Category: A Fan’s View

Since the end of the 2018 Baseball Season fans of the game have been wondering where Manny Machico and Bryce Harper would be playing and for how much. With Bryce Harper signing with the Philadelphia Phillies we now know. Machado signed with the San Diego Padres on February 20th.

Both signed for Huge contracts. Two of the largest in baseball. They join Giancarlo Stanton with long-termed contracts. Machado at 300 Million for 10 years and Harper 330 Million for 13 years. Stanton signed a 13 year deal for 325 Million in 2014 while a member of the Miami Marlins. He was traded to the Yankees after the 2017 season and 9 years remain on that contract. Staton does have an opt-out after the 2020 season.

So who won this years Free-Agent Baseball War?

I suppose time will tell, but from my looking at it today, I would say the winner was Harper. While Machado per year salary will be greater, Harper’s contract ends when he is 39. Machado will be 35 when his end. It’s doubtful that at nearly 36 Machado will be able to get a 3 year 30 million dollar contract.

Machado’s contact does have a opt-out clause after 2023. Which he could opt-out and sign another 10 year contract that is even larger than this one. It’s easy to say that with contracts like these both are big winners.

Are they worth this much money?

Looking back on their accomplishments for the past several years, one would think they could be. Personally I find it hard to imagine being paid that much money, but there are plenty of people making more per year. But looking at some of the long term contracts that have been signed in the last 10-15 years one would say that the teams are making a big gamble. There are many factors that can happen over the next 10-13 years that could keep Machado and Harper, and Stanton too, that could have them being paid and not play.

The decade of the 70’s was nearly a year gone when on November 29, 1980 Abba, one of the biggest international pop artist, scored their ninth and last UK No.1 single with ‘Super Trouper’.

While the song and the Album with the same name was a big seller in the UK in the United States the single only managed to reach reached No. 45

It was their 25th Top 40 hit in the UK.

The name “Super Trouper” referred to the gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts.

https://youtu.be/rf6sILrY8p4
It was on November 28, 1974 that John Lennon made his last ever concert appearance. Elton John was playing at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. Lennon joined him on stage and performed three songs; ‘Whatever Gets You Thru The Night’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.’

It was Thanksgiving Day and I’m sure that there were many fans that fondly remember that Thanksgiving Concert.

‘I Saw Her Standing There’ was the B side of Elton John’s hit ‘Philadelphia Freedom’

Just discovered this on YouTube and had to to share

30 minutes of Genesis live from 1974

It was in 1974 on November 18th that Genesis released The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. The album was their sixth studio album and the last album with involvement of singer Peter Gabriel.

The concept album centres around a journey of self-discovery of Rael, a Puerto Rican youth living in New York City and the bizarre incidents and characters he meets along the way.

After the release of the album the group went on tour begins on November 20th in Chicago, and ended on May 22, 1975 in Besançon, France. The band knew that Peter Gabriel was planning on leaving the group at the end of the tour.

Even though it wasn’t a big hit for Genesis when it was first released it peaked at No. 10 on the UK Album Chart and No. 41 on the US Billboard 200, it is now considered one of their best albums.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I ended with the signing of the Armistice. November 11th since that day has been referred to as Armistice Day.

President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 was the first President to proclaim this day.

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

In 1954 Congress declared that November 11 would be a day to honor Veterans of all wars and not just WWI. They did this by using the official designation of Veterans Day and not Armistice Day.

In 1968 as part of the Uniforms Holiday Bill, Veteran Day was made one of the holidays that was moved to a Monday, for people to have a 3 day weekend. However after protests by veterans groups the holiday in 1978 reverted back to November 11th.

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.