New Jersey election, Babe Ruth hit # 60 in 1927 and more stories
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
New Jersey going red?
New Jersey going red?: A few weeks ago, the experts were predicting Democrat victories in New Jersey and Virginia, plus a shocker in New York City. My guess is that Virginia will go Democrat and New York City will indeed elect a socialist. It’s New Jersey...
Click to read:
A few weeks ago, the experts were predicting Democrat victories in New Jersey and Virginia, plus a shocker in New York City. My guess is that Virginia will go Democrat and New York City will indeed elect a socialist. It’s New Jersey that may shock the experts. The “blue model”…
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 30, 2025
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.
Happy # 82 to Marilyn McCoo
Happy birthday Marilyn McCoo, a neat lady who was born in New Jersey on this day in 1943.
Do you remember 'One less bell to answer", "Last night I didn't get to sleep at all" and other great songs by The Fifth Dimension?
It was Marilyn McCoo as the lead female vocal in some many of the group's hits!
In the 1970's, Marilyn and her husband Billy Davis Jr had several hits. In the 1980s, she hosted "Solid Gold" on TV.
Beautiful lady with a beautiful voice!
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.
1972: Clemente and # 3,000
The great Roberto Clemente got # 3,000 on this day in 1972. It turned out to be his last major league hit and at-bat because he died in a plane crash 3 months later.
I recall reading about # 3,000 the next day in the sports pages.
Sadly, I recall hearing about that plane crash too. It was a shock!
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 30, 1927: Babe Ruth hit # 60!
Ruth was arguably the greatest professional athlete of the 20th century. He saved baseball in the 1920's after the White Sox World Series scandal. It was Ruth and his majestic home runs that put people back in the seats.
Ruth set the all time record home run record, a mark that stood until Aaron passed him in 1974. We remember # 60 in 1927!
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, September 29, 2025
A chat with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative
Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative....Church shooting in Michigan; Democrat US Senate primary; New Jersey turning red Plus other stories...
Ask every Democrat about Joanne
Ask every Democrat about Joanne: Back in 2016, some of us asked a simple question: Why doesn't the Obama administration demand the return of police killer Joanne Chesimard, who was hiding in Cuba? No Joanne, no embassy! Well, as you may remember, President Obama and Raul Castro ...
Click to read:
Going forward, every Democrat should be asked about Joanne Chesimard and her crime. The Democrat running for governor and the other one over the bridge who is running for mayor. Let them choose sides: police killer or support of the police who must be outraged that this woman is…
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 29, 2025
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.
"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.
Happy # 76 to Steve Busby
Happy birthday Steve Busby who was born in Burbank, CA, on this day in 1949.
Some of us are old enough to remember Steve Busby the pitcher not just the man who called Rangers' games on TV and radio.
Steve played at USC. He broke with the Royals in 1972 pitching a complete game against Minnesota.
In the early 1970's, or before injuries cut short his career, Busby seemed like a man headed for the Hall of Fame: 54 wins over first three full seasons along with 45 complete games and 2 no-hitters before he was 24!
In fact, Sporting News had him on the cover: "Unlimited future"!
After baseball, Steve became an excellent radio and TV play by play analyst.
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.
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.
Sunday, September 28, 2025
New Jersey governor's race and Joanne Chesimard; Ted Williams 1941 and a...
New Jersey governor's race and Joanne Chesimard; Ted Williams 1941 and another church shooting.
A real test of character in baseball
A real test of character in baseball: Nineteen forty-one 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’s consistency….
Click to read:
Nineteen forty-one 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.
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 28, 2025
A real test of character in baseball - American Thinker https://t.co/Hfkv8J2WgY
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.
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.
The great Brooks Robinson (1937–2023)
(My new American Thinker post)
One of my favorite memories was hearing my late father say that he saw Brooks Robinson play in Cuba. Back then, many young players from Willie Mays to a young lefty Tommy Lasorda, played in the Cuban winter league hoping to impress their organization before spring training.
As you probably know, Brooks Robinson died on Tuesday, at age 86. His story is wonderful:
Although he eventually became synonymous with Baltimore during his playing career and following his retirement, Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. was born on May 18, 1937, in Little Rock, Ark., where he attended Little Rock Central High School and went on to play baseball at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 1955, Robinson signed with the Orioles for $4,000, and he made his debut for the team later that year at the age of 18.
From 1955-59, Robinson played only 304 games for the O’s, spending some time in the Minor Leagues and dealing with numerous injuries. But soon after, Robinson became a fixture in the Orioles’ lineup, where he’d be a stalwart for the better part of two decades.
Robinson’s breakout year came in 1960, when he was named an All-Star for the first time and captured his first Gold Glove. He was then an All-Star every year through ’74 and a Gold Glover every year through ’75.
While Robinson more than held his own at the plate, it was his glovework that always had everybody in amazement.
‘He was the best defensive player at any position,’ the late Frank Robinson, a fellow Hall of Famer and Orioles legend, once said. ‘I used to stand in the outfield like a fan and watch him make play after play. I used to think, 'Wow! I can’t believe this.’
Well, I agree with the late Frank Robinson. I had the pleasure of watching a lot of Orioles baseball when I went to school in Maryland. Brooks was a daily highlight film, from his amazing catches, to running in to pick up the ball and throw out a runner at first, or all the double plays that he started by going to his left. It was so automatic that you expected every other third baseman to do that but they couldn’t. They were not Brooks.
It wasn’t just his glove. He was a good hitter with a reputation for hitting in the clutch. In other words, you did not want Brooks at the plate with the winning run in second base. He usually drove that run in. He retired with 2,848 hits and 1,357 RBI in 2,896 games.
My favorite memory was Brooks Robinson Day in September 1977. The stadium was full and I was lucky to get in. Baltimore was playing Boston, and in the middle of a pennant race that went to the last weekend, when the Yankees got in. Brooks went around waving at the fans and the affection for this man was something unbelievable. I saw a father pick up his young son and wave at Brooks. There were tears and cheers as this man went around the stadium.
Over the years, I asked myself why is this man so loved and respected? He was great off and on the field.
Last, but not least, I remember watching the 1970 World Series at school. I looked at the screen and Brooks was making one amazing play after another. It was like he was playing at another level.
Rest in peace Brooks. Thanks for all the plays we get to watch on YouTube.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
Saturday, September 27, 2025
The Kirk movement growing, Dems stumbling and more stories
The Kirk movement is growing, Dallas ICE attacks, Portland mess, Democrats stumbling, President Trump at UN, and Ted Williams 1941.
The Dems keep stumbling
The Dems keep stumbling: Whatever the Democrats are doing, the latest numbers tell us that it’s not really working. Here is the story:
Common wisdom holds that Democrats are likely to retake the House in next year’s midterms. Perhaps -- that’s what his...
Click to read:
The economy will likely decide the next elections. Honestly, there is work to do on that but this poll indicates that the public prefer what the GOP is doing. On the other two issues. it's Democrats just being anti-Trump because their strategy makes no sense.
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 27, 2025
The Dems keep…
1973: Nolan Ryan 383 K's in one season
We remember Nolan Ryan on this day in 1973. He struck Rich Reese for # 383 and a new season record. Ryan finished 1973 with a 21-16 record, 2.87 ERA, 2 no-hitters, and came in second in the Cy Young Award voting to Jim Palmer and got 383 K's.
Happy # 485 to the Jesuits!
The Jesuits have been a significant force in the Catholic faith for a long time. On this day in 1540, Pope Paul III approved Ignatius’ outline of the Society of Jesus, and the Jesuit order was born. Like any group, they are not perfect and there is always room to criticize. At the same time, their contributions to education must be celebrated.
Happy anniversary to the Jesuits!
September 2014: WE REMEMBER DEREK JETER WITH BARRY CASSELMAN, LONG TIME YANKEE FAN.
WE REMEMBER DEREK JETER WITH BARRY CASSELMAN, LONG TIME YANKEE FAN...
Friday, September 26, 2025
Violence in Sinaloa, Democrats weak on crime, Comey indicted and the 196...
Violence in Sinaloa, Democrats weak on crime, Comey indicted and the 1960 JFK-Nixon debates.
Sinaloa: Not just pretty beaches anymore
Sinaloa: Not just pretty beaches anymore: Sinaloa is a state on the northwest coast of Mexico, on the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. It offered visitors destinations such as Mazatlan and its nearby islands. Maybe it reminds you of Bo Derek and that beach comedy….
Click to read:
Yes, Sinaloa has a lot of beautiful spots but we are sadly talking too much about violence and deaths these days.
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 26, 2025
Sinaloa: Not just pretty beaches anymore - American Thinker https://t.co/CEqn4Debmg
1971: Jim Palmer makes it four 20-game winners for Baltimore
Jim Palmer and the Orioles made a little history on this day in 1971. He won his 20th and joined teammates Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally & Pat Dobson as 20-game winners.
A few days later, the O's swept the A's in the ALCS. Then they lost to the Pirates in the World Series.
A great moment in O's history: Four 20-game winners in one staff!
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.
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.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
A chat with Frank Burke, businessman and author...
Guest: ......Frank Burke, businessman and author....We will look at the killing of Charlie Kirk and the anti-ICE shooting in Dallas.
Rachel didn't want to hear about the risky gay
Rachel didn't want to hear about the risky gay: VP Kamala Harris' book tour has run into a gay detour. Wonder if the former vice president thought that she'd be talking about Pete Buttigieg? Well, she is and here is where we are:
In 107 Days, her memoir of the presidential….
Click to read:
The book tour is not going well. Wonder if she will be answering questions 107 days from now?
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 25, 2025
Rachel didn't want to hear about the risky gay - American Thinker https://t.co/ksP6t2MvVk
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.
1789: We remember another anniversary of The Bill of Rights
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.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda.......An anti-ICE shooting in Dallas. The Charlike Kirk Memorial and reactions. Jimmy Kimmel and TV., VP Harris has a new book plus other stories..
The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda.......An anti-ICE shooting in Dallas. The Charlike Kirk Memorial and reactions. Jimmy Kimmel and TV., VP Harris has a new book plus other stories.....
It sounds like the restless natives won
It sounds like the restless natives won: Well, Jimmy is back but Sinclair is not. We are not sure what Nexstar will do but they may veto Kimmel as well. So Kimmel may be doing his next anti-Trump monologue in front of an even smaller audience. I'm sure that the advertisers….
Click to read:
So it's funny when the natives get restless. People listen and advertisers worry if their products and services are reaching a national audience rather than just people who voted for Kamala Harris.
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) September 24, 2025
It sounds like the restless natives won - American Thinker…
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)