New York Yankees Quiz (1901-2003): 1) Name the five who
won 20 games in the 70s? 2) Name the seven with 2,000 hits in
their Yankee career. 3) Who was the last A.L. ERA champ? 4)
Who was the last A.L. strikeout champ? 5) Who was A.L.
rookie of the year in 1968? 6) In 1990, the Yankees finished 67-
95. Who led the team in HR and RBI? Who was the only
pitcher to reach double figures in wins that season? Answers
below.
Old and Young Tom Morris
With the British Open this week, time to roll out this oldie but
goodie from four years ago.
The earliest documentation of the game of golf is usually cited as
King James II of Scotland’s decree of 1457 that “the futeball and
golfe be utterly cryed downe and not to be used.” Golf was
banned in favor of archery practice, thus denying the youth of the
day a shot at a terrific pro shop gig.
King James and his successors were then involved in your basic
wars but by the early 1500s, golf was permissible again. They
say that James IV was an avid striker of the ball.
And so it came to pass that by 1764, the first real golf course was
laid out in the town of St. Andrews. Back then, what would
become the “Old Course” (so named because eventually there
would be a “New Course”) consisted of 22 holes, 11 out and 11
back, with golfers playing to the same hole going out and in
(except the 11th and 22nd). One day, over about 43 pints, a few
of the golfers got into a terrific row. [Actually, I”m using a little
poetic license here…but the conclusion is factual.] It was decided
that 4 holes were too short and that”s how we ended up with 18
in a round.
The folks of St. Andrews, however, never knew what to do with
this prime real estate and all of the TV towers, so in 1797 the
citizens sold the land to local merchants who then turned the
course into a rabbit farm. But in 1821, James “on the” Cheape, a
local landowner and golfer, bought the links back and saved
them for golf.
As more folks took up the game, the course became increasingly
crowded and golfers playing ‘out’ began to meet golfers playing
‘in’ at the same hole. [Why this never happened before 1821, I’ll
never know.] So it was then that the decision was made to cut
two holes on each green. White flags were for outward, red for
inward.
It so happened that 1821 was momentous for another reason, for
on the 6th of June in St. Andrews, Old Tom Morris was born.
Well, actually, he wasn’t “Old,” he was “Young” but “Young”
hadn”t been born yet though eventually Tom Morris was called
“Old.”
And so it came to pass (I”ve always wanted to use this
phrase…and more than once) that Tom Morris took a liking to
the game of golf at an early age. Golf was the preserve of the
affluent due to the costs of clubs and balls. Tom’s first job (we
better start calling him ‘Old Tom’ or you”ll get real confused
later) was as an apprentice to club and ball maker Allan
Robertson, the first professional golfer, period.
Robertson was a great one, and the first to break 80 at the Old
Course. But before we go on, we need to digress a bit and talk
about the golf ball.
The earliest golf balls were wooden (as were the clubs). Then the
wooden ball evolved into the “feathery,” a 3-part stitched-leather
skin, densely packed with feathers. It took a great deal of skill to
make a feathery and, because it was so time-consuming, the best
ball-makers could only produce 3 or 4 a day. Which means that if
someone was making balls for yours truly, they would have to
work two full days to produce the number that I lose in a
typical round.
By 1848 the “guttie” or “gutty,” a solid rubber ball, came into
being and Allan Robertson was none too happy. You see, Old
Tom was on the course one day, playing a match, when his
feathery exploded in mid-round (most only lasted one full round)
and he accepted a gutty from his playing partner. When
Robertson found out he was PO’d. Soon thereafter, Old Tom
moved to Prestwick to serve as greenskeeper where he helped to
set up the first British Open (losing to Willie Park Sr. in the
inaugural event in 1860). Robertson then died at the age of
44 from inhaling too many feathers (or so legend has it). Old
Tom returned to St. Andrews as greenskeeper and, later,
professional.
Meanwhile, on April 20, 1851, Young Tom Morris was born.
Raised on the links at Prestwick, he was the first to use iron
clubs, made by a chap named Stewart in St. Andrews. Irons were
initially only used for bad lies, but were now used for driving,
lofting, jiggering and putting.
Intermission…How did the name “golf” come about? Most likely
from the Scots verb “to gowff” meaning to cuff or strike hard.
Back to our story…Young Tom may just have been the greatest
golfer who ever lived in comparison to his peers. At age 13 he
was a sensation and shortly thereafter he could hit the ball further
than anyone around.
By 1868, Old Tom had won the Open 4 times (1861, ”62, ”64,
”67). But in ’68, Old Tom, now 47, lost to Young Tom, just
17. Young Tom then went on to win in ‘69, ‘70 and ‘72 as well.
[It does need to be mentioned that in 1862, Old Tom defeated
Willie Park by 13 strokes, the record for a major championship
until Tiger Woods had his 15-shot victory in the 2000 U.S. Open
at Pebble Beach.]
Yes, the Family Morris dominated the sport of golf like no other.
In 1869, they finished the Open one-two. Tommy lowered the
Old Course record to 77. [Just think about this. The course was
largely the same as it is today, they played with awful equipment
and the greens were terribly bumpy. In hindsight, it’s probably
one of the great rounds in the history of the game.]
But in September 1875, tragedy struck the Morris household.
While father and son went off to a match in Berwick, Young
Tom’s wife of just 10 months was home and “great with child.”
A telegram arrived two days after they had taken off; Margaret
was in danger. [This wouldn”t happen these days, or we’re
talkin’ court.] They couldn”t get back in time. Both mother and
child died. Young Tom was distraught.
That December, he played a series of matches at St. Andrews in
blowing snowdrifts and sleet. He got sick and died on Christmas
Day. Young Tom was only 24. Most say he simply died of a
broken heart.
As it turned out, Old Tom ended up burying just about everyone
in the family. He had a son that died in 1846 at the age of 4.
Two other sons died, a daughter, his wife; all buried at St.
Andrews Cathedral Church.
Then in 1908, at the ripe old age of 87, Old Tom was doing what
most folks do at a golf clubhouse, pound some stouts and
whiskies. He mistook the wine cellar for a toilet, fell down the
stairs, and died from his injuries.
[Sources: Golf Europe, George McMurdo, AJR McGregor, Tom
Callahan / Golf Digest]
Disco Demolition Night
Back on July 12, 1979, owner Bill Veeck of the Chicago White
Sox and his son Mike had one of the stupider ideas in the history
of baseball, at least on the promotion side, when the Veecks
teamed up with a Chicago DJ, Steve Dahl of WLUP radio, to
blow up disco albums between games of a doubleheader with the
Detroit Tigers. Anyone bringing a disco record would be
admitted for 98 cents.
Well, 50,000 teenagers showed up and it became readily
apparent in the first game that there was going to be a problem,
as the kids winged the albums onto the field like Frisbees,
stopping play a number of times while officials cleaned up the
field. Records weren’t the only things being tossed; the fans also
threw firecrackers and Tiger outfielder Ron Leflore was almost
beaned by a golf ball.
After the Tigers won the first game 4-1, the stage was set out in
centerfield for the bonfire. Bruce Nash and Allan Zullo describe
what happened next in “The Baseball Hall of Shame.”
“By the time the between-games ceremony began, the fans were
primed for action. When a bosomy blonde ‘fire goddess’ named
Loreli ignited the bonfire of disco records, it looked like a signal
to attack. About 7,000 spectators surged out of the stands and
ran wild over the field.
“Pleas by Veeck and broadcaster Harry Caray on the public
address system fell on deaf ears. A detachment of helmeted
police finally cleared the field and arrested more than 50
boisterous youths. At least six people suffered minor injuries.
“Umpire Dave Phillips decided that it would be impossible to
start the second game because the field had been torn up so
badly.”
Detroit was awarded the contest in a 9-0 forfeit.
But what were we listening to back then? Top ten songs on the
Billboard chart the week of 7/7/79.
1. Ring My Bell – Anita Ward
2. Bad Girls – Donna Summer
3. Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
4. Chuck E.’s In Love – Rickie Lee Jones
5. She Believes In Me – Kenny Rogers
6. The Logical Song – Supertramp
7. Boogie Wonderland – Earth, Wind & Fire with The Emotions
8. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
9. Makin’ It – David Naughton
10. I Want You To Want Me – Cheap Trick
Top Ten Albums, 7/7/79.
1. Bad Girls – Donna Summer
2. Breakfast In America – Supertramp
3. Rickie Lee Jones – ditto
4. I Am – Earth, Wind & Fire
5. Cheap Trick at Budokan – Cheap Trick
6. Desolation Angels – Bad Company
7. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
8. Songs Of Love – Anita Ward
9. Discovery – Electric Light Orchestra
10. Monolith – Kansas
2004 Baseball Surprises, Mid-Season
Milwaukee, 45-41 (68-94 in 2003)
St. Louis, 54-33 (85-77)
Cincinnati, 47-41 (69-93)
San Diego, 47-41 (64-98)
Tampa Bay, 42-45 (63-99)
Detroit, 42-45 (43-119…yeah, that’s a turnaround)
Texas, 49-37 (71-91)
Seattle, 32-54 (93-69…yuck)
Kansas City, 31-54 (83-79)
Your editor’s pick of a Houston – Kansas City World Series
would appear to be in serious jeopardy………..cough cough.
Houston is 10 ½ games back at a super disappointing 44-44.
K.C. is 15 ½ games out.
But I expect the Royals to storm back in one of the great second
halves in the history of the game, winning 71 of their remaining
77 games. Houston will win 70 of its last 74, especially now that
they’ve made a change in manager. We’ll see how I’m doing
with these exclusive predictions in about a week or so….
And why haven’t I mentioned my beloved New York Mets? I’m
afraid to…don’t want to jinx them.
Lastly, while the focus is always on home runs, each year there
seems to be one player who makes a run at 60 doubles, a feat not
attained since 1936 when both Joe Medwick (64) and Charlie
Gehringer (60) reached this level. [The all-time record is 67 by
Earl Webb in 1931.] Well, this year Milwaukee’s Lyle Overbay
is the candidate to hit 60 with 37 in the Brewers’ first 86 games.
Sharks!!!
With the death the other day of Bradley Smith, who was ripped
in half by supposedly two great whites off Perth, Australia
(though others say they could have been bronze whalers), it’s a
good time to examine the data. According to the International
Shark Attack File, between 1580 and 2003 there were 456 deaths
worldwide. [Only four fatalities in ’03.]
Australia…132 fatal attacks
Africa…67
Asia…53
Pacific Islands, Oceania…48
United States…38
Mexico and Central America…31
South America…21
Antilles and the Bahamas…19
Hawaii…14
Of course another 124,567 went unreported, so as not to scare
off the tourists.
What worries researchers about Bradley Smith’s death was it
appeared to be a coordinated attack, most sharks preferring to act
alone.
Some facts:
In the U.S., your chances of getting killed by lightning are 30
times greater than dying of a shark attack. Between 1959 and
1990, 5,528 people were struck by lightning in the 22 coastal
states (excluding Alaska) and Puerto Rico, with 1,505 fatalities.
During the same period, there were 336 shark attacks in the
coastal waters off those states with 12 fatalities.
Of the more than 375 shark species in the world, about 30 have
ever been reported to have attacked humans.
Bees, wasps, and snakes kill more people each year than sharks.
Coyotes and wolverines, as well, I imagine.
Back to Australia, the last fatal attack in Sydney Harbour was in
1963, Marcia Hathaway. But the Aussie government likes to
note that while in New South Wales (which includes Sydney)
there was just one shark fatality from 1968-91, 121 rock
fishermen were swept off the rocks and drowned and 37
surfboard riders drowned.
And just two tips for avoiding a shark attack; do not swim if you
are bleeding and, girls, avoid uneven tanning.
Fishing Records
[Just a few selected ones for you anglers out there.]
Saltwater
Giant Sea Bass…563 lbs. 8 oz., Anacapa Island, California
Atlantic Cod…98 lbs. 12 oz., Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire
Bluefish…31 lb. 12 oz., Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina
Great Barracuda…85 lb., Christmas Island, Kiribati
Summer Flounder…22 lbs. 7 oz., Montawk, New York
Warsaw Grouper…436 lbs. 12 oz., Destin, Florida
Atlantic Halibut…355 lb. 6 oz., Valevaj, Norway
Pacific Halibut…459 lb., Dutch Harbor, Alaska
King Mackerel…93 lb., San Juan, Puerto Rico
Atlantic Blue Marlin…1,402 lb., Vitoria, Brazil
Pacific Blue Marlin…1,376 lb., Kaaiwi Point, Hawaii
Greater Hammerhead Shark…991 lb., Sarasota, Florida
Tiger Shark…1,780 lb., Cherry Grove, South Carolina
Great White Shark…2,664 lb., Ceduna, Australia
Swordfish…1,182 lb., Iquique, Chile
Bluefin Tuna…1,496 lb., Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia
Weakfish…19 lb., 2 oz., Jones Beach Inlet, NY; Delaware Bay,
DE…didn’t put up much of a fight.
Freshwater
Largemouth Bass…22 lb. 4 oz., Montgomery Lake, Georgia
Smallmouth Bass…10 lb. 14 oz., Dale Hollow, Tennessee
Flathead Catfish…123 lb. [Yikes!] Elk City Reservoir,
Independence, Kansas
Alligator Gar…279 lb., Rio Grande River, Texas
Muskellunge…67 lb. 8 oz., Hayward, Wisconsin
Coho Salmon…33 lb. 4 oz., Pulaski, New York
Sockeye Salmon…15 lb. 3 oz., Kenai River, Alaska
White Sturgeon…468 lb., Benicia, California
Brook Trout…14 lb. 8 oz., Nipigon River, Ontario
Brown Trout…40 lb. 4 oz., Heber Springs, Arkansas
Lake Trout…72 lb., Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories
Rainbow Trout…42 lb. 2 oz., Bell Island, Alaska
Walleye…25 lb., Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee
[Source: Sports Illustrated 2004 Almanac]
Stuff
–PGA Tour Top Tens in 2004
Phil Mickelson…11 in 15 tournaments
Vijay Singh…10 (19)
Stephen Ames…9 (17)
Tiger Woods…8 (12)
Ernie Els…6 (10)
Retief Goosen…6 (12)
Jay Haas…6 (15)
Davis Love III…6 (15)
Remember David Gossett? He has won just $21,250 in 16
events, good for 227th on the money list. And former PGA
champ Rich Beem is only 165th. And then there is Esteban
Toledo, the former boxer turned golf pro. Last year, Toledo
grabbed the last spot for exempt status, 125th on the money list,
with earnings of $487,495. This year Toledo is 214th with just
$55,624 in 21 events.
–We note the passing of Joe Gold, founder of Gold’s Gym and
later the World Gym franchise. Gold opened the first Gold’s
Gym in Venice, CA in the mid-1960s.
–Here’s a bummer. Residents of an upscale subdivision in
Missouri awoke one morning in June only to discover that a 23
acre segment of Lake Chesterfield had been swallowed in a giant
sinkhole. According to the Los Angeles Times:
“A segment of the limestone bedrock at the bottom of the
manufactured lake disintegrated and tumbled into a hollow pit
beneath. That collapse created a powerful sinkhole, which
sucked in millions of gallons of water in a matter of hours.”
–Update: Ken Jennings, Mr. Jeopardy!, surpassed the $1mm
mark in winnings on Tuesday
Top 3 songs for the week of 7/12/75: #1 “Love Will Keep Us
Together” (The Captain & Tennille) #2 “The Hustle” (Van
McCoy & The Soul City Symphony) #3 “Listen To What The
Man Said” (Wings)
New York Yankees Quiz Answers: 1) Yankees who won 20
games in the 70s: 1970 – Fritz Peterson (20-11), 1975 – Catfish
Hunter (23-14), 1978 – Ron Guidry (25-3) and Ed Figueroa
(20-9), 1979 – Tommy John (21-9). 2) Name the seven members
of the 2,000-hit club. Lou Gehrig (2,721), Babe Ruth (2,518),
Mickey Mantle (2,415), Joe DiMaggio (2,214), Don Mattingly
(2,153), Yogi Berra (2,148) and Bernie Williams (reached 2,000
this season…now at 2,028). 3) Rudy May was the last Yankee to
lead the league in ERA, 1980, 2.46. 4) Al Downing was the last
strikeout champion, way back in 1964 with 217. 5) Stan
Bahnsen was rookie of the year in 1968. 6) Jesse Barfield led the
Yanks in HR and RBI in 1990…25-78. Reliever Lee
Guetterman was the only pitcher to win 10 games, going 11-7.
13 different pitchers started that season for New York.
Next Bar Chat, Tuesday.
