We remember Tony Taylor (1935-2020)

We remember Tony Taylor, who was born in Central Alava, Matanzas, Cuba.   He was born in 1935 and died today in 2020.

Tony broke with the Cubs in 1958 hitting .235 in 140 games.  

He was traded to the Phillies and enjoyed a very good career:   2.007 hits, a .261 average, 234 stolen bases and 1,005 runs scored.    Tony had a couple of seasons with 700-plus plate appearances, a test to his durability. 

Taylor retired in 1976.   Tony is one of a handful of major leaguers who played in the pre-Castro winter league and the majors. 

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We remember William Safire (1929-2009)

We remember William Safire, who was born in New York City on this day in 1929 and died in 2009.

Safire was associated with President Nixon, including the famous "Kitchen debate" from 1959.  Later, he wrote several books and a column.  

His books were great.

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1773: A little Tea Party history

Once upon a time, colonists threw tea into the water of Boston harbor.     

Our own "tea party" these days is also based on taxation and the sense that the government is out of touch with the governed.

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1951: Joe DiMaggio retired from baseball

The great Joe DiMaggio officially ended his baseball career on this day in 1951.   

He began with the Yankees in 1936 when he was 21.   We remember him for the 56-game hitting streak and a .325 career batting average.  

He also played in 10 World Series, including 4 in a row (1936-39) and won the MVP 3 times. (1939, 1941 & 1947).

Was he the best?   Let's say that he was one of the best!    

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World War II right after the attack on Pearl Harbor with Barry Jacobsen

Guest:  Barry Jacobsen, blogger and military historian........

.we will look at World War II right after the attack on Pearl Harbor.........the US declared war and now must organize a military response...........and other stories.......

Click to listen:

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November 1980: Reagan elected

Many years ago, I was following the 1980 presidential election results on radio and TV. 

The last minute polls were calling for a close race.  It was confusing, to say the least.

Around 7 pm, the Eastern results came in and Carter looked weak.  

By 9 pm, the Southern results started projecting a Reagan victory.  

By 11 pm, the Western results made it a landslide. 

Some things don't get old. Instead, they get better with age. Reagan's 1980 landslide victory is one of those things.

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1980: KC Royals finally beat the Yankees

In the late 1970's Kansas City and New York met 3 times in the ALCS.  The Yankees won in 1976, 1977 and 1978.  

The 1976 and 1977 series saw New York win in the bottom of the 9th (Chris Chambliss walk off HR) and a top of the 9th rally in Kansas City.   They were crushing defeats for the Royals.

The Yankees won the 1978 series in 4 games.

Finally, the Royals won in 1980 sweeping the Yankees.  George Brett's HR off of Goose Gossage clinched it.

And KC finally beat New York!

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"Julia" and more John Lennon memories!

(This is John and his mother Julia)

A couple days ago, we posted about John Lennon and his songs.

Of course, John was killed in December 1980 outside his New York City apartment.

We remember a great song from The Beatles' White Album.

This is "Julia", a song about his mother who was killed in an accident when John was a teenager.

Here is that song about Julia, his mother, and Aunt Mimi, who became very close to him.

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(Lennon/McCartney)

Half of what I say is meaningless

But I say it just to reach you, Julia

Julia, Julia, oceanchild, calls me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

Her hair of floating sky is shimmering,

glimmering In the sun

Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

When I cannot sing my heart

I can only speak my mind, Julia

Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

Hum hum hum hum... calls me

So I sing a song of love for Julia, Julia, Julia"

 

1980: The Iran-Iraq War this week

Iran and Iraq went to war this week in 1980.    It was a horrible war that went on for almost 8 years.

Sadly, population centers in both countries were devastated and Iraq employed chemical weapons, such the blister agent mustard gas from 1983 and the nerve gas Tabun from 1985.  

Later, Iraq attacked the Kurds to the north.

So Iraq used chemical weapons in that war?   I thought that he didn't have them!   

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1939: The first baseball game on TV

We take baseball on TV for granted these days. In fact, I’m watching a game on TV as I write this post.    For much of the 20th century, baseball was a radio game.   Baseball on TV became popular in the 1960’s and flourished with cable TV and other media.

So when did “baseball on TV” start? The answer is 1939.  It was a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers.   By the way, Red Barber called the game and Brooklyn won 5-2.

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.

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