Blow Out the Candles -- October 31

Oriole great Dave Mcnally was born on this date in 1942.

1971 Topps #320

Dave was part of the great starting rotation for the Baltimore in the 60's and early 70's. He was 4-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 4 World Series. Lifetime, in 14 seasons he was 184-119 with a 3.24 ERA.

"Dave (McNally) was an unbelievable competitor. He did it with cunning and intelligence. He loved to set you up with a change, fool you with that tremendous curve and then throw the fastball by you. Plus, he was 100% gentleman. He was the kind of guy you wanted your son to be." - Hall of Famer Earl Weaver

McNally and Palmer in their classic Orioles uniforms.

Eric Nesterenko turns 78 today. He played 16 seasons for the Blackhawks and was a member of the  Stanley Cup Championship team in 1961.

2006/07 Parkhurst #81

 Eric getting a stick in the head courtesy of one Maurice "Rocket" Richard

Black eyed Nesterenko and the always excited Golden Jet.

Phil Goyette also turns 78 . He played 16 years in the NHL and was lucky enough to be on Stanley Cup winners with Montreal his first four.

1969-70 Topps #21

One of the more unflattering cards you'll see.  This being Halloween, add a few scars to his face and a couple of bolts to his neck and --- you get the picture.

Astronaut Michael Collins turns 81 today. Mr. Collins was the command module captain on the Apollo 11 mission which landed the first men on the moon. He's one of only 24 humans who have flown to the moon and back.

Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin

Comedian Brian-Doyle Murray is celebrating his 66th birthday today.

Brian is  the older brother of Bill Murray.

 Of his many roles I remember him best as the bubble boy's father on Seinfeld, and the Mayor of Punxsutawney in Groundhog Day.

Sphincter Boy



Wayne's World

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Lastly, folk singer/songwriter, Tom Paxton turns 74 today.

Song for a Sunday Night -- Call Me Mr. Obvious

R.I.P. Michael

A Collector Collects- -Peanuts Halloween

My biggest collection outside of sports cards is of all kinds of Peanuts items.   Here are a bunch of them with the Halloween theme.

Magnets

PVC Figures

Plush

Mask

Blow Out the Candles -- October 30

Phillies HOFer Big Ed Delehanty was born in Cleveland, Ohio on this date in 1867.

Ed's career batting average of .346 is 5th all-time.

"When you pitch to (Ed) Delahanty, you just want to shut your eyes, say a prayer and chuck the ball. The Lord only knows what'll happen after that." - Crazy Schmit in Autumn Glory (Louis P. Masur, 2003)Ed batted .346 lifetime. In a game against the White Sox on July 13, 1896 he hit 4 home runs. The Phillies still lost 9-8. It seems a little unfair since there were five Delahanty's , but only three brother combos have had more combined hits. Ed died on July 2, 1903 when he fell (?) off the International Bridge near Niagra Falls.Here's his obituary from the New York Times.

Another member of the Hall of Fame, Bill Terry of the New York Giants, was born in Atlanta, Georgia on this date in 1898.

2004 Fleer Greats #12

 Bill was the last NL player to hit over .400 in a season, .401 in 1930. Terry finished his 14 year career with 2193 hits and a.341 batting average. He was on three pennant winners and won one World Series.

Braves great Joe Adcock was born in Coushatta, Louisiana on this date in 1927.

2005 UD Classics #50

OK, what are the odds of this? Only fifteen players in major league history have hit 4 home runs in one game and two of them were born on October 30. Joe accomplished the rare feat on July 31, 1954.

Pitcher Jim Perry is celebrating his 77th birthday today

2001 Topps Archives #542

While not a HOFer like his younger brother Gaylord, Jim had a great career. He won a Cy Young and was a three time All-Star. His lifetime record was 215-174. Their combined 529 wins is just 10 behind the record held by Phil and Joe Niekro.

English impressionist artist Alfred Sisley was born on this date in 1839.

Portrait of Alfred Sisley by Renoir

Here are a few of his works:

This painting, Regatta at Molesey so impressed fellow artist Gustave Caillebotte that he purchased it for his personal collection. Caillebotte is famous for his "Rainy Day Paris" (below)

If you live in or near Chicago or plan to visit you can see this great painting (a print of which hangs above our fireplace) as well as the Sisley below.


Today is also Henry Winkler's birthday. "The Fonz" turns 68 today. "Aaay"