We remember Mel Ott (1909-58)

Mel Ott was born in Louisiana on this day in 1909.   He became one of the greatest power hitters in National League history.

Ott broke with the New York, now in San Francisco, Giants in 1924 and played until 1947.    He was only 17 when he joined the major league team.

Over 22 seasons, Mel Ott hit .304 with 511 HR, 488 doubles, 2,876 hits & 1,860 RBI in 2,730 games.  

Ott also walked 1,708 times and had a career OBP of .414!     In other words, Ott was on base 41.4% of the time!  

In 1951, Mel Ott was inducted in The Baseball Hall of Hame.     Ott tragically died in 1958 in a car crash.

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1836: Texas declared independence

On March 2 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico.   It started years before when settlers came to Texas based on an agreement between Moses Austin and the new Mexican government.    

For about 10 years, Texas was an independent republic.   Sam Houston was Texas’ first elected president.  In 1845, Texas joined the Union as the 28th state, leading to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.

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.

1962: Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points!

On this day in 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in an NBA game.     Chamberlain hit 36 FG's and 28 foul shots, both league records.   

Chamberlain retired from the NBA after the 1972-73 season.   

He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and still holds a number of NBA records.

Wonder if anyone could score 100 today?

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.

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We remember Karen Carpenter (1950-83)

We remember Karen Carpenter who was born in Connecticut on this day in 1950.    She died in 1983.

Like many of you, I loved The Carpenters in the 1970's. They were one of the most popular brother-sister acts ever!

My favorite Carpenters songs were "Close to you", "I Need To Be In Love" and "Goodbye to love".

We miss Karen Carpenter. Her songs are still so good!

 

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

“Ricky Ricardo” and growing up in Wisconsin

By the winter of 1964, my brother and I were attending school in Wisconsin.

It was fun playing football in snowstorms and answering questions about “Ricky Ricardo”, or the only Cuban that any of my friends knew anything about.

Desi was born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III in 1917.  His father was a politician and mayor of Santiago de Cuba, or the second largest city on the island.

In the 1930s, Mr. Arnaz sent Desi and his mother to the U.S.  He joined them a little later.  We understand that Mr. Arnaz had some political problems and decided to take a little “exile” in Florida.

In the U.S., Desi worked in odd jobs and eventually found himself playing “bongos” on stage. 

 In 1940, he met Lucy and they were married quickly.  They worked separately for most the 1940s until the idea of “I Love Lucy” in 1951.

We also remember him for “Desilu,” the TV company that changed TV and produced many of the sitcoms that we grew up watching.  

Desi Arnaz became one of the most successful businessmen and executives of the 20th century.

He died in 1986.

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.     Back in 2012, we spoke with Fernando Hernandez about Desi Arnaz:

Thinking about Desi Arnaz (1917-86)

Back in the fall and winter of 1964, my brother and I started school in Wisconsin and  would hear a lot about “Ricky Ricardo”.  It did not take long for us to figure out that Lucy’s husband was the only Cuban that my friends knew anything about.

Desi Arnaz was born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III on this day in 1917. His father was a politician and mayor of Santiago de Cuba, or the second largest city in the island. In the 1930’s, Mr Arnaz sent Desi and his mother to the US. He joined them a little later.

Over here, Desi worked in odd jobs and eventually found himself playing “bongos” on stage. In 1940, he met Lucille Désirée Ball and married quickly. They worked separately for most the 1940s until the idea of “I love Lucy” came up in 1951. The TV show was a smashing success in the 1950’s. The story of “Ricky Ricardo” was born.

We also remember him for “Desilu,” the TV production company that changed television and released many of the sitcoms that we grew up watching, such as Mannix, The Untouchables, Mission: Impossible and Star Trek.

Desi Arnaz, who came here in the 1930’s with his mother, became one of the most successful businessmen and executives of the 20th century. He died in 1986.

Back in 2012, Fernando Hernandez, author of “The Cubans” joined us for the story of Desi Arnaz, TV star and executive.    Click below to hear the podcast.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.   Back in 2012, we spoke with Fernando Hernandez about Desi Arnaz:

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1965: "The sound of music" released in the US

On this day in 1965, "The sound of music" was released in the US.    A few years later, I remember taking my sister to watch the movie in a theatre.      

As time passed, I began to appreciate the story a lot more, specially the World War II context of the movie.    I also found the movie soundtrack more enjoyable over time.

It was indeed a great film and the music was wonderful!

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 Chico Fernandez (1932-2016)

Humberto Fernandez Perez was born in La Habana on this day in 1932.  We remember him as Chico Fernandez, the first player of color on the Philadelphia Phillies and the first Latin regular position player on the Tigers.    Chico signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951 and started his minor league career.  At one point, Chico and Sandy Amoros were roommates in Montreal, then the Dodgers' AAA franchise.   He finally made it to the majors in July 1956 but did not play as a regular for the National League champs or see action in the World Series against the Yankees.   In 1957, Chico was traded to Philadelphia and opened the season as the shortstop.   He was traded to Detroit in 1962 and enjoyed his best year:   20 home runs, 59 RBI, 10 stolen bases and a .249 average.   In 1970, he started selling for Metropolitan Life, became an active figure in the local Latin American commmunity and finally reunited with his parents who fled Cuba.   He died in Florida in 2016.

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.