Monday, April 30, 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007

Will greed kill the XM-Sirius merger???

I saw this article in the New York Post (written by Peter Lauria) yesterday on the proposed XM-Sirius merger about all the hurdles this deal faces, chief among them being Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin's salary disclosed in a proxy filing last week. While Karmazin's salary won't be a deciding factor in the final outcome of the proposed merger, $31 million just might indicate that this is an attempt to make the rich richer and who could argue???

A lukewarm earnings report from XM whose stock closed + .20 at $11.98 Friday won't help either. Tomorrow Sirius will issue its earning report. Sirius stock closed + .08 Friday at $3.04. Wall Street analysts now give the deal a less than 35% chance of succeeding...

Look for the NAB to jump all over this. In the words of NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton, "The notion that consumers or small shareholders would benefit from a government-sanctioned monopoly is pure fiction."

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Will Mel Karmazin get lucky this time??? Don't bet against it. Stand by...

Video links to hits by Bobby Vee who turns 64 today and Johnny Farina (Santo & Johnny), 66, are contained in "Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...

Timeline Memories...

Father Figure: 1789] George Washington takes office as our 1st President of these United States on Wall Street...1931] The George Washington Bridge, linking Manhattan to New Jersey opens...

Sweet for Caroline and Sox fans everywhere: 1901] Cy Young beats the A's 8-6 in Philadelphia in the Red Sox 1st game...

The curtain comes down: 1939] Lou Gehrig plays his last game with the Yankees. In that game Gehrig goes 0 for 4 against the Washington Senators in a game played at Yankee Stadium...

Say Hey: 1961] Using utility player Joey Amalfitano's bat, Willie Mays of the S.F. Giants becomes the 9th player in history to hit 4 home runs in a game as the Giants beat up on Milwaukee 14-4 at Milwaukee County Stadium...

That's Fair: 1939] The New York World's Fair, billed as a look at 'The World of Tomorrow' opens in Flushing Meadow...

Recorded on this date: 1957] "Jailhouse Rock" - Elvis Presley...

Mother Nature strikes: 1991] An estimated 125,000 die as a cyclone hits Bangladesh...

Stabbed in the back: 1993] Top-ranked women's tennis player Monica Seles is stabbed in the back during a match in Hamburg, Germany by a 38-year old Steffi Graf fan. Seles will never be the same player after the stabbing. The wound was 1/2" deep...

Coming out: 1997] ABC-TV airs the "coming out" episode of "Ellen" in which the title character played by Ellen DeGeneres admits she's a lesbian. Are you trying to tell us something Ellen???

Chandra sighting: 2001] Washington intern Chandra Levy is seen for the last time at a health club near her apartment. Her remains are found more than a year later in a D.C. park. California Congressman Gary Condit was questioned in the case due to his relationship with Levy...

Navy pullout: 2003] The U.S. Navy withdraws from its disputed Vieques bombing range in Puerto Rico...

It's not over yet: 2004] Former New Jersey Net star Jayson Williams is acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in the shotgun slaying of his limo driver at his New Jersey mansion. This case will be retried. The date is pending...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Josh Hancock, the 29 year old Cardinal reliever who was tragically killed when his SUV slammed into the back of a tow truck was originally drafted by the Red Sox in 1998 out of Auburn University. He pitched one game for Boston in 2002 before being traded to the Phillies. This is the second death of a St. Louis pitcher in the last 5 years. Pitcher Darryl Kile (coronary disease) died in June 2002...Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki was in the right place at the right time when he caught a line drive, stepped on second base and tagged a runner coming in from first base to complete the 13th unassisted triple play in major league history. It last happened in 2003 (the Braves' Rafael Furcal)...and proving that patience pays off, Alabama defensive back Ramzee Robinson was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the final pick of the longest NFL draft ever -- 18 hours 5 minutes. And Brady Quinn (22nd pick) thought he had a long wait...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Kirsten Dunst (25), Isiah Thomas (46), Jill Clayburgh (63), Bobby Vee (64) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJp_EO2C220&mode=related&search= , Johnny Farina (Santo & Johnny) (66) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAk_0N85wNk , Burt Young (67), Willie Nelson (74) and Cloris Leachman (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 5 days until the Kentucky Derby and 28 days until Memorial Day...
...





Friday, April 27, 2007

Friday-Sunday, April 27-29, 2007

"What he said and I heard were two different things" - Gary Thorne...

The story started circulating yesterday about something Gary Thorne said during the play-by-play coverage of the Red Sox-Orioles game from Baltimore Wednesday night. For Red Sox fans everywhere it was a blasphemous statement. This is a direct quote by Gary who does play-by-play of Orioles and ESPN games: "The great story we were talking about the other night was that famous red stocking that he (Curt Schilling) wore when they finally won, the blood on his stocking." He continued telling his story to broadcast partner and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer: "Nah, it was painted. Doug Mirabelli confessed to it after. It was all for PR." Yikes!!!

When hearing of Thorne's statement, backup catcher Mirabelli, Schilling, manager Terry Francona, Dr. Bill Morgan who sutured Schilling's ankle, Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, former Red Sox player Kevin Millar, all said that in addition to Gary Thorne needing new ears, he also needs new glasses, a stronger deodorant, a breath mint and perhaps a lobotomy if he believes the fake blood story...

By the way, that bloody sock now resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame. It looks now like this story will go away but it might make an interesting TV special for Geraldo Rivera. He could subpoena the HOF for the sock and then perform tests to determine if it's really blood or just paint...

There are video links scattered throughout the weekend timelines starting with 2 today in the "Happy Birthday...happy birthday" announcements and a tribute to Bobby "Boris" Pickett...

Timeline Memories...

The final curtain for Rocky and The Babe: 1947] Over 58,000 fans jam Yankee Stadium to say goodbye to Babe Ruth. One year later he would die, a victim of cancer...1956] 31-year old, undefeated heavyweight champ, Rocky Marciano calls it quits and hangs up his boxing gloves with a perfect 49-0 record. At the age of 44 Marciano will be killed in a small plane crash...

The few, the proud, the Marines: 1805] The U.S. Marines land as a force to capture the city of Derna, on the shores of Tripoli. That's why the line, "to the shores of Tripoli" is in the U.S. Marine anthem, written after the landing...

Who's buried in Grant's Tomb?: 1897] The tomb is dedicated in New York City...

It is now post time: 1903] Jamaica Race Track opens in Jamaica, Queens...

The check is in the mail: 1937] The 1st U.S. Social Security checks go out...

Released on this date: 1959] "Personality" - Lloyd Price...1968] "Mrs. Robinson" - Simon & Garfunkel...

Basketball westcoast style: 1960] Two years after baseball comes to the west coast, the NBA votes to allow the Lakers to move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles...

Pampered: 1965] Pampers is patented by R.C. Duncan. Can Depends be far behind???

Light the flame: 1967] Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson opens EXPO 67 in Montreal...

Grand Ole Opry moving day: 1973] Opryland opens in suburban Nashville...

Wedding Bells: 1981] After grunting their way through the movie "Caveman", Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach (dressed like Fred & Wilma) get married in Durango, Mexico...

Fernando's hideaway: 1981] Dodger rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela becomes an overnight sensation by pitching his 4th shutout of the season over the Giants and lowering his era to a microscopic 0.20...

Ryan's Express: 1983] Nolan Ryan of Houston passes Walter Johnson in career strikeouts for 1st place on the all-time list. The victim is Brad Mills of Montreal. P.S. Ryan owns the record to this day...

No-no: 2002] The Red Sox' Derek Lowe becomes the 1st pitcher to throw a no-hitter at Fenway Park since Dave Morehead in 1965. Facing 28 batters, Lowe totals only 97 pitches in the 10-0 whitewashing of Tampa Bay...

On trial: 1982] John W. Hinckley Jr. goes on trial in Washington, D.C. for shooting President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley will be acquitted by reason of insanity...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Bruce Cutler and his fellow defense attorney were convincing in their opening statements in defense of "Philip" Spector. Their main point was that it would be physically and anatomically impossible for the fatal gunshot wound to Lana Clarkson's mouth to be anything but a suicide. The defense should end their opening statements today, followed by former "dates" of Spector's testifying...An item you may have missed...Attorneys for CBS Radio and KCAA, San Bernardino (CA) announced an agreement Tuesday ending a lawsuit to stop the airing of Don Imus' shows...In response to our timeline about vanity plates, Gordon Brown e-mails that the late Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler got the 1st vanity plate in Massachusetts. "He drove a VW and his plate read POPS"..."Happy Trails" to the "Monster Mash" singer, Bobby "Boris" Pickett, a victim of leukemia on Wednesday night. Pickett was 69. In memory of Bobby, here's his Halloween classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlIoPXPhOcA&mode=related&search= ...Former White House aide for JFK and current film industry lobbyist who instituted the modern movie rating system, Jack Valenti, passed away yesterday at 85...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Sheena Easton (48), Ace (Kiss) Frehley (57), Cuba Gooding (63) Here's a clip of Cuba singing a snippet of "Everybody Plays The Fool" which he sang with the Main Ingredient: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni1mKBBz_R8&mode=related&search= ...Judy Carne (68), Casey Kasem (75) and here Casey does a Letterman top 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqVQLcCXxQA ...and Jack Klugman (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 1 day until the NFL draft, 8 days until the Kentucky Derby and 31 days until Memorial Day...
***
Saturday, April 28, 2007...

Timeline Memories...


Raising Caine: 1789] Remember the movie, "The Caine Mutiny"? It really happened when the crew of the British ship set Captain William Bligh and 18 sailors adrift in a launch in the South Pacific...

Cool: 1914] W.H. Carrier patents the design of his air conditioner...

"Happy Trails": 1945] Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci are executed...

No termites allowed: 1947] A 6-man expedition sails from Peru aboard a balsa wood raft named Kon-Tiki on a 101 day journey across the Pacific to Polynesia. And I could never get those balsa wood planes to fly. I should have put it in water...

The final curtain: 1959] "Arthur Godfrey and His Friends" fades to black on CBS-TV. The show started on TV in 1949...1969] French President Charles de Gaulle resigns or was he pushed or do we care???

On the tube: 1975] Two Beatles on the tube this night: Ringo Starr on "The Smothers Brothers" and John Lennon on "The Tonight Show"...

Like buttuh: 1965] The "My Name is Barbra" special scores high numbers on CBS-TV...

Higher and higher: 1965] Lindsey Nelson does the Mets game from a gondola, hanging 208 feet above the field from the roof of the Astrodome and as always does a superb job but privately complains of a nosebleed. After the game he parachutes down...

#1 on this date: 1966] "Good Lovin" - Young Rascals...1974] "Loco-Motion" - Grand Funk (here's a live version of it from 1975: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPMFeRz3mOw ...1983] "Beat It" - Michael Jackson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M-uY4tXZbE )...

Strip show: 1967] Cassius Clay is stripped of his heavyweight title when he refuses to be inducted into the U.S. Army. He will now become Muhammad Ali...

Four-peat: 1985] Billy Martin becomes Yankee manager for the 4th time (do you see a pattern developing?)...

This time 21 doesn't win: 1988] The Baltimore Orioles set a new American League record for consecutive losses with loss #21 to Minneapolis. The O's will win the following day. Book it Dano...

Abu Ghraib: "disgrace" in plain English: 2004] The 1st photos of Abu Ghraib are shown on "60 Minutes"...

Guilty as charged: 1994] Former CIA operative Aldrich Ames, a double-spy for the Soviets is sentenced to life in prison without parole...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Jessica Alba (26), Penelope Cruz (33), Mary McDonnell (54), Jay Leno (57), Paul (CSI) Guilfoyle (58) and Ann-Margaret (66)...

Timeline Countdown: The NFL draft is today and tomorrow, 7 days until the Kentucky Derby and 30 days until Memorial Day...

***

Sunday, April 29, 2007...

Timeline Memories...

Published on this date: 1852] The 1st edition of Peter Roget's "Thesaurus" is published...

Bee stings: 1941] The Boston Bees agree to change their name to the Braves...

The final curtain: 1944] "Dancing Romeo" becomes the last 'Our Gang' film but "Little Rascals" will come to a TV near you...1990] The Berlin Wall starts to come down...

Rocket Man: 1986] Red Sox ace Roger Clemens strikes out 20 Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park setting a new major league record previously shared by Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton and Tom Seaver, all tied with 19 strikeouts...

Johnny Be Good: 1996] Exactly 12 years after he gained his 1st save (as a member of the Reds), Mets' reliever John Franco becomes the 1st lefty to record 300 saves. I was fortunate enough to be at that game at Shea Stadium...

A short marriage: 1945] Adolph Hitler marries Eva Braun in a Berlin bunker but the next day they commit suicide. Was the marriage that bad???

Liberation Day: 1945] American troops liberate Dachau concentration camp in Germany...

Pay-what-a?: 1960] Dick Clark denies any involvement in payola before a House subcommittee. Dick will divest himself of his record interests however...

The thrill of victory: 1961] ABC's "Wide World Of Sports" debuts ("the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat") symbolized by the skier doing a wheelie, a cartwheel and wiping out several cameramen...

Released on this date: 1967] "Respect" - Aretha Franklin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DZ3_obMXwU )...

D-I-V-O-R-C-E: 1988] Eric Clapton files for divorce from Patti "Layla" Boyd. They do divorce in 1988...

Wedding Bells: 1992] Paula Abdul and Emilio Estevez walk down the aisle...

Barry animated: 1993] Barry White appears on "The Simpsons"...

What a riot: 1992] Deadly rioting erupts in Los Angeles after a jury in Simi Valley acquits 4 LAPD officers of almost all charges in the beating of Rodney King, captured on video tape. 54 die and $1 billion in damage are the result of the rioting...

CIA MIA: 1996] Former CIA Director William Colby is missing and presumed drowned after an apparent boating accident in Maryland. Colby's body is later discovered...

Walking the walk: 1997] Astronaut Jerry Linenger and cosmonaut Vasily Tsibliyev go on the 1st U.S.-Russian space walk...

Not his Best Buy: 2003] 'Mr. T' a.k.a. Laurence Tureaud files a lawsuit against Best Buy that claims the store did not have permission to use his likeness in a print ad...

Monumental: 2004] A national WWII monument saluting both the men and women who served, opens to the public in Washington, D.C...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Andre Agassi (37), Uma Thurman (37), Michelle Pfeiffer (50), Daniel Day-Lewis (50), Jerry Seinfeld (52), Tommy James (60), Rod McKuen (74), Carl Gardner of the Coasters (79) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SE2UJiYAE4 ) and Celeste Holm (88)...

Timeline Countdown: Today is the last day of the NFL draft, 6 days until the Kentucky Derby and 29 days until Memorial Day...

...








Thursday, April 26, 2007

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Spector trial Day 1 recap...

It's a good thing I decided to turn on Court TV yesterday. With no pre-promotion or fanfare, there were the opening statements in the Phil Spector murder trial right before my eyes. I mean Court TV didn't even list the trial in their programming lineup. Here are some observations on day 1 of the trial:


  • Prosecutor Alan Jackson (wonder if he likes country music?) is very good. He established a case of similar instances where Spector held a gun on several women he took home to his "castle" in the past and he presented a case packed with evidence against the accused...
  • Spector looked like an ancient version of the dutch boy who stuck his finger in the dike to stop a flood. He was nervous and made several facial gestures disapproving some of Jackson's opening statements...
  • His attorney Bruce Cutler looks like Benito Mussolini. Cutler is using the 'accidental suicide' defense and pointed out that Spector may be the victim of his own success, "fame and success can come back to haunt you."

Opening statements by the defense will continue to be heard today and four women are expected to begin testifying against Spector following that. Should Spector be convicted of second-degree murder, he could face 15 years to life in prison. The judge expects the trial to last 2 to 3 months before a verdict is reached. Stand by...

Look for video links in the "Celtic Pride" and "Debuted on this date" timelines...

Timeline Memories...

Killer cut down: 1865] John Wilkes Booth, 26, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln is surrounded by federal troops and killed near Bowling Green (VA)...

"Happy Trails": 1989] Legendary actress-comedian Lucille Ball dies at 77 from a ruptured aorta...

This is odd: 1819] The 1st Odd Fellows lodge in America is established in Baltimore which leads to this question: How odd a fellow do you have to be to join???

Debuted on this date: 1977] Studio 54 opens on West 54th Street in Manhattan. Studio 54 was an experience as you'll see in this profile of the club that contains some rather bizarre stills, no more bizarre than the place itself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vkd8ly0g0&mode=related&search= ...

Redcoats land: 1607] English colonists go ashore at Cape Henry (VA) to establish the 1st permanent English settlement in the Western Hemisphere...

Another Babe? Not: 1912] Red Sox 1st baseman Hugh Bradley hits the 1st home run at Fenway Park. It's Bradley's 2nd and final home run of his career...

Waxed: 1928] The 1st Madame Tussaud's opens in London. No matches allowed...

Home Run Derby: 1931] Lou Gehrig hits a home run but passes a Yankee runner, nullifying the home run. Not only do the Yankees lose the game but Gehrig loses the home run which would have put him ahead of Babe Ruth at the end of the season plus 2 RBI's to add to his record setting 184 for the season. Gehrig and Ruth end with 46 home runs each...1961] Roger Maris hits the 1st of his record breaking 61 home runs against Paul Foytack of the Detroit Tigers...

That's LIFE: 1937] LIFE magazine is printed without the word LIFE on the cover. It could have been worse. They could have used LOOK instead...

Organic music: 1941] A tradition is born at Wrigley Field in Chicago as Roy Nelson serenades the crowd by playing organ music. The Cubs still lose, organ music or not, 4-2 to the Cardinals...

Celtic Pride: 1964] Make it 6 in a row. The Celtics win their 6th straight NBA title. They go on to win 2 more to set the greatest of all consecutive NBA title streaks at 8...1966] Arnold "Red" Auerbach retires as Celtic's coach right after the Celtics win their 8 title in a row. Here's a clip of Red and the team celebrating: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PpMKZdcygs ...

Isle comeback: 1975] The Islanders become only the second team in sports history to rebound from an 0-3 deficit in games to win a playoff series when they win the Stanley Cup quarterfinals over Pittsburgh. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs did it previously in 1942 and of course the Red Sox did it by winning 4 straight games against the Yankees in their World Series winning year of 2004...

Longest #1 title ever: 1975] "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" - B.J. Thomas...

Rock and Roll Mugging: 1982] Rod Stewart is mugged as a gunman steals his $50,000 Porsche. What's that worth today???

Nuked: 1986] The world's worst nuclear accident happens at Chernobyl in the Ukraine. An explosion and fire in the #4 reactor sends radioactivity into the atmosphere killing at least 31 immediately...

Wedding Bells: 1986] Arnold Schwarzenegger and newscaster/Kennedy, Maria Shriver flex their marriage muscles. Ahnold will become the Governator and Maria, first lady of Cah-lee-forn-iuh...

Super-K: 1990] Striking out 16 batters, Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan ties Bob Feller's major league record of 12 one-hitters, beating the White Sox on one hit. Hall of Famer Ryan totals 14 one-hitters and a record 7 no-hitters in his phenomenal career...

Bargain basement: 1999] Daniel Snyder buys the Washington Redskins from the estate of Jack Kent Cooke for $800 million, the highest price tag ever for a sports franchise...

I now pronounce you husband and husband: 2000] Vermont Gov. Howard Dean signs the nation's 1st bill allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions...

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

Commentary...

One of our birthday girls today, former P.O.W. Jessica Lynch testified in front of Congress this past Tuesday saying that she never fired her weapon and was knocked unconscious when her vehicle crashed in Iraq. She woke up later in an Iraqi hospital before being rescued by U.S. troops. She blamed the media and the military of lying for their own gain in making her a hero. "They should have found out the facts before they spread the word like wildfire." At least she was honest about it in setting the record straight...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Jessica Lynch (24), Kevin James (42), Bobby Rydell (65), Claudine ("Party Lights") Clark (66), Maurice ("Stay") Williams (69), Duane Eddy (69) and Carol Burnett (74)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the NFL draft, 9 days until the Kentucky Derby and 32 days until Memorial Day...
...

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly of the Week...

The Good
Out of all the tragedy that put Virginia Tech in the headlines, Atlanta Falcons quarterback and alum Michael Vick is giving something back to his school. The newly established Vick Foundation is collecting donations from local communities in both Atlanta and Virginia which will then be placed in the United In Caring Fund for Victims of the VA Tech Tragedy and the special fund at the United Way of counties in the Virginia Tech area. Vick is also donating $10,000 to help with funeral expenses, transportation and other support services. For that, Michael Vick gets the 'Good' award of the week. Runner-up is the New York City Council for overriding a mayoral veto of a bill banning aluminum bats in youth leagues and schools. There will be no metal bats used in New York City. This is a very good thing...

The Bad
When the owner of the team you play for, removes your locker nameplate, you know you're not wanted anymore. That's what Celtic co-owner Wyc Grousbeck did yesterday in response to Sebastian Telfair's arrest last week. 21-year old Telfair was stopped for speeding on Friday with a suspended Florida license and oh, what's this? Why it's a loaded .45 caliber Colt semiautomatic handgun. Care to explain Mr. Telfair? Telfair faces a felony charge for possession of a weapon and a misdemeanor charge for not having a current license. He also needs a new place to put that nameplate...Then there are the NHL bad boys Jamie McLennan (5-game suspension for his baseball-swing chop to the midsection of the Detroit Red Wings' Johan Franzen in a playoff game), his Calgary coach Jim Playfair (stiff fines) and the Islanders' Sean Hill (20-game ban) for becoming the first NHL player suspended for using illegal substances. Hey, someone had to be first...Brian Urlacher of the Bears is a candidate for being fined $100,000 by the NFL for wearing a cap during Super Bowl media day that supported a sponsor not authorized by the league. Oh no, not that...But the winner of this week's 'Bad' award is the poster boy for this award - Tour de France champion Floyd Landis for getting nailed for traces of synthetic testosterone showing up in his urine. If doping accusations against Landis are upheld (May 14th arbitration hearing) he faces a two-year ban from competition. Either this testing system is seriously flawed or else Landis is not the sharpest tool in the toolshed...

The Ugly
Well we've got the three players widely regarded as top 10 picks in this weekend's NFL draft (Calvin Johnson, Gaines Adams and Amobi Okoye) admitting to previously using marijuana, not a good admission at this particular time and then there's a category which for labeling purposes I'll call 'Sons of famous sports celebrities' which I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more of in the future. There's 21-year old Brit Reid (son of Philadelphia Eagle Coach Andy Reid), accused of brandishing a handgun at another motorist, carrying a firearm without a license and misdemeanor charges of assault, drug possession and making terrorist threats. Meanwhile brother Garrett Reid, 24, faces assault, drug possession and for admitting having used heroin the same day. By the way, both have pleaded 'not guilty'. Separate trial dates are pending..But the 'Ugly' award of the week goes to another SOFSC, Troy "T.J." Harrelson, 19 (son of the Mets Buddy Harrelson) who was sentenced to 5 years probation and 420 hours of community service. The charge was hindering prosecution. Here's all T.J. did - drove his friend around after that friend (Zachary Gibian) stabbed his stepfather to death with a sword. He helped his friend stash the bloody sword in a dumpster where detectives found it. His friend is serving 25 to life. T.J. walks away with probation. He's also complying with court-ordered drug treatment...

Video links can be found in the "American hero" and "Happy Birthday...happy birthday" timelines...

Timeline Memories...

"Happy Trails": 1984] David Anthony Kennedy (son of Bobby) is found in a Florida hotel room, a victim of a drug overdose at 28...1995] Howard Cosell dies from a heart embolism at 77...Rock & Roll Tragedy: 2002] Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, a member of TLC dies in Honduras in a car crash...

Making tracks: 1831] The New York and Harlem Railway is incorporated in New York City. It will become the Metro North, experiencing heavy delays for a change this morning...

Freudian slip: 1886] Sigmund Freud opens his practice in Vienna. Now what comes to mind when you read that???

Redundancy department: 1898] One day after Spain declares war on the U.S., the U.S. gets payback by declaring war on Spain. That'll show them...

You're so vain: 1901] New York becomes the 1st state to require automobile license plates and they're all vanity plates containing your initials...

Integration works: 1961] Robert Noyce is granted a patent for the integrated circuit...

Runaway Bride takes a ride: 2005] Missing Georgia woman Jennifer Wilbanks turns up in New Mexico, originally claiming to have been abducted but then admitting she was a "runaway bride"...

American hero: 1976] Cub outfielder Rick Monday rescues the American flag from 2 fans at Dodger stadium that were about to burn it in centerfield. He snatches it away from them and becomes America's newest hero and here's a clip of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAbmXlZbrSM ...

Recorded on this date: 1967] "All You Need Is Love" - Beatles (Marianne Faithfull is one of the voices in the chorus)...
We don't do windows or benefits: 1968] The Beatles refuse to perform for the Queen of England at a British Olympic Appeal Fund show because: "Our decision would be the same no matter the cause. We don't do benefits"...

No longer Winging it: 1981] Wings breaks up with the departure of Denny Laine...

The NFL Rules: 1974] The NFL adopts 2 new rules: allowing for a 15-minute sudden-death overtime period during regular season games and moving the goal posts to the back of the end zone...

Phillie Phanatic: 1978] The Phillie mascot with a Tommy Lasorda stomach makes his first appearance...

Pioneer spirit: 1983] The Pioneer 10 spacecraft crosses Pluto's path. Pluto is enraged and enlists the support of Mickey, Minnie and Goofy...1990] The Hubble Space Telescope is deployed from the space shuttle Discovery...

Suitable ending: 1991] Sports reporter Lisa Olson brings suit against the New England Patriots for sexual harassment. Lisa is a terrific reporter who does a daily sports column for the New York Daily News...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

The Phil Spector murder trial is not on the Court TV on-line schedule for today. Apparently they haven't completed picking alternates for the jury which they started on Monday...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Renee Zellweger (38), Jason Lee (42), Hank Azaria (43), Talia Shire (61), ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus (62), Creedence Clearwater Revival's Stu Cook (62), Al Pacino (67), Jerry Leiber (74), here's a video clip of Ben E. King singing a hit co-written by Jerry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrx25X3Ixdc&mode=related&search= and Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon (75)...

And a special "Happy Birthday" to Diane...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until the NFL draft, 10 days until the Kentucky Derby and 33 days until Memorial Day...
...





Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

When in doubt, don't assume - exhume...

Tom Carvel joins 'The Big Bopper' and Harry Houdini in an elite club of dearly departed whose remains will be exhumed to determine whether or not they were the victims of foul play. The ice cream man will resurface for an autopsy requested by niece, Pamela Carvel who believes the father of 'Fudgie the Whale' and 'Cookie Puss' may have been done in by a couple of veteran employees that were stealing more than ice cream. Carvel sold his company in 1989 and passed away on October 21, 1990. Although his death certificate said Carvel died from a heart attack, his niece thinks that he was either suffocated or drugged. We'll continue our story after a word from Carvel: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uzPiONed6Iw ...

In the case of the earlier autopsies, only 'The Big Bopper' has been dug up, Houdini's autopsy is pending and Pamela Carvel just requested exhumation of her uncle's body from a federal court. In all 3 instances, relatives of the diseased believed their loved ones may have been murdered. After digging up J. P. Richardson a.k.a. The Big Bopper, his body showed no gun shot wounds as was suspected by his son...

Con Edison once used the slogan, "dig we must for a better New York" to explain the jackhammers blasting away at 2 in the morning. Seems appropriate here but this digging will not make for a better New York. Come to think of it, neither did Con Ed's...

In addition to the Carvel commercial, there are also video clips in the 'Pasadena' and 'Happy Birthday...happy birthday' timelines...

Timeline Memories...

Guilty as charged: 1961] President Kennedy accepts "sole responsibility" following the 'Bay of Pigs' fiasco...1990] Junk-bond salesman Michael Milken pleads guilty to 6 felonies and agrees to a $600 million penalty. Sentenced to 10 years, Milken is released after 2 years. He is on the latest Top 500 richest persons list...

Debuted on this date: 1897] William Price of the Washington Star becomes the 1st White House news reporter...1901] The 1st official American League game is played with the Chicago White Stockings beating the Cleveland Blues 8-2 before most than 10,000 in Chicago. The 1st game was promoted by former sportswriter Ban Johnson as a rival to the already established National League...1961] Bob Dylan makes his recording debut as a harmonica player on "Midnight Special" by Harry Belafonte...

Patented: 1833] Jacob Evert and George Duffy are granted a patent for the 1st soda fountain. Can egg creams be far behind??? 1923] Colonel Jacob Schick patents Schick Shavers...

War is malo: 1898] Spain declares war on the U.S. after rejecting America's ultimatum to withdraw from Cuba...1968] Vietnam War protesters at Columbia University begin a week-long occupation of several campus buildings...

Call him 'Sir': 1953] Winston Churchill is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace but is escorted out after lighting up one of his foul smelling stogies...

Released on this date: 1957] "A Teenager's Romance" - Ricky Nelson (his first release)...

Alive with Five: 1963] Led by Bob Cousy & Bill Russell, the Celtics win their 5th consecutive NBA title...

How sweep it is: 1994] The New York Rangers sweep the Islanders in the opening round of the NHL playoffs. The Broadway Blues were on their way to their 1st Stanley Cup championship since 1940...

Pasadena: 1968] Apple Records passes on David Bowie...1992] Model Iman does not pass on Bowie, she marries him in Switzerland. They are still happily married. Here's a classic video clip of David with Queen on "Under Pressure" (live): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fpupBCL6TE&mode=related&search= ...

Wedding Bells: 1984] Jerry Lee Lewis and Kerrie McCarver do a whole lotta shakin' down the aisle. 'The Killer's' 6th marriage will end in divorce in 2004...

Eye in the sky: 1990] Space shuttle Discovery blasts off from Cape Canaveral carrying the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope and a lifetime supply of Windex...

Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck: 2000] ABC-TV does the 'Curly Shuffle' when they air the TV movie "The Three Stooges"...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to author David Halberstam, 73, who was killed in a car crash yesterday when his car was broadsided, 25 miles south of San Francisco. Halberstam, a passenger in the car, was working on a book about the legendary 1958 NFL championship game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at the time of his death. His book topics ranged from the Vietnam War, which he won a Pulitzer Prize for in 1964 to the sports world with books on the Red Sox of the 50's and Patriots coach Bill Belichick. His writing will be missed...Another passing to note yesterday was Boris Yeltsin's. Yeltsin died of heart failure at 76. Yeltsin was the first elected president of the Russian Federation and a man who played a key role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union when he established the foundations of democracy and a market economy in Russia...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Kelly Clarkson (25), Carlos Beltran (30), Cedric the Entertainer (43), CCR's drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford (62) and here's 'Cosmo' in action with Creedence Clearwater Revival on a live version of John Fogerty's "Proud Mary": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5NjU0_n-5Y&mode=related&search= , Barbra Streisand (65) and Shirley MacLaine (73)...

Timeline Countdown: 4 days until the NFL draft, 11 days until the Kentucky Derby and 34 days until Memorial Day...
...

Monday, April 23, 2007

Monday, April 23, 2007

Opening statements in the Phil Spector murder trial are set for Wednesday...

Court TV cameras will be there for live coverage of the entire trial beginning Wednesday with a jury of 9 men, 3 women, Judge Larry Fidler and you, set to hear the opening statements. Keith Richards and Yoko Ono will reportedly be character witnesses for Spector, accused of killing B-level actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. Bruce Cutler, who never met a Gotti he didn't defend will apparently use the "accidental suicide" defense already established by Spector. No word on whether of not Phil Spector and his hair will take the stand...

Will this become another sensational O.J. Simpson trial complete with a new cast of characters just like Johnnie Cochran, Judge Lance Ito, Marcia Clark and Chris Darden? Will Judge Fidler turn into a bawling Larry Seidlin? Will Phil Spector replace Anna Nicole Smith as the central figure in one of the more bizarre cases with no ending? Stay tuned. It all starts Wednesday...

Since about 99.9% of the music downloading nation of iPod users think Phil Spector is a senator, safe to say that this trial will have interest to baby-boomers who listened to or actually, bought music 40 years ago. Since I qualify, I know I'll be there. Pass the popcorn...

Look for videos in the "Happy Trails" and "Recorded on this date" timelines...

Timeline Memories...

"Happy Trails": 1993] Labor leader Cesar Chavez dies in his sleep at 66...1995] Howard Cosell dies at 77 from a heart embolism (this is a tribute to Muhammad Ali which turned out to be a tribute to the "coach" as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ylmD7kbams )...1998] James Earl Ray who at first confessed to killing Martin Luther King Jr. and then denied it, saying he was framed, dies of kidney disease in prison. Ray was 70...

Packing the U-Haul: 1789] President-elect George Washington and his wife Martha move into the 1st executive mansion, the Franklin House in Manhattan...

No butter on mine: 1896] The Vitascope system for projecting movies onto a screen is demonstrated in New York City...

Play Ball: 1954] Hank Aaron of the Milwaukee Braves hits the 1st of his 755 home runs. Now get ready for 2 great trivia questions: 1) Who was the pitcher? (ans. ex-Yankee, Cardinal righthander Vic Raschi). 2) Who was the pitcher who served up Barry Bonds 1st homerun? (ans. the Braves Craig McMurtry on June 4, 1986). And who will serve up homeruns Nos. 755 and 756? Stay tuned...1964] Ken Johnson of Houston throws the 1st no-hitter for a loss. The Reds win the game on 2 Houston errors...

Laker legends: 1950] Led by George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers with their 1st NBA title over Syracuse in 6 games...1989] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar plays his final NBA game for the Lakers...

Guilty as charged: 1969] Sirhan B. Sirhan is sentenced to death for the assassination of New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The sentence is later reduced to life in prison, something Sirhan is now serving in California...

Recorded on this date: 1963] "Surf City" - Jan & Dean (here's a classic clip of Steve Allen introducing Jan & Dean on his show. The duo is singing live to a track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO0lMzy9IUI )...

Released on this date: 1971] "Sticky Fingers" LP - Rolling Stones...

Rock & Roll tragedy: 1975] Pete Ham of Badfinger hangs himself in his London garage at 27...

Ain't nothing like the real thing baby: 1985] Coca-Cola changes its 99-year old secret formula but "new Coke" fizzes out and they go back to the original Coke...

Smoking only permitted outside: 1988] A U.S. federal law takes effect banning smoking on flights under 2 hours...

Ban on SARS: 2003] Global health officials warn travelers to avoid Beijing and Toronto because of an outbreak of SARS, a potentially deadly disease...

Sanc you very much: 2004] President George W. Bush eases Reagan-era sanctions against Libya in return for Moammar Qaddafi's giving up weapons of mass destruction...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

How petty is the lawsuit by CBS Radio against KCAA to stop it from broadcasting Don Imus' morning radio show, which according to the station, would've stopped airing it anyway? You can't even compare this to the pirate stations that ripped off Howard Stern from Sirius and aired it for free. This will not help CBS Radio's image You couldn't buy worse publicity...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Melina Kanakaredes (40), George Lopez (46), Valerie Bertinelli (47), Michael Moore (53), Lee Majors (68), David Birney (68), my bro-in-law Phil Vettor (72) and Shirley Temple Black (79)...

Timeline Countdown: 5 days until the NFL draft, 12 days until the Kentucky Derby and 35 days until Memorial Day...
...











Friday, April 20, 2007

Friday-Sunday, April 20-22, 2007

Kill That Damn Video...

The first thing I heard when the clock radio went off this morning was an announcement of school closings in the metropolitan area caused by phone and e-mail threats of violence. Experts tell us that the mentally unbalanced bent on violence see a connection between themselves and people like Cho who actually commit those crimes yet there are tv stations that continue to make him a martyr by showing his chilling and disturbing video manifesto...

One of the things we love about our country is the freedom and openess we enjoy but we must also temper that freedom when it endangers us, as is the case with this video. What is the purpose of continuing to show us this video? After the WTC tragedy of 911, the media received so many complaints from the families of the victims that they stopped showing the planes going into the twin towers. It's time to do the same with the Cho video NOW!!!

The state of Virginia has called for a day of mourning for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre and today marks the 8th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy. Let's not encourage another one...

I'll get down from my soapbox to let you know that the weekend is filled with video links. Today's link can be found in the "Friendly Fenway" timeline...

Timeline Memories...

Columbine remembered: 1999] A dozen students and one teacher are killed at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO when 2 teenagers open fire before taking their own lives...

A glowing tribute: 1902] Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the radioactive element radium. Their graves have a radiant glow above them in tribute to their discovery...

Friendly Fenway: 1912] Fenway Park opens with the Red Sox beating the Highlanders (who will become the Yankees) 7-6. Boston mayor John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald throws out the first ball, something grandson Teddy Kennedy will do for the 100th anniversary of Fenway in 2012. The Yankees visit Fenway this weekend. If like me, you haven't visited the fens in several years, this video is for you, it features a 6-minute tour of Friendly Fenway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83daYpwGRrU&mode=related&search= ...

Friendly Confines: 1916] Wrigley Field opens in Chicago with the Cubs beating Cincinnati 7-6. "Cubs win...Cubs win...Cubs win"...

Debuted on this date: 1934] Shirley Temple debuts in "Stand Up and Cheer"...1939] Ted Williams debuts (he played rightfield that day) with the Red Sox and doubles for his 1st hit at the age of 20. The Yankees beat the Sox 2-0 at Yankee Stadium...1959] "Desilu Playhouse" on CBS-TV presents a 2-part show titled "The Untouchables" which will become a regular series...1961] FM Stereo is approved by the FCC...1964] "Viva Las Vegas" starring Elvis Presley premieres...1977] Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" premieres...1988] The stealth bomber is officially unveiled and there it wwwweeeeennnntttttt...1989] Scientists announce the successful testing of high-definition TV. And we just got it almost 20 years later???

Wedding Bells: 1963] Rick Nelson strums down the aisle with Kris Harmon. The marriage lasts into the 70's before "D-I-V-O-R-C-E"...

Fly me to the moon: 1972] The manned lunar module from Apollo 16 lands on the moon...

Land ho: 1980] The 1st Cubans sail to the U.S. as part of the massive Mariel boatlift that reaches Florida...

Madonna Millions: 1992] Madonna signs a deal with Time Warner to set up a multimedia company. The deal makes Madonna the highest paid woman in pop music...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...

Commentary...

This is a fun weekend for baseball fans because two rivalries start up for the season in New York and Boston when the Atlanta Braves visit Shea and the New York Yankees visit Fenway for weekend series. Tonight's games mark the 1st of 19 games between these division opponents. All four are the teams to beat in their division...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Joey Lawrence (31), Carmen Electra (35), Jessica Lange (58), Ryan O'Neal (66), Johnny Tillotson (68), George ("Star Trek", "Heroes") Takei (70) and Nina Foch (83)...

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until the NFL draft, 15 days until the Kentucky Derby and 38 days until Memorial Day...
***
Saturday, April 21, 2007 (with videos)...

Timeline Memories...

"Happy Trails": 1918] German ace fighter Baron von Richthofen ("The Red Baron") is shot down (by Snoopy?) and killed during WWI. He was 26...

"Surprise, surprise": 1956] Leonard Ross, age 10, becomes the youngest prize winner on the 'Big Surprise', winning $100,000...

On the tube: 1965] The Beach Boys sing "Do You Wanna Dance" on ABC-TV's "Shindig"...1977] Natalie Cole and John Denver guest on Frank Sinatra's ABC-TV special "Sinatra and Friends"...1986] A vault in Chicago's Lexington Hotel that was linked to Al Capone is opened on live TV and except for some empty gin bottles, the vault is empty. Here's a clip of Geraldo Rivera making light of the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P84OKTUx6LY ...

I just wanna testify: 1960] Dick Clark testifies before a congressional committee investigating payola. He will be forced to divest himself of record properties he has a financial interest in...

Another opening, another show: 1977] "Annie" opens on Broadway...

Marathon scam: 1980] When Rosie Ruiz crosses the finish line 1st in the Boston Marathon, she didn't even break a sweat. The reason? Rosie took the 'T' at least part of the way. Rosie is disqualified...

#1 on this date: 1956] "Heartbreak Hotel" - Elvis Presley and here's a clip of him singing the song on a 1956 TV show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Qo1eaWF8c ...

It's a gas: 1992] Robert Alton Harris becomes the 1st person executed by the state of California in 25 years when he's put to death in the gas chamber for the 1978 murder of 2 teenage boys...

The final curtain: 1995] The Boston Celtics play their last game at Boston Garden, their home since 1946. The Fleet Center (now TD Banknorth) is built right next door with a piece of the parquet floor from the old Garden, used on the the floor of the new arena...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Andie MacDowell (49), Tony Danza (56), Patti LuPone (58), Paul Davis (59), Iggy Pop a.k.a. James Newell Osterberg Jr (60), Charles Grodin (72) and Queen Elizabeth II (81)...
***
Sunday, April 22, 2007 (with videos)...

Timeline Memories...

A higher calling: 1864] Congress authorizes the use of the phrase "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins...

Play ball: 1876] The 1st official National League game is played with the Boston Red Stockings beating the Philadelphia Athletics 6-5...1915] The New York Yankees wear pinstripes for the first time. They also introduce their top hat logo...

A-test: 1952] An atomic test conducted in Nevada is the 1st nuclear explosion shown on live television...

The clock is ticking: 1954] Syracuse Nationals owner Danny Biasone invents the 24-second clock which debuts in the NBA...

On the tube: 1954] The U.S. Senate, Army-McCarthy televised hearings begin...

Released on this date: 1966] "Wild Thing" - Troggs...

Debuted on this date: 1956] Elvis Presley makes his Las Vegas debut at The Frontier...1968] Herb Alpert debuts "This Guy's In Love With You" on his self-titled CBS-TV special...1970] The 1st 'Earth Day' is observed...1976] Barbara Walters becomes the 1st female nightly news anchor...1978] John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd make their 1st appearance as The Blues Brothers on 'Saturday Night Live'. Here's a clip of the BB doing 'Soul Man': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea9mV9EhPvE ...1990] Over 750,000 are treated to an "Earth Day" concert in Central Park starring Hall & Oates, Ben E. King and the B-52's...

"Happy Trails": 1994] Richard Milhous Nixon dies at 81, the results of a stroke 4 days earlier...2004] NFL player Pat Tillman who traded a career in the NFL for life as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, is killed by friendly fire at the age of 27...

O-No: 1969] John Lennon legally changes his middle name from Winston to Ono...

The Franchise: 1970] Tom Seaver of the Mets ties the single game strike-out record with 19 against San Diego at Shea Stadium...

Gold Standard: 1976] Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" becomes the 1st single to sell over 2 million copies...

Eeeeelllleeeeannnn: 2001] In a pre-dawn raid, armed immigration agents seize Elian Gonzalez from his relatives home in Miami. The 6-year old boy is reunited with his father at Andrews Air Force Base before being flown back to Cuba where he now resides as Castro's prize trophy...

Guilty as charged: 2005] Zacarias Moussaoui pleads guilty to conspiring with hijackers in the 911 plot to attack American buildings and citizens. Moussaoui is serving a life sentence in Colorado...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Paul Carrack (Ace, Squeeze, Mike & the Mechanics) (56), Peter Frampton (57) Peter shows you the way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Twut7qP08 , John Waters (61), Mel Carter (64), Jack Nicholson (70), Glen Campbell (71), "Seinfeld's" Estelle Harris (75) and Charlotte Rae (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until the NFL draft, 13 days until the Kentucky Derby and 36 days until Memorial Day...
...







Thursday, April 19, 2007

Thursday, April 19, 2007

"A little bit of this...a little bit of that..."

Not only did we have the first no-hitter last night (by White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle) but we almost had two. The Mets' John Maine had a no-no until the 7th inning last night against the best hitting team (by batting average) in the major leagues, the Florida Marlins. The Mets passed the Marlins for that distinction last night. Had Maine been successful in his attempt, it would've been the 1st no-hitter by a Mets pitcher..After reading Newton Minnow's comments on the I-mess in the Chicago Tribune the other day, it made me wonder where he's been for the last 30 years. Can I be the only one who didn't think he was alive??? What he said was that "maybe this is a wake-up call to broadcasters to remember that they have been given a public trust." According to American Media Services Radio Index: 64% of all Americans listen to terrestrial (free) radio every day but Internet radio listening has almost doubled in the past year. 67% say they have listened to a radio station online vs. 36% last April, 2006. I don't know what their sample size was but that increase is really telling...It's just my opinion but why should I care who buys Clear Channel??? Until the tragedy at Virginia Tech, the Iraq War was the most covered news story of the year. Imus was #2, which is appropriate...In connection to that, okay NBC, we get it. You got the exclusive on the Cho video, now please bury it before you make him a martyr for other wackos out there...New York is abuzz by the sweep of the Thrashers by the Rangers but especially by the forecast. After 11" of rain this month, after flooding problems everywhere, the sun will come out tomorrow and we're due for a warming trend...and finally - you know life is good when Sanjaya finally gets his due...

Video links: In the "Released on this date" and "Happy Birthday...happy birthday" timelines...

Timeline Memories...

Waco wacko: 1993] Branch Davidian leader David Koresh and dozens others are killed when fire destroys their compound near Waco (TX). The 51-day siege ends. Attorney General Janet Reno takes responsibility for the way the siege was handled by federal agents...

Blood Money: 1994] A Los Angeles jury awards $3.8 million to beaten motorist Rodney King. Today King is almost penniless after several subsequent arrests on drug, assault and speeding charges...

Patriots Day: 1775] The American Revolutionary War begins with the battles of Lexington and Concord. This day will be commemorated as 'Patriots Day'...1897] The 1st Boston Marathon is won by John J. McDermott of New York with a winning time of 2 hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds. The race is run from Ashland to Copley Square, same as now. There were only 15 runners in the race...

Boston buggy: 1892] The prototype of the 1st commercially successful American automobile is completed in Springfield (MA) by Charles E. Duryea and his brother Frank...

Jewish Power: 1943] Tens of thousands of Jewish people living in the Warsaw Ghetto begin an uprising against Nazi forces...

The final curtain: 1951] General Douglas MacArthur bids farewell to Congress with his famous line: "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away"...

Play ball: 1958] The San Francisco Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers play the 1st major league baseball game on the west coast. The Giants win 11-4 in Los Angeles...1960] Baseball uniforms begin displaying player's names on their backs on away uniforms. The Yankees remain the only team that has never done that...1981] The longest pro baseball game ever, played between Pawtucket and Rochester is suspended after 32 innings (8 hours and 7 minutes) with the score tied 2-2 at 4:07 a.m. 2 months later when play resumes, Pawtucket wins in the 33rd inning. Two future Hall of Famer's played on those teams: Wade Boggs-Pawtucket and Cal Ripken Jr.-Rochester...

Smoke at the Vatican: 2005] Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany is elected pope. He takes the name Benedict XVI...

Released on this date: 1986] "Because The Night" - Patti Smith. Patti just released a new CD of rock classics called "Twelve" but this is a live version of "Because The Night": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoGdx3I3dPE ...

OTx4: 1987] The Islanders beat the Capitals 3-2 in 4 overtimes to win their opening round playoff series in 7 games...

Central Park Jogger: 1989] A white female jogger in New York's Central Park is brutally beaten and raped. Five black and hispanic teenagers are convicted and sent to prison but the convictions are overturned in 2003 after a serial rapist confesses to the crime and DNA evidence ties him to it...

Too much knowledge: 1994] When asked "boxers or briefs?", Bill Clinton replies "briefs" giving us entirely too much information...

Ok City horror: 1995] The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is destroyed by a bomb. It's the worst bombing on U.S. territory (911 would become the worst tragedy in this country) with 168 killed including 19 children, 500 are injured. Timothy McVeigh is found guilty of the bombing in June, 1997 and eventually executed for it...

Another opening, another show: 2001] The Mel Brooks musical "The Producers" opens on Broadway...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Kitty Carlisle Hart was one classy lady whose career spanned all forms of media starting with her appearance in the Marx Brothers classic, "A Night at the Opera". In her final days she was doing cabaret. She was my favorite panelist on "To Tell The Truth" because of her smile and energy. On Tuesday night, Kitty died at her Manhattan apartment from heart failure. Her son Christopher Hart said "she had such a wonderful life, and a great long run, it was a blessing." "Happy Trails" to Kitty Carlisle Hart who was 96...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Maria Sharapova (20), Kate Hudson (28), Ashley Judd (39), Tim Curry (61), Mark Volman (of The Turtles) (63) and here's Mark with his partner Howard Kaylan - "Happy Together": http://youtube.com/watch?v=4MEJkIVDR-c , Elinor ("Father Knows Best") Donahue (70), Riza Vettor (Happy Birthday Sis) (70) and Hugh ("Wyatt Earp") O'Brian (82)...

Timeline Countdown: 1 more day until the sun shines in New York, 9 days until the NFL draft, 16 days until the Kentucky Derby and 39 days until Memorial Day...
...
















Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly of the Week...

The Good
It's good to see coaches and general managers get rewarded like Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford who received a 5-year contract extension. Rutherford just completed another season as the only GM in Carolina History. The team moved there from Hartford in 1997 where they were known as The Whalers. Jerry West, the man in silhouette on the NBA logo, is leaving as the Memphis Grizzlies' director of basketball operations in July saying he's "not a youngster" and is weary of the turmoil surrounding the team. Memphis has the worst record in the NBA. For all West has meant to the NBA, he deserves to retire and enjoy the rest of his life 'Griz'-free. But the 'Good' award of the week is a no-brainer. It goes to the Duke lacrosse players having all charges of sexual assault against them dropped. As we have learned this was a 'rush to judgement' by Mike Nifong, the Durham County District Attorney. Two of the players charged have not accepted Duke's offer to take them back. They will go elsewhere to finish their education. Good...

The Bad
We expect players and at times, coaches getting fined or suspended but when was the last time you heard of it happening to an official? NBA referee Joey Crawford was suspended indefinitely by commissioner David Stern on Tuesday for his conduct toward Tim Duncan, who contends that the official challenged him to a fight. Of course Crawford denies this. Now this could simply be a case of the NBA protecting one of its stars or true. Paraphrasing Boss Steinbrenner, fans don't 'put their fannies in the seats' to see referee's in action do they? I'm sure we'll eventually find out if this charge is true or not. Then there's the case involving former Denver linebacker John Mobley, sentenced to 7 days in jail, reduced from a one-year sentence, for a drunken driving conviction but wait there's more. Mobley testified that he had been pulled over at least 12 times during the 12 months before his arrest. He was appealing the original sentence. There's another 'Bad' candidate but we don't have all the information in yet. St. Louis fired basketball coach Brad Soderberg despite the school's first 20-win season since 1998. He was fired after an 'extensive review' says the school and we say to the school - give us more details. Just because it's so rare, the 'Bad' choice of the week is NBA referee Joey Crawford...

The Ugly
We'll start by mentioning that 'Ugly' poster boy Adam "Pacman" Jones is appealing his one-year suspension. Good luck on that one Pacman. We've had assaults, robberies and even murders tied-in to our choices for this award but this week's 'Ugly' is probably the ugliest of all 'Ugly' picks. The award goes to Clyde "The Glide-not" Drexler, who was voted off last night on "Dancing With The Stars". Not only did Clyde have 2-left feet, he also had 2-left arms. Granted that he recently came back from China this past week and had engagements every week since he's been a contestant, he could have had a lifetime of lessons at Arthur Murray's and still looked like a tall, out of place, gawky, Lurch-like zombie with a long wingspan. I mean Clyde was embarrassingly bad. When the news was announced no one had a bigger smile on their face than Clyde who was relieved to be voted off. No more relieved than we were Clyde. You were 'Ugly'...

I've got an update on the merger talks in my Commentary today and there are 2 video links under the "Breaking up is hard to do" and "Happy Birthday...happy birthday" timelines...

Timeline Memories...
"Happy Trails": 1945] American war correspondent Ernie Pyle is killed by Japanese gunfire off Okinawa. Pyle was 44...1955] Albert Einstein dies of an aortic aneurysm in Princeton (NJ) at 76. The rumors about Einstein's brain being preserved are true. They were used to study his genius...2002] Norwegian adventurer (Kon-Tiki) Thor Heyerdahl dies from cancer at 87...

The British are coming...the british are coming: 1775] Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on their ride from Charlestown to Lexington (MA) to warn the colonists that those nasty Redcoats were on the way...

This just in, dot-dot-dash, dot-dot-dash: 1846] The telegraph ticker is patented by R.E. House who would become? You got it - a household name...

Don't pick up the soap: 1895] New York State passes an act that establishes free public baths. Signed for the 1st appearance at the bath house: Cher, Bette Midler, Elton John, Clay Aiken, Sanjaya Malakar (who has 573,000 entries in Google) and Barry Manilow. Price of admission: a bar of soap...

Quake devastation: 1906] San Francisco is devastated by an earth quake that takes 3,000 lives...

Strike up the band: 1923] John Philip Sousa's band plays the national anthem as Yankee Stadium opens in the Bronx. The Yankees beat the Red Sox in the opener 4-1...

Bring quarters: 1934] The first men's sock is lost as the first laundromat opens in Fort Worth (TX)...

Saddle up Cowboy: 1939] Gene Autry records "Back In The Saddle Again"...

Breaking up is hard to do: 1981] Yes announces their break-up after 13 years. Here's one of the best live acts I've ever seen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIVi7KY_WJ8 ...

Bailey's for everyone: 1949] The republic of Ireland is established...

Power grab: 1954] Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser seizes power in Egypt...

Wedding Bells: 1956] Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco walk down the aisle. They remain married until the tragic crash that took the life of Princess Grace in 1982...

Guilty as charged: 2002] Police arrest actor Robert Blake in the shooting death of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley one year earlier. Blake would be acquitted but is found liable in a civil case...2003] Scott Peterson is arrested in the death of his wife, Laci, who was 8 months pregnant when she vanished on Christmas Eve, 2002. Peterson was sentenced to death and is currently on death row at San Quentin...

Plenty of recording tape in this deal: 1960] The Mutual Broadcasting System is sold to 3M Company of Minnesota for $1.25 million and a lifetime supply of 10" reels...

Four-peat: 1962] Red Auerbach's Boston Celtics win a then-record 4th straight NBA title by beating the L.A. Lakers in game 7 of their playoffs...

Deadly terrorist attack: 1983] The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is blown up by a suicide car bomber killing 62 including 17 Americans...

Presidential stroke: 1994] Former President Richard M. Nixon suffers a stroke which he will never recover from at his home in Park Ridge (NJ)...

The Final Curtain: 1999] Wayne Gretzky plays his final game in the NHL as a member of the New York Rangers. 'The Great One' retires as the NHL's all-time scoring leader and holder of 61 individual records...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

In Mel Karmazin's argument for the Sirius/XM merger yesterday in Washington he pointed out that the proposed merger would be good for customers, that the price for one or more packages of combined channels will be "less than $12.95 per month." He also played the "underdog" card, saying: "The terrestrial market remains the 300-lb. gorilla in the room with 230 million listener's compared to our 14 million subscribers combined." Those opposed, like (D-ND) Sen. Byron Dorgan says bulldoody: "the proposed merger cannot possibly be in the interest of American consumers. It will eliminate the competition that exists between the two separate companies and it will injure consumers. This isn't even a close call." The "Consumer Union" VP (consumer's have a union?) Gene Kimmelman says it may lead to further consolidation of media outlets in the hands of a few dominant players. To be continued...is it just me or does anyone else feel that the word 'consumer' should be about food and not using products? The only thing I'll 'consume' today will be lunch and dinner. I already consumed breakfast and after 2 more meals I'll be too full to 'consume' radio or tv. I might have a CD snack though...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Conan O'Brien (44) in this video clip Conan joins the Canadian Border Patrol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy_EILf-alA&mode=related&search= , Jane ("Frasier") Leeves (44), Eric Roberts (51), Rick Moranis (53), John James (Anderson - Herb Oscar Anderson's son) (57), James Woods (60), Hayley Mills (61) James ("The Virginian") Drury (73) and Barbara (Della Street on "Perry Mason") Hale (86)...

Timeline Countdown: 10 days until the NFL draft, 17 days until the Kentucky Derby and 40 days until Memorial Day...
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