Part III – The Mount Rushmore of … Red Sox/Brewers

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Staff Sergeant Paul Ronald Lambers (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on August 20, 1968, at Tay Ninh province, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. (then Sgt.) Lambers distinguished himself in action while serving with the 3d platoon, Company A. The unit had established a night defensive position astride a suspected enemy infiltration route, when it was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the initial enemy onslaught, the platoon leader fell seriously wounded and S/Sgt. Lambers assumed command of the platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, S/Sgt. Lambers left his covered position, secured the platoon radio and moved to the command post to direct the defense. When his radio became inoperative due to enemy action, S/Sgt. Lambers crossed the fire swept position to secure the 90mm recoilless rifle crew's radio in order to re-establish communications. Upon discovering that the 90mm recoilless rifle was not functioning, S/Sgt. Lambers assisted in the repair of the weapon and directed canister fire at point-blank range against the attacking enemy who had breached the defensive wire of the position. When the weapon was knocked out by enemy fire, he single-handedly repulsed a penetration of the position by detonating claymore mines and throwing grenades into the midst of the attackers, killing 4 more of the Viet Cong with well aimed hand grenades. S/Sgt. Lambers maintained command of the platoon elements by moving from position to position under the hail of enemy fire, providing assistance where the assault was the heaviest and by his outstanding example inspiring his men to the utmost efforts of courage. He displayed great skill and valor throughout the 5-hour battle by personally directing artillery and helicopter fire, placing them at times within 5 meters of the defensive position. He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire at great risk to his own life in order to redistribute ammunition and to care for seriously wounded comrades and to move them to sheltered positions. S/Sgt. Lambers' superb leadership, professional skill and magnificent courage saved the lives of his comrades, resulted in the virtual annihilation of a vastly superior enemy force and were largely instrumental in thwarting an enemy offensive against Tay Ninh City. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Chief Bugler James P. Landis (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 5, 1865, at Paines Crossroads, Virginia. His citation reads:

Capture of flag.

Private Morgan D. Lane (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 6, 1865, near Jetersville, Virginia. His citation reads:

Capture of flag of gunboat Nansemond.


Like before, thanks to Wikipedia for the info…

The Mount Rushmore of the Boston Red Sox

Ted Williams – This is probably one of my all-time favorite players for a number of reasons. Ted Williams played for the Red Sox from 1939 – 1960 with a couple of breaks in there to serve in the US Marine Corps as a fighter pilot in two little misunderstandings I like to call WWII and the Korean War. So when you see all that he did, you need to remember the breaks in his career because of military service. I believe he was a flight instructor in WWII and on his way to the front in the Pacific when fighting ended. In Korea he was in on the fighting and during one mission had his plane damaged. He ended up flying 39 combat missions… some of those as John Glenn’s wingman. How cool is that?! Here’s the thing, I consider Ted Williams to be the greatest hitter of all-time. I’m not the only one… most people do. He wrote a book about hitting that I read before my senior year at James Island and I really believe it helped me. He’s probably the smartest hitter of all-time. He was a 19 time All-Star (including twice in 1959 and 1960), AL MVP twice (1946 and 1949) AND a two time Triple Crown winner (1942 and 1947). Williams was a 6 time AL Batting Champion (including in 1958 at the age of 40 – You know what Sonny was doing at the age of 40? Me either… but he sure as hell wasn’t leading the AL in batting!). Ted also was the AL Home Run champion and AL RBI champion 4 times (each). When he retired, Williams was third on the list for career home runs (with 521), seventh in RBIs (1,839) and seventh in batting average (.344 - first for any player who played his entire career after 1920). Remember, this was even AFTER missing 5 seasons due to his military service! Ted Williams is the last player to hit .400 for a season. Another reason I like him is because of how he got it… Heading into the last day of the 1941 season, Williams was batting .39955… which would have been rounded up to a .400 average. He had the chance to sit out the final, but decided to play a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics. He went 6-for-8 on the day, finishing the baseball season at .406. His #9 was retired by the Red Sox in 1984. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.

Carl Yastrzemski – There is an old, well know saying that you never want to be the man who follows The Man. Well, Yaz found himself in this situation as started his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1961. He was replacing a fella we in the business (and by the business, I mean the industry) call Ted Williams. While lesser men would have been crushed by the pressure, Yaz rose to the occasion. In his 23 year playing career (1961-1983), he was an 18 time All-Star as well as a 7 time Gold Glove Award winner. In 1967 he won the AL MVP… this was the same year he won the Triple Crown (something that wasn’t done again in the major leagues until this past season). Yaz was the first player to ever collect over 3,000 hits and 400 home runs solely in the American League. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and his number 8 has been retired by the Red Sox.

Roger Clemens – While he also played for the Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros, I will always think of Clemens as a Red Sox player. He played for the Red Sox from 1984 – 1996 where he was an All-Star five times (1986, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1992). He won the Cy Young award 3 times with the Red Sox (1986, 1987 and 1991). He was the AL MVP in 1986 and is considered by many to be one of the greatest pitchers ever. He is the only pitcher to throw 20 strikeouts in a 9-inning game twice. While the Red Sox have not retired his number (21), no Red Sox player has worn it since Roger left the team.

Jim Rice – A native of Anderson, South Carolina, Jim Rice played for the Red Sox from 1974 – 1989. He was an 8 time selection to the AL All-Star team and a two time Silver Slugger Award winner (1983 and 1984). Rice was the AL MVP in 1978. He is the only player in major league history to record over 200 hits while hitting 39 or more HRs for three consecutive years. His #14 has been retired by the Red Sox. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 after far too long of a wait.

I really considered Wade Boggs, but just couldn’t find a spot for him. I also wanted to go with some more current players from the championship teams that they had, but when compared to these guys on my list, I didn’t feel like the more current guys had played for the Red Sox long enough. I know that’s kind of wishy-washy, but hey, the guys on my list ain’t bench warmers. I can sleep well with this list.


The Mount Rushmore of the Milwaukee Brewers

Robin Yount – Yount played for the Brewers from 1974 – 1993. He was a 3 time All-Star (1980, 1982, 1983) as well as a two time AL MVP (1982, 1989). Robin was a Gold Glove Award winner in 1982 and a Silver Slugger Award winner in 1980, 1982 and 1989. He is the Brewers all-time hit leader and all-time home run leader. His #19 has been retired by the Brewers and he is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gorman Thomas – A native of James Island, South Carolina, Gorman Thomas played for the Brewers from 1973 – 1976, 1978-1983 and 1986. He was an All-Star in 1981 and a two time AL Home Run champion (1979, 1982). From 1978 – 1983, Gorman hit more home runs (197) than any other American League player.

Paul Molitor – Paul Molitor played for the Brewers from 1978 – 1992. He was a five time All-Star (1980, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992) and a two time Silver Slugger Award winner (1987, 1988) while with the Brewers. His #4 has been retired by the Brewers and he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Cecil Cooper - Cooper played for the Brewers from 1977 – 1987. He was a five time All-Star while with the team. He was also a two time Gold Glove Award winner and a three time Silver Slugger Award winner. Cecil was the AL RBI champion in 1980 and 1983. He is a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.


The I’m just sayin… Proverb of the Week
Proverbs 9:7

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.