Starting Five 

As fellow readers are well aware, John is out of the office today. So, guess what? You are left with a 19-year-old college kid. Ha! You lose. Anyhow, @okerland filled in yesterday, meaning Medium Happy will continue its non-holiday weekday streak of providing you the distinguished IAH! post. Even Cal Ripken Jr. could appreciate that.

Any disgruntled fans can reach me at @J_Anstey. Because I already like this so much, any gruntled fans can also reach me at the same feed. Look, we all win on this one.

Without further ado, let’s get down to business.

Is that Craig Sager in the neon?

1. The Melee of Orem

The Utah State Valley Wolverines defeated the New Mexico State Aggies in OT, 66-61, giving the Wolverines a 1-game lead in the Western Athletic Conference. It was what happened after the final buzzer, however, that will grab the attention of sports fans across the country. Seconds after the game, New Mexico State guard K.C. Ross-Miller, in what seems like a deliberate manner, hurled the basketball – hitting Utah Valley’s Holton Hunsaker, who happens to be the coach’s son. Simultaneous with the provocative actions of Miller, Utah Valley’s students started rushing the court — creating a prime condition for chaos.

The altercation only lasted roughly 30-seconds, but it was the speed at which things developed that is so intriguing. Discussion will continue about the safety hazards that are created by students rushing the court, and this incident will not help matters. It is shame, considering the excitement that rushing the court creates for students. As commonly unveiled, the actions of a few will inhibit the actions of all.

2. Philly Troubles

At least someone is having a good time…

The Philadelphia 76ers, who are a pedestrian 15-43, have lost 12 straight; the road ahead, moreover, does not get any sunnier in Philly.

In fact, let’s observe the numbers:

• Since beating the Celtics, 95-94, on January 29, the Sixers have lost 12 straight by an average of 19.5 points. Remember, this is the NBA, not your standard Junior High game down the street.
• Eight of the twelve teams that defeated Philadelphia were, and currently still are, under .500 for the season. Their last two opponents – Milwaukee and Orlando – have a combined 29 wins. Indiana has 44 wins thus far. A margin that speaks for itself.

Compounded by the fact that the Sixers traded away both Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes, their two best players, we can only expect a continued train wreck in Philly. Luckily for them, this year’s draft is loaded with stars, albeit still teenagers.

Doug McDermott, on the other hand, will luckily avoid Philly. Early birthday present, I suppose.

3. O’Reilly. Oh, Really?

Did you think I was going to actually post a picture of O’Reilly?

Bill O’Reilly opened his mouth — again. This time, Mr. Attention Seeker sought out weaknesses in women. Joined by Kirsten Powers and Kate Obenshain, O’Reilly ostensibly shuttered with amazement by the guests’ refusal to admit a fault in women, as their roles relate to a president’s duty. The interview starts awkwardly, after O’Reilly tells Powers “I know you’ve probably thought about this [the idea that women have innate weaknesses].”

Sure, Bill’s a man of many words. However, by seeking out weaknesses in females, O’Reilly just falsifies himself even more. Do some women have weaknesses? Yes. Does that mean all women have the same weakness? Hell no. We’re human, Bill. Imperfection is the norm, get use to it.

Oh, and if you really want to see a Journalism 101 mistake by the purported genius, check the preceding link (around 2:30). Contradicting yourself is one thing. Contradicting yourself literally seconds after saying something is, well,  inexcusable.

4. 74 Years and Counting

Unfortunately, the Knicks garner more than one camera at MSG.

74 years ago today, the first collegiate basketball game was televised on NBC. That game, between Fordham and Pittsburgh at the Madison Square Garden, was recorded with only one camera. Pittsburgh defeated Fordham, 57-37, and the Panthers were coached by legendary coach Henry “Doc” Carlson. While at Pittsburgh, Carlson went 367-248, winning two Helms Athletic Foundation championships, one in 1928 and the other in 1930. When the third NCAA Tournament was held in 1941, Carlson led his Panther team to the Final Four, losing to eventual champion Wisconsin. Eight teams competed in that NCAA Tournament, not 120 68.

Carlson, moreover, has since been inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame (1949), the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (1959), and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006). The latter two, Carlson was inducted during the respective Hall’s inaugural year.

 5. To Tenure or Not to Tenure

Scott Winter

I told you I was in college, not which college I was in. Well, I am a student at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Born and breed. And, as a side note to this post, I must say I am not a member of the University’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications program, nor am I employed by the student run newspaper, the Daily Nebraskan. No page view benefits for me.

Apart from that, this development is quite interesting. Co-authored by UNL students Gabrielle Lazaro and Melissa Allen, this story depicts the dissenting views of a university and their students, the soul of the university. I understand the benefits that a professor has when tenured, and I understand the slight (really, it can only be slight, considering Scott Winter has taught there for nine years) risk for the university that goes along with tenuring a professor. However, when you have numerous students crediting their success to a specific professor, one must think that professor is influential.

As the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is concerned, their future is on the line here. It is not a die or live situation, but it is a precedence setting decision that will affect it in the future. The fact is, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is statistically worse than other Big Ten institutions regarding academics. Why, then, push out one of your most influential professors that, even more telling, helps students bring home awards?

I came here to be a part of an up-and-coming university, not a static movement. I could have gone elsewhere, but didn’t. It is time to keep Mr. Winter before he leaves. Leaves to, potentially, another Big Ten institution.

Remote Patrol

No. 4 Syracuse at No. 12 Virginia

(Saturday) ESPN 4 p.m.

It’s the closest you’ll get to a Steel Curtain this year in college basketball.

After Saturday night’s game, the winner of the Orange and Cavaliers will have the key to the ACC regular season championship in their possession. The Cavaliers have won 12 straight, and the Orange have lost 2 of their last 3. Even more impressive, the Cavaliers boast one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the country, only giving up 55.3 points per game. We’ll put Jim Boeheim’s aggression on hold as we enjoy college basketball at its finest.

STARTING FIVE

1. Arizona Iced Bill

In a decision that took longer than it should have Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (not to be confused with former SNL actor Jim Breuer) vetoed SB 1602, which would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay and lesbian customers. Why Brewer waited so long to veto the bill we will never know, but considering a few days ago she said she had until Friday night to make a decision she must have felt the pressure to do something now. Aside from a few state congress members (note, not federal congress members) who realized after the fact what they passed was wrong, this was a business decision. Arizona has sun, deserts and golf plus Spring Training. the last thing MLB needs is protests during spring training. In addition, Arizona is hosting this little thing called the Super Bowl next January. Brewer knew passing that law meant no Super Bowl, an event that brings millions in revenue and exposure. Screw business leaders out of money and her term as Governor could be short lived.

My hope is that Michael Sam is named MVP of next year’s Super Bowl. (Before you laugh, Malcolm Smith, this year’s MVP, was a 7th round pick in 2011; and a 6th round pick by the name of Tom Brady has a won a few of them too)

The anarchist in me (maybe that’s not the right term) would have wished the bill passed. Not because I agree with it, but to see the NFL scramble to find another location in a year. Considering the amount of angst they took for playing a SB game in NY/NJ, I’m sure the media would have had a field day.

Lastly, one of the star player’s of Phoenix’s WNBA team is openly gay as is some of the fan base. Would have been interesting had the bill passed and someone with deeply religious ties didn’t want her to play.

2. Book Smarts never equate to Survivor Smarts

Last night began season 1 million of Survivor. As a loyal fan, I’ve watched almost every season. Sometimes, we’ll start and never finish because the season is a dud or we get so backlogged, etc. For some the attraction is the location of the show (note: due to budget cuts, Survivor basically uses the same island chain over and over again), but for me it’s the game play (or lack thereof). This season features Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty. It was fitting that the hidden immunity idol was in the water so CBS could make the girl from the beauty team strip down within the first 30 minutes. (Also, when she said she was from Silicon Valley, I wasn’t sure if she meant Bay Area or where she got her breasts – hey-o).

As I said, I’m a gameplay person and wouldn’t you know it, the Brains crew out thunk itself at both tribal councils. After falling twice on the part of the challenges they should have excelled at – the puzzles, they voted off the two people who could have them avoid future tribal councils. First was the president of the Miami Marlins (been a stellar year for them) who was already thinking way too far ahead in the game and the poker player who could have been on the beauties team. Now they are left with 5 basically unathletic people including one who sucks at puzzles. Looks like Probst and Co may have to change the game up earlier than expected.

My main issue with people on Survivor is too many vote of the annoying person early on rather than getting rid of the weak link. Often the weak link makes it to the merge, hides in the background and then wins because he/she overcame the odds. If you don’t win Tribal Council, you don’t have the chance to stay in the game longer. The goal should be to get the merge, then exact your plan.

3. The Magic of Disney

With a toddler running my household (my wife won’t admit it but my kid knows to flash a smile and suddenly he’s up to his eyeballs in Doritos), my television stays on Disney or Disney Junior every morning.  What amazes me is not the power that Disney has over kids or that Mickey Mouse is still a dominant force, but the creativity at Disney HQ.

– Nickleodeon comes out with Dora, Disney steals the format and puts Mickey as the lead character.
– How do you make Peter Pan relevant? come up with 3 kids who battle Captain Hook on Neverland island. (I could write a whole blog post on Jake, but I don’t know if John will ever let me come back)
– Toy Story for girls? Doc McStuffins
– need another princess who ties into the other ones? create Sophia, the once poor citizen whose mom caught the King’s eye and suddenly got an upgrade in life. Her amulet allows her to talk with animals and other princesses. (Also for $25 you can buy the amulet and pretend to talk to the same things)

Anyway, in the last year Disney has launched 4 new shows: Sophia, Henry Hugglemonster, Ella the Elephant and Sheriff Callie. And as far as I can tell the other shows aren’t going anywhere. And kids love them. This also doesn’t include the shorts that go in between shows so that you have no excuse to change the channel to check up on a game or convince your kid the show is over. (Disney also rarely runs commercials so your kid is hooked for 23 minutes at a time)

Now the way to see if the show is a hit is once the stuffed animals, toys, etc. hit the shelf.

I just want to sit in a Disney Jr. planning meeting during pitch week to figure out how they come up with hit after hit after hit.

My one complaint: Disney needs to give me a heads up when they change the schedule. I need to be prepared when Mickey will air at 8 instead of 7:30 am, so I know when to use Netflix or the DVR. Hell hath no fury like a 3 year old who can’t watch Mickey.

4. Cinderellas and the Ball

In roughly a week, conference tournaments from across the country begin which is the appetizer for the Big Dance. 31 teams get automatic bids and roughly 10-12 will hear that they don’t deserve to make it because their conference is terrible. As someone whose worked at a school where the conference tournament was a big deal, I beg to differ.  I’ve campaigned for years that teams that win the autobid should get the right to play in the first round (or second round or round of 64).

As VCU, Wichita State and FIU have shown, mid major conferences don’t deserve the shaft and have proven to belong. They work all year to win their conference only to be told, “technically you’re in, but not really” Imagine being the nerdy kid (I don’t have to imagine that hard) and all year working up the courage to ask out the hot girl to go to prom. She says yes but you find out she meant the pre-prom because the guy with average looks and grades but wealthier family is taking her to prom.

When you watch kids from Vermont, Southern, etc jump around and celebrate next week, remember this is their “One Shining Moment”

4. #FaceofMLB

For roughly 3 weeks, MLB has been running a FaceofMLB contest via twitter.  All 30 teams picked a player and he went head-to-head against another player. David Wright vs. Eric Sogard made the finals.

What jumped out to me was a few things:
1. Jeter, the greatest living ballplayer ever, lost to Jose Bautista
2. somehow a Met made the finals (and he’s taking on an Oakland A)
3. of the 30 teams, only 2.5 African-American players made the cut (what does Jeter count as?) and a majority of white players were among the honorees. I know the number of african american ballplayers has dropped recently but one would figure that the face of MLB would be more diverse. Is it a socioeconomical thing that two white players (one of which is more of a platoon guy) made the finals? (btw, my personal twitter account supports Wright while my work account supports Sogard)
4. The Brewers nominated Ryan Braun. he lost 93% to 7% (I think). Was nominating the devil not an option for the Brewers? seriously you have 25 players on your team and Ryan Braun is whom you nominate?

Thanks for reading, sorry it was too long.  If you liked what you read follow me on twitter @okerland If you didn’t, you’re probably a Michigan or USC alum (actually an alum would be impressive).

someone else is doing this tomorrow, unless John tells me there’s demand. I did have 5 more topics to discuss.

STARTING FIVE

Programming Note: The staff of Medium Happy will be somewhere out of range of the interweb for the remainder of the week, and thus, for the first non-holiday weekday since we began publishing, will not put out an IAH! in the morning. Adjust your medications accordingly. Thank you. And if any of you fan boys want to take a stab at putting out IAH! tomorrow and Friday, contact our global headquarters here. Adios, for now.

Cleanthony Early

1. (Contrived Headline Alert) Win-chita

The Shockers easily defeat Bradley, 69-49, to become the first men’s team ever to go 30-0 in the regular season. The Shockers finished 30-9 last season, losing to eventual national champion Louisville in the Final Four. I’m not sure how many teams have ever won 30 games two years in a row, although I do know John Wooden’s Bruins went 30-0 in consecutive seasons in the early ’70s. Perhaps Bill Walton will tell us more about that this week. Another thing about the Shockers? They’re 20-6 against the spread this season, including last night.

2. Oscar, Oscar, Oscar*

“You mean we’re making a movie based on a U2 song?”

Hollywood releases the names of the 46 presenters for Sunday’s telecast. My favorites: Bill Murray, Charlize, Christopher Waltz, Jim Carrey, Kim Novak (a Hitchcock blonde, Vertigo; Why aren’t there more legendary Hollywood figures like her among the presenters?), and the potent Bell/Biel combo (Kristen/Jessica). Noted omissions: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Mila Kunis, ScarJo and Will Ferrell. Most curious selection? Jason Sudeikis.

Oh, and here’s a highly subjective list, worst to first, of all the Best Picture winners.

That’s for all you fans of “The Odd Couple” out there.

3. Hirsute of Excellence

Harden is fifth in the league in scoring behind Durant, Carmelo, LeBron and Love (4 guys who spent a combined 3 years in college)

I agree with Bill Simmons: When James Harden is feeling it, he’s a Top 5 player in the NBA. It’s just that he doesn’t have the consistency of a Michael Jordan or a Kobe in his prime. Last night Harden went off for 43 at Sacramento in just 31 minutes — he sat the entire fourth quarter. Harden also went 15 of 15 from the charity stripe. Practice your free throws, kids.

4. When Johnny Met Jon

Manziel excels against double coverage

Ron “Jaws” Jaworski was a pretty good NFL quarterback but he will forever be known as the ESPN talking head given to outlandish statements about quarterbacks (as opposed to Merrill Hoge, who doesn’t limit such bloviating to only QBs). Yesterday Jaws struck again, proclaiming that he would not take former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel in the first three rounds of the NFL draft (of course he wouldn’t: Jaws doesn’t have a pick). Said Jaws, “I’ve only looked at five games…but he has not done a whole lot, to me.”

Ask Nick Saban about that, Jaws.

So let’s just cut to the chase: Let’s get JFF down at Jon Gruden’s QB camp for some talk about Spider 2 Y Banana, etc. That’ll be fun.

5. Northern California Gold Rush

Hey, hey, my , my…

No, it’s not 1849, it’s 2014, but a couple in the Sierra Nevada region out walking their dog last March discovered 1,400 gold coins, all minted in the 19th century, buried in cans on their property. The cache, or trove (and when do you ever see the word “trove” not preceded by “treasure”?), is worth an estimated $10 million. That pooch better eat filet for the rest of its life.

Meanwhile, I learned a new word: “numismatics.” It refers to the study or collection of currency.

If I were the couple, who are choosing to remain anonymous, I’d use some of the booty to hire Neil Young to perform on my property, simply for irony’s sake.

Reserves

Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus.

This photo, by The Guardian, from Syria. Meanwhile the hosts of “Good Morning, America” are dressing up as the cast of “American Hustle” in order to promote the Oscars. Because news no longer sells in the TV news business.

****

Host Jimmy Fallon continues to kill it on Tonight –it’s not a talk show, it’s a videotaped adult play-date; stick around for Paul Rudd’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”– while Fred Armisen’s delightfully understated and wacky persona remains the best part of Late Night –but it’s only been two shows. Seth Meyers’ even did a funny send-up of how fans are already decrying how his second show had lost all the edge of his first show. Nicely done.

***

If you have yet to read David Browne’s terrific cover story on Philip Seymour Hoffman in Rolling Stone, I highly recommend (I can’t locate a link). Here’s a link where Cameron Crowe discusses how the late actor got into playing the role of Lester Bangs in Almost Famous.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner 1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B;1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS

Pie Traynor

1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B, Lefty Grove, P 1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 1967: Roy Campanella, C; Max Carey, OF

1968

Leon Allen “Goose” Goslin, LF; 1921-1938, Washington Senators, 2 others Goslin hit .379 in 1928,  but the batting title wasn’t his that season until his final at-bat. Goose did not want to take the at-bat in the 9th inning, and his manager gave him the option, but his Senator teammates goaded him into it. Quickly falling behind in the count 0-2, Goslin began berating the ump in an effort to get ejected (so the at-bat would not count), but was told by the ump to get back in the box. He stroked a single and earned the crown. A lifetime .316 hitter, Goslin collected 2,735 hits (56th all-time), 500 doubles (57th) and 173 triples (22nd). He also singled in the winning run in the final at-bat of the 1935 World Series.

Goose, he’s your wing man

Walter James Vincent “Rabbit” Maranville, SS; 1912-1935, Boston Braves, 4 others Yes, it helps to have a small creature’s nickname. Rabbit played 23 seasons, the most in the N.L. of anyone until Pete Rose eclipsed the mark in 1986. He accumulated 2,605 lifetime hits and 177 triples, which is 19th all-time. Despite standing just 5’5″, he hit clean-up for the Braves in 1914, the year they won the World Series.

Remote Patrol

California at No. 3 Arizona

ESPN2 9 p.m.

Speaking of Bills and Arizona, how about that wacky proposal to refuse business to gays?

I can only assume the WWL has installed Dave Pasch and Bill Walton to do this game, so get your Big Red Bingo chart ready: The Biosphere, Pyramid of Success, Bob Dylan, Wavy Gravy, possibly Johnny Cash (it’s his birthday, although it’s also the birthday of fun. singer Nate Reuss, who’s an Arizona native, so throw him a bone, Bill), and if we’re lucky, Jan Brewer. Listen as Pasch’s frustration grows: He’s playing the role of David Spade in “Tommy Boy.”

STARTING FIVE

Fred Armisen may be the star of “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

1. Paging Stephon!

Okay, so it was only the first night, but the little I watched of Seth Meyers’ debut on “Late Night”, he looked uncomfortable. Again, I only watched up until the break before Amy Poehler, but the monologue was flat and the Venn Diagrams bit, while not awful, was desultory. The best moment was when Fred Armisen explained the premise of his show, “Recent History”, about things that happened within the last day.

Seth’s going to want to lean on Fred a lot the first month or two. He’ll find his voice, and Lorne Michaels did him no favors by having him work on SNL up until two weeks ago, but right now Meyers is a diffident host. Then again, it was only the first night.

2. Court Stormers: Head Coaches Edition

Turgeon was nearly this far out onto the court last night

Like most rules/laws that are enforced in a lax or capricious manner (speeding, traveling, investment bank rate-fixing, 9 o’clock bed time), those who defy the rules will never cease testing the limits. The latest abrogation that has become a trend: coaches standing on the basketball court during play. I hate this, because it’s the basketball equivalent of a dude leaning too close to your girl at a bar. He’s just seeing what he can get away with.

Anyway, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon took this to another level in last night’s game versus Syracuse. At least when Jim Boeheim stormed the court at Duke on Saturday, he knew that he was getting tossed.

Oh, and by the way, and I’ll never be able to prove it, moments before Louisville’s Kevin Ware gruesomely snapped his lower leg in half during last spring’s Elite Eight game, his coach, Rick Pitino, was standing almost on that same spot on the court. Did Ware instinctively correct for his jump because of Pitino’s presence? Again, I’ll never be able to prove that he did. But I’ll always wonder.

3. How Gr$$n Was My Valley

At least three of the five men pictured should be Indian in order for this group to be demographically accurate

HBO’s new show, “Silicon Valley”, as The Big Lead suggested, looks like a cross between “Entourage” and “The Big Bang Theory.” So what’s wrong with that? Personally, I’ve been a T.J. Miller fan ever since he played Stainer in She’s Out of My League, so I’ll watch just to see him. Dig it: the reason we don’t loathe Silicon Valley billionaires as much as we do Wall Street millionaires is because the former are actually way smarter than we are. It’s like, What do you call a roomful of lawyers? Guys who failed organic chemistry.

Sunday nights, come April, will have this and “Game of Thrones” back to back? You had me at HBO.

4. Raymond Felton Arrested

I thought he was a point guard. Apparently, he’s a shooting guard.

5. Sachs Entertainment

The man behind the Goldman Sachs Elevator Twitter feed has been unveiled, and his name is Jason McIntyre! Wait, no, that’s not it. Okay, wrong unveiling, wrong year. However, he has been found and it turns out Goldman Sachs will not fire him. Know why? Because he has never worked for Goldman Sachs.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner

1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B;1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS

Christy Mathewson

1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B, Lefty Grove, P 1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 

1967

Roy Campanella, C; 1948-1957, Brooklyn Dodgers

In his 10 seasons, before being paralyzed in an automobile accident, Campy was named to play in the All-Star Game eight times and won the National League MVP award three times. In each of his three MVP seasons, Campy hit over .300 with 30 or more home runs and 100 or more RBI.

Max Carey, OF; 1910-1929, Pittsburgh Pirates

Carey

The National League’s top base-stealer before the era of Maury Wills and Lou Brock, Carey led the Senior Circuit in swipes 10 of his 18 full seasons. His 738 career thefts are still ninth on the all-time list and only Ty Cobb stole home more times (50) in his career than Carey, who had 33. He also hit 419 doubles.

STARTING FIVE

Is it just me or is Dale, Jr., headed the wrong way?

 1. Junior Achievement

Rain delayed the Daytona 500 more than six hours so that it took almost 11 hours for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., to cover the 500 miles. In other words, you could have driven 500 miles in the time it took the winner of yesterday’s Great American Race 500 miles. By the way, it was Dale, Jr’s first NASCAR win in 55 starts. Did Ricky Bobby even have that long of a drought?

During the interminable delay, Fox aired last year’s race but a lot of viewers who joined midway during the telecast were unaware of that. So if someone tells you today that they can’t believe Jimmie Johnson won Daytona two years in a row, just smile.

2. Outta Brooklyn, But Not Straight

Collins, fronting Kaman.

The Brooklynettes sign Jason Collins to a 10-day contract and that same night, last night, he becomes the first openly gay player to participate in an NBA game. Which is unremarkable, since no NBA player has ever actually had sex on court…during a game. But it is remarkable in that it breaks a boundary.

And yesterday I tweeted, “Brooklyn: Jackie Robinson and Jason Collins”, which was my way of noting that  a place that has had a total of two pro sports franchises for a combined 16 seasons in the past 70 years broke both the color and the LGBT barriers. Of course, some people decided that I was equating Robinson to Collins in terms of talent or significance. I was not. They’re tweets, kids. They’re not tweetises.

3. “True Detective” Recap

Scars, faces. So Tony Montana is the killer?

Television’s best show ties up the loose ends of 2002. Best moments:

–Rust Cohle to the Marshland Medea, shortly after her confession: “If you get the opportunity, you should kill yourself.” Vintage Rust.

–More vintage Rust. “You’re such a moron. You people will eat your young as long as you have something to salute.” Every week Rust delivers a gut punch to America, and God bless him.

–Cohle to Marty Hart, his final words to him for 10 years, just after their fight: “Nice hook, Marty.”

— Marty to the two young men who had sex with his daughter: “A man’s game charges a man’s price.” Of course, if it’s Marty banging the younger women, well, that’s cool. And it turns out Rust was prophetic (and this is how the series rewards its viewers) when he drolly asked, “Was that a down payment?” in Episode 2.

–The girl in the sanitarium. Perfect. It’s amazing how many minor characters in this series are mesmerizing. Pastor Theriot, Charlie, Lange, DeWall, and now her (there are others; just excellent work).

–Rust throws Marty into the tail light and 10 years later he still hasn’t fixed it. Is this his scar, a reminder to himself of his betrayal of both Marty and his own integrity? Of how he allowed himself to be, albeit briefly, exploited? Or is this how singularly focused he has become?

–I don’t know much, but I do know the old man with the white hair who resurfaced in the office last night is a very, very bad man. He’s Tuttle’s dirty deeds done dirt cheap man.

–Loved the moment when Rev. Tuttle asks what this is all about and Cohle answers matter-of-factly, “Dead women and children” just to see the look on Tuttle’s face. The whole purpose of that visit was for Cohle to let Tuttle know that he was onto him. Let the games begin. Beautiful stuff.

–As someone else noted, both of Marty’s women (Beth and Maggie) order dirty martinis in this episode.

–I’m beginning to wonder what Marty’s older daughter overheard or was told that caused her to create that scene with her dolls. It sounds a lot like what must transpire in the murders. If Rust had seen it, he would have pursued it. But Marty is not Rust. Marty is the guy who writes up the stats.

Marty decleats Rust. That had to hurt.

–There are no wasted scenes or lines in “True Detective.” I’m beginning to think that month Rust spent in Paris “getting drunk outside of Notre Dame” was part of his 2002-2010 exile.

–So, yes, Rust mowed Marty’s lawn. Speaking of grooming, I’m thinking Lawnmower Guy is the Purloined Letter of “True Detective.” Hiding in plain sight. Rust never got his name. Why was he mowing grass that didn’t need mowing? Was the beard hiding scars? Why was he mowing the yard of an abandoned, decrepit school for, anyway? Like others, I suspect we have not one murderer but a cult.

–Going back an episode, am I the only one who thought the tattoo on LeDoux’s right pec looked a little too much like Matthew McConaughey?

–One giveaway that I don’t understand: you can go on IMDB and see how many episodes a character is in. Lawnmower guy, for instance, is slated to return. How did Nic Pizzolatto allow that to happen?

–Let’s not forget that the ALS-type former baseball pitcher from Episode 1 had a devil catcher. I believe we’ll be seeing him again, too.

–Love Pastor Theriot. “All my life I wanted to be nearer to God, but the only nearness is silence.” He may be the second-most, if not THE most, decent person in this entire show. Marty’s younger daughter is No. 1.

-The silent trading of flipped birds between Marty and Rust. Seriously, is this the best love story on television right now?

–Lots of rolling up of sleeves in this episode. Again, nothing ever is a coincidence on this show. Everything conveys something.

–Marty’s tackle of Rust was better than anything the NFL Network showed from the Combine all weekend.

–Terry Guidry, yet another authentic Cajun in this episode. And it’s the second stranger in two weeks who’s told Rust he may have to hurt him.

–After ten years: “Marty.” “Rust.” Love it.

4. So Long, Sochi

The Bear pokes fun at itself? Nicely done, Russia.

The Sochi Olympics, in which Canada ruled the beer sports (hockey, curling) and the USA ruled the stoner sports (anything -cross or -pipe). Also, the Olympics during which a neighboring country’s ruler was overthrown. Also, Team USA claimed the most BRONZE medals. Go, America! Will anything have a greater legacy to Americans’ than Bob Costas’ eye infection? I wonder.

5. Boeheim Watch

People are criticizing Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim for losing it with his team only down two in the final minute at Cameron. I get it. But this wasn’t an NCAA tournament game and, calculated or not, Boeheim sent a powerful message both to officials (be consistent) and his players (I’ve got your backs). Me, I thought Syracuse got hosed more on the previous blocking foul call than on the charge against C.J. Fair (who, by the way,s stepped out of bounds as he caught the pass, but the refs never noticed). The Fair call could have gone either way, it was that close.

Reserves

So, Alec Baldwin is retiring from public life? Jack Donaghy makes some excellent points here –and crucifies MSNBC honcho Peter Griffin –but when you wind up bickering with that many people in that many different arenas, well… (We now pause for the pot to call the kettle black).

****

I saw the final play of the Knicks’ season on Friday night. It was when, with the score tied 113-113 in the first overtime in Orlando –after the Carmelos blew a 14-point second-half lead–Tyson Chandler missed a go-ahead dunk because it bounced off his head and ricocheted up and out of the cylinder. Did Chandler style just a tad much on the play? I thought so.

The Knicks should be a top-five team in the East. Carmelo is one of the three to five best players in the NBA, when he wants to be. Tim Hardaway, Jr., is going to be a stud. If J.R. Smith gave half a rat’s ass, he could be the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. And Amar’e and Tyson still have something left in their tank.

This is just a team that takes on the demeanor of its best player, which is to to be loose and careless. You know who the Knicks are? They’re that kid who’s so smart that he can get away with waking up at 6 a.m. the morning of the exam  to begin studying and still pass it. Except that eventually comes a day when the kid wakes up and thinks the exam is at 10 a.m. but it’s actually at 8 a.m. Those are your New York Knicks.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner

1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B;1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS

Walter Johnson, alias “The Big Train”, and the only Hall of Famer whose full name has all the same letters, almost in order, as your author’s (plus an “on”)

1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B, Lefty Grove, P

1966

Ted Williams, LF; 1939-1942, 1946-1960, Boston Red Sox

The last man to hit .400 in a season (.406 in 1941), Teddy Ballgame is baseball’s all-time leader in On-Base Percentage (.4817) and seventh in batting average, .3444. Every hitter above him on the list was born in the 19th century. Williams, a 17-time All-Star who twice won the Triple Crown,  is simply the best hitter of the modern era. Only three years of military service as a pilot in World War II prevented him from reaching 3,000 hits (2,654). Fittingly, he homered in his final career at-bat, in Fenway Park.

Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF; 1908-1922, Boston Red Sox, Indians

The great Walter Johnson himself said there was no one alive who could throw harder than Smoky Joe.

Wood is the first player to appear on this list who is not actually in the Hall of Fame, and there’s another player –from this same era–who first pitched for the Red Sox only to play outfield for another American League team, but he is deserving. First, in 1912 he went 34-5 with a 1.91 ERA, 10 shutouts and a no-hitter. He won three games in that year’s World Series for the victorious Red Sox, including striking out 11 New York Giants in one game. For his career Wood was 117-57 with a 2.03 ERA. As a batter he hit .283.

 Remote Patrol

Late Night with Seth Meyers

NBC 12:35 a.m.

While Jimmy Fallon subscribes to the Elvis Method of late-night (“A little less talk, a little more action”), expect Meyers, 40, to be a little more akin to Conan and Dave. He’s not a performer, he’s a writer who is good-looking and personable. Fallon is the guy at the party who’s always on. Seth is the guy you’ll have the 15-minute conversation with about what the dining hall serves for breakfast.