Ford Frick: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1970

Born: December 19, 1894

After college, he worked as a sportswriter and then for the Hearst Newspapers. He served as Babe Ruth's ghostwriter.

1934: Became NL's public relations director.

1934-51: NL President

1934: Helped spearhead the Baseball Hall of Fame

1947: Intervened when players threatened a boycott over Jackie Robinson

1951-65: Baseball Commissioner

1957: Overruled fans vote in All Star Game due to ballot stuffing

1957: Took ASG vote from fans

1961-2: Oversaw expansion

1961: Ok'd 162 game balanced schedule

1961: Demanded Roger Maris break Babe Ruth's record in 154 Games

1970: Elected to Hall of Fame

1978: Died

1978: Ford C. Frick Award introduced

1991: Asterisk struck from Roger Maris HR record

 

Earl Combs: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1970

Born: May 14, 1899

1919: Began as a school teacher, but still played semi-pro baseball

1922: Signed by Louisville of the American Association

1924: Traded to New York Yankees

Debut: April 16, 1924 (Yankees)

1926: Yankees lose World Series

1927-8: Yankees win World Series

1932: Yankees win World Series

1934: Fractured skull running into a wall (he never recovered)

1935: Retired

1936-44: Coach for New York Yankees

1936: Mentored Joe DiMaggio

1944: St Louis Browns coach

1948-52: Boston Red Sox coach

1954: Philadelphia Phillies coach

1954: Retired from baseball to his farm

1955-9: Kentucky Banking Commissioner

1959-75: Eastern Kentucky University Board of Regents

1970: Elected to Hall of Fame by Veteran's Committee

Died: 1976

Accomplishments:

9x World Champion (3 as a player)

.325

1186 Runs

1866 Hits

154 Triples

58 Home runs

632 RBI

670 walks-278 strikeouts

.397 OBP

.859 OPS

Hit .300: 9x

.356 (1927)

100+ Runs: 8x

200+ Hits: 3x

Led league in hits (231): 1928

30+ Doubles: 8x

10+ Triples: 9x

15+ Triples: 5x

20+ Triples: 3x

Led League in Triples: 3x

.400 OBP: 5x

.500 Slugging: 2x

331 TB (1927)

Postseason: .350, 1 HR, 9 RBI, .894 OPS (4 World Series)

Lou Boudreau: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1970

Born: July 17, 1917

1935: Graduated High School

1938: Graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

1938: Signed by Cleveland Indians before graduation making him ineligible for sports

Debut: September 9, 1938 (Indians)

1941: Became player-manager of Indians before 1942 season

1941: Ruled ineligible for military due to arthritic ankles

1944: Won batting title (.327)

1946: Set record: 4 consecutive doubles in a game

1948: AL MVP

1948: Indians win World Series

1950: Released by Indians (728-649, .529, 1948 World Champ)

1950: Signed by Red Sox

1952: Became player-manager of Red Sox (229-232, .497)

1955: Became manager of Kansas City Athletics (151-260, .367)

1957: Fired by A’s

1958-59: Broadcast for Cubs

1960: Managed Cubs (54-83, .394)

1961-87: Broadcaster for Cubs

1966-8: Broadcaster for Chicago Bulls

1970: Elected to Hall of Fame (77% of vote)

His daughter married Denny McLain

2001: Died

Accomplishments:

1948 World Champion

1948 MVP

8x All Star

1944 Batting Champ

Created the shift (for Ted Williams)

.295

68 HR

789 RBI

861 Runs

1779 Hits

796 walks-309 strikeouts

.380 OBP

.795 OPS

116 Runs (1948)

3x double leader

30+ doubles: 7x

40+ doubles: 4x

10 triples: 2x

100+ RBI: 2x

Hit .300: 3x

.400 OBP: 2x

.987 OPS (1948)

Postseason: .273, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .788 OPS (1948 World Series)

As a manager: 1162-1224 (1948 World Championship)

Juan Berenguer timeline

Born: November 30, 1954

1975: Drafted by New York Mets

Debut: August 17, 1978 (Mets)

1981: Traded to Royals

1981: Purchased by Blue Jays

1982: Signed by Tigers

1984: Tigers win World Series

1985: Traded to Giants

1987: Signed by Twins

1987: Caused “The Berenguer Boogie” craze in Minnesota

1987: Stirred controversy when he complained about not pitching in 1984 World Series

1987: Twins win World Series

1991: Signed with Braves

1991: Broke his pitching arm wrestling with his kids; missed postseason

1991: Braves lose World Series

1992: Traded to Royals

1993-4: Played in Mexican League

1995-98: Played in Independent Leagues

2013: Threw out first pitch at a Tiger game

Accomplishments:

2x World Champion

67-62 record

3.90 ERA

490 games

32 saves

1205.1 IP

1.359 WHIP

975 strikeouts-604 walks

Postseason: 0-1, 5.23 ERA, 10.1 IP, 1.355 WHIP (2 Series)

Sci-Fi History: The Amazing Spiderman (1962)

Spiderman first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 and rapidly became the most popular superhero on the planet. Spiderman’s alter ego, Peter Parker, was just a lonely, nerdy teenager, orphaned at a young age. The comic focused on Peter’s relationships with his family and friends, which added a different dynamic to the book. On top of this, Peter had real life problems to deal with and lost his only true role model, his Uncle Ben, early on in the canon. Peter did not have an older mentor like Robin or Bucky.  Peter’s wisecracking personality, real world problems, and human side made Spiderman one of the most popular comic book heroes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o29VoxtsFk

The Vikings take Normandy (911)

Rollo joined his Viking brethren to lay siege to Paris. King Charles traded Normandy to Rollo in exchange for the Vikings fealty. Rollo honored his agreement with the King and even defended Charles against others.  The Norse presence gave the territory its name. A century later, his descendants conquered England. As a result, Rollo’s acquisition marked the beginning of the end for Anglo Saxon England.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeiOOkV64AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hboIjY7ft48

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8U240rJrQY

Sci-Fi History: The Jetsons (1962)

Hanna-Barbera followed up The Flintsones with a space age version of the prehistoric show. The original show ran from 1962-1987. It was set in 2062 and featured high-rise apartments, robots, flying cars, 20 hour work week, and an automated world. The theme song became a hit in the 60s and many people longed for the tech. Around 2000, many people wondered aloud where the flying cars were.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyinD6ZDqeg