Thursday, August 9, 2007

A new source for Internet Radio Stations...

You'll want to add this one to your "favorites". It's a website called Radio Roku (http://www.radioroku.com/) and it contains more than 4,000 Internet radio stations from around the world. I tried it this morning and at the risk of repeating myself, read my first sentence. I sampled Virgin Radio in London, WRKO in Boston and KGO San Francisco within seconds. I listened on my PC and the quality was surprisingly good...

Roku founder and chairman Anthony Wood adds, "We've created an easy and intuitive way to connect consumers with a world of Internet radio that was once too vast to navigate." What's in it for Roku is selling their SoundBridge players but you can just listen on your PC if you choose, like I did. Roku has several new features or widgets in techspeak, which include: a listing of songs currently being played, a display of the most listened to stations, by format, location or natively spoken language, a station search, alphabetical listing of stations and volunteer center which enables users to participate in the development of the database...

Roku caught my attention thanks to a mention by Larry Shannon in his RadioDailyNews post and there was one other item worth mentioning. Sean Ross, VP of music and programming for Edison Media Research told the LA Daily News "there are a lot more Internet stations. There are a lot more former professionals doing Internet stations. It's gotten easier to do as far as the technology." Edison Media Research and Arbitron recently announced that while the 232 million radio listeners per week still far outnumber Web listeners, there are 29 million Internet radio listeners a week and that's up from 20 million three years ago...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1678] The Bronx is up (for sale, that is): Native Americans sell the Bronx to Jonas Bronck for 400 beads and box seats to Yankees games. The least Bronck could have thrown in were a dozen bagels and loaf of seedless rye...
2. 1854] Where in the world is Walden?: Henry David Thoreau publishes "Walden" which describes his experiences of living near Walden Pond (MA)...
3. 1930] Debuted on this date: Betty Boop flashes those peepers for the 1st time in "Dizzy Dishes", created by Max Fleischer. Here's a clip from an early Fleischer cartoon from the 30s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBKAG0ut9Ds ...
4. 1945] Dropping A Bomb: The U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, 3 days after Hiroshima. About 74,000 are killed and Japan will surrender on August 14...
5. 1969] L.A. blood bath: Sharon Tate and 4 others are found murdered at Tate's residence in Los Angeles. Charles Manson and several members of his cult are later convicted of the horrific murders...
6. 1974] Nixon's the one: Richard Milhous Nixon waves goodbye to the White House. He is replaced as president by Gerald Ford...
7. 1975] Sooper: The New Orleans Superdome opens with an NFL pre-season game. 72,000 root for the hometown Saints who lose to Houston 13-7...
8. 1995] "Happy Trails": Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, dies of a heart attack at 53...2003] Gregory Hines is a victim of liver cancer at 57...
9. 1997] Not New York's finest: Haitian immigrant Abner Louima is brutalized by NYPD officers after he's arrested following a brawl outside a Brooklyn nightclub. Eventually the city settles with Louima for $8.7 million in the largest police brutality settlement in New York City history...
10. 2002] Make it 600: Barry Bonds becomes the 4th major leaguer to reach 600 home runs...

Music Memories:

• 1965] #1 on this date: "I Got You Babe" - Sonny & Cher (introduced by Sammy Davis Jr.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVtbFXm2E6Q ...1978] "Three Times A Lady" - Lionel Richie...
• 1969] Released on this date: "Hot Fun In The Summertime" - Sly and Family Stone. Here they are with "Hot Fun" and a medley of their hits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKzwbKhRvD8 ...1969] "Easy To Be Hard" - Three Dog Night...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to Lee Hazlewood who wrote and produced "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" for Nancy Sinatra. Hazlewood died on Saturday night of kidney cancer, first diagnosed in 2005. I remember reading an article about Lee one year ago in which he said he stopped all his medication and was prepared to meet his death unaided. It takes a special man to do that. Hazlewood was 78...Yesterday I received the following e-mail on my mention of donimus.org at the end of July: "I'm concerned that you gave the impression that donimus.org speaks for Don Imus and I feel that is misleading. I would appreciate it if you could post a correction on your blog. Thank you very much, Erik Marsters, donimus.org...Sorry if I misled folks Erik...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Gillian Anderson (39), Whitney Houston (44), Melanie Griffith (50), Barbara Mason (60), Ken Norton (64), David Steinberg (65), Rod Laver (69), Bob Cousy (79) and Ralph Houk (88)...

Timeline Dateline: 25 days until Labor Day and 28 days until the NFL opener...

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Neither a King or Champion...

10 observations on the breaking of Hank Aaron's career home run mark by Barry Bonds:

1. I didn't hear one play-by-play reference to Bonds as either the new home run "champion" or "king". "Leader" seemed to be the reference of choice after Bonds hit home run number 756...
2. In print, Mike Lupica called Bonds "the all-time home run king of baseball" but also called it "a tainted celebration" and referred to Bonds' achievement as a "hollow record for a bloated slugger." ...
3. The surprise of the night had to be Hank Aaron's video of congratulations that even Bonds didn't expect...
4. No surprise that there were no boos or asterisk signs among the crowd of 43,154 assembled at San Francisco's AT&T Park...
5. If you were wondering where Commissioner Bud Selig was, he was meeting with steroid czar George Mitchell. Do you think Barry Bonds may have been mentioned???
6. Bonds godfather Willie Mays cried like a baby at the on-field ceremony following the record-breaking home run...
7. Go figure. 22-year old Matt Murphy, a Mets fan from Queens held on to the ball despite being mauled by the crowd. He and a friend stopped over in San Francisco on their way to Australia and bought a ticket at the game...
8. The ball should sell for somewhere in the vicinity of $400,000 to $500,000 which should pay for the trip to Australia...
9. There was another Mets connection - former Met pitcher Mike Bacsik served up the historic home run pitch...
10. The boldest statement by Bonds and one that could come back to haunt him? "This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period"...

["The Good...The Bad...The Ugly", usually seen on Wednesdays will become a monthly feature at the end of each month]...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1876] Take a mimeo: Thomas Edison receives a patent for the mimeograph, "a method of preparing autographic stencils for printing"...
2. 1899] The Fridge: The refrigerator is patented by A.T. Marshall. For years I thought it was William "Refrigerator" Perry...
3. 1966] Achy DeBakey heart: Surgeon Michael DeBakey installs the first artificial heart. Unfortunately blood clotting leads to failure in the patient...
4. 1968] Nixon's the One: Richard M. Nixon and Spiro T. Agnew are chosen as running mates at the Republican National Convention...1974] Now President, Richard M. Nixon announces that he will resign the following day...
5. 1970] The retiring 'perfessor': The Yankees retire Casey Stengel's no. 37 uniform in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium...
6. 1976] Who wears short shorts?: Bill Veeck (as in wreck) introduces shorts to the Chicago White Sox wardrobe. The Royal Teens pay tribute (with Bob Gaudio on piano): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYJ6QQ_hJl8 ...
7. 1988] Re-zoonited: After 4 years of renovation work, the Central Park Zoo reopens with seals in formal wear...
8. 1988] On the 8's: A high of 88 degrees is recorded in New York City on 8/8/88...
9. 1992] Dream On: The 1992 Olympic basketball team a.k.a. "The Dream Team" stacked with NBA ringers, er, all-stars (Jordan, Bird, Johnson, etc.) wins a gold medal in beating the Croations...
10. 2001] "Happy Trails": Maureen Reagan, the President's daughter from his marriage to Jane Wyman, dies from melanoma at 60...

Music Memories:

• 1963] Released on this date: "Louie, Louie" - Kingsmen, seen here doing the ultimate party song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ9qn-tlMTw ...1970] "Looking Out My Back Door" - Creedence Clearwater Revival and here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j7YsYK4skU ...
• 1987] #1 on this date: "With Or Without You" - U2 (The Edge celebrates his 46th birthday today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEfSnjL0pd8 ...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Tom Glavine, a hockey player in his youth was thrilled by getting congratulations for his 300th win from Wayne Gretzky and especially Bobby Orr, among baseball greats like Sandy Koufax and Tom Seaver. Growing up in Billerica (MA) Glavine rooted for all the Boston teams and was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings. His favorite hockey player? Bobby Orr...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Drew Lachey (31), Kool Moe Dee (45), The Edge (46), Deborah Norville (49), The Stylistics' Airrion Love (58), Keith Carradine (58), Connie Stevens (69), Dustin Hoffman (70), Mel Tillis (75), Esther Williams (86) and Dino DeLaurentiis (88)...

Timeline Countdown: 26 days until Labor Day and 29 days until the NFL opener...

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

The New York Times is shrinking...

The Gray Lady, following the lead of other famous newspapers like the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, is getting smaller. The Times shrunk its pages by an inch and a half yesterday. I haven't seen the new leaner edition of the storied newspaper but I would bet the print still comes off on your fingers like no other paper can. Now that they've made the Times smaller, how about using ink that doesn't tattoo your fingers???

One thing not reduced in the newly-trimmed Times are their ad rates which will not make advertisers warm all over about the new design. Reduce your rates and they'll love it to death. There will be however, "somewhat fewer words per page" according to a Times spokesman and in keeping with this new fangled Internet era, will spill over news content to its Web site. On the editorial page, the Times has cut the space allotted for letters by about a third but again will spill over additional letters online...

Not everyone will find the new Times a better read. Newspaper consultant John Morton feels that the smaller paper "just diminishes the appearance of the newspaper." Morton adds "In the pursuit of saving money, there are some things they shouldn't do and this is one of them." I wonder what he'll say when he sees the new tabloid edition of The Wall Street Journal...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1782] A decoration of merit: George Washington creates the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in enlisted men and non commissioned officers...
2. 1947] Where's Gilligan?: The balsa-wood raft Kon-Tiki, which had carried a six-man crew across the Pacific, crashes into a reef in a Polynesian archipelago. Sound familiar?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3ClZ1OceI ...
3. 1974] Going to Hall: Yogi Berra and Sandy Koufax enter Baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown...1999] The Giants' Lawrence Taylor enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
4. 1974] Wedding Bells: Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band) and Faye Dunaway rock down the aisle. They will divorce in 1979...
5. 1990] Here comes the storm: "Desert Storm" begins as President George W. Bush orders U.S. troops and warplanes into Saudi Arabia to guard the oil-rich desert kingdom against a possible invasion by Iraq...
6. 1998] Terror reigns: Al Qaida sets off bombs at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224, including 12 Americans and injuring more than 5,500...
7. 1999] Joining the 3,000-hit club: Wade Boggs becomes the 1st major leaguer to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit while a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. On the same date, Tony Gwynn of San Diego picks up his 3,000th hit...
8. 2000] Mazel Tov: Al Gore picks Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman to be the 1st Jewish VP candidate of a major party ticket...
9. 2004] Joining the 300-win club: The Cubs Greg Maddux becomes the 22nd pitcher in major league history to record 300 victories as he leads Chicago to an 8-4 win over San Francisco...
10. 2005] "Happy Trails": ABC-TV anchorman Peter Jennings dies at 67 from lung cancer...

Music Memories:

• 1965] Released on this date: "It Ain't Me Babe" - The Turtles: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5XLMrstE8Q8&mode=related&search= ...
• 1970] The newest member of Fleetwood Mac: Christine McVie joins the group...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Charlize Theron (32), David Duchovny (47), Wayne "Newman" Knight (52), B.J. Thomas (65) one of my favorite B.J. hits: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xkvdAQl4OBA , Garrison Keillor (65), Don Larsen (78), Herb Reed (Platters) (79) and Stan Freberg (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 27 days until Labor Day and 30 days until the NFL opener...

Monday, August 6, 2007

Baseball's latest milestones...what are they worth???

On Saturday, Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to reach 500 home runs, Barry Bonds tied Hank Aaron when he hit his 755th career home run and last night Tom Glavine joined the 300-win club at Wrigley Field. What are mementos from these events worth? Since Bonds just tied the record it will take his record-breaking 756th home run to matter. The bat and ball from the record-breaker, A-Rod's bat and ball and Glavine's 300th win baseball will be sold to the highest bidder this year. Bond's 756th home run ball should fetch from $400,000 to $500,000 but 10 years ago (in the pre-steroid Bonds accusations era) it would have sold for a cool million. Since A-Rod's 500th home run has been exceeded by several sluggers with Jim Thome (499) and Manny Ramirez (489) soon to join him, it won't be worth as much as Bond's record breaking ball. Tom Glavine was preceded by 22 other pitchers, 4 left-handers, so his ball won't be as valuable as Bonds' ball either...

How quickly values change when it comes to milestones. When Mark McGwire hit his 70th record-breaking home run, that ball sold for $3 million. The alleged use of steroid-like (andro) supplements by McGwire started the slide for sports memorabilia. Says David Kohler of SCP Auctions, "The economy can change very quickly." Kohler told New York Post business reporter Richard Wilner "the market is very fickle for recent sports memorabilia." A ball signed by Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang can sell for up to $300, double the price of a signed ball by former Yankees Hall of Famer Yogi Berra but the Wang ball is not a good investment because its worth can drop quickly...

The value of some baseball memorabilia are safe bets for investors. A game bat used by Babe Ruth or a Honus Wagner card fit that category. They have and will continue to rise in value over the years and appear to be immune to a volatile and fickle market. Gee I wonder what the Shea Stadium Big Apple that bobs up and down after a Met hits a home run will be worth if they don't bring it to the Mets new Citifield in 2009???

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1890] One down, 510 to go: The great Cy Young makes his debut a successful one, pitching a 3-hit shutout. What would that ball be worth???
2. 1890] Guilty as charged: Convicted murderer William Kemmler becomes the 1st person to be executed in the electric chair. The execution takes place at Auburn State Prison (NY)...
3. 1926] In the swim: Gertrude Ederle becomes the 1st American woman to swim the English Channel. The 19-year old completes her swim in 14 1/2 hours...
4. 1945] Dropping A bomb: The Enola Gay, an American B-29 bomber drops the 1st atomic bomb. The bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy" is dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people are killed...
5. 1965] No exceptions to the rule: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the "Voting Rights Act" giving every American the right to vote by law with no exceptions...
6. 1973] Rock & Roll Wreck: Stevie Wonder is seriously injured in a car accident, slipping into a 4-day coma before recovering. Stevie was not driving...
7. 1978] "Happy Trails": Pope Paul VI dies from a massive heart attack at 80...1986] William J. Schroeder dies after living 620 days with the Jarvik-7 man-made heart. He was the world's longest surviving recipient of a permanent artificial heart. Schroeder was 54...1991] "60 Minutes" mainstay Harry Reasoner dies from a blood clot in his brain at 68...2004] Rick James dies of a heart attack at 56...
8. 1989] Hang 'em High: The Red Sox retire Carl Yastrzemski's #8 uniform number at Fenway Park. On October 1, 1983, Yaz was given a 'day' for him to announce his retirement. Here are some snaps from that day: http://youtube.com/watch?v=k9GQ74SKAqk ...
9. 1997] Wedding Bells: Apple Computer and Microsoft agree to share technology in a deal giving Microsoft a stake in Apple's Survival...
10. 2005] Anti-War Protest: Activist Cindy Sheehan, whose soldier-son Casey is killed in Iraq, begins a weeks-long protest outside President Bush's ranch in Texas...

Music Memories:

• 1960] On American Bandstand: This is a monumental day on AE as Chubby Checker lip-synchs "The Twist" and a new dance sensation is born. Here's Chubby on Dick Clark's Saturday Night Show: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OvvUKFCIVOg ...
• 1965] Released on this date: "Help" LP - Beatles...
• 1970] At Shea Stadium: Janis Joplin, Paul Simon, Steppenwolf and Johnny Winter perform in an anti-war festival... [To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Len Zola wants to make clear that it is Media Gang member Len Lawrence who should get credit for that great new version of "We Didn't Start The Fire" video included in Friday's MPR. Consider it done, Len...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Soleil Moon (31), Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell (35), M. Night Shyamalan (37), Mike Greenburg (of "Mike & Mike")(40), David "The Admiral" Robinson (42), Peter Bonerz (69) and Abbey Lincoln (77)...

Timeline Countdown: 28 days until Labor Day and 31 days until the NFL opener...

Friday-Sunday, August 3-5, 2007

Some new insights from a sucker for statistics...

The love of stats started for me when I was a kid, keeping track of players' batting averages. I am not one who believes that "Figures lie and liars figure", not the first part of that statement anyway. Working for Hooper in the 70s sealed the deal for me. My job was signing up stations for our audience measurement but through some kind of cosmic osmosis, I got an education in the methodology involved in measuring an audience and I was hooked forever. When the latest Bridge Ratings on 'The New Influentials' was published my curiosity was peaked. What I found in the study was an eye-opener and I'd like to share their findings with you in this post...

Some of their conclusions made such words as "reach", "frequency", "cume", "average quarter hour" and "impressions" seem obsolete. Influencers or Influentials are a group of very active consumers involved in "conversation marketing" where word-of-mouth is becoming a significant factor for both consumer and consumee. 93% of the 3,400 consumers 13+ said they were moved to take some sort of action by word-of-mouth influence. The value of peer networks, especially among the young has become vitally important followed by strangers with experience in the subject area. Among the peer group are "friends, family and acquaintances"...

The study also measured a specific medium relating to all media consumed in a typical week and included influence of others for a particular medium. Satellite Radio (12.8%) edged out Internet Radio (12.1%) and all radio (all formats) finished more than 2 percentage points lower at 10.2%. One other interesting study found that of all respondents asked about the future value of a number of media and technologies the order was 1) The Internet, 2) Internet Radio and 3) E-mail, in that order. AM/FM radio as is had 11%. 46% said AM/FM Radio must change...

I've just scratched the surface in these new Bridge Ratings findings but I consider this a wake-up call for all media not called the Internet, Internet Radio or E-mail. If you don't become a peer group you are in deep trouble...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1933] M-I-C-K-E-Y: Walt Disney takes up a manufacturer's suggestion for a Mickey Mouse watch and the timepiece is introduced in Chicago. Sale price was $2.75 and thousands of watches were sold in the 30s. This provided Disney the dividends he needed to stay in business until the release of "Snow White", released toward the end of the decade...
2. 1949] Wedding Bells: The Basketball Association of America (BAA) merges with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA. The 1949-'50 standings show the following franchises divided into 3 divisions: Eastern: Syracuse, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston. Central: Rochester, Minneapolis, Chicago, Ft. Wayne, St. Louis. Western: Indianapolis, Anderson, Tri-Cities, Sheboygan (where you can mention my name), Waterloo and Denver. Where ever the four winds blow...
3. 1963] Curtains: The Beatles make their final appearance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool almost 2 years to the date (Aug. 2, 1961) they debuted there...
4. 1966] "Happy Trails": Controversial but brilliant comic Lenny Bruce is found dead at 40 in the bathroom of his Hollywood Hills home. Official cause of death: "acute morphine poisoning caused by an accidental overdose". In this video clip Lenny reads his court papers to a live audience: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xfMd0ENbugg ...
5. 1971] Winging it: Paul McCartney announces the formation of his new band - Wings...
6. 1975] When you wish upon a star: After seeing the Astrodome in Houston, Louisiana Gov. John J. McKeithen says "I want one of those, only bigger". On August 3, 1975, the Superdome opens in New Orleans...
7. 1981] See ya, see ya. Wouldn't wanna be ya: The PATCO traffic controllers union pulls its traffic controllers out on strike. After being warned they would be replaced, they are. Thank you President Reagan...
8. 2001] Guilty as charged: A grand jury indicts "Soprano's" actor Robert Iler (AJ) on charges that he and two teen-aged buds robbed 2 other teenagers of $40 in this neighborhood (upper east side)...
9. 2004] Reunited and it feels so good: The Statue of Liberty reopens to the public for the first time since 911...
10. 2006] "Happy Trails": Rocker Arthur Lee of the psychedelic band Love passes away at 61 from leukemia...

Music Memories:

• 1963] Released on this date: "Surfer Girl" - Beach Boys..."Hello Muddah, Hello Fadda" - Allan Sherman...It becomes a huge hit, a camp anthem, a board game? YES: http://youtube.com/watch?v=WWeO0HUn850 ...
• 1966] Recorded on this date: "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby" - Rolling Stones...

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

Commentary...

Congratulations to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees: Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Roger Wehrli who will be inducted Saturday, August 4th...Thanks to Len Zola of the Media Gang for this new version of "We Didn't Start The Fire": http://www.cafeoflifepikespeak.com/Videos/Licensed%20To%20Pill.swf ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Evangeline Lilly (28), Tom Brady (30), Isaiah Washington (44), Jay North (56), Martha Stewart (66), Beverly Lee, original Shirelle who owns the Shirelles trademark (66), Martin Sheen (67), Tony Bennett (81), Marv Levy (82) and the Jordanaires' Gordon Stoker (83)...

Saturday & Sunday, August 4 & 5, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1892] An ax job: Andrew and Abby Borden are axed to death in their Fall River (MA) home by Andrew's daughter from a previous marriage. Accused of the killings, Lizzie Borden was eventually acquitted. This horrific crime inspired this little ditty: "Lizzie Borden took an ax and gave her mother 40 whacks and when she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41" (August 4)...
2. 1884] Giving us liberty: The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe's Island in New York harbor (August 5),,,
3. 1921] Play ball, on Radio: The first play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game is done by Harold Arlin on KDKA Pittsburgh. Arlin describes the action between the hometown Pirates and visiting Philadelphia Phillies (August 5)...
4. 1957] "We're going hoppin": "American Bandstand" goes network on ABC-TV. I'll never forget sending out the press release as a mailboy at ABC (August 5). Here's a video clip of the 'American Bandstand 50th Anniversary' Collection: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9JskEnmtcCk ...
5. 1958] Hot 100 chart topper: Billboard Magazine introduces the Hot 100. The 1st #1: "Poor Little Fool" - Ricky Nelson. The late Tommy Noonan was the 1st person to do the charts at Billboard (August 4)...
6. 1962] Hollywood shocker: The body of 36-year old blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe is discovered in her Los Angeles home. Death is ruled a probable suicide from an overdose of sleeping pills. To this day a controversy remains as to the real reasons for her death (August 5)...
7. 1964] Wedding Bells: Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft exchange vows followed by a lifetime of laughs until Bancroft's death (August 5)...
8. 1985] The newest member of the 300 club: In a game I was fortunate to attend, Tom Seaver, pitching for the White Sox wins his 300th game against the Yankees on 'Phil Rizzuto Day' at Yankee Stadium. One of the Scooters' gifts was a 'Holy Cow' (August 4) and here's a clip from the game voiced by the old voice of the Mets, Lindsay Nelson and Spencer Ross (then doing Yankees games): http://youtube.com/watch?v=YCLk1IbBnyY ...Same day, same year, different game: Rod Carew picks up his 3,000th hit...
9. 1987] In all fairness: The FCC rescinds the "Fairness Doctrine" requiring "balanced reporting on controversial issues and political campaigns", a.k.a. Equal time (August 4)...
10. 2004] Guilty as charged: Staten Island ferry boat pilot Richard Smith pleads guilty to manslaughter charges in a ferry crash that kills 11 the previous October (August 4)...

Music Memories:

• 1967] Released on this date: "Ode To Billy Joe" - Bobbie Gentry (August 5) Herrrrreeeeeee's Bobbie singing to mannequins: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CZt5Q-u4crc ...1972] "Nights in White Satin" - Moody Blues (August 5)...1974] "Loves Me Like A Rock" - Paul Simon (August 4)...1987] "Dirty Dancing" LP (August 4)...
• 1974] #1 on this date: "Feel Like Makin' Love" - Roberta Flack (August 4)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Jeff Gordon (36)(Aug. 4), Roger Clemens (45)(Aug. 4), Patrick Ewing (45)(Aug. 5), Michael Gelman (46)(Aug. 4), Barak Obama (46)(Aug. 4), Maureen McCormick (51)(Aug. 5), Billy Bob Thornton (52)(Aug. 4), Samantha Sang (54)(Aug. 5), Rick Derringer (60)(Aug. 5), Jimmy Webb (61)(Aug. 5), Loni Anderson (61)(Aug. 5), Richard Belzer (63)(Aug. 4), Frankie Ford (68)(Aug. 4), John Saxon (71)(Aug. 5), Neil Armstrong (77)(Aug. 5) and White House reporter Helen Thomas (87)(Aug. 4)...

Timeline Countdown as of Sunday, August 5: 29 days until Labor Day and 32 days until the NFL opener...

Thursday, August 2, 2007

StubHub hits a Grand Slam...

Starting next year you'll be able to buy those impossible to-get Yankees-Red Sox tickets or any other tough ticket by going to your team's website. Major League Baseball just signed a 5-year contract yesterday with StubHub to handle all of the league's online ticket resales starting in 2008. This is a huge jump for Major League Baseball which previously looked at ticket resales with disdain. Oh sure, they allowed fans to resell their tickets online but with one eye closed. There were only 4 teams that didn't allow ticket resales including the Yankees. The others being Baltimore, Minnesota and Toronto. Now not only will all 30 teams allow resales, they'll allow StubHub the space on their websites...

It's surprising to me that there are so many folks that have never bought tickets to either a concert or game through StubHub which has virtually eliminated ticket scalping. Here's how it works in very simple terms. A ticket seller offers his or her ticket to StubHub to sell for them. StubHub then typically charges sellers a fee equal to 15% of the sale price and buyers a 10% fee. The tickets are then shipped to buyers via FedEx and you're in business. Big business. Some analysts say the online resale market could be as big as $10 billion a year...

EBay knows about reselling and they also know about StubHub. They bought the company in January for $310 million. There are no reports that they now intend to resell it...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1824] On the avenue, Fifth avenue: Manhattan's 5th Avenue is opened to the public...
2. 1876] Change 'Wild' to 'Dead': 'Wild Bill' Hickock is killed when he's shot from behind while playing poker in Deadwood (SD). Jack McCall was later hanged for the shooting...
3. 1921] Not guilty as charged: A jury in Chicago acquits several former members of the Chicago White Sox (referred to as the Black Sox) and two others of conspiring to defraud the public by throwing the World Series...
4. 1943] A day for heroes: PT-109, commanded by Lt. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, sinks after being sheared in two by a Japanese destroyer off the Solomon Islands. Kennedy is credited with saving members of his crew...
5. 1961] Now headlining: The Beatles begin their engagement as regular headliners at Liverpool's Cavern Club. They will perform about 300 shows over the next 4 years including the performance seen on this video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=w2AXaOULs6Q ...
6. 1962] What's your name?: Robert Zimmerman legally changes his name to Bob Dylan...
7. 1979] Tragedy in Canton: Yankees captain, 31-year old Thurman Munson dies when the private jet he was piloting crashes near the Canton (OH) airport. The baseball world is stunned...
8. 1987] It's Snow White in August: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is re-released. The film was 50 years old at the time of its re-release. If you ever wanted to hear the full version of "Hi Ho" sung by the dwarfs, now's your chance: http://youtube.com/watch?v=y8AkKnLMELo ...
9. 1992] 'The Franchise' is franchised forever: Under a blisteringly hot sun, George Thomas Seaver of the Mets enters the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown with the highest percentage (98.84%) of votes in history...
10. 1992] One degree of separation: Kevin Bacon's relationship with Kyra Sedgwick sizzles (forgive me, I had to) as the couple exchange marriage vows...

Music Memories:

• 1960] #1 on this date: "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" - Brian Hyland...1971] "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" - Bee Gees and here's the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5r49pYLk6Xg ...1981] "Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield...

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

Commentary...

Last night it was Boston's newest superstar, Kevin Garnett, who threw out the first ball at Fenway Park. Tonight Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr will have the honors on the 60th anniversary of the first Bobby Doerr Day at Fenway Park. Throw a strike Bobby...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Pete Sampras (36), Tim Wakefield (41), Mary-Louise Parker (43), Victoria Jackson (48), Butch Patrick (54), Lance Ito (57), Joanna Cassidy (62), Kathy Lennon (64), Wes Craven (68), Garth Hudson (64) and Peter O'Toole (75)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the Pro Football HOF induction (Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Roger Wehrli), 32 days until Labor Day and 35 days until the NFL opener...

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

The newly improved, The Good...The Bad...The Ugly...
[Starting with this issue, only top candidates will be mentioned in order to avoid the ever expanding shopping list of usual suspects]...
The Good
This comes down to two candidates. The first being the city of Boston for two great trades made yesterday. The arrival of Eric Gagne to the Red Sox and Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Gagne solidifies the best bullpen in baseball and Garnett makes the Celtics immediate play-off contenders. I usually pick someone who has achieved by doing a good deed and there will be no exception this week. Two very worthy ballplayers and people were rewarded this week when they achieved the highest position a baseball player can reach - entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This week's co-winners of the 'Good Award of the Week" are: Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn...

The Bad
There were the usual collection of DUI's, positive testings and indiscretions but it comes down to the pathetic state of the Tour de France cyclers who've tested positive for doping including a new charge that Tour winner Alberto Contrador was involved in doping and Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges who was very offensive when he was accused of pointing a gun at a female employee of a strip club. Anything involving a gun being used in a crime which could have resulted in a victim either be harmed or killed takes this award. The 'Bad Award of the Week" winner is: Jeremy Bridges. As far as the Tour de Farce goes, throw all the dopers out and start all over again. 'Qualifiers must not be dopers' should be rule number one...

The Ugly
There is only one candidate for this award, Northern Colorado backup punter Mitch Cozad whose first-degree murder and second-degree assault trial will soon start. Jury selection has begun. Cozad is accused of ambushing starting punter Rafael Mendoza in a dimly lit parking lot outside Mendoza's apartment in September. Mendoza suffered a 3 to 5 inch deep wound in his kicking leg when he was stabbed by Cozad in an attempt to get Mendoza's job. If convicted of attempted murder, Cozad could face up to 48 years in prison. The trial is expected to take up to 10 days. 'The Ugly Award of the Week" winner: Mitch Cozad...

TGTBTU Update
What's an update without Michael Vick being mentioned. Tony Taylor (not the old radio guy), one of the other 3 accused in the dogfighting case names Vick as the funder of the dogfights. Another sponsor, Rawlings has dropped Vick as a spokesman. Rawlings joins Nike, Reebok, Upper Deck collectibles and Purina Dog Chow (just kidding on that one)...NBA referee Tim Donaghy and NBA Commissioner David Stern will talk as the investigations into his gambling on games he officiated continues...Joseph Raich, co-owner of that Florida steroid factory has pleaded guilty in Albany (NY)...Steroid investigator George Mitchell met with Jose ("I saw him do it") Canseco about new contentions by Canseco in a new book of steroid use, including use by the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez who meanwhile, promises to hit his 500th home run sometime between now and October 1...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1790] Body Count: The first U.S. census shows a population of nearly 4 million. 3.9 million lived on the lower East Side...
2. 1966] Tower sniper: Charles Joseph Whitman, 25, climbs the University of Texas tower in Austin and starts shooting. By the time he's through, 15 lay dead and 31 wounded. Whitman was gunned down by Austin police...
3. 1971] Debuted on this date: "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" debuts as a summer replacement but will become part of CBS-TV's regular lineup until 1974 when Sonny and Cher host separate shows...1973] Where were you in '62 ? Where were you on this date when "American Graffiti" premiered? The movie makes stars of Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss, enhances the careers of Ron Howard, Cindy Williams and Wolfman Jack and Suzanne Somers debuts as the blond in the T-Bird. Here's the trailer for this classic movie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=h32Kdrh0Z48 ...
4. 1973] In this corner: The war between Thurman Munson and Carlton Fisk begins in a wild free-for-all after a collision at home plate in a Yankees-Red Sox game. This is the first shot fired in this war between the two. This decision goes to Munson for getting more punches in...
5. 1978] Rose takes a doughnut: Pete Rose's 44-game hitting streak ends when he's held hitless in 4 at-bats. He ties the National League record set by Wee Willie Keeler...
6. 1981] "Video Killed the Radio Star": MTV debuts and the Buggles were on their first video played: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pe9FMoElCoU ...
7. 1986] Wedding Bells: John McEnroe and Tatum O'Neal touch gloves and go to a neutral corner after saying "I Do". Divorced in 1992 the couple will have 3 children together...1994] Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley announce that they were married 11 weeks earlier in the Dominican Republic. They do the only sensible thing - divorcing in January of '96...
8. 1995] Not the Bargain basement sale at Filene's: Westinghouse buys CBS for $5.4 billion. Could Infinity be far behind???
9. 2001] "Happy Trails": Vikings Pro Bowl tackle Korey Stringer dies of a heat stroke at Training Camp. Stringer was just 27...2005] Rock journalist Al Aronowitz passes away from cancer at 77. I considered the much-maligned Al a friend and was glad I got to speak to him one last time before his passing...
10. 2004] Busted: Baltimore Orioles star Raphael Palmeiro is suspended for 10 days following a positive test for steroids. Raphy denies everything including the nose job he got...

Music Memories:

• 1960] Released on this date: "The Twist" - Chubby Checker. The single will top the charts for one week on September 19th. Two years later, when it's re-released it tops the charts again on January 13, 1962 for two weeks...
• 1969] Pop goes the AC Festival: 110,000 attend the 3-day Atlantic City Pop Festival held at AC Race Course. The star-studded lineup includes: Janis Joplin, CSNY, Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane, the Moody Blues, Three Dog Night, Canned Heat and others...
• 1971] Live from Madison Square Garden: "The Concert for Bangla Desh" starring George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Badfinger and more. Here's George Harrison from the concert: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-tFAyZMdSXs ...

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

Commentary...

In keeping with our sports theme today, The New York Daily News recently conducted an on-line poll asking the following question: "Who do you consider the greatest home run hitter of all time?". With a sample size of 2,831 here are the results: Babe Ruth 1,873 (66%), Hank Aaron 739 (26%), Barry Bonds 219 (8%). Bonds, soon-to-be all-time home run champ finishes 3rd...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Tempestt Bledsoe (34), Coach Roy Williams (57), Alfonse D'Amato (70), Yves Saint Laurent (71), Dom DeLuise (74), 'Ziggy' cartoonist Tom Wilson (76) and Geoffrey Holder (77)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until Pro Football's HOF induction, 33 days until Labor Day and 36 days until the NFL opener...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The Imus-Esiason Mystery continues...

Living in the media capital of the world is a blessing. The on-going information gathering process is overwhelming. Case in point - when that steam pipe burst on Lexington Avenue and 41st Street recently it took 20 minutes from the time the local media first started covering it, to become the lead story in the world on the Internet. The lead story! If there's anything worth finding out about you'll usually find out about it in New York first where many stories originate but this Imus-Esiason thing is driving me nuts...

Within the last 10 days there's been a glut of stories circulating about the imminent return to radio by Don Imus. There's also been a glut of items about former star quarterback Boomer Esiason replacing Imus on WFAN. If Esiason replaces Imus on WFAN then where does Imus go? Satellite is a good guess which would mean Sirius, based in New York. XM with Washington studios is out of the question because the I-man would never leave New York. So what's the real story???

Two places you won't find out are the websites of both Imus and Esiason. http://www.boomeresiason.com/ is a great website filled with terrific pictures of Boomer in action and anything and everything Boomer except whether or not he's going to WFAN. Going to http://www.donimus.org/ the "website dedicated to the good works of Don & Deirdre Imus" won't tell you anything either with most of it dealing with the "charity and philanthropy" involved in the Imus Ranch and other groups they're involved with. What I did find interesting were the following headlines included in the Imus home page: Boomer Esiason close to replacing Imus on WFAN, Imus Talks with CBS Continue and CBS, Imus Agree to Buyout Settlement. I love it. Nothing on Boomer's website and rumours in headlines on the Imus website...

I know we'll find out eventually where Imus lands but if anyone knows the real story, drop me an e-mail so I'll be able to sleep tonight. Thank you...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1928] I am Leo hear me roar: MGM's Leo the Lion roars for the st time when he's introduced to the big screen for "White Shadows on the South Seas" and here's the original Leo used at the open of that movie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2pgLJKFiTuE&mode=related&search= ...
2. 1948] Idlewild about Harry: President Harry S. Truman helps dedicate Idlewild International Airport (later changed to JFK) with New York Governor (and soon to be opponent in the presidential election) Thomas E. Dewey and Mayor William O'Dwyer in attendance with live radio and TV coverage...
3. 1964] Say "cheese": American space probe Ranger 7 transmits pictures of the moon's surface back to earth...
4. 1964] "Happy Trails": Country singer Jim Reeves dies when the single-engine Beechcraft he was piloting goes down during a violent thunderstorm near his home in Nashville. His business partner and manager Dean Manuel is also killed. "Gentleman Jim" was just 40. Just 4 months earlier he performed in Norway and here's a clip of Jim singing "I Love You Because": http://youtube.com/watch?v=nECoA-uVGfw ...
5. 1972] McGovern picks Eagleton as running mate: Of course the rest of the story involves Sargent Shriver replacing Eagleton because of his fragile mental health...
6. 1976] Real Golden Gloves: The U.S. picks up 5 gold medals in boxing at the Montreal Olympics. Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks, Leon Spinks, Howard Davis and Leo Randolph are the winners of the gold awards. Sugar Ray and Leon Spinks will become pro-boxing champions...
7. 1981] Back to work: The 7-week baseball players strike comes to an end when the players and owners agree on the issue of free agent compensation...
8. 1990] Joining the 300 club: Nolan Ryan becomes the 20th major league pitcher to win 300 games as his Texas Rangers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 11-3. The Mets Tom Glavine hopes to join that club tonight in Milwaukee...
9. 1995] ABC sprouts mouse ears: The Walt Disney Company agrees to buy Capital Cities-ABC Inc. for $15 billion...
10. 1997] Busted: New York City police seize 5 bombs believed bound for terrorists attacks on subways...

Music Memories:

• 1968] Recording finished on this date: "Hey Jude" is completed by the Beatles at Trident Studios in London...
• 1979] Live in Central Park: James Taylor plays a free concert to help the city's campaign to restore the parks' Sheep Meadow...

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

Commentary...

We begin with "Happy Trails" to former 49ers genius coach Bill Walsh who lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 75. Walsh is credited with the West Coast offense which features short, pin-point, high-percentage passes. During his Hall of Fame career he won 3 Super Bowls even though his coaching career didn't start until he was 47. Walsh, a father figure for many players including HOF QB Joe Montana also coached Stanford University...Many of you commented on the passing of Tom Snyder. Thank you for your thoughts. Rather than run all your comments, I've chosen one e-mail to post, from Norm N. Nite: "I really remember Tom Snyder, for not only was I a guest on his show on four different occasions but I threw a birthday party for him on May 12, 1978 with about 200 guests including Earl Wilson. I hung out with his producers Bruce McKay and Andy Friendly a lot at the time. Some great memories. One of Tom's other producers is Debbie Vickers, who now produces Jay Leno's show. All the best and "Rock On!", Norm N. Nite...Thank you Norm...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Dean Cain (41), J.K. Rowling (42), Wesley Snipes (45), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (56), Gary Lewis (62) Gary does "Sure Gonna Miss Her" on a show hosted by Gene Weed: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QIv7Zq88cfQ , William Weld (62), Sherry Lansing (63), Geraldine Chaplin (63), Lobo a.k.a. Roland Kent Lavoie (64) and Robert Morgenthau (88)...

Timeline Countdown: 4 days until the Pro Football HOF induction, 34 days until Labor Day and 37 days until the NFL opener...

Monday, July 30, 2007

Remembering Tom Snyder...

Tom Snyder was already a TV pop icon when I joined WNBC as program director in 1976. He was into his 4th year as host of "Tomorrow with Tom Snyder". His office was on the same floor as the radio studios and I would often see him when I left the office. We would exchange greetings and he would always say something like "Ah, you radio guys have it made", referring to my leaving at a time when he was just beginning his day in preparation for his late night show. I held in check my temptation to compare salaries, deciding not to get into a dialogue that I would inevitably lose to a master of put-downs. Not that Tom was like that to the radio staff. Far from it - he appeared to be just a regular guy. The trouble was he always had that stone-face on and you never knew when he was being serious...

Some years later, about 1979 or '80 when I was doing promotion for CBS International I took Nina Hagen over for a taping of "Tomorrow" and introduced the two. Now before I give you the rest of the story, if you're not familiar with Nina Hagen, she was a cross between Clarabelle the Clown and Marilyn Manson. I believe her hair was orange at the time although it could have been purple which she often liked wearing. On top of her outfit was an apron of aluminum foil. I guarantee you that Snyder had never met anyone looking like Nina Hagen who at the time had a version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way", her way. As stone-faced as ever Tom holds his hand out like an English baron and says "Pleased to meet you Miss Hagen". It was hard keeping a straight face but he didn't even crack a smile. Nina Hagen got bounced from the show that night because Johnny Rotten a.k.a. Johnny Lydon went over his allotted time. I found this video clip of Tom and Johnny Rotten from one of their classic encounters. This one from 1980: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_BZ2UoBZzEI ...

I remember going to Tom's website which he started a few years ago in which he revealed that he was battling lymphocytic leukemia which his doctors told him was "treatable". I sent him an e-mail wishing him well. I would go back to the website from time to time to read his personal musings which I enjoyed but sometime last summer he ended that website making me wonder how his health was. This morning I found out. Tom Snyder died yesterday from complications of leukemia at 71. "Happy Trails" Tom and thanks for entertaining us until the end...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1956] Our motto is born: By order of Congress and approved by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, "In God We Trust" becomes our national motto...
2. 1960] Pats win...Pats win...Pats win: In the 1st American Football League pre-season game, the Boston Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 28-7...
3. 1965] Medicaring: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs into law, the Social Security Act, establishing Medicare and Medicaid...
4. 1970] De-Kleining: The Rolling Stones fire Allen Klein as their business manager...
5. 1975] Poof: Former Teamster Union president Jimmy Hoffa disappears in suburban Detroit. Although presumed dead, his remains have never been found...
6. 1990] The Boss is banished: Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner is ordered by the Baseball Commissioner to resign for hiring a private detective (Howie Spira) to spy on outfielder Dave Winfield. Although banned for life, he is reinstated in 1993...
7. 1998] "Happy Trails": Buffalo Bob Smith, Howdy Doody's daddy, dies of lung cancer at 80. I had a picture taken with Smith and Howdy when they visited CBS-FM shortly before his death and he looked like the picture of health. Here's a Colgate commercial done by Buffalo Bob and Howdy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=WWt7RJ3mWoY ..2003] Sun Records founder Sam Phillips who discovered Elvis Presley, dies of respiratory failure in Memphis at 80...
8. 2000] Wedding Bells: Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt walk down the aisle. They will divorce in 2005...
9. 2003] The last Beetle: In Mexico the last 'old style' Volkswagen Beetle rolls off the assembly line...
10. 2006] Stopping the "Top": The world's oldest and longest running music show "Top of the Pops" is broadcast for the last time on BBC Two. The show had run for 42 years...

Music Memories:

• 1966] #1 on this date: "Yesterday...and Today" LP - Beatles...
• 1971] Released on this date: "Bangladesh" - George Harrison...

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

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to legendary film director Ingmar Bergman who died last night at the age of 89. His daughter Eva Bergman said her father had passed away "peacefully". Bergman is considered to be one of the most influential film directors of the 20th century. Bergman was widely acclaimed for "The Seventh Seal" and "Fanny and Alexander" which won four Oscars, including 'Best Foreign Language Film' in 1982...Also "Happy Trails" to former major leaguer and coach Bill Robinson whose body was found in a Las Vegas hotel room where he was visiting the Dodgers' minor league team. Robinson was 64...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Jaime Pressley (30), Lisa Kudrow (44), Laurence Fishburne (46), Anita Hill (51), Delta Burke (51), California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (60), Paul Anka (66) "Diana" is 50 years old this year: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fuTbB-d12A0 , Peter Bogdanovich (68) and Edd "Kookie" Byrnes (74)...

Timeline Countdown: All NFL training camps are now opened, 5 days until the Pro Football HOF inductions, 35 days until Labor Day and 38 days until the NFL opener...

Friday-Sunday, July 27-29, 2007

Friday Morning at the water cooler...

Does anyone really meet at the water cooler anymore? It's more likely the coffee wagon, Starbucks or in someones office. Wherever you meet you're likely to be talking about a variety of things like when A-Rod hits his 500th home run will it really be his 500th or his 493rd and will his 499th really be his 500th? The Yankees play the rest of a suspended game with the Orioles tonight in the 8th inning. Should he hit a home run before the end of that suspended game it will count as his 493rd since a suspended game is as Yogi would say, "Not over until it's over". I for one hope it happens just so there's controversy with Alex Rodriguez even when he hits his 500th home run. Can you imagine the headlines???

You might be talking about the two astronauts who according to an independent panel, were involved in "heavy use of alcohol" before launch although their drinking was within the standard 12-hour "bottle-to-throttle" rule. How would you like to be on that flight? If that wasn't a big enough blow to NASA, word came that a worker had sabotaged a computer set for delivery to the international space station. What's going on here???

56-year old Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser went for a jog yesterday and suffered a sudden massive heart attack. Poof. Gone. A real tragedy involving a young and very good coach who will be missed. There's another health issue involving a famous person. 69-year old singer Etta James is in stable condition after suffering complications during abdominal surgery (in June) in Los Angeles. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to a great singer of the blues and R&B...

There's plenty of talk and mostly good revues about "The Simpsons Movie" which premieres today. One movie critic actually called it "almost apologetically funny". We'll end our "water cooler" talk there on a high note. After more than 400 episodes of "The Simpsons" ranging from 'good to spectacular' how bad can this movie be? The only thing you'll be missing is your couch...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1940] Debuted on this date: Bugs Bunny makes his 1st appearance on the silver screen in "A Wild Hare". Bugs was the would-be dinner for frustrated hunter Elmer Fudd. The voice of Bugs Bunny was supplied by Mel Blanc who also created the voices or sounds of: Road Runner, Sylvester and Tweety Bird and many other cartoon characters...
2. 1959] A league of his own: Attorney William Shea announces the formation of the Continental League and the promise of bringing a baseball team to New York in 1961 (Major League Baseball did not want competition from another baseball league and decided to allow New York a new franchise in 1962). The New York Mets were born thanks to Branch Rickey, Shea and others. This was Rickey's goal all along...
3. 1960] Nixon's the One...VP Richard Nixon is nominated for President at the Republican national convention in Chicago (one of the funniest signs seen at the convention was a pregnant Republican delegate with a "Nixon's The One" sign on her belly)...
4. 1965] Now you've been warned: The Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act was signed into law. The law requires health warnings on all cigarette packages...
5. 1976] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Tina Turner files for divorce from Ike Turner (Tina, what took you so long ?). They were married 18 years...
6. 1976] Home Sweet Home: John Lennon is granted permanent residency in the U.S...
7. 1986] Tour de winners: Greg Lemond is the 1st American to win the Tour de France...2003] Lance Armstrong becomes the 2nd cyclist in history to win the Tour de France 5 times in a row...
8. 1992] A Celtic Tragedy: Reggie Lewis dies after collapsing on a Brandeis University basketball court during practice. He was 27 years old...
9. 1996] Dropping a bomb: A homemade bomb explodes in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta (GA), killing one person and injuring over 100. The games continued and a suspect (Richard Jewell) was charged in the case in 2003...
10. 2003] "Happy Trails": Legendary comedian Bob Hope dies at the age of 100...

Music Memories:

• 1959] Released on this date: "Sleepwalk" - Santo and Johnny. Here's a video clip of the song from 1959: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAk_0N85wNk ..1974] "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd...LS do it live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHsDa9_HSlA ...

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

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Alex Rodriguez (32), Maya Rudolph of SNL (35), Maureen McGovern (58), Peggy Fleming (59), Bobbie Gentry (63), Ron Alexenburg (65), Jerry Van Dyke (75) and Harvey Fuqua (Moonglows)(78) Here's Harvey with the Moonglows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPob6Bh6_uQ&mode=related&search= ...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until BB HOF induction, 3 days until all NFL training camps are open and 8 days until NFL HOF induction...

Saturday, July 28, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1945] Empire is hit: A U.S. bomber crashes into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building, killing 14 and injuring 26. The building only sustained minor damage...
2. 1973] Wedding Bells: Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett tie the knot (and in time will tie each other's neck in a knot). The couple separates in 1979 in an "on-again, off-again" relationship...
3. 1978] Heeeeeeee's back: At Old Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium it's announced that Billy Martin will return as Yankee manager in 1979 (I remember being at this game. My jaw didn't shut for a week after this bizarre announcement)...
4. 1987] So Sue me: The remaining members of the Beatles and Yoko Ono sue Nike from using "Revolution" in one of its sneaker ads without permission or paying for it. An out-of-court settlement is made at an undisclosed amount...1995] A settlement returns the rights to Jimi Hendrix's estate to his father. The ruling includes all unmastered tapes, concert recordings, photographs and other personal possessions...
5. 1991] A pair of perfectos: Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers pitches a perfect game against California, 4-0...1994] Three years to the date in 1994, the next perfect game is pitched by Montreal's Dennis Martinez against the Dodgers...
6. 1995] A life sentence: A jury in Union (SC) rejects the death penalty for Susan Smith, sentencing her instead to life in prison for drowning her 2 young sons...
7. 1998] Blanket immunity: Monica Lewinsky is given blanket immunity from prosecution in exchange for grand jury testimony in the investigation of her, er, relationship with President Bill Clinton...
8. 1999] Curtains: Detroit running back Barry Sanders, in the prime of his career, retires after 10 years at the age of 31 (a lot of teams would sign him today if they could)...2000] Kathie Lee Gifford makes her final appearance as co-host of "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (it's hard to believe but the world is still surviving without Kathie Lee)...
9. 2002] Tour de Lance: Lance Armstrong wins his 4th consecutive Tour de France...
10. 2004] Kerry's the one: The Democratic National Convention in Boston nominates Massachusetts Senator John Kerry for president (Vietnam veterans drop what they're doing and call information for the number of the White House)...

Music Memories:

• 1957] TV debut: Jerry Lee Lewis makes his TV debut on "The Steve Allen Show" singing "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" - Jerry Lee Lewis...
• 1956] #1 on this date: "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" - Elvis Presley...Here's Elvis singing it live in 1956 on "The Steve Allen Show": http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kj-3VP6f29A...
• 1973] Released on this date: "We're An American Band" - Grand Funk Railroad...Watch this great live version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_RGnNWmsWIs ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Sally Struthers (59), Georgia Engel (59), Jonathan Edwards (61) Here's Jonathan doing "Sunshine" live in 2006: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nbHBLh1uImQ , "Garfield" cartoonist Jim Davis (62) and Bill Bradley (61)...

Timeline Countdown: One day until the induction of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn at the Baseball Hall of Fame, 2 days until all NFL training camps are open and 7 days until the NFL HOF induction...

Sunday, July 29, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1957] Paar for the course: Jack Paar becomes the new host of the "Tonight Show". Paar will host until 1962 and the arrival of Johnny Carson...In this video clip Paar visits with his replacement Johnny Carson: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OKIyWMR9rz8 ...
2. 1966] Rock and Roll Wreck: Bob Dylan crashes his motorcycle near his home in Woodstock, breaking his neck. He remains in critical condition for a week. When he recovers he becomes a recluse for months...
3. 1974] "Happy Trails": Mama Cass Elliot dies from heart failure in London at the age of 32 (reports that circulated for years about her choking on a ham sandwich were bogus according to the coroner)...Mama Cass singing "Dream A Little Dream of Me" on "The Smothers Brothers Show": http://youtube.com/watch?v=vZPmZ64m3_4 ...
4. 1981] Royal Wedding Bells: England's Prince Charles, 32 and Lady Diana Spencer, 20, tie the royal knot at St. Paul's Cathedral in London (the royals will divorce in 1996)...
5. 1987] Life is just a bowl of cherries: Ben & Jerry introduce a new flavor in honor of the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia: "Cherry Garcia", still their #1 best-selling flavor. Many assume that they created the flavor after Garcia died...not true...
6. 1989] "Worst Trade": Texas Rangers' owner George W. Bush makes what he describes as his "worst trade": Sammy Sosa and 2 lesser players for Harold Baines (a pretty good hitter) and the immortal Fred Manrique. Sosa will only hit about 400 home runs after the trade. (Best butchering of Sosa's name was made by Teddy Kennedy who called him "Sammy Sowsa" and then corrected it to "Sammy Soosa")...
7. 1993] Ivan the Free: The Israeli Supreme Court acquits retired Ohio autoworker John ("Ivan the terrible") Demjanjuk as a Nazi death camp guard...
8. 1998] Right you are: Miramax buys the rights to the Beatles film, "A Hard Day's Night"...
9. 1999] Blood Bath: A day trader opens fire in 2 Atlanta brokerage offices, killing 9 and wounding 13. He then turns the gun on himself. Earlier in the day he had killed his wife and 2 children...
10. 2003] Two Salami's, no waiting: Bill Mueller of the Red Sox becomes the 1st player in major league history to hit grand slams from both sides of the plate in a single game which the Sawx win 14-7 over Texas...

Music Memories:

• 1959] Recorded on this date: "Shout" - Isley Brothers...
• 1961] On the road again: Dick Clark premieres his "Dick Clark Caravan of Stars" at Atlantic City's Steel Pier. The show goes on the road with Chubby Checker, Duane Eddy, Bo Diddley and others and becomes a summer staple...
• 1978] Released on this date: 1978] "Whenever I Call You Friend" - Kenny Loggins/Stevie Nicks...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Martina McBride (41), Patti Scialfa Springsteen (51), Ken Burns (54), Gary Busey (63), Sen. Elizabeth Dole (71) and Robert Horton (83)...

Timeline Countdown: One day until all NFL training camps are open and 6 days until the NFL Hall of Fame induction...

Thursday, July 26, 2007

High-Speed computer help is on the horizon...

No matter who you talk to - friends, family and co-workers (some of whom quite possibly are friends) the biggest computer complaints those folks talk about are, in no particular order: pop-up ads and how slow their computers are. It looks like help is on the way as far as computer speed is concerned. Pop-up ads are like roaches. It doesn't matter if you block them or not, somehow they manage to find your computer...

Just yesterday Intel announced a breakthrough in data-carrying light that holds the promise of being able to transmit terabits of data per second on a single chip, making it possible to one day develop computers capable of downloading full-length movies in seconds as well as perform other data-intensive tasks. What researchers at Intel's Photonics Technology Lab have done is build a key component needed for a silicon-based photonic integrated circuit. That component is a silicon optical modulator that can encode data on an optical beam at 40 billion bits per second...

I don't know beans about the technical end of computers but 40 billion bits per second sounds pretty fast to me. And when will this magic potion be available Dr. Bones? The operative words from Intel are "one day". There's no time table from Intel yet but when that day comes we will have the ability to transmit terabits of data per second. Bring it on Intel. I'm ready...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1775] P.O.ed: A postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress. The 1st Postmaster General? Someone you may have heard of: Benjamin Franklin...
2. 1908] Not Napoleon: Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte issues an order creating an investigative agency that will become the FBI...
3. 1948] Bambino sighting: Babe Ruth is seen publicly for the last time, attending the premiere of "The Babe Ruth Story" in Manhattan...
4. 1953] They say you want a revolution: Fidel Castro begins his revolt against Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on an army barracks in eastern Cuba. Castro eventually outsts Batista 6 years later...
5. 1968] Hey Jules: Paul McCartney writes a song in tribute to Julian Lennon while dad John adds his finishing touch to it on this date...
6. 1981] I started to choke: New York Mayor Ed Koch is given the Heimlich maneuver when he chokes on food at a Chinese restaurant. It saves his life. The Bee Gees sing about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HOiMeDOrs ...
7. 1984] Blue busted: Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends pitcher Vida Blue for the remainder of the season for cocaine possession...
8. 1984] Debuted on this date: The Prince movie "Purple Rain" premieres in Hollywood...
9. 1987] Going to Hall: Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame are Catfish Hunter, Billy Williams and Ray Dandridge (from the Negro Leagues)...1997] Giants owner Wellington Mara and Dolphins coach Don Shula are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
10. 1992] "Happy Trails": Mary Wells, Motown's 1st Diva, dies from cancer of the larynx, diagnosed in 1990. Mary was just 49. The life and death of Mary Wells: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmcydc1Qhkk&mode=related&search= ...

Music Memories:

• 1963] Released on this date: "Mickey's Monkey" - Smokey Robinson & Miracles...1969] "Beggar's Banquet" LP - Rolling Stones...
• 1972] #1 on this date: "Alone Again (Naturally)" - Gilbert O'Sullivan...and here's a great video clip of Gilbert singing the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_P-v1BVQn8 ...

Commentary...

I can't remember a worse week for sports. The leader of the Tour de France was disqualified yesterday, the NBA gambling fiasco is heating up as are dogfighting charges against Michael Vick, with Barry Bonds approaching Hank Aaron's home run record and still being investigated for steroid use, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is ambivalent about witnessing the record but will, Gary Player says he knows golfers are using steroids. What else can happen? Ah, but there are also two good landmark occasions about to be witnessed. A-Rod, the player everyone loves to hate is one home run away from 500 and Tom Glavine, one win away from the highly coveted 300 winner's circle for pitchers and a ticket into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Speaking of which, we will witness the induction this weekend of two new worthy members of the hallowed hall: Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn....

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Kate Beckinsale (34), Jeremy Piven (42), Sandra Bullock (43), Kevin Spacey (48), Dorothy Hamill (51), Mick Jagger (64), Dobie Gray (65), Brenton Wood (66), Darlene Love (66) and Blake Edwards (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until the induction of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, 4 days until all NFL training camps are open and 9 days until the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions...