Afternoon Baseball

We lead off this session with what should almost be its own post. That is...

One of the greatest character actors ever, Charles Lane, has died at age 102. A founding Screen Actors Guild member, you'll see him every year in "It's A Wonderful Life" (and nine other Frank Capra films) and the "I Love Lucy" episode where she has her baby, but he's also in hundreds (!) of other films and shows. TV Land honored him on his 100th birthday, and you can see him picking up Ginger Rogers as a first-time prostitute (yes, you read that right) in "Primrose Path."
Sadly, there's not many other, much better clips I could find, although you can get "Lucy Goes To The Hospital" at Amazon.
For more, read some great thoughts and links at this fascinating blog.

In case you've forgotten any of the Lou Gehrig speech, made July 4, 1939, here's the text and the only audio available. Since the anniversary and the latest Old Timers Day was this week, I though I'd throw that in. For a shy, reticent man, he delivered more in a few minutes than most in a lifetime.

The worst football announcer of all time -- Bill Maas -- and a man who nearly made it impossible for me to watch New York Giants games has been arrested and as such is assuring us that he won't be back on the airwaves. Rejoice, one and all.

Jenna Fischer's blog has been picked as one of the best celebrity blogs. Sure, it's EW doing the picking, but still. It's a great insight into the show and the groundedness of its breakout star.

Michael Cera is moving on from "Arrested Development," but of course is inextricably linked to it. Read more about both here.

The deaths of Clete Boyer and other baseball figures, or rather, their lives, are remembered over at Bronx Banter. Boyer's Cooperstown connection, in particular, is recalled as we approach the induction of two other fine baseball gentlemen, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr.

And last, and certainly most disgusting, is the news that Major League Baseball has enlisted Dane Cook as its postseason spokesman. The apt comparison with the NFL's choice is just the most-potent arrow slung at this target.

Labels: Arrested-Development, Midweeklinks, The-Office