Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Some things you may not know about Halloween...

  • Halloween was introduced to America in the 19th century by European immigrants...
  • The tradition for dressing in costumes and "trick-or-treating" came from the Irish & English...
  • Halloween is now the third biggest party day after New Year's and Super Bowl Sunday...
  • Pumpkins are fruits that originated in Central America...
  • 90% of a pumpkin is made of water...
  • The largest pumpkin grown weighed in at 1,446 lbs...
  • The world record for fastest time in carving a pumpkin is 54.72 seconds by Stephen Clarke in 2001 according to Guiness World Records...
  • More than 93% of children go trick-or-treating (there are 36.8 million potential "trick-or-treaters" ages 5-13...
  • Of those 36.8 million, 90% will come to your door tonight...
  • Happy Halloween...

On a serious note: It's with a great deal of sadness to announce the death of Tommy Noonan. Tommy was the spirit and guiding force among so many people who were reunited by Tommy's efforts in organizing the CBS Records Alumni Association. He worked effortlessly, endlessly and tirelessly in putting out his regular news letters even though he suffered the agonizing effects of a cancer that had spread throughout his body. Tom Noonan was 78. R.I.P. Tommy. We owe you so much but know this - you'll always be in our hearts...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1926] Harry Houdini dies from complications of a ruptured appendix at 52 (he had been punched in the stomach 12 days earlier by a student unexpectedly and developed gangrene and peritonitis)...
  2. [1941] Mount Rushmore is declared completed after 14 years of work. At the time, 60-foot busts of Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Lincoln were finished and the landmark would soon open...
  3. [1950] West Virginia's Earl Lloyd becomes the NBA's 1st black player when he debuts with the Washington Capitols. He'll move to the Syracuse Nationals when the Caps fold. He would play one game before Chuck Cooper played for the Celtics...
  4. [1956] Streetcar service ends in Brooklyn as electric buses (remember those poles on top of the buses ?) replace them...
  5. [1964] The mighty Kelso becomes the greatest money earning thoroughbred in racing history. At the time of the great gelding's retirement in 1966 he had amassed $2 million in winnings...
  6. [1984] Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, 67, is assassinated by Sikh security guards. Her son Rajiv is sworn in as prime minister...
  7. [1988] Debbie Gibson holds a seance at her Halloween party to contact the spirits of Liberace and Sid Vicious. That don't appear but she channels the future and contacts Britney Spears...
  8. [1993] River Phoenix collapses and dies outside The Viper Room in Hollywood at 23. Results of an autopsy reveal that he had overdosed on heroin and cocaine...
  9. [1999] EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes off of Nantucket (MA) killing all 217 aboard (no foul play was indicated)...
  10. [2001] A 61-year old New York hospital worker becomes the 4th person to die from the inhalation of anthrax...

"Happy Trails": 1988] Distinguished director, producer and actor John Houseman dies of spinal cancer at 86...1991] Broadway producer Joseph Papp dies of cancer at 70...1993] Movie director Federico Fellini dies in Rome following a heart attack, at 73...

Wedding Bells: 1970] Michelle Phillips and actor Dennis Hopper (now there's a match) get married. The marriage ends in divorce 8 days later when Michelle discovers Dennis's sneaker smelling fetish)...

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

Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Rob Schneider 42, Peter Jackson 45, Jane Pauley 56, Imus bud and now politician Kinky Friedman 62, David Ogden Stiers 64, Ron Rifkin 67, Lee Grant 75, Former astronaut Michael Collins 76, Dan Rather 75 and former Brit jockey and author Dick Francis 86...

Timeline Countdown: 61 days until 2007, 68 days until the NFL playoffs and 96 days until Super Bowl XLI...

For a special Halloween "treat", click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI


Monday, October 30, 2006

Monday, October 30, 2006

Ali vs. Foreman 32 years later...

Muhammad Ali and wife Lonnie live a quiet life on a small farm near Berrien Springs, Michigan. Ali dedicated a new $60 million non-profit center in Louisville, named in his honor, one year ago, the same month he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony. Toward the end of 2005 he was reported to be suffering worsening effects of Parkinson's disease, a disease he was first diagnosed to have in the early 80's. It would take an entire MPR to list all the awards and titles he has received since he left Louisville (KY) to begin his boxing career as a teenager in the 1960 Olympics. Ali's final record in the ring was 56 wins (37 by KO) - 5 losses. In simple terms Ali was the greatest heavyweight fighter of all-time...

George Foreman who finished his career with a record of 68 wins - 5 losses is a successful businessman and an ordained Christian minister. He started his boxing career by winning a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics and would become a two-time heavyweight champ. As recently as 2004 he was training for one comeback fight at the age of 55 but his wife Joan quickly put an end to those plans and Foreman has officially retired - for good this time. George has earned 3 times what he earned in the ring as a product endorser and in 1999, Salton, the maker of the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine paid Foreman $127.5 million in cash for the rights to use his name and selling skills in perpertuity and oh, by the way, threw in $10 million in stock. Foreman continues to be a pitchman for Meineke Mufflers and clothes retailer Casual Male ("Big and Tall", but of course). Estimates put Foreman's worth at $240 million. Not exactly "chump change" but remember Foreman was and still is - a champ. Foreman has 5 boys and 5 girls. When asked why he named all his sons "George" he replied "I want them to know who their father is"...

"The Rumble in the Jungle" was fought in Kinshasa, Zaire on the night of October 30th, 1974. No one, including Ali's #1 fan Howard Cosell, gave Ali a chance to win this fight. Foreman was an imposing 6'4" with sledge-hammer fists. He had won 37 of his 40 bouts by knockout, most within 3 rounds or less but Ali would regain the title that night taking Foreman's best shots and using his "rope-a-dope" tactic - playing the ropes to his advantage by hitting and then holding the rope to avoid Foreman's devastating right For a clip of that fight, click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkWGuO4eBWo ...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1938] "H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds" was aired on "Mercury Theater on the Air presents Orson Welles". Of the 6 million listeners, more than 1.7 million believed the fictional account of Martians invading New Jersey (I mean if they really were going to invade the U.S., what better place than New Jersey) ???
  2. [1961] The Soviet Party Congress orders the removal of Josef Stalin's body from Lenin's tomb (a great trivia question - "Who's buried in Stalin's tomb?" Ans: "Nobody"...
  3. [1966] Johnny Unitas, unarguably the greatest QB ever, passes Y.A. Tittle as the all-time passing leader with 252 yards in a game. Johnny U. will also become the 1st QB to pass for over 40,000 yards with San Diego in 1973...
  4. [1971] Cornell running back Ed Marinaro runs for 272 yards against Columbia to surpass 4,000 yards and break Steve Owens record at Oklahoma...
  5. [1972] The worst rail accident in the U.S. in 14 years, kills 45 in Chicago...
  6. [1975] "FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD" is the New York Daily News headline one day after President Gerald Ford says he would veto any proposed federal bailout of New York City (Yeah, better to use the money on police body armor in Keokuk, Iowa)...
  7. [1984] Barry Manilow breaks Diana Ross's box office record at Radio City Music Hall with sales exceeding $1.9 million (the Ross record was $1.8 million)...
  8. [1989] Mitsubishi Estate Company announces that it's buying 51% of Rockefeller Group Inc. (where Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center buildings are) cha...chingggggggg !!!
  9. [1997] A Cambridge (MA) jury convicts British au pair Louise Woodward of 2nd degree murder in the death of 8-month old Matthew Eappen (the judge later reduces the verdict to manslaughter and sets Woodward free. Who was the judge Lance Ito ?)...
  10. [2001] Michael Jordan returns to the NBA with the Washington Wizards after a 3 1/2 year retirement...

"Happy Trails": 2000] Legendary comedian and 1st host of "The Tonight Show", author and composer Steve Allen dies from cardiac arrest at 78...

Released on this date: 1973] "Mind Games" LP - John Lennon...

Diva Debut: 1984] Linda Ronstadt makes her operatic debut in "La Boheme" in Manhattan...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees: 1995] David Bowie, Gladys Knight & Pips, Pete Seeger, Jefferson Airplane, Little Willie John, Pink Floyd, The Shirelles and the Velvet Underground. Tom Donahue ("The Father of FM Radio") goes in as a radio pioneer (was he ever !)...

"D-I-V-O-R-C-E": 1974] Kathy Silva files for divorce from Sylvester Stewart a.k.a. Sly Stone (at the time, Sly had disappeared with his son and was in hiding)...

"Anchors Away": 1976] Jane Pauley becomes co-anchor of "The Today Show"...

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

Commentary...

Although famous deaths usually occur in 3's, we had 4 in recent days that bear mentioning starting with "The Godfather of the Celtics", Red Auerbach whose presence will be sorely missed not only in Boston but as a representative for what once was great about the NBA. No more Red, no more victory cigar. A great man. A great loss. Red passed away of a heart attack at 89. R.I.P. Red Auerbach...

Former major league pitcher, Joe Niekro, brother of Phil, father of current major leaguer Lance died of an aneurysm at 61. Niekro won 221 games in his career. A good pitcher, he would fall short of joining brother Phil in the Baseball Hall of Fame...

Marlin McKeever, a 13-year NFL player and 2-time All-American at USC, died of head injuries after a fall at his home. A fullback-defensive end and punter in college, McKeever, 66, would make his mark in the NFL as a linebacker...

And finally (enough already) Former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was apparently a homicide victim in Kingston, Jamaica. Berbick was believed to be 52...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Harry Hamlin 55, Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) 59, Henry Winkler 61, The only original living member of the Temptations, Otis Williams, 65, Grace Slick 67 and Motown's Eddie Holland 67...

Timeline Countdown: 62 days until 2007, 69 days until NFL playoffs and 97 days until Super Bowl XLI...

...

Friday, October 27, 2006

Friday-Sunday, October 27-29, 2006

A World Series trend continues...

Right now you're wondering what that trend is but if you think it's low ratings, well you would be wrong. Although this World Series between the Cardinals and Tigers is headed for the lowest ratings since ratings have been taken, that's not the trend. With St. Louis one win away from wrapping up the championship, whether they or Detroit wins - the trend will continue. This year's winning team will join (in chronological order) the Yankees, Arizona, Anaheim, Florida, Boston and the Chicago White Sox. Correctamundo ! They will become the 7th different team in this decade and/or century to win the fall classic. The trend started with the Yankee three-peat in 2000 and since then - parity, on a scale that no other professional sports league has seen besides baseball. It throws George Steinbrenner's theory of outspending everyone but Congress in order to win a championship right out his pinstriped window...

No less than 5 World Championships have been decided on this same October 27th date going back to 1985. That year the Kansas City Royals became the 6th team to win the World Series after trailing 3 games to 1 when they beat the Cardinals (thank you Don Denkinger). The same date in 1986 saw the Mets win their 2nd World Series. On October 27th, 1991 the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves in Game 7 in one of the most thrilling fall classics of all-time with 5 of the 7 games decided by 1 run - 4 in the last at-bat. On October 27th,1999 the New York Yankees beat the Braves for their second consecutive title and 3rd in 4 years and under the moons reddish tint caused by a lunar eclipse on October 27th, 2004 the Boston Red Sox exorcised 86 years of agonizing losses by winning their 1st World Series in modern history over the St. Louis Cardinals...

In my blog earlier this week about the Bill Buckner play in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series I mentioned redemption being on its way for the Red Sox. That redemption is summed up in a terrific video highlighting the history of the Red Sox frustration and victory after long-last and to the tune of "Sweet Caroline" - no less. Click on and enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW_CjrMyhbo&mode=related&search=

October 27th Timeline Memories...

  1. [1858] Roland Macy opens a department store in Manhattan. It was Macy's 8th business venture - the other 7 failed...
  2. [1904] The 3rd rapid transit system in the world (London's was 1st, Boston was second) opens in New York City (it's called the IRT)...
  3. [1938] Du Pont introduces a new synthetic yarn: nylon (which explodes during WWII)...
  4. [1973] The New York Islanders beat their crosstown rival Rangers (3-2) for the 1st time...
  5. [2004] Barry Bonds 700th home run ball fetches $804,129 in an on-line auction. Steve Williams who came up with the ball in the bleachers on Sept. 17th announces he's quitting his job as a brokers assistant (Hello Fiji)...

#1 on this date: 1966] "96 Tears" - Question Mark & the Mysterians...1987] "Bad" - Michael Jackson (ch-ching)...

Released on this date: 1956] "Ain't Got No Home" - Clarence "Frogman" Henry...1964] "Come See About Me" - Supremes...

Recorded on this date: 1960] Ben E. King records his 1st solo releases: "Spanish Harlem" and "Stand By Me"...

"Happy Trails": 1990] Xavier Cugat dues of heart failure at 90...

Wedding Bells: 1964] Sonny & Cher rock down the aisle (their marriage ends in divorce in 1975)...

D-I-V-O-R-C-E: 1954] Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio (who were married on January 14, 1954)...

"On the cover of...": 1975] Bruce Springsteen appears on the cover of both "TIME" & "Newsweek"...

Nobel Award: 1978] Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin (Nobel Peace Prize for progress toward achieving a Middle East accord)...

Up the River: 1995] Yolanda Saldivar is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Latina singer Selena...

For the Record: 2000] Emmitt Smith (who can dance too) breaks the NFL career rushing yardage record held by Walter Payton...

Premiered on this date: 1947] "You Bet Your Life" starring Groucho Marx debuts on ABC radio (it moves to NBC-TV in 1950)...

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

Commentary...

Spring ahead, Fall back. I just got a clock radio that adjusts automatically. One less clock to adjust. Remember to go back one hour when you go to sleep Saturday night. If you really want to be daring - do it on Sunday morning...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Kelly Osbourne (22), Duran Duran's Simon LeBon (48), Roberto Benigni (54), John Cleese (67), Ruby Dee (82), Ralph Kiner (84) and Nanette Fabray (86)...

...

Saturday, October 28, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1636] Harvard College is founded in the Bay State. The first school of higher education was originally called "Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony" (try putting that on a t-shirt)...
  2. [1886] The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland (original name: "Liberty Enlightening The World") Try putting that on a t-shirt. On the same date in 1936 the statue was rededicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on its 50th anniversary and in 1986 the centennial was celebrated..
  3. [1962] Giants QB Y.A.Tittle becomes the 3rd QB in the NFL (Sid Luckman and Adrian Burk were 1st & 2nd) to pass for 7 touchdowns in one game. It led the Giants to a 49-34 victory over the Washington Redskins...

#1 on this date: 1956] "Love Me Tender" - Elvis Presley (which replaces "Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog" after 11 weeks at the top of the charts as Elvis becomes the 1st artist to replace himself at #1. "Love Me Tender" has a 5 week run at #1. On this date, Elvis makes his 2nd appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show")...1975] "Island Girl" - Elton John (his 3rd #1 hit of the year)...

Recorded on this date: 1971] John and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" recorded in New York...

"Sayonara": 1973] Secretariat (the greatest horse of our generation) wins his final race in Canada then goes to stud after 16 wins in 21 races. "Big Red" will live to the age of 19...

Comeback: 1981] The Dodgers come back from a 2-game deficit to beat the Yankees in 4 straight games to win the World Series (Yankee reliever George Frasier loses 3 games in the series as George Steinbrenner looks for something or someone else to punch)...

Musical Chairs: 1953] The "Old Redhead", Red Barber, takes his "Catbird Seat" from Brooklyn to the Bronx to do play-by-play of Yankee games... 1979] Dick Howser replaces Billy Martin as Yankee manager...

"Guilty": 1985] John A. Walker Jr. and his son Michael Lance Walker plead guilty to spying for the Russians. The senior Walker gets life in prison while his son serves 15 years and is paroled in 2000...

"Up the river": 1976] Former Nixon presidential aide John Erlichman begins his sentence for Watergate related wrong-doings...

Ground breaking: 1961] For Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows (Shea will open in 1964 when the World's Fair opens)...

Debuted on this date: 1950] "The Jack Benny Show" on CBS-TV (this classic comedy show will run until August of 1977)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Joaquin Phoenix (32), Julia Roberts (39), Lauren Holly (43), Bill Gates (51), Annie Potts (54), Bruce Jenner (57), Telma Hopkins (58), Dennis Franz (62), Jane Alexander (67), Lennie Wilkins (69), Charlie Daniels (70) and Bowie Kuhn (80)...

...

Sunday, October 29, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1652] The Massachusetts Bay Colony proclaims itself an independent commonwealth (knowing this wouldn't work on a t-shirt, the suits rename it Massachusetts)...
  2. [1929] "Black Tuesday" ushers in "The Great Depression" as banks and stocks go belly up...
  3. [1940] The 1st peacetime military draft begins in the U.S...

Released on this date: 1957] "Oh Boy" - Buddy Holly...1977] "Bat Out of Hell" LP - Meatloaf...

"Gold Standard": 1970] "Cracklin' Rosie" - Neil Diamond...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: 1990] Byrds, LaVern Baker, John Lee Hooker, Impressions, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Reed and Ike & Tina Turner...

"Happy Trails": 1971] Duane Allman is killed in a motorcycle crash in Macon (GA) at 24...1987] Woody Herman in failing health for years, dies at 74...

Premiered on this date: 1967] "Hair" opens off-Broadway...

"Musical Chairs": 1991] Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as Yankee manager...

"Deja Vu" all over again: 1998] The space shuttle "Discovery" blasts off with 77-year old John Glenn (in 1962 he was the 1st American to orbit)...

"Good Night Chet": 1956] Chet Huntley (from New York) & David Brinkley (in Washington) debut on the "Huntley-Brinkley Report" which begins a 15-year run...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Winona Ryder (35), Joely Fisher (39), Denis Potvin (53), Kate Jackson (58), Richard Dreyfuss (59), Melba Moore (61) and Denny Laine (62)...

Timeline Countdown: 1 day until Standard Time (back one hour), 63 days until 2007, 70 days until NFL playoffs and 98 days until the Super Bowl...

...


Thursday, October 26, 2006

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Heather vs Paul (an update)...

The Brits are calling it "one of the most acrimonious celebrity divorce cases ever to reach the courts". There's no place - repeat - no place, that you can pick up a newspaper in this world and not see the latest round in the battle-to-end-all-battles. The latest installment in "McCartney vs McCartney" is that Heather is suing 2 (soon to be 3) British tabloids who've been spreading all those vicious stories about her (obviously stories about Paul are fine with Lady H). As big as it is, this is another divorce case where the other side is made to look like an uncensored Genghis Kahn. Let's turn the clock back to a much happier time for Sir Paul...

October 26th is an historical day for Paul and the Beatles with no less than 6 significant events in the life of the Fab Four. In chronological order, here they are:

  1. [1962] The Beatles perform at the Liverpool Empire. Also on the bill is one of the group's favorite acts: Little Richard...
  2. [1965] The Beatles receive MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) honors at Buckingham Palace...
  3. [1968] "Hey Jude" tops the charts for the 9th consecutive week...
  4. [1973] Paul McCartney & Wings release "Helen Wheels" in the UK...
  5. [1984] Paul promotes his film "Give My Regards To Broad Street" and its soundtrack on "Good Morning America"...
  6. [1988] "Magical Mystery Tour", the 1967 film is released on home video...

Would Paul like to revisit past events ? You bet your tort. Youtube (who else ?) has a short tongue-in-cheek video that bridges both the past and present. Click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJLc5n0e_L4 ...

Non-Beatles Timeline Events...

  1. [1980] 22-year old college senior Alberto Salazar runs his 1st New City Marathon and sets a new course record of 2 hours 9 minutes 41 seconds...
  2. [1985] Umpire Don Denkinger's controversial "safe" call at first base helps Kansas City beat St. Louis in Game 6 of the World Series (KC goes on to win Game 7 and the World Series as a result)...
  3. [1990] Wayne Gretzky becomes the 1st NHL player to reach 2,000 points...
  4. [1991] Former Washington (DC) mayor Marion Barry begins a 6-month sentence for cocaine possession...
  5. [1997] The Florida Marlins beat the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series after only 5 years of existence...

"Happy Trails": 1990] William S. Paley (this one hits home as Paley was the founder of CBS, Inc) dies from kidney failure at 89...1994] One-man band, Wilbert ("Kansas City") Harrison dies from a stroke at 65...

Premiered on this date: 1955] "Rebel Without a Cause" starring James Dean opens several weeks after his death at 24...1970] Gary Trudeau's "Doonesbury" premieres in 28 newspapers...

Published on this date: 1955] "The Village Voice"...

#1 on this date: 1978] "Hot Child In The City" - Nick Gilder...1982] "Who Can It Be Now"? - Men At Work (The International Division of CBS sent out an acetate with no title - just a big question mark on the label)...

Gold Standard: 1971] "Tired of Being Alone" - Al Green...

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

Commentary...

Long overdue is this "Happy Trails" to Jane Wyatt who passed away last week. The Mom on "Father Knows Best" was 96...

The Good...

Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado was named winner of the Roberto Clemente Award for outstanding performance with community service ("Delgado's Extra Bases"). Delgado idolized Clemente and wears his #21...

The Bad...

Mitchell Cozad, former Northern Colorado backup punter is charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of his rival. Released on $500,000 bail, Cozad is scheduled for a Nov. 6th hearing. The 21-year old is accused of stabbing starting punter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg (some guys will do anything to win a job, I guess)...

The Ugly...

Florida International dismissed 2 players (Marshall McDuffie, Jr. and Chris Smith) for their roles in a brawl during a game against Miami. The Hurricanes Anthony Reddick who used his helmet as a weapon had his suspension increased in "indefinite status". Officials have warned both schools that further punishment is possible (throw the helm-I mean book at them)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Sasha Cohen (22), Keith Urban (we know where he'll be celebrating his birthday) (39), Natalie Merchant (43), Dylan McDermott (44), "The Love Boat's" cruise director Julie McCoy, Lauren Tewes is 52 Jaclyn Smith (59), Pat Sajak (59), Hillary Rodham Clinton (59) and Bob Hoskins (64)...

Timeline Countdown: 66 days until 2007, 73 days until NFL playoffs and 101 days until the Super Bowl...

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

It's the 20th anniversary of "oops...there it goes"...

A very good ballplayer until this date in 1986 and then it happened...the bleeder that went through the legs of Bill Buckner who would become infamous forever more. When the Mets' Mookie Wilson extended Game 6 of the World Series between the Mets and Red Sox by hitting the ball between Buckner's legs, about the only thing Billy Bucks could ever run for in Boston is the exit and he didn't miss that...

Buckner now resides in Boise, Idaho where he's invested in real estate. One of the housing subdivisions he developed is named Fenway Park, showing that he has a sense of history and humor. This past June, The Red Sox had a reunion of 1986 players during a game at Fenway Park and although Buckner "couldn't" return, fans cheered and applauded when his name was shown on the centerfield video screen. As recently as this month Buckner and Mookie Wilson got together to sign photos of the infamous play. The best therapy is what Bobby Thomson and Ralph Branca, playoff hero and goat, went through, becoming friends and making appearances together. Apparently that's what Buckner and Wilson have in mind. Let's hope so...

The aftermath of Game 6 brought a World Championship to Flushing when the Mets closed out the 1986 World Series with a victory in Game 7. A replay of "the play" voiced by Vin Scully is just a click away. If you root for the Mets, enjoy. If you're a Red Sox fan, just remember redemption would come in 2004: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C5-k_2ZvZ4

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1854] The "Charge of the Light Brigade" takes place during the Crimean War as an English brigade of more than 600, facing hopeless odds, charge the Russian army in the Battle of Balaclava and suffer heavy losses (duh)...
  2. [1962] In one of the most dynamic speechs of all-time, Adlai Stevenson, addressing the U.N. demands that Russian ambassador Zorin explain the presence of missiles in Cuba, saying "I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over"...
  3. [1964] Viking Jim Marshall, a very good player without a keen sense of direction, runs 66 yards in the wrong direction after picking up a fumble and winds up with a safety (2 points for the opponent) for his efforts...
  4. [1981] In one of the more bizarre George Steinbrenner sagas, "The Boss" claims that he broke his hand in an elevator fight in L.A. during the 1981 World Series (the Yankees left New York with a 2-0 game advantage but lose the next 4 games, "handing" the series to the Dodgers)...
  5. [1990] Evander Holyfield KOs Buster Douglas for the heavyweight title (Douglas held the title for about 5 minutes)...
  6. [1990] The New York Daily News goes on strike (it will last until March, 1991)...
  7. [1994] Susan Smith claims that a carjacker drove off with her 2 sons but later confesses to drowning them. She will be convicted of murder and sentenced to life which she continues to serve...
  8. [1996] Joe Torre's brother Frank receives a heart transplant during the 1996 World Series (Frank, now 75 is doing well these days)...
  9. [2003] The Marlins' Josh Beckett pitches Florida to the World Series Championship with a 2-0 shutout of the Yankees (it's the Marlins' second title in 7 seasons)...
  10. [2003] Florida State coach Bobby Bowden becomes the winningest coach in major college football history with his 339th victory as the Seminoles beat Wake Forest 48-24 (Bowden's current record: 362-109-4)...

"Happy Trails": 1991] Rock promoter Bill Graham dies in a helicopter crash at 60...1992] Singer/songwriter Roger Miller is a victim of cancer at 56...1993] Horror film actor Vincent Price (a heavy smoker) dies of lung cancer at 82...1999] Golf pro Payne Stewart and 5 others die in a Learjet crash in South Dakota. Stewart was 42...

#1 on this date: 1961] "Runaround Sue" - Dion...1974] "Then Came You" - Dionne Warwick/Spinners...1983] "Islands in the Stream" - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton...

"Having My Baby": 1968] Yoko Ono announces that she's carrying John Lennon's child (that would be Sean)...

Released on this date: 1965] "Get Off Of My Cloud" - Rolling Stones...

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

Commentary...

I'm still a little weary from my trip to New Zealand to attend my daughter Lynn's wedding to Lindsay Brough. Congratulations and a life of love and happiness to Lynn and Lindsay. They got married on a boat in Wellington Harbor and it was one of the highlights of my life. The wedding was wonderful and I've never met such warm and hospitable people. The Kiwi's are something special. A couple of footnotes to the wedding follow...

The morning I left, Jim Kerr of Q104 in New York interviewed me on the air on his morning show to ask questions about the wedding, even getting down to details on who would pay for the wedding in NZ and the follow-up version of the ceremony in New York in May. The answers will not be revealed in this blog but I wanted to thank my friend Jim for the interview. On a connecting flight back to New York in Los Angeles I ran into Dan Ingram and his wife Maureen Donnelly and we talked radio for what seemed like days before boarding the flight. It was good to see you Big Dan and thanks for making the time fly by...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Pedro Martinez (35, hmmm, okay), Olympic hockey hero Mike Eruzione (52), Celtic great Dave Cowens (58), Helen Reddy (64), Bobby Knight (66), Marion Ross (78) and Giant hero Bobby Thomson (83)...

"Happy Trails"...

I'm saddened to say that Mike Phillips lost his battle to pancreatic cancer. A 40-year radio pro, Mike's credits include VP of Programming of the NBC-FM Radio Group, disc jockey at KISN, KJR, KNBR, KFRC, KIOI, KOIT. Mike was the first PD of KYUU and his last disc jockey stint was an 11-year run at KRTH. Mike and I had been corresponding and he was interested in reading this blog which I sent him every day. I hope he got some enjoyment from it while he was going through the private hell he went through. R.I.P. Mike Phillips...

Timeline Countdown: 67 days until 2007, 74 days until the NFL playoffs and 102 days until the Super Bowl...

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Monday, October 16, 2006

Monday-Tuesday, October 16-24, 2006

Can they be 'Amazing' again ???

Lots to cover in this MPR blogapalooza which will cover 9 days...so...let's start with the Mets huge win over the Cardinals last night to square the NL playoffs at 2 games apiece. The question is, even with only one good, healthy pitcher (Tom Glavine) can they do it again ? Can they go all the way ? Can they do what they did on this date, October 16th, 1969 ???

With 57,397 in the Shea Stadium stands and countless millions more watching at home, the New York Mets, won their 1st World Series. When the flyball hit by future Met manager Davey Johnson was squeezed by Cleon Jones the Mets had defeated the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles in 5 games and the championship trophy was theirs...

The road to the Mets championship was clearly in sight when they won the National League pennant with a 3-game sweep of the Braves 10 days earlier. Twenty-two days earlier they beat the hated Cubs to win the title in the east. A Wall Street parade down the "canyon of heroes" cheered the 'Amazin' Mets as New York City and a world of underdog fans celebrated.

Game 5 of their playoffs with the Cardinals is tonight. Will the Mets once again be a team of destiny ? Will they face the Detroit Tigers in the first game of the World Series next Saturday, October 21st? Don't bet against it...

October 16th Timeline Memories...

  1. [1978] Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected Pope, taking the name John Paul II (he gets my vote as the most popular Pope in recent history)...
  2. [1987] Rescuers free "Baby Jessica" (McClure) from the Midland (TX) well she fell in (Jessica who was a year and a half old at the time was trapped for 58 hours)...
  3. [1995] Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan leads the "Million Man March" in Washington (DC)...

Premiered on this date: 1956] The Elvis movie "Love Me Tender"...

Released on this date: 1957] "You Send Me" - Sam Cooke...1971] "Theme from Shaft" - Isaac Hayes...

"Happy Trails": 1997] Author James Michener died of kidney failure at 90...2004] Pierre Salinger, former journalist and JFK press secretary died of heart failure at 79...

"Sayonara": 1963] The last issue of "The New York Daily Mirror" hits the newsstands...

Wedding Bells: 2000] Chevron announces it's buying Texaco for $35 billion (Ch-ching !)...

Commentary...

Len Zola did a great job in hosting his Media Gang luncheon in Randolph (MA) over the weekend. The gathering of mostly, former radio and television people was the best I've ever been to. And the turnout of WRKO, WNAC and channel 7 alums was something to be proud of as a former employee of WRKO. Congratulations for a terrific gathering Len...While on the subject of radio, Air America has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, although they hope to be rescued. To that I say, Good Luck...Happy Trails to Freddy Fender who lost his battle with lung cancer at 69. Freddy died Saturday at his Corpus Christi (TX) home. R.I.P. Freddy...the legendary CBGB, the so-called "birthplace of punk" closed its doors last night. Owner Hilly Kristal, 75 and suffering from cancer, hopes to reopen in Las Vegas next year. What's wrong with this picture ? Punk music in Las Vegas ? CBGB's closes and just when I found out what the letters stand for. Give up ? Country, bluegrass and blues. Who knew???

The reason for the 9-day, abridged, MPR is a wedding I'll be attending. It's not just another wedding. My daughter Lynn is marrying Lindsay Brough in Wellington, New Zealand and I'll be happily headed for the other side of the world tomorrow...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days (counting today) until the World Series, 76 days until 2007 and 82 days until the NFL playoffs...

...

Tuesday, October 17, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1919] The Radio Corporation of America is created...
  2. [1964] An historic date in Yankee history: 1964: The Yankees fire manager Yogi Berra (and hire manager Johnny Keane whom he faced in the World Series against the Cardinals)...1978] They beat the Dodgers in 6 games to repeat as World Champs...1984] Lou Piniella is named manager...1988] Dallas Green replaces Piniella as manager as Steinbrenner strikes again...
  3. [1989] A funny thing happened on the way to Game 3 of the Bay Area World Series - an earthquake !!! (the Giants sweep the A's in 4 games when the WS resumes)...

"Happy Trails": 1991] Tennessee Ernie Ford dies of liver disease at 72...

#1 on this date: 1962] "Monster Mash" - Bobby "Boris" Pickett (no relation to Wilson) & the Crypt Kickers (it's re-released every year since and reached #10 in '73)...1972] "My Ding-a-Ling" - Chuck Berry (believe it or not, this was his only #1 hit)...1988] "Groovy Kind of Love" - Phil Collins (the original version by the Mindbenders went to #2 in 1966)...1999] "Supernatural" - Santana (the group's first #1 hit in 28 years)...

Released on this date: 1964] "She's Not There" - The Zombies...1970] "After Midnight" - Eric Clapton...

Premiered on this date: 1967] "Hair" at the New York Public Theatre...1973] "The Way We Were" starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford...

...

Wednesday, October 18, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1954] WNBC Radio changes call letters to WRCA (don't worry, they change back)...
  2. [1969] The Jackson Five make their 1st TV appearance on ABC-TV's "Hollywood Palace"...
  3. [1977] Reggie Jackson makes World Series history with back-to-back-to-back homeruns (each one on the 1st pitch). Nobody did it before...no one since...

Debuted on this date: 1957] Paul McCartney debuts with the Quarry Men in Liverpool...

Reunited on this date: 1975] Simon & Garfunkel reunite on "Saturday Night Live"...

#1 on this date: 1976] "If You Leave Me Now" - Chicago...

"Sayonara": 1971] Look Magazine disappears after 34 years of publication...

...

Thursday, October 19, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1953] Julius LaRosa is fired on "Arthur Godfrey and His Friends" (except for Julius LaRosa) because, according to Ahthuh "Julius had lost his humility" as the media searches for a dictionary...
  2. [1969] VP Spiro T. Agnew calls anti-Vietnam War protesters "an effete corps of impudent slobs" as the media searches for a dictionary...
  3. [2004] Curt Schilling, bloody sock and all, pitches the Red Sox to a 4-2 win over the Yankees, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 for the AL pennant the next day (at this point I write "playoffs over, Red Sox win")...

#1 on this date: 1969] "I Can't Get Next To You" - Temptations...1985] "Take On Me" - a-ha...1986] "True Colors" - Cyndi Lauper...

Released on this date: 1973] "Photograph" - Ringo Starr...

Debuted on this date: 1959] "The Miracle Worker" starring Patti Duke and Anne Bancroft debuts on Broadway...

...

Friday, October 20, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1956] Bill Haley & the Comets and Elvis Presley perform on the same bill at Brooklyn High School in Cleveland (OH)...
  2. [1973] Special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox is fired by President Richard M. Nixon. Attorney General Richardson, Deputy Attorney General Ruckelhaus and Solicitor General Bork resign in protest...
  3. [2004] The Red Sox beat the Yankees to win the AL pennant (hey, they might even win the World Series...you never know)...

Premiered on this date: 1960] "G.I. Blues" starring Elvis Presley...

Released on this date: 1961] "Bob Dylan" LP...1962] "Big Girls Don't Cry" - Four Seasons...1973] "The Joker" - Steve Miller Band...

Debuted on this date: 1978] The Police debut in their 1st U.S. concert at CBGB's...

Dedicated on this date: 1979] The John F. Kennedy Library in Boston...

Wedding Bells: 1968] Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy and Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis tie the knot (the marriage will end with the death of Onassis in 1975)...1991] Clint Black and Lisa Hartman rock down the aisle...

"Sayonara": 1976] The Nets sell Julius "Dr. J" Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers (what were the Nets thinking ?)...

...

Saturday, October 21, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1960] JFK and Richard Nixon clash in their 4th and final presidential debate (this debate was over after the 1st one)...
  2. [1975] Carlton Fisk wins Game 6 of the World Series between the Red Sox and Reds with his dramatic homerun and cool body language...
  3. [1998] Following a 4-game sweep of San Diego in the World Series, the Yankees set a major league record of 125 wins for a regular and post-season combined...

Premiered on this date: 1957] "Jailhouse Rock" starring Elvis Presley...

Recorded on this date: 1958] "True Love Ways", "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" & "Raining in My Heart" (this is Buddy Holly's last recording session)...

Released on this date: 1992] Madonna's erotic photograph book "Sex" is released with 500,000 copies sold in the 1st run...

Retired on this date: 1976] The Knicks retire Willis Reed's #19...

Wedding Bells: 2006] Lindsay Brough and Lynn Phillips will say "I Do" and Lynn's Dad will give the pretty bride away on a boat in Wellington (NZ) Harbor...

...

Sunday, October 22, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1962] President John F. Kennedy addresses a TV audience about the Russian missile bases in Cuba (the world holds its breath until the crisis ends)...
  2. [1981] The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization is decertified for its strike the previous August (buh-bye)...
  3. [2000] Mike Piazza is once again Roger Clemens target, this time in the World Series as The Rocket goes off and throws a bat chard in the direction of Piazza who's running to 1st base (Clemens said "I thought it was the ball" - uh huh, okay)...

#1 LP on this date: 1966] "Supremes a Go-Go"...

Debuted on this date: 1960] Cassius Clay wins his 1st professional fight...

Released on this date: 1966] "Good Vibrations" - Beach Boys...

...

Monday, October 23, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1946] The United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York for the 1st time in an auditorium in Flushing Meadows...
  2. [1973] President Richard M. Nixon agrees to turn over the Watergate tapes (oops!)...
  3. [1983] A suicide truck bombing at Beirut International Airport in Lebanon kills 241 U.S. Marines and sailors. Another attack kills 58 French paratroopers...

Debuted on this date: 1956] NBC-TV broadcasts the 1st video tape coast-to-coast. It's a tape of Jonathan Winters performing...

Released on this date: 1965] "Turn, Turn, Turn" - Byrds...

Walk-off: 1993] Toronto Blue Jay outfielder Joe Carter hits the 2nd walk-off homerun in World Series history and for the 1st time a team from outside the country wins the World Series...

...

Tuesday, October 24, 2006...

Timeline Memories...

  1. [1973] Heavy fog causes a 65-car collision killing 9 on the New Jersey Turnpike...
  2. [1997] Former NBC sportscaster Marv Albert is spared a jail sentence after a court room apology to the woman he sunk his bicuspids in during a sexual encounter (Albert said the woman said she hadn't had a bite in months, so he bit her. The judge doesn't bight-uh-buy it)...
  3. [2002] Army veteran John Allen Muhammad and teenager Lee Boyd Malvo are arrested in connection with the Washington (DC) area sniper attacks...

"Happy Trails": 1947] Severe heart problems take their toll on Jackie Robinson who dies at 53...

"Sayonara": 1988] The Islanders' Mike Bossy retires...

"Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" induction: 1989] Hank Ballard, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Bobby Darin, the Four Tops, the Four Seasons, the Kinks, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, the Platters, the Who, Simon & Garfunkel are all inducted...

Debuted on this date: 1931] The George Washington Bridge...

Timeline Countdown: 68 days until 2007 and 75 days until the NFL playoffs...

...

(Back with fresh blog on Wednesday, October 24, 2006)

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Thursday-Sunday, October 12-15, 2006

Everything takes a backseat when tragedy strikes...

I was planning to do a feature story on Friday the 13th but that was before I heard what seemed like as many sirens as I heard on 911. It was close to 3 pm yesterday and you just knew something big was happening in a city where you expect the unexpected at any time. After having lived on East 72nd Street for 17 years, it hit close to home when that small plane crashed into the high-rise. All the local television stations went live and even ESPN radio broke into their all-sports programming to alert people about the crash. This was big alright. We didn't find out until a couple of hours later that Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle was aboard that plane. Now in addition to already being a tragedy you had a recognizable name and face to attach it to. Lidle spent just the past 2 months with the Yankees but one of his early stops was with the Mets several years back...

Frank Kingston Smith a.k.a. Bobby Mitchell at WRKO who's a licensed pilot e-mailed from Arizona about flying in a dangerous area like Manhattan. He's done it and was surprised that as dangerous as it is, that the plane couldn't avoid that building. He mentioned how you're taught to hit water when you have a choice. The plane was half a block from the East River when it crashed...

We don't know why Lidle's plane couldn't avoid that building, why he and his flight instructor lost their lives. Since there were only 2 people on the plane and no black box, we probably never will...

FYI: The weekend MPR is being written one day earlier than usual so that we can attend Len Zola's Media Gang Luncheon in Randolph (MA) on Saturday...

Ten Timeline Memories for October 12...

  1. [1492] Christopher Columbus reaches the New World when he sights a Bahamian Island believing he has reached East Asia (hey I get lost in the Food Emporium)...
  2. [1920] Construction of the Holland Tunnel begins (anyone know when it will be completed ?)...
  3. [1957] Little Richard publicly renounces "Rock and Roll" (now he publicly renounces Cheech Marin. Rock and Roll survived, Cheech Marin didn't)...
  4. [1960] Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev pounds his shoe at the podium during a U.N. debate over troops in the Belgian Congo (either that or he was trying to get rid of the dog poop that he stepped in)...
  5. [1967] Red Sox pitcher Jim Lonborg makes a valiant attempt to pitch on 2 days rest but loses game 7 of the Boston-St. Louis World Series. Final score 7-2 Cardinals (I was at that game and it was a truly heroic effort that fell short)...
  6. [1978] Sid Vicious is arrested for the murder of girlfriend Nancy Spungen (Sex Pistol Vicious dies of a heroin overdose before his murder trial begins)...
  7. [1986] One strike away from the World Series, Angel pitcher Donnie Moore gives up a game-tying 2 run home run to Dave Henderson of the Red Sox who win in 11 innings. The Sox win the next 2 games to win the AL pennant (tragically, Moore never got over blowing the game and would commit suicide a few years later)...
  8. [1997] John Denver is killed in a plane crash when he runs out of fuel. Denver was 53...
  9. [2000] 17 crew members die when U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole is attacked by terrorists in Yemen...
  10. [2001] An NBC assistant to Tom Brokaw tests positive for anthrax after opening a letter addressed to Brokaw...

"Happy Trails": 1870] General Robert E. Lee dies of pneumonia at 63...1971] Rock and Roller Gene Vincent at 36 from a ruptured stomach ulcer...1999] Basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain dies in his sleep of a heart attack at 63...2003] Hall of Fame jockey Willie Shoemaker dies of natural causes at 72...

Sayonara: 1968] John Sebastian leaves the Lovin' Spoonful to go solo...1975] Rod Stewart appears with Faces for the last time before going solo...

#1 on this date: 1964] "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" - Manfred Mann...

"Another opening...another show": 1970] "Jesus Christ Superstar" opens on Broadway...

Wedding Bells: 1991] Steven Spielberg produces and directs his wedding ceremony, marrying Kate Capshaw (who converts to Judaism)..

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

Commentary...

A couple of updates on stories we've written...Mark David Chapman has now been denied parole 4 times after being denied parole. His hearing lasted just 16 minutes. Back to Attica with you, Mark David Chapman...

David Hinckley reports in his radio column today (New York Daily News) that Sirius has dropped the Sinus Buster ad containing a four-letter word...

Good news all the way around...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Hugh Jackman (38), Susan Anton (56), Chris Wallace (59), Luciano Pavarotti (71), Sam (Sam and Dave) Moore (71) and Dick Gregory (74)...

...

Friday, October 13, 2006...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1775] The Continental Congress orders the construction of a naval fleet for the U.S...
  2. [1843] The B'nai B'rith is founded in New York City...
  3. [1960] Richard M. Nixon and JFK hold their 3rd televised presidential debate with Nixon in Hollywood and Kennedy in New York (you would think it would be the other way around)...
  4. [1960] The Pirates' Bill Mazeroski hits the 1st walk-off home run in World Series history as Pittsburgh wins the series over the Yankees...
  5. [1963] The term "Beatlemania" is coined when a Beatle appearance on the BBC's "Sunday Night at the Palladium" almost turns into a riot...
  6. [1967] Oakland beats Anaheim in the 1st ABA game in history, 134-129...
  7. [1985] Cardinal rookie Vince Coleman is injured prior to the NLCS when he's caught in Busch Stadium's automatic tarp (the Cardinals would go on to win the NL pennant but lose to KC in the World Series)...
  8. [1996] Jet kicker Nick Lowery breaks Jan Stenerud's NFL field goal record with his 374 field goal...
  9. [1998] The NBA cancels the first 2 weeks of the season because of a lockout of players...
  10. [1999] The JonBenet Ramsey grand jury is dismissed after 13 months when there's not enough evidence to charge anyone in the 6-year old's strangulation death...

"Happy Trails": 1970] Janis Joplin's ashes are scattered off the coast of Califonia...1974] Ed Sullivan dies from cancer at 73...

#1 on this date: 1960] "Save The Last Dance For Me" - Drifters...1974] "Nothing From Nothing" - Billy Preston...

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nancy Kerrigan (37), Marie Osmond (47), Sammy Hagar (59), Demond Wilson (60), Robert Lamm (62), Jerry Rice (44), Paul Simon (65) and Margaret Thatcher (81)...

Famous people born on Friday the 13th:

Don Adams, Peabo Bryson, Steve Buscemi, Fidel Castro, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Lamm, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Carol Lynley, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Doc Rivers, Peter Tork and Darius Rucker...

...

Saturday, October 14, 2006...

Ten Timeline Memories (combined for the weekend)...

  1. [1947] Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager becomes the 1st person to break the sound barrier...
  2. [1962] The Cuban Missile Crisis begins and won't end until November 20th (the world walks a nuclear tightrope)...
  3. [1964] Martin Luther King Jr. wins the Nobel Peace Prize...
  4. [1973] Willie Mays gets his last hit as the Mets beat the Oakland A's in game 2 of the World Series (which Oakland will win)...
  5. [1984] Detroit Tiger manager Sparky Anderson becomes the 1st manager to win 100 games and a World Series in both leagues...

#1 on this date: 1979] "Rise" - Herb Alpert...1988] "Red Red Wine" - U2...

Released on this date: 1957] "Jailhouse Rock" - Elvis Presley...1972] "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" - Temptations...

Debuted on this date: 1966] Grace Slick makes her 1st appearance with Jefferson Airplane...1979] Wayne Gretzky scores his 1st NHL goal...

Published on this date: 1926] "Winnie-the-Pooh" writen by A.A. Milne...

"Happy Trails": 1977] Bing Crosby is the victim of a fatal heart attack at 74...1990] Leonard Bernstein, a heavy smoker, dies at 72 of emphysema...

"Sayonara": 1985] Joe Namath's #12 is retired as the Jets beat Miami 23-7 on Monday Night Football...

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Usher (28), Justin Hayward (60), Ralph Lauren (67), John Dean (68), Roger Moore (79), C. Everett Koop (90) and coach John Wooden (96)...

...

Sunday, October 15, 2006...

Weekend Timeline Memories (continued)...

  1. [1962] Yankee Bobby Richardson grabs Willie McCovey's line drive for the final out as the Bronx Bombers with their 20th World Series over the Giants in 7 games...
  2. [1964] Nikita Khrushchev is removed as Soviet Premier and replaced by Alexei N. Kosygin (but not before Khrushchev pounds his shoe on Kosygin's head)...
  3. [1971] Rick Nelson is booed when he performs new material at an oldies show at Madison Square Garden (there could be a song there somewhere)...
  4. [1986] The Mets beat the Astros 7-6 in the longest postseason game in history to-date (16 innings) to win the NL pennant (on their way to winning the World Series over the Red Sox)...
  5. [2003] A State Island Ferry slams into a maintenance pier, killing 11...

"Happy Trails": 1964] Cole Porter dies of kidney failure at 73...

#1 on this date: 1977] "You Light Up My life" - Debby Boone (it will be #1 for 10 weeks)...

Released on this date: 1977] "Rumours" LP - Fleetwood Mac... 1977] "Slip Slidin' Away" - Paul Simon (with Oak Ridge Boys)...

Debuted on this date: 1968] Led Zeppelin take their maiden voyage in England...

Premiered on this date: 1951] "I Love Lucy" starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (this classic sit-com will run 10 years)...1959] "The Untouchables" starring Robert Stack (I always loved the narration by Walter Winchell. The show will run 4 seasons)... 1969] MSG-TV carries its 1st NHL game (Rangers vs. North Stars)...1973] "The Tomorrow Show" with Tom Snyder as host...

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Sarah Ferguson (47), Richard Carpenter (60), Penny Marshall (64), Lee Iacocca (82) and Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (89)...

Timeline Countdown (as of October 16, 2006): 6 days until the World Series, 77 days left until 2007 and 83 days until the NFL playoffs...

...

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Can history repeat at 30 Rock ???

Tina Fey is the latest in a long line of "Saturday Night Live" alums to venture into a solo career and interestingly she has chosen the address of SNL to use as her show title. "30 Rock" debuts tonight and whether planned or not, there's another connection between her show and her alma mater - the debut date...

The signature line of "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night" was heard for the first time on October 11th, 1975. George Carlin hosted that first show, wacky Andy Kaufman did his famous lip-synch to the "Mighty Mouse" theme, we saw the "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players" dressed like bees, a short film by Albert Brooks, an adult version of Jim Henson's puppets and music from Janis Ian and Billy Preston. The original cast members were Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris. Bill Murray would replace Chevy in 1977...

"Saturday Night Live" was not a hit in its first season but would develop into a television phenomenon in season 2. We wish the talented Tina Fey good luck with "30 Rock" but things have changed since 1975 and she won't have a season 2 unless she has numbers from her first show on...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1939] President Franklin D. Roosevelt is presented with a letter from Albert Einstein that urges him to develop the U.S. atomic program rapidly (evidently FDR listened)...
  2. [1967] The Red Sox beat the Cardinals 8-4 in game 6 of the World Series as Yaz, Reggie Smith & Rico Petrocelli (who hit 2) hit back-to-back-to-back home runs at Fenway (I was happy to be in attendance for that one)...
  3. [1968] Apollo 7 is launched with Wally Schirra, Don Fulton Eisele and R. Walter Cunningham aboard. This was the 1st time, live television broadcasts were received from orbit...
  4. [1971] Hugh Downs leaves the "Today Show" and "Concentration". He will later resurface as host of ABC's "20/20" ("We're in touch...so you be in touch") (I always loved that line)...
  5. [1975] The Islanders' Bryan Trottier gets his 1st career hat trick (3 goals in one game). "Trots" becomes a Hockey Hall of Famer in 1997 and is back with the Isles as an executive of player personnel...
  6. [1984] American Kathryn D. Sullivan aboard the Challenger, becomes the 1st woman to walk in space...
  7. [1991] Law professor Anita Hill accuses Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment (who didn't follow this bizarre but often humerous coverage ?)...
  8. [1992] Bush, Clinton and Perot conduct the 1st 3-way presidential debate which resembled a 3-ring circus at times...
  9. [1999] The Red Sox advance to the ALCS with a 12-8 win over the Indians when injured Pedro Martinez (sound familiar ?) doesn't give up a hit in 6 innings of relief. Troy O'Leary hits a grand slam and a 3-run homer in the win...
  10. [2002] Former President Jimmy Carter wins the Nobel Peace Prize...

#1 on this date: 1966] "Reach Out, I'll Be There" - Four Tops...1976] "Disco Duck" - Rick Dees (Dees, smartly kept his day job)...

Wedding Bells: 1975] Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham tie the knot and then, each others necks in knots...

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

Commentary...

Congratulations to Google for doing that massive deal to acquire You Tube. So now, You Tube has ties with NBC and Google. Good move by Ma Google...

My question is this - why will the Yankees play better baseball for Joe Torre next year than they did this year ??? Ya think Steinbrenner was looking at the polls supporting Torre ???

Let's Go Mets...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Luke Perry (40), Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez (41) (okay, sure), Joan Cusack (44), Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (45), Daryl Hall (58), Roy Scheider (71) and Elmore Leonard (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 11 days until the World Series, 81 days until 2007 and 87 days until the NFL playoffs...

...

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

"So you got to let me know..should (he) stay or should (he) go" (paraphrasing the Clash)...

There is no bigger story in New York than whether or not George Steinbrenner should fire Yankee manager Joe Torre or not. The Post in an exclusive story this morning says that Torre will not be fired while Mike Lupica of the Daily News says that Torre has to go. We should find out today when the Yankees and/or Joe Torre will hold a press conference...

The overwhelming majority of the fans want Torre to stay but the decision will not be made by a popularity poll. According to what I've read, the Yankees stand to lose about $30 million dollars for not being in the World Series this year. I went to a Modell's yesterday and saw racks of Yankee shirts and jackets that have already been reduced in price and will soon be tossed if not sold. If you owned the team would you keep a manager who hasn't won a World Series for you in 6 years despite having won 4 world titles in his 11 years as manager ? We're not talking about any manager. Torre is the most beloved Yankee manager in the history of the team. You say that he shouldn't be replaced because of that 4 of 11 record ? You think a manager with that kind of success can't be fired ? Read on...

A Yankee manager with better results than Torre was fired and long before the Steinbrenner Era. He managed a Yankee team that won their 3rd consecutive World Series on this date in 1951. He would win 5 consecutive world titles as Yankee manager, 7 titles in his 12 year career and he was still fired. Those Yankees fired the manager because of his age. In response to being fired, that Yankee manager said "I'll never make the mistake of being 70 again". His name was Casey Stengel...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1845] The U.S. Naval Academy opens in Annapolis (MD) with 50 midshipmen students and 7 professors. Midshipmen study at the academy for 4 years and train aboard ships each summer (the1st graduating class was in June of 1854)...
  2. [1951] The Casey Stengel led Yankees beat the New York Giants in 6 games to win their 3rd consecutive World Series (in Joe DiMaggio's last year before retiring)...
  3. [1957] Lou Burdette's 3rd victory of the World Series gives the Braves the championship over the Yankees in 7 games...
  4. [1973] The Mets beat the Reds in game 5 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series against Oakland...
  5. [1973] Vice President Spiro T. Agnew pleads no contest to one count of federal income tax evasion and resigns his office...
  6. [1980] KC's George Brett hits an upper deck home run to give the Royals a sweep of the Yankees in the ALCS...
  7. [1998] A New York judge awards $185,000 in damages to a former prosecutor who was falsely accused by advisers (mostly Al Sharpton) of Tawana Brawley of taking part in the alleged (mostly by Al Sharpton) rape of Brawley...
  8. [1999] The Red Sox force a deciding 5th game with Cleveland in their 1st round AL playoff series with a 23 (3 touchdowns and a safety) - 7 win. It's the most runs ever scored in a postseason game...
  9. [2003] Rush Limbaugh (was Jeff Christie when I was PD at KQV) announces that he was addicted to painkillers as he checks into rehab...
  10. [2004] Christopher Reeve dies from cardiac arrest after slipping into a coma. The former Superman was 52...

"Happy Trails": 1981] Anwar Sadat is buried in Egypt...1985] Orson Welles dies at 70 from a heart attack...

Released on this date: 1964] "Leader of the Pack" - Shangri-Las...1970] "Tears of a Clown" - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles...

"Another opening, another show": 1976] The Meadowlands opens in NJ with a Giant loss to the Dallas Cowboys 24-14...

Joined at the hip: 1978] Steve Perry joins Journey as lead singer...

Premiered on this date: 1979] "The Rose" starring Bette Midler...

"Hanging up his rock and roll shoes": 1994] The Giants retire Lawrence Taylor's #56...

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

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to Tower Records which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This is a sad day for all music lovers. R.I.P. Tower Records...

Thanks to David Hinckley of the New York Daily News for the following information (straight from today's Radio column): "Sirius Satellite Radio, which is under no FCC content guidelines, has aired the first commercial to feature a "four-letter" word. The commercial is for Sinus Buster, a hot pepper nasal spray. J.R. Gach, a longtime terrestrial radio deejay who has done Sinus Buster ads for years, this time calls it "the best s--t that ever was". It's inevitable that satellite radio will reach the point that HBO has and that's "anything goes" - no restrictions...

And finally this is my opinion on whether Joe Torre should "stay or go". He no longer can make his team drink the Kool-Aid and make them believe they can beat any team they face. He should go. Simple as that...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Brett Favre (he's 37 but plays like he's 137), Julia Sweeney (45), Tanya Tucker (47 but seems like she's been around so long, she's 147), David Lee Roth (56), Ben Vereen (60) and Peter Coyote (64)...

Timeline Countdown: 12 days (counting today) until the World Series, 82 days until 2007 and 88 days until the NFL playoffs...

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Monday, October 9, 2006

Monday, October 9, 2006

"Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields" - "Strawberry Fields Forever" (Lennon-McCartney)...

"It's always spontaneous. There's nothing official" says Thomas Leighton, co-founder of the John Lennon Memorial Committee. "The fans come on their own. They just gather". They will gather at Strawberry Fields in Central Park to mark John Lennon's 66th birthday...

It was Mayor Ed Koch who named the 2.5 patch of land in the shadows of the Dakota where Lennon lived and was gun downed, Strawberry Fields. That was in 1981. In 1985, the official dedication would take place on what would have been Lennon's 45th birthday. And there's another Lennon birthday to celebrate today - Sean Lennon's. The son of John and Yoko who was 10 years old at the dedication service is 31 today...

Yoko Ono will mark John's birthday in Iceland by presiding over 2 events to further world peace. Mark David Chapman, 51, continues to serve his 20 year-to life prison sentence upstate in Attica. Ironically, his next parole hearing comes up this month...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1701] The Collegiate School of Connecticut is charted in New Haven. The name of the school will be changed to Yale...
  2. [1855] Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine motor (his sewing machine would become the standard. He will use his name for his company's name, calling it The Isaac Sewing Machine Company). (Just wanted to see if you were paying attention)...
  3. [1872] Aaron Montgomery starts his mail order business with the delivery of the first mail order catalog. The firm later becomes Aaron Wards (just wanted to see if you were paying attention again)...
  4. [1959] At the age of 23, Bobby Darin becomes the youngest performer to headline at the Sands in Las Vegas...
  5. [1967] The Red Sox rebound to take game 5 of their World Series in St. Louis as Jim Lonborg pitches a 3-hitter against the Cardinals, 3-1 (Both teams head for Fenway for Game 6)...
  6. [1974] Frank Robinson becomes baseball's 1st black manager after agreeing to a deal with Cleveland...
  7. [1985] The hijackers of the Achille Lauro surrender after the ship docks in Port Said, Egypt...
  8. [2000] Brett Hull passes Dad, Bobby, on the all-time scoring list, bringing him to 9th place, with his 611th goal...
  9. [2001] Anthrax letters postmarked in Trenton (NJ) are mailed to Senators Daschle and Leahy...
  10. [2002] A man is gunned down moments after filling his tank at a gas station in Manassas (VA) in the latest sniper shooting in the Washington (DC) area...

"Happy Trails": 1958] Pope Pius XII dies of kidney disease at 82 (the Pope had served for 19 years)...1967] Latin American guerrilla Che Guevara is executed in Bolivia while attempting to incite revolution. Guevara was 39...1974] Oskar Schindler dies in Frankfurt, Germany at 66 from an undisclosed illness (Schindler is credited with saving the lives of over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust)...1997] North Carolina coach Dean Smith retires as the winningest college basketball coach in history (his teams were 879-254 and he coached 2 National Championship teams and 11 final 4's)...

"D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D": 1973] Elvis Presley and Priscilla (after 6 years of marriage)...

Released on this date: 1969] "Someday We'll Be Together" - Supremes...1971] "Wild Night" - Van Morrison...1979] "Babe" - Styx...1980] "Starting Over" - John Lennon...

Premiered on this date: 1986] "The Late Show" hosted by Joan Rivers on Fox (the show will tank after one season)...

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

Commentary...

Happy Trails to Negro League baseball star Buck O'Neil who fell one vote shy of the Hall of Fame, died over the weekend in Kansas City (MO) at 94. O'Neil was both charismatic and eloquent and never complained about not having a chance to play in the major leagues. We need more Buck O'Neil's in this world. R.I.P. Buck...

Staying on baseball, since none of the 4 remaining teams has won a World Series in this century, we will have the 6th different team winning the World Series. Talk of parity, only one of the 4 has a chance to appear again in the World Series over that span of years - the Mets (who lost to the Yankees in 2000)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Sean Ono Lennon (31), John O'Hurley (50), Scott Bakula (52), Tony Shaloub (53), Sharon Osbourne (54), Jackson Browne (58) and Fyvush Finkel (83)...

Timeline Countdown: 13 days (counting today) until the World Series, 83 days until 2007 and 89 days until the NFL playoffs...

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Friday, October 6, 2006

Friday-Sunday, October 6-8, 2006

The end of an era...

Turning on 66 on your New York AM radio dial puts you squarely in the middle of a sports fan's idea of heaven - 24 hours of all the sports you'll ever need and then some. It's called WFAN as in fan, a shortened form of fanatic. The only remnant from what 66 used to be is Don Imus - not a sports fan but a major personality for 35 years now. Tomorrow, October 7th marks the 18th anniversary of the end of WNBC. At 5:30 pm on that day in 1988, WNBC, the station that started as experimental 2XB in 1919 breathed its last radio breath, signing off forever. WFAN took the frequency, something even Kenneth knew...

When I became program director at WNBC in 1976 I inherited Don Imus, Bob Vernon (with a "V"), Oogie Pringle, Bruce Morrow, Dick Summer and Marcia Nicely. Bill Rock, one of the best production voices I've ever heard was acting PD and Jeff Mazzei was the music director. Perry Bascom was the GM. Promotion Director was Gloria "Gibby" Gibson. There were others that I would become life-long friends with like Bob Kwest and Margaret Jones from the traffic department. Brenda Graham was my assistant and the only PD secretary in the history of WNBC. I made some immediate jock changes - switching Cousin Brucie back to nights and brought in Joe McCoy, Walt "Baby" Love and Johnny Michaels. As good as this station sounded, we never made enough of a dent in WABC's ratings due to lack of support in corporate funds to properly promote the station both on and off the air and more importantly, a lack of commitment from "upstairs" to stick to a plan...

Shortly after the demise of WNBC, business executive Harvey Eckstein put together a book containing the history of this legendary station and I was proud to be included in the list of program directors. All the jocks who ever worked at WNBC and well as management are also represented in the book. To all that worked at WNBC through the years, October 7th, 1988 was a sad day as we said goodbye to a legendary radio station that meant so much to us all...

WNBC (1919-1988) R.I.P...

Ten Timeline Memories...

  1. [1945] The "Billy Goat Curse" begins in Chicago when a Cub fan is refused admission to a Cubs World Series game because he had a goat with him. William "Billy Goat" Sianis, owner of a local tavern puts a curse on the Cubs (it works. Not only do the Cubs lose that WS but they would never win another one. There must have been a curse on the Cubbies earlier, too. The last WS they won was in 1908)...
  2. [1949] American-born Iva Toguri D'Aquino is convicted as Japanese wartime broadcaster "Tokyo Rose". She's sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $10,000 (the woman known as Tokyo Rose passed away on September 26th at 90)...
  3. [1956] Dr. Albert Sabin discovers the oral polio vaccine (just about eradicating the disease)...
  4. [1961] President John F. Kennedy advises American families to build or buy bomb shelters to protect them in the event of a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union...
  5. [1963] The Dodgers sweep the Yankees in the 60th World Series as Sandy Koufax wins 2 games and is voted series MVP...
  6. [1973] "The Yom Kippur War" erupts in the Middle East as Egypt and Syria attack Israel...
  7. [1977] The Yankees win the AL Pennant when Chris Chambliss hits a dramatic home run against Kansas City...
  8. [1979] Pope John Paul II becomes the 1st pontiff to visit the White House where President Jimmy Carter welcomes him...
  9. [1983] The New York Jets announce they are leaving Shea Stadium for the Meadowlands (they play their 1st game in NJ in 1984)...
  10. [1996] Bob Dole and President Bill Clinton meet in their 1st debate in Hartford (CT) as a TV audience of 46.1 million viewers look on...

"Happy Trails": 1981] Egyptian President Anwar-el Sadat, 63, is assassinated at a military rally in Cairo by Muslin extremists...1983] Cardinal Terence Cooke of New York succumbs to cancer at 62...1989] Bette Davis dies in France at 81 - from cancer...

"Wedding Bells": 1978] Benny Andersson and Frida Lyngstad of ABBA rock down the aisle...1991] Larry Fortensky becomes victim #8 for Elizabeth Taylor...1996] Faith Hill and Tim McGraw become a duo...

#1 on this date: 1970] "Cracklin' Rosie" - Neil Diamond...

Released on this date: 1979] "Heartache Tonight" - The Eagles...

"Gold Standard": 1976] "Disco Duck" - Rick Dees (quack quack)...

Premiered on this date: 1927] "The Jazz Singer" premieres in New York starring Al Jolson (the 1st "talkie" is based on the short story "The Day of Atonement" by Sampson Raphaelson)...1959] "Pillow Talk" starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson (it's the 1st of 3 films starring the box office favorites)...

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronan (55), Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd (57)...Former Met pitcher Gary Gentry (60), Millie Small (64) and Britt Ekland (64)...

Timeline Countdown: 15 days until the World Series, 86 days until 2007 and 91 days until NFL playoffs...

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Saturday, October 7, 2006...

Ten Weekend Timeline Memories...

  1. [1918] Georgia Tech beats Cumberland College 222-0 (as Warner Wolf would say, "if you gave 221 points in this game, you would still win") and here's the kicker: Georgia Tech gained 978 yards on the ground, never throwing a pass (now that's running out the clock)...
  2. [1952] Second baseman Billy Martin makes a game-saving catch as the Yankees win their 4th straight World Series, beating Brooklyn in Game 7...
  3. [1960] JFK and Richard Nixon square off in round 2 of their presidential debates (JFK wins all of them)...
  4. [1967] Game 3 of the World Series between St. Louis and Boston goes to the Cardinals 5-2 as they go one game up with a 2-1 game edge in the series...
  5. [1985] 4 Palestinian terrorists hijack the Achille Lauro. They surrender after 2 days but push wheelchair bound passenger Leon Klinghofer off the boat...

"Happy Trails": 1988] Lou Piniella is fired as Yankee manager by George Steinbrenner for the second time (don't look now but here comes "Billy V"....heeeeeee's back). All Piniella will do is win the World Series as manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 1990...

Elected on this date: 2003] The Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected Governor of Cahl-e-for-knee-uh in the recall election of Gray Davis...

Released on this date: 1978] "Hold The Line" - Toto...

Premiered on this date: 1960] "Route 66" starring George Maharis and Martin Milner (the series will run 4 years)...1982] That horrible screeching and wailing you hear is coming from the Wintergarden Theater as "Cats" opens (it becomes the longest running show in Broadway history....meow)...1995] Boston's Fleet (Fleece ?) Center opens with a 4-4 tie between the Bruins and Islander's despite Cam Neely's 3 goals for Boston...

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Toni Braxton (40), Simon Cowell (47), Yo-Yo Ma (51), John Cougar Mellencamp (55), Oliver North (63), Desmond Tutu (75) and Al Martino (79)...

Timeline Countdown: 14 days until the World Series, 85 days until 2007 and 90 days until the NFL playoffs...

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Sunday, October 8, 2006...

More Weekend Timeline Memories...

  1. [1871] The Great Fire of Chicago kills 250 and leaves 90,000 homeless (4 square miles of the Windy City is destroyed)...
  2. [1918] Sgt. Alvin C. York almost single-handedly kills 25 German soldiers and captures 132 in the Argonne Forest in France (York was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor)...
  3. [1956] Yankee pitcher Don Larsen becomes the 1st and only pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the World Series by beating Brooklyn 2-0 at Yankee Stadium...
  4. [1973] A brawl erupts in Game 3 of the National League playoffs between the Mets and Reds as Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson duke it out at second base (the Mets win the game 9-2 to take a 3-2 edge in games. They win the series and move on to the WS with Oakland but only to lose)...
  5. [2004] Martha Stewart begins her 5-month sentence for lying about a stock sale...

Recorded on this date: 1957] "Great Balls of Fire" - Jerry Lee Lewis...

Released on this date: 1971] "Imagine" - John Lennon...1977] "The Stranger" LP - Billy Joel...

"Wedding Bells": 2003] Vivendi Universal and General Electric announce an agreement to merge into NBC Universal

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Matt Damon (36), Emily (CSI Miami) Procter (38), Darrell Hammond (51), Robert "Kool" Bell (56), Sigourney Weaver (57), Chevy Chase (63), Jesse Jackson (65), Paul Hogan (67) and Rona Barrett (70)...

Timeline Countdown: 14 days until the World Series, 84 days until 2007 and 90 days until NFL playoffs.

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