The Daily Dose/April 6, 2019
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off: Take Me Out To The Ballgame…
46 years ago today Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first designated hitter (DH) in major league history, beating Milwaukee’s Ollie Brown for the honor by few minutes because Yankees scored three runs in the first inning of their game at Boston while the Brewers went down in order in the top of the first at Baltimore.
We have always thought this change was for the best, though we suspect we’re a minority in that. The DH is opposed by some with much the same vehemence as abolitionists opposed slavery.
But let’s look at this objectively. Pitchers can’t hit and, by and large, they never could. Replacing a pitcher in the batting order with a professional hitter makes the game more interesting and better to watch. Purists looking for strategy can go play chess in the rightfield bleachers while they spill Old Style beer on their scorecards.
Pitchers can’t hit and I am paying good money – presuming I didn’t scam a credential – and I want to see nine real hitters bat.
(Although we’ve got to be honest, one of our main reasons for liking the DH – so starting pitchers are no longer pinch-hit for in the 7th and 8th innings – is no longer valid because starting pitchers are seldom around in the late innings anymore.)
The DH was a great addition to the game, long overdue at the major league level and setting a precedent for other professional leagues, not to mention amateur leagues, where more kid get into the lineup.
The National League should adopt the DH immediately.
Today At The Site
The Diary of a Nobody: After a couple-three years, it’s Sparrow’s final day a the retailer. Today’s Diary.
I pretended to cop an attitude when I reported for duty at 1330…Daniel was at the service desk and he asked me to go open a register and I told him to do it himself, it’s my last day, I’m going to the break room, dammit, at least until lunch and maybe longer…For his part, Daniel laffed and I went and opened a register.
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Criminals, Courtesans, and Constables: Friends, my latest novel is now available, for $3.99 until later this week when the price goes up a couple of bucks. Criminals, Courtesans, and Constables is about a nice guy who runs high-class call girls in and out of 5-star suites and throne rooms, collects ransoms and runs from the constables. Hilarity ensues.
Click here to read excerpts and a sample chapter.
On This Date
In 1965 – Intelsat I, also known as Early Bird, is launched from Cape Canaveral, Flordia and becomes the first communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit, a fancy way of saying it remains in the same place above the earth. Intelsat provided direct and almost instantaneous phone, fax, and television contact between Europe and North America. It was retired from full-time service in 1969, though it remains in orbit above the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
In 1896 – The first modern Olympic Games opens in Athens, Greece. 241 athletes – all men – from 14 nations competed in 43 events in nine sports. Champions and runners-up were given silver and copper medals, which the IOC later converted to gold and silver medals while retroactively awarding bronze medals to third-place athletes. The participation of women was dismissed by IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin as “…impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic and incorrect”.
In 1963 – The Chiffons are at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second of four consecutive weeks with He’s So Fine. The song was also in its first of four consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart. The Chiffons would reach the Top 10 two more times, later in 1963 with One Fine Day (#5) and in 1966 with Sweet Talkin’ Guy (#10)
Quotebook
In general, the wise in all ages have always said the same things, and the fools, who at all times form the immense majority, have in their way too acted alike, and done the opposite; and so it will continue.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
The first time Congress overrode a presidential veto came March 3, 1845 – the final day of the 28th Congress – when the House and Senate overrode President John Tyler’s veto of a bill having to do with building ships in what would eventually become the Coast Guard.
