Where have all the PSA’s gone?
Public service announcements used to be the norm of my regular TV viewing. Granted I reference this to the late 1980′s and early 1990′s where Nancy Reagan needed us to stay off of drugs. In fact she even went on a World Series telecast to sit alongside Commissioner Ueberroth to say, “don’t do drugs”. (1:04 mark, unless you want to listen to what this guy is rattling on about)
This was most likely done to combat the Pittsburgh drug trials that exposed Major League Baseball as a league devoted to paying players tons of money to feed a drug addiction. So many noted players were users, including Hall of Famers. This is neither here nor there.
My point is that every commercial break during your afternoon cartoons featured some sort of PSA (public service announcement) proclaiming the worse of a fast paced lifestyle. Here are some legendary ones.
My personal favorite, as an adult, Clint Eastwood pretty much does his Harry Callahan take on drugs. He nails everything short of, “this is a .44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and it can blow your head clean off.” I wish Harry would have had one of the films dedicated to the drug trade. Though Magnum Force and The Enforcer were worthy attempts on crooked cops and radical terrorists. Nancy did persuade the Republican Eastwood to do this.
They also did this one with Pee Wee Herman. Despite what happened to his career in the 90′s, we kids loved Pee Wee’s Playhouse.
Hell, despite not being a Star Wars fan I’ll even throw in a Star Wars PSA for free.
I remember growing up in Ohio they used to run this one after Mary Lou Retton was our Olympic gymnast hero. Though I didn’t take her for a bowler? (Wait for the video to get 0:45 in for the test pattern)
Another noted one was done by the legendary Yul Brynner. After years of smoking (he did look cool doing it in Magnificent Seven) he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Knowing he was going to die because of his lifestyle he made this PSA. It’s kind of sad because I love Yul.
The absolute limit was when every animation studio and money making cartoon property got together and made, to my knowledge, the most terrifying movie on drug use. Yes, children of the 90′s I’m talking about Cartoon All Stars to the Rescue.
I remember watching that in 1st or 2nd grade at St. Mary’s and just hating every minute. I’ll admit it, I didn’t like a sad story or even a story about a kid pondering a life as a junkie. Having to listen to police officers preach on how terrible drug use was the selling point for me. I didn’t need ALF, or Mickey or Bugs tell me how drug users live a life of hell. Click on the link and enjoy the intro from Barb and H.W. Bush.
Stayin’ Alive: Robin Gibb 2012
Sad to see another music legend fall (Donna Summer last week) with Robin Gibb passing away. All morning I’m pretty sure all the music stations were playing only late 70′s Bee Gees tunes. On three stations alone I heard “Stayin’ Alive” twice and “You Should Be Dancing“. It’s easy to understand that in terms of record sales, those sold big, especially in America. The Saturday Night Fever album was a hot seller during the disco age
It pains me to see that band only noted for their least artistic stage of their career. While it was easily their most globally mainstream, the early Bee Gees works evoked more thought and styling.
I’m not writing this as an ardent fan of The Bee Gees, in fact I’m lukewarm, I want at least some people to realize they had better hits. Better than anything featured in a John Travolta film.
But I will give homage to this though…
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Bo Knows Injuries
As the NFL tries to make American’s think football is safe, they have to deal with violence and the eventual injuries that come from it. Last year Fuhrer Goodell put the clamp down on defensive backs and linebackers looking to “jack up” unsuspecting receivers, much to the dismay of a certain Steelers star.
Now as the NFL doles out huge punishments to “Bounty Gates” offenders and look into the Junior Seau’s suicide, at what point do people just admit the fact that this game is a blood sport. The Buccaneers signed a paralyzed college player. Last week, more young men entered into the NFL meat market. Young running backs aspiring to change the game will no less be out of the game in no time. They will be replaced by younger players looking to surpass their predecessors. All in all it always takes me back to one player with so much athletic skill and promise and yet football was not his only sport. He was a dominant force in the NFL and a rising star in the Major Leagues. Yes, I’m talking about Bo Jackson.
Before we go anywhere, let’s break down Bo’s background. Going off of a write up from Pirates scout Lenny Yochim, “In the three game series I saw him, I saw everything you were supposed to see in a ballplayer. He had everything.” It was true in more that baseball. Bo loved track and in fact picked track over baseball in high school. Yet he was still tied down to football most of the year. In his adult years he referred to that as a hobby. In a nutshell Bo was really a track star living out a life as a baseball player and football player. He knew that despite his love for track and field, he would never be able to have long, lucrative career in that sport.
The Auburn superstar and 1985 Heisman Winner, then became a superstar for the Raiders. There he gained a notoriety for his blazing speed and punishing strength. While he was building his pub was a two sport star so quickly, he saw it disappear in an instant. Damaging his hip in a playoff game, his gridiron days were over.
Obviously, Bo could never become an Olympic athlete. Once he signed a pro contract to anything his amateur days were over, just remember how the NCAA took out Jeremy Bloom, let alone Steve Prefontaine. Bo could have given it all up to be just a baseball player.
Baseball is always a great sport for revisionist history. Bo Jackson is a worth while subject for this sort of thing. Examine his career prior to his AFC Playoff injury, Bo was improving every year. While scout play Nostradamus with their scouting reports, Bo seemed pretty safe in his five tool ability. Power, Bo had that. Speed – well Bo did not lack that. His defense was superb with great range and one hell of an arm. The only this that may have held him back at the time was being a quality average hitter.
In his first few seasons, Bo was showing that he had the stats to back up his prowess was a power hitter. Averaging around 70 RBI’s, over 20 HR’s (which was very good for the era) he seemed poise for an eventual break out.
1989 would be Bo’s year on the diamond. From the plate he hit then career highs in average (.256), home runs (32), RBI’s (105), slugging (.495) and OPS (.805). He was nearly matched his ’88 total of 27 stolen bases (26 in ’89). Though he would earn a nod the American League All-Star team and won the MVP in convincing fashion (2-4, HR, SB, 2-RBI, R).
The only downfall to Bo’s game was quality plate appearances. Falling into a typical power hitter fault was his inability to draw walks (highest was 44) and high strikeout totals (172 in ’89). His game was close to a modern day Ryan Howard’s. Granted one could take that and back up Bo’s strength as an outfielder with a sensational arm and speed allowing great range.
With some proper coaching and training he could have excelled at the plate. Not to say he would turn into Albert Pujols (lots of power/average/plate discipline) but he could have turned into a comparable Gary Sheffield (think of his role in New York). Especially as the Royals were fading away from their ’85 World Championship team, Bo was going to turn into their main guy. George Brett would retire after 1993 ushering in the Royals as first valiant contenders for the West and Central title before becoming a truly average team by the mid to late 90’s.
Ideally for Bo it would have been great to leave Kansas City (given if he never played football) and insert himself with a team building on some veterans and youth by the same time Kansas City was dropping out of the picture. Given the American League’s push to become the offensive league Bo would have been at ease fitting into a Western Division squad. Especially if he could have maintained a 30HR-115RBI average he could have been a help to a team like Texas or California who were harboring so much power in the lineup.
By the time the steroid era hit, Bo would have probably hit his peak and seen a steady decline. It would be safe to assume his speed would diminish his attempts to be a 30-30 member let alone a 40-40 member. Please take in consideration that baseball shifted away from speed, focusing on the three run homer. This time Bo would be a 20HR-100RBI guy and a quality DH for any pennant contender. As history would indicate, the Yankees would have been a wise team for him, playing a role the Chili Davis nailed for the twilight of his career.
Eventually Bo Jackson would have retired from the game, putting up some impressive numbers, arguing for a call to the hall.
Granted my arguments on this alternate Bo Jackson is hypothetical allowing for some disagreeing but allow me to point out that Bo was unique. Deion Sanders did play both football and baseball but the big difference was the game. Deion was never a strong consistent baseball player, merely a mediocre outfielder with great speed but weak hitting ability. His football game consisted of coverage defense and special teams play. He was not the focal point of a team’s game plan like Bo was.
At the end of the day, Bo Jackson’s life was not ruined by his football injury. He was still able to be a productive baseball player for a few more seasons. Though you would if there must be some part of him that says, “I’ve made a huge mistake.”
Bond Perspective: Sean Connery
The Sexiest Man in The History of Sexy Men
With moviegoers excited about The Avengers hitting the big screen along with the third installment of Batman, I wish I could share that excitement. Don’t get me wrong, The Dark Knight was such a powerful and exciting film, but I was never one for the comic book films. It’s always been so hard for me to buy into the “super power” heroes (thus explaining my enjoyment of the Nolan Batman films).
To be direct, rather than get giddy for a bunch of guys in spandex and Scarlett Johansson, I’m waiting for the next James Bond film. With this year being the 50th Anniversary of Dr. No, the one that started it all, it seems only fair to examine why this character has been able to find long term success. It should fitting to start off with the man who helped create the image of the suave British agent, Sean Connery.
In Ian Fleming’s idea, Sean Connery would have never been the first man to say, “Bond, James Bond.” James Bond was a man of style, class and background. Sean Connery was the working man from the Scottish Highlands. He is rugged, gritty and unrefined. However, he truly had the right tools (both physically and artistically) to be Bond. He was able to convince Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman that he was perfect for the role (beating out Roger Moore, Michael Redgrave and Patrick McGoohan).
Broccoli described Connery as the “right hint of threat behind that hard smile and faint Scottish burr”, further describing his working class background. With the help from director Terence Young, a worldly man himself, took Connery under his wing and gave him the essence of Bond. By cleaning his appearance and mannerisms a shade, Connery had all the tools.
As the world is introduced to James Bond in Dr. No, we learn he was a recent promotion to double oh status. This allowed for development of the flawed technique of his fighting skills showing a weakness in his character early on. Of course with Connery having the perfect manner and expression in fight scenes, makes it very believable to the audience. Take in consideration this was before the “super spy” era of Pierce Brosnan where he is on par with Chuck Norris.
Connery’s attitude towards the character is not too far from the Fleming novels. Bond is a worn warrior in most of them. He knows the hard and thankless tasks he must endure to protect the Queen and Her countrymen. He knows that the mission at hand must succeed but Bond does so at essentially any cost. In doing so he can have a dark view of the world, mixed with dark humor that comes out so biting and dry to non-British audiences. Connery was able to nail that especially during the Young films, where they developed a strong relationship. This created some strong and crisp one liners in the finished films. This dark, rugged outlook would not be seen until Timothy Dalton took the reigns.
The one thing that Connery brought, by his own charisma and confidence, was his sex appeal. He takes a character that essentially is a loner and turns him into a romance novel lead. The Mr. Universe contestant had all the classic attributes of the manly man; strong tall build, chest hair and a casual upright swagger. Everything he did looked virile and tough. Even when he opened a door, it had force to it. Combine that with his one liners and suave pick-ups on the girls and he became an icon. It seems no other Bond could ever replicate the sensation Connery created.
Most of all, to the discredit of Connery, he had some great stories to tell with the character. The writers were able to adapt Fleming’s novels, especially in the first five, and create an action packed story for their sexy gentleman agent to star in. Given the financial limitations in the first two, Connery was able to help create Bond-Mania with Goldfinger. This ushered in not only record ticket sales but allowed bigger and even more dynamic sequels (Thunderball and You Only Live Twice). Then when Connery left and then returned for Diamonds Are Forever, he still was able to stamp his legacy with the character.
Looking at the span of his Bond career, Connery portrayal was a big gamble on Dr. No. After that succeed, he was able to get some momentum with a strong story and supporting cast in From Russia With Love. Goldfinger allowed for even bigger effects and more colorful henchmen and even the most suggestive character name in film history. Thunderball and You Only Live Twice will personally be my favorite films of his era, with iconic scenes and sets (thank you Ken Adam) that blow you away. Sadly Diamonds are Forever was the ushering in of a lampooned Bond era.
Punching Out The Competition
ESPN
To think that Amare Stoudemire has it tough enough. The Heat control a 2-0 lead in the series and one of the “key” players for the Knicks decides to punch a fire extinguisher case. You would think people would learn about punching things after Kevin Brown decided to take on a wall… and lost.
This comes amid the speculation that he will probably not return next year since he and Carmelo Anthony don’t gel together (who does “gel” with Melo?). Then coming into the playoffs they lose Jeremy Lin, their Ivy League savior (well for a short time). Then to draw a strong Heat team looking to erase last years NBA Finals failure with a revitalized LeBron it seems there may never be a rainbow for Knicks fans. Either way, expect Miami to cruise through games 3 and 4, unless the Kincks have a secret weapon (flying V offense, Willis Reed, Larry Johnson 1999 model).
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Lazy Sunday Listening – 4/29
Another Sunday another music post of the tracks of the day. Well, in honor of a historical date in America, April 29th…
A powerful song mentioning the Rodney King riots. The beauty of it was the fact Sublime used the song to describe that many were using the riots for their own personal gain. Something we would see during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
To take a lighter tone, I always love listening to some soft 90′s chick rock when the weather starts to warm up. Sarah McLachlan always brightens my day.
Saw Pirate Radio last night and this song was perfectly used during a climatic scene. Such a great 60′s sound and song.
Another band featured in the film, The Kinks, had this song as a great anthem to the changing times of music. I always felt that American classic rock stations never do enough playing of The Kinks who brought us so many quality albums in the 60′s and 70′s.
This 60′s classic realy struck a chord with the older generation, fearing it was trying to brainwash their kids. Oh, those old timers didn’t/couldn’t imagine what was on the herizon in the 70′s and 80′s with rock music.
Seth Post’s Fan Etiquette
So this may not be the most pressing of sports news, but I can’t but help have a take on this.
Last night’s Yankees-Rangers game featured the showcase of spoiled American kids – wanting something for nothing.
Mitch Moreland tossed a ball into the stands, giving up a souvenir, which was caught by a childless couple. This did not sit well with the young child sitting next to them. Donning his Rangers World Series tee, he wanted to show his support for the team or rather his need for that baseball by turning on the waterworks.
At this time I want to support the non-child couple for not giving into a crying child and giving up the ball. They caught it, they keep it. Now, if they wanted to give it away that is fine. Though I don’t feel it is a necessity. If the child’s dad was really in the giving mood, he would have caught the ball. Hell, the kid had a glove why didn’t he try for it. Okay, so it’s not a given a kid that young could catch it but that’s the point of bringing one to the ballpark.
In the end the Rangers ended up giving the kid a ball to pacify his
In a related story, I caught my first foul ball a few years ago. Mind you this was over spending countless years going to ballgames and coming home empty. Never did I go to a game and cry my eyes out because someone near me caught a ball and give it up to me.
Back to the related story. A few years back I was at a Rochester Red Wings game. It was late in the ballgame, Royce Clayton came to the plate, looking to atone for committing three errors in a previous inning. He drove a foul ball down the third base line, taking a one hop off the concrete walkway. Off the ricotchet, I was able to barehand it while walking back to my seat.
Only a few yards away, on the grass hill out of the field of play, three kids around the age of 10 where looking to snag the same ball. Upon realizing that i was now the proud owner of a Royce Clayton game used ball, three sets of Bambi eyes fell on me. Each one was hoping that I was going to give up this ball. Yet, I turned them all aside and walked away. Does that make me a terrible person? I don’t think so.
While catching a foul ball at a baseball game doesn’t amount for much in the grand plan of the universe, that ball was special to me. Not top 5, life latering moments but damn it, I love baseball and I still have that ball situated next to some of my other baseball momentos. When we start giving into to crying kids or making a big deal because someone catches a ball and doesn’t give in to the crying kid, they are not at fault. Kids have to learn the world does not revolve around them.
Also no one and i mean no one will get ownership of my Royce Clayton ball.
Lazy Sunday Listenings 4/22
In this weeks Lazy Sunday Listenings, we will honor the passing of Levon Helm, frontman for The Band. While having such a generic name, they did create some timeless rock tunes. I always loved their pairing with Bob Dylan for their live album, Before The Flood. It’s a great compilation of tracks worth a pick up.
The Weight – The Band
Okay, I know everyone is gonna peg me for being lame by picking their most recognizable song. I always loved this song. This song always takes me back to listening to classic rock stations in the back of the Oldsmobile wagon, on family road trips. My dad would then test us on asking who made this song. Good times.
Up All Night – Boomtown Rats
I was thinking about this song all Saturday night. It’s just a catchy tune with an sort of cool, sort of weird chorus.
Pony – Ginuwine
I love this song. I love this video, enough said.
Tom: “Ginuwine!?! You don’t know who Ginuwine is?”
Cheesecake Truck – King Missile
A classic from the old WBER days. Every other day when I rode the bus in elementary school, someone would always request this song. It’s out of leftfield. Therefore I love it.
Lazy Sunday Listening: The Baseball Project
One of the best things about spring is the start of baseball. One of the best modern institutions of baseball’s pageantry is the closing pitcher walk out music. While the sounds of the organ have been slowly reduced out of the game, nothing adds the built up tension than a closer’s walk out song.
Thinking back to my little league days, I wish I had a track blaring out of a sound system as I came out to the mound for a save. As the master of control on the 45-foot mound, main had the hard time trying to hit my turtle speed fastball. So in keeping theme to my brief pitching prowess as a youth, I’ll be dedicating my Lazy Sunday Tunes to my ideal walk out song.
It should be assumed knowledge, I love Talking Heads. David Byrne is as much of a genius as John Lennon and Paul McCartney. His idea’s and lyrics helped secure new wave music in rock history. That’s why the inner dork would love to run out of the bullpen to either Crosseyed and Painless or Right Start.
Talking Heads
Crosseyed and Painless – Remain In Light
Right Start – Remain in Light
Maybe I need something with catchier lyrics. Still sticking with the new wave, Devo’s MTV hit Whip It is always a track that will stick with people. Hell, it would build up the brand of Seth.
Devo
Whip it
Or I could go with something modern, go British with a hint of grunge. Damon Albarn wrote Song 2 as an ironic rock song in response to America’s grunge movement. Ironically enough, this song became the Blur song for American airwaves. The only problem with this track is its length. I would need the intro extended by another 30-45 seconds to let that hard sound impact the introduction.
Blur
Song 2 – Blur
Sticking with grunge, Cage the Elephant wrote this track as homage to Kurt Cobain’s hometown. It’s loud, powerful and packs a serious punch in the chorus. Aberdeenjust screams closing pitcher intro.
Cage the Elephant
Aberdeen– Thank You, Happy Birthday
This one is a pipe dream and is very NSFW and unfriendly to young ballpark ears. No song is more hardcore to walk out to the mound than Killing in the Name Of by Rage. Right when you get to, “F*** you / I won’t do what they told me!”, you can just feel ready to throw some inside strikes. This song makes baseball a contact sport.
Rage Against the Machine
Killing in the Name Of – Rage Against the Machine
The same kind of power fromAberdeenis here. The great build up from Song 2 is present. Throw in the musical genius of Jack White and Seven Nation Army is a hit. While the actually meaning of the tune would turn off the Bush voters in attendance, it’s theatrical dynamite for a pitching change.
The White Stripes
Seven Nation Army – Elephant
Last but not least, I’ll have hip-hop gets some rep. Big Pun’s lyrical flow (honestly the best of all time) and his homage to the collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Twinz Deep Cover ’98 is a great track. This song sends a message, “I’m coming to the mound and I’m here to write some names down!”
Big Pun
Twinz Deep Cover ’98 – Capital Punishment
That’s my Walter Mitty dream. Coming into a tight ballgame, looking to throw some strikes and win it. Before I can do that, I need some bad ass music. Granted I could use the Imperial Death March but that’s just tooNew Yorkfor me.
Jean Beliveau: The White Bread Captain
With the recent reoccurring health problems falling Jean Beliveau, I sought out his book, My Life in Hockey. This was not my first time, reading the book, having originally checked it out during the summer of 2007, while working at the St. John Fisher College weight room. Every Saturday afternoon, while manning the front door, waiting for the 2-3 people using a weight room during my 4-6 hour shifts, I would read.
Beliveau’s life story made up one of my Saturday’s. In fact it made my Saturday, learning the in’s and out’s of his beginnings in French Canada to his playing career to 1993, when he was retiring from the Canadiens organization.
The amazing thing about Beliveau is that his lifestyle is extremely boring. He is a dull sports hero. There was no flash, no conflict, no drama. He, however, embodies everything a team would love to build around, right down to his conservative slicked side part haircut. A born leader, Beliveau was the filler between the cultural legacies of The Rocket and Le Demon Blond, he helped Montreal hold onto their supremacy in the NHL.
This lack of flash or artistic temperament (as applied to Guy LaFleur discussions) allowed Beliveau to be the voice of reason, allowing his captaincy to set an example of his gentlemanly play. His modest hard-working background, helped set his composure and outlook into the game of hockey, which extended beyond the rink.
Growing up in Quebec, following the Canadiens, he knew the responsibilities of wearing the “C” for the bleu, blanc et rouge. More so, he knew the pressures that were on him from the fans, especially being French-Canadian. Beliveau would allow himself to become the liaison between the players, coaches and front office. His civic minded allowed his teammates to feel at ease on the ice, being pushed by their captain. Beliveau knew that he had an opportunity to use the “C’s” power to make his team better. I always felt that his demeanor was the factor into the success of players like Steve Yzerman (whose father was a government official) and Ron Francis, as Beliveau was the senator of the Canadiens. Whatever happened with the team, he was ready to step into action and help out his team.
As much as Beliveau is described as being too “team player” or too “white bread”, in his book, he opens up on a lot of issues and histories of professional hockey. While the book was written in 1993, his opinions could have been true prior to the 2004-05 lock out season. While still retaining his nice guy image, Beliveau’s hockey rich life has allowed him to see many sides to the story. This allows fans to understand pro hockey from his rationale and argues it as a big picture. While he uses a lot of parallels with his own experiences he is able to identify the drastic differences in pro sports over the last 40 years.
In the Montreal Canadiens long and rich history, Jean Beliveau fails to come to mind for many new era American hockey fans. As they learn about the intensity of Maurice Richard or the flowing grace of Guy LaFleur, they forget that Jean Beliveau was an integral part of the franchise’s history. My Life in Hockey is a great read for those looking to learn more of late Original Six hockey. While the book is not as cerebral as Ken Dryden’s The Game, it is still an important marker of Quebec’s team.
