So three music icons share September 23rd as their birthday. First born in 1926 the great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, next, born in 1930 the incomparable Ray Charles and finally in 1949 Bruce Springsteen. Quite a lineup, I could play music clips from these guys all day long!!
All three musicians appear in my music collection.The Greatest Hits of Ray Charles appeared first in the late 1960s, while “Greetings From Asbury Park” came with its release in 1973, when I heard about this new Bob Dylan! Coltrane’s music has entered the library in the last few years….
Or maybe I should play something from one of the others who celebrate their birthdays today like Ben E. King, of the Drifters would you like a little “Stand by Me”, How about something from guitar legend Roy Buchanan or maybe Julio Iglesias – Nah.
How about some TV, in 1956 -Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees begins his television career as a child actor with the première of NBC’s “Circus Boy” series, which I remember well!
Then I read that today is also the 106th anniversary of an infamous baseball play, and in many places outside of Philly they are getting ready for post-season baseball, I decided to go with that….
From Wikipedia:
On September 23, 1908, while playing for the New York Giants in a game against the Chicago Cubs, while he was 19 years old (the youngest player in the National League), Merkle committed a base running error that became known as “Merkle’s Boner” and earned him the nickname “Bonehead.”
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Merkle came to bat with two outs, and the score tied 1–1. At the time, Moose McCormick was on first base. Merkle singled and McCormick advanced to third. Al Bridwell, the next batter, followed with a single of his own. McCormick trotted to home plate, apparently scoring the winning run. The fans in attendance, under the impression that the game was over, ran onto the field to celebrate.
Meanwhile, Merkle ran to the Giants’ clubhouse without touching second base. Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers noticed this, and after retrieving a ball and touching second base he appealed to umpire Hank O’Day, who would later manage the Cubs, to call Merkle out. Since Merkle had not touched the base, the umpire called him out on a force play, meaning that McCormick’s run did not count.
The run was therefore nullified, the Giants’ victory erased, and the score of the game remained tied. Unfortunately, the thousands of fans on the field (as well as the growing darkness in the days before large electric light rigs made night games possible) prevented resumption of the game, and the game was declared a tie. The Giants and the Cubs ended the season tied for first place and had a rematch at the Polo Grounds, on October 8. The Cubs won this makeup game, 4–2, and thus the National League pennant. Full Post
The musical link comes from Chuck Brodsky, who writes some great baseball songs!