1958: "The Rifleman" made its US TV debut

Chuck Connors used to play baseball.    In fact, he played with the Dodgers and Cubs in 1949-51.   Connors, who was 6'5 and 190 pounds, never hit much:  .238 in 67 major league games!

On this day in 1958, "The Rifleman" made its debut on US TV and an entire generation of boys like me grew up watching it.   Even now, I catch episodes on Saturday mornings over at AMC.

The show's message was simple:  right and wrong, a widowed father who was a good role model and a cast of characters that we enjoyed every week.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Cuba and the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debates

-----------
Back in 1960, millions of Americans tuned in for a real "TV first" this week.   They watched a debate by the two major presidential candidates running for president in 1960.

Who won?  Did the debates impact the vote?

Senator Kennedy won by 114,000 votes out of 70 million cast that day.  It was 49.72% vs 49.55%.

The conventional wisdom is that JFK won "the video" and Nixon won "the audio".

Again, your guess is as good as mine.  It's like losing the pennant by one game and arguing about what "one game" made the difference.

What impact did it have?

Senator Kennedy hit the Eisenhower administration very hard about the growing communist menace in Cuba.  His debate comments actually had an impact on many Cubans, like my father, who were following the debates by shortwave radio.   Sadly, President Kennedy dropped the ball at The Bay of Pigs the next spring.  He contradicted with his actions what he promised at the debates.

What else do we remember from the 1960 presidential debates?  Vietnam was not a topic in the Kennedy-Nixon debates but it consumed the nation in the 1960's.

In 1960, we learned an important lesson.  Debates are important and we should continue the tradition.  However, the reality of the presidency often overwhelms campaign promises or 'tough talk" at the debates.  

For more on the election, check this.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

"My Three Sons" made its debut in 1960

What can I say?   I used to love this show not realizing that I would have 3 sons someday.

The original series was about widower Steve Douglas raising  three sons with the help of the one and only Uncle Charlie.   

The show ran until 1972.   The family expanded when Douglas remarried and new characters came into the story.

By the way, McMurray died in 1991.  He had a long film career  before this show.     Don Grady, who played Robbie, died in 2012.     William Demarest, who played Uncle Charlie and served in World War I, died in 1983.    The other two sons are still living.

A great show now available for sale..........

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Jerry Lee Lewis. (1935-2022)

We remember Jerry Lee Lewis, one of the first rockers in rock history.   He was born on this day in 1935 in Louisiana and died in 2022.

In the early days of rock, Lewis recorded with Sun Records, or the same studio that featured a young Elvis.  His music was raw rock, a killer piano and lots of energy.....

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Gene Autry (1907-1998)

Gene Autry was born in Tioga, Texas and grew up here and Oklahoma.   Where else?    

We remember him for songs and movies.    "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" is the second all-time best selling Christmas single, i.e. 30 million copies.   He is the only entertainer to have all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television, and Live Theater performances.

And he owned the Angels, the AL baseball team in Los Angeles.    Sadly, he never saw his Angels win the 2002 World Series.

Autry was one of the most famous people of the 20th century.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1963: "My favorite Martian" made its US TV debut

Yes, it was a silly but very funny show.

"My favorite Martian" landed on TV on this day in 1963.   It was the story of a Martian who ended up in Los Angeles by mistake.    

Like so much of TV in the 1960's, it was simple, funny and did not set out to change the world.    It was all about entertaining the audience and keeping you glued to the TV for 30 minutes.

Fun show and that's all you need to say about it.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1963: Stan Musial played his last game

------------

The amazing Stan Musial played his last game on this day in 1963.   His last base hit was a ground ball to right field that Pete Rose, the Reds rookie second baseman, could not reach.   Years later, Rose passed Musial on his way to breaking Ty Cobb’s all time hits record.    

He won 7 seven titles.  Only Ty  Cobb (11), Honus Wagner and Tony Gwynn (eight each) won more.  He retired with a .331 batting average and 3,630 hits.

Stan the Man died in 2013.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1954: Willie Mays and "the catch"

Willie Mays took playing center field to a new level in game 1 of the 1954 World Series.   He made an amazing over-the-shoulder catch of a shot hit by Cleveland Indians first baseman Vic Wertz.   It would have likely been a triple or even an inside of the park depending on how the ball bounced around in deep centerfield.    Instead, it was a long out!

"The catch" started the legend of Willie Mays, from playing defense to being perhaps the most complete player ever.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

September 28 and Ted Williams

Ted Williams is featured twice on this day in history.   

On this day in 1941, Williams was batting .399955 when he woke up in the last day of the season.  He decided to play a double header against the A's.  Williams went for 6-for-8 and finished the season at .406.   

On this day in 1960, Williams hit a home run in his last at bat in the major leagues.

Let me add this note:  Williams also hit .388 in 1957!  

Was Williams the greatest hitter ever?    He is #1 on my list and I never saw him play.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

September 28, 1941: Williams showed some real character playing that doubleheader

---------

1941 was the year of DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak, the last summer before Pearl Harbor changed everything and Ted Williams ended up with a .406 batting average.  

It is remarkable to go back and see Williams' consistency: 

The eventual seventeen-time All-Star began the season going one-for-one with a 1.000 batting average.  Over the rest of the season, his average never fell below .308, and was almost always over .400.  In fact, on July 24, it stood at .397. It would never again fall below .400.  Williams wrapped up 1941 at 185-456, good for an average of .406. While Williams’ batting average garnered all of the attention in 1941, he also led the league in home runs (37), base on balls (147), runs (135), slugging average (.735), and on base percentage (.551). 

But here is the best part of the story. This is where this goes from another baseball story to a triumph of character.

This is where Ted Williams' talent and tenacity was displayed, as remembered in this article by Bill Pennington years ago:

Inside his room at Philadelphia’s Ben Franklin Hotel on Saturday, Sept. 27, 1941, Ted Williams was jumpy and impatient.That might have been an apt description of the mercurial Williams at most times, but on this evening he had good cause for his unease.His batting average stood at .39955 with a season-finale doubleheader to be played the next day at Shibe Park, home of Connie Mack’s Athletics.
Since batting averages are rounded to the next decimal, Williams could have sat out the final two games and still officially crested baseball’s imposing .400 barrier.At the time,
Williams said, “If I’m going to be a .400 hitter, I want more than my toenails on the line.”

So he went 6 for 8 and crashed through the .400 barrier.

As we learned later, Williams had many character flaws.  He wasn't the nicest guy in the clubhouse or with the media. He couldn't even return a salute to the fans at Fenway who cheered his last at bat, a home run, naturally.

Nevertheless, his performance in the last game of 1941 is a lesson for us all.  He could have sat out the double header and hit .400, or the rounded version of .3995. 
Instead, he put everything on the line and came out with a .406 average.

Love him or hate him, I have to love that he was not afraid to put everything on the line.  

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Grant Jackson (1942-2021)

-------------

We remember Grant Jackson who was born in Florida on this day in 1942 and died February 2021.

Jackson broke with the Phillies in 1965.    He had a very good year in 1969:  14-18 with 13 Complete games, a 3.38 ERA and 180 K's.    

In 1971, Grant was traded to the Orioles and Earl Weaver turned him into a bullpen specialist.   He saved 12 games for the AL East champions in 1974.     

In 1977, Jackson went to the Pirates and continued his great work out of the bullpen.   

He played for Pittsburgh when they beat Baltimore in the 1979 World Series.   In fact, he won game 7 and retired 7 Orioles to keep the Pirates in the game.   

A great pitcher and very nice man as well.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1960 this week: The Kennedy-Nixon debates

Back in 1960, millions of Americans tuned in for a real "TV first" this week.   They watched a debate by the two major presidential candidates running for president in 1960.

Who won?  Did the debates impact the vote?

Senator Kennedy won by 114,000 votes out of 70 million cast that day.  It was 49.72% vs 49.55%.

The conventional wisdom is that JFK won "the video" and Nixon won "the audio".

Again, your guess is as good as mine.  It's like losing the pennant by one game and arguing about what "one game" made the difference.

What impact did it have?

Senator Kennedy hit the Eisenhower administration very hard about the growing communist menace in Cuba.  His debate comments actually had an impact on many Cubans, like my father, who were following the debates by shortwave radio.  Sadly, President Kennedy dropped the ball at The Bay of Pigs the next spring.  He contradicted with his actions what he promised at the debates.

What else do we remember from the 1960 presidential debates?  Vietnam was not a topic in the Kennedy-Nixon debates but it consumed the nation in the 1960's.

In 1960, we learned an important lesson.  Debates are important and we should continue the tradition.  However, the reality of the presidency often overwhelms campaign promises or 'tough talk" at the debates.  

For a look back at the 1960 campaign, check out.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

September 26, 1969: "Abbey Road" by The Beatles released in the US

The Beatles recorded "Abbey Road" in the spring and summer of 1969. It was eventually released in September 1969 in the UK and a week later in the US.

Abbey Road was special because of Side 2, or the medley.  

How successful was Abbey Road?    It included 2 of George Harrison's finest songs:  "Something" and "Here comes the sun".  

John Lennon had "Come together" and the very long "I want you she's so heavy" that goes on forever.     

Ringo had "Octupus' garden", maybe his best composition.    

And Paul had several lead vocals.

Rolling Stone magazine named it the 14th greatest album of all time.....which is probably right!

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Olivia Newton John (1948-2022)

We remember Olivia Newton John who was born on this day in 1948 in Cambridge, England and moved to Australia at age 5 with her parents.   She died in 2022 after a long battle with cancer.

 Olivia reached the US charts in 1971 with "If not for you" a Bob Dylan song.   She had several hits in the 1970's and then became an international sensation with the movie "Grease".    Overall, she sold 100 million records and had 5 # 1 songs on Billboard USA:

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1789: We remember another anniversary of The Bill of Rights

We remember another anniversary of the US Congress approving The Bill of Rights or the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution.

These "rights" are second nature to us today.  We assume that every person in the world has the right to practice his religion or freedom of the press.  In fact, most citizens in the world do not have these guarantees, from privacy to a jury trial to protections from cruel & unusual punishment.

Also, let's not forget that the Founding Fathers fought to include these rights in the Constitution.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

---

1970: We said hello to The Partridge Family on TV this week

-

The Partridge Family made its debut on ABC this week in 1970.   They were inspired by The Cowsills, the pop group that featured mom singing with her kids.    Apparently, the idea of the show was offered to The Cowsills but it did not work out.   

The Partridge Family had a couple of big hits.   In the end, David Cassidy became a huge teen idol and had hits as a solo artist in the 1970's

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

---

We remember Ian Tyson 1933-2022)

We remember  Ian Tyson of Ian & Sylvia, the wonderful Canadian country duo.   He was born on this day in 1933.  He died in 2022.

Ian Tyson wrote, and along with his wife Sylvia, recorded some great songs.  One of his songs was "Someday soon' recorded by Judy Collins.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1964: The Warren Report on President Kennedy's assassination

On this day in 1964, President Johnson received The Warren Report on the assassination of Pres Kennedy.    It concluded that Oswald had acted alone.

It was an extraordinary report based on hundreds of interviews and experts.

Over the years, there have been serious challenges to the Report and not serious ones, such as Oliver Stone’s JFK movie from 1991.  

Overall, the Report's conclusion stands years later.

By the way, future President Ford was a member of the Commission.   He is standing to the left of Chief Justice Warren. 

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Gerry Marsden (1942-2021)

------------

Gerry Marsden was born in Liverpool, England in 1942.     He was a contemporary of John Lennon & Paul McCartney in the local music scene.  He died in January 2021.

Gerry and the Pacemakers had hits in the UK and then came over with The Beatles during the so called "British Invasion" of 1964-65.     Some of their hits were "How Do You Do It," "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" and "Ferry Cross the Mersey".

The group faded in 1966 but they were a big favorite in oldies radio and concerts in the US.   

They had a great sound.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Remembering Linda McCartney (1941-1998)

----------

For years, I caught a local radio show about The Beatles.  It was full of details about their songs and personal lives.

Linda McCartney was born in New York City on this day in 1941.  She died in 1998 after almost 30 years of marriage to Paul McCartney.  It stands as one of the most successful and enduring marriages in pop music.  

We grew up with Paul, Linda and all of those McCartney kids running around in the farm.

You can hear her voice in some Wings' songs.   Her greatest contribution was being a great wife and mother.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Curt Motton 1940-2010

----------

We remember Curt Motton.   He was born in California on this day in 1940.

Curt broke with the Orioles in 1967 but did not get a lot of playing time with Don Buford, Paul Blair and Frank Robinson as the outfield regulars.   

He did hit .303 in 1969 but only had 89 AB's.  Motton did play in the 1969-71 post season teams.    Eventually, he was traded to the Brewers in 1972 but came back to Baltimore and retired after the 1974 season.       

In late 1976, I saw Curt speak at a dinner in Baltimore.   He mentioned that the O's had this switch hitter in the system who would make the team in 1977.   He was talking about Eddie Murray.

Curt died in 2010.  He was a great guy and a popular teammate in one of the best teams of the 20th century.  He played with Frank & Brooks Robinson in those great Orioles' teams.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Ray Charles (1930-2004)

-------------------------

We remember Ray Charles, who was born in Georgia on this day in 1930.     He died in 2004.

In 1962, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” topped the U.S. pop charts.

Over the years, we've grown accustomed to his style and music.    And nobody sings "American the beautiful" like Charles.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Marcelino Lopez (1943-2001)

Marcelino Lopez was born in Havana, Cuba on this day in 1943. He died in Miami in 2001. In 1965, 21-year old Marcelino was second in the AL Rookie of the Year vote. He won 14, lost 13 and finished the year with a 2.93 ERA. It was a great season for the young Cuban lefthander.

A few years later, Marcelino played with the Orioles and pitched in the post-season. In 1971-72 , he was a bullpen specialist with the Brewers and Indians.  His career ended in 1972 and I’m not sure what he did in the Miami area after baseball.

We remember the Cuban lefty who shared the Los Angeles sports pages with Sandy Koufax in 1965.   He was an exciting story in the early days of the LA Angels.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1957: Hank Aaron HR gives Milwaukee its first NL pennant

From 1954 until 1976, Hank Aaron was one of the best players in baseball.    He was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

In 1957, Aaron led the Braves to the NL pennant.    On this day, he hit the extra inning HR at County Stadium to clinch it.     

The "walk off" was one of the greatest moments in Milwaukee baseball history.   A few weeks later, Milwaukee beat New York in the World Series and it was quite a celebration.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1966: Orioles clinch the AL pennant in KC

On this day in 1966, the Baltimore Orioles clinched their first AL pennant with a 6-1 victory over the A’s in Kansas City.   It was an amazing year for a very good team, as remembered by The Sun:   

Yet when they formally clinched the pennant in Kansas City on Sept. 22 — Palmer beat the Athletics, aided by a sensational diving catch by outfielder Russ Snyder — they did not take the moment for granted.    

The victory touched off a celebratory food fight that lasted more than an hour. Egg salad, chocolate milk and shaving cream filled the air. Players tossed fully clothed teammates, and owner Jerry Hoffberger, into streaming showers and swirling whirlpool tubs. A champagne-addled Johnson, who’d go on to manage the Orioles 30 years later, nearly drowned in 8 inches of water.

Powell cut off announcer Bill O’Donnell’s pants at the knee. An upended buffet table landed on reserve Charley Lau’s head.

“Most outlandish thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Watt says.

Baltimore swept the LA Dodgers in October.   They returned to the World Series in 1969, 1970 & 1971.   The same team won the 1973 & 1974 AL East but lost to the A’s in the ALCS.    

The 1966 Orioles started something that lasted over 10 years.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Tommy Lasorda (1927-2021)

Thomas Charles Lasorda was born in Norristown, PA, on this day in 1927 and died in January 2021.

Lasorda broke with the Dodgers in 1954 and played a couple of seasons.   His overall record was 0-4.

We remember him as the manager of the Dodgers:  1,599 wins, World Series champs in 1981 & 1988, NL champs in 1977 & 1978 plus NL West divisional champs in 1983 & 1985.

Lasorda was one of the game's greatest ambassadors.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

1964: "The man from UNCLE" debut on US TV

"The Man from UNCLE" made its debut on US TV on this day in 1964.    The show featured two secret agents played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum.  It was great.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1970: Monday Night Football debut on US TV

----------------------------


On this day in 1970, the NFL came to Monday night TV.    

It quickly became one of the most popular events on TV.  The Browns (now in Baltimore) beat the Jets, 31-21.  

In late 2005, Monday Night Football said goodbye to ABC and moved to ESPN.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Sophia Loren is 88 today

Sophia Loren turned a year older and that is hard to believe.  Her movies with Marcello Mastrionni were absolute classics.  I guess that they'd be PG-13 today.  They had great chemistry on screen!  

Overall, one of the most beautiful women of the 20th century!

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.

September 20, 1968: Mantle hit # 536, his last HR

Mickey Mantle hit # 536 on this day in 1968 off of Jim Lonborg of Boston and at Fenway Park.   It was # 18 for the season.  Mantle played his last game at Yankee Stadium on September 25th.   The Yankees did not formally say goodbye until 1969 when Mick retired.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1918, World War I and a young officer named George S Patton

We all know General Patton for his exploits in World War II.   I'm sure that you've seen that great movie "Patton".  As a young soldier, Patton served in World War I under General McArthur.

On this day in 1918, officer Patton wrote a letter to his parents:

“Dear Papa,” Patton began his letter, “we have all been in one fine fight and it was not half so exciting as I had hoped, not as exciting as affairs in Mexico, because there was so much company. When the shelling first started I had some doubts about the advisability of sticking my head over the parapet, but it is just like taking a cold bath, once you get in, it is all right.”

In the rest of the letter, Patton chronicles his experience in battle alongside a brigade commanded by General Douglas MacArthur (later the commander of all Allied forces in the South Pacific during World War II) and his movement on foot across the battlefield, evading German shells and surveying the damage inflicted by the battle.

As Patton finally concluded, “This is a very egotistical letter but intersting [sic] as it shows that vanity is stronger than fear and that in war as now waged there is little of the element of fear, it is too well organized and too stupendous.”

Patton came home and served in World War II.   Recently, Bill O'Reilly wrote a book about General Patton.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.