Friday, May 8, 2009

Dominic DiMaggio Dead at 92

The DiMaggio brothers, Dominic and Joe, flank Ted Williams in a 1950 photograph for SPORT Magazine. The final photo used on the cover cropped out Dominic.

Dominic DiMaggio, a seven-time All Star who still holds the record for the longest consecutive game hitting streak in Boston Red Sox history, has died. He was 92. For more information and to read the Associated Press obituary, please click here.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Dodgers Set a Major League Record with 13 - 0 Start at Home

Dodger Clubhouse, 1956 (Duke Snider)
Edition size 75, archival pigment inkjet print, image 16" x 20"
The "Duke of Flatbush" -- Dodger centerfielder Duke Snider -- takes a moment to himself before a game at Ebbets Field during the team's second-last season in Brooklyn. Photographed by George Heyer for SPORT magazine.

Breaking the record set by the now-defunct Detroit Tigers in 1911, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 surpassed that record by beating the Washington Nationals (big surprise...not!) at Dodgers Stadium in Chavez Ravine. Team members were allegedly unconcerned with the possibility of setting this record, but as manager Joe Torre went on to say "I"m sure they're aware of it. I'm sure they'd like to be the team to own the streak by themselves, or, like the 1911 Tigers, not be around when it's broken."

To read the entire article by Dylan Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times, please click here.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Jack Kemp, Renowned Quarterback & Politician, Dead at 73

Buffalo Bills' quarterback, Jack Kemp, hands off to fullback Wray Carlton, in a game against the Oakland Raiders, circa mid-1960s. Kemp led Buffalo to three straight Eastern Division titles and two straight AFL Championships. He led the league in career passes attempted, completions, and yards gained passing. He played in five of the AFL's 10 Championship Games, and holds the same career records (passing attempts, completions, and yardage) for championships. He is second in many other championship game categories, including career and single-game paswer rating. A Sporting News All-League selection at quarterback in 1960 and 1965, he was the only AFL quarterback to be listed as a starter all 10 years of the league's existence and one of only 20 players to serve all 10 of those years. His number 15 was retired by the Bills in 1984.

To read more about the life of Jack Kemp, click here. (Special thanks to Wikipedia.)

Friday, May 1, 2009

40 Years Later, Lakers to Face Rockets on Monday

"Mr. Clutch"

Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers flies toward the seats as he attempts to grab a loose rebound in the 2nd quarter of game 3 of the final NBA playoffs with the Boston Celtics at the Boston Garden on April 27, 1969. At this point, the Lakers lead in the series 2-0, but lose game 3--and eventually the title in a dramatic game 7. The only consolation was Jerry West's MVP award--sullied by the green Volkswagen Beetle he also was awarded.

Beginning Monday, May 4, 2009, the Lakers face the self-proclaimed "Kobe stopper" Ron Artest of the Houston Rockets in a home-court advantage.