September 22, 2014

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Julie!

225 years ago
1789

Politics and government
The United States Congress authorized the office of Postmaster General.

110 years ago
1904

Born on this date
Joseph Valachi. U.S. gangster. Mr. Valachi began his criminal career in New York City as a teenage member of a gang called the Minutemen. He joined the Mafia in 1930, and eventually became a member of what became the Genovese family. Mr. Valachi was convicted of drug trafficking in 1959; he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and in 1962, while in prison together with Vito Genovese, murdered a fellow inmate whom he suspected had been sent by Mr. Genovese to murder him. Mr. Valachi then decided to become a government witness, and in October 1963 testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Government Operations Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He became the first member of the Italian-American Mafia to publicly acknowledge its existence, and was credited with popularizing the term cosa nostra. His disclosures didn't lead to the arrest of any Mafia leaders, but he named names and provided details of the Mafia's history, operations, and rituals, and he aided in the solution of several unsolved murders. Mr. Valachi's unpublished memoirs served as the basis for the book The Valachi Papers (1968) by Peter Maas, which was made into a movie in 1972. Mr. Valachi died of a heart attack in prison on April 3, 1971 at the age of 66.

75 years ago
1939

Football
CRU
WIFU
Regina (2-4) 0 @ Calgary (3-3) 24
Winnipeg (6-0) 18 @ Edmonton (1-5) 0

Lynn Warren rushed 11 times for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Paul Rowe rushed 11 times for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Bronks blanked the Roughriders before 4,000 fans at Mewata Stadium. Mr. Rowe also kicked 2 converts.

Wayne Sheley scored 2 touchdowns and Jeff Nicklin added another TD as the Blue Bombers shut out the Eskimos at Clarke Stadium. The Winnipeg defense limited the Edmonton offense to 4 first downs and 103 yards net offense.

70 years ago
1944

War
Soviet forces captured the Estonian capital of Tallinn. After several days of stalemate, U.S. Marines continued their advance on Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt indicated that he would not attempt to have U.S. Navy Admiral Husband Kimmel and U.S. Army Major General Walter Short court martialled for their roles in the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration's policy committee adopted three resolutions providing for "limited" help to Italy and aid for Allied nationals, German Jews and other anti-Nazis found in enemy territory.

Labour
U.S. Army Lieutenant General Brehon Somervell ordered a relaxation of the 54-hour week in Army arsenals and depots because the backlog of military work had been reduced.

60 years ago
1954

Baseball
Karl Spooner (1-0) struck out 15 batters as he pitched a 3-hit shutout in his major league debut, also doubling and scoring a run as the Brooklyn Dodgers blanked the New York Giants 3-0 before 3,256 fans at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. New York ace Johnny Antonelli (21-7) pitched 5 innings in taking the loss.

Tommy Byrne (3-1) pitched a 5-hitter for the New York Yankees as they shut out the Washington Nationals 3-0 before 2,117 fans at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees scored the winning run in the bottom of the 1st inning when Mickey Mantle singled with 2 out, advanced to second base on a single by Yogi Berra, and scored on a single by Bill Skowron. Mr. Skowron drove in the final run on a ground out in a 2-run 7th inning, and helped to preserve the shutout in the top of the 6th inning when he caught Mickey Vernon's line drive, stepped on first base to double off Pete Runnels, and threw to shortstop Jerry Coleman, who stepped on second base to triple off Wayne Terwilliger. It was the first triple play in the 32-year history of Yankee Stadium. Mickey McDermott (7-15) allowed 8 hits and 3 earned runs in 7 innings to take the loss.



50 years ago
1964

On television tonight
The Fugitive, starring David Janssen, on ABC
Tonight's episode: World's End, with guest stars Suzanne Pleshette, Carmen Mathews, and Dabney Coleman

Theatre
Fiddler on the Roof, starring Zero Mostel, Maria Karnilova, Bea Arthur, Austin Pendleton, and Bert Convy, opened at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway in New York City.

Music
The Beach Boys were on tour in Nashville, and went into Columbia Recording Studios there to record an early take of the song Dance, Dance, Dance, a take that wasn't released until it appeared on the "twofer" CD The Beach Boys Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) in 1990.

Space
The four-day mission of SAT-7, an unmanned test of the U.S.A.'s Saturn I rocket, ended.

Football
CFL
British Columbia (6-0-2) 12 @ Calgary (6-4) 7

Peter Kempf kicked 3 field goals and 3 singles, while the B.C. defense didn't give up a touchdown, as the Lions defeated the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. On one occasion, the Calgary defense stopped B.C. fullback Bob Swift on a third-down gamble at the Calgary 1-yard line. Calgary defensive back Jerry Keeling scored the game's only touchdown, recovering a fumble by B.C. quarterback Joe Kapp and returning it 102 yards. The play set a CFL record for the longest fumble return that stood for 20 years. The Lions dominated the game offensively, recording 25 first downs to just 6 for the Stampeders. B.C. fullback Bob Swift rushed for 157 yards on 28 carries, but was stopped on the Calgary 1-yard line on a third-down gamble. It was the first CFL game for Calgary halfback Jack Truran and defensive end Dick Suderman, and the last for Jim Finks, who had been the Stampeders' general manager since 1957, but had accepted the offer of the same position from the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

40 years ago
1974

Personal
This blogger caught a 22-pound lake trout in Great Slave Lake, but threw it back, having caught a 25-pound trout in the same area two years earlier.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (5-6) 6 @ Ottawa (5-6) 24

The Ottawa defense made 3 interceptions against starting Saskatchewan quarterback Ron Lancaster and 5 more against backup Randy Mattingly as the Rough Riders defeated the Roughriders at Lansdowne Park. Ottawa defensive back Rod Woodward made 3 interceptions, and set up the game's first touchdown in the 1st quarter with an interception return of 42 yards. He then scored the touchdown himself when, as the holder for placement kicks, he rushed 3 yards on a fake field goal attempt to open the scoring just 2:25 into the game. Wayne Smith scored the other Ottawa touchdown in the 3rd quarter on a 5-yard return of a fumble by Mr. Mattingly. Saskatchewan broke the shutout with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mr. Mattingly to Leif Pettersen with 32 seconds remaining in the game, the second time in 1974 that a touchdown pass by Mr. Mattingly in the last minute had averted a shutout.

NFL
New England (2-0) 28 @ New York Giants (0-2) 20
Miami (1-1) 24 @ Buffalo (1-1) 16
San Francisco (2-0) 17 @ Atlanta (0-2) 10
St. Louis (2-0) 17 @ Washington (1-1) 10
Green Bay (1-1) 20 @ Baltimore (0-2) 13
San Diego (1-1) 17 @ Cincinnati (1-1) 20
Houston (1-1) 7 @ Cleveland (1-1) 20
Minnesota (2-0) 7 @ Detroit (0-2) 6
New York Jets (1-1) 23 @ Chicago (1-1) 21
Pittsburgh (1-0-1) 35 @ Denver (1-0-1) 35
Kansas City (1-1) 7 @ Oakland (1-1) 27
New Orleans (0-2) 0 @ Los Angeles (2-0) 24

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Friends--Amii Stewart (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT Top 30): I Just Called To Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Careless Whisper--George Michael (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Missing You--John Waite

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Missing You--John Waite (2nd week at #1)
2 Let's Go Crazy--Prince and the Revolution
3 What's Love Got to Do with It--Tina Turner
4 She Bop--Cyndi Lauper
5 The Warrior--Scandal featuring Patty Smyth
6 If This is It--Huey Lewis and the News
7 Drive--The Cars
8 Stuck on You--Lionel Richie
9 Ghostbusters--Ray Parker, Jr.
10 I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder

Singles entering the chart were I Can't Hold Back by Survivor (#75); Left in the Dark by Barbra Streisand (#76); Bouncin' Off the Walls by Matthew Wilder (#81); New Girl Now by Honeymoon Suite (#86); and Midnite Maniac by Krokus (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 What's Love Got to Do with It--Tina Turner (3rd week at #1)
2 Missing You--John Waite
3 She Bop--Cyndi Lauper
4 Ghostbusters--Ray Parker, Jr.
5 Stuck on You--Lionel Richie
6 If This is It--Huey Lewis and the News
7 If Ever You're in My Arms--Peabo Bryson
8 When Doves Cry--Prince
9 Two Tribes--Frankie Goes to Hollywood
10 The Warrior--Scandal featuring Patty Smyth

Singles entering the chart were What About Me? by Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes and James Ingram (#80); Better Be Good to Me by Tina Turner (#88); Lucky Star by Madonna (#89); Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) by Billy Ocean (#90); Who Wears These Shoes? by Elton John (#92); Alphabet Town by Gerry Cott (#94); and Pride (in the Name of Love) by U2 (#98).

Diplomacy
The Sandanista government of Nicaragua announced that it would sign the peace plan proposed by the foreign ministers of the four Contadora countries--Colombia; Mexico; Panama; and Venezuela.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (9-2-1) 14 @ Montreal (4-6-1) 14
Saskatchewan (4-7-1) 37 @ British Columbia (8-3) 28

Don Sweet’s 20-yard field goal with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter gave Montreal a tie, 2:59 after Trevor Kennerd had kicked a 12-yard field goal to give Winnipeg the lead. The Blue Bombers led 4-3 at halftime, and scored their only touchdown just 54 seconds into the third quarter when David Shaw intercepted a Turner Gill pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, converted by Mr. Kennerd. Veteran Gerry Dattilio relieved Mr. Gill at quarterback for the Concordes, and completed an 82-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nick Aragki. Mr. Dattilio then completed a pass to Mr. Aragki for a 2-point convert to tie the game 11-11. Willard Reaves carried 24 times for 143 yards to lead the Winnipeg offense, but Blue Bomber quarterback Tom Clements completed just 19 of 40 passes, and threw 3 interceptions. Only 17,854 attended the game on a sunny afternoon at Olympic Stadium. The CTV cameras showed a close-up of a pretty redheaded cheerleader named Terry Girouart, and announced that she had been chosen Miss Montreal Concorde for 1984.

The Roughriders forced 7 B.C. turnovers and recorded 5 quarterback sacks in winning their second straight game, and handing the Lions their second straight loss, and first of the year at home. Former Lion Joe Paopao started at quarterback for Saskatchewan and threw a touchdown pass to Chris DeFrance, but left the game late in the 2nd quarter with an injury. Homer Jordan took over at quarterback, and completed a 26-yard touchdown pass of his own to Mr. DeFrance with 2 seconds remaining until halftime to give the Roughriders a 27-18 lead. After B.C. quarterback Roy Dewalt completed his second touchdown pass of the night to former Roughrider Ron Robinson in the 3rd quarter, Mr. Jordan started the final quarter with a touchdown pass to Ray Elgaard. The Roughriders’ other touchdown came in the 2nd quarter when Mr. Dewalt fumbled when sacked, and linebacker Jerry Friesen recovered and lateralled to defensive end Rick Mohr, who ran 17 yards for the score. The Lions’ other touchdown was scored by running back David Toloumu. 35,995 attended the game at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver.



CIAU
British Columbia (1-3) 3 @ Alberta (2-1) 8

Fewer than 400 fans (and this blogger wasn’t among them) braved cold wind and snow at Varsity Stadium to see rookie Alberta running back Jeff Funtasz rush 22 times for 122 yards on a muddy field. He scored the game’s only touchdown on a 34-yard run to cap an 8-play, 75-yard drive just 3:34 into the game. Quarterbacks Mark Denesiuk, Darren Brezden, and Joel Brown of the Golden Bears produced just 20 yards passing, and Frank Cusati and Jordan Leith of the Thunderbirds combined for 6 completions in 17 attempts for just 17 yards. There was so little sustained offense after the opening drive that Alberta punter Steve Kasowski punted 16 times, for a 40.1-yard average. One of his punts went for a 36-yard single, and he converted Mr. Funtasz’s touchdown. Tom Dixon scored a single on a wide 28-yard field goal attempt with 5:04 remaining in the first quarter to get UBC on the scoreboard, and that remained their only point until Mr. Kasowski conceded a safety touch with 1:18 remaining in the game. The Golden Bears’ defense held all-star running back Glenn Steele to 62 yards on 18 carries.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Lambada--Kaoma

Died on this date
Irving Berlin, 101. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Berlin wrote over 1,500 songs; White Christmas, God Bless America, and Alexander’s Ragtime Band are among the best-known.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze, meeting in Jackson, Wyoming, announced that U.S. President George Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev would hold their first summit conference in the spring or summer of 1990. They also signed agreements on the monitoring of chemical weapons; the environment; and on principles for verifying limits on strategic forces and nuclear tests.

Terrorism
A bomb blast at a British army barracks in Kent killed 10 young soldiers. The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (8-4) 20 @ Winnipeg (7-5) 19 (OT)

Paul Osbaldiston’s 26-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the second overtime period went wide and through the end zone for the winning point in front of 28,449 fans at Winnipeg Stadium. He had just missed from 31 yards, and the Blue Bombers had run the ball out of the end zone, but an offside penalty against the Blue Bombers gave Mr. Osbaldiston another chance. The Tiger-Cats led 13-0 in the second quarter, but the Blue Bombers came back to tie the game 16-16 in the fourth quarter. Mr. Osbaldiston kicked his fourth field goal of the game, from 36 yards, with 2:58 remaining in regulation time to give Hamilton a 19-16 lead, but Winnipeg came back and sent the game into overtime when Trevor Kennerd kicked a 43-yard field goal with 42 seconds left to tie the score at 19. The Blue Bombers were their own worst enemies, losing 4 of 5 fumbles, while quarterbacks Sean Salisbury and Lee Saltz combined to throw 3 interceptions. Mr. Salisbury handed off to Ricky Blake for one touchdown, and completed a 14-yard pass to James Murphy for the other Blue Bomber major. Hamilton quarterback Mike Kerrigan threw a touchdown pass to Wally Zatylny, but also tossed 4 interceptions.



Baseball
Dave Stewart of the Oakland Athletics earned his 100th career major league victory when he and the Athletics defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-2. The win was his 20th of the season, making Mr. Stewart the first American League pitcher in more than a decade to record three straight 20-win seasons.

20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Voodoo People--The Prodigy

On television tonight
Baseball, on PBS
Tonight's episode: Fifth Inning: Shadow Ball

Died on this date
Edward Shackleton, Baron Shackleton, 83. U.K. politician. Lord Shackleton, the youngest son of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, explored Indonesia and the Canadian Arctic before entering politics as a member of the Labour Party. He represented Preston (1946-1950) and Preston South (1950-1955) in the House of Commons, and was elevated to the House of Lords in 1955. Lord Shackleton held several cabinet posts in the government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, including Minister of State for the Air Force (1964-1967). He was Leader of the House of Lords (1968-1970) and Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords (1970-1974).

Leonard Feather, 80. U.K.-born U.S. musician, composer, and journalist. Mr. Feather was a jazz pianist and clarinetist who settled in the United States in 1939. His compositions included the jazz standards Blowtop Blues and How Blue Can You Get?, but he was best known as the jazz critic for the Los Angeles Times from 1960 until his death, and writing liner notes for numerous albums. Mr. Feather died eight days after his 80th birthday.