1901: President McKinley died on this day

On this day in 1901, President William McKinley died from gun shots.    During the 2016 election, Karl Rove often brought up the 1896 election and even wrote a book about it.

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May 15, 1973: Remembering the 1st of Nolan Ryan's 7 no-hitters

On this day in 1973, Nolan Ryan threw the first of his 7 no-hitters.   He beat KC with 12 Ks. 

We know the rest of history.   He pitched another no-hitter in 1973, 1974 and 1975.  He pitched #5 in 1981, # 6 in 1990 and # 7 in 1991.

I had the good fortune of listening to # 5 on the radio (it was on a Sunday afternoon against Baltimore) and catching # 7 with the late Mark Holtz calling strike three on Roberto Alomar to end the game.

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1889: Future President Herbert Hoover married Lou Henry

On this day in day in 1889, future President Herbert Hoover married Lou Henry.   

The couple met in Stanford University and traveled extensively during their marriage.   

Hoover was elected in 1928 after a very successful public and private career.  Mrs. Hoover was an author, wrote articles, spoke five languages and received eight honorary degrees in her lifetime.

President Hoover lost his reelection to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932.   After that, former President Hoover worked on many projects including developing a very good friendship with President Truman.

He died in 1964 and Mrs. Hoover in 1944.

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1973: The cease fire started in Vietnam

On this day in 1973, the Vietnam War cease fire went into effect.    

The fighting did not stop because both sides accused the other of violations.   The "cease fire" did allow the US to finish its mission and get the POW's out of North Vietnam.

The "cease fire" quickly fell apart in late 1974 when the North invaded much of the South without consequences.    In other words, the US did not use its air power to support the South.

South Vietnam collapsed in May 1975.   Wonder who would have believed that on this day in 1973?

Years later, President Nixon wrote a great book about the war and how it ended:

 

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1973: Another awful anniversary of "Roe v Wade" and abortion in the US

We recall today another anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the U.S.  Before the Roe v Wade opinion, abortion was a state matter or an issue settled by voters, not un-elected judges.

My opposition to abortion, or Roe v Wade, is based on two factors;

1) Abortion is the taking of a human life.  What else is it?  Why does any woman have an abortion anyway?  (Of course, I'm not talking about those isolated and rare cases where the mother's life is in jeopardy)

2) Abortion is a state issue.  I think that voters, and legislatures, should decide whether or not abortion is legal in their jurisdictions.

Last, but not least, Roe v Wade has "poisoned" our judicial appointments.  We've turned every Supreme Court nomination into a battle over Roe v Wade. 

We pray that Roe v Wade is overturned.  We will be a better country without legal abortions.

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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!

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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.  

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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.

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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..........