Historically Speaking: 7-30-09

Don't you hate it when the wife insists on talking to you from like six rooms away, even though she knows you can't hear her in the next room? Lord, grant me the sanity...

* The Philadelphia Athletics took three weeks off in July 1873 as they apparently needed the rest. They returned on the 30th, facing Boston on the road, and apparently needed a few more days, as they lost 24-10.

* It was Uruguay. It was Argentina. It was 1930, and it was the first ever World Cup. The home team (Uruguay) won, 4-2. I'd mention that England's club won it today in 1966 but nobody cares about a bunch of wankers.

* The Atlanta Braves, in 1982, returned Chief Noc-a-Homa and his teepee to the left field seats. The organization had removed them for more seating and the club lost 19 of its 21 ensuing games, as well as a 10 1/2 game division lead. After his return, the team regained the first-place lead.

* Some nutjob named Ronald J. Dossenbach had the brilliant idea of riding his bike across Canada. He started today in 1988, in Vancouver, and set a record time 13 days, 15 hours and four minutes later when he got to Halifax. Frankly, I'd rather stab my eyes with a rusty fork while sticking my fingers in a blender.

* Today in 1990, Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent (a.k.a. Captain Taintlick) forced George Steinbrenner to resign as principal partner of the New York Yankees.

And your quote of the day game from the mouth of...



former National League president and MLB commissioner Ford Frick, who, circa 1947, having been informed that big-league players may strike when Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, delivered this statement:

"If you [strike] you will be suspended from the league. You will find that the friends you think you have in the press box will not support you, that you will be outcasts. I do not care if half the league strikes. Those who do it will encounter quick retribution. All will be suspended and I don't care if it wrecks the National League for five years. This is the United (Editor's Note: Fucking) States of America and one citizen has as much right to play as another. The National League will go down the line with Robinson whatever the consequences. You will find if you go through with your intention that you have been guilty of complete madness."