We remember "super glove man" Aurelio Rodríguez (1947-2000)

We remember Aurelio Rodriguez.   He was born in Mexico on this day in 1947 and died tragically in 2000.

Aurelio broke with the Angels in 1967.    He hit 19 HRS with 83 RBI in 1970.  

After that, he was better known for his incredible glove at third base.   He finally won the Gold Glove in 1976 after Brooks Robinson of the Orioles won 16 in a row.

Overall, he hit .237, 124 HR & 648 RBI in 2,017 games.   He was a great defensive third baseman and that's why he played such a long career with the Angels, Tigers & Yankees.  

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

We remember Rod Sterling (1924-1975)

We remember Rod Sterling who was born in Syracuse, NY, on this day in 1924.  He died in 1975.

Most of us grew up watching "The Twilight Zone", one of my all-time favorite TV shows.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, click send drop a dime here.

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We remember Tim Hardin (1941-80)

We remember Tim Hardin, who was born in Eugene, Oregon, on this day in 1941 and died in 1980.     His life was cut short by some personal problems, specially an addiction to heroin.

His songs include "Reason to believe", recorded by Rod Stewart and The Carpenters,  and "If I were a carpenter", a big hit for Bobby Darin and recorded by many others.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, click send drop a dime here.

We remember Walt "No neck" Williams (1943-2016)

We remember Walt Williams who was born on this day in 1943.  He died in 2016.

In the early 1970s, it was a treat to watch the Chicago White Sox play the Milwaukee Brewers at the old County Stadium.

During that time, the White Sox had a stocky outfielder (5'6" & 165 lbs) with one of the greatest nicknames in baseball, or "No neck" Williams.   His wife said that he got the nickname in his first year of baseball.   

"No neck" played for several years with Chicago, Cleveland and New York Yankees.   His best season was 1969 when he hit .304 with 133 hits.    Overall, he retired with a very respectable .270 career batting average.

Walt "No neck" Williams.    I loved the nickname and very aggressive style on the field.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Tony Taylor (1935-2020)

We remember Tony Taylor, who was born in Central Alava, Matanzas, Cuba.   He was born in 1935 and died today in 2020.

Tony broke with the Cubs in 1958 hitting .235 in 140 games.  

He was traded to the Phillies and enjoyed a very good career:   2.007 hits, a .261 average, 234 stolen bases and 1,005 runs scored.    Tony had a couple of seasons with 700-plus plate appearances, a test to his durability. 

Taylor retired in 1976.   Tony is one of a handful of major leaguers who played in the pre-Castro winter league and the majors. 

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember William Safire (1929-2009)

We remember William Safire, who was born in New York City on this day in 1929 and died in 2009.

Safire was associated with President Nixon, including the famous "Kitchen debate" from 1959.  Later, he wrote several books and a column.  

His books were great.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1773: A little Tea Party history

Once upon a time, colonists threw tea into the water of Boston harbor.     

Our own "tea party" these days is also based on taxation and the sense that the government is out of touch with the governed.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1951: Joe DiMaggio retired from baseball

The great Joe DiMaggio officially ended his baseball career on this day in 1951.   

He began with the Yankees in 1936 when he was 21.   We remember him for the 56-game hitting streak and a .325 career batting average.  

He also played in 10 World Series, including 4 in a row (1936-39) and won the MVP 3 times. (1939, 1941 & 1947).

Was he the best?   Let's say that he was one of the best!    

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

World War II right after the attack on Pearl Harbor with Barry Jacobsen

Guest:  Barry Jacobsen, blogger and military historian........

.we will look at World War II right after the attack on Pearl Harbor.........the US declared war and now must organize a military response...........and other stories.......

Click to listen:

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.