Friday, September 29, 2006

Friday-Sunday, September 29-October 1, 2006

The real home run record...

Of this season's home run leaders, only one has a chance to hit as many as 60 and that would be the Phillies' monstrous first baseman, Ryan Howard who has 58 with 3 games left to play. Big Papi a.k.a. David Ortiz who's second in the home run race has 54 with 3 games remaining. Apparently these were hit without the benefit of steroids, human growth hormones or that clear cream preferred by Barry Bonds. Now let's look at the home run totals from 1998 to 2001. When Mark McGwire hit a record breaking 70 home runs in 1998, Sammy Sosa finished second with 66. Just 3 years later Barry Bonds broke McGwire's record when he hit 73. Whether those home runs were hit with the aid of illegal drugs or not, those records should and will stand. Are they tainted ? You bet and only forever...

Now let's look at the real home run record. Babe Ruth with 60 home runs in 1927 held the record for 34 years before it was broken by the Yankees' Roger Maris. When the steroid-free Roger Maris stepped to the plate on a cool autumn day on October 1st, 1961 at Yankee Stadium the record would soon be his. As Maris followed the flight of his 61st home run into the rightfield stands off of Tracy Stallard all the pent-up frustration of the media hounding and pressure was over with one swing of the bat. For those who feel that Maris had an edge over the Bambino with more games played (Babe hit 60 in 154 games to Maris' 59), their total plate appearances were nearly identical, 698 for Maris, 692 for Ruth...

The 61 in '61 record of Roger Maris would stand for 37 years. To me, it still is the real record...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1951] The 1st network football game televised in color was the University of California vs. Penn on CBS-TV (the rumors about Brent Musberger doing the play-by-play are false. He did the color)...
  2. [1954] There have been better catches since but Willie Mays makes what's considered the greatest catch of all-time against Cleveland's Vic Wertz in game one of the World Series. The Giants not only win that game, they sweep the Indians in 4...
  3. [1957] Back to the Polo Grounds. The Giants play their last game in New York, losing to the Pirates 9-1 in front of 11,606 what have to be either crazy or diehard fans...
  4. [1974] John Lennon sits in as a guest disc jockey on WNEW-FM (I believe this was on Scott Muni's show)...
  5. [1976] Tommy Lasorda replaces Walter Alston as Dodger manager (Alston was mgr. for 22 years, Lasorda rings up 20)...
  6. [1978] After serving barely over a month, Pope John Paul I is found dead of a heart attack (although there are some questions that remain - there are those who feel he was poisoned). The Pope was 66...
  7. [1982] Seven people die in Chicago after taking capsules of Extra-Strength Tylenol that had been laced with cyanide (264,000 are recalled)...
  8. [1986] For the 1st time in baseball history 2 brothers who are both rookies, pitch against each other in a game. Greg Maddux defeats brother Mike (Greg waltzes into the Hall of Fame 5 years after he retires which is the waiting period. Mike will buy a ticket to get in)...
  9. [1989] Zsa Zsa Gabor is convicted of battery charges for slapping a Beverly Hills police officer who had pulled her and her Rolls-Royce over for expired plates...
  10. [1998] Hasbro announces plans for an action figure of retired U.S. General Colin Powell (G.I. Powell ?)...

#1 on this date: 1977] "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" - Meco...

Gold Standard: 1969] "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" - Jackie DeShannon...

Released on this date: 1967] "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" - Gladys Knight & The Pips...

Premiered on this date: 1953] "Make Room For Daddy" starring Danny Thomas (will run 18 seasons)...1960] "My Three Sons" starring Fred MacMurray (lasts 12 seasons)...1963] "My Favorite Martian" starring Ray Walston (has a short 3 season run but it should've been more)...1971] "McMillan And Wife" starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James (has a 6 season run)...1985] "MacGyver" starring Richard Dean Anderson (for a 7-year run)...1986] "Designing Women" (for 7 seasons) and finally...1987] "Thirtysomething" (4 years)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Nobody Asked Me But...."

In the 50's, Jimmy Cannon had a column that was titled "Nobody Asked Me But" and in honor of one of the greatest of all writers, I will occasionally try to live up to his standards with some of my comments. So here goes:

The people at ESPN are the only ones who believe Terrell Owens story...I offer 2 quotes which sum up the way I feel. Jim McCabe, Boston Globe Staff: "She (meaning fired Owens publicist Kim Etheredge) has (had) to come up with explanations for a guy for whom there is no excuse. She has (had) to not only collect tickets for the circus, she has (had) to tame the lions and swing on the trapeze, too". Now, Senior Corporal of the Dallas Police, Glenn White: "The officers reacted because they were called to this location to do this job. Now they're being put under a microscope by some fancy little football person. Those officers are 10 times better than this man"...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Andrew "Dice" Clay (48), Bryant Gumble (58), Jerry Lee Lewis (71), Anita Ekberg (75) and Lizabeth Scott (84)...

Timeline Countdown: Either 3 or 4 days until major league playoffs depending on what happens in final games, 22 days until World Series and 93 days until 2007.

...

Saturday, September 30, 2006...

Ten Timeline Memories for the Weekend...

  1. [1947] The World Series is televised for the 1st time with sponsors playing a "hefty" $65,000 for the entire Yankee-Dodger series...
  2. [1955] 24-year old Hollywood star James Dean is killed in a two-car collision while racing near Cholame (CA)...
  3. [1960] "The Howdy Doody Show" bows out with the silent Clarabelle (played by Bob Keeshan, future "Captain Kangaroo" speaking for the 1st time. Clarabelle simply says: "Goodbye kids"...
  4. [1962] The 1st-year New York Mets lose a record 120th game and they hit into a triple-play to boot...
  5. [1972] Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente picks up his 3,000th and final hit as he'll go down in a tragic plane crash on New Year's Eve...

#1 on this date: 1971] "Maggie May" - Rod Stewart ("Reason To Believe" was the "A" side)...

"Sayonara": 1985] Howard Stern is fired by WNBC after 3 years (he will resurface at WXRK shortly)...

Premiered on this date: 1950] Radio's "Grand Ole Opry" is televised for the 1st time...1951] "The Red Skelton Show" (will last for 20 seasons)...1960] "The Flintstones" (the 1st primetime animation show runs 6 years and in reruns and several incarnations - forever)...1965] Donovan makes his debut on "Shindig" (which lasts for 2 seasons)...1982] "Cheers" begins an 11-year run...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Martina Hingis (26), Jenna Elfman (35), Fran Drescher (49), Deborah Allen (53), Marilyn McCoo (63), Len Cariou (67), Johnny Mathis (71), Angie Dickinson (75) and Deborah Kerr (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 21 days until the World Series and 92 days until 2007.

...

Sunday, October 1, 2006...

  1. [1967] The Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream comes true as they clinch their 1st American League pennant since 1946 on the last day of the season (with a 3-way tie between Boston, Detroit and Minnesota, the Red Sox beat the Twins and the Tigers lose)...
  2. [1971] Walt Disney World opens in Orlando (FL). 10 years later, to-the-date, EPCOT opens in 1981 (EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow - how many people knew that ? How many people cared ?)...
  3. [1975] Heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali retains his title in the "Thrilla in Manilla" with a TKO in the 15th round over Joe Frazier...
  4. [1993] 12-year old Polly Klaas is abducted from her California home. Her body is found more than 2 months later...
  5. [1996] A federal grand jury indicts Unabomber suspect Theodore Kaczynski for a 1994 mail bomb slaying...

Released on this date: 1964] "The Beatles vs. The Four Seasons" LP (on Vee Jay)...

"Sayonara": 1970] Curtis Mayfield leaves the Impressions for a highly successful solo career...

Premiered on this date: 1952] "This Is Your Life" hosted by Ralph Edwards (the series runs in its original form for 9 years)...1955] "The Honeymooners" (will last for 16 seasons)...1962] "The Lucy Show" which features Lucille Ball as Lucy Carmichael (runs for 12 years)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Randy Quaid (56), Annie Leibovitz (57), Julie Andrews (71), Tom Bosley (79), Roger Williams (82), Jimmah Carter (82) and part-time actor and giant tomato grower James Whitmore (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 20 days until the World Series and 91 days until 2007.

...


Thursday, September 28, 2006

Thursday, September 28, 2006

"Doctor, doctor, give me the news..." from "Bad Case of Loving You" - Robert Palmer (written by John Moon Martin)...

I was gonna follow with a medley of songs with "doctor" in the title but I'll spare you (tell the truth, you're thinking of titles right now, aren't you ?). The diagnosis couldn't be more positive from the doctors, nurses and interns on the show that last week beat the show that was #1 since my bar mitzvah - "CSI". "Grey's Anatomy" starring Patrick Dempsey who bears the most overused nickname in television history, "Dr. McDreamy" and Ellen Pompeo. Also the terrific Sandra Oh who was so good in "Sideways". I've only watched part of one show but I can understand why it's such a huge hit. There's great looking people in the cast and lots of sex and the actors portray real people (heaven help us) that you expect are employed at every hospital you've ever visited. Just like "Dr. Kildare" and "Ben Casey" right ? Which leads me to...

The road for "Grey's Anatomy", "ER", "Scrubs", "Marcus Welby" - even "Doogie Howser", was paved on this date, September 28th in 1961 - 45 years ago today when "Dr. Kildare" with Richard Chamberlain, started making house calls. Just 4 days later on October 2nd, "Ben Casey" debuted and the medical race was on. These 2 doctor shows would run neck and neck for the next several years. In the '62-'63 season Vince Edwards, a.k.a. "Ben Casey" topped "Dr. Kildare" 28.7% to 26.2%. Both "Dr. Kildare" and "Ben Casey" would hang up their stethoscopes after the 1966 television season...

From "The Complete Directory To Prime Time Network And Cable TV Shows" (Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh) here are the names of shows with a form of the word "doctor" in the title from the 60's through the mid-90's. How many do you remember ? "Doc Corkle", "Doc Elliot", "The Doctor", "Doctor, Doctor", "Dr. Fix-Um", "Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal", "Doctor I.Q.", "Doctor In The House", "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", "Dr. Ruth", "Dr. Simon Locke", "The Doctors And The Nurses", "Doctor's Hospital" and "Doctors' Private Lives". Okay, so after "Dr. Quinn" and "Dr. Ruth" (it was a show), how many do you remember ? Relax, a quiz will not follow...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1850] Flogging is abolished as a form of punishment in the U.S. Navy (however it continued in radio many years later)...
  2. [1892] According to the good folks in Pennsylvania, the 1st nighttime football game under electric lights, in America, was played between the Mansfield State Normal School and the Wyoming Seminary (both located in PA)...
  3. [1920] Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted in the "Black Sox" scandal. They're accused of throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds (they will all be acquitted in 1921)...
  4. [1941] Ted Williams goes 6 for 8 in a doubleheader and finishes with a .406 batting average (no one has done it since). 10 years later, same date in 1951 Williams hits a home run in his last at-bat...
  5. [1951] The Yankees' Allie Reynolds pitches his 2nd no-hitter of the season, beating the Red Sox (Yogi Berra gets a second chance to catch a foul pop-up and this time catches it, ending the game)...
  6. [1955] The World Series is televised in color for the 1st time (I watched part of those games from a store window on 13th Avenue in Borough Park)...
  7. [1976] Muhammad Ali wins the rubber match (of 3 fights) against Ken Norton in 15 rounds to win back the heavyweight title at Yankee Stadium...
  8. [1991] Marion Barry, former mayor of the District of Columbia, is sentenced to 6 months in prison for possession of crack cocaine...
  9. [1997] Wearing a cowboy hat, Bob Dylan plays at a Bologna (Italy) concert attended by Pope John Paul. In his set Dylan includes....what else ? "Knocking On Heaven's Door"...
  10. [1997] The 103rd convention of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) is held in New York City with the official debut of the DVD format featured...

#1 on this date: 1957] "Honeycomb" - Jimmie Rodgers...

Released on this date: 1958] "To Know Him Is To Love Him" - Teddy Bears (18-year old Phil Spector, a member of the Teddy Bears writes the song. The title is on his father's headstone...

"Happy Trails": 1989] Ferdinand Marcos (deposed Philippine President) dies in Hawaii (in exile) of kidney, heart and lung failure at 72...1991] Jazz Great Miles Davis dies of a stroke at 65...2000] Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau dies of Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer at 80...2003] Tennis champion Althea Gibson dies at 76 from respiratory failure...

Premiered on this date: 1961] "Hazel" starring Shirley Booth (will run for 5 years)...

Series finale: 1960] "The Millionaire" airs its last episode (John Beresford Tipton ran out of money after 5 seasons)...

"Sayonara": 1968] Janis Joplin leaves Big Brother and the Holding Company to go solo...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

Mrs. Van Valkenburgh of Ormond Beach (FL) believed her 68-year old husband Paul when he told her he wrote "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" under the name, Paul Vance. Which was news to the real Paul Vance. The fake Paul Vance died. The real Paul Vance lives. The 76-year old song writer who got a call from his grandson saying "Grandpa, you're still alive ?", showed proof that he wrote the song by showing some of his royalty checks for the Brian Hyland #1 hit. He's made a handsome living on that song, thank you very much. And that's not the only song he wrote. His 1st hit was "Catch A Falling Star". He and partner Lee Pockriss also wrote "Playground In My Mind" and other hits. "Will the real Paul Vance please stand up"...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Hilary Duff (19), Naomi Watts (38), Ben E. King (68), Brigitte Bardot (72), Arnold Stang (81) and William Windom (83)...

Timeline countdown: 5, possibly 4 days until major league playoffs depending on the teams that qualify, 23 days until the World Series and 94 days until 2007.

...

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

"Well, tonight, tonight, may it never reach an end" from "Tonite, Tonite" by the Mello-Kings, written by Billy Myles...

NBC-TV could adopt that line and apply it to their "Tonight Show" because at the rate they're going, that show will never reach an end. Imagine the unimaginable. Your boss comes to you and says "You know what ? We like you so much that in 5 years we're giving you a new, higher paying job than you have now". That's what NBC told Conan O'Brien in 2004. He was told he would inherit the "Tonight Show" job in 5 years. Amazing ! Not only do you know you'll have your current job for 5 years but that you will continue on in your new job, who knows ? Maybe forever ? I hope NBC is paying for Conan's funeral. After he dies on the job they can just whisk him away in a hearse...

Not only did NBC's Conan O'Brien announcement come on September 27th but the "Tonight Show" itself debuted on the same date 50 years earlier in 1954 when the brilliant Steve Allen went "network" after a year of doing the show locally in New York on flagship WNBT (the "C" would eventually replace the "T"). Where Jack Paar was celebral and wry, Steve Allen was fun. He loved the unexpected, live wackiness that was his trademark. One of the most creative minds in TV, Steverino was the first talk show host to take his cameras out on the street to capture "man on the street" interviews, making stars of Louis Nye, Don Knotts, Tom Poston and Bill Dana, among others. When Steve Allen's own prime-time series premiered in 1956, he cut back on his "Tonight Show" hosting and eventually Jack Paar stepped in. Johnny Carson followed Paar in 1962, Jay Leno in 1992 was next and in 2009 it'll be Conan O'Brien's turn...

Understand that this is not a knock against Conan. Although an acquired taste, O'Brien has great writers and is an accomplished late show host already but without Steve Allen's success on the original "Tonight Show", there is no Conan O'Brien and as good as Allen's successors were, there's no Jack Paar, Johnny Carson or Jay Leno...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1894] Aqueduct Race Track opens in Ozone Park, Queens (this is New York City's only track in the Metro area)...
  2. [1964] The Warren Commission issues a report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963. The report concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone (and what about that puff of smoke coming from the grassy knoll ?)...
  3. [1972] The 1st hockey game is played at the brand new Nassau Coliseum. In a pre-season affair, the Rangers beat the Islanders 6-4...
  4. [1973] With a strikeout of the Twins' Rich Reese, Nolan Ryan breaks Sandy Koufax's record for K's in a season with his 383rd...
  5. [1973] Carlos Santana, a disciple of Sri Chinmoy, changes his name to Devadip (Kraft sues Santana for using the name of their new party dip)...
  6. [1983] Larry Bird becomes the highest paid Celtic in history when he signs a 7-year contract for $15 million (you go #33!)...
  7. [1989] SONY buys Columbia Pictures for $3.4 billion (Ch-Ching !)...
  8. [1996] Orioles second-baseman Roberto Alomar spits on umpire John Hirschbeck during an argument (the 2 will become friends eventually after Alomar apologizes)...
  9. [1998] Mark McGwire of the Cardinals sets the all-time home run record for one season when he hits #69 and 70 (the makers of Andro send McGwire a lifetime supply)...
  10. [2004] Phil Spector is charged with murder in the shooting death of Lana Clarkson at his mansion in 2003. Spector (who now uses Diana Ross's hair stylist) still hasn't been tried, with the latest court date now moved to January of 2007 (this might go on until Conan O'Brien takes over the "Tonight Show" in 2009)...

#1 on this date: 1963] "Blue Velvet" - Bobby Vinton...1973] "We're An American Band" - Grand Funk...1984] "Let's Go Crazy" - Prince...

Premiered on this date: 1964] The Beach Boys make their 1st appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" singing "I Get Around"...

Sayonara...1999] Tiger Stadium closes after 87 years with Detroit beating KC 8-2. Here's retiring play-by-play man Ernie Harwell's call: "Tigers lead it 8-2. Two down in the 9th. Jones is ready. He delivers. Here's a swing and a miss. The game is over and Tiger Stadium is no more"...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Avril Lavigne (22), Gwyneth Paltrow (34), Marvin Lee Aday a.k.a. Meatloaf (59), Randy Bachman (63), Don Cornelius (70), Wilford Brimley (the oldest looking 72 year old in the world), Jayne Meadows (Steve Allen's former wife)(86), Red Sox great Johnny Pesky (87) and a special "Happy Birthday" to "Zach", John Zacherle (88)...

Commentary...

Is it just me or does Zacherle look 72 and Wilford Brimley 88 ???

Timeline countdown: 6 days left (depending on which teams qualify and when) until the major league playoffs, 24 days until the World Series and 95 days until 2007.

...


Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

A road still traveled...

The Abbey Road Studios in London which opened in 1931 and was immortalized by The Beatles when they recorded almost all of their albums and singles there between 1962 and 1970 is still open for business and quite busy these days. You might think the ancient building would have been made into a museum and become part of Beatle history to be preserved for all to view for centuries - not so...

U2 is recording their new album at Abbey Road this month where Bono and the group will also record a song with Green Day. Kanye West had a live concert at the studios late last year and the studio has it's own website if you're interested in booking some studio time: http://www.abbeyroad.co.uk ...

Today marks the 37th anniversary of the release of the Beatles album that made the studios famous around the world. "Abbey Road". The LP was not only known for what was inside ("Come Together", "Something", "Octopus's Garden", "Here Comes The Sun", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and the 16-minute medley that contained "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window"/"Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight") but for its cover showing the Beatles walking across Abbey Road. Incidentally when the Beatles recorded that album the studios were called the EMI Studios. It wasn't until the album came out that the name of the studio was changed to Abbey Road...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1914] The Federal Trade Commission is established (raise your hands like I'm doing if you have no idea what this regulatory commission does. Google tells us that "the FTC eliminates unfair or deceptive marketplace practices". Like the kind we did in radio all these years ? Just kidding FTC.)...
  2. [1950] U.N. troops recapture the South Korean capital of Seoul from the North Koreans...
  3. [1960] The 1st of 4 nationally televised debates between presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon is held (in this corner we have the charismatic, handsome and articulate candidate and in the other corner - a nervous, fidgety candidate who doesn't look good on camera and the winner is.........).
  4. [1965] The Beatles are decorated with the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth (they are 4 of the 372 members of the Order)...
  5. [1985] Shamu is the 1st Orca whale born at Sea World in Orlando (FL). Shamu is the 1st killer whale to survive being born in captivity (there have seen several since and the following names have been trademarked by Sea World: Shamu, Namu, Ramu & Kandu. Here are candidates for future names: Cantdo and Wontdo)...
  6. [1986] William H. Rehnquist is sworn in as the 16th chief justice of the U.S. while Antonin Scalia joins the Supreme Court as an associate...
  7. [1986] The episode of "Dallas" featuring Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) returning from the dead airs to huge numbers...
  8. [1991] Four men and four women begin a 2-year stay inside the "Biosphere II". The project is intended to develop technology for future space colonies. Two years later, to the date, the 8 come out kicking and screaming and vowing never to do it again...
  9. [1996] Richard Allen Davis, the killer of 12-year old Polly Klaas, is sentenced to death in San Jose (CA)...
  10. [2001] In New York City, hundreds of people begin the process of filing for death certificates for family members still missing in the ruins of the World Trade Center (at the time more than 6,300 were still missing)...

#1 on this date: 1966] "Cherish" - Association...

Released on this date: 1964] "You Really Got Me" - Kinks...1979] "I Fought The Law" - The Clash...1984] "Purple Rain" - Prince...

Premiered on this date: 1957] "West Side Story" at the Winter Garden Theater (runs 732 performances before going on the road)...1962] "Beverly Hillbillies" (runs for 9 years)...1964] "Gilligan's Island" (runs for 3 seasons and then re-run forever)...1968] "Hawaii Five-O" (Aloha after 12 seasons)...1969] "The Brady Bunch" (lasts 5 seasons)...1969] The Fillmore West opens in San Francisco...1975] "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf star)...1995] "George" Magazine is born (the mag keeps going after JFK Jr.'s death but folds in 2001]...

Wedding Bells: 1955] Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher walk down the aisle and go on an "Aba Dabba Honeymoon" (for 4 years)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Serena Williams (25), Jillian Barberie (40), Melissa Sue Anderson (44), Olivia Newton-John (58), Lynn Anderson (59), Christie Todd Whitman (60) and Jack LaLanne (92)...

Timeline Countdown: 7 days until major league playoffs, 25 days until the World Series and 96 days until 2007.

...

Monday, September 25, 2006

Monday, September 25, 2006

The 'Say Hey Kid' now and then...

Willie Mays celebrated his 75th birthday this past May at AT&T Park (formerly Pac Bell Park) in San Francisco. The stadium is located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza near the larger-than-life statue of Mays that greets fans to the ballpark. The 9-foot statue is surrounded by 24 palm trees and the rightfield wall on the field is 24 feet high, all in tribute to the greatest player in Giants history and one of the greatest players in all of baseball. Mays is a special assistant to the Giants these days and takes pen in hand for the appearances he makes at memorabilia shows all over the country. Mays is the probably the biggest defender of Barry Bonds but that's what you do when you're the godfather of the most enigmatic of all sports figures...

September 25th has been a special day for Mays through the years. In 1965, Willie, still a Giant, would become at age 34, the oldest player to hit 50 home runs in a single season. Just 10 years earlier he set the record for being the youngest player to hit 50 home runs at the age of 24 (there's that number again). On the night of September 25th, 1973, a sold-out Shea Stadium held "Willie Mays Night". Willie didn't play that night but the Mets won it for him by edging Montreal 2-1. Just 3 days earlier on September 22nd in 1969, Mays became the second player, behind Babe Ruth to hit 600 home runs...

At 75 Mays is back living in Atherton (CA) where he bought a home when the Giants moved from Manhattan to San Francisco after the 1957 baseball season. In 1999 he was ranked #2 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, making him the highest-ranking living player. Later that year, he was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1513] The Pacific Ocean is discovered by Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa when he crosses the Isthmus (try that word in spell check) of Panama, calling it the South Sea (the discoverer of the South Sea files for plagiarism)...
  2. [1789] The 1st U.S. Congress adopts 12 amendments to the Constitution and sends them to the states for ratification (10 of the amendments become the Bill of Rights)...
  3. [1954] Elvis Presley appears live on the "Grand Ole Opry", singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky"...
  4. [1962] Sonny Liston KO's Floyd Patterson in the 1st round to win the heavyweight championship...
  5. [1975] Jackie Wilson collapses while singing "Lonely Teardrops" in Cherry Hill (NJ). 41 at the time, Wilson suffers a heart attack resulting in brain damage. He dies in 1984 after spending the rest of his life in hospitals, in a coma...
  6. [1990] Little Richard Boulevard is named for the star in Macon (GA)...
  7. [1992] A judge in Orlando (FL) rules in favor of Gregory Kingsley, a 12-year old boy seeking a divorce from his biological parents...
  8. [1995] Ross Perot announces that he will form the Independence Party...
  9. [1997] NBC sportscaster Marv Albert pleads guilty to assault and battery of a lover. He is fired by NBC hours later (Albert said he was fit to "be tied" and his firing will take a big "bite" out of his salary)...
  10. [2001] Michael Jordan announces a return to the NBA as a player for the Washington Wizards (Michael became team president of basketball operations in January, 2000)...

"Happy Trails": 1980] Led Zeppelin drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham dies of alcohol consumption at 32...2003] George Plimpton dies of natual causes at 76...

Released on this date: 1971] "Peace Train" - Cat Stevens...1979] "The Long Run" LP - The Eagles...

"Live": 1997] The season premiere of "ER"...

Premiered on this date: 1965] The half-hour Saturday morning cartoon, "The Beatles" on ABC-TV (the show runs until September of 1969)...1979] "Evita" opens on Broadway. It's the 3rd collaboration of Tim Rice and Andre Lloyd Weber...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

Jeremy Shockey slamming his coach Tom Coughlin after the Giants got whipped 42-30 by Seattle is getting us closer to posting an updated list of "Love-To-Hate" athletes or at least single out a "non-team" player of the week (or day) when action warrants. Jeremy goes to #1 on that list for this quote: "We got outplayed and outcoached. Write that down". And don't think for a second that he has the best interests of the Giants in mind. This guy is famous for his outrageous and hurtful remarks since he came into the league. Tick...tick...tick...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Catherine Zeta-Jones (37), Will Smith (38), Heather Locklear (45), Mark Hamill (55), Cheryl Tiegs (59), Michael Douglas (62), Barbara Walters (75) and Phil Rizzuto (88)...

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until major league playoffs, 26 days until the World Series and 97 days until 2007...


Friday, September 22, 2006

Friday-Sunday, September 22-24, 2006

Are we looking at another Subway Series for New York ???

The last time the Mets and Yankees met in a real "Subway Series" was the turn of the century - way back in 2000 which also marks the last Yankee World Series Championship as George Steinbrenner painfully knows. The Boss has already decreed that his team will win the world series, "We're going to win it. We're going all the way"...Or else - he didn't say that but I'll say it for him...

The last time these 2 teams met in the world series, it was the 3rd lowest rated series of all time. New Yorkers might love the match up but nationally the ratings are terrible. When the Mets clinched the National League East earlier this week they had a chance to clinch on the same September 17th date that their championship team of 1986 had. They missed doing that and they missed matching the date they clinched in 1969 - September 24th. That's the only thing they missed doing that year...

The Mets surprised the baseball world in 1969 by not only clinching the National League East title but by upsetting the great Baltimore Orioles pitching staff. The Mets would win their 1st World Series. It was a great day for the Flushing faithful. The late Bob Murphy made the call on the clincher so let's go back to September 24th, 1969 for Murphy in his own words: "The crowd is chanting, we're number one! Gentry pitching, working hard here against Joe Torre. Now in the set position, here's the pitch, ground ball to shortstop, Harrelson to Weis - there's one, first base...double play! THE METS WIN! IT'S ALL OVER! OHHH, THE ROAR GOING UP FROM THE CROWD! AN UNBELIEVABLE SCENE ON THE FIELD...FANS ARE POURING OUT ON THE FIELD"...

Joe Torre was a Cardinal player in 1969 - today he is the Yankees manager. Can the Mets beat him again ??? Stay tuned...

Ten Timeline Memories of September 22nd...

  1. [1961] President John F. Kennedy signs a congressional act that establishes the Peace Corps...
  2. [1962] Bob Dylan makes his 1st appearance at Carnegie Hall as part of a concert organized by Pete Seeger...
  3. [1962] (This is a great trivia question) The Springfields (featuring Dusty Springfield) become the 1st British group to reach the Top 20 on the U.S. charts when "Silver Threads & Golden Needles" goes to #20...
  4. [1967] The Beatles are on the cover of Time Magazine...
  5. [1969] The Giants' Willie Mays becomes the second player, behind Babe Ruth, to hit his 600th home run (of course Hank Aaron would go to #1 on that list with 755). Don't look now but Barry "Balco" Bonds is breathing down the Hammer's neck...
  6. [1975] Sara Jane Moore fails in an attempt to shoot President Gerald Ford outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco (it's the second attempt on Ford's life in 17 days)...
  7. [1983] After being apart for 10 years, the Everly Brothers reunite in London's Royal Albert Hall...
  8. [1985] Inspired by John Cougar Mellencamp, the 1st Farm Aid concert raises $10 million. In addition to Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Neil Young perform...
  9. [1987] The 2nd regular season strike in 5 years hits the NFL. This time only 1 game during the 16-game season is cancelled...
  10. [1995] Time Warner strikes a $7.5 billion deal to buy Turner Broadcasting System, Inc...

#1 on this date: 1967] "The Letter" - Box Tops...1975] "I'm Sorry" - John Denver...

Recorded on this date: 1965] "I Hear A Symphony" - Supremes...

Released on this date: 1966] "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby" - Rolling Stones...1997] "Candle In The Wind 1997" - Elton John...

"Happy Trails": 1980] Irving Berlin at the age of 101 (cause of death ? Being 101)...1999] George C. Scott from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm at 71...2001] Isaac Stern at 81 from congestive heart failure...

Premiered on this date: 1957] "Maverick" starring James Garner (this was one of the 1st shows I did mailings to affiliates for when I was a mailboy at ABC. The show ran 5 seasons and was one of the 1st hit shows for this fledgling network at the time)...1964] "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.". Made stars of Robert Vaughn and David McCallum and ran 4 seasons...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Scott Baio (44), Joan Jett (46), Andrea Bocelli (48), Debby Boone (50), Joni James (76) and Tommy Lasorda (79)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

With week 3 of the NFL coming up this weekend I direct you to my link to the Boston Globe and Jim McCabe's Pro Picks column. McCabe has the most entertaining football handicapper column I've ever read. His picks are secondary to his humor. He doesn't take the games seriously but he does take his comedy seriously. Week in (every Friday) and week out, there's no one funnier...

Congratulations to Big Papi who hit his 51st and 52nd home runs of the season, breaking Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx's record of 50 for the Red Sox team record. Because the Sox will not be in the playoffs David Ortiz will not be the MVP of the American League but no one has put up better numbers over the last 5 years...

Timeline Countdown: 11 days until the major league playoffs, 29 days until the World Series and 100 days until 2007. L'Shanah Tovah to my people. Happy New Year 5767...

...

Saturday, September 23, 2006 (The first day of Autumn)...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1642] Harvard holds its first commencement. A grand total of 9 men graduate with degrees (the 1st year ? Maybe they went to other colleges prior to Harvard ???)...
  2. [1952] When questioned about his integrity, VP candidate Richard Nixon gives his famous "Checkers" speech (before you think he should have chosen chess, "checkers" was the name of a dog given as a gift to 6-year old daughter Tricia that he was going to keep. People all across America kvelled and reached for the Kleenex)...
  3. [1952] Rocky Marciano wins his biggest fight, winning the heavyweight crown by knocking out previous champ Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round (when Rocky went down in that small plane he was 49-0. He never lost a fight)...
  4. [1956] Mickey Braddock begins his career as "Corky", a 12-year old adopted by the circus in NBC-TV's "Circus Boy" (Mickey Braddock will change his name to Micky Dolenz)...
  5. [1962] Dodger Maury Wills breaks Ty Cobb's 47-year old stolen base record when he swipes #97 on the way to 104...
  6. [1962] The New York Philharmonic Hall opens as the first unit in Lincoln Center. The hall will later be renamed Avery Fisher Hall...
  7. [1969] The London Daily Mirror reports that Paul McCartney is dead in one of the greatest hoaxes of all-time...
  8. [1977] Cheryl Ladd replaces Farrah Fawcett on "Charlie's Angels"...
  9. [1988] Jose Canseco is baseball's 1st player to steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs (yeah but what was he on when he did that ?)...
  10. [1991] Islanders' Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin are inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame...

"Happy Trails": 1939] Sigmund Freud dies in London at 83 of a physician assisted morphine overdose (Freud was suffering from cancer of the mouth at the time)...1987] Bob Fosse died at 60 of a heart attack...

Released on this date: 1967] "People Are Strange" - Doors...1972] "All The Young Dudes" - Mott The Hoople...

Premiered on this date: 1961] NBC-TV's "Saturday Night At The Movies" with "How To Marry A Millionaire"...1962] "The Jetsons" on ABC-TV (it's the networks 1st program in color. Ran only 1 season but forever in reruns and syndication)...1964] "Fiddler on the Roof" starring Zero Mostel opens on Broadway...1969] "Marcus Welby MD" on ABC-TV stars Robert Young and runs for 7 years...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Harry Connick Jr. (39), Jason Alexander (47), Bruce Springsteen (57), Julio Iglesias (63) and Mickey Rooney (86)...

Timeline Countdown: 10 days until major league playoffs, 28 days until World Series and 99 days until 2007...

...

Sunday, September 24, 2006...

Ten timeline Memories...

  1. [1955] While vacationing in Denver, President Dwight D. Eisenhower suffers a heart attack at 65. He recovers after a 7-week stay at a Denver hospital...
  2. [1957] The Dodgers play their last game in Brooklyn at Ebbets Field in front of 6,702 fans. They beat the Pirates 2-0 with Gil Hodges driving in the last run in Brooklyn...
  3. [1969] A trial begins for the "Chicago Eight", accused of inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic national convention...
  4. [1972] Joe Namath passes for 6 touchdowns in the Jets 44-34 win over the Baltimore Colts...
  5. [1976] Patricia Hearst is sentenced to 7 years in prison for her role in a 1974 bank robbery. She serves 22 months before President Jimmah Carter sets her free on a clemency order...
  6. [1988] After shooting it out with a Georgia state trooper, James Brown is told by the trooper "I Got You" (J.B. is arrested)...
  7. [1994] Eric Clapton kicks off another new "Saturday Night Live" season...
  8. [1996] President Bill Clinton and other major nuclear powers sign a treaty to end all testing and development of nuclear weapons...
  9. [1998] Redesigned $20 bills meant to be harder to counterfeit, go into circulation...
  10. [1999] 17-year old student Kip Kinkel (not related to Max Kinkel) abandons an insanity defense and pleads guilty to killing his parents and 2 classmates at his Springfield (OR) school...

"Happy Trails": 1991] Dr. Seuss a.k.a. Theodor Seuss Geisel dies at 87 of natural causes...

Released on this date: 1977] "Come Sail Away" - Styx...1982] "1999" - Prince...

Debuts on the charts: 1983] "Uptown Girl" - Billy Joel...

Premiered on this date: 1961] "The Bullwinkle Show" (the show was originally called "Rocky and His Friends" and was aired in the afternoons on ABC-TV. The Primetime run lasts 3 years and the reruns run until 1973)...1964] "The Munsters" CBS-TV's answer to "The Addams Family" runs for 2 years and is then syndicated...1968] "60 Minutes"...1968] "Mod Squad" on ABC-TV (runs until 1973)...1977] "The Love Boat sets sail on ABC-TV and doesn't dock until 1986...

Series Finale..."I Love Lucy" (the classic sitcom bows out after 10 years)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Joseph Kennedy II (54), Gerry Marsden (64), Sheila MacRae (82) and Jim McKay (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until major league playoffs, 27 days until the World Series and 98 days until 2007.

...


Thursday, September 21, 2006

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Is it Monday yet ???

I'm sure you've seen the signs asking that very question. Unless you're Mr. Magoo, those signs can be seen by Atlantis, the space shuttle cleared for a return to earth after dodging signs asking the question, "is it Monday yet ?". These signs are sooooo big, they're almost the size of of A-Rod's ego. What a great spin of the old "is it Friday" question that starts as early in the week as Monday. The question, of course would be the very effective "sell" line for Monday Night Football, now on ESPN. The play-by-play team is a far cry from Howard, Keith and Dandy Don. I mean Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser do a credible job but don't come close to the original trio for pure entertainment along with your Monday Night Football game...

The original MNF debuted on ABC-TV on September 21st, 1970 with 3 men in the booth, a first at the time. The headline making and enigmatic Howard Cosell was joined by veteran play-by-play man Keith Jackson with former Dallas quarterback Dandy Don Meredith along as a down-home counterbalance to Cosell's big city bluster. Frank Gifford would eventually be added as a replacement for Jackson. The broadcast cracked the top 25 in the 1971 season and was consistently top 20 into the 90's, even reaching the top 10 on several occasions...

The first game played on Monday Night Football featured the New York Jets against the Cleveland Browns with the Browns winning 31-21. A video of MNF highlights through the years is available by clicking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvQJv57eUmk

Enjoy the memories...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1938] A surprise and unnamed category 3 hurricane slams into Long Island and southern New England claiming as many as 600 lives...
  2. [1948] Milton Berle becomes the permanent host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC-TV...
  3. [1966] Jimmy Hendrix changes the spelling of his first name to "Jimi"...
  4. [1973] Henry Kissinger is confirmed as Secretary of State by the Senate...
  5. [1981] Elton John signs a long term deal with Geffen Records...
  6. [1981] The Senate confirms Sandra Day O'Connor as the 1st female justice of the Supreme Court...
  7. [1982] The 1st hockey game is played in the Meadowlands with the Devils beating the Rangers 3-2 in an exhibition game...
  8. [1986] Winners at the 38th Emmy Awards: "Golden Girls", "Cagney and Lacey" and Michael J. Fox...
  9. [1998] "It depends on what the meaning of 'is' is" - yes Bill Clinton did say this as we see the video tape of his testimony about his relationship ("with that woman, Miss Lewinsky")...
  10. [2001] "America: A Tribute To Heroes" is broadcast with the telethon raising $150 million to benefit the families of those lost in the 911 terrorist attacks...

"Happy Trails": 1998] Olympic gold medal track star Florence Griffith Joyner dies in her sleep after suffering an epileptic seizure. "Flojo" was just 38...

Published on this date: 1937] "The Hobbit" - J.R.R. Tolkien...

Premiered on this date: 1957] "Perry Mason" starring Raymond Burr (the detective series will run in original form and as reruns for 17 years and as movie specials after that)...

#1 on this date: 1961] "Take Good Care of My Baby" - Bobby Vee...1972] "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me" - Mac Davis...1983] "Tell Her About It" - Billy Joel...

Released on this date: 1974] "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" - BTO...

Wedding Bells: 1996] JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette get married in a secret ceremony on Cumberland Island (GA)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline}...

Welcome Back...

The best baseball analyst in the business, Peter Gammons is back following a near-fatal aneurysm on June 27th. Peter was back on camera from Fenway for ESPN last night. It's good to see that Peter hasn't lost his wry New England sense of humor as he was quoted as saying: "Hey, I'm not DiMaggio coming back in '49 or Ted Williams coming back from Korea. I'm still an ink-stained wretch and proud of it". Peter Gammons began his sportswriting career as a Boston Globe intern in the summer of 1969. Welcome back Peter. We missed you...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Nicole Richie (25), Ricki Lake (38), Faith Hill (39), Rob ("Numb3rs") Morrow (44), Bill Murray (56), Stephen King (59), The Eagles' Don Felder (59), Henry Gibson (71), Leonard Cohen (72) and Larry Hagman (75)...

A belated birthday wish to David Gahr, one of the greatest of all music biz photographers. David had a blowout party yesterday for his 84th birthday. Sorry I couldn't be there David. I still have the photo of John Lennon in front on the Improv you took and gave me some years back. A not too, belated Happy Birthday and many more to you...

Timeline Countdown: 12 days until the major league baseball playoffs, 30 days until the 1st game of the World Series and 101 days left until 2007.

...

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

"She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene..." - Michael Jackson...

No this is not about that Billie Jean who not only caused a scene but accused Michael of fathering her child, a dubious charge at best. This Billie Jean was honored in August at the U.S. Open when the USTA National Tennis Center became the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The facility became the largest sports facility in the world to be named after a woman...

Although she's considered to be one of the greatest female tennis players and female athletes in history with 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and 11 Grand Slam mixed double titles and has been an outspoken advocate against sexism in sports, Billie Jean Moffitt King is best remembered for her win over Bobby Riggs in 1973...

On September 20th of that year, 30,492 spectators gathered in Houston's Astrodome, 50 million in 37 countries watched the television coverage of the "Battle of the Sexes". 30-year old Billie Jean was the top woman tennis player in the land. 55-year old Bobby Riggs was more than 20 years past his prime when he was the top men's tennis player. Ever the hustler, Riggs challenged Billie Jean to a winner-take-all tennis match with $100,000 going to the winner. Billie Jean played like the top woman tennis player, Riggs, like, oh, a 55-year old tennis player. Billie Jean won in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 and 6-3...

Despite lots of rumors in the blogosphere in recent years that the rules of tennis were modified for the match to give Billie Jean an advantage, the match was played under the normal rules of tennis. King now 63, resides in both New York and Seattle. Riggs died of prostate cancer in October of 1995...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1921] KDKA in Pittsburgh starts one of the 1st daily newscasts in the U.S...
  2. [1962] Black student James Meredith (a transfer student from Jackson State) is refused entrance to the University of Mississippi by Governor Ross R. Barnett (Meredith was later admitted by court order and graduated from 'Ole Miss in 1963)...
  3. [1964] The Beatles wrap up their 1st U.S. tour with a date at the New York Paramount in front of 3,682 Beatlemaniacs...
  4. [1969] Associated TV buys control of the Beatles' publishing company - Northern Songs for a couple of million dollars (what were the Beatles thinking ?)...
  5. [1971] Peter Frampton quits Humble Pie to pursue a solo career...
  6. [1972] What's that pungent odor ? Police find cannabis growing on the farm of Paul and Linda McCartney...
  7. [1976] Playboy releases the Jimmy Carter interview in which he's quoted as saying "I've looked at a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times" to which Rosalynn replies "I hope you enjoy sleeping in the garage tonight Jimmah"...
  8. [1982] NFL players begin a 57-day strike, the 1st in-season strike in NFL history (the season is reduced to a 9-game schedule rather than 16 and a special playoff tournament is used prior to the Super Bowl)...
  9. [1998] After playing in a record 2,632 consecutive games, over 16 seasons, Cal Ripken of the Orioles sits out a game (that weakling)...
  10. [2001] President Bush addresses a joint session of Congress regarding the 911 attacks and names Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to head up the new Office of Homeland Security (Ridge wears a dark orange tie to match his code Orange shirt)...

"Happy Trails": 1947] Former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia of pancreatic cancer at 64...1973] 30-year old Jim Croce is killed in a small plane crash in Louisiana, on his way to a concert in Sherman (TX)...

Released on this date: 1975] "Born To Run" - Bruce Springsteen...

Premiered on this date: 1952] "The Jackie Gleason Show" (runs for 18 years)...1953] "The Loretta Young Show" (Loretta spins with her flowing dress for 8 seasons)...1975] The Bay City Rollers debut in America with a live performance on the premiere of "Saturday Night Live" hosted by Howard Cosell (this was ABC-TV's version of "The Ed Sullivan Show" but it doesn't work, running for only 1 season)...1976] "The Captain & Tennille Show" premieres on ABC-TV in prime time (for only 1 season)...1984] "The Cosby Show" premieres (with top ratings for 8 seasons)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

Son Robert was about 11 or 12 when we ran into Billie Jean King in Manhattan and she couldn't have been nicer, giving Rob her autograph but also spending a few minutes to talk to us. It's impossible to judge a person after meeting them for just a few minutes but when you see pictures of Billie Jean (recently seen with Elton John at the U.S. Open) she always looks like she's enjoying her life. Elton's hit "Philadelphia Freedom" was written in Billie Jean's honor and they remain close friends...

Timeline Countdown: 13 days until the major league baseball playoffs begin, 31 days until the 1st game of the World Series and 102 days until 2007.

...


Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

The best concert I never saw...

Simon & Garfunkel fans have seen their favorite duo not only reunite but re-emerge as a viable act after many years of what Art Garfunkel described as "a deep, buried affection for about a decade". He made that comment at the 2003 press conference announcing a 30-city tour by the life-long friends who met as classmates in Forest Hills. The infamous Bottom Line was the site of that press conference that I was lucky enough to attend. I brought back a couple of tracks that we used at CBS-FM that included a phenomenal version of "The Boxer" that was done acoustically by the duo. The "Old Friends Tour" was released as a double CD and DVD package at the end of 2004 and recently S&G appeared on the Hurricane Katrina LP, "From The Big Apple To The Big Easy: The Concert For New Orleans" double-disc DVD. Viable act, indeed...

I had seen Simon & Garfunkel before at a CBS Records Convention, one of their several reunions through the years but when I heard they were performing a free concert in Central Park, I knew I had to be there. What I didn't expect was that 499,999 other people had the same idea. Paul Simon, when asked what it felt like to reunite in front of half a million people said simply, "it was numbing". The duo did a set of 19 songs including an outstanding medley that contained "Kodachrome" and Chuck Berry's "Maybelline". The concert, documented on an LP and footage seen world-wide was simply the best concert I've ever heard. Heard and not seen because I was standing near Cleopatra's Needle but I may as well have been in Egypt...

The Simon & Garfunkel Central Park Reunion happened on this date in 1981...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1876] Melville R. Bissell patents the carpet sweeper (which of course he uses his name on, calling it the "Melville". Just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Of course it was the "Bissell" which means "little" or "small amount" in Yiddish...
  2. [1881] James A. Garfield dies of wounds 11 weeks after being shot by an assassin. Garfield was our 20th President...
  3. [1934] Bruno Hauptman is arrested in New York and charged with the kidnapping and murder of the infant son of Charles and Anna Lindbergh...
  4. [1958] "Goodbye Y'all" becomes "Goodbye youse guys" as Elvis Presley leaves the Brooklyn Navy Yard for Germany and his Army unit...
  5. [1982] "Hill Street Blues", "Barney Miller", Alan Alda and Carol Kane are winners at the 34th Emmy Awards...
  6. [1993] "Seinfeld", "Picket Fences" and Ted Danson are winners at the 45th Emmy Awards...
  7. [1995] The Unabomber's manifesto, a rambling 44-page doctrine about the Industrial Revolution, is published in the New York Times and Washington Post (I tried reading this but quit after the 1st paragraph. This is not recommended for reading at the beach)...
  8. [2002] President George W. Bush asks Congress for authority to use all means, including military force if necessary to overthrow Saddam Hussein (you know what happened after that)...
  9. [2002] Kansas City first base coach Tom Gamboa is attacked during a game by a wacked-out father & son at Comiskey Park in Chicago (they did the crime and will pay the time for their insane act)...
  10. [2003] It's reported that AOL Time Warner will drop "AOL" from its name and be known as Time Warner Inc. The company had announced its merger and name change on January 10th, 2000 (on January 11th Time Warner announced, "what were we thinking ?')...

"Happy Trails": 1973] Gram Parsons of the Byrds dies of a drug overdose at 26...

"Gold Standard": 1968] "Born To Be Wild" - Steppenwolf...1974] "Bad Company" LP...1975] "I Shot The Sheriff" - Eric Clapton...

Released on this date: 1978] "Living In The U.S.A." - Linda Ronstadt...

Premiered on this date: 1970] "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (will run 7 years)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Jimmy Fallon (32), Trisha Yearwood (42), Jeremy Irons (58), Joan Lunden (56), Twiggy Lawson (57), Freda Payne (61), Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan (63), Bill Medley (66), Adam ("Batman") West (76) and Bob Sherwood's favorite player and Baseball Hall of Famer Duke Snider (80)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

I think I jinxed the Mets when I congratulated them in advance for clinching the National League East because they got swept in Pittsburgh over the weekend but now I can say CONGRATULATIONS METS!!! The Mets become the 1st team in baseball this season to clinch after last night's win over the Marlins...

"Happy Trails" to Mickey Hargitay, the former husband of Jayne Mansfield and father of actress Mariska Hargitay who died last Thursday at 80. Cause of death was not released by the family...

Ira Sherman corrects us on the year that "More Than A Feeling" was released. It was 1976 not 1975 as I had it. Ira should know because he was a product manager then. So should I, an associate director of national promotion at Epic at the time...

Finally an e-mail from Ron Alexenburg who informs that Tom Noonan has had a setback and is now living with daughters Kerry and June who are caring for him. Tommy's spirits need lifting and the legions of friends that Tommy has are encouraged to call him at 323.644.1368 or write him at: 3839 Los Feliz Blvd. Apt. 302, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Tommy works tirelessly in putting the CBS Alumni Newsletter together and is legendary in the record and trade publication industry for his many achievements throughout the years. Right now he needs a lot of your love and prayers...

Timeline Countdown: 14 days until the major league playoffs, 32 days until the World Series and 103 days until 2007.

...


Monday, September 18, 2006

Monday, September 18, 2006

31 Years and 3,000 miles removed from a life of crime...

Mrs. Shaw lives a tranquil life today in a lush Connecticut setting surrounded by daughters Gillian, Lydia and husband Bernard. She's a part-time actress with no burning desire to reach stardom - just content to find a role that fits. She'll have one this season in an episode of "Veronica Mars". Life was not so tranquil on this date in 1975 for the woman who bore the nickname of Tania...

Patty Hearst, granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst was captured on September 18th, 1975 in San Mateo (CA). At the age of 19 she claimed she had been kidnapped from the Berkeley apartment she shared with boyfriend Steven Weed (not former disc jockey Steve "Smokin" Weed of 99X fame). Her defense for helping the SLA (Symbionese Liberation Army) was "brainwashing" or the "Stockholm syndrome" in which captives become sympathetic with their captors. She also said she was coerced or intimidated into her part of a bank robbery, well documented around the world with that menacing photo of Hearst and the 7-headed SLA snake backdrop and an automatic M1 Carbine with sawed-off barrel in her hands. Hearst would later say that attorney F. Lee Bailey did a poor job in her defense in a trial that ended with a 7-year prison term handed down...

President Jimmy Carter would commute the 7 year sentence and Hearst would be released from prison in February of 1979, after serving 22-months of her sentence. She would be granted a full pardon in 2001 on the final day of Bill Clinton's presidency. On the day that Patricia Hearst was captured 31 years ago today, "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell was #1, the average price of a new home was $42,000 and a gallon of gas was a measly 57 cents. Skateboards, "Spiderman" and "mood" rings were hot and men were wearing double breasted gangster-banker suits, something Patty Hearst could have worn had the SLA been more fashion conscious...

Like all news stories, this one faded away, replaced by something else but the whole bizarre episode still remains a mystery. I always tended to give Patricia Hearst a free pass but there are those that believe that Hearst's acting career started in the 70's and as early as 1974...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1793] President George Washington lays the actual cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol (is this man the Father of our Country or not, folks ?)...
  2. [1851] The 1st issue of "The New York Times" is published (which means 155 years of black fingertips)...
  3. [1927] The Mother-Ship has landed. The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting System debuts with a network of 47 stations. The name of the company is later changed to (all bow down) CBS (thank you)...
  4. [1947] The U.S. Air Force is established as a separate military branch by the National Security Act...
  5. [1947] Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff perform at Carnegie Hall (it's the 1st country show at the venue and in New York City...
  6. [1955] The "Ed Sullivan Show" is the new name of "The Toast of the Town" on CBS-TV since 1948...
  7. [1960] Fidel Castro visits New York City. One of his stops is the Hotel Theresa in Harlem where he meets with Malcolm X...
  8. [1969] Tiny Tim announces his engagement to "Miss Vicki (Budinger)" to Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show" (Johnny asks the pair to be married on the show which they will do in December)...
  9. [1977] "Courageous" captained by Ted Turner sweeps Australia in the 24th "America's Cup" at Newport (RI) (20 years later on this date, in 1997, Turner announces that over the next 10 years he will donate $1 billion to the U.N.)...
  10. [1994] The Ken Burns produced "Baseball" series of specials premieres on PBS (making a star of now 94 Buck O'Neill, a Negro League star)...

"Happy Trails": 1961] U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold who dies at 56 in a plane crash in Rhodesia (now Zambia)...1963] The New York Mets who play their last game at the Polo Grounds (which, of course they lost). Shea Stadium opens in 1964...1975] Jimi Hendrix of a drug overdose at 27...1994] Tennis player Vitas Gerulaitis dies at 40 of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning...

Released on this date: 1975] "More Than A Feeling" - Boston...

Premiered on this date: 1963] "The Patty Duke Show" (runs for 3 years)...1965] "I Dream of Jeannie" (and who didn't ?) starring Barbara Eden (runs for 5 years)...1965] "Get Smart" starring would you believe ? Don Adams and Barbara Feldon (runs for 5 years and forever in rerun)...

Wedding Bells: 2004] Britney Spears introduces us to Kevin Federline (we can't thank you enough, Britney) as the pair (of what ?) rock down the aisle...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

Okay so I was wrong about the Mets clinching over the weekend but they'll do it at home...

Timeline Countdown: 15 days until major league playoffs, 104 days left until 2007 and The Mets Magic Number is holding at: 1

...


Friday, September 15, 2006

Friday-Sunday, September 15-17, 2006

What a TV season...

The Fall Preview of this week'sTV Guide has "all the scoop on 92 hot new shows". Who are we kidding here ? There haven't been 92 hot new shows in the history of television. Try to make a list of 100 of your favorite TV shows. I dare you. Maybe you come up with 25, 50 tops...

"Shark" has James Woods, that could be good. "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and its clone or vice versa, "30 Rock" could be winners. "Heroes" looks good as do "Vanished" and "Kidnapped" - notice some similar plots here ? Then there's "Ugly Betty", "Smith" and on and on...

If you were to search for two days in TV history that more highly rated shows made their debut it would have to be September 15th and September 17th. More than a dozen or so, memorable shows debuted...

Here are those shows in chronological order for September 15th: 1949] "The Lone Ranger". The original show on ABC-TV ended in 1957 but reruns kept it alive until 1969 and the series was revived in 1980. Born on radio, the TV series got as high as #7 when Nielsen began compiling ratings in 1950...1957] "Bachelor Father". This was the show that made John Forsythe a TV star. Although it would never crack the Top 20, it was a show remembered to this day and it lasted 5 seasons...1965] "Green Acres" with that great theme song and with such a diverse cast featuring Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor and Arnold the Pig had could it miss ? It didn't. It peaked at #6 in Nielsen and the "riches to rags", "city to farm" farce ran 6 years...1965] "Lost in Space". The sci-fi series starred June Lockhart, Guy Williams and Billy Mumy as young Will Robinson. It never reached the Top 20 but was a most talked-about series that didn't take itself seriously....1971] "Columbo". Part of NBC's Sunday Mystery Movie that alrernated with "McMillan & Wife" and "McCloud". "Columbo" went as high as Top 5 during its original 22 year run and the great Peter Falk occasionally stars in a "Columbo" movie to this day. What a show !!!

Oh and let's mention a show that folded on September 15th. After a 4-year run, "Bosom Buddies" ran it's last episode. Does anyone remember this show ? If you do, you'll remember it starred Peter Scolari (who would be featured on "Newhart") and an unknown you may have heard of - Tom Hanks...

Now take a look at the shows that premiered on September 17th. By the way, the 16th wasn't too shabby either (as Phil Rizzuto used to say to Bill White)

Let's see the 2006 season match that...

Ten Timeline Memories...
  1. [1776] The Redcoats take over New York City, landing at Kips Bay (they wind up chasing George Washington to New Jersey)...
  2. [1928] Alexander Fleming discovers the antibiotic penicillin in the mold Penicillium notatum (verily)...
  3. [1948] WHN changes call letters to WMGM but don't fret WHN fans, the call letters will change back in 1962...
  4. [1952] The Boston Braves play their last game in Beantown (at what is now Nickerson Field, under the turnpike, the place B.U. plays their football games) they move to Milwaukee the following season...
  5. [1954] Filming a scene for "The Seven Year Itch", Marilyn Monroe's dress flies up as she stands on a subway grating, infuriating husband Joe DiMaggio (Married in January, they soon divorce in October. The marriage lasted 9 months)...
  6. [1958] A commuter train crashes through a drawbridge near Newark (NJ) killing 48 including Yankee second baseman George "Snuffy" Stirnweiss who was only 39...
  7. [1962] London Daily Mirror columnist Peter Jones calls The Beatles, "a nothing group" (nice call Peter)...
  8. [1963] The Alou Brothers (Felipe, Matty & Jesus) play in the same outfield as The Giants beat the Pirates 13-5 (combined, the Alou's go 1 for 5, all on Felipe's at-bats)...
  9. [1978] 36-year old Muhammad Ali beats Leon Spinks (in a decision) in a rematch, to become the 1st heavyweight champ to win the title 3 times...
  10. [1982] The 1st issue of "USA Today" hits the newsstands and sells out...

Premiered on this date: 1968] The TV musical "Soul" with Lou Rawls and Martha & the Vandellas guesting...1980] David Bowie, the "Space Man" becomes "The Elephant Man" on Broadway...

#1 on this date: 1969} "Sugar, Sugar" - Archies...

Born on this date: 1971] The environmental organization "Greenpeace" in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Britain's Prince Harry (22), Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (45), Oliver Stone (60), Tommy Lee Jones (60), Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen (66), Baseball Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry (68), Corm Nrosby (Norm Crosby to paraphrase Morn, I mean Norm) (79) and Jackie Cooper (84)...

"Congratulations": To The New York Mets who will clinch their 1st division title since 1988. They'll do it over the weekend in Pittsburgh...

Timeline Countdown: 19 days until major league playoffs, 107 days until 2007 and The Mets Magic Number: 1.

...

Saturday, September 16, 2006...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1630] The original Native American name of Shawmut is changed to Boston...
  2. [1949] The "Road Runner" "beep-beeps" for the 1st time in the WB cartoon "Fast and Furry-ous" (Mel Blanc does the "beep-beep")...
  3. [1953] "The Robe" premieres at The Roxy Theater in Manhattan. It's the 1st movie filmed in wide-screen CinemaScope...
  4. [1964] "Shindig" debuts on ABC-TV with the Righteous Brothers, Everly Brothers and Sam Cooke...
  5. [1966] The Metropolitan Opera opens its new opera house in Lincoln Center...
  6. [1968] One of the best comedy series of all-time, "The Andy Griffith Show" bows out after 8 seasons (but will continue in reruns forever)...
  7. [1968] Richard Nixon makes his famous "sock it to me" walk-on appearance on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In"...
  8. [1973] Buffalo running back O.J. Simpson becomes the 1st NFL player to gain 250 yards in a game, against the Patriots (ouch. That one cut like a knife)...
  9. [1974] President Gerald Ford grants a conditional amnesty program for draft evaders and deserters during the Vietnam War...
  10. [1981] Sugar Ray Leonard rallies to beat Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, winning by a TKO to win the welterweight title. It's Hearns 1st professional loss...

"Happy Trails": 1977] Marc Bolan (T. Rex) dies in a car accident at 29...

Released on this date: 1963] "She Loves You" - Beatles...1979] "Rapper's Delight" - Sugar Hill Gang (most feel, me included, that this was the 1st rap hit)...

#1 on this date: 1985] "Money for Nothing" - Dire Straits...

Premiered on this date: 1963] "Outer Limits" (lasts 2 seasons)...1965] "The Dean Martin Show" (through 1974)...1972] "Bob Newhart Show" (Newhart plays a shrink. It runs until 1978]...1984] "Miami Vice" (changes the way guys dress and runs for 5 seasons)...

Wedding Bells: 1990] Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan tie the knot (the marriage lasts 9 years)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Marc Anthony (37), Mickey Rourke (50), David Copperfield (50), Peter Falk (79), B.B. King (81) and Lauren Bacall (82)...

Timeline Countdown: 18 days until major league playoffs and 106 days left until 2007...

...

Sunday, September 17, 2006...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1796] President George Washington reads his Farewell Address before the U.S. Congress...
  2. [1862] Union forces repel a Confederate invasion of Maryland in the Civil War Battle of Antietam. 23,100 are killed, wounded or captured in the bloodiest day in U.S. military history...
  3. [1947] Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson is named the 1st "Rookie of the Year" (the 1st black to be honored as such)...
  4. [1954] Brockton (MA) native Rocky Marciano KO's Ezzard Charles in the 8th round to retain his heavyweight crown at Yankee Stadium...
  5. [1967] The Doors sing ""Light My Fire" and "People Are Strange" on "The Ed Sullivan Show"...
  6. [1986] The Mets clinch the NL East title by beating the Cubs 4-2 behind Doc Gooden's 15th win of the season (how ironic would it be if the Mets clinch it on the same date, 20 years apart ? It could happen)...
  7. [1992] A halt is called on the probe of the Iran-Contra scandal (the investigation lasted over 5 years)...
  8. [1994] Heather Whitestone of Alabama becomes the 1st deaf Miss America...
  9. [2003] New York Stock Exchange chairman Dick Grasso resigns amid a furor over his $139.5 million pay package (c'mon A-Rod makes $25 million a year)...
  10. [2004] Barry Bonds hits his 700th home run for the Giants, joining Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755) as the only players to reach that milestone (don't look now but he has 731)...

"Happy Trails": 1996] Former VP Spiro Agnew of leukemia at 77...

Released on this date: 1964] "Baby Love" - Supremes...2002] "A Moment Like This' - Kelly Clarkson (this was originally the "B" side of "Before Your Love"}...

#1 on this date: 1977] "Rumours" LP - Fleetwood Mac (for the 19th of 31 weeks)...

Premiered on this date: 1963] "The Fugitive" (airs until 1967 and then in rerun for one more year)...1964] "Bewitched" (#2 rated show in its 1st season runs until 1967 and then 6 more years as a rerun)...1965] "Hogan's Heroes" (runs through 1971)...1965] "The Smothers Brothers Show" (this was a sitcom that only lasted one season, then the comedy series begins in 1967...1966] "Mission: Impossible" (has a phenomenal run until 1990)...1972] "M*A*S*H" (runs 11 years, ending in 1983 as a 2 1/2 hour special viewed by the largest TV audience ever to watch a single TV program) Reruns are still running somewhere...

"Moving Day": 1955] "The Perry Como Show" moves to Saturday Night on NBC-TV...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Nona (daughter of Marvin) Gaye (32), Ex-Met John Franco (46), Rita Rudner (51), Laker coach Phil Jackson (57), LaMonte (5th Dimension) McLemore (67) and Football Hall of Famer George Blanda (79)...

Timeline Countdown: 17 days until major league playoffs and 105 days until 2007

...