You don't have to be Jewish to love this league...
Larry Baras was watching a Cape Cod Baseball League game last summer when he came up with this thought, "If I can take this scene and transplant it to Israel what a great thing it would be." And so it was done. The Israel Baseball League consisting of 6 teams and a schedule of 45 seven-inning games begins play this June 24th. Former major leaguers Art Shamsky (1969 Miracle Mets), no-hit pitcher Ken Holtzman and ex-Yankee Ron Blomberg will manage 3 of the teams. All 3 are Jewish but you don't have to be Jewish to play. Israel now joins the Caribbean, Australia, Japan and Italy to have professional baseball leagues as the game expands its global universe...
"Take Me Out To The Ballgame" has already been translated into Hebrew and while security is a concern, the league has hired the head of security at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport. The crowds should average 1,000 fans in the league's first season and if a game is tied at the end of 7 innings, a home run derby will determine the winner. 'Atah eevair' means "You are blind" and 'Teaftoch et eincha' translates to "Open your eyes". Sounds like they're ready to play ball in Israel. The director of baseball operations is former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer is commissioner...
Mazel Tov...
Some American baseball news in my Commentary and today's video link follows in the 1981 "Salt & Pepper" timeline...
Timeline Memories...
"Happy Trails": 2003] Fred Rogers a.k.a. Mister Rogers leaves our neighborhood, a victim of stomach cancer at 74...
Have a baby, my wife just had a cigar: 1883] Oscar Hammerstein I (grandfather of the legendary lyricist) patents the 1st cigar-rolling machine. In addition to being involved in the theater Hammerstein founded the U.S. Tobacco Journal and made a fortune as a cigar manufacturer...
Carrie Nation kvells: 1922] The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote...
L'chaim: 1949] Chaim Weizmann becomes the 1st Israeli President (break out the Manischewitz)...
Released on this date: 1956] "Slippin' and Slidin'" - Little Richard...
Salt & Pepper: 1981] Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder record "Ebony and Ivory" (video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ-EEf2Srl4 Watch Paul and Stevie in 'perfect harmony'...
AB debut: 1960] The Miracles make their 'American Bandstand' debut...
Grammy Gold: 1980] The Doobie Brothers ("What A Fool Believes"), Donna Summer ("Hot Stuff"), Michael Jackson ("Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough") and Earth, Wind & Fire ("After The Love Is Gone") all win Grammy's...2002] Alicia Keys wins 5 Grammy's for her debut album "Songs in A Minor". Alicia ties Lauryn Hill (and since tied by Norah Jones and Beyonce) with 5...
"Help Me Rhonda": 2000] ABC-TV airs "The Beach Boys" made-for-TV movie (Murray Wilson spins in his grave)...
Free at Last: 1991] James Brown is paroled from prison after serving 2 years of a 6-year term for leading police on an interstate car chase (about the same amount of time before they bury "The Godfather of Soul")...
"People, people who love people": 1974] People Magazine hits the newsstands for the 1st time...
"Guilty as Charged": 1982] Wayne B. Williams is found guilty of murdering 2 people (of the 28 bodies of those found in the Atlanta area during a period of 22 months)...1990] The Exxon Corp. and Exxon Shipping are indicted on 5 criminal counts in reference to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill...
Liberation Day: 1991] President George Bush (#41) announces live on TV that "Kuwait is liberated"...
Winter Gold: 1988] Katarina Witt of East Germany becomes the 1st repeat winner of an Olympic gold medal in figure skating since Sonja Henie won 3 straight (1928-36) with her second consecutive win. Later that year she'll win her 4th title in 5 years at the World Figure Skating Championships...
Baby duffer: 1992] 16-year old amateur golfer Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to compete in a PGA Tour event (Nissan L.A. Open) and posts a one-over-par 72, just barely missing the cut...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
The Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee announces the names - if any, picked for entrance into the hallowed hall today. The late Gil Hodges and Ron Santo top the players' ballot and umpire Doug Harvey and union boss Marvin Miller head the officials' list. The last time the committee voted, 2 year's ago, Hodges and Santo fell 8 votes shy of HOF admittance and Harvey - 12 short. If I had a vote, I would vote for all 4. I hope they all get in...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Josh Groban (26), Chelsea Clinton (27), Howard ("Johnny Fever" on "WKRP") Hesseman (67), Ralph Nader (73), Elizabeth Taylor (75) and Joanne Woodward (77)...
Timeline Countdown: 22 days until spring and 33 days until Opening Day...
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