Historically Speaking: Oh, Billy

Well, kids, it's that fantastic time of year when the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA are all going on at once. Er, uh, wait. The World Series is usually over by now, not just getting started, so scratch that intro, but dig it while it's here! Sports fancy ticklers, a click away.

* Construction of two notorious baseball parks got underway on this day in history: It was 1958 when operations began for a new stadium for the San Francisco Giants. Allegedly, the neighboring rocks looked like candlesticks. Three years later the ground was broken for Municipal, a.k.a. Shea Stadium for the Mets of New York.

* Everyone wants to talk Cleveland Cavaliers these days, so let's recall that today in 1970 was their first National Basketball Association contest, a 110-99 loss to the San Diego Rockets. The Rockets, after a five-year stay in the Whale's Vagina, would move to Houston. A short seven years later the Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego, and became known as the Clippers, which last until '84, when the club moved to L.A. I suppose it's worth noting that Cleveland dropped their opener to the Celtics last night, which must've been a tough one for the artist formerly known as the Lone Reader to swallow, since he is devoted to both of these clubs in months that end in 'r.'

* Today in 1974, two New York Islanders -- Billy MacMillan and Ed Westfall -- tallied hat tricks in the same contest -- a 10-1 home-ice victory over the California Golden Seals -- for the firt time. Twenty years later on this same date, Ron "Ronnie Franchise" Francis accumulated his 1000th career point.

* What kind of day would it be without a Billy Martin mentioning? A sad day, friends. A sad day. It was 1976 when Billy Martin was named A.L. Manager of the Year after guiding the Yankees to a 97-62 record, and a World Series (swept by Reds) appearance. And it was three years later to the day when George Steinbrenner canned the skipper after Martin engaged in a saloon scuffle with a marshmallow salesman. Martin's replacement: Dick Howser.

* Three World Series were wrapped up on 28s of October: In 1981, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the help of five Pedro Guerrero RsBI, tallied a 9-2 victory, and sent the New York Yankees packing after six games. Eight years later, in a 9-6 win over the Giants, the Oakland A's completed a Series sweep, and the year was 1995 when the Atlanta Braves took a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians in a Series-deciding game six.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...former Baltimore Oriole pitcher Mike Flanagan, who, in 1992, said, "You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track."
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Historically Speaking: 10-19-09

Baseball, hockey, and kinda-sorta boxing are all after the jump. Well, what're you waitin' for? An invitation?

* Today in 1957, Maurice "Rocket" Richard became the first hockey player in National Hockey League history to score 500 goals. He retired three years later with another 44 added to his career total.

* We're not talking The Machine, but it was today in 1976, one year after that Machinesque season, that the Cincinnati Reds went up 3-0 on the New York Yankees. They would ultimately sweep. This story is not unlike this day in 1990, when the Reds went up three games to none on the Oakland A's. They swept again.

* It was on this date in 1981 that the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Montreal Expos for the National League championship. The Dodgers would go on to defeat the Yankees in the World Series, four games to two. The Series saw a multi-MVP handed out that year for the first time ever. The first name listed, however, is Guerrero, as in P-E-D-R-O. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson are the only others that have shared the award.

* You know what never gets old? Billy Martin stats: Twenty-two years ago today, Bill Martin was, for the fifth time, named manager of the New York Yankees. He filled the position vacated by Lou Piniella, who filled the position vacated by Billy Martin, only this time, Piniella was moved to the general manager position.

* The boxing people decided to give Mike Tyson his license back today in 1998. He had it removed after he bit Evander Holyfield's ear. The people have yet to decide when they will give Holyfield back his ear.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...one-time Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw, who, in 1975, commented on his salary of $75 grand: "Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women and Irish whiskey. The other 10 percent I'll probably waste."
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Historically Speaking: Pine Tar Anniversary

I love the fans' faces in this photo. And I love you too, single, solitary reader. Now go study your history, as I want a bright future for you.

* Proving that Jesus hated Cleveland even as far back as 1882, the city's baseball team dropped a game on this day of that year by the mark of 35-4.

* It was today in 1965 that Casey Stengel resigned at manager of the New York Mets.

* Three years later, Hoyt Wilhelm broke Cy Young's appearance for Major League appearances by a pitcher when he logs number 907.

* Today in 1978, Pete Rose got a base hit in his 37th consecutive game, tying the modern-day record held by Tommy Holmes. The starting pitcher, New York Met Pat Zachry, kicks the dugout steps out of frustration after surrendering the hit, which broke his foot, which ended his season.

* Finally, the year was 1983 when Kansas City Royal George Brett hit a home run off of Goose Gossage with two outs in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. The jack put the Royals up 5-4, but Yankee Skip Billy Martin tells the officiating crew that Brett's bat contains more than the allowed 17 inches of pine tar. The crew called Brett out (which he didn't particularly care for), giving New York the win. For a month.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...some guy named Jimmy Demaret, who, after golfing with Bob Hope in 1979, said, "Bob has a beautiful short game. Unfortunately, it's off the tee."
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Historically Speaking: Audiences of Non-Largeness

Listen, boys and girls. It's Thursday, and you should be headed to study hall. If you find any of our former site visitors on your way, however, you'll get a free pass on today's assignment for turning them in. Tidbits, yonder.

* Back, back, back, back...way back to 1866, 23, July: The Cincinnati Red Stockings Baseball Club formed today.

* Fast forward 90 years: Joe Cronin and Hank Greenberg were inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame. Cronin logged a 20-year career as an infielder with the Pirates, Senators and Red Sox, compiling 170 homers, over 1400 RsBI, and a lifetime batting average of .301. Little Suzy Greenberg spent 14 years with the Tigers, smacked 331 home runs, 11 grand slams, and slugged .605.

* The previous year, Dick Stuart hit a home run in Philadelphia's 5-1 win over New York at Shea Stadium. Shea was the 23rd park in which Stuart hit a jack, a Major League record.

* The Boston Red Sox, on this date in 1987, waived first baseman Bill Buckner. He did not, however, clear waivers, and Buckner was acquired by the California Angels of California in exchange for Chris Carpenter, Chris Duncan, and a half-pound of homegrown. Buckner would later play for the Royals, then head back to Boston for 22 games in 1990, apparently semi-forgiven by the fan base for his 1986 World Series boo boo.

* It was today in 2000 when Lance Armstrong won his second Tour de France.

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



...the one and only Billy Martin, who, in 1978, had just seen his Yankee club win their fifth straight, a 3-1 edge over the White Sox at Comiskey. When asked about Reggie Jackson and George Steinbrenner, Martin replied: "The two deserve each other. One's a born liar; the other's convicted," which of course got Martin canned.
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Historically Speaking: Bare-Handed Beatings

We're rollin' afternoon style with the history today. Why? 'Cause we call the shots, that's why. Now hop to it.

* Today in 1889 was some crazy-ass boxing action: John L. Sullivan, in the 75th round, beat Jake Kilrain for the championship in the last bare-knuckle fight.

* More All-Star Action: Today in 1935, the American League took a 4-1 victory in Cleveland; they won again six years later (7-5) in Detroit; in 1947 they posted another W (2-1) at Wrigley Field in Chicago; it was the National League's turn today in 1952 when they won 3-2 in Philadelphia; but the A.L. was back to their winning ways on July 8, 1958 in Baltimore; the N.L., however, won (its ninth consecutive) today in 1980 at Dodger Stadium by a 4-2 tally; and finally, in 1997, the American League defeated the N.L., ending a three-game winning streak by those that bat their pitchers.

* The year was 1953 when the University of Notre Dame announced that, for the next five years, their football games would be shown over closed-circuit television in theaters.

* Billy Martin, on this date in 1980, logged his 1,000th victory as his A's beat the Yankees.

* Finally, today in 1991, MLB umpire Steve Palermo and former NFL defensive lineman Terrence Mann, were shot attempting to assist two waitresses being held up.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...former Chicago Cub rightfielder Bobby Murcer, who, after facing Atlanta Brave knuckler Phil Niekro, said, "Trying to hit him is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks."
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Historically Speaking: 6-23-09

No day baseball happening in the bigs today, but at least there's a full slate on tap for you this evening, which means you've got plenty of time to brush up on a little history.

* The Sultan of Swat was ejected from a Major League Baseball game today in 1917. The Boston pitcher walked Washington leadoff man Ernie Foster, each pitch of which was followed by complaints from the mound in the direction of home plate umpire Brick Owens. After ball four, Babe Ruth supposedly clocked Owens in da' mouf, which is just fantastic. Ruth's replacment, Ernie Shore, took the hill, and saw Foster get caught stealing just before retiring all 26 batters he faced, earning himself a 4-0 perfect-game victory.

* A couple of U.S. Open victories happened today: Julius Boros claimed the victory in 1963 when he shot a 293; and Lou Graham won it with a 287 in 1975, which is phenomenal considering that he had already been a 19th-century madame in a Seattle brothel, as well as Foreigner's front man.

* We're talking 1969 when we mention Joe Frazier and Jerry Quarry. It was inside New York City's Madison Square Gardens and in the eighth round when Frazier was awarded the technical knockout of Quarry. The victory fell right in the middle of a stretch of wins that would ultimately crown Frazier the champ in November of the following year.

* Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ken Brett got the 7-2 win over the Montreal Expos today in 1973. He also hit a home run in the game, making the contest his fourth consecutive in which he hit a long ball and got the W as the starter. The other victories came on the ninth versus San Diego, the 13th against the Dodgers, and the 18th against Los Mets. Brett had already homered three times in previous campaigns with Boston, and would homer thrice more as a Pirate to give him a career total of 10.

* It was today in 1988 when the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat began their National Basketball Association expansion draft. Whoop-dee-do. Of a more enticing '88 flavor would be this: George Steinbrenner fired Billy Martin for the fifth time, replacing him with Lou Piniella. Three years earlier, Piniella was fired and replaced by Martin, and in that same season, Martin was fired and replaced by Piniella.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...former Kansas City Royals catcher Mike Macfarlane, who, in 1992, commented on KC's one-hit, 3-1 victory over Oakland: "That was a maximization of a minimization of hits."
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Historically Speaking: 4-27-09

It's Tuesday, which means we could deliver seven posts before the day's up, or this might be it. Never know. In case it's the latter, get on past the jump and study. There might be a pop quiz.

* Two fantastic baseball stats to kick things off: In 1906, two player-managers steal home plate on the same day. It was Cub Frank Chance in the ninth to give Chicago the 1-0 win over the Cincinnati Redlegs, and Pirate Fred Clark in a 10-1 over the St. Louis Cardinals. Fifty-nine years later, Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson called a contest between New York and Houston at the Astrodome. Instead of doing so from the booth, however, his vantage point was in a gondola that hung 208 feet over second base.

* The year was 1966 when the Boston Celtics knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers four games to three for the National Basketball Association championship.

* It was today in 1967 when boxing champ Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the army and was stripped of his title.

* National Hockey League cheap-shot artist Dale Hunter, then of the New York Islanders, seasoned his weak-sauce body of work today in 1993 when he coughed up the puck to Washington Capital Pierre Turgeon who buried the turnover at the back of the net. You can see footage (early in the clip, hockey haters) here. Though Hunter would receive a 21-game suspension, New York would advance, eventually losing to ultimate Cup champion Montreal.

* Today in 1985, Billy Martin was named manager of the New York Yankees. It was the fourth time Martin was hired for the job. Martin would be hired for the job for a fifth time in 1988, and a sixth the following season, but his untimely death would prevent him from getting further than assembling a coaching staff.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...retired NFL coach Bum Philips, whose name was uber-appropriate in that he summed up, in 1995, how he was spending his retirement like this: "I ain't doing a damn thing, and I don't start until noon."
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The Judges Called the YouTubes and the Judges Said, "No More Pine Tar May Your Users Embed"

This Monday, July 23, Rustoleum’s beloved Yankees come to Kansas City to take on the Royals in a four-game series. On Tuesday the 24th, the 24th anniversary of the Pine Tar Incident, the first 20,000 fans into Kauffman Stadium will get a commemorative powder blue George Brett t-shirt with pine tar smudges on the front and the back. Good stuff. I happen to work with a Yankees fan, we’ve even gone to a Royals-Yankees game together. Last night, we were talking about the series and, upon mentioning the t-shirt giveaway, it occurred to me that he’d no clue about this famed piece of baseball lore. Granted, he’s from Mexico and a Yankees fan solely because of the club’s vast number of championships, but whatever.



Anyway, I took the young lad up to the office to consult the almighty InterWebs and quickly found myself disturbed, then angry, and finally downright pissed. Here is why: It appears that a recent court ruling has determined any and all Pine Tar footage to be the property of Major League Baseball, and any seven-minute-plus clip from the YouTubes is in fact, in copyright violation of that property. Not good stuff.

Read a slightly more educated synopsis of the event here, should you desire. Or see what the YouTubes have in place of what was once the locale for Pine Tar footage here. So now, any young buck that wants to query the Pine Tar footage has only the option of doing so here, the MLB Web site, where they will probably attempt to charge you money for breathing. Very ungood stuff.

Answers.com offers a nice summary of the Incident here, my favorite part of which is the following:

"On August 18 (a scheduled off day for both teams), the game was resumed from the point of
Brett's home run. Martin symbolically protested the continuation of the game by putting first baseman Don Mattingly (who threw left-handed) at second base, and pitcher Ron Guidry in center field. Before the first pitch to Hal McRae (who followed Brett in the lineup), Martin challenged Brett's home run on the grounds that Brett had not touched all the bases on his way home, and maintained that there was no way for the umpires (who were a different crew from those who worked on July 24) to dispute this. In response, umpire Davey Phillips produced an affidavit signed by the July 24 umpires and stating that Brett had indeed touched all bases. An irate Martin continued to argue with the umpires and was ejected from the game. The game finally continued with no further runs scored by either team and the Royals preserving their 5-4 win."

The point of this post, though, is to point out the absurdity of this ruling, what it might mean for those of us that troll the CyberUniverses and take full advantage of the Googles and the YouTubes that live on our block. What next? Will we be offereing credit to someone just because they wrote it? I suppose photgraphers and musicians won't be far behind, demanding royalties and currencies in every nook and cranny.

Why would you deprive the world of watching the best third baseman of all time losing his freaking mind? Beats the pants off of me. Read more