Happy Birthday–February 16

This is a reprint from last year which has not been updated.

Alex Ferguson (1897)
Parnell Woods (1912)
Creepy Crespi (1918)
Atsushi Aramaki (1926)
Bobby Darwin (1943)
Terry Crowley (1947)
Bob Didier (1949)
Glenn Abbott (1951)
Jerry Hairston (1952)
Barry Foote (1952)
Bill Pecota (1960)
Eric Bullock (1960)
Dwayne Henry (1962)
Jerome Bettis (1972)
Eric Byrnes (1976)
Tommy Milone (1987)

Parnell Woods was an infielder in the Negro Leagues for fourteen years.  He later became the business manager for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Atsushi Aramaki was a dominant pitcher in Japan in the 1950s and is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Better known as an NFL running back, Jerome Bettis is a part-owner of the Altoona Curve and the State College Spikes.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–February 16

FMD — When Artists are Horrible People

The New York Times had an article a couple of days ago that pretty much lays out that Ryan Adams is a PoS. Since the article has come out, other women have come forward as well and basically comfirmed having similar experiences. Although never a fan of his solo stuff, I loved Whiskeytown and there are a couple of those songs that are some of my all time favorites.

It got me thinking about how do you love the art but hate the artists? It's not just confined to the music industry either. Picasso was a world class asshole (Sorry Jonathan Richman, I just went there), and Woody Allen definitely is too. But it's hard denying the greatness of their creations.

I have heard from a lot of people that they are done with Ryan Adams, not going to support him by buying albums, going to shows, etc. Which makes perfect sense, and something I can easily do as well. But what about when I'm in the mood to hear Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart or 16 Days? He's already gotten my money. Is just listening to a song that does something for me "supporting Ryan Adams" or forgiving what he did? I could just find other songs that move me the same way (or not).

Does it bother you when a artist turns out to be a horrible person? How do you respond, do you separate the art from the artist? I am not sure there is a right or wrong answer, just curious on what people think.

Also drop your lists.

Happy Birthday–February 15

This is a reprint from last year, which has not been updated.

Sliding Billy Hamilton (1866)
Charlie Irwin (1869)
Jimmy Ring (1895)
George Earnshaw (1900)
Larry Goetz (1900)
Lorenzo Ponza (1915)
Chuck Estrada (1938)
Ron Cey (1948)
Rick Auerbach (1950)
Joe Hesketh (1959)
Mark Davidson (1961)
Melido Perez (1966)
Ugueth Urbina (1974)
Alex Gonzalez (1977)
Luis Ugueto (1979)
Russell Martin (1983)

Lorenzo Ponza invented the modern pitching machine.

Larry Goetz was a National League umpire from 1936-1957.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–February 15

Happy Birthday–February 14

This is a reprint from last year which has not been updated.

Joe Gerhardt (1855)
Arthur Irwin (1858)
Pretzels Getzien (1864)
Morgan Murphy (1867)
Candy LaChance (1870)
Bob Quinn (1870)
Earl Smith (1897)
Mel Allen (1913)
Red Barrett (1915)
Len Gabrielson (1940)
Ken Levine (1950)
Larry Milbourne (1951)
Will McEnaney (1952)
Dave Dravecky (1956)
Alejandro Sanchez (1959)
John Marzano (1963)
Kelly Stinnett (1970)
Damaso Marte (1975)
Tyler Clippard (1985)

Bob Quinn was a long-time executive for the St. Louis Browns, the Boston Red Sox, and the Boston Braves.  He was later the director of the Hall of Fame.

Ken Levine has been a broadcaster for Baltimore, San Diego, and Seattle.  He has also worked on a number of television programs, notably including "Cheers" and "Frazier".

John Marzano was drafted by Minnesota in the third round in 1981, but he did not sign.

There have been seven major league players with the last name "Valentine".  The most recent was Joe Valentine, a reliever for Cincinnati from 2003-05.  The best was Ellis Valentine, who played from 1975-83 and 1985, mostly for Montreal.  One was a manager, Bobby Valentine.

There has been one major league player with the last name "Ash":  Ken Ash, who played in 1925 and from 1928-1930, mostly with Cincinnati.

We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to Mother 6.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–February 14