Baseball Quiz: Who are the top 3 all-time in at-bats per RBI?
[OK, what we”re saying here is that the lower the figure the
better. For example, entering the 2000 season, Mark McGwire
was #6 with 5652 AB and 1277 RBI, for a ratio of 4.43.
Minimum 1,000 career RBI.] Answer below.
Patrick Henry
[From his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, 3/28/1775]
“…They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so
formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it
be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are
totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in
every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and
inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by
lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom
of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means
which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three
millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in
such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any
force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we
shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who
presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up
friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the
strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides,
sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is
now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in
submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking
may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable –
and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!
“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry
peace, peace – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!
The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears
the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the
field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish?
What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to
be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it,
Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
Samuel Adams
[From a speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia, on
August 1, 1776, a month after the signing of the Declaration of
Independence]
“…The hand of Heaven appears to have led us on to be, perhaps,
humble instruments and means in the great providential
dispensation which is completing. We have fled from the
political Sodom; let us not look back, lest we perish and become
a monument of infamy and derision to the world. For can we
ever expect more unanimity and a better preparation for defense;
more infatuation of counsel among our enemies, and more valor
and zeal among ourselves? The same force and resistance which
are sufficient to procure us our liberties will secure us a glorious
independence and support us in the dignity of free, imperial
states. We cannot suppose that our opposition has made a
corrupt and dissipated nation more friendly to America, or
created in them a greater respect for the rights of mankind. We
can therefore expect a restoration and establishment of our
privileges, and a compensation for the injuries we have received,
from their want of power, from their fears, and not from their
virtues. The unanimity and valor which will effect an honorable
peace can render a future contest for our liberties unnecessary.
He who has strength to chain down the wolf is a madman if he
let him loose without drawing his teeth and paring his nails.
“We have no other alternative than independence, or the most
ignominious and galling servitude. The legions of our enemies
thicken on our plains; desolation and death mark their bloody
career; whilst the mangled corpses of our countrymen seem to
cry out to us as a voice from Heaven.
“…Your adversaries are composed of wretches who laugh at the
rights of humanity, who turn religion into derision, and would,
for higher wages, direct their swords against their leaders of their
country. Go on, then, in your generous enterprise, with gratitude
to Heaven for past success, and confidence of it in the future.
For my own part, I ask no greater blessing than to share with you
the common danger and common glory. If I have a wish dearer
to my soul than that my ashes may be mingled with those of a
Warren and a Montgomery, it is that these American States may
never cease to be free and independent.”
[Source: “The World”s Great Speeches,” edited by Copeland,
Lamm and McKenna.]
Canada Day
July 1st celebrates the passing of the North America Act,
approved by the British parliament in 1867, which established
the Confederation or Dominion of Canada, consisting of Quebec,
Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 1869, Canada
acquired the lands of the Hudson Bay Company. In 1870,
Manitoba; 1871, British Columbia; 1873, Prince Edward Island;
1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan; 1949, Newfoundland.
The first prime minister of the Dominion was Sir John Alexander
Macdonald (sic). Some day, we”ll explore his chaotic reign in
far more detail. Suffice it to say, for now, that Nova Scotia did
all it could to remove itself from the Union. Leader Joseph
Howe appealed to London to release the province from the
“bondage” of Confederation.
Top 3 songs for the week of 6/26/65: #1 “Mr. Tambourine Man”
(The Byrds) #2 “I Can”t Help Myself” (Four Tops)
#3 “Wooly Bully” (Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs…just
watched the video on this one; these guys had a blast).
“MacArthur Park,” continued: In my Bar Chat of 6/26, I labeled
this Richard Harris song, “hideous.” Now I”m not getting into
my personal list of all time worst songs, yet, but it turns out that
“MacArthur Park” is on many a list as The Worst. In fact, in a
reader survey done by humorist Dave Barry back in 1993, it was
the voters” choice for Worst Overall AND Worst Lyrics.
My friend Harry K was equally distraught at being reminded of
this work of crap.
“Someone left the cake out in the rain? All the sweet green icing
flowing down. I don”t think that I can take it, the song is so half-
bake-it. May he never get recording time.again.”
And Donna Summer remade it?! The oldies station here in New
York plays their Top 500 every holiday weekend. Somehow,
this song made #120 in the last survey I found. So as they count
down to around #122, it”s time to start thinking about heading
outside for a jog, sans walkman.
Darin Erstad
Erstad is the Anaheim Angels player who through Wednesday
was hitting .368 this season. Now this is a guy who hit .253 last
year with 148 hits in 585 at bats. After 77 games this year,
Erstad already had 123 hits in 334 AB with 16 HR and 58 RBI
(l999 totals – 13 HR 53 RBI). The record for most hits in a
season is 257 by George Sisler, 1920 (A.L.). Two N.L. stars,
Lefty O”Doul and Bill Terry, each had 254. All three did it in
154 games.
Preston Wilson
The Florida Marlins slugger has already fanned 107 times this
season in the Marlins first 79 games (through Wednesday”s
play). The all-time record is 189 set by Bobby Bonds,
1970 – S.F.
Quiz Answer: Babe Ruth, 3.80; Lou Gehrig, 4.01; Hank
Greenberg, 4.07. *In doing some research for a friend, I realize
I inadvertently gave McGwire”s numbers a/o a few weeks ago, not
year end. [I changed the above #”s to reflect this.]
It doesn”t alter his #6 ranking. And, for your info,
#4 is Ted Williams at 4.19, #5 is Jimmie Foxx at 4.23.
Next Bar Chat, Monday…Freedom.
*I will have more ”One-Hit Wonders” on Wednesday, and every
Wednesday thereafter. Also, Johnny Mac”s baseball tales begin
Wednesday as well.
