R.I.P Pele

 Pele is a soccer/football legend. Perhaps the best player to ever play the game. He won the 1958 World Cup with Brazil and was named the tournament's second-best player not bad for a 17-year-old.  Brazil won again in 1962 but Pele was injured in the second game. Pele and Brazil would win the World Cup in 1970 and Pele was named the top player. 

Below is a compilation of Pele's World Cup highlights...

Pele will be missed by soccer/football fans across the world, he will be missed by Brazil, and of course his family and friends.

Battle of the Bands: Don't Fear the Reaper

 I'm surprised I haven't chosen this song before. Honestly it is probably better known more for cowbells than covers. Below is the Blue Oyster Cult classic "Don't Fear the Reaper."

I found my inspiration for my contenders in the movies.

Contender One Gus (Gus Black)

Contender Two: Keep Shelly in Athens

Let me know who you like in the comments!

Battle of the Bands: Summer Night City

 It is Summertime and haven't spent much time blogging. However, here I am with another Battle of the Bands. 

Let's try to continue those summer vibes with ABBA...

The Song "Summer Night City"

Let's get weird with contender one

Therion

Contender Two:

Swedish Hitz Goes Metal

This Summer Bang Your Head to ABBA! Tell me who you liked the best in the comments!

Battle of the Bands: Summer Wind

 From Gypsy Jazz to jazz standards as May has faded into June. The song Summer Wind was penned by Heinz Meier and Hans Bradtke. The lyrics were German, so Johnny Mercer added English lyrics and Wayne Newton recorded the first English version.

Let's make this fun with the contenders!

Contender One: Frank Sinatra

Contender Two: Willie Nelson

So Frank versus Willie, tell me who you like!

Battle of the Bands Results: Swingtime in Springtime Reve Bohme wins

 Last month the musical genre was Gypsy Guitar Jazz. Reve Bohme won 4 to 1, the Danish Gypsy Jazz Quartet can proudly display their victory. The win and 100 bucks might be able to fill their tour bus with a tank of gas. 

Here they perform "Swing Gitane."

Will let me come up with a new Battle.

Battle of the Bands: Swingtime in Springtime

 It seems like a long time since the last Battle of the Bands. A good time to switch gears.  So first the original Django Reinhardt....

                                            

Below are the two competitors....

                                             Paul Mehling/Nate Ketner Quintet 

Reve Boheme

Next you let me know which ones you like best in the comments, I count them up and announce a winner usually in about a week or so. Okay at least before June.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: Z is for Ryan Zimmerman

 Ryan Zimmerman recently from baseball and the Washington Nationals. Fitting to end the A to Z challenge with him. He was a World Series Champion, a two-time all-star,  who enjoyed a 16 year career.

A tribute to him:

I hope you enjoyed this years challenge, stay tuned for normal blogging returning tomorrow!

Blogging from A to Z April Challange 2022: Y is for Cy Young

 They award the best pitchers in the American League and National League the Cy Young Award. However, how great was Cy Young? Cy Young holds the records for 511 wins and 749 complete games which are both records which will probably never be broken.

                                                Opening of Baseball's Hall of Fame

More on Cy Young

Cy Young a legend from baseball's early days and much more than an award.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: X is for Xavi

 Xavi is perhaps the greatest midfielder to kick a soccer ball. He was on the 2010 World Cup winning team representing Spain. 

Xavi scored 82 goals and enjoyed a long playing career. 

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: W is for Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky is considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. During this A to Z Challenge I have highlighted a few potential GOATs in their respective sport. You might be pretty good if you are nicked named "the great one." Winning four Stanley Cups (NHL Championships) and nine Hart Trophies (MVP Awards) might back that up. Of course he is in the Hall of Fame.

Is there anyone currently who could challenge Gretzky as the great one?

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: Lindsey Vonn

 Last week of the challenge and I am bringing up a different sport Woman's Alpine Skiing. Of course that means a new athlete in Lindsey Vonn. She won four overall Woman's World Cup Champion. The first USA woman's skier to win a Gold Medal in the Olympics. Winning 82 World Cup races she is the greatest female ski racer from the USA and one of the greatest in the world.

Her Olympic Medal runs...

A tribute to her...

4 more days left in the challenge!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: U is Jose Uribe

 Jose Uribe played in the Major Leagues for 10 seasons, mostly for the San Fransisco Giants. The shortstop. His life ended in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic when he was 47. Not the biggest stat, but he had a long career. Who are some of your favorite players who might not have been stars?

I will be back tomorrow with a new post.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: T is for Tim Tebow

 Today's athlete has played two professional sports. Tim Tebow best known for his college glory days of winning two National Championships and a Heisman Trophy Championship.

He played in the NFL most notably with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets.

In 2013 he failed to catch on with the New England Patriots and in 2015 he failed to catch on the Philadelphia Eagles.

In 2016-2019 Tebow pursued a baseball career in the New York Mets farm system. In 2020 he failed to make the Mets in Spring training.

He tried a football comeback as a tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season but was cut before the regular season.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: S is for Sammy Sosa

 During his career Sammy Sosa hit 609 home runs, was an MVP and a 7-time All Star. He was a baseball player and the athlete for S. Sammy played in the steroid, performance enhanced drug era. However, his longball hitting did pique an interest in the sport.

His career will probably have an asterisk beside it forever. Does he deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Or just a player with great stats, questionable playing ethics, a career gone by?

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: R is for Ronaldo

 Cristiano Ronaldo is considered to be one of the top players, if not the best player in soccer.  He has scored 800 goals in 1100 games in typically low scoring sport. He has enjoyed hoisting 32 trophies in his career,

Above a list of his top 10 goals. Below more...

Is Ronoldo the best? Is his rival Mesi better? Where would you rank him all-time?

             

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: Q is for Quick, Mike Quick

 Today we are going back to the gridiron with the letter Q. Today's athlete is the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick. Quick led the NFL in receiving yards in 1983. He was a five-time Pro Bowler in his nine-year NFL career. He is also inducted in the Eagles Hall of Fame.

We keep rolling on with the challenge I will have a new post tomorrow!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: P is for Pete Rose

 Pete Rose was a 17-time all-star, a three-time World Series Champion, MVP and rookie of the year. Known as Charlie Hustle as a kid I thought he played the game the right way. He is the all-time hit leader.

He would be in the Hall of Fame except for a gambling controversy. Should he be forgiven? Was his punishment too severe? 

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: O is for Olaf Kolzig

 Moving right along with the A to Z Challenge today we are changing to yet another sport hockey. Today's letter is O and Olaf Kolzig, who was also known as Olie the Goalie is the athlete of the day.

He was a two-time all-star and was award the Vezina Trophy for best Goaltender in 2000. He holds many Washington Capital records including wins with 301. 

A fan made tribute from youtube...

Here he celebrates #300

Stayed tune as the challenge rolls on tomorrow!

Battle of the Bands Result: Black Dog tie

 In a battle over the Led Zeppelin song Black Dogs my readers voted three to three in this Heart to Hart decision. Will I do an overtime battle on May 1st or will a go in a different direction? Honestly, I don't know. 

The fair thing to do is to celebrate both Beth Hart and Heart.

                                             "Bad Woman Blues" from Beth Hart

Heart "Barracuda"

Tune in on May 1st for another Battle of the Bands.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: N is for Nancy Lopez

 Keeping on woman athletes and moving from soccer to golf. Today's athlete is Nancy Lopez. She is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and won 48 LPGA events during her career. 

She had a great career and is one of the greatest woman golfers.

We will be back to the challenge on Monday!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: M is for Mia Hamm

 Switching sports to soccer or the other football. Let's switch gears even further by choosing our first female athlete. Mia Hamm perhaps the greatest woman's soccer player of all time. She won four NCAA Championships at North Carolina. She was on World Cup Champion teams in 1991 and 1999. In 1995 Team USA finished in third place and also in 2003. 

                                            Here is a commercial with Michael Jordan...

Besides the World Cup she was on tow Gold Medal Olympic Teams 1996 and 2004. In 2000 she was on a Silver Medal Team. She also won a championship in a professional league.

Her top 10 goals...

Is there a better female soccer player than Mia Hamm? Stay tuned for a new athlete or team for N.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: L is for Lebron James

 My A to Z Challenge of athletes and teams has fallen into a streak of basketball. L is for Lebron James who some think is a serious challenge for Michael Jordan's supposed GOAT status. 

                                             Lebron's Top 35 plays

King James has been named the NBA MVP four times and has been an All-Star 18 times. He has earned four Championship Rings. Is Lebron James better than Michael Jordan? If Jordan or James are not the best players of all time who is?

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: K is for Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

Earlier this month I wrote about the Kansas Jayhawks wining the NCAA Men's Basketball here. However that was not their first championship.

They won their first championship in 1952 highlights...

1988

2008

Thought it would be fun to use Kansas as the first team and look back at the Champions other three titles.

R.I.P Gilbert Gottfried

 

Opening my post about Gilbert Gottfried with a vintage appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show from 1992. 

Below a clip from Saturday Night Life circa 1981

Like any comedian, actor or entertainer he wasn't for everyone. Appearing in many TV shows, movies and a stand-up comedy career one could not say he did not have a successful career. He will be missed by his family, friends and fans.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: J is for Jordan

 Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was on an NCAA National Championship team with the North Carolina Tar Heels.

                                            College Highlights

In the NBA he won six NBA titles. he was a 14 time All Star, the league's MVP five times, and needless to say had a Hall of Fame Career.

Some NBA highlights

Michael Jordan my athlete for the letter J.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: I is for Iverson, Allen Iverson

 Allen Iverson left the Georgetown Hoyas after his sophomore season. That season he was named an All American. In the NBA he was named Rookie of the Year, he was an 11 time All Star and the league MVP in 2001. After his career he ended up in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

                                            Here is someone's list of his top 10 plays

Allen Iverson is the Athlete for the letter I. Tomorrow the letter is J so stay tuned.

R.I.P. Dwayne Haskins

 Former Ohio State standout and NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins reportedly has died from being hit by a car. The 24 year old was on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster and had played for the Washington Redskins. 

Some of his college highlights....

Highlights from his rookie season...

It is a shame when any young person dies. He will be missed by fans, friends and family.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2022: H is for Hank Aaron

 April air, the green of Spring luring me back to baseball as I continue through the A to Z Challenge. Today's letter is H and I return to baseball, and the Atlanta Braves with Hank Aaron. H is for Hank and for home runs which he hit a ton. Many years the slugger held the all time home run record until he was passed in 2007 by Barry Bonds. He was a great player being a 25 time all star, and his records for runs batted in, extra base hits and total bases still stand!

                                             Historic home run 715

Highlights

Tha A to Z Challenge continues on Monday!

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2022: G is for Garcia, Sergio Garcia

 G is for Garcia and golf. As I am going through the 26 days of the A to Z with athletes, teams, sport theme going on I am trying to hit several sports. So far boxing, tennis, baseball, football and now golf.

Sergio won the 2017 Masters and 11 PGA Tournaments. In Europe the Spaniard has won 16 European tours. 

                                              Highlights in Dubai in 2021

His final round of the 2017 Masters

Stayed tune for tomorrow's H post.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2022: F is for Fred Taylor

 Fred Taylor was a Gator great at the University of Florida. The running back was part of a National Championship winning team and ended up being named to the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.

                                                          His Gators highlights

In the NFL he finished his career as the 17th leading rusher in NFL history. He is a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars Pride. He holds multiple franchise records.

His NFL highlights...

Fred Taylor the athlete for F, as in football.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2022: E is for Elway, John Elway

 In the 80's and 90's John Elway was a star quarterback in the NFL. Leading the Denver Broncos to five Super Bowls. He won two.

                                             Some of his highlights....

He was considered among the best quarterbacks! He played football and that lends well to the letter F which is next!

Congratulations Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Men's Basketball Champions

 The Kansas Jayhawks won the 2022 NCAA Men's Championship storming back from a big half time deficit. A fitting conclusion to a classic March Madness Tournament. The championship game pitted two Blue Blood programs with North Carolina and Kansas. The Tar Heels went to the championship game led by a first-year coach in Hubert Davis.

                                             Highlights from the title game...

The tournament had a 15th seed march to the Final 8 with the Saint Peter's Peacocks. Kansas bested Villanova to reach the title game, while UNC topped their archrivals Duke in Coach Krzyzewski's final game. Seven months until the next season starts.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2022: D is for Dale Murphy

 I grew up in the era of superstations, WGN in Chicago broadcasting Cubs games to the masses and WTBS broadcasting Braves games across the nation. I have found members of watching many of games on television at my Granddad. Like many people who followed the Atlanta Braves Dale Murphy became my favorite baseball player.  

                                          Below Dale Murphy hits his 300th homerun

Dale Murphy was a two-time National League MVP and a seven-time all-star. His number three retired by the Atlanta Braves. He may not have had a Hall of Fame career, but he did have a great career.

Here he hits a homer off Rick Sutcliffe

Who was your favorite baseball player when you were growing up? Who is your favorite player now? Who is your favorite player of all time?

Come back Wednesday to see who I come up with for E!

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2022: C is for Cal Ripken Jr

 Cal Ripken Jr known as baseball's Iron Man for breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record and also set the league's record for most consecutive innings played. He won awards from the get-go Rookie of the Year, World Series Champion, Two-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, and capped off with an induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

                                               Setting the record...

His final home run

Thanks for visiting and tomorrow I will have a new post for D.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: B is for Bjorn Borg

 Bjorn Borg was a tennis great from the 70's and 80's who won six French Open Titles and five Wimbledon Titles. Interestingly he never won a U.S. Open Title. 

                                             Highlights from a 1978 US Open

The 1980 tie break with John McEnroe

His rivalry was intense with John, and McEnroe tried to talk Borg out of retiring at the age of 26. Borg would make an unsuccessful come back in the 90s.

 The challenge has started and so far we have a boxer and a tennis player as we explore the real Wide World of Sports!

Battle of the Bands: Black Dog Hart Vs Heart

 The winner of my last Battle of the Bands was Pomplamoose beating Weezer 4 to 1. Pomplamoose does mostly covers so no celebratory post this time around. Anyway this time around I am getting the Led out with Led Zeppelin's Black Dog.

Contender One: Beth Hart

Contender Two: Heart

Tell me which version you liked the best in the comments Beth Hart or Heart. I count the votes and in about a week or so I announce the winner in a new post. Hope you enjoyed the battle.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022: A is for Muhammad Ali

 Muhammad Ali was perhaps the first athlete I remember. Muhammad Ali is considered to be the greatest boxer of all time. He had a career record of 56-5 with 37 knock outs. 

Here is his second fight with Leon Spinks, where he won the Heavyweight title for the third time.

Keeping it short and sweet on my first A to Z post this year. Are you a boxing fan? What was your favorite Muhammad Ali fight? Thanks for visiting and I will be back tomorrow with another A to Z post.

Blogging from A-To-Z Challenge: Theme

 Last year my theme was reptiles, this year my theme will be athletes and teams. It isn't that much of a stretch for me as I tend to blog about an athlete or team from time to time. I missed the official theme reveal as April kind of snuck up on me.

Are you doing the A to Z Challenge? If so what is your theme?

Well tomorrow is Day 1

Happy Birthday Eric Clapton

 Today Eric Clapton turns 77 today.  In celebration we are just going to stick with music.

                                              "Louise" with the Yardbirds live in 1964

Cream "White Room" live in 1968

Blind Faith "Can't Find My Way Home" live 1969

Derek and the Dominos "Got to Get Better in a Little While"

Eric Clapton "Pretending"

I think this was a career spanning celebration of Slowhand on his birthday. 

Monday's Music Moves Me: A Celebration of The Foo Fighters

 My last post was announcing the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Today's theme is your choice, and mine is to continue celebrating the Foo Fighters.

                                                 "Best of You"

"Everlong"

"All My Life"

"My Hero"

Hope you enjoyed the songs and see you soon!

R.I.P Taylor Hawkins

 The drummer of the Foo Fighters has passed away at the age of 50. Confirmed by the band and numerous media reports. Cause of death hasn't been revealed. 

In this clip the Foo Fighters are joined by John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Dave Grohl plays drum and Taylor gets to front the band on "Rock and Roll."

Here Taylor does a drum solo...

The Foo Fighters "The Pretender"

The news was shocking. I had fallen asleep earlier and woke up to the sad news. The drummer will be missed by fans, friends, his band and family may he rest in peace.

Battle of the Bands: Mr Blue Sky

 Spring begins later this month. That reason helped me with picking ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky" as the song for this month's Battle of the Bands.

Above is the original for reference. The battle works by me selecting two (sometimes more) covers. You my readers tell me which one you liked the best (or hated least) in the comments. Then I count the votes and post a winner in a week or so. (Sometimes I take my sweet time on that post.)  

Contender One: Pomplamoose

 

                                                       Contender Two: Weezer

                                                                           

There you have it! Let me know which cover you like best. Thanks for visiting may your day be filled with Blue Skies!

                                                                              

Congratulations to the The Los Angeles Rams

 The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinatti Bengals 23-20 on Sunday to become the Super Bowl Champions.  This year the Super Bowl delivered a close, entertaining game. The game was packed with potential story lines no matter which team one.

The way the game came out the hometown team won the Super Bowl once again this year. Last year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in Tampa, this year the Rams won in Los Angeles. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finally won a Super Bowl in his twelfth year in the NFL. The Rams won their first Super Bowl as a team in Los Angeles. It was also the organizations first Super Bowl Championship since 2000 when they were the St Louis Rams. 

Highlights from the Big Game...

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams!

Battle of the Bands: A hobby pilot wins Treetop Flyer Battle

 In my first Battle of the Bands for 2022 Jimmy Buffett defeated David Jacob-Strains 4 votes to 2.  

Jimmy Buffett is also a pilot so I thought I would share a clip of him flying...

"Jamaica Mistaica"  a song about a flying adventure...

Well I am going to fly away until the next Battle of the Bands

Monday's Music Moves Me: Love Songs

 Monday's Music Moves Me theme this week is "Love Songs."  Let's get this party started with Tesla "Love Song"

Throw in a little Elvis "Love Me Tender" 

Sometimes Love is tainted, "Tainted Love" Soft Cell

Sometimes "Love Hurts" by Nazareth

I'll finish with Journey's "Faithfully" love isn't in the title but it's a love song

                                                   Hope you enjoyed the tunes, and I will see you soon!

Tom Brady retiring

 Tom Brady could easily have decided to come back for another season. The 44-year-old quarterback through for a career best 5316 yards. He finished with a Pro Bowl Season. He leaves the game holding 10 NFL records, 7 Super Bowl Rings, and numerous awards and honors. Many regard him as the best quarterback to the play the game and he will certainly be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Here is a collection of some of his top plays...

Against every team...

His rivals will be glad he is retiring. He will be missed on the field by his teammates and fans. However, Tom Brady will step into future ventures off the field.

 

Battle of the Bands: Treetop Flyer

 I missed last month's Battle of the Bands I was travelling. January was a busy month so not much going on with the blog. However, it is a new month and once again a new battle.

                                                  The song "Treetop Flyer" by Stephen Stills

Contender One: David Jacob-Strains with Bob Beach

Contender Two: Jimmy Buffett

Let me know who gets your vote in the comments David or Jimmy. I'll announce the winner in a week or so.

Ben Roethlisberger enjoy your retirement!

Ben Roethlisberger the longtime quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers has announced his retirement. In his 18-year career he was a two timer Super Bowl Champion and a six time to highlight his awards and accomplishments!

Here is a highlight collection of 50 of his top plays.

He will be missed on the field by his teammates and fans.

R.I.P Meat Loaf

 

Marvin Lee Aday, also known as Michael Lee Aday, and best known as Meat Loaf passed away earlier this month at the age of 74. I open the segment with an interview where he discusses his role in the movie "Fight Club." 

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light"

"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"

"I'd Do Anything for Love"

Even though he did some acting he was best known for his music career. That career highlighted by the above trio of songs. He will be missed by family, friends and family.

R.I.P Howard Hesseman

 The actor who played disc jockey Johnny Fever on the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati " has passed away at the age of 81. Howard Hesseman will be missed by his fans, family and friends.

                                             A clip from the show...

Hesseman had a long career with roles in other shows notably "One Day at a Time" and "Head of the Class."

A clip from "One Day at a Time"

A clip from "Head of the Class"

2022 is young but we have already lost several celebrities this year.

R.I.P Betty White

 Actress Betty White passed away New Year's Eve just 17 days shy of her 100th birthday. In her award-winning career, she won five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Daytime Emmy Awards. She has her Star on Hollywood Boulevard and is a member of the Television Hall of Fame. In addition to acting, she authored several books and was well known for her work heling animals and the LGBT community.

                                             Someone's 20th Best Moments composition...

Betty White will be missed by family, friends and fans!

R.I.P Dan Reeves

 Dan Reeves was a successful NFL coach, coaching in the Super Bowl four times and a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Honor passed away on January 1st. Besides the Broncos he also coached the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons. 

News of his death...

He will be missed by fans, friends and family.