Power, Speed, Beauty

Valentine’s Day 1945, France, culled from 35 Interesting Historical Photos You Wouldn’t Find In History Textbooks by Gabija Saveiskyte at msm.com:

With an entire winter ahead, I try to bolster my spirits be reminding myself that there will be more daylight each day from now until late June.

RIP MLB’s Man of Steal Rickey Henderson, 65, taken after a bout with pneumonia. Although his behavior often was maddening to management and fans, as he seemed indifferent and aloof, his accomplishments are staggering. Born in Chicago in the back seat of an Oldsmobile, he lived in Arkansas until he was seven when the family migrated to Oakland. In high school he was a three-sport star, playing basketball and football as well, an All-American in the latter. He turned down numerous scholarships to concentrate on baseball. He was drafted by the A’s in 1976 and got the call to the big leagues in June ’79. He played 24 seasons for nine teams, four separate tenures with Oakland, combining speed and power. He was the leadoff man for the World Champion A’s in ’89 and the Blue Jays in ’93. Here are other career highlights: 10-time All-Star, AL MVP (1990), ALCS MVP (1989), Gold Glove Award, three-time Silver Slugger Award, twelve-time AL stolen base leader, all-time single season record for steals (130), all-time leader in stolen bases (1406) and runs scored (2295), led the league in runs five times, Athletics #24 retired, Athletics Hall of Fame, MLB Hall of Fame. He was the most intelligent offensive players I ever saw, understanding the role of the lead-off man, drawing many walks. His last big-league game was in 2003, but he hung on, playing minor league ball, hoping for elevation to MLB. Overall, he hit .279, had 3055 hits, 297 homers and 1115 RBIs. After finally retiring, he did a bit of coaching. In 1983 he married his high school sweetheart. He was a father of three. The GOAT of lead-off men. Awesome, Sir. Photo from Google Images:

Headline from nypost.com: “Congress passes pared-down funding bill after Trump objected to initial bloated spending package.” Is there such a thing as a partial victory? Maybe reform is possible. Why would any Republican want the grief of being House Speaker?

Excerpt from an NYP editorial: “Despite Norway’s abundant hydrocarbons and enough hydropower for 95% of domestic use…, energy prices there rocketed last week. Why? Spiking demand from elsewhere in Europe and its agreement to share its electricity. The continent had faced a dunkelflaute (no sun or wind), so its dependence on renewable power meant higher prices.” It would be laughable if it weren’t serious… And in an encouraging development, as much as I hate to praise this company: “Wells Fargo to Ditch Climate Coalition.”

Headline from foxnews.com: “DC violent crime dips 35% in 2024, reaches 30-year low: US Attorney.” Kudos. Other Dem-run cities should study how it was done. I hope it wasn’t accomplished by simply making fewer arrests.

Hot damn — a Hall of Fame beauty — Kim K. Photo from GI:

Cold and windy, no book shop on this first day of winter.

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