A Seagull Dies In Toronto
On this day in 1983, Dave Winfield, an outfielder for the New York Yankees, was warming up and accidentally killed a seagull when he threw the ball. He was actually arrested for cruelty to animals after the game.
On August 4, 1983, Winfield, while warming up before the fifth inning of a game at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium, accidentally killed a seagull with a thrown ball. He doffed his cap in mock sorrow. Fans responded by hurling obscenities and improvised missiles. After the game, he was brought to the Ontario Provincial Police station on charges of cruelty to animals and was forced to post a $500 bond before being released. Quipped Yankees manager Billy Martin, “It’s the first time he’s hit the cutoff man.” The charges were dropped the following day.[5] For years afterward Winfield’s appearances in Toronto were greeted with loud choruses of boos, but he later became a fan favorite due to his outstanding play once he joined the Blue Jays.
I remember 1983 quite well, it was my first year in college, time seemed to stand still. Now I have two Nautica watches just so I can keep up with reality, let alone the internet.
You can find out more about this day in history at the History Channel, Those Were The Days, and InfoPlease.
The TypeWriter Makes It’s Debut
On this day in 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes patented the Type-Writer and the world has never been the same.
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1919: Sir Barton Wins The Triple Crown
On this day in 1919, Sir Barton won the first “Triple Crown”. Here;s a video of a lot of winners from the past.
Today also marks the anniversary of Seattle Slew winning the Triple Crown in 1977.
There a but a few luxuries I enjoy in life. Horse racing, a good cigar, and the wine of the month. Who could ask for more?
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Memorial Day
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
Read more about the history of Memorial Day at The History Channel or go to your public library and find a few books, then take a moment this weekend to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Thank you for fighting for the freedom we enjoy today. Your actions made this country what it is today, and for that, you truly are, The Greatest Generation.
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Remembering Sports Illustrated Swimsuits
Do you remember when the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition was just a magazine you bought at the corner newstand? Better yet, do you remember the days when all of the models’ bodies were 100% flesh and blood and they didn’t have to resort to using products like hoodia or Nutrasystem just to get their faces (and bodies) into said magazine?
2008:
2006 (NSFW):
2000:
Yeah, me neither.
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One More Buck
As a child, I spent every Labor Day planted in front of the television watching the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. This Labor Day, was no different. Although, as a child, I wrote down all of the acts, the amounts of money earned and fun schtuff like that…
Showman Jerry Lewis raised nearly $64 million on Monday during his annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, topping last year’s event by $3 million.
“We did it. We did it. I got my buck more. And more. We can go shopping,” a jubilant Lewis said as the tote board topped $63.7 million for his 42nd telethon. Last year’s record was $61 million.
Say what you will about Jerry Lewis and the MDA Telethon, but I for one, having worked at a few of the telethons myself, having nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for Jerry. He’s a great man, on a great mission. Here’s a clip from the 1960’s. Sorry for the French subtitles and commentary, I couldn’t find a better clip on YouTube to post.
Dean Martin & Goldie Hawn
Enjoy this clip
The Ten Year Mark Is Approaching
On September 1, I will have been married to my wife for 10 years. Honestly, it doesn’t seem that long.
I asked her to marry me almost every day from the day I met her, which was in October of 2006, until that night in September 1997. She agreed to marry me, thinking it was a holiday and we wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but we did, and our lives have never been the same.
While that day was very special to both of us, if I had to do it all over again, I would try to make that day even more special for her. I would have sat down with her and picked a date, and a place. We would have picked out wedding cards together and sent out our wedding invites with plenty of time for all of our family and friends to attend.
I would have made sure she had a shower too, even if I had to organize it and send out the wedding shower invitations myself.
It wouldn’t have been a huge event, but I would have liked to make it more special for her, because she has made my life so special since the day I met her.
Sphere: Related ContentMore Memories From Long Ago
What is it with Hollywood, addictions and drug rehab? You’d think, watching the news that celebrities are the only ones with addiction issues, and the only ones that needed to enter drug treatment centers.
Earlier today I posted about the time I used to hang out at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. There were a few people I knew back then that had addiction problems. One of my best friends was addicted to alcohol, a singer in the lounge was addicted to drugs, and one of the dancers at the “Solid Gold” show suffered from an eating disorder.
All three of them were great people, but their addictions took over their lives and choked the happiness from their lives. My friend ended up in alcohol rehab, and the singer sought help from drug treatment centers. I lost contact with the dancer, but I heard she is doing fine too.
For those of you suffering from an addiction, there is hope. Project Know can help you overcome your addiction, whether it’s alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, nicotine, gambling, or the internet. They can even help you with eating disorders.
A Monday Memory
Many, many, years ago, I used to hang out at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. I met some of the most awesome people at the Riviera. One of those people was a comedian named Lois Bromfield.
If I remember correctly, the year was 1984, and she was there to do stand up for the “Solid Gold” show, or something like that. I was introduced to her by the Riviera entertainment director, Barbara Hayes (another awesome person). Lois was (and still is) one of the most hilarious comedians I have ever seen. I can’t believe it’s been over 20 years since I met all of those people at the Riviera.
Anyway, back to the memory…
I was going to be taking a road trip to Southern California and she invited me and a friend of mine to stop by her place while we were down there. We almost didn’t call her, because we were nervous about seeing her again. Heck, she was a “big celebrity” in our eyes, and we were just a couple of punks from Vegas. But, we worked up the nerve and stopped by for a bit. She was a gracious hostess and was one of the most down to earth people I have ever met in my life. I wish now that I had kept in touch with her. Oh sure, she’s a famous writer and producer now, and she probably doesn’t even remember the scrawny kid from Las Vegas who had stars in his eyes and wanted to become a manager just so he could work in the entertainment industry (yes, that was a dream from long ago).
Here is Lois in a clip I found on YouTube.
As I typed this post, my mind wandered back and remembered those nights, sitting in the Riviera Lounge with people like Annie Lawrence, Kenny Sakamano, The Smother’s Brothers (well, Tommy anyway), and Lois. Wow. I feel old now.
Happy Monday!
[Crossposted at TinselTown Trash]