Baseball Quiz: 1) What two players hold the A.L. record for
most homers in a season by a right-handed hitter? 2) Who are
the last three to hit 4 home runs in a game? 3) Who are the N.L.
and A.L. career leaders in getting hit by a pitch? Answers below.
PHIL MICKELSON GETS THE MONKEY OFF HIS BACK!
Wow, that was one of the great golf tournaments of all time and
I just want to thank my sister-in-law, Cindy, for being patient
with me during Easter dinner as I snuck in most of the action,
including the thrilling conclusion. [Of course my father was just
as interested, but I played the heavy.] And I just have to repeat
something I know many of you are tired of reading, that being
the fact that week in and week out golf simply provides more
dramatics than any other sport, period.
William Barret Travis
A few years ago I related a story concerning Ben Crenshaw,
captain of the 1999 U.S. Ryder Cup team, and his use of the
story of the Alamo to fire up his golfers. With the release of the
new film version of the battle – which is being universally
panned (and the first weekend’s receipts sucked) – I thought it
was a good time to retell the Travis side of it because it’s good
history, if nothing else.
Heading into the final day of the ’99 Ryder Cup, it looked bleak
for the U.S. squad. The night before Captain Crenshaw pulled
out all the stops, including having then Texas Governor, and
presidential candidate, George W. Bush speak to the players and
their wives (or significant others as the case may have been).
The event was well-choreographed and Crenshaw wanted Bush
to read Colonel William B. Travis’s remarks from the last days at
the Alamo.
On February 23, 1836, Santa Anna demanded that the 185
defenders at the Alamo surrender. They answered by firing a
cannon. Santa Anna wasn’t too pleased with this gesture, so he
sent his 4,000 soldiers forward in a series of assaults. For 12
days, the Americans – including Travis, Davy Crockett and Jim
Bowie – rallied the defenders and inflicted huge losses on the
Mexican Army.
At one point during a lull in the fighting, Travis, a garrison
commander from South Carolina, drew a line on the ground with
his sword as he addressed his men: “Those prepared to give their
lives in freedom’s cause, come over to me.” Every man crossed
it, including the famous Indian fighter and inventor of the Bowie
knife, Colonel James Bowie. Bowie was bedridden with
pneumonia but nonetheless asked that his cot be carried over. Of
course on March 6, the Texans were finally overwhelmed and all
but one of the defenders was killed (though there are different
accounts of this last bit, with some scholars now saying that
Crockett was captured and tortured to death), but the defenders
had taken 1,544 Mexican lives.
Back on February 24, Travis wrote the following letter, an appeal
for aid. [All spelling and punctuation is correct.]
To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world. Fellow
Citizens and Compatriots.
I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under
Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment &
cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has
demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to
be put to the sword if the fort is taken. I have answered the
demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly
from the walls. I shall never surrender nor retreat.
Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, or patriotism, & of
everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid
with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily &
will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five
days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself
as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is
due to his own honor & that of his country.
Victory or Death
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.
P.S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight
we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in
deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30
head of Beeves.
Travis
[Source: “America: A Narrative History,” Tindall and Shi]
But what of Davy Crockett? How great a hero was he? Or, more
appropriately, according to historian Allen Barra, is he the most
“overrated” American frontiersman? Barra wrote of the topic in
the October 2003 edition of American Heritage.
“Davy Crockett lived a hell of a life, no matter how you look at
it .(He) was an extraordinary hunter; he did fight in Indian
wars; he did end up opposing Andrew Jackson’s more obnoxious
polices; he was, for his time, fairly progressive on the issue of
Indian rights; and last but certainly not least, he did choose to go
to Texas, where he fought for independence and died at the
Alamo…But even if every tall tale were true, neither Crockett nor
any other American frontiersman before or after had as much of
an impact on American history as Christopher ‘Kit’ Carson.”
Actually, Barra just sounds bitter and really doesn’t provide any
concrete evidence why Crockett is ‘overrated.’
Stuff
–Arnie’s Farewell
You know, some folks just don’t get it. Media critic Phil
Mushnick of the New York Post was all upset that on Friday,
USA Network covered Arnold Palmer’s last round at Augusta
almost exclusively, ignoring much of the other action on the
course. “Yes, Palmer was a story – a big story – but close by,
The Masters was being played. Ridiculous.”
No, Mushnick, you’re ridiculous. It was just the second round
and I instead agree with one of the comments I heard that day;
the vast majority of us wouldn’t have half the interest we do in
the game of golf were it not for Arnold Palmer. His final
farewell was historic and for most of us a very sad moment.
The Star-Ledger’s Jerry Izenberg is one sportswriter who did get
it.
“(Palmer) came straight from central casting son of a blue-
collar golf pro rare college background enough charisma to
grab both genders’ attention. He was the harbinger of a golf
explosion.
“And the timing was perfect.
“He flashed into prominence when America was a blend of the
return of the pre-World War II clich of opportunity and the
dreams rewarded of the Eisenhower years on the one hand and
poised at the brink of the turbulent 1960s on the other. Here was
a young man, not born to money, the product of a home where
values were enforced in a one-way dialogue from father to son,
whose every move on the course portrayed a semi-religious
devotion to the work ethic that is the thread of every American
folk myth.”
And Palmer had the greatest relationship with his fans of any
athlete, period. He was one of us and he managed to make
everyone feel special. I had the opportunity to see him 3 times in
tournaments over the years and they were great moments for me,
that’s for sure. And boy did he make the ladies swoon (including
my mother).
So when he finished up on Friday and gave his interview in the
Butler Cabin, we all shed a tear when he said “It’s not fun
sometimes to know it’s over.” Then when asked about the fan
support over the years, Arnie couldn’t hold back, his own tears
flowing, as he spoke of “how much I owe them.” The feeling
was always mutual, Arnie.
And not for nothing, but Palmer shot a pair of 84s at Augusta.
At age 74 he had only 3 double bogeys in his two rounds and
parred 15 holes. I also need to acknowledge 64-year-old Jack
Nicklaus, who missed making the cut, for crying out loud, by
only two strokes, having gone 75-75. Nicklaus beat Colin
Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Kenny Perry and, the picks of both
myself and Johnny Mac, David Toms and Chad Campbell. Now
how good is that?
Lastly, the first round of The Masters was filled with
melancholy on word that Tom Watson’s caddie, Bruce Edwards,
had succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease after his long chronicled
farewell on Watson’s bag. As for himself, Watson gained a new
legion of fans with his class and total devotion to Edwards in his
last years, as well as his now heroic efforts to find a cure for
ALS.
–First Class Dinner Menu – April 14 1912 – On Board the
Titanic
Hors D’oeuvre Varies – Oysters
Consomme Olga – Cream of Barley
Salmon, Mousseline Sauce, Cucumber
Filet Mignons Lil – Saute of Chicken, Lyonnaise – Vegetable
Marrow Farcie
Lamb, Mint Sauce
Roast Duckling, Apple Sauce
Sirloin of Beef, Chateau Potatoes
Green Peas – Cream Carrots – Boiled Rice – Parmentier & New
Potatoes
Punch Romaine
Roast Squab & Cress – Cold Asparagus Vinaigrette
Pate De Foie Gras – Celery
Waldorf Pudding – Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly
Chocolate & Vanilla Eclairs – French Ice Cream
*In other words, food was simpler back then. Glad I was born
when I was; know what I’m sayin’?
The Titanic was loaded with some of the following provisions:
Bacon and Ham 7,500 lbs.
Coffee 2,200 lbs.
Fresh butter 6,000 lbs.
Fresh cream 1,200 qts.
Kate Winslett ..mmmmmmm Kate Winslett .
Potatoes 40 tons
Poultry and game 25,000 lbs.
Sausages 2,500 lbs. [More Park Sausages, Mom please?]
Cigars 8,000
Sugar 10,000 lbs.
Beer and Stout 20,000 bottles now we’re talkin’.
Wines 1,500 bottles.
[Source: “Schott’s Original Miscellany” Ben Schott]
–Baseball Predictions Revisited:
Let’s take a look at what I wrote just last week following the first
game or two
I said the Mets, then 1-0, would finish 148-14. They are now
3-3, so I have to revise and extend my remarks as I say the Mets
will finish 75-87, perhaps a drastic change but necessary. As for
Kaz Matsui, he may not hit .487 and drive in 187 as I thought
last week so I’m adjusting it to .281, 19 HR and 74 RBI.
I said the Angels’ Troy Glaus would hit 89 homers this is now
reduced to 48.
I said the Pittsburgh Pirates would go 136-26 make that 78-84.
I said the Red Sox Curt Schilling would go 31-3 I’ll amend this
to 22-9.
I said the Tigers had a shot at reversing their 2003 mark of
43-119 well, after their 5-1 start, I’ll say 118-44, instead of
119-43.
And as for my prediction the Oakland A’s would win 150 games,
with a 4-2 start I’ll now change that to 99.
Finally, I maintain the Yankees will end up 85-76 (one game not
made up), with Mike Mussina going 2-32 on the mound. He’s
currently 1-2 after winning on Sunday.
Back to the Mets. We need to establish some guidelines for
when Mets fans address each other, like in casual conversation or
thru e-mails. Being one of this bunch, during the first 20 games
should they stay within two games of .500 it is appropriate to end
a note with “Let’s Go Mets!” Once they fall more than two
games below .500, however, one must finish with “Mets blow.”
After the first 20 games have been completed, once they reach
more than 5 games below .500, the latter signoff still applies,
with “Let’s Go Mets!” appropriate in all other cases. This only
seems right considering our incredibly low expectations for the
season. [And now half the team is injured after just 6 games.]
–Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling had quite a night on the
town last Thursday in New York. By 4:00 AM (Friday) he was
smashed, having partied hard at two upper East Side
establishments, Vadu and American Trash. According to folks
on the scene, Skilling was pulling people’s clothes off and asking
them if they were FBI agents. Police haven’t decided yet
whether to file charges.
[If you were there at Vadu or American Trash last Thursday,
drop us a line and I’ll share your experience with our world
audience.]
–A bear came out of hibernation in New Jersey last week and
proceeded to kill 5 goats in 4 separate attacks in Warren County.
This bodes well for future Bar Chats though we do have
reporting guidelines here. Those mauled under the age of 18 will
merely be acknowledged. Over 18, details will be provided
where appropriate.
–For the archives, we have to note the death of a 57-year-old
surfer off Maui last week, the victim of a shark attack and
Hawaii’s first fatality at the hands of a large cartilaginous fish in
12 years.
–The above referenced edition of American Heritage had a bit
by former Golf magazine editor Al Barkow. His all-time
overrated golfer is Tom Weiskopf.
“A beautiful swing is not enough to earn the excessive praise
Tom Weiskopf has received over the years. He didn’t win
enough to fulfill the potential his talent seemed to promise
because he did not combine obvious physical gifts with the
control of the mental side of performance requisite to greatness:
a tamed temperament and a consistent will to win.” Ouch!
Barkow’s underrated pick is Lee Trevino. When the greats of
the game are listed, Trevino is offered as an afterthought, despite
the fact he won 6 majors and was clearly one of the best shot
makers in the history of the game.
–Steroid Update:
Big news last Thursday as federal agents seized the drug tests of
Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and others
previously named in the BALCO investigation. The U.S.
attorney’s office in San Francisco continues to zero in on
evidence of perjury in the testimony previously given by the
above.
But first the steroid issue threatens to envelop a large number of
the U.S. Olympic team’s star performers, such as Marion Jones
and sprinter Tim Montgomery, most of whom also testified
previously. As David Wharton and Alan Abrahamson reported
in the Los Angeles Times:
“If suspected cheaters are identified within the next three
months, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency could invoke a little-
known provision in an effort to suspend the athletes without the
usual positive urine sample.
“While that could mean stripping the U.S. team of significant
talent weeks before the Games, experts envision a worse
alternative: Americans winning gold in Athens only to have
evidence of steroid use introduced in open court soon after.
–So I’m reading my International Living newsletter and they
have a blurb on Venezuela as a travel destination. Granted, as
the editors freely admit it is a “contrarian” pick these days, but
get this, fellow beer drinkers. A can costs just 23 cents! A bottle
of Chilean wine only sets you back about $2.50. Why even
hiring out a full-time housekeeper runs just $130 a month. I
mean, who cares if the president is a junior dictator?!
–I’ve always been a Bobby Sura fan and never understood why
he hadn’t made more of an impact in the NBA. So I
acknowledge the fact that on Saturday against Boston, Sura, now
playing for the Atlanta Hawks, had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and
10 assists a rare triple double.
–The New York Yankees have a payroll of $184.2 million while
Boston is #2 at $127.3 million. By comparison, the average
major league payroll is just $69 million, with the Milwaukee
Brewers bringing up the rear at a mere $27.5 million, or about
50% of what Sandy Weill took down in a normal year.
–Of the 830 players on major league rosters, 27.3% are foreign
born, a slight decline from the year before. [The Dominican
Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico are the top three.] Of the
6,117 players under minor league contract, 47.6% are foreign
born. [Source: USA Today] Of course the two figures of 830
and 6,117 also give you a sense of just how hard it is to get to the
majors, once you’re considered good enough for even a pro
contract. Let that be a lesson to all you aspiring ballplayers.
Become a rap artist! [Your editor is about to turn 46 but is still
convinced he will develop a knuckleball and appear on a major
league mound at 49 ..no, really.]
–Hey, did you see the current Sports Illustrated? Gene Menez
and B.J. Schecter give their admittedly early projection for the
top ten teams likely to battle for the men’s basketball Final Four
in 2005 and #1? Wake Forest.
1. Wake Forest
2. Georgia Tech
3. Illinois
4. North Carolina
5. Louisville
6. Kansas
7. Duke
8. Texas
9. Alabama
10. Washington
[They list Maryland and Kent State as “sleepers.”]
Of course the fact the two authors of this stirring report listed
Taron Downey as the key shooter, ignoring ACC 1st-teamer
Justin Gray, needs to be pointed out.
–Boy, I didn’t realize how na ve I am. Business Week had a
report on the prevalence of professional sports teams scalping
their own tickets. I just never thought of the issue this way. For
example, the Cubs sold $50 seats for $500 through a ticket
broker in 2001. Last November, the Phoenix Suns sold $75
tickets to LeBron James’s appearance for $300 on their own web
site! You can’t do that, a-holes.
–Frozen Four: Wow, this must have been exciting. With 1:34 to
go in the game, Maine had a 6 on 3 advantage against Denver in
the NCAA Hockey Final. But goalie Adam Berkhoel proved up
to the task and Denver skated away victors, 1-0.
–Well, Wild Bill Hickok was done in on "Deadwood" Sunday
night. The producers stuck to the historical script, by the
way.
–A week ago, there was a large disturbance at Fairleigh
Dickinson University / Madison campus, near where I live in
New Jersey. The violence was predictable and a lot of us didn’t
need to wait for a formal explanation to be able to figure out
what happened. Bill O’Reilly would love this one.
From the Star-Ledger:
“The brawl began during the song ‘Throw It Up,’ by the rapper
Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz
“The song’s profanity-laced lyrics indicate that listeners should,
according to (the Morris County Prosecutor), ‘show their signs.’
Witnesses told investigators that some of the people on the dance
floor then began shoving each other and fighting, he said.”
And of course the ones eventually arrested and caught with
weapons were non-students.
–Thanks to Trader George for passing this UPI story along.
“A tortoise who was a veteran of fighting ships and German air
raids has died at his home in a British castle at the age of 160, the
BBC said Wednesday.
“Timothy, or Timmy to friends, is believed to have been the
oldest living Mediterranean Spur-Thighed tortoise in existence
until his passing last weekend. He was first discovered on board
a Portuguese vessel in 1854, and served as a mascot on a number
of Royal Navy ships, including service in the Crimean War. He
was brought ashore in 1892 and moved to his own garden at
Powderham Castle near Exeter
“During World War II, he was seen digging his own bomb
shelter under some steps when bombs hitting Exeter shook the
ground.”
–Baseball Tidbits:
Ty Cobb and Pete Rose hold the post-1900 record for 20-game
hitting streaks, career, with 7.
Willie Mays has the career record for extra inning homers with
22.
Cliff Johnson holds the major league record for pinch-hit home
runs, career, with 20. N.L. leader is Jerry Lynch (Cincinnati /
Pittsburgh) with 18. A.L. leader is Gates Brown (Detroit), 16.
Man, there were few cooler than Gates.
Most home runs, month. N.L. – Sammy Sosa, June 1998, 20.
A.L. – Rudy York, August 1937, 18. [York had 35 in 375 at bats
that year 277 for his career.]
Grounding into double plays, career: Cal Ripken Jr., 350.
Dick McAuliffe – Detroit, 1968, and Craig Biggio – Houston,
1997, have the record for playing in over 150 games and never
grounding into a double play, along with a fellow by the name of
Augie Galan of the Chicago Cubs who accomplished the feat in
1935.
Willie Wilson holds the A.L. record for switch-hitters by
grounding into a double play just once in 1979.
Joe Torre holds the N.L. record for grounding into 4 double plays
in one game while playing for the Mets, 7/21/75. I vividly recall
watching this fiasco on television that day. Felix Millan singled
in front of Torre all four times.
Top 3 songs for the week of 4/12/69: #1 “Aquarius / Let The
Sunshine In” (The 5th Dimension) #2 “You’ve Made Me So
Very Happy” (Blood, Sweat & Tears) #3 “Dizzy” (Tommy Roe)
Baseball Quiz Answers: 1) Jimmie Foxx (1932 – Philadelphia)
and Hank Greenberg (1938 – Detroit) hold the record for most
homers in a season for an A.L. right-handed batter with 58. 2)
Last three to hit 4 home runs in a game: Carlos Delgado (9/25/03
– Toronto), Shawn Green (5/23/02 – Los Angeles), Mike
Cameron (5/2/02 – Seattle). 3) Career hit by pitch: A.L. – Don
Baylor, 267. N.L. – Ron Hunt, 243.
Next Bar Chat, Thursday.
