Quotes of the Month: February 2011

Quote of the Month: “If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I’m gonna be really pissed.”


-Chuck Lorre

Dumb Quote of the Month: “All my people love me.”

-Moamer Gadhafi

And the rest…

“Blame Nicki Minaj for females calling themselves Barbies knowin’ they look like a Build-a-bear. “

-?

"There are not any plans to erect a statue to RoboCop. Thank you for your suggestion."

-Detroit Mayor Dave Bing

"100 years after president Reagan's birth, it is worth remembering that the Cold War didn't just end. It was won."

-Donald Rumsfeld

"God didn't create all men equal, Smith and Wesson did."

-Top Shot

"'They may be talking about democracy but they don't know what they're talking about and the result will be extremism and radical Islam.'"

-Hosni Mubarak on Barack Obama

"We cannot deter it. We cannot negotiate with it any more than an iceburg or a great white. I refer to the debt - the new red menace, this time consisting of ink."

-Mitch Daniels

“The Obama agenda is over.”

-Mitch McConnell

“Death to the dictator.”

-Iranian Protestors

“I take my hat off to myself.”

-Carmelo Anthony

“I for one welcome our new computer overlords.”

-Ken Jennings

“My mother was a great Pirates fan. She knows we’re in trouble, so she went upstairs to get some help.”

-Chuck Tanner (1979)

“The problem is -- and dare I say this -- it doesn't look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice. And then we hear that she's out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving with 141 grams of fat per serving, yeah it does -- what do you mean, what do I mean? What is it - no, I'm trying to say that our First Lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or of a woman [professional baseball player] Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you. I mean, women are under constant pressure to look lithe, and Michelle My Belle is out there saying if you eat the roots and tree bark and the berries and all this cardboard stuff you will live longer, be healthier and you won't be obese. Okay, fine, show us.”

-Rush Limbaugh

"Duke was a fine man, a terrific hitter and a great friend - even though he was a Dodger.”

-Willie Mays on Duke Snider

"They picked a fight with a warlock."

-Charlie Sheen on his feud with CBS

Top 200 Albums of All Time: "F" Artists

Fleetwood Mac: Fleetwood Mac (1975)


Fleetwood Mac began as a blues rock band. In the mid-seventies, they came to reflect the culture at large. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the band following the departure of Bob Welch. The first album with the classic lineup went to number one a year after its release. As a result, the band catapulted to stardom and eventually made the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Key Tracks:

Rhiannon
Say You Love Me
Landslide

Rumors: Fleetwood Mac (1977)

Rumors tapped into the zeitgeist. The band included two couples each of which experienced painful breakups during the recording of the album. The songs reflect their angst. As the divorce rate hit 50%, people identified with Fleetwood Mac’s experiences resulting in over 40 million album sales. The album represents more than simply a collection of popular songs. Instead, it represents a moment in America’s social history.

Key Tracks:

Dreams
Don’t Stop
Go Your Own Way
The Chain
Gold Dust Woman

Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive! (1976)

Peter Frampton released four albums with little success or fanfare. Nowadays, he might have been dropped by his label. Record companies were more patient in 1976 when Frampton’s career came alive. His double live album hit #1 on the charts and remained there for 10 weeks. Only Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles recorded more successful live albums. The tracks on the album still receive heavy airplay almost 40 years later. The success of Frampton Comes Alive! impressed record companies who began to change their business plans in order to mass produce rock music. The end result was so-called Corporate Rock which dominated radio until the mid-eighties.

Key Tracks:

Show Me The Way
Baby, I Love Your Way
Do You Feel Like We Do?

History Shorts: Alexander the Great and the Battle of Gaugamela

Alexander the Great and the Greeks wanted to eliminate the Persian threat. So, Alexander led an invasion of the Persian Empire defeating every opponent along the way. At Gaugamela, Alexander defeated Darius and the Persian army in a rout. Alexander’s victory spelled the end of the empire Cyrus the Great founded. It also eliminated the Persian threat. Darius was murdered by his own people in the hopes of placating the Macedonian general. Then, Alexander incorporated the Persians into his Macedonian Empire. Afterward, he decided to continue eastward into India. Eventually, his men had enough and forced Alexander to turn around.

Here is Alexander in pop culture: The first clip is from Oliver Stones' Alexander. It is the stereotypical general pep talk to the troops before battle. The second is a documentary.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcGp9uTsK4Y

Milwaukee Brewers Top 10 Moments

Baseball returns to Milwaukee (1970): Baseball came to Milwaukee in 1953 when the Braves moved from Boston. The team only stayed a dozen years before moving to Atlanta. Milwaukee baseball fans had to wait five years before the Brewers moved in from Seattle to replace Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Warren Spahn. In less than a decade, the Brewers were a powerhouse.

Hank Aaron’s final home run (July 20, 1976): Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run off California’s Dick Drago. Little did anyone know that Aaron’s final big fly would occur in July for the Brewers. He retired baseball’s all time home run leader. The Brewers won 6-2.

The Yount Game (October 3, 1982): Milwaukee and Baltimore entered the final game of the 1982 season tied for first. Each needed a win to clinch the AL East. In a match up of Hall of Fame big game pitchers, Don Sutton beat Jim Palmer 10-2 behind Robin Yount’s two homers. For the game, Yount went 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI solidifying his MVP credentials. Yount would win a second MVP in 1989.

Cooper’s single sends Brewers to the World Series (October 10, 1982 Game 5 ALCS): The Brewers fell behind Gene Mauch’s Angels 2 games to none in the 1982 ALCS. They rallied to win Game 3 behind Don Sutton and clubbed California in Game 4. In Game 5, they trailed 3-2 in the seventh when Cecil Cooper singled in two for the lead. Milwaukee held on for the win and their first pennant. Without Rollie Fingers, they lost an exciting World Series in seven games to St Louis.

Juan Nieves No-Hitter (April 15, 1987): Juan Nieves no-hit the Baltimore Orioles early in the 1987 season. He was aided by a great play in centerfield by Robin Yount. Nieves pitched three seasons in the majors finishing with a 32-25 record.

13-0 (April 20, 1987): Juan Nieves’ no-hitter was part of a 13-0 start for Milwaukee. They swept the AL Champion Red Sox at home, swept the Rangers and Orioles on the road, Texas at home, and then won the first game at Comiskey Park. The White Sox broke the streak with a 7-1 win on the 21st. Milwaukee finished with 91 wins and a third place finish.

Paul Molitor’s 39-game hitting streak (1987): Paul Molitor hit .353 in 1987. That season, he embarked on a remarkable 39 game hitting streak. It was the longest streak since Pete Rose’s 44 gamer in 1978. Only six players have had longer streaks.

Robin Yount gets his 3000th hit (September 9, 1992): On September 9, 1992, Robin Yount singled off Cleveland’s Jose Mesa for his 3000th hit. Interestingly, hit 1000th and 2000th hit also came off Cleveland. George Brett joined Yount in the 3000 hit club a couple weeks later. Cleveland won the game 5-4.

Brewers move to NL (1998): As part of Bud Selig’s reorganization and MLB’s expansion, Milwaukee moved to the National League. They lost their first game to Atlanta 2-1. In their inaugural NL campaign, Milwaukee finished 74-88.

Brewers make the postseason ending 26 year drought (2008): An exciting Brewer team made the postseason for the first time since 1982. The team’s late season acquisition of C.C. Sabathia and his clutch pitching down the stretch assured the team’s success. Unfortunately, C.C. burnt out by the end and Milwaukee lost the LDS to Philadelphia. However, it provided a core group of young players playoff experience.

Top 200 Albums of All Time: "E"

Here are the artists starting with "E"

Eagles: The Eagles (1972)


The Eagles debuted put the country back into rock music. Despite the laid back nature, the band was driven. They eventually became one of the most influential acts in history. On a side note, the album was supposed to be Quadraphonic, but was never released as such.

Key Tracks:

Take It Easy
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Witchy Woman

Hotel California: The Eagles (1976)

Pete Townsend compared the seventies to Sodom and Gomorrah. Hotel California investigates the excesses within American life. It appeared America had descended into materialism and decadence in the years following the Vietnam War. It is a window into the “Fall of Rome.”

Key Tracks:

Hotel California
Life In The Fast Lane
New Kid In Town
Victim of Love

The Marshall Mathers LP: Eminem (2000)

Hip Hop appeared to be on the decline until Eminem. It had devolved into plastic pop music much in the same way rock music did a decade earlier. Eminem gave the genre back its edge. The Slim Shady LP put Detroit’s Eminem on the map, but The Marshall Mathers LP made him a superstar. On this album, Eminem is more introspective. Marshall is viewed without Slim Shady.

Key Tracks:
Stan
The Way I Am
The Real Slim Shady

History Shorts: Philip of Macedon Assassinated (336 B.C.)

Philip II of Macedon was the father of Alexander the Great and Hegemon of the Greek army preparing to invade Persia. By the time of his death, the Macedonian king asserted his authority throughout most of Greece. His military innovations overwhelmed the Greek City States and provided his heir with the force necessary to defeat the Persians. Some believe that without Philip's innovations, Alexander would never have been "Great." Historians continue to squabble over the reasons for the assassination. Philip’s death led to the rise of Alexander the Great who used Philip’s army and innovations to conquer beyond the known world. Philip’s tomb was discovered in 1977.

From Oliver Stone's Alexander:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V6pc6PU7go

Top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates Moments

Babe Adams wins Game 7 on a shutout; it is his 3rd win of the World Series (Game 7 World Series October 16, 1909): Honus Wagner and the Pirates defeated Ty Cobb and the Tigers in an epic World Series. Babe Adams was the hero for the Bucs as he pitched three complete game victories. The other Pirate starters went 1-3. It was Pittsburgh’s first world title.


Kiki Cuyler wins the World Series (Game 7 World Series October 15, 1925): The World Champion Senators led the Pirates 7-6 going into the bottom of the 8th. The Pirates rallied for three to take the lead and deflate Walter Johnson. The Bucs tied the game with 2 outs. With 2 on and 2 out, Max Carey reached on an error loading the bases. The next batter, Kiki Cuyler, hit a ground rule double to right scoring the go-ahead runs. The Senators went down in order in the 9th. The Pirates won their second title.

Ralph Kiner wins 7th straight home run crown (1952): The Pirates enjoyed success in the early twentieth century. By mid-century, they were terrible. Ralph Kiner provided one bright spot by winning seven home run crowns in a row. Beginning in 1946, Kiner stroked 23, 51, 40, 54, 47, 42, and 37. He finished his Hall of Fame career with 369 blasts.

Dale Long homers in eight straight games (May 19-28, 1956): Dale Long hit 27 roundtrippers in 1956. Starting on May 19, he hit at least one in eight straight games breaking the previous record of six. Long included Warren Spahn, Curt Simmons, and Carl Erskine among his victims. The Dodgers and Don Newcombe finally ended the streak. The record has since been tied by Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993).

Harvey Haddix is almost perfect (May 26, 1959): Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game into the 13th inning before allowing a base runner. Unfortunately, the Pirates failed to score. In the 13th, the Braves managed some base runners and Joe Adcock doubled in the winning run. Haddix lost the perfect game, the no-hitter, the shutout, and the ballgame.

Mazeroski’s home run (Game 7 World Series October 13, 1960): Bill Mazeroski won one of the greatest games ever played with a 9th inning walk-off. The Pirates led Game 7 early by a score of 4-0. The Yanks rallied to take a 5-4 lead in the 6th. The game see-sawed into the 9th. The Pirates looked to win the series with a 2-run lead, but New York rallied. With the game tied 9-9 in the bottom of the 9th, Maz hit a Ralph Terry pitch over the left field wall for the first World Series walk-off in history. It was Pittsburgh’s first title since 1925.

Steve Blass beats O’s 2-1 (Game 7 World Series October 17, 1971): The Orioles and Pirates engaged in a classic World Series which was decided in seven games. Pirate starter Steve Blass experienced an extreme case of nerves which Baltimore manager Earl Weaver attempted to fan when he came out to chat with the umpires. Weaver’s efforts had the opposite effect. Blass calmed down and pitched the game of his life. He stopped the O’s on 4 hits and was supported by a homer from Roberto Clemente. The Pirates scored their second run in the 8th. Blass only allowed one in out dueling Mike Cuellar.

Roberto Clemente gets his 3000th , and final, hit (September 30, 1972): Roberto Clemente scored his 3000th hit off Mets righthander John Matlack. The right fielder accomplished the feat in front of his home fans and represented a goodbye of sorts. It was his last regular season at-bat of his career. During the offseason, Clemente died in a plane crash.

Rennie Stennett goes 7-7 (September 16, 1975): The Pirates massacred the Chicago Cubs 22-0. In the process, Rennie Stennett hit safely in all seven at bats. He is the only twentieth century player to accomplish this.

Pops brings it home (Game 7 World Series October 17, 1979): Willie Stargell had a dream that he would do something great in Game 7. In the 6th inning, with the Bucs trailing the Orioles, Stargell hit the go-ahead homer. His two-run shot off Scott McGregor proved the game winner. The Bucs tacked on two in the 9th for a 4-1 victory. Pittsburgh’s “family” overcame a 3-1 deficit and the death of manager Chuck Tanner’s mother to beat a high powered Oriole team. To date, it is the Pirates last title.