Part XIII – The Mount Rushmore of … Mets/Pirates

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private Fitz Lee (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on June 30, 1898, at Tayabacoa, Cuba. His citation reads:

Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts had been frustrated.

Captain Howard V. Lee (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on August 8-9, 1966, near Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. A platoon of Maj. (then Capt.) Lee's company, while on an operation deep in enemy territory, was attacked and surrounded by a large Vietnamese force. Realizing that the unit had suffered numerous casualties, depriving it of effective leadership, and fully aware that the platoon was even then under heavy attack by the enemy, Maj Lee took 7 men and proceeded by helicopter to reinforce the beleaguered platoon. Maj. Lee disembarked from the helicopter with 2 of his men and, braving withering enemy fire, led them into the perimeter, where he fearlessly moved from position to position, directing and encouraging the overtaxed troops. The enemy then launched a massive attack with the full might of their forces. Although painfully wounded by fragments from an enemy grenade in several areas of his body, including his eye, Maj. Lee continued undauntedly throughout the night to direct the valiant defense, coordinate supporting fire, and apprise higher headquarters of the plight of the platoon. The next morning he collapsed from his wounds and was forced to relinquish command. However the small band of marines had held their position and repeatedly fought off many vicious enemy attacks for a grueling 6 hours until their evacuation was effected the following morning. Maj. Lee's actions saved his men from capture, minimized the loss of lives, and dealt the enemy a severe defeat. His indomitable fighting spirit, superb leadership, and great personal valor in the face of tremendous odds, reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

Master Sergeant Hubert L. Lee (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 1, 1951, near Ip-ori, Korea. His citation reads:

M/Sgt. Lee, a member of Company I, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon was forced from its position by a numerically superior enemy force, and his platoon leader wounded, M/Sgt. Lee assumed command, regrouped the remnants of his unit, and led them in repeated assaults to regain the position. Within 25 yards of his objective he received a leg wound from grenade fragments, but refused assistance and continued the attack. Although forced to withdraw 5 times, each time he regrouped his remaining men and renewed the assault. Moving forward at the head of his small group in the fifth attempt, he was struck by an exploding grenade, knocked to the ground, and seriously wounded in both legs. Still refusing assistance, he advanced by crawling, rising to his knees to fire, and urging his men to follow. While thus directing the final assault he was wounded a third time, by small-arms fire. Persistently continuing to crawl forward, he directed his men in a final and successful attack which regained the vital objective. His intrepid leadership and determination led to the destruction of 83 of the enemy and withdrawal of the remainder, and was a vital factor in stopping the enemy attack. M/Sgt. Lee's indomitable courage, consummate valor, and outstanding leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.


Thanks to Wikipedia for the info…

The Mount Rushmore of the New York Mets

Tom Seaver – Years with the Mets: 1967 – 1977, 1983

Highlights with the team: 10× All-Star (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977)
1967 NL Rookie of the Year
World Series champion (1969)
3× NL Cy Young Award winner (1969, 1973, 1975)
Pitched a no-hitter on June 16, 1978
#41 retired by the New York Mets
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Gary Carter – Years with the Mets: 1985 - 1989

Highlights with the team: 4× All-Star (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)
World Series champion (1986)
2× Silver Slugger Award winner (1985, 1986)
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Dwight Gooden – Years with the Mets: 1984 - 1994

Highlights with the team: 4× All-Star (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988)
NL Rookie of the Year (1984)
World Series champion (1986)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1992)
NL Cy Young Award (1985)
Triple Crown (1985)
Dwight Gooden was one of the most dominating pitchers when he first started. I can only imagine what he could have done without drugs (real drugs… not PEDs).

Mike Piazza – Years with the Mets: 1998 - 2005

Highlights with the team: 7× All-Star (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005)
5× Silver Slugger Award winner (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

Honorable Mention: Darryl Strawberry


The Mount Rushmore of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Roberto Clemente – Years with the Pirates: 1955 - 1972

Highlights with the team: 15× All-Star games (1960(x2), 1961(x2), 1962(x2), 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972)
2× World Series champion (1960, 1971)
12× Gold Glove Award (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972)
4× NL batting title (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967)
NL MVP (1966)
World Series MVP (1971)
#21 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973

Honus Wagner – Years with the Pirates: 1900 - 1917

Highlights with the team: World Series Champion (1909)
National League Champion (1901, 1902)
NL Batting Champion (1900, 1903, 1904, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911)
#33 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Inducted in the first Baseball Hall of Fame class in 1936

Willie Stargell – Years with the Pirates: 1962 - 1982

Highlights with the team: 7× All-Star (1964, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978)
2× World Series champion (1971, 1979)
NL MVP (1979)
World Series MVP (1979)
2× NL home run champion (1971, 1973)
NL RBI champion (1973)
NLCS MVP (1979)
#8 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988

Barry Bonds - Years with the Pirates: 1986 - 1992

Highlights with the team: 2× All-Star (1990, 1992)
3× Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992)
3× Silver Slugger Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992)
2× NL MVP (1990, 1992)
Barry Bonds was a far better all-around player while with the Pirates than he was later in his career with the Giants when all he cared about was home runs.

Honorable Mention: Ralph Kiner, Bill Mazeroski


A quick look at the House of Greg brackets shows that our current rankings are:

1. Mary Ruth – 9 of 16 teams remaining (2 Final Four teams still in it, including Champ) – Also worth noting that MR did have Florida Gulf Coast in the Sweet 16.
2. Greg – 8 of 16 teams remaining (3 Final Four teams still in it, including both Championship Game teams).
3. The Wife – 6 of 16 teams remaining (3 Final Four teams still in it, including both Championship Game teams).
4. Susie – 6 of 16 teams remaining (2 Final Four teams still in it, including Runner-Up).
5. Daniel – 6 of 16 teams remaining (2 Final Four teams still in it, including Champ).


Picture Tuesday

Thanks to my good friend KC for letting me use this video... by the way, KC, can I please use this video?  You'll see Susie in the middle of the front row next to her future hubby Wyatt.  For the record, I thought Wyatt did a great job for only having one practice under his belt. He decided to go up there and let his big sister (Aubrey... on the other side of him) and Susie do all of the moving and singing.

Mary Ruth also sang in church this past Sunday.  She is on the front row (on the left).  They did a great job singing a song that wasn't easy.

Daniel swinging at his party...

All Susie needs is a swing and she's happy...

Daniel and his little Mickey Mouse cupcake

Susie loved her cupcake

Susie and Mary Ruth take a second out of fighting to come together for a picture...

It looked like Lucas liked the cupcake...

Me and Daniel wearing our Mickey Mouse shirts

Daniel and Lucas about to go down the slide

Mary Ruth is on the front row on the left

Sorry for the blurry pic... Susie is in the middle on the front row