Today in History - January 10

Sports History - On this day in 1982, the Bengals beat Chargers in -59° F (-51° C) to win AFC championship.  The actually temperature was -9°, but wind chills brought that number way down.  Cincinnati won the game 27-7 to advance to their first Super Bowl, Super Bowl XVI.  (They eventually lost to the 49ers 26-21; Joe Montana was named the games MVP)

 

Birthdays - "Big Dog" Glenn Robinson is 38 years-old today.  Best known for his short but stellar college career at Purdue, he also played for 11 seasons in the NBA (the majority with the Bucks), albeit with much less success.  He left Purdue after two seasons, but certainly left his mark.  He was the only player with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 steals, 100 assists, and 50 blocked shots in Purdue's illustrious history.  A big dog indeed.  Happy birthday Glenn,  whatever it is you're doing now.

Deaths - The pioneer of rockabilly Zeb Turner passed away on this day back in 1978.  In 1951, he released Chew Tobacco Rag, which I've never heard until today.  Kind of a funny song with a lot of truth to it.  Take a listen first and take a moment of silence after it, remembering the life of a trailblazer.  Rest in peace Zeb.

Events in History - On this day 110 years ago (1901 for you math majors out there), oil was first discovered in the great state of Texas.  A well at Spindletop (in Beaumont TX) struck oil and soon enough was producing over 100,000 barrels a day.  This led to the formation of Gulf Oil and Texaco and established the Texas Oil Boom, making the United States the leading oil producer in the world.  Anthony Lucas led the drilling and the geyser was then called the Lucas Gusher.  Thanks Texas; and thank you Mr. Lucas.

I know, that's a lot of information to process in one sitting, so keep checking it throughout the day, try to soak in little bits at a time.  I try to divulge information from time to time that might make interesting dialogue in case you experience an awkward silence at some point. 

To recap:  Bengals over Chargers in coldest game in NFL history.  Glenn Robinson is 38.  Zeb Turner, of Chew Tobacco Rag fame, passed away.  Lucas Gusher established the US as leading oil producer 110 years ago.

Enjoy your day.

June 1 - History in the Making

Several things to cover on this most glorious day - my birthday.

Birthdays - First and foremost, I'd like to thank God for making this all possi...oh wait, I didn't win an award - I did make it to my 29th birthday.  Thanks to all those close to me, and far from me, and those who I've yet to meet.

Ryan Darcy is 29 years old today.  He is the man, a loving husband (to Lindsay), and a dog owner (Nathan).  I will not go into too much detail, as there may be some creepy stalkers out there (as if anyone reads this blog anyway).  Today, I plan on doing whatever the I want, so tough shit trying to reign me in.  Got a nice Bose sound dock for my iPod, since all I have as far as audio equipment is lousy laptop speakers, a nice dinner and show from my dog, and Red Sox tickets for July.  I am steadfast in my allegiance to the Yankees, but taking in a game at Fenway will be fun.  I share my birthday with plenty of famous people, although I've never rubbed shoulders with any I'm about to mention.

Marilyn Monroe would have been 84 today, but she passed away in 1962, so we won't go too deep into her life - she was an actress, singer, and model in her time, and for good reason.  She dated Yankee great Joltin' Joe DiMaggio for a short while - they even eloped in 1954 and went to Japan, of all places, for their honeymoon.

Also checking off another year on their calendar is actor Morgan Freeman, of Shawshank Redemption and Lean on Me fame.  He's a hell of an actor and turns 73 today.  He also played the role of God in Bruce Almighty as well as Evan Almighty, both very funny movies.  Happy birthday Mo.

Supermodel Heidi Klum turns 37 today, but doesn't look a day over 25.  I guess that's the whole idea of a supermodel.  She's married to Seal - I can't figure out what the hell is wrong with that mans face.  She hosts "Project Runway," but she has also done Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue several times.  Tough life.  Happy Birthday to all.

Big Z also turns 29 today.  Carlos Zambrano, happy birthday you nut job.  I hope you keep dominating in the bullpen out there in Wrigley.  Don't let the boo birds get you down - you can always pull a Rick Ankiel and start swinging it, you got a mean stroke. 





Local News Today - There have been several manhole cover explosions today - one on Jerome Ave., one on DeKalb Ave., and one on Bainbridge Ave.  There are also high CO levels detected.  The authorities are on the scene, if you know what I mean.

Also, a woman in her 20's was found and pronounced dead at 5:40 this morning on E. Gun Hill Rd. with an apparent gun shot wound to the head.  Police are investigating.

Thank God everything bad happens on the other side of the Bronx.  Knock on wood.

Events - In 1792, the great state of Kentucky became the 15th state.  Four years later, Tennessee was granted it's statehood.  KY was never a territory but was part of Virginia and TN was part of the Southwest Territory prior to its statehood.  Good BBQ'ing down there, from what I hear.  Only been to Louisville, KY and Nashville, TN.   Lot of Elvis wannabes as well.  There are nine minor league baseball teams in Tennessee and two in Kentucky.  The state drink of Kentucky is milk, while the state fruit is the blackberry.  The state fruit of Tennessee is the tomato and the state wild animal is the raccoon.  Who knew states official wild animals.  Only in the South y'all.

Sports History - In 1925, Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp, which consequently started his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

Misc. History - In 1941, 12.59" of rain fell on the plains in Burlington, KS, still a state record.  The rain must fall mainly on the plain, in Kansas.  In unrelated news, in 1880, the first pay telephone was installed, so go ahead and drop a quarter in and call someone you love, just to say hello.

Back to work, blah!

Today in Sports History

2004:  40-year-old Randy Johnson throws a perfect game for the D'Backs against the Atlanta Braves.  Here's a look at the box score:

By the way, I hate this smug little bastard on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire right now.  Nice bowl cut doofus!

Today in Sports History

1979 - The Phillies defeated the Cubs, 23-22, at Wrigley Field in a game which featured 50 hits and 11 HR.  Dave Kingman of hit 3 HR for the Cubs, who despite losing the game, belted 6 of the 11 HR's.  Mike Schmidt hit 2 for the Phillies.

The starting pitchers for both teams lasted only 1/3 of an inning each:
PHI starter Randy Lerch:  .1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 HR
CHI stater Dennis Lamp:  .1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 HR, 1 Assist.

PHI pitchers overall numbers looked like this:  10 IP, 26 H, 22 R (19 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 6 HR Allowed, 59 Batters Faced.

CHI pitchers overall numbers looked like this:  10 IP, 24 H, 23 R (21 ER), 12 BB, 7 K, 5 HR Allowed, 68 Batters Faced.

There was not a single wild pitch and only one HBP (Bob Boone (PHI) was hit by Willie Hernandez (CHI)).

Not a day to be a pitcher or pitching coach.

Today in Sports History

May 15th

1862 - The Union Grounds opened in Brooklyn, becoming baseball's first enclosed park 

1901 - The first shutout in American League history happens when the Washington Senators blanked the Boston Americans, 4-0.

1941 - New York Yankees great Joltin' Joe DiMaggio began his 56-game hit streak against White Sox pitcher Edgar Smith.