FMD: March 22, 2012

Apropos of nothing (other than listening yesterday): Is Fog's "Pneumonia" the best song to come out of Minneapolis since Purple Rain (and disallowing any later Prince)? Listen and decide for yourself (Lyrics contain profanities):
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavKots-bK0
"The casserole was good and the drives were so nice. Welcome to the worst part of your life."
I'd also entertain notions that "Check Fraud" (vocal version) and "What-A-Day Day" by the same artist could be nominated, but by gum does that turntable solo kick ass and flip genres. Basically, it's a Neil Young-type ballad with record scratches for drums and guitar solo. I saw Broder play this once at First Ave, after I had become familiar with the album. I was mesmerized.

Happy Birthday–March 22

Jack Boyle (1866)
Ernie Quigley (1880)
Goldie Holt (1902)
Bob Elson (1904)
Marv Owen (1906)
Billy Goodman (1926)
Al Schroll (1932)
Gene Oliver (1935)
Frank Pulli (1935)
Dick Ellsworth (1940)
Ron Wojciak (1943)
Jake Brown (1948)
Eddie Bane (1952)
Bob Costas (1952)
Eric Rasmussen (1952)
Scott Bradley (1960)
Matt Sinatro (1960)
Rich Monteleone (1963)
Glenallen Hill (1965)
Sean Berry (1966)
Ramon Martinez (1968)
Cory Lidle (1972)
Mike Morse (1982)
Ike Davis (1987)

Ernie Quigley was a National League umpire for twenty-six years and then became the NL supervisor of umpires.

Goldie Holt is credited with teaching Charlie Hough to throw the knuckleball.

Bob Elson was a baseball broadcaster for over thirty years, mostly in Chicago.

Frank Pulli was a National League umpire from 1972-1999.

Ron Wojciak helped the Minnesota Golden Gophers win the College World Series in 1964 and played in the Twins’ farm system in 1965.  He passed away from lung cancer in 1966.

Jake Brown was drafted by Minnesota in the thirty-third round in 1967, but he did not sign.

Scott Bradley was drafted by Minnesota in the twelfth round in 1978, but he did not sign.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–March 22

2013 NCAA Tournament Proper – Day 1

I don't have to work until Saturday morning, so today I'm stuffing my face, drinking cheap beer, and watching the NCAA Tournament all day. I haven't watched any college basketball this year, but much like the NFL, the spectacle of the Tourney/Super Bowl drags me in. If you wish to join me in discussion, here's the place. If college basketball isn't your thing, that's cool too, just please don't come in here and harsh everyone's mellow.

Father Knows Best: Roundup

Sitting here listening to some hockey (Wild win in Detroit, 4-2) after watching an episode of Homeland, drinking a glass of this, trying to figure out what my edition of Father Knows Best should address. I realize that any of those first three items could (and typically do) generate a whole day’s worth of conversation here at the World’s Greatest, but none of them really help me with the task at hand: namely, come up with something about being a father that is useful, challenging, interesting and LTE-inducing – all while keeping the post manageable, i.e., short.

More after the jump… Continue reading Father Knows Best: Roundup

Happy Birthday–March 21

Jack Herbert (1877)
Mysterious Walker (1894)
Bill McGowan (1896)
Shanty Hogan (1906)
Tommy Davis (1939)
Manny Sanguillen (1944)
Al Fitzmorris (1946)
Bill Plummer (1947)
Fernando Arroyo (1952)
Luis Leal (1957)
Shawon Dunston (1963)
Tim McIntosh (1965)
Cristian Guzman (1978)

Jack Herbert was a minor league manager in the early 1900s.  Among the teams he managed were the Pekin Celestials, the Cedar Rapids Rabbits, and the Cairo Egyptians.

Bill McGowan was an American League umpire from 1925-1954.  He worked the first all-star game and worked eight World Series.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–March 21

Remodeled basement. Same half-baked taste.