Cincinnati Reds Quiz (1901-present): 1) Name the five players
whose uniform is retired. 2) Who is the single-season HR and
RBI leader? 3) Who am I? I went 20-12 in 1970. 4) Who led
the N.L. in RBI in 1965? 5) Who am I? I threw a no-hitter in
1968 and my initials are G.C. 6) Name the four in the 2,000 hit
club. Answers below.
Mount St. Helens
May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens blew. A few days earlier, your
editor picked up his sheepskin from Wake Forest University
despite an incredibly checkered academic career. [To be honest,
all the squares were black.] Are the two events related?
Probably not. But what is amazing is the comeback the Mt. St.
Helens area itself has made in the aftermath.
Writing in Smithsonian, David B. Williams captured the scene
from that dark day in the state of Washington.
“The eruption…blew away the top 1,314 feet of the mountain,
reducing the once symmetrical, glacier-covered summit to a
horseshoe-shaped crater. An avalanche of rocks plugged the
Toutle River Valley at the base of the mountain and created a 23-
square-mile zone of barren, hummocky land. A 300-mile-an-
hour lateral blast of hot air and debris flattened the surrounding
forest. A cloud of ash climbed to 80,000 feet in 15 minutes and
circled the globe in 15 days. Torrents of superheated air, gases
and rocks – a mixture known as a pyroclastic flow – surged
down the mountain’s northern face for hours, destroying
everything in its path. All told, the eruption blasted more than
230 square miles of forests, lakes, meadows and streams. It
killed 57 people, making it the deadliest eruption in U.S. history,
and millions of animals and plants. ‘Death is everywhere,’ the
Oregonian newspaper reported. ‘The living are not welcome.’”
[I would have added the eruption spawned a ton of dreadful
movies.]
However, as Williams notes, today “life has returned with a
vengeance.” Scientists have counted some 150 species of
wildflowers, shrubs and trees. And 11 species of small
mammals, including squirrels, mice and shrews, now inhabit the
land. “Each has sped up the area’s recovery by catching seeds,
burrowing through soil and luring predators such as raptors and
weasels.” [Editor note: Never trust a weasel.]
And then there are the toads. Williams writes:
“As luck (for the toads) would have it, the amphibians are
abundant here because they happened to be hibernating
underground when the volcano exploded in 1980. By the time
the animals emerged a month or so later, the eruption had blasted
down all the trees around the lake. More sunlight hit the water,
making it unusually warm and especially rich in the aquatic
organisms toads feed on. The blast also killed off most of the
toads’ predators. Intriguingly, the western toad is declining in
most of its range beyond Mount St. Helens. ‘It may be a species
that prospers with disturbance,’ says (the scientist), ‘which no
one had suspected.’”
So I’m thinking; you know how we believe the only thing left
after a nuclear exchange would be a bunch of cockroaches?
Don’t count out the toads.
Speaking of the end of the world, Rick Weiss of the Washington
Post had a recent piece on the ongoing danger the United States
faces with all its volcanoes, many of which we are not listening
to, certainly not as intently as at Mt. St. Helens or Kilauea in
Hawaii.
“The United States is among the most volcano-rich nations on
Earth – home to 45 eruptions and 15 cases of notable unrest at 33
volcanoes since 1980. But while a handful of hazardous
mountains are relatively well-laden with monitoring equipment,
many dozing giants are beyond scientists’ electronic eyes and
ears, posing a significant threat to thousands of people.”
Now granted, half the 169 U.S. volcanoes we know of (not sure
whether this includes George Steinbrenner, by the way) are in
remote regions of Alaska, but one of the big ongoing dangers
involves the issue of aircraft.
“That is because the plumes of ash that can spew undetected for
many hours from unmonitored volcanoes are largely invisible to
commercial airline pilots and their radar but can quickly cause jet
engines to fail.
“Nearly 100 commercial jets are known to have inadvertently
flown into volcanic ash plumes since 1980 at altitudes as high as
37,000 feet, including eight in which one or more engines shut
down. Three 747s lost all four engines.
“In every case, pilots managed to restart their engines – albeit
after harrowing drops in altitude. But those warnings should not
be ignored, said geologist John Ewert… ‘Three 747s have been
turned into gliders, OK? And they are really lousy gliders.’”
By the way, geologists are most concerned about 32 high- or
moderate-threat volcanoes, again, most in Hawaii or Alaska,
while another 21 in California, Washington, Oregon and
Yellowstone pose lesser threats. [So to those of you swept up in
Yellowstone mania….OK, I’m one of them….we need to chill
out for a couple hundred years, I imagine.]
Tiger
I’ve written of Tiger Woods and his consecutive cut streak
before but I have to admit I probably didn’t give it the attention it
deserved…and now it’s over…at 142.
Yes, this really was incredible, especially considering he had 15
close calls where he had to come through on the last hole or two
with one clutch shot after another.
But to better appreciate Tiger’s accomplishment, you need only
know that Ernie Els now has the longest active streak at 20,
while over on the ladies side, Annika Sorenstam is at 48. [If
Annika plays long enough, she is a definite threat to Tiger’s run.]
So Tiger stands alone at 142. Byron Nelson is 2nd at 113 and
Jack Nicklaus’ longest was 105. It’s also incredible that this was
only the second cut Tiger has missed in his entire career and the
first since 1998.
To better appreciate Tiger’s streak, though, the Star-Ledger put
together some comparable marks.
2,632: Cal Ripken’s consecutive games played (1982-98).
274: Jerry Rice’s string of games with at least one reception.
225: Starts by Packers QB Brett Favre, still going.
122: Victories in a row by Edwin Moses in the 400-meter high
hurdles.
59: Orel Hershiser’s consecutive scoreless innings.
56: Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak.
51: Consecutive games with at least one point by Wayne
Gretzky.
47: Consecutives games of at least one TD pass by Johnny
Unitas.
6: Consecutive Tour de France triumphs by Lance Armstrong.
2: Johnny Vander Meer’s consecutive no-hitters.
[I don’t have the time to check it out, but you’d probably want to
include some fielding records in baseball (errorless streaks), as
well as perhaps a goaltending mark or two.]
Well, looking at the above, what do you think? Obviously,
Ripken’s will never be broken in our lifetime, and now, looking
at Rice’s record, I have newfound respect for that one. It’s 17
years, after all, in a pretty brutal sport. And I was always a huge
fan of Edwin Moses and his mark. That could be a sleeper in
terms of never being reached because Moses did it over 10 years
(1978-87) and these days top track stars don’t seem to appear in
more than about ten events a year.
Meanwhile, Wayne Gretzky’s won’t be broken because the NHL
is dead, but as for Unitas’ mark, as great as it is that’s really only
three seasons in the era of the 16-game schedule. DiMaggio?
Ichiro will break it…2006…it’s the Bar Chat Guarantee!
But in the end, with all the great golfers on tour these days,
especially with the increasing presence of the Aussies, and all the
variables that go into making a cut, including suddenly catching
a virus as a result of the constant travel and unfamiliar food,
Tiger’s record is truly phenomenal.
Of course the ultimate record that I failed to list above could still
be Byron Nelson’s 11 consecutive victories in 1945.
Now go down to the local watering hole and discuss amongst
yourselves. Tell your boss the editor said you could. I’ll cover
for you.
Stuff
–Johnny Mac, who survived his latest bout with the surgeon’s
scalpel in good shape, passed along some minor league
nicknames that I missed the other day.
Albuquerque Isotopes
Augusta (GA) Greenjackets
Batavia Muckdogs
Hickory Crawdads
Joliet Jackhammers
Kansas City T-Bones
Lansing Lugnuts
Savannah Sand Gnats
Tri-City Dust Devils
Washington Wild Things
Winston-Salem Warthogs
Johnny also commented on a recent Cubs quiz where I
highlighted Bill “Swish” Nicholson who led the N.L. in RBI in
both 1943 and 44. In ’43 Nicholson drove in 128 of the Cubbies
632 runs that season, over 20% of the team total, and it turns out
that only a handful of other players in the history of the game
share that distinction, as follows.
[I thought I’d add what the second best run producer on the team
had each year. Imagine what some of these clubs would have
done without the leader.]
Sammy Sosa / Cubs, 2001…160 RBI [2nd best, 66]
Bill Buckner / Cubs, 1981 (strike season)…75 [35]
Nate Colbert / Padres, 1972…111 [47]
Frank Howard / Senators, 1970…126 [76]
Frank Howard / Senators, 1968…106 [62]
Jim Gentile / Orioles, 1961…141 [52]
Ernie Banks / Cubs, 1959…143 [52]
Wally Berger / Boston Braves, 1935…130 [60]
Babe Ruth / Braves, 1919…114 [58]
Johnny notes that in the case of Berger, he did it for one of the
worst teams in history. The ’35 Braves finished 38-115, 61 ½
games out. They had the worst offense by far, scoring only 575
runs (2nd worst had 646). And consider the fact Berger hit 34 of
the team’s 75 homers. Babe Ruth, 40 and fat, was second with
six in 72 at bats.
–Former major leaguer Vida Blue could be headed to jail as a
result of failing to complete his probation following another
drunk-driving conviction. Oh, what a first full season this hurler
had for the Oakland A’s back in 1971 as at age 21 he went 24-8
with 301 strikeouts and a 1.82 ERA in capturing both the Cy
Young and MVP awards. But while Blue won 20 games two
other seasons and was 209-161 in his career, most would
probably label it a disappointment, especially after that
spectacular start. [Much like Dwight Gooden, come to think of
it.]
–Back during the first week of the baseball season, I issued a
few predictions that I have to stand by.
Minnesota will win the World Series. [OK so far, though it may
have to be the wild-card route as the Twinkies are 21-15.]
The Yankees and Red Sox would disappoint. [Despite New
York’s improved play of late, 8 in a row, they are still just .500 at
19-19. Boston, though, is off to a solid start, 22-15.]
My Mets would finish 85-77 and they are 19-19 thru Sunday.
The Pirates would go 14-147 and they are already 17-19.
And….after just 2 or 3 games I also said the following:
Hideki Matsui would hit 101 HR and drive in 345. He only has 3
and 29. This is going to be a tough one.
Dmitri Young, following his 3-homer, Opening Day effort,
would hit 137 HR with 402 RBI. He’s only hit 2 in his next 120
at-bats for a total of 5 HR 18 RBI. Slightly off pace.
Ichiro would have 320 hits. He’s on pace for 230 and is hitting
.349. Don’t feel too foolish here.
Seattle teammate Richie Sexson would hit 116 HR and drive in
304. Richie has 11 HR and 31 RBI. I’m giving this prediction
another week.
The Cubs’ Derek Lee would hit .478 with 80 HR 398 RBI. Hey,
not too bad. Lee is hitting .353 with 10 HR and 33 RBI. I may
end up being a little off with the batting average but I’m
confident on the power numbers because you know what they
say, just wait until the wind starts blowing out at Wrigley this
summer.
Finally, John Smoltz would go 2-29 with a 24.58 ERA. Well,
he’s 3-3, 3.10…………….never mind.
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Sammy Sosa is on the DL with a staph
infection, i.e., flesh-eating disease. [I’m not a real doctor, but I
play one on the Web.] Is it a coincidence that both Bonds and
Sosa are now struggling with this affliction? I think not.
And fellow Baltimore steroid muncher (according to Jose
Canseco) Rafael Palmeiro is off to a dismal start as he ages
rapidly without his wonder drugs. Palmeiro, now 40, has just 3
HR and 10 RBI in 117 ABs to go along with a .222 average.
He’ll finish the year with 4 HR and 13 RBI.
But if you’re looking for something good to talk about, try
Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, rapidly approaching the 800
consecutive game mark which would put him 10th on the all-time
list. Tejada, who as Johnny Mac said the other day is hands
down the best shortstop in the game, is also on pace for another
spectacular RBI season as he already has 38 in 37 games,
following a 150 ribby campaign in 2004.
Back to the Yankees, much is being made of their turnaround,
but as Sports Illustrated pointed out, among the 80 teams to make
the playoffs in the wild-card era, only one, the 2001 A’s, did so
after being eight games below .500 a week into May. The
Yankees were 11-19 before their winning streak.
Lastly, we’ll be following the efforts of White Sox pitcher Jon
Garland and Florida’s Dontrelle Willis as both are off to 7-0
starts.
–Wow…I realize my Boston readers must know all this but I had
no idea Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski has had such a tough
time recently. Last September his son Mike, 44, died from
complications following hip surgery. But following Mike’s
death Yaz learned his son had passed himself off as his father
and run up thousands of dollars in debt. The IRS and creditors
are now seeking repayment, including $46,000 in unpaid taxes.
Very sad. [Sports Illustrated]
–Mark R. has been keeping me apprised on the feelings of
Philadelphia fans and Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens; as in
everyone just hopes he disappears. Owens, you’ll recall, wants
to renegotiate his contract, a seven-year deal worth about $49
million that he signed just 14 months ago. Owens skipped a
mandatory mini-camp in April.
Owens didn’t help matters when he slammed quarterback
Donovan McNabb. For his part, McNabb said he expects Owens
to play for the Eagles.
“He has a contract….When you sign your name on the dotted
line, that’s your deal, and that’s a decision you have to make.”
[ESPN.com]
–Christine Brennan of USA Today on Barry Bonds.
“Bonds should never come back. He should retire from baseball
before he inflicts any more damage on the game he says he loves.
He should leave the great numbers 714 and 755 undisturbed. He
should salvage whatever shred of dignity that remains and
surprise us all by saying enough is enough.
“Some might call that quitting, giving into your critics, even
admitting your guilt. That’s nonsense. Many already think
Bonds is guilty. Others believe he’s not. If he leaves or if he
stays, they’ll still think what they want to think.
“In fact, if he were to go out in a very-un-Barry-like way, with
grace, kindness and humility, he might even gain a fan or two.
He has nothing to lose doing this and everything to gain.”
You tell him, Christine.
–Following the Masters, the USGA sent a letter to 35 golf ball
manufacturers asking them to submit prototype balls that flew 15
and 25 yards shorter than the current models. Golf’s ruling body
would love to see a 5-8% rollback in distances because many of
the classic courses of yesteryear are too short, or about to become
so. [Augusta National, for instance, is stretched to its limit. It
can’t be lengthened any further.] Of course if the ball was cut
back it would impact the average schlep such as yours truly, who
cranks it 220, max, most days. [But I have an awesome short
game……..this last comment was for the benefit of my friends
who know the total package sucks.]
It’s interesting to note, though, that until 2003, no golfer on the
PGA Tour other than John Daly had averaged 300 yards in
driving distance for a season. But in ’03 nine golfers suddenly
averaged 300 and in ’04 the number hit 15.
[Los Angeles Times]
–First time winners this weekend…Ted Purdy at the Byron
Nelson PGA tourney, Kasey Kahne at the Richmond / Nextel
Cup race. But for Annika Sorenstam, it wasn’t quite her first
win on the LPGA Tour…try #60…and by a stupendous 10
strokes.
–According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the consensus top three
picks in the upcoming NBA draft are North Carolina freshman
Marvin Williams, Utah center Andrew Bogut and Wake Forest’s
Chris Paul. I remain totally disgusted with Paul’s decision to
leave after just his sophomore year and in reading some of the
pub coming out of the Winston-Salem area; it appears Mr. Paul
will not be thought of kindly when he returns to campus in the
future. I repeat…this guy accomplished nothing…nothing. He’s
a big loser in my mind. Williams, on the other hand, was a key
cog in the Tar Heels’ national title. Fans of the game would have
liked to see him stick around another year but I can’t fault him
(or the other three Carolina players who also are leaving early)
one iota.
–Crain’s New York Business had a piece on private clubs in
New York, evidently the new craze if you have cash to burn.
Dues at these places range from $1,000 to $10,000 annually,
though beautiful women get a free pass. There are about 500
members in six NY clubs.
“We are not for the average person,” sniffs Noel Ashman, who
owns seven-month-old NA in Chelsea. “You want to have some
models, celebrities and interesting people who create energy and
excitement in the room.” [Hey, I could create excitement. Ever
hear me sing Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Can’t Hide Love”?]
One guy, Andrew Unanue, a Goya Foods heir (always wondered
who owned that company), plunged $6 million into building Aer.
But no way all these clubs survive.
“(They) all seem to be reaching out to the same young, cool
people,” says Mark Grossich, who owns five upscale bars in the
city. “After a while, people discover that there are other places
to get a good meal or a great cocktail.”
[Actually, Mark, after a while people recognize those around
them are all jerks.]
So what does $10,000 get you at Aer Club & Lounge? You get
invited to movie screenings at the club and VH1 events…oooh,
ahhh….and you have the option to host three private parties
annually – without getting hit with a room rental fee. Yippee!
And get this, at one club, Frederick’s, they installed a one-way
mirror in the club’s 1,400-square-foot private lounge so dues
payers can watch the natives without being seen.
Yup, just another sign our society is going to hell. Personally,
I’d rather play blackjack and drink beer in Deadwood, South
Dakota.
[Source: Lisa Fickenscher / Crain’s New York Business]
–Is Eva Longoria on a roll or what?! She is #1 on Maxim
magazine’s “Hot 100” list. [Wonder where Sophia Loren is? Or
am I dating myself?] Rounding out the top ten are…
2. Evangeline Lilly
3. Jennifer Garner
4. Lindsay Lohan
5. Jessica Alba
6. Rachel Bilson
7. Angelina Jolie
8. Brittany Murphy
9. Jessica Simpson
10. Sara Foster
But Halle Berry is only #41! This is a travesty.
[I watched “Desperate Housewives” and taped “Deadwood” on
Sunday. Lots of plot twists in the former, eh?]
–Uh oh….Atlantic Ocean surface temperatures are “incredibly
warm, much warmer than normal, and the sea-level pressures
have been quite low,” says hurricane expert Philip Klotzbach in
an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!
Top 3 songs for the week of 5/19/73: #1 “You Are The Sunshine
Of My Life” (Stevie Wonder) #2 “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round
The Ole Oak Tree” (Dawn featuring Tony Orlando) #3 “Little
Willy” (The Sweet)
My friend Dan L. said he saw Link Wray at BB Kings the other
day and he can still kick it. Wray had the 1958 hit “Rumble”
(#16 Billboard) and 1959’s “Raw-Hide” (#23).
[Dan, I do have Wray’s birthday as 5/2/35, however.]
And you’ve all seen that story of the billionaire, Philip Green,
who is spending $7.4 million on his son’s bar mitzvah, including
bringing in Destiny’s Child. Beyonce?! Hey, it’s enough to
make this Catholic want to convert.
Cincinnati Reds Quiz Answers: 1) Retired uniforms: #5 Johnny
Bench; #8 Joe Morgan; #18 Ted Kluszewski; #20 Frank
Robinson; #24 Tony Perez. 2) George Foster set both the HR
and RBI records for a single season; 52-149 in 1977. 3) Jim
Merritt went 20-12 in 1970. Merritt was 81-86 in his 11-year
career. 4) Deron Johnson led the N.L. with 130 RBI in 1965, the
only season he drove in over 100 in a career that still saw him
club 245 homeruns while driving in 923. 5) George Culver
threw a no-hitter in 1968 (a 6-1 ballgame), but was only 11-16
that season and 48-49 in his 9-year career. 6) 2,000 hits: Pete
Rose (3,358); Barry Larkin (2,340); Dave Concepcion (2,326);
Johnny Bench (2,048).
Next Bar Chat, Thursday…U2 review.
