Saturday, August 31, 2024
Tales from Kam and the coach
Tales from Kam and the coach : We finally got to see Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Walz in a televised interview with a reporter.
And what did we see? Not much if you were expecting some substantive answers rather than word salads.
Yes, we…
Click to read:
Tales from Kam and the coach - American Thinker https://t.co/fMRHXUYISc
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 31, 2024
We remember Frank Robinson (1935-2019)
We remember Frank Robinson who was born on this day in 1935. He died in 2019 at age 83.
Frank was the MVP in both leagues: 1961 with the NL champs Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore 1966. As an Oriole, he led the O's to 4 AL pennants and the World Series in 1966 & 1970.
Frank's career was more than numbers. He was the team leader and a credit to the game of baseball. In 1982, Frank was selected to The Hall of Fame.
We remember Peggy Lipton (1946-2019)
She played "Julie" in "The Mod Squad" on TV. I did not know that Peggy was married to Quincy Jones, 1974-90.
1959: Koufax and 18 strikeouts!
On August 31, 1959, a young Sandy Koufax struck out 18 Giants. It set a new National League record for most strikeouts in a single game.
By the way, Jane Leavy's book about Koufax is one of the best baseballs I've ever read/
1980: Polish workers stood up to the communist state
On this day in 1980, Poland exploded when representatives of the communist government of Poland agreed to the demands of striking shipyard workers in the city of Gdansk.
It was the beginning of the end for the USSR. The whole system collapsed of its own weight at the end of 1991.
We remember those Polish workers, along with the Hungarians of 1956 and the Czechs of 1968. They were anti-communist heroes of the 20th century.
It was the beginning of the end for the USSR. The whole system collapsed of its own weight at the end of 1991.
We remember those Polish workers, along with the Hungarians of 1956 and the Czechs of 1968. They were anti-communist heroes of the 20th century.
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Friday, August 30, 2024
A chat with Barry Casselman, The Prairie Editor
Guest: Barry Casselman, The Prairie Editor.
We will look at the state of the 2024 election and other stories....
Where are you Little Joe?
Where are you Little Joe?: According to what we hear, President Biden is on the beach. Can’t blame him because that Delaware coast is nice this time of the year, and every president needs a summer breeze to recharge the batteries. Reagan went to the ranch;
Click to read:
Where are you Little Joe? - American Thinker https://t.co/BE6igoMq9O
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 30, 2024
We remember Ted Williams (1918-2002)
The great Ted Williams was born on this day in San Diego in 1918.
He was probably the greatest hitter ever, although his numbers were impacted by military service in World War II and Korea: .344 career batting average, a .482 On Base Average, 2,654 hits, 2,021 walks, 521 HR and 1,839 RBI.
He hit .406 in 1941, the last hitter to do so, and flirted again in 1957 with .388!
Williams was a bit temperamental with fans and the media. However, there was not a better hitter once the game started.
August 30, 1965: The day that Casey Stengel retired
Let’s remember Casey Stengel, who retired on this day in 1965.
Along the way, he managed the Brooklyn Dodgers (1934-1936), Boston Braves (1938-1943) and took over the New York Yankees in 1949 when he replaced the retiring Joe McCarthy.
It was his time with the Yankees that reminds me of my late father and his generation sitting around watching the TV or catching the sports pages about those great teams of the 1950’s. Casey won 1, 149 games (696 losses) over 12 seasons with the Yankees, including 10 AL pennants and seven World Series rings. Back then, my father would tell me that you were either a Yankee fan or cheer for whoever they were playing in “La Serie”.
He was quite a character as well as an amazing manager. Stengel’s critics say that he was a “button pusher” because of great teams. In fact, he was the first manager to use the platoon system (lefty batter vs right handed pitcher) and was a great judge of talent.
As my father said, Casey managed great teams but he was also a great manager. He was also the author of a lot of wonderful lines that transcend baseball such as this: “There comes a time in every man’s life, and I’ve had plenty of them.”.
So we remember Casey today and baseball conversations that I had with my late father over the years.
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Court-packing the Mexican way
Court-packing the Mexican way: In a couple of months, President López Obrador (AMLO) will hand the presidency to Claudia Sheinbaum, a party loyalist who promises to keep the ball rolling.
The most controversial issue south of the border is judicial reforms.
Click to read:
Happy # 74 Doug DeCinces (the man who replaced Brooks Robinson)
Doug DeCinces was born on this day in 1950. Doug broke with the Orioles in 1973 and became a regular in 1976 replacing Brooks Robinson. In 1977, DeCinces hit 18 HR and 28 HR the next season, He was traded to the Angels and hit 30 HR in 1982. We will always remember him as the man who replaced the legendary Robinson.
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: LEAVING CUBA 50-PLUS YEARS AGO WITH ORESTES MATACENA
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We recorded this November 2014............
LEAVING CUBA AGO WITH ORESTES MATACENA....Listen in now at http://t.co/cMg6RRzgHu. #BlogTalkRadio
— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) November 4, 2014
2005: Do you remember Katrina?
Katrina was the big media story of 2005. Katrina was also bad and partisan reporting. It was too much hype and exaggeration.
Do you remember the 10,000 dead? The media was about 9,000 wrong. It turned out to be 1,000 dead rather than 10,000!
The media got something else wrong.
Remember Katrina and race?
It turns out that Katrina killed across racial lines.
Nicholas Riccardi, Doug Smith and David Zucchino wrote "Katrina Killed Across Class Lines" for the LATimes. This is their conclusion:
"The well-to-do died along with the poor, an analysis of data shows. The findings counter common beliefs that disadvantaged blacks bore the brunt."
Another big Katrina lie was its economic impact. Do you recall all of the doom and gloom about Katrina turning the US economy upside down?
It did not happen. The US economy did just fine.
Another lie is that Pres. Bush could not use The National Guard because of Iraq.
In the end, it was Gov. Blanco, and the extremely incompetent Mayor Nagin, who made matters worse in New Orleans.
Check out Mississippi next door. Gov. Barbour was excellent in handling the crisis in his state.
Why did the media repeat so many lies about Katrina? Why did they become a megaphone for every anti-Bush theory? Among these were Bush is a racist; Bush did not fund levee repairs; and, Bush caused global warming.
The media needs a little self examination. Why did get so many things wrong about Katrina?
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 Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982)
The beautiful and talented Ingrid Bergman was born on August 29, 1915 and died on the same day in 1982.
Her film debut was David O. Selznick’s Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939). In 1942, she made "Casablanca" with Humphrey Bogart. Then came "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in 1943 and few others.
Her movies were great! Watch one today.
Her film debut was David O. Selznick’s Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939). In 1942, she made "Casablanca" with Humphrey Bogart. Then came "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in 1943 and few others.
Her movies were great! Watch one 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.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
A chat about current events with Frank Burke
Guest: Frank Burke, businessman and author.....The election season starts and other topics from the front pages.
Kam to Jon: You hardly talk to me anymore
Kam to Jon: You hardly talk to me anymore: Like that old Streisand-Diamond song about the lover who falls out of love, the senator from Montana is losing interest so fast that the Vice President must be wondering if that song was always about her. Can’t blame her, because he is no...
Click to read:
Kam to Jon: You hardly talk to me anymore - American Thinker https://t.co/FdalbhfiL9
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 28, 2024
Happy # 81 to the great Lou Piniella
Lou was the kind of guy that you wanted on your side and specially at the plate when the tying or winning run was at second base. Piniella broke with Baltimore in 1964, traded to Cleveland in 1966 and was Rookie of the Year with the 1969 expansion Kansas City Royals: .282, 11 HR & 68 RBI.
In 1974, Lou became a Yankee and was an integral part of those winning teams: .295 over a 11 years and one of the toughest outs in the AL.
After playing, he managed Cincinnati to the 1990 World Series and took Seattle to the ALCS twice.
Frankly, I always cheered for whatever team he was playing for or managing.
1774: We remember St. Elizabeth born in New York City
Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York City on this day in 1774. She founded the first Catholic school in the US and became the first US-born saint beatified by the Roman Catholic Church
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Happy # 73 Buddy Bell
We say happy birthday to Buddy Bell, one of our favorite Texas Rangers, who was born on this day in 1951.
Bell broke with the Indians in 1972 and traded to the Rangers after the 1978 season. He enjoyed some great seasons in Texas, 1979-85: .293 batting average. In 1989, He came back to Texas and retired here. I recall watching him on opening day that season.
Overall, Buddy Bell hit .279 with 2,514 hits in 2,405 games. He also won 6 Gold Gloves during his time in Texas.
Just a great player! His father Gus Bell played major league baseball and hit .281 over 15 seasons.
1967: Brian Epstein was found dead
We remember Brian Epstein who died on this day in 1967.
Brian signed The Beatles to a management contract on January 24, 1962. He cleaned up their image and eventually got them a recording contract with Parlophone Records. Later in October, the band issued their first 45 "Love me do", a top 20 hit in the UK.
In 1963, the band hit # 1 with "Please please me" and "She loves you". Along with producer George Martin, Brian Epstein was a key player in the development of The Beatles.
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 Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-73)
We remember Lyndon B. Johnson who was born in Texas on this day in 1908. He became president on the day that President Kennedy was assassinated, and then went on to win one of the biggest landslides ever in 1964. By 1968, LBJ declined to run again because of the difficulties with the Vietnam War.
Before 1960, Johnson was a very powerful US Senator and Majority Leader.
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.
Monday, August 26, 2024
RFK, Jr. gave the Democrats some saving medicine, if they take it
RFK, Jr. gave the Democrats some saving medicine, if they take it: At the end of the day, President Trump can win an Electoral College victory against Vice President Kamala Harris.
He did it in 2016 and almost did it again in 2020. He has several paths to 270 electoral votes, with or without Robert F....
Click to read:
RFK, Jr. gave the Democrats some saving medicine, if they take it - American Thinker https://t.co/TEcYtKvlvE
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 26, 2024
The TV and major league baseball games
We take baseball on TV for granted these days. In fact, I watch more games on TV than at the ball park.
So when did "baseball on TV" start? The answer is 1939:
"Red Barber, the long-time radio voice of the Dodgers, also called the game for the broadcast. In the first game, Reds ace pitcher Bucky Walters flummoxed the Dodgers, holding them to just two hits in a 5-2 win. The Dodgers got their revenge in the second game with a 6-1 victory. In that second game, Dodger pitcher Hugh Casey snagged his ninth win with help from first baseman Dolf Camilli, who hit a two-run game-winning home run, his 22nd of the year, in the second inning.And that was the first televised game!
The game was broadcast from New York City’s Empire State Building, completed just eight years earlier, and could be seen in homes up to 50 miles away."
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.
Chicago 1968 and the Democrats
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.
August 26, 1987: Paul Molitor's streak ended at 39
On this day in 1987, Paul Molitor went 0-for-4 and the streak was over. He hit .415 during the streak. It is still the 7th longest streak and the best since Pete Rose in 1978 and Joe DiMaggio in 1941.
Molitor broke with the Brewers in 1978. He went on to have a marvelous career: .306 average, 3,319 hits, & 1,307 RBI.
He hit .355 for the Brewers in the 1982 World Series and was the 1993 World Series MVP when Toronto beat Philadelphia.
Just a great player and recently managed the Minnesota Twins.
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.
Sunday, August 25, 2024
August 1967: Dean Chance pitched his second no-hitter of the month
Chance broke with the Angels in 1964: 20-9, a 1.69 ERA, 11 shutouts and 15 complete games. Later, he was traded to the Twins and had a great 1967 season: 20-14 and 2.73 ERA.
My biggest memory of Chance was pitching for the Twins, specially when Boston and Minnesota played for the AL pennant in the last day of the 1967 season.
Overall, he won 128 games with a 2.92 ERA!
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.
Happy # 78 Rollie Fingers
We salute Roland Glen Fingers, who was born on this day in 1946 in Ohio.
Rollie Fingers broke with the A's in 1968 and became their closer in 1971.
Fingers and the A's won the AL West in 1971, The World Series in 1972, 1973 & 1974 and one more division in 1975.
Charlie Finley blew up the team in 1976 and Fingers went to San Diego. He pitched for Milwaukee in the 1982 World Series.
Fingers saved 341 games and was one of the key reasons for the A's incredible run in the 1970's. He was selected to The Hall of Fame in 1992.
We remember Sean Connery (1930-2020)
Thomas Sean Connery was born in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh on 25 August 1930, the son of a Catholic factory worker and a Protestant domestic cleaner.
His father’s family had emigrated from Ireland in the 19th Century; his mother traced her line back to Gaelic speakers from the Isle of Skye.
The area had been in decline for years. Young Tommy Connery was brought up in one room of a tenement with a shared toilet and no hot water.
He left school at 13 with no qualifications and delivered milk, polished coffins and laid bricks, before joining the Royal Navy. Three years later, he was invalided out of the service with stomach ulcers. His arms by now had tattoos which proclaimed his passions: “Scotland forever” and “Mum & Dad”.
In Edinburgh, he gained a reputation as “hard man” when six gang members tried to steal from his coat. When he stopped them, he was followed. Connery launched a one-man assault which the future Bond won hands down.
He scraped a living any way he could. He drove trucks, worked as a lifeguard and posed as a model at the Edinburgh College of Art. He spent his spare time bodybuilding.
I guess that bodybuilding probably boosted his chances to play James Bond. His first movie was in 1963, and you know the rest of the story.
Yes, he was my favorite James Bond, but it was the movie Hunt for Red October that always comes to mind when I think of Connery. I’m sure you remember the story of the Soviet submarine captain trying to defect to the West. It was a great book and fabulous movie.
I remember this movie so well because I watched it one Sunday night, loved it, went to bed, and then woke up with the story of the coup and arrest of Gorbachev in the USSR. Watching those Soviet Politburo members explaining the coup reminded me too much of the movie, especially when the official at the Kremlin got the news that the submarine was defecting.
RIP, Sean Connery. Loved you as Bond but will forever remember you as Soviet naval officer Marko Ramius!
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.
August 1914: The Panama Canal opened for traffic
August 25, 1968: "Hey Jude" was released in the US
How likely is it that a 7-minute song would end up as one of the biggest hits of the 1960's or released on a 45 rpm vinyl disc? Not likely unless you are The Beatles.
"Hey Jude" was the first Apple single and released this week in 1968. The B-side was "Revolution", a song that also got lots of airplay. In fact, I remember a DJ saying that the B-side was often doing better than the A-side.
The song was a very nice ballad for about 4 minutes. The second half of the song went on and on with McCartney "screaming" between Lennon & Harrison singing the chorus.
It was very different and became a rock classic. It was the quintessential single of the age of "45's and singles". In fact, the song was not released in an album until 2 years later. A clean digital version was included in the CD "Past Masters".
Wonder how many people saved their copy of the "Hey Jude" single? I did not and that's a shame.
Click for "Hey Jude" and "Revolution", both sides of a classic 45!
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Hard to understand what the protesters want
Hard to understand what the protesters want: Joe Biden said that the protesters outside the Democrat convention had a point. What point is he talking about? Sorry, but it's hard to defend people who want Hamas to win.
I agree with Eli Lake:
President Joe Biden, in hi...
Click to read:
Hard to understand what the protesters want - American Thinker https://t.co/DargPelCfk
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 24, 2024
August 1968: "Classical gas" and other great songs on the radio this week
Mason Williams & others had a big hit on the radio this week in August 1968:
1. People Got to Be Free - The Rascals (Atlantic)
2. Classical Gas - Mason Williams (Warner Brothers)
3. Turn Around, Look at Me - The Vogues (Reprise)
4. Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano (RCA)
5. Hello, I Love You - The Doors (Elektra)
6. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream (Atco)
7. Stoned Soul Picnic - The 5th Dimension (Soul City)
8. Hurdy Gurdy Man - Donovan (Epic)
9. Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf (Dunhill)
10. Dream a Little Dream of Me - Mama Cass (Dunhill)
11. Pictures of Matchstick Men - The Status Quo (Cadet Concept)
12. Love Makes a Woman - Barbara Acklin (Brunswick)
13. Soul-Limbo - Booker T. & the MG's (Stax)
14. You're All I Need to Get By -
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (Tamla)
15. Journey to the Center of the Mind -
The Amboy Dukes (Mainstream)
16. I Can't Stop Dancing - Archie Bell & the Drells (Atlantic)
17. Stay In My Corner - The Dells (Cadet)
18. The House that Jack Built - Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)
19. Mr. Businessman - Ray Stevens (Monument)
20. The Fool On the Hill - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M) 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.
Happy # 64 Cal Ripken
We say happy birthday to the great Cal Ripken, Jr. who was born in Maryland on this day in 1960.
He will always be remembered for "the streak" but his career stats are worth recalling: 431 HRs, 1,695 RBI, 3,184 hits, 603 doubles and a .276 average. Cal was named Rookie of the Year in 1982, American League MVP in 1983 & 1991 and the Hall of Fame in 2007. And he was a great shortstop to go with it!
He will always be remembered for "the streak" but his career stats are worth recalling: 431 HRs, 1,695 RBI, 3,184 hits, 603 doubles and a .276 average. Cal was named Rookie of the Year in 1982, American League MVP in 1983 & 1991 and the Hall of Fame in 2007. And he was a great shortstop to go with 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.
The Everly Brothers are the right choice for # 1 duo of all time
The list will take you back, specially when you see "Sonny & Cher" at # 18, "The Carpenters" at # 10 and "Simon & Garfunkel" at # 3.
For sure The Everly Brothers are # 1.
"All I have to do is dream" was one of their big hits.
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.
Friday, August 23, 2024
Friday’s video: Harris speech & RFK goes Trump plus more stories...
Friday’s video https://t.co/DLUXDy75iQ
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 23, 2024
It ain't Trump, babe
It ain't Trump, babe: Day 3 and Trump is the word. How can many times have you heard the word? I am not counting, but it is a lot.
Let's check this out from Matt Margolis:
If you've been watching the Democratic National Convention this wee...
Click to read:
It ain't Trump, babe - American Thinker https://t.co/zBJJk8zGhu
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) August 23, 2024
1962: We remember John and Cynthia Lennon
John Lennon and Cynthia Powell were married on this day in 1962. They eventually divorced in 1968. John was killed in 1980 and Cynthia died in 2015.
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.
Happy # 93 Barbara "I dream of Jeannie" Eden
We say happy birthday to Barbara Jean Morehead who was born in Tucson, Arizona, on this day in 1931.
We know her as Barbara Eden and “I dream of Jeannie”. It was on the air for 5 seasons. What can happen when an astronaut finds a bottle with a pretty woman inside? Watch the show!
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.Happy # 76 Ron Blomberg (the first DH)
He played 8 seasons with the Yankees and White Sox: .293 over 461 games.
Ron made history on opening day of the 1973 season. He was the first DH to come to bat that year. He walked against Luis Tiant in a big first inning rally.
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.