#all-star baseball 2003

[numberxxisora]

Last week, we went to the diamond to try out our first baseball demo.

[mydaddywiki]

Joe West

Physique: Husky Build Height: 6′1″

Joseph Henry West (born October 31, 1952), nicknamed "Cowboy Joe" or "Country Joe", is an American former baseball umpire. He worked in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1976 to 2021, umpiring an MLB-record 43 seasons and 5,460 games. He served as crew chief for the 2005 World Series and officiated in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. On May 25, 2021, West broke Bill Klem's all-time record by umpiring his 5,376th game.

He’s the most polarizing man on the Hall of Fame ballot. Fans have been screaming at him for 44 years, managers and players cursing him, and he has a personality bigger than virtually every player who steps onto the field. All I have to say about this this guy is… DAT ASS.

Born in Asheville, North Carolina, he grew up in Greenville and played football at East Carolina University (ECU) and Elon College. West entered the National League (NL) as an umpire in 1976; he joined the NL staff full-time in 1978.

West has been married twice. After the death of his first wife, West remarried.

Career Highlights and Awards Special Assignments All-Star Game (1987, 2005, 2017) Wild Card Game (2013, 2014, 2020, 2021) Division Series (1995, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016) League Championship Series (1981, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2018) World Series (1992, 1997, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2016) World Baseball Classic (2009) MLB record 43 seasons umpired MLB record 5,460 games umpired

[noonesgaylikegatson]

A Definitive List of over 100 Films featuring Gay/Bi Men of Color

Macho Dancer (1988)

The Fruit Machine (1988)

Tongues Untied (1989)

Young Souls Rebel (1991)

Anthem (1993)

Farewell My Concubine (1993)

The Wedding Banquet (1993)

Shinjuku Triad Society (1995)

Happy Together (1997)

The River (1997)

Pusong Mamon (1998)

Hold you tight (1998)

Gohatto (1999)

Punks (2000)

Iron Ladies (2001)

Lan Yu (2001)

The Road to Love (2001)

Mango Souffle (2002)

Yossi and Jagger (2002)

Proteus (2003)

Brother to Brother (2004)

Formula 17 (2004)

Star Appeal (2004)

Chicken Tikka Masala (2005)

The King and the Clown (2005)

My Brother Nikhil (2005)

Boy culture (2006)

No Regret (2006)

RagTag (2006)

Blueprint (2007)

Soshite, Harukaze ni Sasayaite (2007)

Pleasure Factory (2007)

All of my life (2008)

Antique (2008)

City without Baseball (2008)

A Frozen Flower (2008)

Lovebirds (2008)

Noah’s Arc, Jumping the Broom (2008)

Boy (2009)

Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish (2009)

Soundless Windchime (2009)

Bashment (2010)

Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun… (2010)

Fit (2010)

KickfOff (2011)

Lost in Paradise (2011)

My Brother the Devil (2012)

Mixed Kebab (2012)

Morgan (2012)

One Night and Two Days (2012)

The Skinny (2012)

Speechless (2012)

Leave it on the Floor (2013)

La Partidoa (2013)

Peyote (2013)

Snails in the Rain (2013)

Hidden Away (2014)

Hot Guys with Guns (2014)

My Bromance (2014)

Night Flight (2014)

Praybeyt Benjamin (2014)

The Way He Looks (2014)

Yo Soy la Felicidad de esta Mundo (2014)

Aligarh (2015)

Beauty and the Bestie (2015)

Blackbird (2015)

The Blue Hour (2015)

Daddy (2015)

Eat with Me (2015)

Fire Song (2015)

How to Win at Checkers (Every-time) (2015)

Out in the Dark (2015)

Loev (2015)

Naz and Maalik (2015)

Thanatos, Drunk (2015)

Time Out (2015)

2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016)

Dear Dad (2016)

Front Cover (2016)

LUV Don’t Live Here (2016)

Kapoor & Sons (2016)

Moonlight (2016)

The Pass (2016)

The Super Parental Guardians (2016)

Teenage Kicks (2016)

Alaska is a Drag (2017)

God’s Own Country (2017)

Method (2017)

My Son is Gay (2017)

Play the Devil (2017)

The Wound (2017)

I am Happiness on Earth (2018)

Noblemen (2018)

Dear Ex (2018)

I Miss You When I See You (2018)

Voyage (2018)

Kalel, 15 (2019)

The Panti Sisters (2019)

Socrates (2019)

Funny Boy (2020)

Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)

B-Boy Blues (2021)

Gameboys: The Movie (2021)

Barrio Boy (2022)

Bhaadai do (2022)

Cobalt Blue (2022)

Fire Island (2022)

Golden Delicious (2022)

Marry My Dead Body (2023)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2023)

[taffycandyqt]

👉👈 can I get some head-cannons on how 1987 and 2003 Casey would act as dads to his and the readers kid…….i have to imagine ‘87 Casey would be an interesting parental figure……not a bad one just very…..very interesting

Very interesting indeed...

03' & 87' Casey Jones x reader

Warnings none:

Fluff

2003 Casey:

Will cal the child squirt, tiny, chump, and/or kiddo

It all just depends on his mood.

If the kid is a girl he'll definitely call her princess or little darling and if they're a boy he'll call him little man, or buff little man.

He will love the crap out of your kids, dude is honestly so happy to be a dad.

When he first married you he wanted kids but he was also pretty scared and wasn't sure he was ready.

When it finally happened though?

He was so happy.

Just picture this man laying in the bed with your new born in his hands while they moved their little hands around without any real reason.

He would have literal stars in his eyes.

Dude would probably start taking his baseball bat with him every time he left the house.

Ain't no way he's going out with his kids without proper protection in New York of all places.

He would have a blast teaching the kids about hockey and if they were genuinely interested hockey games would become their biggest bonding moments.

Bro is honestly just a really fun dad.

Any game the kids play with him he will be 100% into it.

Doesn't matter what role he's playing he will literally destroy your house if your kids say it's what his character would do.

In short you had to tell the kids (and your fully grown adult husband) that real weapons were not, infact, toys and to stop stabbing your furniture.

You almost blew a gasket when you walked in the room to see Casey rip one of your couch pillows in half.

Yeeeeeah...

He won't be doing that again.

Also, ice cream trips are a staple in your house.

the kids want iced cream?? Why not!

Honestly he wants ice cream just as much as them.

If you say no he will join in with the kids and either try to get you to say yes or just try and convince you with puppy dog eyes.

when you kids hit the rebellious teen phase he will wil feel so much internal conflict.

On the one hand what they are doing is extremely dangerous, irresponsible, and/or disrespectful and it's infuriating.

But on the other... He also did those things at their age.

...

BUT HE WASN'T AS BAD (this is true. He was worse)

He is still happy with their teenage stage though.

The proud dad moments will be golden.

I feel like your guys kids would gravitate towards certain turtle uncles.

They would just click more with one than the other and he's happy to see his kids still having a connection with his old friends.

Mikey will complain to him often though if none of your kids pick him as their favorite uncle.

Overall, Casey is a top tier dad.

1987 Casey:

This dude is an entire basket case.

Not to say he isn't a good dad! He is.

You just have to thoroughly explain child safety and proper emotional reactions.

Examples would be, "You can't let our kid beat up their teacher for giving them an unfair grade" or "you can't hand a toddler a golf club to swing around the house" or "Sticking a fork in an electrical outlet will electrocute them"

Once you show him how to legally and safely go about certain situations, there actually aren't many problems!

He is very strict on what he believes to be right and wrong.

While his methods may be a tad counterproductive he means well and he will do everything in his power to mold your kids into well mannered law abiding citizens.

And in case you were wondering, he sees the whole beating up the teacher thing as the teacher lying on an official government document sooooooo.

In any case he's doing his best.

Casey doesn't really spend much time around the turtles in this version so their less like uncles to your kids and more just, "People dad knows".

If your kids show an interest in the turtles though, he will make a point to hang around more often.

When it comes to his mask Casey likes to leave it on.

It makes him feel prepared for any potential danger and he honestly doesn't feel fully dressed without it.

9 times out of 10 though, if your kids ask him to take it off he will.

He just loves them so much, and as paranoid as he can be he still wants his kids to know their fathers real face.

When it comes to raising your kids he is usually the one dishing out punishments. Not because you don't, he's just quicker at it.

He understands your kids are learning the ins and outs of life and he wants to make sure they know the consequences of their actions so they're prepared when they go out into the real world.

That being said he is also very fair.

If your kid didn't know something was wrong he won't punish them.

He'll just tell them why it was wrong and not to do it again. If they do it after that? Then they get time-out.

Like 2003 Casey, he is also very playful and loves playing games with the kids.

He will run with them around the house, dress up in costumes, do weird voices and all that jazz.

It's so cute honestly. This big buff dude in a hockey mask who prides himself in his strength and ruthless attitude towards "evil doers" will also have the most legitimate tea party while your kids call him Mrs. Whittlebottom.

With the way you both go about raising your kids it seems unlikely, to me, that they would become rebellious teens.

However if that were to happen Casey would be at a complete loss.

Casey has never felt tied down by the rules or "the man" as long as they kept the peoples best interest at heart.

Don't steal things, don't break others property, don't sell harmful substances.

It all made perfect sense to him.

When people follow the rules they are happy and safe and peaceful.

People don't get hurt and they are able to do what they love.

So when your children express feeling trapped by the rules of the house or call the punishment they get by breaking them "unfair" he is straight up confused.

Like, what do you mean its unfair that your growned for seeking out?! You know it's against the rules and you could have gotten hurt! WTF???

This could potentially cause a lot of tension between Casey and your kids but at the end of the day they still love each other.

It just might take some time for them to properly understand the other.

For everyone's sake though, let's not bet on your kids hitting the rebellious phase.

Also, your kids may or may not pick up some of his weird mannerisms such as calling criminals "evil doers" or hunting down literally anyone in the name of justice.

Yeah, it really doesn't help he raises them on super hero shows.

All in all, very dedicated husband and father. Will literally die for his family.

[leiascully]

Twenty Questions for Fanfic Writers

Tagged by @sunflowerseedsandscience! Thank you!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

740, but I have a few ficlets I have yet to add.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

1,708,613

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Uhhhh, a lot. Here are the top 10:

The X-Files (279)

Battlestar Galactica (2003) (91)

Doctor Who (2005) (79)

House M.D. (78)

Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling (46) (I don't write for this anymore, but I haven't orphaned my stuff)

The West Wing (23)

Leverage (US TV 2008) (20)

The Avengers (Marvel Movies) (18) (I don't write Marvel anymore either)

Welcome to Night Vale (18)

Green Wing (15)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

I'm sticking just to XF fics here:

Visitor

Baseball Metaphors

Resident

I Want To Believe (It's Not Lead Poisoning) (XF/WtNV crossover)

Ceremony of Innocence

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yep, pretty much every single one, even if it's just :). If someone takes the time to comment, I try to at least thank them. But I totally understand why other authors don't have the bandwidth. I'm also not a popular author in a juggernaut fandom getting hundreds of comments a week - I set aside a little time a few times a month if needed.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I've written a bunch of apocalyptic fic(lets) where it's heavily implied they die at the end or at least that death is imminent, so probably those.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Probably Baseball Metaphors.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not often. Sometimes people will leave rude comments, but it's rare.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yes, I believe it's a fascinating way to explore characters.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the wildest one you’ve written?

Yeah, I do. I wrote a Battlestar Galactica/XF crossover once with @dashakay. I wrote a House MD/XF crossover too, and the Welcome to Night Vale crossover mentioned above, and one for The Fall.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not as far as I know in terms of things that had my name scrubbed off them. I've had other writing stolen or borrowed, and people have uploaded my fics to other sites without permission.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I think so, but I can't remember which one(s).

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Many times! My wife and I used to co-write fic all the time when we were young and silly and wrote hundreds of thousands of words of self-insert universes.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

MSR has lasted the longest besides Han/Leia. Also I strongly ship River/Doctor. The big vibe is "ships that feel queer".

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I mean at this point literally anything. I'd love to finish The FBI's Most Unwanted.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Banter, character voice, poetic prose, ambiance.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I keep hearing about this thing called plot. Never met her, though.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I've written a whole fic in another language, so why not.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Star Wars. Nothing worth reading, though.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Oh gosh, I can't choose.

@suitablyaggrieved I would love to hear your answers! And anyone else who's intrigued.

[blastofsports]

Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is an American former professional baseball left fielder who played 25 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed the "Man of Steal", he is widely regarded as baseball's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner.[1][2] He holds MLB records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks and leadoff home runs. At the time of his last major league game in 2003, the ten-time American League (AL) All-Star ranked among the sport's top 100 all-time home run hitters and was its all-time leader in walks. In 2009, he was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot appearance.

[ncisfranchise-source]

PASADENA, Calif. – Mark Harmon has seen the star power of Austin Stowell, who will play a younger version of his beloved character Leroy Jethro Gibbs on "NCIS: Origins."

Harmon, an executive producer on the prequel "NCIS" spinoff series, was in the room when Stowell first auditioned for the role of young Gibbs, circa 1991. His fellow "NCIS: Origins" executive producer, Gina Lucita Monreal, "swooned" when "The Hating Game" star entered his audition following scores of other hopefuls, Harmon said.

"I joked about Gina swooning, but the truth is she did. She may deny it, but she did," Harmon told USA TODAY at the Television Critics Association Saturday. "And when (Stowell) walked out of the room, she said, 'Now that guy is a star!'"

The "NCIS" franchise will need that star quality when Stowell, 39, takes the lead of "NCIS: Origins," which premieres Oct. 14 on CBS. The spinoff will air Monday nights after the mothership "NCIS," which kicks off its 22nd season.

Harmon's Gibbs became the "NCIS" standout when the CBS series premiered in 2003. The former U.S. Marine Corps Scout sniper-turned-special-agent commanded his NCIS team for 18 years on CBS until Harmon's final episode in October 2021. 

What role does Mark Harmon have on 'NCIS: Origins'?

Besides executive producing "NCIS: Origins," Harmon, 72, will narrate the series that follows younger Gibbs as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office about 12 years before "NCIS."

"I'm fine with the stepback role and (to) let the (new) cast do the work," Harmon said of his behind-the-scenes role. "I’m pleased to be part of it. I’m a distant part. I’m just here to support."

During Harmon's tenure on "NCIS," the role of the young Gibbs was often played in flashback by the actor's real-life son, Sean Harmon, who came up with the idea of the spinoff series while shooting "NCIS" Episode 400 in 2020.

"It was a lightning-bolt moment. Gibbs is a guy who has something broken inside, a guy who at one point could have down a darker path," said Sean Harmon. Gibbs in "NCIS: Origins" will fill the TV audience in on the traumatic loss of the character's wife and child early in his career.

Did Mark Harmon's son Sean want to play young Gibbs on 'NCIS: Origins'?

"On 'NCIS,' Gibbs had 30 years to come to terms with the trauma," said Sean Harmon. "But on 'NCIS: Origins, ' this is a guy with none of the answers and all the trauma."

Sean, 36, insisted he never wanted to play Gibbs on a full-time basis after "NCIS."

"It was an absolute honor to step into the role; it will always be something I’ll hold close to my heart," he said. "In truth, I never intended to make a career out of it."

During the TCA presentation, there was a debate of exactly who swooned when Stowell walked into the audition. David North, the executive producer of "NCIS" and "NCIS: Origins," insisted he was the one who had weak knees from Stowell.

"Let’s just be clear," Stowell finally said to end the debate jokingly: "Somebody swooned."

Stowell said it would be a different younger Gibbs dealing with the loss of his wife and child. "It's not the Gibbs the world knows. This is someone broken, searching for his identity," said Stowell. "During the screen test, Mark came up to me and gave me two words that I'll remember forever – 'trust yourself.'"

After a week of filming, Stowell said he felt like baseball hero Lou Gehrig, who “said he felt like the luckiest man in the world," said Stowell. "That’s how I feel here. It's only Week 1. But we’re doing something very special here."

Will Mark Harmon ever return to 'NCIS'?

Speaking to reporters after the TCA panel, Harmon was asked if he'd ever bring the retired Gibbs back to "NCIS."

"I don't know. It's really about feeling you've fulfilled a role," said Harmon. "I've always let the writers do what they want to do."

Asked if he had been invited back to "NCIS," even for a guest appearance, Harmon said, "Not that I'm aware. But I've just changed agents, so who knows?"

In his final "NCIS" scene, Gibbs stayed put fishing in Alaska after solving a final case, while Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) and crew returned to Washington D.C. Harmon said he doesn't know where Gibbs is now.

"I don't think he's still standing in the stream," said Harmon. "Other than that, I don't know. Maybe still Alaska. I just honored (Gibbs) finding a peace that he hadn't known in a while. It just made sense."

[handfulofnickels]

every backyard sports character is neurodivergent in some way and you cannot tell me otherwise

Maurice Samuel Vaughn, nicknamed "the Hit Dog", is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels, and New York Mets from 1991 to 2003. He was a three-time All-Star selection and won the American League MVP award in 1995 with Boston. It was revealed on December 13, 2007, in the report by Senator George J. Mitchell that Vaughn had purchased steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs from Kirk Radomski, who said he delivered the drugs to him personally. Radomski produced three checks, one for $2,200 and two more for $3,200, from Vaughn, one of the latter dated June 1, 2001, and another dated June 19, 2001. Radomski said that the higher checks were for two kits of HGH, while the lower one was for one and a half kits. Vaughn's name, address and telephone number were listed in an address book seized from Radomski's house by federal agents. Vaughn's trainer instructed him to take HGH in attempt to recover from injury.

[fire-fira]

A Non-Exhaustive List of My Fiance @radioactive-earthshine​‘s Impressions of the 2003 TMNT Series:

First up--

MIKEY

Her favorite

He screams in such a wonderful way.

10/10 would be friends with Bart Allen/Impulse online (where they’d talk about Star Trek, both headcanons and meta).

The cute one

Precious

GIVE! HIM! FRIENDS!

He definitely needs to hit up Roy Harper/Arsenal in New York to join his team, Titans East.

RAPH

He experiences a LOT of male-bonding.

This turtle isn’t straight. (He’s masc for masc.)

Dramatic

He needs his boyfriend (meaning Traximus) around more.

While his brothers were all being traumatized in various ways during the arc that included SAINW he was off in a bike-race with a hottie on another planet.

Would absolutely swear more and probably only censors himself around his dad.

He’d be friends with Jason Todd/Robin II/Red Hood.

DONNIE

The Kirby episode with him was one of her favorites.

Tim Drake/Robin III/Red Robin’s friend.

Why is he sitting on the couch like that? Sir, why did you put the couch like that before climbing onto it to sit?

He’s not straight because he sits on the couch like that. He’s not straight either.

Hasn’t made much of an impression. (Sorry Donnie, you don’t get a full 7 points.)

LEO

O O F.  SON.

Ah, he’s a bi disaster.

He needs to get together with the rabbit.

Wants him to behead people more. Wants it to be a running gag that he beheads Shredder every time they encounter each other. (”Go apeshit! Do it again!”)

He needs to stop chasing Karai, she’s a bad choice. (”She’s hot, but son that’s a CHOICE.”)

✨T H E R A P Y✨

Her watching every moment between Leo and Usagi: “That’s gaaaaayyyyyy~.”

Orion (of New Genesis) would get along with him.

SPLINTER

Unhealthy obsession with wanting to see him naked. (Seriously, she wants to see this rat without his robe on constantly.)

Wants to see him brushing his fur.

Is married to the Daimyo.

Wants him to have tea with Alfred Pennyworth. (Where they could go back and forth over hellion children.)

Where are your teeth? (”He’s a opossum!” -brings up google images- “Look! That’s a opossum! He doesn’t have rat teeth!”)

You’re one fucked-up rat.

Regularly quotes him as saying “Oh, you were so cute” about his sons.

USAGI

Leo’s (long-distance) boyfriend

“Is he a lop-eared rabbit? If he takes that tie off will his ears just flop over?”

Ah, another disaster-bi.

A much better choice than Karai.

“You exchanged swords? That’s gay.”

“I do not want to see him naked ever.”

“Where are your teeth?!”

“Real original name.” 🙄

KARAI

I have no thoughts about her-- no wait.

If I had that name I’d Karai too.

A terrible choice.

Hot though.

Needs to figure out her shit.

You don’t need NO MAN.

CASEY (MOTHER FUCKING) JONES

CANADIAN????

It’d be hilarious if how he died in SAINW was something really stupid, like choking on air, or tripping into something, or choking on a muffin. Nothing impressive, just embarrassing. It’d be hilarious.

Fun to watch.

You’re too disastrous to not be bi.

I need him to handle all my retail returns.

He needs to use a baseball bat more.

Dumbass™ (because of his terrible hiding skills)

APRIL

“I haven’t changed my outfit in over 10 years because I made a vow when I lost my Uncle Auggie to never change my wardrobe until he came back home so he’d recognize me!”

MOOD

You’re just as much of a dumbass™ as Casey, and that’s why you deserve each other.

GIRL, are you BARBIE? Because you have a lot of careers!

-a la Jurassic Park- SHOOT HER!!! SHOOT HER AGAIN!!!

LEATHERHEAD

I WANT TO BOOP THAT SNOOT.

Wants to pet his snoot too. (”I think he’d like it.”)

Also would get along well with Orion of New Genesis.

✨T H E R A P Y✨

Deserves better.

SHREDDER

wATch OUt fOr ShrEDdeR!!!

Can’t take him seriously and starts laughing every time he’s on screen.

Wants him to be beheaded constantly by Leo.

Mocks him by giving him Bane’s voice from the Harley Quinn animated series and pretending he has a fixation on cheese and shredding cheese. (”Soooomonnne! Give me the cheddaaaarrr!!! I’m so stressed!”)

Sometimes calls him Cheddar.

Desperately wants someone to call him a Kitchen-Aid attachment to his face.

HUN

Hun. Hunny. Honey. (Absolutely must mock his name.)

“All the men call me Hun.”

Vaguely implied that the Purple Dragons were his harem??? (My fiance is wild y’all.)

Clearly smarter than Baxter Stockman.

BAXTER STOCKMAN

HE NEVER LEARNS!!!

“I want him to call Shredder the Kitchen-Aid attachment.”

Her favorite line from him: “You’d make a horrible scientist.”

WOOOOWWWWWWW

Clearly not as smart as Hun when it comes to shutting his damn mouth.

[sportswriterdad]

Ranking the best Red Sox third basemen in my lifetime

This is part one of a multipart series looking at the best Red Sox players at each position since the mid-1970s, as determined by me. (Two notes: One, you had to be the starter at that position for the bulk of the season to qualify for inclusion. And two, we ranked players by numbers, as well as my own personal set of intangibles.) We start with third base.

17. Glenn Hoffman (1980): One of a couple of guys who was shoehorned into the post-Hobson, pre-Boggs era. A utilityman who ended up taking the majority of reps in a year where it was third baseman-by-committee (Butch Hobson, Larry Wolfe, and Stan Papi also started games at third for the Sox that year), he went 4-42-.285 in 1980 and made 17 errors. (If that sounds like a lot, consider the fact that Hobson made 16 errors in 120 fewer chances. Yikes.)

16. Pablo Sandoval (2015-16): I wanted this to work so baldy — I loved Sandoval when he was with the Giants — but this was, without a doubt, one of the worst deals in recent memory.

15. Wilton Veras (2000): I’ll be honest … I had completely forgotten about Veras, who hit .244 in 49 games for the 2000 Red Sox. I also didn’t know he continued to play baseball for another 10 years after leaving Boston at the end of the 2000 season, spending time in Mexico and China. That’s a dude who loves baseball.

14. Scott Cooper (1993-94): The poor sap who had to follow Boggs after he departed for New York. Was a mostly dependable presence who made the All-Star team both years he was the started for Boston (if only because they didn’t have a lot of All-Star worthy players in that stretch), and went 13-53-.282 in 104 games in 1994. Wikipedia says he became a youth baseball coach and part-owner of a baseball facility after he retired. Good for him.

13. Shea Hillenbrand (2001-02): Daniel Nava for a new generation. A really pleasant surprise when he started as a rookie, he sort of came out of nowhere and won the job with a strong camp in 2001. He finished with 30 homers combined in his first two seasons, and while he was an adventure defensively, he appeared to be a part of a team that was building toward greatness at the start of 2003. But Boston acquired Bill Mueller, and that was pretty much that — he was traded to Arizona for Byung-hyun Kim in early 2003. In all, he played two-plus years and had 33 homers, 170 RBI and a .284 batting average. Pretty good. (I fell down a Hillenbrand rabbit hole, and it’s easy to forget he had a really rocky ride after leaving the Sox, including one incident in Toronto where he angered the manager so much he threatened to punch Hillenbrand in the mouth.)

12. Tim Naehring (1995-97): A perfectly respectable ballplayer who saw time at multiple spots before becoming the everyday third baseman in 1995, he played good defense and hit consistently enough. He just couldn’t stay healthy at all; backs, knee, and shoulder issues really derailed what could have been a nice career. The one year he played more than 120 games was 1995, when he finished with 10 homers, 57 RBI and a .307 average. (He also went 4-for-13 with a homer in the ALDS loss to Cleveland.)

11. Carney Lansford (1981-82): A personal favorite because he wore glasses. (I also had glasses as a kid.) Would have been higher on this list if he had stayed in Boston longer, but among his two-year accomplishments was the 1981 AL batting title, a .338 average, and a sixth-place finish in AL MVP voting that season. Sent to Oakland in a package for Tony Armas after it was clear Boggs could hit big-league pitching.

10. Will Middlebrooks (2013-14): You guys probably all know Middlebrooks’ info — solid, workmanlike third baseman who wasn’t much of a hitter (.237 average and 43 homers in two-plus years in Boston), so I’m going to tell you a personal story:

Between the 2012 and 2013 baseball seasons, we went to a fundraiser in the Boston area at the house of a friend. There were people donating to youth sports programs, and one of them had gotten Middlebrooks to show up, do some glad-handing, sign baseballs, that sorta thing. The guy was as great a guy as you would have hoped. My seven-year-old son — some readers know him as The Kid — wore his Middlebrooks t-shirt, and he talked to him, took pictures, signed a baseball. Just fantastic. Flash forward a few months and we are at Fenway’s Winter Weekend. Middlebrooks is there, and in the middle of a clubhouse tour, he comes over and says hi to my son. “Hey buddy, I remember you.” Made his month.

Needless to say, we remain Middlebrooks fans’ to this day. And that’s why we have him in our Top 10.

9. John Valentin (1998-1999): Bumped over to third with the arrival of Nomar (which he was not a fan of, initially, if you recall), he was likely the best third Red Sox third baseman of the post-Boggs, pre-Mueller era. In the end, he was probably underrated statistically — he had a really impressive 1995-99, and led the league in doubles in 1997 (47) while hitting .306 with 18 homers. Fell off the face of the earth after that 1999 postseason, where he driven 12 runs in the ALDS against Cleveland, and hit .348 in the ALCS against the Yankees. But like Rico Petrocelli (twenty-plus years later), he’ll probably be remembered as a better shortstop than a third baseman.

8. Rico Petrocelli (1975): A shortstop by trade, he spent year at third at the end of his Boston career, a stopgap before Hobson was ready for the bigs. Great shortstop, OK third baseman for one of all-time favorite teams. Let the record show he hit .308 in the 1975 World Series.

7. Butch Hobson (1976-79): I grew up on the mid-70s Sox, so I have a soft spot for Hobson. Love the fact that he hit 30 homers out of the No. 9 hole for the 1977 Crunch Bunch, and added 28 homers in 1979. But he played third base like an SEC quarterback ... which is to say that everyone was thrilled when his completion percentage (to first) was better than 60 percent. If he was a better defensive third baseman (in 1978, he committed 43 errors and had a fielding percentage below .900), he’d be a little higher on this list.

6. Kevin Youkilis (2011-12): It felt like Youkilis was around for years, and while he was in Boston for an awful long time (2004-2011, with a brief return in 2012), in truth, he was the starting third baseman for the better part of two seasons. He only played 100 games at third more than once, 2011. That surprises me a bit.  Anyway, he was every bit the Billy Beane fever dream of an offensive player you recall — including a 2008-10 where he raked, finishing with an OPS of .958 or better in all three years and a third-place finish in the MVP voting (2008). But his totals dropped off a bit after he permanently inherited the third baseman’s job after Beltre left. That’s one of the reasons we have him a little lower than you might expect on this list.

5. Bill Mueller (2003-05): Another third baseman who won a batting title, he of course gets a free pass in Boston for the rest of his life because he singled off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. If he retired right after that, he’d still be able to walk into any bar in the 617 area code and have someone buy him a drink. I remember him homering off Mariano Rivera that July while I was driving down the Southeast Expressway on the way to Cape Cod and pounding on the steering wheel like a madman.

4. Mike Lowell (2006-09): One of the great complementary players of his era, Lowell was to that Red Sox team what Patrice Bergeron has been to the Bruins for the bulk of his career; not quite a superstar, but the sort of guy you need if you’re going to be a championship-driven squad. A pro’s pro. The throw-in in the Beckett-for-Hanley trade, he was the starting third baseman for four seasons, but in his five years in Boston, he was as steady as they come; 80 homers, 374 RBI, 290 BA, and a consistent glove. And who remembered that he was also fifth in the 2007 AL MVP voting. Injuries and Beltre’s presence cut into his playing time in 2010, and he ended up retiring at the end of the 2010 season.

3. Adrian Beltre (2010): Is this the single best one-and-done in Red Sox history? Beltre and Nick Esasky are on the short list. This was prime Beltre, a chapter in what became a Hall of Fame career: 154 games, 49 doubles, 28 homers, 102 RBI. He was an All-Star and was ninth in the MVP voting. (That 2010 team was a weird collection of stopover talent, including Beltre, Victor Martinez, and Mike Cameron.) In an alternate universe, Beltre stays in Boston instead of spending the final eight years in Texas, ends up hitting 600 career homers, and we’re talking about him as one of the best players in franchise history.

2. Rafael Devers (2017-present): The only reason why he’s ahead of Beltre is because there’s unlimited potential there, as opposed to the one year Beltre was in New England. When he barrels up, the sound of the ball coming off the bat is so pure. He hits the ball like it owes him money. He stings as consistently as anyone I can recall. The best possible comparison in my mind is Jim Thome, another lefty who seemingly never had a soft liner. Sure, there’s some recency bias here, but you look at his 2019-2021 — and the fact that he averaged 27 homers, 90 RBI, 36 doubles and 263 total bases those three years, to go along with an OPS of .916 in 2019 and .890 in 2021 — and you have to remind yourself that he did that before the age of 25. The mind reels at what he might be able to eventually accomplish.

1. Wade Boggs (1983-1992): Not a personal fan — anyone who went from Boston to New York the way that he did … eh. But you can’t discount the fact that he was one of the greatest hitters of his generation, and a guy who made himself into a very good defensive third baseman. In the end, he checked every box.

[dankusner]

Why don’t Rangers have a Pride Night?

They are only MLB team without such an event

All but one of the 30 of the Major League Baseball teams are hosting Pride Nights this season, most during Pride Month, which celebrates and supports LGBTQ culture and rights.

The Texas Rangers are the only team without a Pride Night.

They say they are committed to making everyone feel welcome at all games.

Have the Rangers ever hosted a Pride Night?

No.

In September 2003, two years after the Chicago Cubs hosted what is considered the first Pride game, the Rangers invited local LGBTQ groups to a game as part of a fundraising event, similar to what they do for all kinds of groups throughout each season.

There were some Rangers fans who expressed opposition through a website beforehand and, while not widespread, there were some protests outside the stadium before that game.

What do the Rangers say about not hosting a Pride Night?

The team has been consistent with its response when asked: “Our longstanding commitment remains the same: To make everyone feel welcome and included in Rangers baseball — in our ballpark, at every game, and in all we do — for both our fans and our employees. We deliver on that promise across our many programs to have a positive impact across our entire community.”

What role could Texas politics play in the decision?

Texas has been dominated by Republicans for a generation, and state lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott last year joined the push from many conservative states to limit LGBTQ rights.

The Legislature passed new laws expanding definitions of prohibited sexual content in public performances and in school books, and activists fear those measures will be used to target drag shows and ban LGBTQ literature from libraries and classrooms.

Texas became the most populous of what are now at least 25 states with laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

And Texas public universities have been directed to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion offices and training.

Abbott also signed into law the “Save Women’s Sports Act” that bars transgender college athletes from competing on teams that match their gender identity.

Texas already had a similar law for high schools.

Amid that conservative political landscape, there is less outside resistance in their home market to the Rangers not having a Pride Night.

Rangers majority owner Ray Davis has donated at least $560,000 to Texans for Greg Abbott since 2013, which classifies the former energy executive as a “mid-tier” donor, according to state campaign finance records.

Why do the Houston Astros have a Pride Night, but the Rangers do not?

The Astros hosted their first Pride Night in 2021. Houston, the state’s most-populated city with about 2.3 million people in a metro area of about 6.7 million, is one of the biggest strongholds for Democrats in Texas.

Another is Dallas, not far from the Rangers’ home ballpark.

A majority of the elected officials in Houston and Dallas are Democrats.

The Rangers’ ballpark in Arlington is just off Interstate 30, halfway between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas.

What do the Rangers do to support the LGBTQ community?

The Rangers were a sponsor of the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series in 2022 when the event took place in Dallas and Waxahachie.

The club participated in the opening ceremonies in Dallas and worked with the local organizers and NAGAAA officials on several initiatives for the event.

The team is working on initiatives with local groups, including the Pegasus Slow-Pitch Softball Association, which promotes quality amateur softball at all levels of play with a special emphasis on the participation of members of the LGBTQ community.

Pegasus has been invited by MLB and the Rangers to participate in a training program for inclusion on July 14 as part MLB’s All-Star Legacy Program initiatives. The Rangers are hosting the All-Star Game on July 16.

The Rangers have worked in the past with the Resource Center, which provides programs and assistance to LGBTQ communities and anyone impacted in North Dallas by HIV/AIDS through advocacy, health and education. Team employees volunteer and support Resource Center events.

An Inclusion and Community Impact Council was developed by the team to foster conversations, ideas and programs to support employees internally and the community externally.

Rangers employees participate in anti-harassment programs, and education programs offered by MLB.

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation focuses on anti-bullying messaging at the club's youth academy, and the staff works with outside agencies to ensure a welcoming environment for all athletes.

[heavenboy09]

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To You

The Cute Little Blonde Haired American Child Star Actress 👩🏼 Of The 90's & Early 2000's Of The Biggest Movies 🎥 In Her Acting Career/ Now All Grown Up

Born On February 23rd,  1994

Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia. She attended a Montessori School in Covington. Her mother, Heather Joy (née Arrington), played tennis professionally, and her father, Steven J. Fanning, played minor league baseball and later worked as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles, California. Fanning is the elder sister of actress Elle Fanning When Fanning was a small child, she was an actress at the Towne Lake Arts Center in Woodstock, Georgia, starring in small plays. In 1999, at the age of five, she began her professional acting career, appearing in a Tide television commercial. Her first significant acting job was a guest role in the NBC prime-time drama ER, which remains one of her favorite roles.

She is an American actress. She rose to prominence at the age of seven for her performance as Lucy Dawson in the drama film I Am Sam (2001), for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination at the age of eight, making her the youngest nominee in SAG history. Fanning played major roles as a child actress in the films Uptown Girls (2003), The Cat in the Hat (2003), Man on Fire (2004), War of the Worlds (2005), Dreamer (2005), Hide and Seek (2005), Charlotte's Web (2006), Push (2009), and the title character in Coraline (2009).

Fanning also played more mature roles, including Lewellen in Hounddog (2007), Lily in The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Cherie Currie in The Runaways (2010) and Jane in The Twilight Saga (2009–2012). Throughout the 2010s, she continued appearing in independent productions such as the dramas Now Is Good (2012) and Night Moves (2013), the comedy-drama Very Good Girls (2013), and the biographical film Effie Gray (2014). In 2018, she appeared in the heist comedy Ocean's 8 and had a starring role in the period drama series The Alienist. She has since portrayed Manson girl Squeaky Fromme in the Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Susan Ford in the drama series The First Lady (2022), and CIA agent Emma Collins in The Equalizer 3 (2023).

Please Wish This Little Radiant & Marvelous Blonde Haired 👩🏼Child Star Actress Of The 90's & Early 2000's/ Now All Grown Up. A Very Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊

YOU'VE KNOWN HER SINCE CHILDHOOD STARDOM

YOU SEEN HER GROWN UP INTO A BEAUTIFUL & REMARKABLE YOUNG WOMAN

& WE STILL LOVE HER 💘 ALL THE SAME

THE 1 & THE ONLY

MS. HANNAH DAKOTA FANNING 👩🏼❤

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU MS FANNING 👩🏼& HERE'S TO MANY MORE YEARS TO COME

#DakotaFanning

[sportyconnect]

When it comes to basketball, few names are as synonymous with greatness as Michael Jordan. His impact on the sport is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to influence players today. But just how many years did Jordan grace the NBA with his presence? Let's dive into the illustrious career of this basketball legend. The Early Years Michael Jordan began his NBA career in 1984, after being selected by the Chicago Bulls as the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year award. "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan From the outset, Jordan's height, athleticism, and competitive spirit set him apart. His ability to score, defend, and lead his team was evident from his first season in the league. The Championship Years Jordan's first NBA Championship came in the 1990-1991 season. This marked the beginning of a dominant run for the Bulls, who won three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993. Jordan was the driving force behind these victories, earning the NBA Finals MVP award each year. After a brief retirement and stint in minor league baseball, a story you can read more about here, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995. He led the Bulls to another three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998, again earning the NBA Finals MVP award each year. The Final Years Jordan retired for the second time after the 1998 season, but he couldn't stay away from the game for long. He returned to the NBA in 2001 as a player for the Washington Wizards, where he played for two seasons before retiring for good in 2003. The Legacy In total, Michael Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA, with 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and 2 seasons with the Washington Wizards. His career was marked by 6 NBA Championships, 5 MVP awards, 14 All-Star appearances, and countless other accolades. Jordan's impact on the game of basketball extends far beyond his time on the court. His shoe line with Nike revolutionized the sneaker industry, and he is currently the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, continuing to influence the NBA from the sidelines. The Influence of Michael Jordan Michael Jordan's influence on the game of basketball is immeasurable. His style of play, his competitiveness, and his will to win set a new standard for what it meant to be an NBA player. He was not just a player; he was a phenomenon that transcended the sport. Jordan's influence can be seen in today's players. Many of the game's biggest stars, like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, have spoken about how Jordan inspired them. His competitive spirit, his dedication to the game, and his relentless pursuit of excellence are qualities that every player strives to emulate. "I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results." - Michael Jordan The Impact of Michael Jordan Beyond his influence on individual players, Jordan's impact on the NBA as a whole cannot be overstated. He was instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world. His exciting style of play and charismatic personality made him a global icon, and he brought the NBA to an international audience. Jordan's impact was also felt off the court. His partnership with Nike led to the creation of the Air Jordan brand, which revolutionized the sneaker industry. Even today, Air Jordans remain some of the most popular and sought-after sneakers in the world. You can read more about the impact of Jordan's shoe line here. The Legacy of Michael Jordan Michael Jordan's legacy is one of excellence, competitiveness, and influence. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his impact on the game is still felt today.

Whether it's through the players he inspired, the global popularity of the NBA, or the success of the Air Jordan brand, Jordan's influence is undeniable. The Enduring Influence of Michael Jordan Michael Jordan's influence continues to reverberate throughout the NBA and the world of sports. His name is synonymous with greatness, and his legacy is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Today, many young players entering the NBA still look up to Jordan. They study his games, emulate his moves, and aspire to achieve the level of success he enjoyed during his career. His influence extends beyond the basketball court, inspiring athletes in various sports to strive for greatness. "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." - Michael Jordan The Legacy of Air Jordan The Air Jordan brand, a result of Jordan's partnership with Nike, continues to be a major force in the sneaker industry. The brand has transcended the world of sports to become a cultural icon, influencing fashion trends and becoming a symbol of status and style. The enduring popularity of Air Jordan sneakers is a testament to Jordan's lasting impact. You can read more about the impact of Jordan's shoe line here. The Future of Basketball and Michael Jordan's Influence As we look to the future of basketball, it's clear that Michael Jordan's influence will continue to be felt. The next generation of players will continue to look up to him, study his game, and aspire to achieve the level of success he enjoyed. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence, shaping the future of the sport he loved. In conclusion, Michael Jordan's 15-year NBA career left an indelible mark on the sport of basketball. His influence extends far beyond his time on the court, shaping the game as we know it today and inspiring generations of players to come. His legacy is a testament to his talent, his work ethic, and his unwavering desire to win. For more insights into the world of basketball and other sports, check out our SportyConnect website, your go-to resource for the latest and most accurate news for any sports organization. #SportyConnect

[drogba-prospect]

Alex Rodriguez - Wikipedia

Greetings Nasser Al-Khelaifi,

Rodriguez began his professional baseball career as one of the sport's most highly touted prospects, and is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.[3][4][5] With a career .295 batting average, Rodriguez amassed over 600 home runs (696), over 2,000 runs batted in (RBI), over 2,000 runs scored, over 3,000 hits, and over 300 stolen bases, the only player in MLB history to achieve all of those feats. He was also a 14-time All-Star, winning three American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, 10 Silver Slugger Awards, and two Gold Glove Awards. Rodríguez is also the career record holder for grand slams with 25. He signed two of the most lucrative contracts in baseball. He also admitted using banned performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003 and was consequently suspended for the entire 2014 season.[6][7]

Rodriguez reportedly received HGH from Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables, Florida run by Bosch.[222]

I watch this Career my entire life. MLB knows who I am.

Regards,

Adrian Blake-Trotman

[betweenthebasepaths]

The Peaks and Valleys of Byung-Hyun Kim

Baseball, more than any other sport, is a game of ups and downs, hot streaks and slumps, dynasties and droughts. In this regard, few players have experienced a more turbulent career than Byung-Hyun Kim. It wasn’t so much that he had a career of ups and downs; that’s normal for ball players. The sad distinction that separates Byung-Hyun Kim’s career from the “norm” was how dramatic (and public) the lows were.

​It was all highs at first. After Chan Ho Park broke the barrier as the first Korean transplant in the majors, Kim followed shortly after. He was signed by the Diamondbacks in 1999. He spent just two months in the minors, achieving an impressive 74 strikes, 2.19 ERA and 0.994 WHIP in 53 innings. When he was called up, he was the youngest MLB player at the time at 20 years old.

Not long after his entry into the MLB did the first valley appear. On June 9, 1999, he was ejected from a game against the Cubs after a bandage fell out of his jersey containing heat balm in the wrap. The pitcher claimed it was leftover from when he pitched in Korea. The poor excuse didn’t help his case. He ended his rookie year with a just-okay 4.61 ERA over 27.1 innings pitched.

Byung-Hyun Kim’s first full season with the Diamondbacks showed real promise. His 14.1 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched showed an adept aptitude for getting hitters to swing and miss. To put it in perspective, the highest K/9 rate in the 2022 season was 11.983. Kim was back on the mountain.

The following year, Byung-Hyun Kim and the Diamondbacks found themselves in the World Series against the New York Yankees. Just by being there, Kim made history as the first Asian-born player to reach the Fall Classic. Sadly, that was a rare bright spot during what should have been a momentous occasion when the D-Backs routed the Yankees in Game 7.

The problem was there never should have been a Game 7. Kim was called upon in Game 4, with his team ahead 3-1 (and leading the series two games to one). After striking out the side in the 8th inning, he quickly lost momentum in the 9th. Paul O’Neil reached on a bloop single and Tino Martinez homered to tie the game.

Kim got out of the inning with a tied score but returned in the 10th inning — an odd managerial decision and worth some of the blame. After retiring Alfonso Soriano and Scott Brosius, the Yankees hit a walk-off home run off the bat of captain Derek Jeter. It was this moment that solidified the Bronx shortstop as Mr. November.

Now, one blown save isn’t enough to qualify as a calamity. In Byung-Hyun Kim’s unfortunate circumstances, he repeated the feat the very next night. Again, the Diamondbacks brought him into a save opportunity in a two-run ballgame. And, again, Kim bungled the task. In two nights, the series shifted from a 2-1 Arizona lead to 2-3, in favor of the Yankees.

Luckily, the Diamondbacks won the final two games and took the Commissioner's Trophy to the desert for the first time in history. Had they not, who knows what epidemic levels of grief and torment young Byung-Hyun Kim would have endured. It was one of the deepest valleys of his career.

Despite the lackluster finish to the year, Byung-Hyun Kim came back in 2002 in grand proportions. He set multiple career highs, pitched MLB’s 49th immaculate inning, and was named to the National League All-Star team (along with five other Diamondbacks teammates). These high points weren’t enough to keep Kim in Arizona. With a new late-reliever in the mix, Arizona no longer needed the Korean star and traded him to the Boston Red Sox.

Kim continued impressive outings in Boston. In his first year with the club, he had a 3.18 ERA and converted 16 out of 19 save opportunities. The 2003 Red Sox managed a post-season berth and Byung-Hyun Kim was in a familiar (and uncomfortable) position.

He pitched just once in the 2003 playoffs, during Game 1 of the ALDS, recording two outs before getting pulled with runners on base. Again, it was an odd managerial decision — pulling your closer with one out to go. Derek Lowe, the replacement, let up a hit and the ballgame was over. Fans ignored the odd choice by Grady Little to pull a closer with one out and further ignored Lowe’s pitching to give up the game-winning hit. Instead, all the blame fell on Kim for putting the runners on the bases.

The fans taunted and booed the next time Kim walked onto the field at Fenway. In response, the frustrated pitcher showed his home crowd the middle finger. It’s uncertain if this was malicious or a moment of lost in translation. He didn’t appear angry or aggressive; he didn’t look like a player lashing out at the fanbase.

It appeared more like the middle finger you give a friend when they rib you too hard with a joke, as if to say, 'Yeah, yeah, f**k you too.'

Of course, no one saw it that way —not in Boston and not after Kim was already on the bad side of the fans. The pitcher later apologized, stating it was essentially a knee-jerk reaction. The damage was already done. When the Red Sox moved on to the 2003 ALCS, Kim was left off the roster and his season was over.

For Boston, the 2003 ALCS became another chapter in a history of catastrophic postseason losses when Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees hit a walk-off home run against Tim Wakefield. In a series where late-game pitching was crucial, Byung-Hyun Kim may have been a difference-maker.

The finger outburst from the young pitcher was enough to permanently sour the relationship with the Red Sox. His own team labeled his contract a “mistake," trading him after 2004. (He was again left off the postseason roster, thereby missing Boston’s historic World Series championship that year).

After leaving Boston, the rollercoaster ride of Byung-Hyun Kim’s MLB career slowly came click-clattering to a halt. He spent two unsuccessful years in Colorado, bouncing to Florida and then back to Arizona.

His last noteworthy mention in the big leagues was serving up home run number 715 to Barry Bonds, giving the slugger the all-time career record over Babe Ruth. Not exactly the swan song a pitcher wants.

Despite a career with more downs than ups, Byung-Hyun Kim is a character in many important baseball stories. He won a championship. He was a pioneer for Korean ballplayers. He gave 38,000 Bostonians the middle finger and lived to tell the tale.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events after 1900 7.6

1917 – World War I: Arabian troops led by T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") and Auda ibu Tayi capture Aqaba from the Ottoman Empire during the Arab Revolt. 1919 – The British dirigible R34 lands in New York, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an airship. 1933 – The first Major League Baseball All-Star Game is played in Chicago's Comiskey Park. The American League defeated the National League 4–2. 1936 – A major breach of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal in England sends millions of gallons of water cascading 200 feet (61 m) into the River Irwell. 1937 – Spanish Civil War: Battle of Brunete: The battle begins with Spanish Republican troops going on the offensive against the Nationalists to relieve pressure on Madrid. 1940 – Story Bridge, a major landmark in Brisbane, as well as Australia's longest cantilever bridge is formally opened. 1941 – World War II: The German army launches its offensive to encircle several Soviet armies near Smolensk. 1942 – Anne Frank and her family go into hiding in the "Secret Annexe" above her father's office in an Amsterdam warehouse. 1944 – Jackie Robinson refuses to move to the back of a bus, leading to a court-martial. 1944 – The Hartford circus fire, one of America's worst fire disasters, kills approximately 168 people and injures over 700 in Hartford, Connecticut. 1947 – Referendum held in Sylhet to decide its fate in the Partition of India. 1947 – The AK-47 goes into production in the Soviet Union. 1957 – Althea Gibson wins the Wimbledon championships, becoming the first black athlete to do so. 1957 – John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet for the first time, as teenagers at Woolton Fete, three years before forming the Beatles. 1962 – As a part of Operation Plowshare, the Sedan nuclear test takes place. 1962 – The Late Late Show, the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster, airs on RTÉ One for the first time. 1964 – Malawi declares its independence from the United Kingdom. 1966 – Malawi becomes a republic, with Hastings Banda as its first President. 1975 – The Comoros declares independence from France. 1982 – While attempting to return to Sheremetyevo International Airport, an Ilyushin Il-62 operating as Aeroflot Flight 411 crashes near Mendeleyevo, Moscow Oblast, killing all 90 people on board. 1988 – The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil workers are killed, making it the world's worst offshore oil disaster in terms of direct loss of life. 1989 – The Tel Aviv–Jerusalem bus 405 suicide attack: Sixteen bus passengers are killed when a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad took control of the bus and drove it over a cliff. 1996 – A McDonnell Douglas MD-88 operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 1288 experiences a turbine engine failure during takeoff from Pensacola International Airport, killing two and injuring five of the 147 people on board. 1997 – The Troubles: In response to the Drumcree dispute, five days of mass protests, riots and gun battles begin in Irish nationalist districts of Northern Ireland. 1998 – Hong Kong International Airport opens in Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong, replacing Kai Tak Airport as the city's international airport. 2003 – The 70-metre Yevpatoria Planetary Radar sends a METI message (Cosmic Call 2) to five stars: Hip 4872, HD 245409, 55 Cancri (HD 75732), HD 10307 and 47 Ursae Majoris (HD 95128). The messages will arrive to these stars in 2036, 2040, 2044, and 2049, respectively. 2006 – The Nathu La pass between India and China, sealed during the Sino-Indian War, re-opens for trade after 44 years. 2013 – At least 42 people are killed in a shooting at a school in Yobe State, Nigeria. 2013 – A Boeing 777 operating as Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashes at San Francisco International Airport, killing three and injuring 181 of the 307 people on board. 2022 – The Georgia Guidestones, a monument in the United States, are heavily damaged in a bombing, and are dismantled later the same day.