Random Musings

Just a few thoughts that have been running through my head lately.

If you don't already know, I run a small radio station that I call "Radio Free Connecticut".  My station is a "Part 15" outlet, transmitting on 1540 AM.  What is "Part 15" radio? Simply put, it's extremely low-power, community-focused radio.  Legally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that as long as such stations stay under a certain amount of power, no broadcasting license is needed.  Our signal (which doesn't interfere with any other station) can be heard near the Bridgeport/Stratford city line, and online as well.

It can be difficult to drum up publicity for my station, but I think some good press is coming my way.  Several weeks ago, I was interviewed for a forthcoming feature in the "Fairfield County Business Journal" magazine.  I am told that said feature will, most likely, be part of the Journal's December issue.  That being said, watch for this issue on newsstands, and pick up a copy soon!

Don't look now, but it seems as if ol' Matty has gotten the romantic bug again, LOL.  This time, the woman in question is a friend that lives in the "Sunshine State" of Florida.  She's very attractive, and what I like to call "upwardly mobile"; that is, she's a "mover and shaker" in the business world.  The long distance between our homes notwithstanding, I find myself thinking about this woman often.  Could it be that I've fallen for her? "As news breaks out, we'll break in" (Fox News).

Now on to other pressing matters.  I hope everyone is having a good holiday season; so far, mine's been going great.  Last week, my family had a reunion of sorts at the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield, CT.  All living generations of the family were represented; I had a fantastic time listening to, and telling, stories.  One particular story that I told (yes, it is factual) dealt with family ancestry.

Some of you may know that I am a big fan of professional wrestling.  A few months back, I was doing some research concerning my family tree, and relatives (I was able to trace my parents back through multiple generations).  In the course of my exploration of this topic, I happened upon a relation (on my father's side of the family) that is linked to a family of McMahons.

So, why is this a notable revelation? If you aren't aware, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was founded by a Vincent McMahon Sr.; his son, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, is the Chairman of the company's board (not to mention the creative force behind "Monday Night Raw" and "Wrestlemania").  The latter's son (Shane McMahon) and daughter (Stephanie McMahon) currently oversee most of the group's day-to-day operations.

Realizing this, I have started to wonder whether I could be at least distantly related to the McMahon wrestling dynasty.  According to my Aunt Eileen, my father's side of the family definitely has relatives with that name.  The critical part of this question is which part of the McMahon's that I am linked to.  You see, there are two major groups of McMahons; I believe that the family in question came to America from County Mayo, Ireland.  One group is linked to my family; the other is not.

Obviously, it would be a major coincidence if I was somehow related to the wrestling world's McMahons.  As I have pointed out, any such relationship would likely be a distant one.  However, stranger things have, indeed, happened before.  I intend to, through the Gaelic-American Club, conduct further research into this possibility; I'll let you know what I find out.

"Until next time....if there IS a next time".  :)

PS: Did anyone figure out where the title of my introductory post originated? If you guessed the TV show "You Can't Do That On Television" (which aired in Canada, and on Nickelodeon in the 1980s), you're right, and receive +10 cool points!

2019 Baseball Hall of Fame Balloting (Part 1)

Each year, the many sportswriters that cover the game of baseball vote on possible inductees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Located in Cooperstown, New York, the Hall of Fame is a shrine to all legends of "our national pasttime". With the latest round of voting in progress (results will be announced in January of 2019), it's time to reveal my picks for "baseball immortality".

To start off, let's examine the roster of first-time candidates, listed in no particular order (my votes are listed as “yes”, “no”, or “leaning yes/no”

• Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees) - Yes. Everything about Rivera says class and excellence, right down to his introduction music (Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”). MLB’s all-time leader in saves should be a first-ballot selection; the only real question is whether or not he will get in on an unanimous vote.

• Roy Halladay (Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays): Yes. With his untimely death as a factor, I believe that Halladay will have the votes to get in this year. Performance-wise, his 2010 perfecto seals the deal for me.

• Andy Pettitte (New York Yankees, Houston Astros): No. Pettitte could be lights out on the mound at times. Nevertheless, his lean years in Houston find him being just short of earning my vote.

• Todd Helton (Colorado Rockies): No. Helton had a big bat, and could hit the ball like nobody’s business. However, he was quite sluggish in the field; therefore, he comes up just short (see Andy Pettitte).

• Lance Berkman (Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals): No. Berkman was part of some excellent Astros and Cards teams, but his numbers aren’t quite where they need to be.

• Roger Clemens (Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, New York Yankees): No. "The Rocket's" stats pan out, but his use of steroids turns me off. He'll probably have to wait on induction for a couple more years.

• Barry Bonds (Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants): No. Bonds is the MLB's all-time home run king, having hit seven hundred and sixty-two "dingers" in his career (the world record for career homers is held by Japan's Sadaharu Oh, who hit eight hundred and sixty-eight of them). However, Bonds had a bad attitude in the clubhouse, and most of his home runs were, IMHO, steroid-aided. As such, I don't think he's worthy of my vote (although he will, eventually, be inducted).

Some Recurring Candidates:

• George Steinbrenner (owner and executive, New York Yankees): Yes. Whether you liked him or not (and for better or for worse), you have to give him credit for bringing the Yankees back from some very “lean years” in the late sixties/early seventies. Steinbrenner was the catalyst in creating a second New York Yankees dynasty; for that, he gets my vote.

• Lee Smith (Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, others): Yes. Smith has the third most saves in MLB history, behind only Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. I don’t know why he’s not already a Hall of Famer.

• Will Clark (San Francisco Giants): No. Although Clark was the Giants’ long time lynchpin at first base, we’re not giving awards for longevity alone here. Clark was good, but not great; this is the Hall of Fame we’re talking about, not the “Hall of Good”.

• Orel Hershiser (Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians): Yes. Dubbed the “Bulldog”, Hershiser was one of the best pitchers of his time, IMHO. I still remember him owning Mets batters during the 1988 National League Championship Series (NLCS), which his Dodgers won quite handily.

• Harold Baines (Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox): No. Why is Baines even on the ballot? During his career, he was never anything more than mediocre, and trade bait. When it comes to hall of famers, Baines shouldn’t even be in the conversation.

Part 2, featuring more returning candidates, is still to come.

Just An Introduction (To The Opposite Sketch)

I suppose I should briefly introduce myself....I'm Matt, aka "Matty" or "Matty B".  I hail from Fairfield Connecticut, a medium-sized suburb of New York City.  My hometown is known throughout the northeast as a haven for many creative minds, and for the beauty of our plant life.  And yes, "George Washington slept here", at a landmark known as the "Sun Tavern"!

For a moment, let me speak about my hobbies and creative pursuits.  I love music, especially rock and pop from the eighties and nineties.  Radio broadcasting is also a favorite hobby of mine.  I operate a small AM station that I call "Radio Free Connecticut".  This community-based type of station is known as a "Part 15" operation (the FCC has declared that stations of this type need not be licensed)...more on that later.

 I also love sports, gaming, civil debate, and professional wrestling.  Favorite sports teams include the New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Rangers, and anything associated with Fairfield Warde High School (to coin a phrase, "feel the power of the MUSTANG STAMPEDE").  Sports-wise, I also root for UConn men's/women's basketball (go Huskies), and the Fairfield University Stags basketball teams.  Fairfield opponents take note; the "Red Sea" is in effect! "Go animal, or GO HOME"!

Having introduced myself, I should get back to bed; I need to get to the polls (for Election Day) in the morning.  Thanks for reading this first post, and to quote the late WNBC-TV announcer Don Pardo, "until next time....if there IS a next time" !

PS: +10 cool points to anyone who knows where the title of this post originated (hint: the phrase came from a 1980s Canadian TV show).