The name of Bary Bonds was not mentioned in vein - or was it???
If you'll recall at the end of yesterday's feature (It's been a Halluva Week) I included Barry Bonds in the list of candidates who would be on a list of potential inductees in a "Cheaters Hall of Fame". Well this morning The New York Daily News reports that Bonds failed a test last season under Major League Baseball's amphetamine policy and then initially blamed it on teammate Mark Sweeney. Bonds threw Sweeney under a bus when he claimed he took the illegal substance from his teammates locker. Apparently Bonds was not punished for this but was instead referred to treatment and counselling. Amphetamines are treated differently than steroids under the drug policy but a second offense would result in a 25-game suspension. Neither Bonds, his agent or the San Francisco Giants would comment. Stay tuned...
Other names in the news include Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli who has turned down the Giants request for an interview to replace retiring GM Ernie Acorsi. Pioli is quite happy, thank you, masterminding the Patriots along with Bill Belichick. Meanwhile, the Giants have turned down Bill Parcells for an interview. Evidently tuna is no longer on their menu...
Bobby Murcer, former Yankee outfielder and current play-by-play man remains upbeat as he faces "the biggest fight of my life so far". Murcer, who had a brain tumor removed last week has learned that the tumor was malignant and apparently the reports showed other invasive cells. He'll be facing six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. I remember meeting Bobby on a couple of occasions, one, when he recorded a Country single for Columbia Records. This is a nice man who is now asking for continued support and prayers and no one deserves them more...
On January 11th, 1967 Jimi Hendrix recorded "Purple Haze" and today's video link is of a live performance of Hendrix doing the song and it's yours for a click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF0o4xCqPgU&mode=related&search=
Timeline Memories...
"Going to Hall": 2000] Carlton Fisk who caught for the Red Sox (11 years) and White Sox (13 years). Pudge was an 11-time All-Star. Also voted in was Tony Perez of the Reds...
"Guilty as Charged": 2002] Thomas Junta, 44, is convicted of involuntary manslaughter for beating another man to death at their son's hockey practice in 2000. A Massachusetts judge sentences Junta to 6 to 10 years which he is now serving...
"Debuted on this date": 1958] "Seahunt" starring Lloyd Bridges debuts on CBS-TV. It will run 4 seasons before going into syndication where it will run somewhere only until forever...1963] The Whisky A-Go-Go opens its doors in Los Angeles (Johnny Rivers and The Doors were a couple of acts discovered at the club). As late as this past September the club was open and is still open occasionally as a viable venue. One of the acts appearing in September were The Jews & Gentiles (which just about covers it, doesn't it?)...
Not just blowing smoke: 1964] U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry says that smoking cigarettes can kill you...
Super: 1970] Hank Stram's Kansas City Chiefs become the 2nd former AFL team to win the Super Bowl, defeating the Vikings 23-7 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans...1981] The Oakland Raiduhs become the 1st wild card team to win the Super Bowl, over Philadelphia (since the wild card system began in 1970 - 8 wild card teams have reached the Super Bowl with 4 winning, as recently as last year's Pittsburgh Steelers)...
"This is a test": 1973] American League team owners vote to adopt the designated-hitter rule on a trial basis (they must have liked it). The "trial" begins with the Yankees' Ron Blomberg's at-bat at Fenway against the Red Sox on Opening Day...
The third time is a charm?: 1983] Billy Martin is named Yankee manager for the 3rd (but not last) time...
She's a good skate: 1976] Dorothy Hamill wins her 3rd consecutive national figure skating title...
Recorded on this date: 1965] "Do You Wanna Dance" - Beach Boys...1967] "Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix...
#1 on this date: 1964] "Ring of Fire" - Johnny Cash (a compilation LP that was released in the summer of '63, it went to #1 on the Pop charts on this date)...1977] "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" - Leo Sayer...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
One more e-mail on the BCS system from Ed Pyle: "All you need do to determine which team should be college football's #1 is check out their respective schedules. The Broncos (Boise State), Gators (Florida) and Buckeyes (Ohio State). There's a reason the Broncos have been rated #5 (AP), #6 (coaches poll) and #8 (BCS)." Ed is alluding to the difference in strength of schedules...Here's a question from Harvey Mednick: "Do you think McGwire's HOF vote was a one-time slap on the wrist and that he'll get in next time around?" No, if anything it's a slap on the wrist of dopes who will try to cheat now and in the future and who have HOF aspirations...
"Happy Trails" to Yvonne De Carlo who played Lily in "The Munsters" who passed away of natural causes this past Monday. Yvonne also played "Moses'" wife in "The Ten Commandments" and was a very fine actress for many years. De Carlo was 84...Film producer Carlo Ponti who discovered Sophia Loren and launched her career passed away late Tuesday at 94. He had been hospitalized 10 days earlier because of pulmonary complications. His relationship with Loren despite being married to another woman captivated the public but brought condemnation from the Catholic church and charges of bigamy for years...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Amanda Peet (35), Mary J. Blige (36), The Bangles' Vicki Peterson (49), Golfer Ben Crenshaw (55), Naomi Judd (61) and E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons (65)...
Timeline Countdown: 2 days until NFL Divisional playoffs, 10 days until NFL Conference playoffs, 24 days until Super Bowl XLI and 35 days until 'pitchers & catchers'...
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