Goodbye, Glen Campbell
(April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017)
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grammy Award winner Glen Campbell passed away today. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. The iconic singer sold more than 45 million records in his career, which began in the early 1960s. His final studio recording, Adiós, was released this June.
Thank you Glen Campbell for sharing your talent with us for so many years
May you rest in peace my friend
You will never be forgotten— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) August 8, 2017
I'm very broken up to hear about my friend Glen Campbell. An incredible musician and an even better person. I'm at a loss. Love & Mercy.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) August 8, 2017
Glen Campbell… The artist. The songwriter. The musician. The man. Music will never be the same. Missing the Rhinestone Cowboy already!
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) August 8, 2017
Glen Campbell was one of the greatest voices of all time. I will always love you, Glen! pic.twitter.com/LQFEWA42lF
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 8, 2017
Our condolences to the family of Glen Campbell, who joined us at Game 6 of the 1985 World Series for a performance of the National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/KExoz9pnv6
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 8, 2017
RIP
Glen Campbell, Singer Who Beautifully Blended Country and Pop, Dies at 81 https://t.co/6Gp2lSY0Dj via @thr— Tom Holland (@RealTomHolland) August 8, 2017
RIP my dear old friend Glen Campbell. Music has lost a giant of a man & a talent. I shall be forever grateful for everything he did for me.
— Anne Murray (@annemurray1) August 8, 2017
Dear Glen Campbell Rest In Peace As well as your incredible musical abilities you were one of the most down to earth ppl I have ever known.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) August 8, 2017
Goodbye, Don Baylor
(June 28, 1949 – August 7, 2017)
Slugging outfielder and 1979 American League MVP, Don Baylor passed away today from multiple myeloma, a form of cancer of plasma cells. Baylor his 338 home runs in his career, was an All-Star in 1979, and won the World Series with the Minnesota Twins in 1987. He presided over the Boston Red Sox’s kangaroo court, and fined Roger Clemens $5 for giving up a single to Spike Owen on an 0-2 count during his 20-strikeout game in 1986. He was also the Colorado Rockies’ first manager.
We mourn the loss of former Oriole Don Baylor. Our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/ewkdpEDAmA
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 7, 2017
Few have worn the Angels uniform with greater pride, loyalty and commitment and few have made a greater impact. RIP Groove. pic.twitter.com/MiwKw2Hkql
— Angels (@Angels) August 7, 2017
We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Yankee Don Baylor. He was a great man & we send our thoughts to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/3t3UavXPs8
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 7, 2017
We're deeply saddened by the passing of Don Baylor, a beloved member of the '86 Red Sox. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/NmWT9qq9Db
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 7, 2017
Sending love to the Baylor family today. RIP Don. pic.twitter.com/sXpafJ9L86
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 7, 2017
Very sad to hear about the passing of my former teammate and friend Don Baylor. RIP 🙏
— Bert Blyleven (@BertBlyleven28) August 7, 2017
Very sad last few days as baseball loses 2 strong leaders of the past, Darren Daulton & Don Baylor. Two old school tough baseball players.
— Ken Singleton (@29alltime) August 7, 2017
#Don Baylor was one of the key men in my wedding back in '88. I've got him here with my brother Steve. pic.twitter.com/RI05cZtP6r
— Dave Winfield (@DaveWinfieldHOF) August 7, 2017
We are deeply saddened by the passing of original Colorado Rockies Manager Don Baylor. pic.twitter.com/hYo61JP1sF
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 7, 2017
The #Cubs mourn the passing of former manager Don Baylor.
We send our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/LJCwJVRD7O
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 7, 2017
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of former #Dbacks coach Don Baylor. Rest in peace, Groove. pic.twitter.com/4ZbGHnj0rD
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 7, 2017
Don Baylor was all toughness kindness and class. It was an honor to wear @angels #25 because of him @TMeadAngels
— Jim Abbott (@jabbottum31) August 7, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to Don Baylor's family. A great man full of integrity and compassion, thank you for guiding me. #ALMVP1979 #RIP pic.twitter.com/lmGldnvPKx
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) August 7, 2017
Don Baylor told me " son you're making a lot of people proud you will never know. You're a true joy to watch " #rip #NeverForget
— Dontrelle Willis (@DTrainMLB) August 7, 2017
Don Baylor was a great coach, manager, player, mentor, and friend. Above all he was a tremendous human being. Rest easy "Groove".
— Raúl Ibañez (@RaulIbanezMLB) August 7, 2017
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Baylor family. Rest easy Groove!
— C.J. Cron (@CCron24) August 8, 2017
He always gave me confidence after a rough one,always ready to laugh, a great coach,a great friend,with both love and sadness RIP Don Baylor
— Huston Street (@HustonStreet) August 7, 2017
Goodbye, Darren Daulton
(January 3, 1962 – August 6, 2017)
A three-time All-Star who played the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, catcher Darren Daulton succumbed to brain cancer on Sunday. Daulton finished his playing career with the Florida Marlins, announcing his retirement after winning the 1997 World Series with the Fish.
Jim at The Phillies Room posted a nice memory of the time he and his son met “Dutch” and a retrospective of Daulton’s base Topps cards.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of 1993 NL Champion and Phillies Wall of Fame catcher Darren Daulton. pic.twitter.com/iPHB9Rn7vg
— Phillies (@Phillies) August 7, 2017
Tonight the @Phillies lost a true legend and those of us who were lucky enough to be his teammate lost a brother!
— John Kruk (@JohnKruk) August 7, 2017
After four years of battling brain cancer, my dear friend and great teammate, Darren Daulton, has passed away…. https://t.co/w2MEd8yrdW
— Lenny Dykstra (@LennyDykstra) August 7, 2017
You will be dearly missed and forever remembered #10. God Bless and RIP #10Dutch #gypsiestrampsthieves
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) August 7, 2017
Baseball, the Phillies, and Fans everywhere lost a very good man. Daulton will be missed.
— Pete Rose (@PeteRose_14) August 7, 2017
Thinking of Darren today. #RIPDutch pic.twitter.com/Goagkusli7
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 7, 2017
Sad day for baseball. One of my all time favorite teammates. He made everyone around him a better player. # Gamer https://t.co/1XOtKqAHHt
— Jeff Conine (@jic9er) August 7, 2017
Teammate. Leader. Friend.
You will be greatly missed. #RIPDutch pic.twitter.com/YFlelnANIu
— Phillies (@Phillies) August 7, 2017
Goodbye, Lee May
(March 23, 1943 – July 29, 2017)
Known as “The Big Bopper,” Lee May was a fan favorite in Cincinnati. He played for the Reds from 1965 through 1971, when he was traded to the Astros. Of his 354 home runs, 147 came as a member of the Reds. He was a three-time All-Star and played in two World Series. In 1976, he led the American League with 109 RBI as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. His career closed in 1982 with Kansas City. He is a member of both the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles Halls of Fame. May passed away Saturday at the age of 74.
Condolences abounded on Twitter from his former teams, teammates, fans, and more…
Reds mourn death of Lee May pic.twitter.com/KHwuXFDz3U
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 30, 2017
The Astros join the baseball community in mourning the passing of All-Star Lee May. Lee played for the Astros for three seasons from 1972-74
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 30, 2017
We mourn the loss of Orioles Hall of Famer Lee May and will honor him with a pregame moment of silence tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/MElnGXOKYw
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 30, 2017
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of three-time All-Star Lee May, who hit 354 home runs in his career. Rest in peace, Lee.
— MLBPAA (@MLBPAA) July 30, 2017
Mr. Noe was special! RIP Big Bopper Lee May
— Johnny Bench (@JohnnyBench_5) July 30, 2017
So sorry to hear of the passing of former teammate Lee May. A superb sense of dry humor was Lee's trademark. A feared slugger. #RIPBIGBOPPER
— Ken Singleton (@29alltime) July 30, 2017
A funky farewell to Lee May, who knocked an AL-leading 109 RBIs in 1976. #RIP pic.twitter.com/1QqaFY7NrA
— Dan Epstein (@BigHairPlasGras) July 30, 2017
RIP Lee May. Great player, great friend and great person. #Reds #Orioles #Astros #Royals #MLB
— Mark Gubicza (@Markgubicza) July 30, 2017
Lee may, one of the great ones. As a teammate, mentor , leader #rip @masnOrioles @Orioles
— Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) July 30, 2017
Want to say how deeply saddened I am today of the loss of the "big bopper" lee may. U made me laugh everytime we were together RIP my friend
— Todd Frazier (@FlavaFraz21) July 30, 2017
RIP, Lee May pic.twitter.com/oI01m19v7K
— Gummy Arts (@gummyarts) July 31, 2017
RIP Lee May. Traded for Joe Morgan, later took Mayday Malone all the way out of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. pic.twitter.com/me5hRMZyte
— Joe Belock (@JoeBelock) July 31, 2017
So sad to hear of passing of The Big Bopper from B'ham. He tore up '70 WS (.389/2/8 in 5 gms) & ended career in Top 35 for career HRs. 🙏 RIP pic.twitter.com/KQZeRPhfki
— History Thru Cards (@CardboardHistry) July 30, 2017
Tigers GM trades his own flesh and blood
Detroit Tigers’ general manager Al Avila traded his son Alex Avila (along with Justin Wilson) to the Cubs. According to Jon Morosi, this is the first time in almost fifty years this has happened at the MLB level. The best reaction on Twitter, and perhaps the best Tweet of all-time:
Theo like "uhhh Justin Wilson please and the blood of your first born" pic.twitter.com/8oJd0MLTC8
— Zack Goldman (@DaRealGoldMan) July 31, 2017
The Cubs will send Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes and either the infamous player to be named later or cash to the Tigers.
Morosi failed to provide the last dad-sends-son-packing deal in his report, however. In 1968, another Al—Dodgers’ GM Al Campanis—dealt his boy Jim Campanis to the expansion Kansas City Royals “as part of a conditional deal.” Dad’s reasoning was that Jim was more likely to get playing time with the new team rather than the established Dodgers. Perhaps the elder Aliva wanted Alex to have a better shot at a ring. The Cubs are the defending World Champions, and currently sit atop the National League Central division, while the Tigers aren’t even playing .500 ball.
Goodbye, Chester Bennington
(March 20, 1976 – July 20, 2017)
Linkin Park frontman and former Stone Temple Pilots singer Chester Bennington’s body was discovered this morning at his home in California. He died of apparent suicide by hanging. Linkin Park was set to embark on a tour beginning next week, and had just released a video for their new single, “Talking To Myself,” this morning.
Cincinnati Red and Dodger Blue: Baseball’s Greatest Forgotten Rivalry by Tom Van Riper (2017)
Cincinnati Red and Dodger Blue: Baseball’s Greatest Forgotten Rivalry
by Tom Van Riper
Rowman & Littlefield, 2017
Ask any baseball fan about rivalries, and you will likely hear about the Yankees and Red Sox, or the Giants and Dodgers, or the Cubs and Cardinals. But four decades ago, the answer may have included the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams played in the National League West, and consistently battled for a postseason spot. From 1970 to 1979, with the exception of 1971, these teams finished first and second in the division; seven out of ten years, one of these teams made it all the way to the World Series. If you were a Reds fan, you hated the Dodgers, and vice versa.
Author Tom Van Riper goes back in time in Cincinnati Red and Dodger Blue, revisiting the rivalry of these 1970s powerhouses, taking a particularly close look at a game in late September when the Reds visited Dodger Stadium. Cincinnati won that game in extra innings, and refused to relinquish first place the rest of the year. Van Riper spotlights all of the major names from each team: the Hall of Famers (Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Don Sutton), the superstars (Pete Rose, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey), the executives (Al Campanis and Bob Howsam), and even the announcers (Vin Scully and Al Michaels).
Van Riper also touches on some of the off-the-field history revolving around these teams, including the surgery named after Los Angeles pitcher Tommy John, the free agency fiasco involving Andy Messersmith, and the late-‘80s gambling woes of the Hit King.
Covering so many players from two teams, Van Riper is unable to go into much depth in this relatively short volume, just over 200 pages. As such, some of the anecdotes seem disjointed and forced, even if they are relevant to the rivalry. There are better historical accounts of the Big Red Machine out there, and I’m sure the ‘70s Dodgers have had similar superior treatments as well. Cincinnati Red and Dodger Blue is a good primer on both teams, but I would not consider it a must-have if your library already boasts other Cincinnati or Los Angeles team histories.
Learn more about Rowman & Littlefield.
Purchase Cincinnati Red and Dodger Blue: Baseball’s Greatest Forgotten Rivalry by Tom Van Riper.
Goodbye, George A. Romero
(February 4, 1940 – July 16, 2017)
Few people have impacted the horror genre like George A. Romero. Much of today’s zombie craze can be attributed to Romero’s work in Night of the Living Dead and other related films. He also wrote and directed The Crazies and Monkey Shines, directed Creepshow, and was a contributing producer of the Tales from the Darkside television series.
If you have never seen the original Night of the Living Dead from 1968, block off some time to watch it today.
Fun Cards: 1988 Topps All-Star Bob Walk
The three best pitchers in the National League in 1988 were Orel Hershiser, Danny Jackson, and David Cone. No ifs, ands, or buts. But at the break, it was not so clear-cut. Pittsburgh pitcher Bob Walk had ten victories at the break along with a 2.47 ERA, while Hershiser sat at 13 wins/2.62 ERA, Jackson at 10/3.28, and Cone at 9/2.52. However, the latter three ended the season with at least 20 wins, while Walk was only able to muster two more victories in 1988.
Still, at the break, Walk was in the mix for best pitcher in the National League. and he was rewarded with a trip to Cincinnati for the All-Star Game.
