I'm just sayin...: Part XIV – The Mount Rushmore of … Phillies/Rockies

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Seaman James H. Lee (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on June 19, 1864, on board the USS Kearsarge. His citation reads:

Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as sponger of the No. 1 gun during this bitter engagement, Lee exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer.

Private First Class Milton A. Lee (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 26, 1968, near Phu Bai, Thua Thien 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. Pfc. Lee distinguished himself near the city of Phu Bai in the province of Thua Thien. Pfc. Lee was serving as the radio telephone operator with the 3d platoon, Company B. As lead element for the company, the 3d platoon received intense surprise hostile fire from a force of North Vietnamese Army regulars in well-concealed bunkers. With 50 percent casualties, the platoon maneuvered to a position of cover to treat their wounded and reorganize, while Pfc. Lee moved through the heavy enemy fire giving lifesaving first aid to his wounded comrades. During the subsequent assault on the enemy defensive positions, Pfc. Lee continuously kept close radio contact with the company commander, relaying precise and understandable orders to his platoon leader. While advancing with the front rank toward the objective, Pfc. Lee observed 4 North Vietnamese soldiers with automatic weapons and a rocket launcher Lying in wait for the lead element of the platoon. As the element moved forward, unaware of the concealed danger, Pfc. Lee immediately and with utter disregard for his own personal safety, passed his radio to another soldier and charged through the murderous fire. Without hesitation he continued his assault, overrunning the enemy position, killing all occupants and capturing 4 automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. Pfc. Lee continued his 1-man assault on the second position through a heavy barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire. Grievously wounded, he continued to press the attack, crawling forward into a firing position and delivering accurate covering fire to enable his platoon to maneuver and destroy the position. Not until the position was overrun did Pfc. Lee falter in his steady volume of fire and succumb to his wounds. Pfc. Lee's heroic actions saved the lives of the lead element and were instrumental in the destruction of the key position of the enemy defense. Pfc. Lee's gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, the 502d Infantry, and the U.S. Army.

Second Lieutenant John Harold Leims (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 7, 1945, on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 7 march 1945. Launching a surprise attack against the rock-imbedded fortification of a dominating Japanese hill position, 2d Lt. Leims spurred his company forward with indomitable determination and, skillfully directing his assault platoons against the cave-emplaced enemy troops and heavily fortified pillboxes, succeeded in capturing the objective in later afternoon. When it became apparent that his assault platoons were cut off in this newly won position, approximately 400 yards forward of adjacent units and lacked all communication with the command post, he personally advanced and laid telephone lines across the isolating expanse of open fire-swept terrain. Ordered to withdraw his command after he had joined his forward platoons, he immediately complied, adroitly effecting the withdrawal of his troops without incident. Upon arriving at the rear, he was informed that several casualties had been left at the abandoned ridge position beyond the frontlines. Although suffering acutely from the strain and exhausting of battle, he instantly went forward despite darkness and the slashing fury of hostile machinegun fire, located and carried to safety 1 seriously wounded marine and then, running the gauntlet of enemy fire for the third time that night, again made his tortuous way into the bullet-riddled deathtrap and rescued another of his wounded men. A dauntless leader, concerned at all time for the welfare of his men, 2d Lt. Leims soundly maintained the coordinated strength of his battle-wearied company under extremely difficult conditions and, by his bold tactics, sustained aggressiveness, and heroic disregard for all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success of his division's operations against this vital Japanese base. His valiant conduct in the face of fanatic opposition sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the info…

The Mount Rushmore of the Philadelphia Phillies

Mike Schmidt – Years with the Phillies: 1972 -1989

Phillies Highlights: World Series champion (1980)
World Series MVP (1980)
12× All-Star (1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989)
8× NL home run champion (1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986)
4× NL RBI champion (1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)
10× Gold Glove Award (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)
6× Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)
3× NL MVP (1980, 1981, 1986)
#20 retired by the Philadelphia Phillies
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995

Steve Carlton – Years with the Phillies: 1972 - 1986

Phillies Highlights: 10× All-Star (1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982)
2× World Series champion (1967, 1980)
Gold Glove Award winner (1981)
4× NL Cy Young Award winner (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982)
Philadelphia Phillies retired his #32
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994

Jim Bunning – Years with the Phillies: 1964 – 1967, 1970 - 1971

Phillies Highlights: 2× All-Star (1964, 1966)
NL strikeout champion (1967)
Pitched a perfect game on June 21, 1964
#14 retired by the Philadelphia Phillies
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996

Lenny Dykstra – Years with the Phillies: 1989 - 1996

Phillies Highlights: 3× All-Star (1990, 1994, 1995)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1993)
I thought long and hard about this last selection. It’s hard to leave a player like Robin Roberts off of this list but I just had to have Dykstra on here. This was the kind of player I loved being teammates with (and I was lucky enough to have a few Dykstra-like teammates over the years). Lenny Dykstra was the type of player who went all out all the time. He was kind of like Pete Rose (with fewer hits). You knew that if Lenny was in the game, he was giving everything he had.

Honorable Mention: Robin Roberts, Larry Bowa

The Mount Rushmore of the Colorado Rockies

Larry Walker – Years with the Rockies: 1995 - 2004

Rockies Highlights: 4× All-Star (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)
5× Gold Glove Award winner (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002)
2× Silver Slugger Award winner (1997, 1999)
1997 NL MVP
3× NL batting title (1998, 1999, 2001)
1997 NL home run champion
Though not retired, his #33 hasn’t been worn since Walker was on the team.

Andres Galarraga – Years with the Rockies: 1993 - 1997

Rockies Highlights: 2× All-Star (1993, 1997)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1996)
NL Comeback Player of the Year (1993)
NL batting champion (1993)
NL home run champion (1996)
Inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010
Galarraga was one of the first stars for the Rockies and had a nice run at a .400 batting average in 1993 (he ended up with a .370 batting average that season).

Dante Bichette – Years with the Rockies: 1993 - 1999

Rockies Highlights: 4× All-Star (1994, 1995, 1996, 1998)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1995)

Vinny Castilla - Years with the Rockies: 1993 – 1999, 2004, 2006

Rockies Highlights: 2× All-Star (1995, 1998)
3× Silver Slugger Award winner (1995, 1997, 1998)

Flashback Friday