A word about January 20

On January 20th 1981, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th president of the United States. A few minutes later, the 52 hostages held at the U.S. embassy in Iran were released……ending the Iranian Hostage Crisis……it was the first day of a very impressive two term presidency…..

Happy # 91 Camilo Pascual.  He pitched most his career for the original Washington Senators who became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. As a Washington Senator, Pascual pitched for very bad teams.   It got better when the team moved to Minnesota and the Twins became a perennial contender with a young Harmon Killebrew, power hitter Bob Allison,  the very good lefty Jim Kaat and fellow Cubans Tony Oliva & Zoilo Versalles. His numbers were great with the Twins:   20-11 in 1962 and 20-9 in 1963.     He led the league in strikeouts 3 years in a row.  In other words, he was one of the best right handed pitchers in baseball. Overall, he won 176 games with a very good 3.63 career ERA.  

On this day in 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated for the 4th time.    

George H.W. Bush, or # 41, was inaugurated on this day in 1989. After his death in 2018, I wrote this post: The 3 times that I was very happy that George H.W. Bush was around….

George W. Bush, or # 43, was inaugurated on this day in 2001. In 2009, I wrote this post: A little thanks to Pres. Bush!

We remember Johnny Oates who was born in North Carolina on this day in 1946.      He broke with the Orioles in 1970 and then played with the Braves, Dodgers & Yankees before retiring in 1981.   On the field, Johnny hit .250 in 593 games.  As a manager, Oates spent 3 seasons with the Orioles and then led the Rangers to 3 AL West titles in 1996, 1998 & 1999.   Johnny Oates died in 2004.

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1981: What were you doing when Governor Reagan became Pres Reagan?

It was 1981, or the day that Ronald Reagan became the 40th president of the US.   He succeeded President Carter who served one term.

Do you remember what you were doing that sunny January day in 1981?

I was driving some colleagues between Saltillo and Monterrey in the north of Mexico.  It was an isolated road but ideal for picking up the ceremony and speech over WOAI-AM of San Antonio, Texas.   It came in clearly in our car radio!

Later, we got to the hotel in Saltillo and heard that the Iran hostages had been released.

Quite a morning, from the new president to the release of the hostages.

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A post from 2006 about President Reagan and that day in 1981

A post from 2006

25 years ago, I was on a business trip in Northern Mexico.  At noon, I picked up Pres. Reagan's inauguration ceremony on the radio.  It was a wonderful moment. Carter was out. Reagan was in. Weakness was gone. Leadership was in.

Later that day, the Iranians released the US hostages. It was one of those split screen moments. On one side, the new President at a ball. On the other side, US hostages boarding a plane.

Pres. Reagan is getting a lot of good press from historians. He looks better and better.

Reagan was a simple man. He was blessed with two wonderful attributes:

1) common sense, and
2) a strong belief in the American people and free markets.

A few years ago, I bought an audio tape of Reagan speeches. It is great. He inspires me as much today as he did that day 25 years ago.

We remember Johnny Oates (1946-2004)

We remember Johnny Oates who was born in North Carolina on this day in 1946.      

He broke with the Orioles in 1970 and then played with the Braves, Dodgers & Yankees before retiring in 1981.   On the field, Johnny hit .250 in 593 games.
As a manager, Oates spent 3 seasons with the Orioles and then led the Rangers to 3 AL West titles in 1996, 1998 & 1999.   

Johnny Oates died in 2004.

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.

1981: President Reagan took over

On January 20th 1981, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th president of the United States. A few minutes later, the 52 hostages held at the U.S. embassy in Iran were released......ending the Iranian Hostage Crisis......it was the first day of a very impressive two term presidency.....

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.

1981: The Iran hostages released

On this day in 1981, Governor Reagan became President Reagan.   Shortly after, the Iranian hostages were released.    

Was there a connection?   We will never know but my guess is that the Iranian understood that a President Reagan would act differently than President Carter.

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Happy # 91 Camilo Pascual

The great Camilo Pascual was born in La Habana, or Havana Cuba, on this day in 1934. 

As a young kid, my favorite Cuban baseball player was Camilo Pascual.  He pitched most his career for the original Washington Senators who became the Minnesota Twins in 1961.

As a Senator, Pascual pitched for very bad teams.   It got better when the team moved to Minnesota and the Twins became a perennial contender with a young Harmon Killebrew, power hitter Bob Allison,  the very good lefty Jim Kaat and fellow Cubans Tony Oliva & Zoilo Versalles.

His numbers were great with the Twins:   20-11 in 1962 and 20-9 in 1963.     He led the league in strikeouts 3 years in a row.  In other words, he was one of the best right handed pitchers in baseball.

Overall, he won 176 games with a very good 3.63 career ERA.    He would have easily won 230 games with a better team!

We say happy birthday to one of my heroes.    I don't know what Camilo is doing these days.   I read a few years ago that he was scouting for the Twins in Latin America.

Happy birthday to the great Camilo.   I hope that you really enjoy your birthday!

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.