The Daily Dose/May 29, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
GET OUT YOUR RECORD BOOKS: On Tuesday, records from the Negro Leagues became part of the official major league record book.
Dry, Technical Matter: As any idiot knows, they join records from the current National and American leagues, the 20th-century Federal League, and the 19th-century American Association, Players League, and Union Association.
Broad, Historical Context: For the first 71 years of the major leagues, Blacks and whites were not allowed to play against each other, depriving both of the chance to compete against the sport’s very best. An argument could be made that Blacks never really made up a large percentage of the American population, and so their talent pool wasn’t that big, but we don’t buy that. Blacks were competing against who they were allowed to compete against. Their accomplishments should have been added to the big league record book years ago.
As Long As Your Record Books Are Out: This means Josh Gibson is the new all-time leader in, among other things, hits and batting average, replacing Ty Cobb. He also displaced Babe Ruth as the all-time leader in slugging percentage, as well.
Quote That Sucker: Up to the challenge as ever, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said something infantile:
Their accomplishments on the field will be a gateway to broader learning about this triumph in American history…
Oh, Jesus H: Triumph in American history? Good gravy, this is ignorant. The Negro Leagues were not a triumph, they were a case of Black America making due with what racist white America chose to give them. Barred from the white major leagues, they formed their own league. They did what they could with what they were allowed to have. Now, this in and of itself is triumphant, but to imply it is a triumph in a historical, big-picture context is insulting.
The Bottom Line: It is not possible to hold the major league record book as sacrosanct as we do here. It could be said that the Negro Leagues did not have the best players, but you could say that about the white major leagues, too, since both excluded the other. Once you accept this, it becomes easy to welcome Josh Gibson and others to the record book. Welcome aboard. It was a long time coming.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has the latest morning coffee service news. Today’s Diary.
…we are desperately short of creamer.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1328 – Philip VI is crowned King of France at the Reims Cathedral in northern France. Philip, 35, had ascended the throne after the death of Charles IV in February, even though Edward III of England was Charles’ closest male relative, however French nobility preferred Philip, who was a cousin of Charles. Philip at first only held the regency because Charles’ widow was pregnant, and he was crowned only after she delivered a girl. Edward would later press his claim to the throne, which in 1337 resulted in the start of the Hundred Years War.
In 1965 – Ralph Boston of the US establishes a new world record in the long jump at the Modesto Relays in California. Boston jumped 27 feet, 4.5 inches to break the record of 27 feet, 4.25 inches he had established the year before and the record was tied in 1967 by Igor Ter-Ovanesyan of the Soviet Union. The record was broken in 1968 by Bob Beamon (29 feet, 2.25 inches) and is now held by Mike Powell, who jumped 29 feet, 4.25 inches in 1991.
In 1982 – The Dazz Band is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Black Singles chart – for the third of five non-consecutive weeks with Let It Whip. It was the fourth of 20 soul chart singles for the group, their first of four Top 10 soul songs and remains their only #1. The song also peaked at #5 on the Hot 100 and the group won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
The essence of his code was self-control: he would subordinate passion to reason.
Will Durant
The Story of Civilization, VVol. III: Caesar to Christ
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The Milwaukee Bucks (2023) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016) hold the NBA playoff record for most 3-pointers in a game with 25.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many times did Ralph Boston break the long jump world record? – Answer next time!
