Sunday, March 1, 2015

Quotes of the Month: February 2015

Quote of the Month: "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"


-Leonard Nimoy

Stupid Quote of the Month:
"Because Michael, face it -- the guy was basically average in terms of size, strength, speed, jumping ability, all the things that you seem to think make a great player."


-Bill Walton on Michael Jordan


Dueling Confusion of the Month:
"When the final accounting is done, 2014 will have been the most lethal year for global terrorism in the 45 years such data has been compiled."


- Director of National Intelligence James Clapper
"Despite ISIL, despite the visible killings that you see and how horrific they are, we are actually living in a period of less daily threat to Americans and to people in the world than normally; less deaths, less violent deaths today, than through the last century."


-John Kerry
 


and the rest...
"Unless we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place,

remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible

deeds in the name of Christ."


-Barack Obama at the 2015-national-prayer-breakfast
"The only problem we’re going to have is running out of fuel and bullets."


-King Abdullah
"In attempting to reduce the importance of one great talent over another, you make a mockery of all musicians and music from every genre, including your own."


-Shirley Manson to Kanye West
"They were killed simply for the fact they were Christians."


-Pope Francis I
"I am my own man."


-Jeb Bush
"No religion is responsible for terrorism, people are responsible for violence and terrorism."

-Barack Obama

"I do not believe, and I know this is a horrible thing to say, but I do not believe that the president loves America."


-Rudy Giuliani
"If we looked around the world and say long-term we cannot kill every terrorist around the world nor should we try, how do you get at the root causes of this? Look, it might be too nuanced of an argument for some like I’ve seen over the past 24 hours some of the commentary out but it’s really the smart way for Democrats, for Republicans, military commanders, our partners in the Arab world think we need to combat it."


-Marie Harf

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Cecil Fielder timeline

Born: September 21, 1963

1981: Drafted by Baltimore Orioles (did not sign)

1982: Drafted by Kansas City Royals

1983: Traded to Toronto Blue Jays

1985: Jays win AL East

1988: Purchased by Hanshin Tigers

1990: Signed by Detroit Tigers

1990: .277, 51, 132, .592 SLG, .969 OPS, 339 TB

1990: First player since 1977 to hit 50 home runs

1990: Two 3-home run games

1990: Became only Tiger to clear LF roof at Tiger Stadium

1991: Only player to hit ball out of County Stadium (Milwaukee)

1992: First player since Babe Ruth to lead league in RBI 3 straight seasons

1996: Set record for most games played before first career SB

1996: Traded to New York Yankees

1996: Yanks win World Series

1996: Babe Ruth Award

1997: Yanks lose LDS

1997: Signed by Anaheim Angels

1998: Signed by Cleveland Indians

1999: Signed by Toronto Blue Jays

1999: Retired

2004: Reported Gambling problems

2007: Prince Fielder hit 50 home runs. Prince and Cecil only father/son duo with 50 HR

2007-11: Minor League Manager


Accomplishments:
1996 World Champion

3x All Star

2x Silver Slugger

2x HR Champ

1996 Babe Ruth Award

Player of the Month (August 1990)

3x Player of the Week

.255

319 HR

1,008 RBI

744 Runs

1,313 Hits

.345 OBP

.482 SLG

.827 OPS

2,484 TB

100+ Runs: 2x

20+ HR: 7x

30+ HR: 6x

40+ HR: 2x

51 HR (1990): Led league

100+ RBI: 5x

.500 SLG: 3x

300 TB: 2x

Led league in games (162): 1991

Led league in RBI: 3x

Led league in SLG (.592): 1990

Led league in TB (339): 1990

Postseason: .286, 3 HR, 15 RBI, .833 OPS (5 series)

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Jimmy Key timeline

Born: April 22, 1961

1979: Drafted by Chicago White Sox (did not sign)

1982: First Team ACC at pitcher and DH (Clemson)

1982: Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays

Debut: April 6, 1984 (Blue Jays)

1985: Jays win AL East

1987: 17-8, 2.76, 8 CG, 1 SHO, 261 IP, 161 Strikeouts, 1.057 WHIP

1989: Jays win AL East

1991: Jays win AL East

1992: Jays win World Series

1992: Signed by New York Yankees

1996: Yanks win World Series

1996: Signed by Baltimore Orioles

1997: O's win AL East

2004: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot (0.6% of vote)


Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

4x All Star

2x TSN Pitcher of the Year

Pitcher of the Month (April 1993)

186-117

3.51

.614 win %

2591.2 IP

1538 Strikeouts

1.229 WHIP

470 Games-389 GS

34 CG

13 SHO

15+ wins: 5x

ERA under 3.50: 6x

2.76 ERA (1987): Led league

200+ IP: 8x

Led league in wins (17): 1994

Led league in GS (25): 1994

Led league in WHIP (1.057): 1987

Postseason: 5-3, 3.15, 68.2 IP, 35 Ks, 1.282 WHIP, 14 games/11 Starts (10 Series)

Monday, February 23, 2015

Dave Stieb timeline

Born: July 22, 1957

1978: Graduated Southern Illinois

1978: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays

Debut: June 29, 1979

1982: 17-14, 3.25, 38 Games-38 Starts, 19 CG, 5 SHO, 288.1 IP, 141 Strikeouts

1984: 16-8, 2.83, 35 Games-35 starts, 11 CG, 2 SHO, 267 IP, 1.135 WHIP, 198 Strikeouts

1985: Blue Jays win AL East

1986: Released autobiography

1988: Lost 2 no-hitters with 2 outs and 2 strikes in 9th

1989: Perfect Game broken up with 2 outs in the 9th

1989: Jays win AL East

1990: No-Hit Cleveland

1991: Began suffering back injuries

1991: Jays win AL East

1992: Jays win World Series

1992: Signed with Chicago White Sox

1993: Sox win AL West

1993: Signed by Kansas City Royals

1993: Retired

1998: Tried a comeback

1998: Signed with Blue Jays

1998: Retired again

2004: Dropped off HOF Ballot (1.4% of vote)


Accomplishments:
1992 World Champion

7x All Star

No-Hitter (1990)

1982 TSN Pitcher of the Year

1985 Pitching Title

3x Pitcher of the Month

3x Player of the Week

176-137

3.44

443 Games-412 Starts

103 CG

30 SHO

2895.1 IP

1.245 WHIP

1,669 Strikeouts

Won 15+ Games: 6x

Sub 3.50 ERA: 8x

Sub 3 ERA: 2x

10+ CG: 5x

19 CG (Led League): 1982

200+ IP: 9x

250+ IP: 4x

Led league ERA (2.48): 1985

Led league SHO (5): 1982

Led league IP: 2x

Led league HBP: 5x

Postseason: 1-3, 4.26, 31.2 IP, 1.232 WHIP, 28 Strikeouts, 5 games (2 series)

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Dennis Martinez: timeline

Born: May 14, 1955

1973: Signed by Baltimore Orioles

Debut: September 14, 1976

1976: First Nicaraguan in Major Leagues

1979: Orioles win Pennant

1983: Orioles win World Series

1986: Traded to Montreal Expos

1991: Perfect Game

1991: 14-11, 2.39 ERA, 9 CG, 5 SHO, 222 IP, 1.122 WHIP

1993: Signed by Cleveland Indians

1995: Broke Kirby Puckett's jaw in what became Puckett's last game.

1995: Indians win Pennant

1997: Signed by Seattle Mariners

1998: Signed by Atlanta Braves

1998: Braves win NL East

2004: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot (3.2% of vote)

2005-06: Spring Training instructor for Orioles

2012-13: Astros Bullpen Coach


Accomplishments:
1983 World Champion

4x All Star

Perfect Game

Most wins for a Latin Pitcher (245)

3x Player of the Month

2x Player of the Week

1991 Pitching Title

245-193

3.70 ERA

3999.2 IP

2149 Strikeouts

1.266 WHIP

15+ Wins: 7x

ERA under 3.50: 8x

ERA under 3.00: 4x

ERA under 2.50: 2x

10+ CG: 3x

15+ CG: 2x

200+ IP: 9x

250+ IP: 3x

1.025 WHIP (1992)

Led league in wins (14): 1981

Led league in ERA (2.39): 1991

Led league in GS (39): 1979

Led league in CG: 2x

Led league in SHO (5): 1991

Led league in IP (292.1): 1979

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Fernando Valenzuela: Timeline

Born: November 1, 1960

1977-79: Mexican League

1979: Purchased by Los Angeles Dodgers

1979-80: Minor Leagues

Debut: September 15, 1980 (Dodgers)

1981: Fernandomania

1981: Began season 8-0 with 5 SHO and 0.50 ERA

1981: Dodgers win World Series

1981: First man to win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in same season

1981: 13-7, 2.48, 192.1 IP, 11 CG, 8 SHO, 25 GS, 180 Strikeouts, 1.045 WHIP

1983: Dodgers win NL West

1985: Dodgers win NL West

1986: Struck out 5 straight in ASG

1986: 21-11, 3.14, 34 G, 20 CG, 269.1 IP, 242 Strikeouts, 1.155 WHIP

1988: Injured

1988: Dodgers win World Series

1990: No-Hit Cardinals

1991: Signed with California Angels

1992: Signed by Detroit Tigers

1992: Purchased by Mexican League

1993: Signed with Baltimore Orioles

1994: Signed with Philadelphia Phillies

1995: Signed with San Diego Padres

1996: Padres win NL West

1997: Traded to St Louis Cardinals

1997: Retired

2003: Broadcaster

2004: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot (3.8%)

2004-06: Pitched in Mexican League

2005: Named to Latino Legends Team

2013: Caribbean Hall of Fame


Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

6x All Star

1981 Rookie of the Year

1981 Cy Young

2x Silver Slugger

1986 Gold Glove

No Hitter

4x Pitcher of the Month

5x Pitcher of the Week

173-153

3.54

453 games-424 starts

113 CG

31 SHO

2930 IP

2074 Strikeouts

1.320 WHIP

Won 15+ Games: 4x

21 wins (1986)

Sub 3 ERA: 3x

10+ CG: 6x

15+ CG: 2x

20 CG (1986)

200+ IP: 7x

250+ IP: 6x

200+ Strikeouts: 3x

1.045 WHIP (1981)

Led league in GS (25): 1981

Led league in wins (21): 1986

Led league in CG: 3x

Led league in SHO (8): 1981

Led league in IP (192.1): 1981

Led league in strikeouts (180): 1981

Postseason: 5-1, 1.98, 9 Games-8 GS, 2 CG, 63.2 IP, 1.225 WHIP (6 Series)

Monday, February 16, 2015

Joe Carter timeline

Born: March 7, 1960

1981: TSN College Player of the Year

1981: Drafted by Chicago Cubs

Debut: July 30, 1983 (Cubs)

1984: Traded to the Cleveland Indians

1986: .302, 29 HR, 121 RBI, 200 hits, 108 Runs, 29 SB, .514 SLG, 341 TB, .849 OPS

1987: 30-30 season

1989: Traded to San Diego Padres

1990: Traded to Toronto Blue Jays

1991: Blue Jays win AL East

1992-93: Blue Jays win World Series

1993: Hit 2 home runs in one inning

1993: Hit World Series winning walk off HR

1997: Signed by Baltimore Orioles

1998: Traded to San Francisco Giants

1998: Retired

1999-2002: Broadcaster

2003: Dropped off Hall of Fame Ballot (3.8% of vote)

2003: Elected to Canadian Hall of Fame

2015: Diamondbacks Executive


Accomplishments:
2x World Champion

5x All Star

2x Silver Slugger

Walk off HR to end World Series (1993)

2x Player of the Month

7x Player of the Week

.259

396 HR

1,445 RBI

1,170 Runs

2,184 Hits

432 Doubles

231 SB

.306 OBP

.464 SLG

.771 OPS

3,910 TB

108 Runs (1986)

200 Hits (1986)

30+ Doubles: 8x

42 doubles (1991)

20+ HR: 12x

30+ HR: 6x

100+ RBI: 10x

20+ SB: 6x

31 SB (1987)

.302 (1986)

.500 SLG: 3x

300 TB: 4x

Led league in Games: 3x

Led league in AB: 2x

Led league in RBI (121): 1986

Led league in HBP (10): 1991

Led league in SF: 2x

Postseason: .252, 6 HR, 20 RBI, .728, 3 SB (5 Series)