1973: ‘Que cosa mas grande,’ said a Cuban abuelo about the perfect Dolphins!

Back in the 1970’s, Cubans arrived daily in Miami on those historic “freedom flights.” They found freedom and a city madly in love with the Dolphins. It did not take long for those Cubans to start cheering for the team.

Our family was up in Wisconsin but we detected a little “Dolphin-mania” whenever we spoke to a friend down in Florida.

As my mother said one time: “Esa gente en Miami esta loca con los Dolphins”!

We remember today the story of the 1972-73 Dolphins:

“On January 14, 1973, the Miami Dolphins defeat the Washington Redskins 14-7 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Super Bowl VII, becoming the first team in National Football League (NFL) history to finish with an undefeated season.”

It was a great achievement. We do remind you that the Dolphins played in the old 14-game schedule whereas teams today play 16 games.

Nevertheless, perfection is perfection and those Dolphins were perfect for that season.

And I’m sure some Cuban “abuelo” probably said: “Que cosa mas grande. No perdieron un juego.”

That’s right! The 1972-73 Dolphins did not lose a game!

 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.

Tony Oliva, Mike Cuellar, Luis Tiant and the first year of the DH in the American League

On this day in 1973 or 2 months before players reported to spring training, the American League adopted the “Designated Hitter” effective for the upcoming season.   

3-time batting champion Tony Oliva, who could no longer play the outfield every day, swung the bat with authority:    .291 with 16 HR & 92 RBI as a full time DH in 1973.   Tony-O followed that with a .285 average in 1974.   The DH rule allowed Tony-O to pass 2,000 hits.

The rule initially benefited starting pitchers because they were not removed from the game by a pinch-hitter.   It gave pitchers more decisions and complete games!

For example, Mike Cuellar won 40 and completed 37 in the first two years of the DH. 

His fellow Cuban Luis Tiant won 81 games and completed 85 in the first four years of the DH.

By the way, the aforementioned Luis Tiant of Boston was the first AL pitcher to face a DH or Ron Bloomberg of the Yankees on opening day 1973.  

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.

1973: George Steinbrenner Purchased New York Yankees

On this day in 1973, George Steinbrenner Purchased the New York Yankees.   

He got to work quickly and the Yankees started winning.   They competed for division titles in 1974 & 1975.     In 1976, the Yankees won their first AL pennant since 1964 but lost to the Reds in the World Series.   

The Yankees beat the LA Dodgers in the 1977 & 1978 World Series.   

In 1980, KC beat NY in the ALCS.    In 1981, LA beat NY in the World Series.

Steinbrenner spent most of the 1980's spending money but not winning.

In 1995, NY was a wild card team but lost a tough series to Seattle.   

From 1996 to 2003, the Yankees won 4 World Series and lost 2.  

They won another WS in 2009 but Steinbrenner died in 2010.

By the way, he was born on July 4, 1930 and died in 2010.  

Very controversial but very successful team owner:

We remember Roberto Clemente (1934-72)

Roberto Clemente was killed in a plane crash many years ago:

"On December 31, 1972, an airplane chartered by the professional baseball player Roberto Clemente to bring food and other relief supplies to survivors of a recent earthquake in Nicaragua crashes shortly after takeoff from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Five people were killed in the crash, including Clemente, whose body was never recovered."

Like most of you, I was shocked to hear the news.       

Clemente hit .317 and got # 3,000 on his last at-bat of the 1972 season.   He was the MVP of the 1971 World Series and hit .318 in the postseason.

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.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS.....FELIZ NAVIDAD....HAVE A NICE DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY

MERRY CHRISTMAS.....FELIZ NAVIDAD.... 

HAVE A NICE DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY.......

 Guest:  Frank Burke, author, businessman and contributor to American Thinker......we will look back at our Christmas experiences........is Christmas too commercial?   wasn't Christmas declared a federal holiday........plus Frank's annual message.......plus a few other stories..........

 

December 10, 1898: The Treaty of Paris

We remember today The Treaty of Paris signed in 1898.    It concluded the short Spanish American War of the same year.

The Spanish Empire came to an end: Puerto Rico and Guam were lost, the Philippines Islands were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a US protectorate until independence in 1902.

 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 Jesse James 1847-1882

We remember Jesse James who was born on this day in 1847.

Jesse and his brother robbed banks and trains.     They stole over $200,000 and killed a lot of innocent people. 

I saw in a documentary that Jesse James robbed banks and trains because he never accepted the South’s defeat in The Civil War.     

James became a folk hero after his death. 

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.

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"Cuba" & Trio Matamoros!

Trio Matamoros was formed in the 1920's by the legendary Miguel Matamoros, a great Cuban singer and composer. (His partners were Rafael Cueto and Siro Rodríguez)

Over their career, they recorded many songs.   They are one of my favorite Cuban groups.

This is "Son de la loma", a wonderful tune to remember their wonderful contribution to Cuban music.

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.

2013: Let's meet Nilda Cepero, Cuban American author & poet..

2013: Let's meet Nilda Cepero, Cuban American author & poet...click to listen... https://t.co/BSrvyGx7nh

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 7, 2017

 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.

Remembering Rick Huxley of The Dave Clark 5

We remember Rick Huxley who was born in the UK on this day in 1940. He died in 2013 at age 72. 

Looking back, The Dave Clark Fiive were one of the biggest rock groups of what was called "The British invasion".

I was a big fan and loved their 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.