Lieutenant James Patrick Lannon (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 22, 1914, during the engagement of Vera Cruz. His citation reads:
For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Lt. Lannon assisted a wounded man under heavy fire, and after returning to his battalion was himself desperately wounded.
Specialist Fourth Class Joseph G. Lapointe, Jr. (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on June 2, 1969, at Quang Tin 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. Sp4c. Lapointe, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. Sp4c. Lapointe's patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail of fire, 2 soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from 1 of the wounded, Sp4c. Lapointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to 1 man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, Sp4c. Lapointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all 3 men. Sp4c. Lapointe's courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Corporal Smith Larimer (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 6, 1865, at Sailors Creek, Virginia. His citation reads:
Capture of flag of General Kershaw's headquarters.
Thanks to Wikipedia for the info…
The Mount Rushmore of the St. Louis Cardinals
Stan Musial – Stan “The Man” Musial played for the Cardinals from 1941-1963 with a couple of years off to take part in the sequel to World War I. He was a 24 time All-Star (1943-1944, 1946-1963 including twice each year from 1959-1962). His Cardinals won the World Series in 1942, 1944 and 1946 and Stan was named the NL MVP in 1943, 1946 and 1948. He had a career batting average of .331 with 3,630 hits (including 475 home runs) and 1,951 RBIs. His #6 has been retired by the Cardinals. Stan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
Bob Gibson – Bob Gibson was one bad motha(shut yo’ mouth). He was a pitcher for the Cards from 1959 – 1975 and was so great in 1968 that MLB lowered the pitcher’s mound by five inches and reduced the height of the strike zone. He was a 9 time All-Star (twice in 1962 and then once each from 1965-1970 and in 1972) and a 9 time Gold Glove Award winner (1965-1973). His Cardinals won the World Series in 1964 and 1967 (Gibson was named World Series MVP both times). He won the NL Cy Young Award in 1968 and 1970 and was the NL MVP in 1968. He holds the record for strikeouts during a World Series (35), strikeouts in a World Series game (17) and ERA in a season (1.12 in 1968). The Cardinals have retired his #45 and, in 1981, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. There are two stories I’ve seen that, frankly, make me love Bob Gibson and wish I could have played with him. The first was a story I read in a book (can’t remember which one) about how Pete LaCock hit a game winning grand slam off of Bob Gibson in his (Gibson’s) last pitch of his career. Years (and years) later, LaCock faced Gibson in an Old-Timers Game. Gibson drilled LaCock in the back with his first pitch. The other story (by Dusty Baker) goes like this:
"(Hank Aaron told me) 'Don't dig in against Bob Gibson, he'll knock you down. He'd knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don't stare at him, don't smile at him, don't talk to him. He doesn't like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don't run too slow, don't run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don't charge the mound, because he's a Gold Glove boxer.' I'm like, 'Damn, what about my 17-game hitting streak?' That was the night it ended."
Rogers Hornsby – Rogers Hornsby… If not the greatest second baseman to ever play the game, he’s at least on the very, very short list. He played for the Cardinals from 1915-1926 and again in 1933. He had a career batting average of .358 with 2,930 hits (including 301 home runs) and 1,584 RBIs. He was a World Series champion in 1926 and was the NL MVP in 1925 and 1929. Hornsby won the Triple Crown twice in his career. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1942 and had he worn a number during his playing days with the Cards, the team would have retired that number.
Ozzie Smith – While Sonny gets caught up in home runs (which is odd, since he didn’t hit many), I have a great appreciation for the defensive part of the game. Ozzie Smith was a wizard when it came to defense. Ozzie is perhaps the only player (at least in recent times) to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame based mainly on his defensive play. The Wizard played for the Cardinals from 1982 – 1996 and was an All-Star every year except 1993. He was also a Gold Glove Award winner for his first 11 seasons with the team. His Cardinals won the World Series in 1982 and Oz was the NLCS MVP in 1985. He won the Silver Slugger Award in 1987. At one time he held the record for career assists (8,375) and double plays (1,590) by a short stop (not sure if he still holds both… my research only goes so far). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. The Cardinals have retired his #1.
Honorable Mention: Lou Brock, Dizzy Dean, Bruce Sutter, Albert Pujols
The Mount Rushmore of the Seattle Mariners
Ken Griffey, Jr. – Junior played for the Mariners from 1989 – 1999 and again from 2009 – 2010. He was an All-Star with the team from 1990 – 1999, winning a Gold Glove in each of those seasons as well. He also won the Silver Slugger Award seven times (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999). He was the AL MVP in 1997 and the AL home run champion in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 1999. He ended his career with 630 home runs. While not retired by the team, his #24 hasn’t been worn since he left the team. He is scheduled to be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame this season.
Randy Johnson – Randy Johnson played for the Mariners from 1989 – 1998 where he was an All-Star in 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1997. He also won a Cy Young Award in 1995. Johnson pitched a no-hitter for the Mariners in 1990. He is a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame.
Jay Buhner – Buhner played for the Mariners from 1988 – 2001. He was an All-Star selection in 1996 as well as a Gold Glove Award winner in 1996. Buhner hit 310 career home runs and had 964 RBIs. While it hasn’t been retired, his #19 has not been worn by any other Mariners since he retired. He was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2004.
Edgar Martinez - Edgar Martinez played for the Mariners from 1987 – 2004 as a Third baseman and, later, DH. He was a 7 time All-Star (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003), 5 time Silver Slugger Award winner (1992, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003) and a two time winner of the AL batting title (1992, 1995). Martinez had a career batting average of .312 with 2,247 hits, 309 home runs and 1,261 RBIs. In 2004, MLB renamed the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award in his honor. While the Mariners haven’t retired his #11, they also haven’t had anyone wear it since his retirement. Martinez was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2007.
The I’m just sayin… Proverb of the Week
Proverbs 8:35-36
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment