Blow Out the Candles Nov 22

Two members of the Hockey Hall of Fame share a birthday today:

1972-73 Topps #10

10 time Stanley Cup champion, Yvan Cournoyer turns 66 today.

1973-74 Topps #137

6 time Stanley Cup champion (as a player) Jacques Laperriere turns 68 today.


Actor/Comedian Rodney Dangerfield was born in the town of Babylon, on Long Island on this date in 1921.

Composer, pianist Haogy Carmichael was born in Bloomington Indiana on this date in 1899. His best known songs are Stardust, Georgia on My Mind and Heart and Soul.

Two tennis Hall of Famer's also share a birthday today:

Winner of three Wimbledon championships Boris Becker turns 42 today.

A true legend, Billie Jean King, turns 66 today.

SHORPY Shot of the Day Nov 21

I love Shorpy.



1906. "Friends School football." Junior varsity team at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C.

A note about the objects hanging from the boys' necks, "The 1908 Sears, Roebuck catalogue says they're "Football Rubber Nose Masks. Made of finest rubber. Fastens around the head. Gives absolute protection to nose and teeth, and hangs by neck band when not in use. $1.40, + 14 cents postage."

Blow Out the Candles Nov 21

2006 SP Legendary Cuts #63

HOFer Freddie Lindstrom was born on this date in 1905. The Chicago native was and still is the youngest, at 18, to play in a World Series (1924).

1948 Bowman #36

Stan "the Man" Musial turns 89 today. Stats Here.

September 5, 1949

October 24, 1938

The great Sid Luckman was born in Brooklyn on this date in 1916. The last great Chicago Bears quarterback, he led the team to four NFL Championships in the 1940's. He was elected to the HOF in 1965.

This was taken on October 5, 1940 at the Polo Grounds in New York.

Surrealist artist Rene Magritte was born in Lessines, Belgium on this date in 1898.

The following two works are at the Art Institute of Chicago and I took the pictures just last week:

The Tune and Also the Words 1964

Time Transfixed 1938

A few others from the web:

Marlo Thomas, That Girl, turns 72 today.

Musician, Dr. John (Malcolm John Rebbenack, Jr.) is celebrating his 69th birthday today.

Blow Out the Candles Nov 20

2002 Topps American Pie #TTY-RM

Rick Monday celebrates birthday #69 today. He had a solid 19 year career, 5 of them spent with the Cubs. He came over from Oakland in the deal for Ken Holtzman. Good for Holtzman, not so good for Monday. The Cubs traded Monday to the Dodgers for Bill Buckner and Ivan DeJesus. Monday ended up being in three World Series after all.

Of course Monday will always be remembered for saving the American Flag:

1994 UD Baseball the American Epic #33

Kenasaw Mountain Landis, the first Commissioner of Baseball was born in Millville, Ohio on this date in 1866. He is most well known for his banning of Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other of the notorious 1919 Black Sox.

HOFer Clark Griffith was born on this date in 1869. He won 237 games as a pitcher and 1491 as a manager. He was the owner of the Washington Senators for 36 years.

2002 Topps American Pie #PFPR-WT

Fran Allison, best known for her work as the human third of Kukla, Fran and Ollie, was born on this date in 1907. My mother was a big fan of the show.

The bass playing half of the Smothers Brothers, Dick Smothers turns 70 today. The brothers were controversial in the 60's and always talented and funny.

SHORPY Shot of the Day Nov 19

I love Shorpy.

Babe Ruth in 1919.

(Don't forget to click on these Shorpy images. They're high resolution.)

Blow Out the Candles Nov 19

2004 UD Sweet Spot Classic #73

HOFer Roy Campanella was born on this date in 1921. The 3 time MVP helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win their only World Series Championship in 1955. His career was ended when an automobile accident in January, 1958 left him paralyzed. The Dodgers retired Campy's #39 in 1972.

1971-72 Topps #85

Former Chicago Blackhawks star Dennis Hull is celebrating his 65th birthday today. Overshadowed by brother Bobby, Dennis did appear in 5 All-Star games and finished his 14 year career with 303 goals.

Dennis Hull is very funny!

Actor Alan Young turns 90 today. Best known for his role as Wilbur Post in the 60's TV show Mr. Ed, he became a voice actor for animated characters later in his career. He is the voice of Scrooge McDuck in Disney's Duck Tales. He was also David Filby in the 1960 film, The Time Machine.

2004 Donruss Playoff Honors #255FG-5 (My wife's card)

CNN talk show host Larry King is 76 today.

I know it's easy to mock Larry but he does ask the questions I would ask.

Another talk show host with a birthday today, Dick Cavett is turning 73 . A big fan of the Marx Brothers he actually became friends with Groucho in Groucho's later years. I loved his 1970's PBS show where he would have just one guest. For some reason I remember appearances by authors such as John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates.

Blow Out the Candles Nov 18

1961 Topps #219

Former player and respected manager Gene Mauch was born in Salina, Kansas on this date in 1925. Mauch managed four teams including the 1964 Phillies infamous for blowing a 6-1/2 game lead with 12 to play and losing the pennant to the Cardinals by one game. He was the Montreal Expos first manager. He also managed the Twins and came close to getting the Angels to the World Series in both 1982 and 86. He finished his career with a record of 1902-2037.



Astronaut Alan B. Shepard was born on this date in 1923. on May 15, 1961. he became the first American to fly into space. Shepard is also one of only 12 men to have walked on the Moon. As commander of the Apollo 14 mission he spent over 9 hours walking on the lunar surface in the Fra Mauro region.

SHORPY Shot of the Day Nov 17

I love Shorpy.

Washington, D.C., 1925. "Better 'Ole Club Orchestra at the National Zoo." National Photo Company Collection glass negative, Library of Congress

Blow Out the Candles Nov 17

1968 Topps #45

HOFer Tom Seaver turns 65 today. "Tom Terrific" was Rookie of the Year, won 3 Cy Youngs, and 311 games in his 20 year career.

The first president of the NHL, Frank Calder was born on this date in 1877. The league's president from 1917-1943 Calder originated the Rookie of the Year the trophy for which now bears his name.

1972-73 Topps #174

Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels turns 65 today. His website is here.

Parkhurst Retro Favorites New York Rangers

It's hard to believe but for the quarter century prior to 1967 the NHL consisted of only six teams, the Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Red Wings and Blackhawks.

In the mid-nineties, Parkhurst commemorated the 1964-65 NHL season by producing a set of "Tall Boy" cards featuring players and coaches from the "Original Six" teams. I'll be sharing my favorites in coming posts.

Here are my favorites from the New York Rangers:

#108

#94

#89

#90

#92

#96

#107

#103

#104

#105

#106

#100