Oscar Taveras homers in MLB debut, receives curtain call from Cardinals fans

By Mark Townsend 7 hours ago Big League Stew

It didn’t take Oscar Taveras long at all to announce his arrival in Major League Baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals top prospect officially got the call up on Saturday morning, and in his second career plate appearance on Saturday afternoon, he launched his first career home run off San Francisco Giants right-hander Yusmeiro Petit.

The solo shot broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning and was an absolute no-doubter to right field at Busch Stadium. The 21-year-old phenom, who many say is the Cardinals best hitting prospect since Albert Pujols, connected with one of the prettiest swings you’ll see from a player at any level. And he definitely enjoyed it, too, holding on to the bat for a couple steps before releasing and going into a home run trot that will likely become very familiar in St. Louis.

That’s picture perfect.

Really, the entire sequence was picture perfect and almost felt like a scene straight out of “The Natural.” Just prior to Taveras stepping up to the plate, the skies opened up and the rain began to fall, sending many fans scampering for cover. It didn’t serve as a deterrent for Taveras though. Instead, it provided a cool backdrop as he rounded the bases.

Then, as he entered the Cardinals home dugout, his new teammates stood together in a perfect single file line to greet him. Sometimes you’ll see the rookie get the silent treatment. Other times teammates all gather at the steps waiting to smack him on the helmet. The Cardinals set up was a little different, and it almost seemed like a collective sign of respect for what Taveras had just accomplished.

View photo

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(Getty Images)

Of course, Cardinals fans also appreciated the accomplishment. They remained standing in the rain and wouldn’t sit down until Taveras emerged from the dugout for a curtain call.

 

Taveras obliged, and just a couple minutes later, the game actually went into a rain delay.

The game has since resumed, so Taveras’ first hit and home run won’t serve as a pseudo walk-off home run. The chance to add to his already special day does exist though, and we’ll certainly keep you updated as to how the rest of his afternoon plays out.

 

 

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or

John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ now in a comic strip

By Fiona Fernandez |Posted 31-May-2014

In an email interview with Fiona Fernandez, Pablo Stanley, the San Diego-based creator of the comic strip, Imagine pays tribute to John Lennon’s iconic song

 

Q. What inspired you to create this comic strip? Are you a John Lennon fan?
A. I’ve been a Beatles and John Lennon fan since I was a kid. Imagine has always been one of my favourite songs. Its message is simple and in a way utopian but still beautiful.

Q. What were some of the challenges while creating a comic strip, especially since it was about one of the biggest cult songs of all time?
A. The biggest challenge was to put big ideas in small doodles. How can you simplify something so complex as hunger, war, hate and break it down in a way anyone can read? I used themes that anyone can relate to; good and evil, peace and war; and depict it in the most human way
possible. I used some of my idols in the comic too. People who have fought for equality, human rights, non-violence, and a better world. All of this was done to make the comic what the song was meant to be — a worldwide call for love and empathy.

Q. Are you tempted to create comic strips based on other iconic songs as well?
A. I have already started doing so and I intend to continue. You can see comics from the songs Yesterday by the Beatles, Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Do You Realize by Flaming Lips and Last Caress by Misfits.

Did you know?

– See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/john-lennons-song-imagine-now-in-a-comic-strip/15342163#sthash.kStENXAA.dpuf

On This Day: The Beatles release Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

By Julian Gavaghan | Yahoo News UK – Fri, May 30, 2014

• The LP instantly topped the charts in both Britain and America (Getty)

JUNE 1, 1967: The Beatles released their most critically acclaimed album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on this day in 1967.

The LP, in which the Liverpudlian band showcased a revolutionary new sound and the first ever concept album, instantly topped the charts in both Britain and America.

It also received huge critical praise, with Kenneth Tynan in The Times describing the release as ‘a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization’.

The New Statesman claimed the album, which included the eponymous title track and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, elevated pop into fine art.

And in the U.S., Time magazine declared the rock LP, which was the first ever to win four Grammy Awards, a ‘historic departure in the progress of music’.

To Paul McCartney, who was inspired to produce an album that was thematically linked to their childhoods, it told the world: ‘We were not boys, we were men.’

Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released ten months after The Beatles permanently retired from touring after being fed up by the hysteria that greeted them.

The Beatles allowed themselves to be more experimental and focus on high production quality (Getty)

‘All that boy stuff, all that screaming, we didn’t want any more,’ McCartney explained. ‘There was now more to it.’

The band, who also included John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, hoped their new sound would enable them be seen ‘as artists rather than just performers.’

Bob Dylan, whom the group deeply respected for his personal and emotional song-writing style, certainly got the message.

 

[On This Day: The Beatles release hit song, ‘Yesterday’]

Upon hearing the frequently dark and strange collection of songs for the first time, the American simply told McCartney: ‘Oh I get it, you don’t want to be cute anymore.’

The Beatles allowed themselves to be more experimental and focus on high production quality because they knew they would not have to perform the tracks live.

They were also given added creative impetus by assuming alter egos because the recording represented a performance by the fictional Sgt Pepper band.

The multi-genre LP showcased a wide range of sounds, styles and instruments (Getty)

The multi-genre LP, which was later ranked No 1 in Rolling Stone magazine’s top 500 albums of all time, showcased a wide range of sounds, styles and instruments.

It included elements of psychedelic, vaudeville, circus, music hall, avant-garde, Western and Indian classical music – as well as using a 40-piece orchestra.

The album was so good that EMI bosses demanded that two of the songs the band had recorded for it – Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane – should be excluded and released separately as a double A-side single.

 

 

[On This Day: Beatles receive gongs at Buckingham Palace]

 

It also included one of the most iconic album covers, which depicted the band posing in front of a collage of celebrities and historical figures.

It was designed by the English pop artists Peter Blake and Jann Haworth based on a sketch by McCartney.

A British Pathé newsreel from 1967 showed a replica of the artwork on a gipsy caravan that was gifted to Lennon’s son, Julian Lennon.

The band retired from touring after being fed up by the hysteria that greeted them (Getty)

Sgt Pepper, which has sold 30million copies, also inspired a host of other musicians, including the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys, to make concept pieces.

And it marked the beginning of the Album Era, when it became standard practice to write songs to tie together thematically.

For the Beatles themselves, it marked the start of a three-year period in which they recorded and released an astonishing five original studio albums.

 

 

[On This Day: Captain Scott sets off on doomed Antarctic expedition]

 

Their final LP, Let It Be, was released in May 1970 – a month after The Beatles had broken up following a decade together.

Lennon had been unhappiest in The Beatles and – encouraged by his Japanese wife Yoko Ono – wanted to go on and produce even edgier and more political music.

He was shot dead on the street near his home in New York in December 1980, while Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001.

McCartney and Starr remain musically active.

Rock Hall of Shame Dishonors Beatles, Stones Managers on Tonight’s Show

• ■Music

by Roger Friedman – May 31, 2014 12:46 am

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When the taping of last month’s annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert is shown tonight on HBO, the Hall will make yet another grievous error. If we’re lucky we’ll see two seconds of Peter Asher’s seven minute speech inducting the original managers of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones– the late Brian Epstein and the very much alive Andrew Loog Oldham.

It only took 29 years to get acknowledgments for these two seminal rock and roll figures at the Hall of Shame. Oldham was so horrified by the whole event that he didn’t even bother attending. Epstein’s family was given short shrift. Oldham said in an interview: “I think those people basically hijacked the name ‘rock ‘n’ roll,  I won’t be there.   It’s now just a television show. ”

Asher, who at least knew Epstein and is friends with Oldham, was chosen to induct the pair. In the past, such inductees would have separate speeches and a lot of fanfare. But Hall poobah Jann Wenner found this all so uninteresting that he and Rock Hall prez Joel Peresman ($400K a year salary) simply combined the two inductions into one quickly forgotten moment. Asher was hurried off the stage of the Barclays Center. Watch tonight and see if you can find him.

Of course, this is in contrast to, say, Wenner’s own induction a few years ago. That consisted of at least 10 minutes of toasts, followed by Wenner’s 12 minute speech. The legendary rock bands that he created and managed? Uh, hmmm. None.

Of the nearly five hour show at the Barclays, just under 7 minutes was devoted to the Epstein-Oldham induction.

Iggy Azalea matches The Beatles’ US chart record Iggy Azalea Tickets

 

The Australian rapper has taken the top two spots in the Billboard Hot

Photo: Pooneh Ghana/NME

Iggy Azalea has matched The Beatles US chart record, scoring both the Number One and Number Two spots in the Billboard Hot 100, with her first two entries on the chart.

‘Fancy’, featuring British pop singer Charli XCX, is currently at Number One in the Stateside chart, whilst Ariana Grande’s single ‘Problem’, which features a guest appearance from Iggy Azalea, is at Number Two. The last act to achieve this feat was The Beatles in February 1964, with ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ at Number One and ‘She Loves You’ at Number Two.

Last week Iggy Azalea apologised to fans after she was forced to halt a live performance of ‘Fancy’ on US TV claiming she had a problem with her earpiece. Azalea, who released her debut album ‘The New Classic’ last month, was performing alongside Charli XCX on Dancing With The Stars when the mistake occurred. Walking down a flight of stairs, she appears to start her first verse too early and is subsequently crashed by pre-recorded vocals.

Stopping the performance, she is heard saying, “I’m so sorry but there’s something wrong with my ears.” She then removed the earpiece entirely and continued the performance without any technical assistance. Tweeting after the performance, Azalea apologised to fans and again blamed her equipment for the mistakes. “I am so sorry guys! My in ears messed up and I couldn’t hear the track,” she wrote. “The dramas of live TV. Shit happens. Still really enjoyed it.”

Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/iggy-azalea/77593#395eqvRQID083Gto.99

“Dave Clark dead 2014” : Dave Clark Five ex-frontman killed by internet death hoax

 

• By Jessica Simpson
• London
• Last updated on May 31, 2014

Dave Clark is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

Dave Clark »

See more news, pictures and video.

 

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News of singer Dave Clark’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the May 2014 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, Dave Clark Five ex-frontman is alive and well.

UPDATE 31/05/2014 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Dave Clark death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the singer’s alleged demise gained traction on Thursday after a ‘R.I.P. Dave Clark’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the British singer’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Thursday (May 29, 2014), our beloved singer Dave Clark passed away. Dave Clark was born on December 15, 1942 in London. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 71-year-old singer, songwriter and musician was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major British network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a singer of Dave Clark’s stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (71%) of respondents think those Dave Clark death rumors are not funny anymore.

Dave Clark Death Hoax Dismissed Since Singer Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Friday (May 30) the singer’s reps officially confirmed that Dave Clark is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved singer. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

David Price Hits Two, Stays In Game As Most Of Boston Is Ejected

O

Sean Newell

 

5/31/14 3:20pm 48 minutes ago

The Red Sox and Rays cleared the benches last night which, by itself, is barely worth mentioning but then someone put a microphone in front of David Ortiz’s face after the game. Ortiz was not very happy with Tampa’s ace David Price, who plunked him with the very first pitch Ortiz saw since hitting two home runs off Price in the ALDS last year. Among other things, Ortiz said he lost all respect for Price and called him a “little bitch.”

Ortiz on HBP: ‘It’s war’; Price unapologeticOrtiz on HBP: ‘It’s war’; Price unapologeticOrtiz on HBP: ‘It’s war’; Price unapologetic

David Ortiz, outraged that David Price hit him Friday night with a 94-mile-an-hour fastball on the… Read on espn.​go.​com

Ortiz, who did not play in Price’s last start against the Sox in Tampa, went on to call Price a “little girl” and termed the situation a war.

“I was surprised. You can’t be acting like a little girl out there,” Ortiz said. “You aren’t going to win all of the time. When you give it up, that is an experience for the next time. If you are going to be acting like a little b—— every time you give it up and put your teammates in jeopardy, that is going to cost you.

“I was going to let him know. I respect everyone in this league and expect the same from everyone. If you are mad because I take you deep twice, let me let you know. I’ve got almost 500 home runs in this league. That’s part of the game, son.”

Price, obviously, played the “establishing the inside” game and deflected questions about his intent to hit Ortiz. Price, obviously, is full of shit. But who cares? Giving up home runs is part of the game just like getting plunked by a salty pitcher is. Whatever. The benches get warned, the manager of the hit-batsman flips out about the unfairness of also being warned, he gets tossed, and we all move on. John Farrell played his part and was tossed.

Things took a turn to the absurd in the fourth when Price hit another Sox batter and the benches cleared. Ortiz lost his mind. Mike Carp felt he was hit intentionally. Mike Carp clearly lost his mind. The umpires, correctly assuming that no one is actually trying to hit Mike Carp, allowed Price to remain in the game. That’s when bench coach Torey Lovullo, filling in for the ejected Farrell, lost his mind and was promptly tossed. David Price 2, Boston coaches 0.

Eventually everyone calmed down and the game resumed. Fast forward to the sixth inning and Evan Longoria’s at-bat against Brandon Workman. Workman sailed a pitch behind Longoria’s head and was immediately ejected. Third base coach Brian Butterfield was also automatically ejected. Ted Williams’s frozen dome is basically managing the game at this point. The Red Sox had four ejections and three hit batsman (Jonny Gomes was also hit) to Tampa Bay’s…nothing.

The Red Sox eventually regrouped and were on the right side of the only score that really matters. In the 10th, A.J. Pierzynski drove in Gomes from first on a walk-off triple, giving the Red Sox a 3-2 win. First pitch tonight is at 7:15 on FOX, so maybe check in to see what happens next.

Oscar Taveras homers in his second major league at-bat

Oscar Taveras homers in his second major league at-bat

D.J. Short

May 31, 2014, 3:51 PM EDT

Cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras harmlessly flew out to left field in his first major league at-bat this afternoon, but he did this in his second at-bat:

The game went into a rain delay right after the home run, so it would be weird if it gets wiped out on account of the weather. But still, that swing. Just beautiful. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many in the big leagues.

Courtesy of our own Matthew Pouliot, check out this screenshot of Taveras’ blast. If this picture isn’t the wallpaper in Drew Silva’s bedroom already, I’m gonna be really disappointed.

 

Oscar Taveras batting sixth and playing right field in MLB debut

D.J. Short

May 31, 2014, 12:20 PM EDT

Getty Images

It’s official. The Cardinals have recalled top prospect outfielder Oscar Taveras from Triple-A Memphis. He’ll take the roster spot of Matt Adams, who was placed on the disabled list with left calf tightness.

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Taveras will bat sixth in his major league debut this afternoon against the Giants. While he has made most of his starts in center field at the Triple-A level this year, he’ll play right field today.

Taveras, considered by many to be the best pure hitter in the minors, was batting .325/.373/.424 with seven home runs and 40 RBI through 49 games in Triple-A this year. The 21-year-old likely would have been in the majors by now if it wasn’t for his ankle injury last season, but the long wait is over. And the Cardinals just got more interesting.

Mark Teixeira exits game with right wrist soreness

D.J. Short

May 31, 2014, 3:41 PM EDT

Getty Images

Bad news for the Yankees, as Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reports that Mark Teixeira left today’s game against the Twins due to renewed soreness in his surgically-repaired right wrist.

Teixeira missed three games earlier this week due to inflammation in the wrist, but he returned to the lineup last night and went 0-for-1 with three walks. He made it through two at-bats today before exiting.

With Teixeira’s wrist a lingering question mark, it will be interesting to see if the Yankees consider making a serious run at free agent Kendrys Morales. He’ll no longer be attached to draft pick compensation after the First-Year Player Draft next Thursday.