I'm just sayin...: Part X – The Mount Rushmore of … Tigers/Padres

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Staff Sergeant Robert E. Laws (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on January 12, 1945, at Pangasinan Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads:

He led the assault squad when Company G attacked enemy hill positions. The enemy force, estimated to be a reinforced infantry company, was well supplied with machineguns, ammunition, grenades, and blocks of TNT and could be attacked only across a narrow ridge 70 yards long. At the end of this ridge an enemy pillbox and rifle positions were set in rising ground. Covered by his squad, S/Sgt Laws traversed the hogback through vicious enemy fire until close to the pillbox, where he hurled grenades at the fortification. Enemy grenades wounded him, but he persisted in his assault until 1 of his missiles found its mark and knocked out the pillbox. With more grenades, passed to him by members of his squad who had joined him, he led the attack on the entrenched riflemen. In the advance up the hill, he suffered additional wounds in both arms and legs, about the body and in the head, as grenades and TNT charges exploded near him. Three Japs rushed him with fixed bayonets, and he emptied the magazine of his machine pistol at them, killing 2. He closed in hand-to-hand combat with the third, seizing the Jap's rifle as he met the onslaught. The 2 fell to the ground and rolled some 50 or 60 feet down a bank. When the dust cleared the Jap lay dead and the valiant American was climbing up the hill with a large gash across the head. He was given first aid and evacuated from the area while his squad completed the destruction of the enemy position. S/Sgt. Laws' heroic actions provided great inspiration to his comrades, and his courageous determination, in the face of formidable odds and while suffering from multiple wounds, enabled them to secure an important objective with minimum casualties.

First Sergeant Gaines Lawson (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on October 3, 1863, at Minville, Tennessee. His citation reads:

Went to the aid of a wounded comrade between the lines and carried him to a place of safety.

Landsman John Lawson (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on August 5, 1864, on board the U.S.S. Hartford. His citation reads:

On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Wounded in the leg and thrown violently against the side of the ship when an enemy shell killed or wounded the 6-man crew as the shell whipped on the berth deck, Lawson, upon regaining his composure, promptly returned to his station and, although urged to go below for treatment, steadfastly continued his duties throughout the remainder of the action.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the info…

The Mount Rushmore of the Detroit Tigers

Ty Cobb – Ty Cobb played for the Detroit Tigers from 1905 – 1926 (with a break in 1918 to serve in the Army as a Captain on the Western Front during the Original World War). Some of his highlights include:

1911 AL MVP
.366 career batting average (highest ever)
54 career steals of home (most all time)
Won 12 batting titles, including 9 in a row from 1907 to 1915. (most all time)
Fourth all time in stolen bases with 892 (first all time in stealing home 54 times)
Batted under .320 only once in his career
Batted over .400 three times (tied for MLB record)
In 1936 Cobb received the most votes of any player on the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, receiving 222 out of a possible 226 votes. If he had worn a number, it would be retired by the Tigers.

Hank Greenberg – The Hebrew Hammer played for the Tigers in 1930, 1933 – 1946 with about a 45 month break to serve in WWII (World War the Sequel). His highlights include:

5× All-Star (1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1945)
2× World Series champion (1935, 1945)
2× AL MVP (1935, 1940)
The Detroit Tigers retired his #5. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.

Al Kaline – Al played for the Tigers from 1953 – 1974. His highlights include:

18× All-Star (1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 (x2), 1960 (x2), 1961 (x2), 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1974)
World Series champion (1968)
10× Gold Glove Award winner (1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967)
His #6 has been retired by the Tigers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

Alan Trammell – Alan Trammell played for the Tigers from 1977 – 1996. His highlights include:

6× All-Star (1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)
AL Comeback Player of the Year (1983)
World Series champion (1984)
World Series MVP (1984)
4× Gold Glove Award (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984)
3× Silver Slugger Award (1987, 1988, 1990)

Honorable Mention: Hal Newhouser, Charlie Gehringer, Kirk Gibson, Willie Horton

The Mount Rushmore of the San Diego Padres

Tony Gwynn – Tony played for the Padres from 1982 -2001. His highlights include:

8× NL batting champion (1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
15× All-Star (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
7× Silver Slugger Award (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1997)
5× Gold Glove Award (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991)
The San Diego Padres have retired his #19. Tony was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. Honestly, we could just have Tony Gwynn on the list and leave it at that. When it comes to the Padres, there is a HUGE gap between #1 (Gwynn) and the rest of the pack. But since we said we’d have 4 players for each team, I guess I’ll continue the list…

Dave Winfield – Don’t misunderstand my above statement… Dave Winfield is a great player… but he was great on other teams, too. In fact, Dave Winfield was a great all-around athlete. After college, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres (MLB), the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), the Utah Stars (ABA) and the Minnesota Vikings (NFL). Anyway, Dave played for the Padres from 1973 -1980. His highlights with the team include:

4× All-Star (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980)
2× Gold Glove Award winner (1979, 1980)
The San Diego Padres have retired his #31. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Steve Garvey – Steve Garvey played for the Padres from 1983 – 1987. His highlights with the team include:

2× All-Star (1984, 1985)
NLCS MVP (1984)
His #6 has been retired by the Padres.

Randy Jones - Randy played for the Padres from 1973 – 1980. His highlights include:

2× All-Star (1975, 1976)
1975 NL Comeback Player of the Year
1976 NL Cy Young Award
The Padres have retired his #35.

Remember to check out Sonny’Side to see if he made as bad of a mistake as he made on his Giants list. FYI… I called Sonny on Sunday to let him know it looked like his blog had been hacked. Come to find out, he really did put Bonds on his list over McCovey. Unfreakinbelievable…

This Friday we’ll be looking at the White Sox and the Marlins.

I hope you had a productive day at work yesterday filling out your brackets. I’m entering a tournament pool with me, The Wife, Mary Ruth, Susie and Daniel… I do not expect to win. I’ll let you know how it turns out… Here's a look at our brackets...

It wasn't easy getting his picks... but Daniel really loves Ohio State and Georgetown... at least, those were the teams he seemed to get excited about.

Susie loves Butler's name... she would say "Butt-ler" and giggle each time. She'll probably win...

Picture Tuesday

The Wife and Mary Ruth were sick last week with the flu, so I had to take Susie and Daniel with me to Target to get some meds and other stuff... Daniel was starting to fuss, so Susie told him to "honk" her nose.