New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis is close to reaching the Mets rookie records for home runs and RBI's. Click here to see who he has surpassed and the player he is chasing.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Bobby Valentine headlines fourth annual Sports Angels Inspiration Awards Dinner
September 28, 2010
Bobby Valentine, Diarmuid Hogan, Inspiration Awards Dinner, Jessica Abo, Ralph Branca, Sports Angels
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Bobby Valentine with Emcee Len Berman |
Also honored for his philanthropic efforts was Global Excess Partners CEO Diarmuid Hogan. He is also the director of Boys Hope Girls Hope, an organization that provides assistance to promising youth living in at-risk family and community situations.
Sports Angels is a grassroots organization committed to helping youth benefit from the life lessons available through sports participation. They have raised over $250,000 since their inception in 2005. To find out more about Sports Angels and contribute to their cause, visit their website http://www.sportsangels.org
Vice Chairman Ralph Branca |
Diarmuid Hogan receiving his Inspiration Award |
NY1's Jessica Abo |
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Recent MLB passings (Bob Shaw, Ray Coleman, Al Pilarcik)
September 26, 2010
1959 World Series, Al Pilarcik, Bob Shaw, Death, Obituary, Ray Coleman, Ted Williams, World War II
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This past week was a sad week for old-time baseball fans as a few more legends have passed on. It is said that celebrity deaths happen in triplicate and three baseball greats passed on this week, each with their link to baseball's history.
Former outfielder for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox, Ray Coleman passed away September 19th at the age of 88. Coleman served valiantly in World War II from 1943-45 traveling all over the Pacific in the Navy. He would make his debut with the Browns in 1947 and would be witness to both Willard Brown and Hank Thompson joining the team that year, making them only the second and third African-Americans to play in the majors. I had the opportunity to speak with Coleman a few years ago and he spoke proudly of his World War II service.
Al Pilarcik was an outfielder for the Kansas City Athletic, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox from 1956-1961. He passed away Monday September 20th at the age of 80. 50 years prior to his passing, on September 28, 1960, he caught the last out Ted Williams made in his career. Pilarcik later gladly handed it over to the Hall of Fame. After his playing career was finished, he had tremendous success as a high school teacher and baseball coach at Lake Central High School, earning an induction into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Bob Shaw, a famed member of the 1959 "Go-Go" White Sox, who led the league that year with an astounding .750 win percentage passed away Thursday September 23, 2010 at the age of 77. Shaw pitched a legendary battle in Game 5 of the 1959 World Series where he triumphed over Sandy Koufax in front of 92,000 fans. He would go on to pitch for seven teams during his 11-year major league career, including being traded for the aforementioned Al Pilarcik to the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. He would find success after his baseball career as a real estate investor and an American Legion baseball coach.
Ray Coleman |
Al Pilarcik |
Bob Shaw |
Monday, September 13, 2010
Bobby Valentine to recieve the 4th annual Sports Angels Inspiration Award September 20th
September 13, 2010
Bobby Valentine, Gerry Cooney, Inspiration Awards Dinner, Jeff Nelson, Joe Pignatano, Ralph Branca, Sports Angels, University Club
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Bobby Valentine |
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Fat Beats closing ceremonies: The end of an era
September 05, 2010
Caron Wheeler, DJ Premier, DJ Scratch, DJ Spinna, Fat Beats Closing, Gangstarr, New York, Soul II Soul, Video
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Outside Fat Beats during the closing ceremonies |
Labeled "The Last Stop for Hip Hop", Fat Beats served as the mecca for hip hop fans, DJ's and collectors. A legendary fixture in New York City on 6th Avenue, right near the famous West 4th Street basketball courts, hip hop "heads" would often gather to purchase the latest hip hop record and discuss who was next to blow up on the scene.
The inner walls of the store covered with autographed photos and posters of the many artists who graced the store during their record release celebrations. The names on the wall are too many to mention, but it reads like a "Who's Who" of hip hop. On any given day, you could run into a significant artist, DJ or producer who would stop by while they were in New York to see what was new in the "underground". If you wanted a hip hop 12" or CD by an artist large or small, chances are they had it. Customers would often come in with playlists from radio shows such as the Stretch and Bobbito Show or the Halftime Radio show and purchase every single record that was played on the airwaves. The fans demand it and they kept the fiends coming back every week for more. You better have acted quickly though because any record worth its salt didn't stay on the racks too long.
A look at the ceiling of Fat Beats |
This past week had an All-Star lineup of DJ's, MC's and producers performing to celebrate the institution that Fat Beats had become. I attended the closing ceremonies on Saturday September 4, 2010 that included performances by DJ Scratch of EPMD, DJ Spinna, Caron Wheeler of Soul II Soul and DJ Premier of Gangstarr. It was fitting that Premier closed out the week-long celebration, as he epitomized the essence of hip hop and vinyl. DJ's across the country immersed themselves in vinyl due to his work and have their crates full of his productions.
DJ Premier rocks the final set at Fat Beats |
Caron Wheeler Performing Keep On Movin' At Fat Beats Closing 9/4/10 from Dee Jay on Vimeo.
Caron Wheeler Singing Back To Life at Fat Beats Closing 9/4/10 from Dee Jay on Vimeo.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Reggie Jackson and his 1986 PSA video against cocaine
September 03, 2010
Cocaine, Hall of Fame, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Drug Trials, Reggie Jackson
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A quick search of Youtube unearthed former New York Yankee great and Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson appearing in a 1986 public service announcement citing the dangers of using cocaine.
The series of PSA's were part of Major League Baseball's cleanup efforts after the 1985 Pittsburgh Drug Trials, where 11 players were suspended for their cocaine use. That list included current New York Mets announcer Keith Hernandez. More detail on the scandal is given in the book "The Pittsburgh Cocaine Seven". While the ad may seem cheesy, Reggie was just trying to kick "the real truth" about cocaine and help MLB refresh its public image.
Photo by Rubenstein |
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Was Nyjer Morgan really wrong for stealing two bases after being hit?
September 02, 2010
Brawl, Chris Volstad, Fight, Florida Marlins, Gaby Sanchez, Njyer Morgan, Stolen Base, Washington Nationals
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In an act of retaliation for Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan separating the shoulder of Florida Marlins catcher Brett Hayes on Tuesday and then stealing two bases while down eleven runs last night, pitcher Chris Volstad threw behind Morgan which ignited a brawl that almost saw Morgan get his head taken off by Gaby Sanchez.
During the commentary, the announcers remarked that Morgan was wrong for stealing two bases while his team was down 11 runs in the 4th inning. I disagree with the commentators in this case. If Morgan can himself into scoring position after being purposely hit by the opposing pitcher, why not do it? There was plenty of baseball to be played in that game and if he could help creep the Nationals towards closing the gap by getting into scoring position, then he should do it. Morgan later scored on a sacrifice fly. The game ended with the Marlins winning 16-10, but how many of us have seen games that appeared to be a blowout and were decided by one run?
Leave a comment if you think Morgan was right or wrong for stealing those two bases after getting hit.
During the commentary, the announcers remarked that Morgan was wrong for stealing two bases while his team was down 11 runs in the 4th inning. I disagree with the commentators in this case. If Morgan can himself into scoring position after being purposely hit by the opposing pitcher, why not do it? There was plenty of baseball to be played in that game and if he could help creep the Nationals towards closing the gap by getting into scoring position, then he should do it. Morgan later scored on a sacrifice fly. The game ended with the Marlins winning 16-10, but how many of us have seen games that appeared to be a blowout and were decided by one run?
Leave a comment if you think Morgan was right or wrong for stealing those two bases after getting hit.