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Post by inger on Mar 4, 2024 17:09:19 GMT -5
Toothpick chomping, switch-hitting shortstop U L Washington, an on again off again shortstop for the Royals for most of his career had passed away at 70 years of age. Few people know his real full name, with many assuming his first name was Ulysses, but his actual full name was indeed U. L. Washington… Oh man, that's a depressingly long checkout sheet Inger. Probably like a lot of you I remember all of those guys, especially Ed Ott and UL Washington. Ott was a tough hombre, like a brick wall behind the plate. He almost dared a runner coming into home plate to try to bowl him over. He wouldn't be allowed to play that way today, but I sure enjoyed watching him. UL took over from Freddie Patek and gave way to Onyx Concepcion. The first thing anybody mentions is the toothpick -- he would be much less memorable without it. He did form a pretty solid DP combo with Frank White for about six years. I do remember Larry Demery coming up with the Pirates in the mid-70s. He looked very promising as kind of a swing man. They had some pretty good pitchers then, like Jerry Reuss and John Candelaria and Dock Ellis and Jim Rooker. The old story, arm miseries did him in. It’s sort of odd that these deaths, while not always occurring within a few days of each other seem to get published in clumps. No one site seems to be the one that’s “on the ball” and catches them all early, so I cruise around a bit every two or three days finding them… what a delightfully morbid habit… 🤓
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Post by pippsheadache on Mar 4, 2024 17:37:45 GMT -5
Oh man, that's a depressingly long checkout sheet Inger. Probably like a lot of you I remember all of those guys, especially Ed Ott and UL Washington. Ott was a tough hombre, like a brick wall behind the plate. He almost dared a runner coming into home plate to try to bowl him over. He wouldn't be allowed to play that way today, but I sure enjoyed watching him. UL took over from Freddie Patek and gave way to Onyx Concepcion. The first thing anybody mentions is the toothpick -- he would be much less memorable without it. He did form a pretty solid DP combo with Frank White for about six years. I do remember Larry Demery coming up with the Pirates in the mid-70s. He looked very promising as kind of a swing man. They had some pretty good pitchers then, like Jerry Reuss and John Candelaria and Dock Ellis and Jim Rooker. The old story, arm miseries did him in. It’s sort of odd that these deaths, while not always occurring within a few days of each other seem to get published in clumps. No one site seems to be the one that’s “on the ball” and catches them all early, so I cruise around a bit every two or three days finding them… what a delightfully morbid habit… 🤓 You are our very own Grim Reaper, Inger. In looking up UL Washington, I saw he was from the very small town of Stringtown, Oklahoma, population around 400. Despite this minuscule size, it has also produced Reba McEntire and Jerry Cantrell, lead guitarist and vocalist with the rock band Alice In Chains. Punching above its weight for sure.
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Post by inger on Mar 4, 2024 18:07:11 GMT -5
It’s sort of odd that these deaths, while not always occurring within a few days of each other seem to get published in clumps. No one site seems to be the one that’s “on the ball” and catches them all early, so I cruise around a bit every two or three days finding them… what a delightfully morbid habit… 🤓 You are our very own Grim Reaper, Inger. In looking up UL Washington, I saw he was from the very small town of Stringtown, Oklahoma, population around 400. Despite this minuscule size, it has also produced Reba McEntire and Jerry Cantrell, lead guitarist and vocalist with the rock band Alice In Chains. Punching above its weight for sure. Truly odd isn’t it? I know some small towns are full of people that want to get out, and other people that wouldn’t leave. Perhaps one success in a town like that gives that little old ant the inspiration that if so and so did it, so can I kind of a push?… Did you know there are 18 cities (well, towns) in the USA named Stringtown? And none in the rest of the world? …
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Post by bomberhojoe on Mar 4, 2024 18:29:05 GMT -5
The Perfect Sleeper by Serta. Married to Lance Rentzel until his indecent exposure incidents and like Ann-Margret and Raquel Welch a staple of Bob Hope's traveling shows for the troops -- "I just want you guys to see what you're fighting for." The only film I remember her being in was "The Happy Hooker Goes To Washington." I've heard of The Merry Mailman from friends who grew up in NYC. A little later on the timeline was Uncle Floyd, who broadcast out of Newark. I don't know if you were still keeping up with such things by then. My brother and I went to see one of his tapings in the early 80s, and he had The Ramones as guests. I am a little late to the party but I have to mention that Ray "Uncle Floyd" Vivino is a Paterson guy who I believe still lives very nearby. He loved to perform and everyone of my generation got the chance to enjoy his work. Some pretty famous people were fans: www.njarts.net/slip-away-david-bowies-uncle-floyd-tribute/Uncle Floyd came to my college and did a show at the campus pub in front of a bunch of drunk college kids. He was funny and a pretty cool guy. His show was classic!
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Post by ypaterson on Mar 4, 2024 19:31:30 GMT -5
I am a little late to the party but I have to mention that Ray "Uncle Floyd" Vivino is a Paterson guy who I believe still lives very nearby. He loved to perform and everyone of my generation got the chance to enjoy his work. Some pretty famous people were fans: www.njarts.net/slip-away-david-bowies-uncle-floyd-tribute/Uncle Floyd came to my college and did a show at the campus pub in front of a bunch of drunk college kids. He was funny and a pretty cool guy. His show was classic! He was a regular on the local scene for decases. I know he had some health issues and his website reports he is not avaiable for bokkings. I hope he is well but I don't know that he is. And on the topic of famous stuff from 'Jersey and a little bit about your career, Did you recognize the uniforn worn by Office Joe Bolton when he hosted the 3 Stooges ? I believe it was from the Clifton, NJ PD !!
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Post by pippsheadache on Mar 12, 2024 19:28:19 GMT -5
Eric Carmen, best known as the lead singer of Raspberries (no definite article, s'il vous plait) has died at the age of 74. Raspberries were often described as "power pop" and between 1972-1974 they put out a few hits, the biggest of which was "Go All The Way" from 72 and included "I Wanna Be With You" and "Let's Pretend" and one last blast with "Overnight Sensation" in 74. Carmen went solo and had a big hit in 1975 turning a Rachmaninoff piano concerto into an overwrought burst of self-pity with "All By Myself." He followed that with another hit "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" and ended up with another big one much later, in 1987, with "Hungry Eyes."
A Cleveland guy who in the 1970s had the most beautiful bouffant hair since Brigitte Bardot. Unless it was a wig. In any event he had a good run. RIP Eric Carmen.
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Post by inger on Mar 12, 2024 21:20:46 GMT -5
Eric Carmen, best known as the lead singer of Raspberries (no definite article, s'il vous plait) has died at the age of 74. Raspberries were often described as "power pop" and between 1972-1974 they put out a few hits, the biggest of which was "Go All The Way" from 72 and included "I Wanna Be With You" and "Let's Pretend" and one last blast with "Overnight Sensation" in 74. Carmen went solo and had a big hit in 1975 turning a Rachmaninoff piano concerto into an overwrought burst of self-pity with "All By Myself." He followed that with another hit "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" and ended up with another big one much later, in 1987, with "Hungry Eyes." A Cleveland guy who in the 1970s had the most beautiful bouffant hair since Brigitte Bardot. Unless it was a wig. In any event he had a good run. RIP Eric Carmen. k Though the catalogue was small, I’ve always been a fan…
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Post by rizzuto on Mar 12, 2024 21:28:55 GMT -5
Eric Carmen, best known as the lead singer of Raspberries (no definite article, s'il vous plait) has died at the age of 74. Raspberries were often described as "power pop" and between 1972-1974 they put out a few hits, the biggest of which was "Go All The Way" from 72 and included "I Wanna Be With You" and "Let's Pretend" and one last blast with "Overnight Sensation" in 74. Carmen went solo and had a big hit in 1975 turning a Rachmaninoff piano concerto into an overwrought burst of self-pity with "All By Myself." He followed that with another hit "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" and ended up with another big one much later, in 1987, with "Hungry Eyes." A Cleveland guy who in the 1970s had the most beautiful bouffant hair since Brigitte Bardot. Unless it was a wig. In any event he had a good run. RIP Eric Carmen. Supposedly, "Go All The Way" was written by Eric Carmen in response to the controversy of The Rolling Stones having to change their lyrics on the Ed Sullivan Show. Carmen wanted to write a song that was suggestive but in such a way that the lyrics could not be censored. Mission accomplished, as so many teenaged boys definitely begged their girlfriends to "please, go all the way" date after date. As good of a hook to the chorus of any pop song. "All By Myself" was such an appealing song to the angst-ridden growing up in the 70s. It definitely soothed the melancholy, sensitive, contemplative teens who identified with the loneliness of break-ups and lost love - at least for three minutes of airplay.
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Post by inger on Mar 13, 2024 10:45:03 GMT -5
Bill Plummer, for the better part of his ten year career the back up for Johnny Bench has passed away just a few days shy of his 77Th birthday. He only accumulated 1007 PA in his decade of play with with a slash of .188 .267 .279 .546 53…
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Post by inger on Mar 16, 2024 8:45:06 GMT -5
Jim McAndrew, the “other starter” on the ‘69 Amazin’ Mets has passed away at the age of 80…
"Jim McAndrew's start in the major leagues is one of the more poignant stories of the 1968 season. McAndrew, who came to New York's Mets in July of the Year of the Pitcher, had the misfortune of being paired with Bob Gibson for his first major league start. He lost that one 2–0. And he lost the next tree started without his teammates scoring a run for him. The scores were: 2–0 (Mike Kekich of the Dodgers won his only career shutout in that one); Bob Bolin, Giants right hander, beat McAndrew 1–0; and the Astros' Don Wilson also beat him, 1–0. In his next outing Juan Marichal beat McAndrew for his 23rd victory, but then he finally broke into the win column with a 1–0 win over Steve Carlton. The next time out, he once again met Carlton, but lost that one 2–0. So, in his first seven starts in The Bigs, Jim McAndrew met future Hall of Fame pitchers four times and set a record for losing his first four big league starts via the shoutout route." - Wilbert, Warren N. Author. The Shutout in Major League Baseball: A History. McFarland and Company. 30 November 2012. Page 66.
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Post by inger on Mar 16, 2024 8:48:25 GMT -5
McAndrew was born in a tiny Iowa town, Lost Nation. One other player, George Stone who debuted in 1903 is from that same town… rizzuto
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Post by pippsheadache on Mar 16, 2024 19:42:51 GMT -5
Jim McAndrew, the “other starter” on the ‘69 Amazin’ Mets has passed away at the age of 80… "Jim McAndrew's start in the major leagues is one of the more poignant stories of the 1968 season. McAndrew, who came to New York's Mets in July of the Year of the Pitcher, had the misfortune of being paired with Bob Gibson for his first major league start. He lost that one 2–0. And he lost the next tree started without his teammates scoring a run for him. The scores were: 2–0 (Mike Kekich of the Dodgers won his only career shutout in that one); Bob Bolin, Giants right hander, beat McAndrew 1–0; and the Astros' Don Wilson also beat him, 1–0. In his next outing Juan Marichal beat McAndrew for his 23rd victory, but then he finally broke into the win column with a 1–0 win over Steve Carlton. The next time out, he once again met Carlton, but lost that one 2–0. So, in his first seven starts in The Bigs, Jim McAndrew met future Hall of Fame pitchers four times and set a record for losing his first four big league starts via the shoutout route." - Wilbert, Warren N. Author. The Shutout in Major League Baseball: A History. McFarland and Company. 30 November 2012. Page 66. Man, that's a tough way to start. I remember Jim McAndrew quite well -- he got lost in the shuffle behind Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry and the up and coming Nolan Ryan on those 69 Mets. I remember many "experts" of the time were certain that Gentry was the best pitcher of the bunch -- he came out of Arizona State in roughly the same era that Rick Monday, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, Duffy Dyer, Lerrin Legrow and others did. McAndrew was sort of the hidden one. Well, he and the even less-remembered Don Cardwell, who was the old man among the starting pitchers but who, after Seaver, Koosman and Gentry, was tied with McAndrew for the fourth-most starts that year with 21. On another thread it was noted that the Yanks used 32 different pitchers last year. The 69 Mets used 15 pitchers, and four of them pitched fewer than five innings all year. A different era for sure.
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Post by inger on Mar 16, 2024 19:57:14 GMT -5
Jim McAndrew, the “other starter” on the ‘69 Amazin’ Mets has passed away at the age of 80… "Jim McAndrew's start in the major leagues is one of the more poignant stories of the 1968 season. McAndrew, who came to New York's Mets in July of the Year of the Pitcher, had the misfortune of being paired with Bob Gibson for his first major league start. He lost that one 2–0. And he lost the next tree started without his teammates scoring a run for him. The scores were: 2–0 (Mike Kekich of the Dodgers won his only career shutout in that one); Bob Bolin, Giants right hander, beat McAndrew 1–0; and the Astros' Don Wilson also beat him, 1–0. In his next outing Juan Marichal beat McAndrew for his 23rd victory, but then he finally broke into the win column with a 1–0 win over Steve Carlton. The next time out, he once again met Carlton, but lost that one 2–0. So, in his first seven starts in The Bigs, Jim McAndrew met future Hall of Fame pitchers four times and set a record for losing his first four big league starts via the shoutout route." - Wilbert, Warren N. Author. The Shutout in Major League Baseball: A History. McFarland and Company. 30 November 2012. Page 66. Man, that's a tough way to start. I remember Jim McAndrew quite well -- he got lost in the shuffle behind Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry and the up and coming Nolan Ryan on those 69 Mets. I remember many "experts" of the time were certain that Gentry was the best pitcher of the bunch -- he came out of Arizona State in roughly the same era that Rick Monday, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, Duffy Dyer, Lerrin Legrow and others did. McAndrew was sort of the hidden one. Well, he and the even less-remembered Don Cardwell, who was the old man among the starting pitchers but who, after Seaver, Koosman and Gentry, was tied with McAndrew for the fourth-most starts that year with 21. On another thread it was noted that the Yanks used 32 different pitchers last year. The 69 Mets used 15 pitchers, and four of them pitched fewer than five innings all year. A different era for sure. Probably a nine or ten man pitching staff. Without looking I’m going to guess that the top five starters had at least 4 saves among them… hold for a moment while I look… Okay, so I was wrong. They had 0 saves, but they did total 6 games finished. Nolan Ryan had a save and Tug McGraw, second on the team with 12 saves to Rod Taylor’s 13 started 4 games…and even completed one game…
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Post by rizzuto on Mar 16, 2024 20:13:14 GMT -5
McAndrew was born in a tiny Iowa town, Lost Nation. One other player, George Stone who debuted in 1903 is from that same town… rizzuto Sarah's sister used to live in Lost Nation, Iowa.
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Post by inger on Mar 16, 2024 20:36:15 GMT -5
McAndrew was born in a tiny Iowa town, Lost Nation. One other player, George Stone who debuted in 1903 is from that same town… rizzuto Sarah's sister used to live in Lost Nation, Iowa. I just knew that place was going to play for you. Tis a small world we live in…
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