Merkle's Boner

Today is the 100th anniversary of Merkle's Boner, a historic play in baseball history.

Flashback to Sept. 23rd, 1908...The NY (baseball) Giants are playing the Chicago Cubs at the Polo Grounds. Moose McCormick was the baserunner at 3rd base. 19-year old Fred Merkle stood at 1st. With the score tied 1-1, Al Bridwell singled home the winning run and the Giants fans rushed the field in celebration. There was only one problem. Merkle exited the field having never touched 2nd base. Cubs 2nd baseman Johnny Evers realized this, retrieved the ball, and touched 2nd base for the force out. The umpires acknowledged the out but it was too late to resume the game, because the crowd had already consumed the field. The game was declared a tie. (Note: There are varying stories about what transpired on the field amidst the confusion).

After two more weeks of regular season games, the Giants and Cubs ended the season in a deadlock for 1st place in the National League. They played a one-game playoff, which the Cubs won 4-2 and vaulted them to the World Series. It was the last time the Cubs won the World Series.

Merkle earned the nickname of "Bonehead" for this famous play. He did make it to the World Series five times over the course of his 16-year career, but never won.

The Giants appealed the game's decision to league president, Harry Pulliam, whose indecision in the matter resulted in serious criticism from the New York media. Sadly, he shot himself to death at the New York Athletic Club the following July.

What modern day sports gaffes could be compared to this Boner?

Actual 1908 article from the New York Times
Merkle's career stats

Grilling Excellence

With grilling season coming to a close in the northern latitudes, here's a great tip that you can take to the grill before retiring it for the winter...

After marinating your food in the fridge, let the food sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before dropping it on the grill. This will give the marinade a chance to release and settle, and will cook much more evenly. It's true!

More cooking tips from the 360.

Friday Night Lights Out at Lincoln-Sudbury

Lincoln-Sudbury students are being required to bring chaperones with them to their school's football games.

At the home football opener last friday night, the competition on the field took a backseat to what was happening in the crowd. A large number of students were drinking, six of whom were characterized as 'falling down.' Some had to be taken to the hospital.

The administration's reaction has been to enact a new policy. Students will now be required to bring a parent or guardian to the game with them. (blankies and teddy bears optional).

I couldn't think up a worse policy to deal with the issue of under-age drinking. The kids who want to drink will find stealthier (potentially more dangerous) ways to do it. And whether you drink or not, what high school student wants to go to a school football game with their parents?

It's rumored that potato sack races, an egg toss competition, and a giant game of Red Rover will take place before the game to attract larger crowds.

The 12th man will be much quieter tonight in Sudbury.

How do you think L-S should handle this?

L-S student drinking incident prompts crackdown[boston.com]

Ryan Adams Cardinology

By Kodiak in Cambridge

Hot off the presses, from across the pond, word has come in that Ryan Adams and the Cardinals' new album Cardinology will drop (that's insider speak for release date) on October 28th, 2008. Just in time for Halloween! Hopefully we can trust this source, otherwise my seasonal depression will be arriving early this year. However, it has to be true because it's from England and scientific studies have shown that they are smarter than us.

Have you seen the latest Obama ad? The latest McCain ad?

If you have, take note of where you saw it. It seems that it is increasingly unlikely you saw the ad during a commercial break.

According to the AP:

"Barack Obama's and John McCain's presidential campaigns are peddling campaign videos as advertising even though they are getting little commercial air time..."

There's a couple great quotes within reporter Jim Kuhnhenn's story from Evan Tracey (the head of a firm that tracks TV ads). Here's one:

"What you have now is that the campaigns say, 'Hey, (MSNBC's) Morning Joe is a food fight, let's supply the tomatoes."

I'm not entirely sure whether or not this is significant, but it is worth noting that a candidate gets more bang for their buck creating ads that cable news will run endlessly, even if a campaign never intends to buy advertising time... throw in youtube, and you wonder how many people it can reach for free.

As cable news stations continue to rely on commentators as ratings earners, to what extent does editorial control amount to free advertising? If Fox News runs a segment asking "Is this McCain ad fair?" and then concludes that the ad is fair, does it matter that the ad isn't appearing regularly on TV in any other forum? If MSNBC does the same with an Obama ad, does it trouble you more if the ad is discussed on their non-biased news coverage versus a program anchored by Keith Olberman? What if if the ad never ran during a commercial break of a regularly scheduled program?

Products get placed into movies all the time, so it is also worth noting exactly who has editorial power on cable news these days. Fox News has been accused of relaying partisan "talking points" to on-air talent or production staff... Michael Moore accused Sanjay Gupta of skewing the facts in a report on the documentary "Sicko" in order to appease the major sponsors of CNN's medical coverage. The selling of the news isn't exactly new, nor is using the news as entertainment (thanks Roone Alderidge), but to what extent do advertisers have control over what's on in between commercial breaks?

So, the next time you watch a campaign ad during a news program, perhaps it might be time to flick on over to a good old fashioned, honest, hardworking infomercial with American values.

They're Magically Delicious...AND Economical

Pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, green clovers, and purple horseshoes. This could become the anthem of many consumers as they try to save in a rough economy.

General Mills reported better than expected earnings this week, and they are attributing it to people eating more meals at home. In CEO Ken Powell's opinion,

"Cereal is in a good spot for the current economy, because each serving only costs about 50¢, including milk."

This is not a good sign for restaurants who provide on-the-go breakfast options, particularly those with premium prices. Starbucks, for example, just launched a new healthy breakfast menu. A grande specialty drink and oatmeal could set you back $7.00. Yikes! It's better news for fast food dollar menus, frozen pizzas, and soups. Eating healthy is costly, isn't it?

While you're riding out this tough economy, my best advice could be...don't let the milk go sour.

Cereal Business Gives Boost To General Mills [AdAge]

Problems in Bed? Big Papi To The Rescue

David Ortiz and his wife Tiffany are auctioning off their bed for charity. The bed is sure to make you perform in the clutch, and the headboard is signed by Big Papi.

Bidders might want to inspect the sheets for spit stains. The SportsCenter crew recommends it...



In other Red Sox news...

-The Sox are selling box seats at $795/pair. No...not the right to sit in the seats.....the actual seats. The team is planning a renovation of the main seating bowl over the winter and is selling the seats as collectors items.

-The Sox now hold the record for consecutive sellouts (the previous record was held by the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field).

-Oh...and some actual baseball news...Mike Lowell's health should be a concern. He's looking like he might have one good swing left in him. I'd rest him for the World Series.