I don't know whose pen that phrase came from but the descriptive is perfect for the four baseball teams left standing as the League playoffs begin this weekend. Let's review the list of those players, 30 or under, that played a key role in the success of their respective teams, starting with Colorado and Arizona who play tomorrow night:
- Colorado Rockies: Average age of 25-man roster: 27.9. Number of players 30 or under: 22 (key players: Matt Holiday, Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe, Manny Corpas, Jeff Francis)...
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Average age: 28.1. Number of players 30 or under: 19 (key players: Stephen Drew, Chris Young, Brandon Webb, Miguel Montero, Chris Snyder, Justin Upton, Jose Valverde...
- Cleveland Indians: Average age: 28.6. Number of players 30 or under: 17 (key players: Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Garko, C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Rafael Perez...
- Boston Red Sox: Average age: 30.6. Number of players 30 or under: 12 (key players: Dustin Pedroia, Coco Crisp, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathon Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen, Javier Lopez)...
This is not to discount the importance of the Manny's, Big Papi's, Todd Helton's, Kaz Matsui's, Garrett Atkins', Tony Clark's, Casey Blake's and Kenny Lofton's who represent the senior members of their respective teams but in these playoffs, more than any other in recent times: youth rules...
Instead of focusing on whether or not Joe Torre keeps his job with the New York Yankees, let's instead, look forward to the promising years ahead for a sport that has taken a page from the NFL, NBA and NHL by developing the stars of many tomorrows to come. Youth shall be served...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1845] Anchor's aweigh: The U.S. Naval Academy opens in Annapolis (MD) with 50 midshipmen and 7 professors enrolled. Midshipmen study at the academy for four years and train aboard ships each summer. The first graduating class was in June of 1854. If you haven't been - make the trip...
- 1951] World Series dates to remember: The Casey Stengel led Yankees beat the New York Giants in 6 games to win their 3rd consecutive WS (the number will grow to 5). Joe DiMaggio (final year) and Mickey Mantle (rookie year) both played the outfield together with Mantle in right field, DiMag in his customary center field position...1957] Lou Burdette's 3rd WS victory gives the Braves the championship over the Yankees in 7 games. This past summer the '57 Braves reunited in Milwaukee: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hkSeAQI_xLQ ...
- 1973] Mets advance: The New York Mets beat the Reds in game 5 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series against Oakland. We won't talk about the results of that WS...
- 1973] Nolo Contendere: Which means something in Latin like "no contest". That was the plea of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew when he was charged with one count of federal income tax evasion and 2 counts of "effette snobbery". Agnew resigns and will be replaced by Nelson Rockefeller who some describe as an "effette snob"...
- 1976] Premiered on this date: The Meadowlands opens in the swampland of New Jersey with a Giants loss to the Dallas Cowboys 24-14...1978] Steve Perry joins Journey as lead singer and here's one of his hits: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fy5qHlNPKEc ...1979] The movie, "The Rose" opens. From the movie, here's the Bette Midler hit: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JYWAYLZWZBg ...
- 1980] Swept away: KC's George Brett faces Goose Gossage, but first this word: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fQZ9fkxLPKQ . Robert Phillips and his dad didn't move to see where the ball went, we knew. Brett hits it into the upper deck in right field to give the Royals a sweep of the Yankees in the ALCS...
- 1981] "Happy Trails": Anwar Sadat is buried in Egypt following his assassination...2004] Christopher Reeve dies from cardiac arrest after slipping into a coma. The former Superman was 52...
- 1994] Curtains: The Giants retire Lawrence Taylor's #56...2006] Tower Records files for Chapter 11. The giant retail chain closes its doors forever...
- 1998] Tawana bet?: A New York judge awards $185,000 in damages to a former prosecutor who was falsely accused by advisers, mostly Rev. Al Sharpton, of falsely raping Tawana Brawley...
- 1999] Force play: The Red Sox force a deciding 5th game with Cleveland in their 1st round AL playoff series with a decisive 23-7 win on 3 Tom Brady touchdowns and a safety by Rodney Harrison. It's the most runs ever scored in a postseason game...
Music Memories:
- 1964] Released on this date: "Leader of the Pack" - Shangri-Las...1970] "Tears of a Clown" - Smokey & the Miracles: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hxj1hP3dxdg ...
Commentary:
In response to yesterday's posting of the 1969 release, "Someday We'll Be Together", Paul Power adds: "According to J. Randy Taraborrelli's 'Call Her Miss Ross', the Supremes did NOT sing on "Someday" (written by Johnny Bristol, the male voice on the record). They used studio back-up and Berry wanted it credited only to 'Miss Ross'...The label upon release by Motown credits 'Diana Ross and The Supremes' so perhaps Berry Gordy reconsidered...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (33), Mario Lopez (34), Brett Favre (38), Julia Sweeney (46), Tanya Tucker (48), David Lee Roth (57), Ben Vereen (61) and Peter Coyote (65)...
Timeline Countdown: One day until the National League playoffs begin, 2 days until the AL playoffs, 14 days until the World Series opener, 21 nights until Halloween, 25 days until Standard Time, 36 days until Thanksgiving...
