HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIEL!! and Part XII – The Mount Rushmore of … Reds/Twins

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private Cornelius J. Leahy (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 3, 1899, near Porac, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads:

Distinguished gallantry in action in driving off a superior force and with the assistance of 1 comrade brought from the field of action the bodies of 2 comrades, 1 killed and the other severely wounded, this while on a scout.

Quartermaster Nicholas Lear (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on December 24-25, 1864 and January 13-15, 1865, on board the USS New Ironsides. His citation reads:

Lear served on board the U.S.S. New Ironsides during action in several attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865. The ship steamed in and took the lead in the ironclad division close inshore and immediately opened its starboard battery in a barrage of well-directed fire to cause several fires and explosions and dismount several guns during the first 2 days of fighting. Taken under fire as she steamed into position on 13 January, the New Ironsides fought all day and took on ammunition at night despite severe weather conditions. When the enemy came out of his bombproofs to defend the fort against the storming party, the ship's battery disabled nearly every gun on the fort facing the shore before the cease-fire order was given by the flagship.

First Lieutenant Daniel W. Lee (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 2, 1944, at Montreval, France. His citation reads:

1st Lt. (then 2d Lt. ) Daniel W. Lee was leader of Headquarters Platoon, Troop A, 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, at Montreval, France, on 2 September 1944, when the Germans mounted a strong counterattack, isolating the town and engaging its outnumbered defenders in a pitched battle. After the fight had raged for hours and our forces had withstood heavy shelling and armor-supported infantry attacks, 2d Lt. Lee organized a patrol to knock out mortars which were inflicting heavy casualties on the beleaguered reconnaissance troops. He led the small group to the edge of the town, sweeping enemy riflemen out of position on a ridge from which he observed 7 Germans manning 2 large mortars near an armored half-track about 100 yards down the reverse slope. Armed with a rifle and grenades, he left his men on the high ground and crawled to within 30 yards of the mortars, where the enemy discovered him and unleashed machine-pistol fire which shattered his right thigh. Scorning retreat, bleeding and suffering intense pain, he dragged himself relentlessly forward He killed 5 of the enemy with rifle fire and the others fled before he reached their position. Fired on by an armored car, he took cover behind the German half-track and there found a panzerfaust with which to neutralize this threat. Despite his wounds, he inched his way toward the car through withering machinegun fire, maneuvering into range, and blasted the vehicle with a round from the rocket launcher, forcing it to withdraw. Having cleared the slope of hostile troops, he struggle back to his men, where he collapsed from pain and loss of blood. 2d Lt. Lee's outstanding gallantry, willing risk of life, and extreme tenacity of purpose in coming to grips with the enemy, although suffering from grievous wounds, set an example of bravery and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.


HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY DANIEL!!!!!! He’s a great little boy and I’m lucky to have him. Of all of my children, he’s loved me earlier than the others (it took about 3 years for the others). He’s still a mommy’s boy, of course… but he loves me too sometimes. I guess we don’t have a baby in the house anymore…


Thanks to Wikipedia for the info…

The Mount Rushmore of the Cincinnati Reds

Pete Rose – Pete Rose is one of the greatest hitters of all time. Years with the Reds: 1963-1978 and 1984-1986 Highlights with the team: 2× World Series champion (1975, 1976)
NL MVP (1973)
World Series MVP (1975)
3× National League Batting Champion (1968, 1969, 1973)
13× All-Star (1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1985)
2× Gold Glove Award (1969, 1970)
NL Rookie of the Year (1963)
MLB Records
4,256 career hits
3,562 career games played
14,053 career at-bats
Due to a MLB ban, Pete’s #14 has not been retired by the Reds (though it hasn’t been worn by anyone since he played) and he is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Johnny Bench – Johnny Bench is one of the greatest catchers of all time. Years with the Reds: 1967 – 1983

Highlights with the team: 14× All-Star (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983)
2× World Series champion (1975, 1976)
10× Gold Glove Award winner (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)
2× NL MVP (1970, 1972)
1968 NL Rookie of the Year
1976 World Series MVP
The Cincinnati Reds have retired his #5.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Joe Morgan – Joe Morgan is one of the greatest second basemen of all time. Years with the Reds: 1972 – 1979

Highlights with the team: 8× All-Star (1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)
2× World Series champion (1975, 1976)
5× Gold Glove Award winner (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)
2× NL MVP (1975, 1976)
The Cincinnati Reds have retired his #8.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Barry Larkin – Years with the Reds: 1986 – 2004

Highlights with the team: 12× All-Star (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004)
World Series champion (1990)
3× Gold Glove Award winner (1994, 1995, 1996)
9× Silver Slugger Award winner (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
1995 NL MVP
The Cincinnati Reds have retired his #11.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Honorable Mention: Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, Chris Sabo, Eric Davis and Rob Dibble


The Mount Rushmore of the Minnesota Twins

Note that some of the players on this team played for the Washington Senators. The Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Twins around 1960.

Kirby Puckett – Years with the Twins: 1984 – 1995

Highlights with the team: 10× All-Star (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
2× World Series champion (1987, 1991)
6× Gold Glove Award (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992)
6× Silver Slugger Award (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994)
AL batting title (1989)
AL RBI champion (1994)
ALCS MVP (1991)
His #34 has been retired by the Minnesota Twins.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Harmon Killebrew – Years with the Senators/Twins: 1954 – 1974

Highlights with the team: 13× All-Star (1959(x2), 1961(x2), 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971)
AL MVP (1969)
6× AL home run champion (1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1969)
3× AL RBI champion (1962, 1969, 1971)
The Minnesota Twins have retired his #3.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

Walter Johnson – Years with the Senators: 1907 – 1927

Highlights with the team: Pitched a no-hitter (July 1, 1920)
2× AL MVP (1913, 1924)
World Series champion (1924)
11 sub-2.00 ERA seasons
2 30-win seasons
12 20-win seasons
12× American League Strikeout Champion (1910, 1912-1919, 1921, 1923, 1924)
6× American League Wins Champion (1913-1916, 1918, 1924)
5× American League ERA Champion (1912, 1913, 1918, 1919, 1924)
3× Triple Crown (1913, 1918, 1924)
All-time major league leader in shutouts
Second all-time in wins
Walter was one of the first five inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Rod Carew - Years with the Twins: 1967 – 1978

Highlights with the team: 12× All-Star selection (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978)
7× AL batting title (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978)
1977 AL MVP
1967 AL Rookie of the Year
The Minnesota Twins have retired his #29.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.


The I’m just sayin… Proverb of the Week
Proverbs 10:1

A wise son brings joy to his father,
   but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.