1941: Yanks win World Series

1942: Yanks lose World Series to Cardinals

1943-44: World War II service

1946: Signed with White Sox

1947: Retired

1947-51: Roving instructor for Indians

1951-61: Indians coach

1962: Mets coach and scout (retired quickly)

1967: Elected to HOF

1969: Returned to coaching in minors

1986: Died

2004: Yanks dedicated a plaque to him

Accomplishments:

6x World Champion

6x All Star

273-225

3.80 ERA

4344 IP

1541 Walks

1987 Strikeouts

1.341 WHIP

Won 15+ games: 12x

Won 20+ games: 4x

 Led league in wins (21): 1938

Led league in loses: 2x

Lost 20+ games: 2x

Sub 3.50 ERA: 7x

Sub 3 ERA: 2x

624 games

538 starts

335 CG

Led league in CG (25): 1928

45 SHO

Led league in SHO (5): 1939

200+ IP: 13x

250+ IP: 5x

Most runs (2115) and Earned Runs (1833) allowed in AL History

Led league in strikeouts (190): 1932

Postseason: 7-2, 2.63 ERA, 85.2 IP, 61 strikeouts, 1.179 WHIP (7 World Series)

Branch Rickey: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1967

Born: December 20, 1881

1898-1901: Earned B.A. at Ohio Wesleyan University and played catcher on baseball team

1902: Played football

1903: Signed pro contract with Terra Haute

1904-05: Played baseball, taught college, and coached football

1905: Ended up with White Sox, who flipped him to the Browns

Debut: June 16, 1905 (Browns)

1907: Traded to the Highlanders (Yankees)

1907: Allowed 13 stolen bases in one game (record)

1907: Attended University of Michigan and earned LL B.

1913: Joined Browns front office

1913-15: Managed Browns (139-179)

1915: Helped sign George Sisler

1917-1918: World War I service

1919-1925: Managed Cardinals (458-485)

1919-42: Cardinals GM. He pioneered the farm system.

1926: Cardinals won World Seres

1931: Cardinals won World Series

1934: Cardinals won World Series

1942: Cardinals won World Series

1943-50: Dodgers GM

1945: Signed Jackie Robinson

1947: Helped integrate baseball

1950-55: Pirates GM

1954: Drafted Roberto Clemente

1955: His efforts led to the Dodgers world title

1960: His efforts led to the Pirates world title

1965: Died

1967: Elected to Hall of Fame

2013: Played by Harrison Ford in "42"

Accomplishments:

4x World Champion (role in two others) as GM

Helped integrate baseball

Developed the farm system

Jackie Robinson, George Sisler, Roberto Clemente

As a manager: 597-664 (.473)

As a player: .239, 3 HR, 39 RBI, .628 OPS (120 games-343 AB)

History Shorts: Muslims invade Spain (711 A.D.)

Islam expanded dramatically after Muhammad’s death. Eventually, their empire ran from Afghanistan to Portugal and Spain. During the first century of the religion’s existence, Muslims conquered Arabia, the Middle East, parts of India, Afghanistan, parts of Africa, and invaded Spain. The invasion of the Iberian Peninsula marked Islam’s attempt to convert the world by sword. They eventually conquered most of modern Spain. The Spanish did not liberate themselves until 1492.

The first link is a brief overview of the Muslim occupation of Spain. The second is a NBC News report on modern Spanish Muslims.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91-NpyEKXWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJMw0RBCFOM

Bill Scherrer: 1984 Detroit Tigers timeline

Born: January 20, 1958

1976: Drafted by Cleveland Indians (Did not sign)

1977: Drafted by Cincinnati Reds #1 overall

Debut: September 7, 1982 (Reds)

1984: Traded to Detroit Tigers

1984: Tigers win World Series

1987: Signed with Reds

1988: Signed with Orioles, Phillies, and Cubs

Post-retirement: Served in various positions with clubs such as the Marlins and White Sox

2006: Elected to Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:

1984 World Champion

8-10 record

4.08 ERA

11 saves

228 games

311.1 innings

207 strikeouts

1.436 WHIP

Quotes of the Month: May 2013

Quote of the Month: “I was a pimp."

-James Lipton

Stupid Quote of the Month:

“I’m not good at math.”

-IRS official Lois Lerner

And the rest…

“I always knew is that it would have to be a black president who was approved by the elites and the media because anybody that they didn’t agree with, they would take apart.”

-Clarence Thomas on President Obama

 “Kaaaahn!”

-Spock

"On advice of my counsel, I am invoking my right under the fifth amendment so as not to incriminate myself."

-Lois Lerner IRS

"Aren't your 15 minutes up?"

-Nikki Sixx to Kim Kardashian

"The law is irrelevant."

 -Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer

History Shorts: Islam takes Jerusalem (638 A.D.)

Muhammad died in 632. He created Islam, expanded the religion, and left its future to his followers. Muslims continued to spread their doctrine by the sword. In 636, Umar the Great laid siege to Jerusalem after defeating the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Yarmouk. The city fell and became part of the Caliphate in 638. Four centuries later, European Christians marched to the Holy Land to reclaim the city. In the meantime, Islam continued its violent expansion into Africa and Europe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFt5feDQo-s

Sci-Fi History: Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959

Aliens try to stop mankind from building a doomsday weapon and initiate “Plan 9” to resurrect all of Earth’s dead thereby creating a zombie army. It is generally considered the Worst Movie ever made (Twilight might have a say in this). The film has since become a cult classic, inspired Tim Burton’s Ed Wood in 1994, and is remembered as the great Bela Lugosi’s last film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHRq80QNnJM