Historically Speaking: 1-30-09

I have no idea what this picture has to do with today's history lesson, but hey -- boobs. Right? Anyway, it's a pretty dreary day thumbing through the old annals, but if the almighty one gives you lemons...

* One hundred years ago today, work began on the first board-track automobile speedway in Playa del Rey -- or as we might say in English, "Beach of the God" -- California.

* In 1994, the Buffalo Bills, may God have mercy on their fan base, lost their fourth consecutive Super Bowl. This 30-13 loss was their second in a row to the Dallas Cowboys, also known as the club that will be the next to cut checks to one Michael Edward Shanahan.

* On this same day, Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the women's Australian Open. It was Graf's second consecutive Australian Open championship appearance; she lost in '93 to Monica Seles.

* Six years later, the New York Mets announced that Garth Brooks would train with the baseball team. Brooks was ultimately cut; his roster spot was instead awarded to Chris Gaines.

* In other baseball news, based on an interview published by Sports Illustrated magazine, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker was suspended by Major League Baseball for allegedly saying not-nice things about minorities, foreigners, and homosexuals.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day comes from the mouth of Pete Rose.



In 1981, after a plane with a sign in-tow that read "Luv, Christy," circled Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Rose, alleging that the words were intended for him, said, "I'm hard to reach on the phone."