Lest we forget: Betty Garrett

Lest We Forget

Besides playing Irene Lorenzo, Archie Bunker’s liberal neighbor on All in the Family, as well as other TV, film, and theater roles, Garrett starred in the 1949 Sinatra-Kelly musical Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Garrett died yesterday at the age of 91.

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Turning a blind eye?

2011 title

The literary collaboration between former Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga and umpire Jim Joyce — who famously blew the call that cost a perfect game — is interesting on several points. I believe this is the first such venture between an active player and umpire, which leads to all sorts of ethical questions such as, […]

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Lest we forget: Chuck Tanner

Instructionals / How-To

The former manager died yesterday. The NY Times obituary by Bruce Weber put his age “in his early 80s.” Tanner, who led the Pittsburgh, Pirates to the world Championship in 1979, played for eight seasons with the Braves, Cubs, Indians, and Angels from 1955-62, compiling a .263 batting average, 21 homers, and 105 RBI, mostly […]

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Literary birthday greetings: Joe Garagiola, Lenny Randle, Dom DiMaggio

Autobiography/memoirs

Like Bob Uecker, Garagiola was a so-so catcher who made more of a name for himself in retirement. He served as a co-host for The Today Show from 1967 to 1973 and again from 1990 to 1992. He also hosted several game shows, as well as working as an announcer for NBC Game of the […]

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Literary birthday greetings: Fritz Peterson

Audio

Somewhat belated, but nevertheless — The Yankees’ lefty, known perhaps more for swapping families than his record on the field, turned 69 recently. I was planning on posting this on his actual birthday, but wanted to find out what he was up to with his latest project. I interviewed Peterson during my stint at Yankee […]

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The Literary All-Stars

Classic title

Several years ago, I published this list on the now-defunct fastball.com. Resubmitted for your consideration in case you missed it the first time around. UPDATE: Feb, 14 –An alert reader noted that Josh Beckett might have been a better chocie than the short-careered Robbie. Just goes to show how long ago I created this list. […]

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Check your local listings: Tim McGraw

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

Because you can keep a TV on your bookshelf: Who Do You Think You Are? : Tim McGraw NEW TV-PG NBC, 8 p.m. EST Tim McGraw researches his father’s past and discovers an industrious ancestor. The country singer/actor was 11 years old when he discovered that popular relief pitcher Tug McGraw was his father.

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Strat-O-Matic, the iconic game, turns 50

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

Hal Richman didn’t waste any time when I asked him if he could have envisioned celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic baseball game, Strat-O-Matic. “Absolutely not,” he said, after some initial laughter over the absurdity of the situation. Hundreds of the game’s fans from across the country will participate in tomorrow’s “2011 Strat-O Opening […]

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Well, that‘s a relief

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

Because you can keepvolumes of law on a bookshelf: “Federal prosecutors have cut the number of felony charges Barry Bonds faces from 11 to five.”

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Lest we forget: Tony Malinosky

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

The oldest baseball player died Tuesday at the age of 101. Malinosky played briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937.

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They find the cliches so you don’t have to

Baseball humor

The Definitive List

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Literary birthday greetings: Nails

Uncategorized

Lenny Dykstra turns 48 today. Along with Davey Johnson and Keith Hernandez, Dykstra was one of those Mets who parlayed his sudden fame following their 1986 World Championship to publish a book (Nails: The Inside Story of an Amazin’ Season, written with Marty Noble). At the time, I remember thinking how vulgar the language was. […]

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Here we go again: Canseco to publish third book

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

Just when you thought it was safe to return to the library comes the news — rather the Tweet — that Jose Canseco, author of Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big and Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and the Battle to Save Baseball will give it another go with […]

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Because some people leave their brains on the bookshelf

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

As in the case of the genius who decided Ross Ohlendorf deserved a raise of $1,586,000 for winning one of 11 decisions for the Pirates last year. Sure, why not. The Pirates would have only won 56 games without his help. According to Wikipedia, that bastion of factual accuracy, “Ohlendorf [who majored in Operations Research […]

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Literary birthday greetings: John Kruk

Autobiography/memoirs

The poster boy for the unathletic-looking male, the one who gave millions hope that they, too, could fit in with the slim/muscular types, turns 50 today. Kruk was one of those players who was pretty good, but… He finished his 10-year career with an even .300 batting average and hit .348 in the 1993 World […]

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I looked at you and got that old feeling

Lists

I knew I was in trouble when one of the co-hosts of last night’s What’s On Second program on BlogTalkRadio didn’t know who the Smothers Brothers were (are, actually). I figured the SB’s were one of those cultural icons that transcended age, but I guess I was wrong. Then I look at GQ‘s poll of […]

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Check your local listings: Grady Sizemore

"Ripped from today's headlines..."

Because you can keep a TV on your bookshelf: Hot in Cleveland Episode: Sisterhood of the Traveling SPANX (NEW) Joy ends up with a younger man; Melanie tries to catch the eye of a doctor; Victoria gets in cat fight with Melanie Griffith; Elka’s enhancement idea for Grady Sizemore. 10:00 P.M. on TVLAND

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If at first you don’t succeed…

"Oddballs"

Brooklyn Cyclones give Aguilera second shot at National anthem? From the AP item: Cyclones general manager Steve Cohen [Editor’s Note: MOT?] said in a statement that “when a player makes a mistake, they usually don’t get a shot at redemption, but with a singer, that’s a different story.” Speaking of the Cyclones, they were included […]

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A Hall of a lot of new programs in Cooperstown

Baseball movies

From the Baseball Hall of Fame, this list of programs in the months ahead: A Celebration of Black History Month – Feb. 21-25: The Hall of Fame will host a week’s worth of programs celebrating Black History Month. Programs will feature Artifact Spotlights, films that feature the stories of Negro leagues legends and a walkthrough […]

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Life imitates art?

Uncategorized

(Because you can fit the sheet music for The Star Spangled Banner on a bookshelf.) My, that was a big “whoops” for Christina Aguilera at the Super Bowl, wasn’t it? Hey, Christina, Don’t Forget the Lyrics called. They want you as a contestant. (Believe it or not, there are folks out there who actually bet […]

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