We remember the great Sam Johnson (1930-2020)

Back in 1994, I had the chance to catch a speech by then Representative Sam Johnson.  He was fascinating, specially when he related his amazing military story.

Former US Representative Sam Johnson died in Texas on May 27.  He had a wonderful life, as you can see in this obituary:  

Former U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, a Texas congressman for more than 25 years and Vietnam War hero, died Wednesday in Plano, a family spokesperson said. He was 89.

First elected to Congress in 1991, Johnson gained a reputation as a strong conservative voice in the Texas delegation. In 2010, he was tied for the most conservative member of Congress, according to the National Journal’s rankings.

Johnson flew combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars as a fighter pilot. While flying over North Vietnam in 1966, his plane was struck down. He was held as a prisoner of war for nearly seven years, including a stint at the Hoa Lo Prison known as the Hanoi Hilton.

Along the way, he flew fighter jets in Korea, Vietnam, shared a cell with the late Senator John McCain and became a prominent member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Best of all, he was always happy to talk to a constituent even when they disagreed.  He was a first-class gentleman and true patriot.

Rest in Peace, Congressman Johnson.

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2006: Does anyone remember Barry Bonds passing the Babe?

Does anyone remember?  I recall a lot of controversy surrounding this.  On this day in 2006, Barry Bonds became the third man to hit 715 home runs.  

Some of us are old enough to remember Mantle's last home run in '68. Or, Mays and Aaron hitting their 500th, 600th and so on.

Of course, I remember Aaron tying and breaking Ruth's record. It was a Monday Night Game early in '74. The pitcher was Al Downing of the LA Dodgers. I can remember Aaron rounding the bases and getting a handshake from Bill Russell, the Dodgers' shortstop.

He was greeted at the plate by a young Dusty Baker. Tom House, who later served as the Rangers' pitching coach caught the ball in the bullpen.

It was very exciting. Like many fans, I was invested in Aaron's achievements.

Sorry but I was not excited about this achievement.  I don't know if it had something to do with steroids'  or just loyalty to the others.  Bonds just did not have the same positive impact on me that Aaron or Mays did.

Maybe it's because I grew up loving Mantle, Aaron and Mays. Maybe it's all the stuff about steroids.

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1897: "Dracula" for sale in London

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker tells the story of a Transylvanian vampire.  It was published on this day in 1897 and was an instant success.    Frankly, I learned of “Dracula” by watching the movies.   My guess is that most of you had the same experience.   

A few years ago, Dr Ileana Johnson wrote a great account of Dracula.   She went to the castle in her native Romania and wrote a great summary of the famous character.

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

A wolrd about Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is into 70-something territory these days!

Dylan was a great composer. He wrote some of the best songs of our generation. His songs are a big part of the soundtrack of the last 60 years!

As far as I'm concerned, his best LP is the Greatest Hits from the 1960's.   It includes all of his hit singles, as well as his version of "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man".    

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits............https://t.co/ExwVZ6IfRN via @amazon

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) July 1, 2017

May 2006: Barry hit # 715th

In one generation, we have seen two men pass Babe Ruth's fabled 714 home runs. To be honest, I did not think that it would be possible to catch the Babe. How can some average 35 homers over 20 years?

Aaron did it. And now Bonds has done it.

We also saw Pete Rose pass Ty Cobb's 4191 hits. Again, how can some average 200 hits over 20 years. Rose did it from 1963-85. I did not think that anyone would ever come close to Cobb either.

We also saw Nolan Ryan throw 7 no-hitters. He passed Sandy Koufax who had 4. Ryan had his 5th in 1981 and then his 6th in 1990, or 9 years later!   His 7th was in 1991.

So what's the next record to fall?

Let me say for sure that no one will break DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak.  Pete Rose had 44 and Paul Molitor had 39.

So congratulations to Barry Bonds.

 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.

The story of World War II, part 4, Germany 1939-41..with Barry Jacobsen..

 

The story of World War II, part 4, Germany 1939-41..with Barry Jacobsen........Listen in now at https://t.co/uaNrwVaqvY. #BlogTalkRadio

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) June 17, 2016

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

Pre-Castro Cuba: The years of real independence in Cuba

(My new AT post.  See the post for links and references)

It was 119 years ago today that the Cuban flag went up in the island after the four-year U.S. occupation and 400 years of Spanish rule.   By the way, both of my paternal grandparents were born in 1892, and their birth certificates showed that they were citizens of the Spanish Crown, or whatever was left of it by that time.  Let's just say that the late 19th century was not the highlight of Spain's history.  They lost most of Latin America to independence and hung on to Cuba by a bit.

This is also a good day to remember what my late parents told me about Cuba.  

They recalled the elegance of Havana and how nice the country was. 

They never said that it was perfect, but certainly not "the underdeveloped country" narrative that Castro & the left have been preaching for years.  

That was pre-Castro Cuba, as Mark Milke wrote:   

Of the many myths that some offer up about Fidel Castro's Cuba, one tale is that despite Mr. Castro's repression, he improved a few social programs.

Thus, in his statement on Mr. Castro's death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted "significant improvements" in Cuban health care and education under the totalitarian tutelage of Fidel Castro.

An inconvenient fact: Pre-Castro, Cuba was already better off than most Latin American countries on such indicators. 

Also, Mr. Castro's rule knocked Cubans to the near-economic bottom of all Latin American countries, with subsequent negative effects on Cuba's much-vaunted social model.

In other words, pre-Castro Cuba was a much better place to live than post-1959.

On behalf of the many who have died in political prisons or were executed by the Castro regime, let me say that we are looking forward to another independence day.   

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

We remember Robin Gibb (1949-2012)

Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees died on this day in 2012.    

In recent years, Robin had been very active in supporting World War II veterans:

"There has been much talk about Robin Gibb's contribution to popular music since the announcement of his death.
But he will be remembered by a much older group of men for a very different reason. This was another side to the former Bee Gees singer that many people rarely saw."

Today, we remember Robin and the group's songs.

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

World War II: The great military leaders with Barry Jacobsen

Guest:  Barry Jacobsen, military historian and blogger.......we will remember the Allied and Axis commanders: Ike, MacArthur, Nimitz, Monty, Zukov; and on the Axis side, Von Manstein, Guderian, Rommel, Kesselring, Adm. Yamamoto, General Yamashita.......and other stories of the war.....

Click to listen:

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We remember Jim Hickman (1937-2016)

We remember Jim Hickman who was born in Tennessee on this day in 1937.  He died in 2018.

Jim is the answer to a great baseball trivia question:   Who drove in Peter Rose in the 1970 All Star Game?    I am talking about the time when Pete Rose ran over Ray Fosse to score the winning run!   

He started his baseball career with the New York Mets in 1962, or the year that the team lost 120 games.   Hickman actually had a decent year for a very bad team:  13 HR & 46 RBI.

In 1968, Hickman was traded to the Cubs and his career flourished: 89 HR over a four year period.    

His best season was in 1970:  .315 average, 32 HR & 115 RBI.

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

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May 5, 1862: The Battle of Puebla

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!    

Down in Mexico, May 5th is not a "fiesta" or party.   Instead, they celebrate "La batalla de Puebla" or the Battle of Puebla of 1862.    As it turned out, it was not a major strategic victory in the war against France.   However, it galvanized Mexican resistance and the French withdrew six years later.

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.

The story of World War II with Barry Jacobsen, part 1

 

The story of World War II with Barry Jacobsen, part 1.....Listen in now at https://t.co/Gt2U7mAZgD. #BlogTalkRadio

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) May 20, 2016

The story of World War II with Barry Jacobsen, part 3

 

The story of World War II with Barry Jacobsen, part 3........click to listen....... https://t.co/LdXufaB2u0

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) June 6, 2016