Goodbye Mr. Killebrew

harmon killebrew

Source: AP

I wasn’t alive when Harmon Killebrew played baseball. I know what he meant to the game and to Twins fans across Minnesota though. Today the Minnesota Twins announced Twins great Harmon Killebrew has entered hospice care.

**UPDATE 5/17: Mr. Killebrew has died of cancer at the age of 74. So sad…

“I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care that hospice provides,” said Killebrew. “I am comforted by the fact that I am surrounded by my family and friends. I thank you for the outpouring of concern, prayers and encouragement that you have shown me. I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with Nita by my side.”

May God be with you and bless you Mr. Killebrew.

Killer Facts:
 – Harmon Killebrew ranks #11 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B.
Harmon “Killer” Killebrew hit more home runs than any other right-handed batter in American League history.
– Signed originally as a bonus baby, Killebrew rusted on the Senators’ bench for five years from the age 18-22, before getting a chance to prove his power.
– He immediately slammed 42 homers in his first full season, the first of eight times he would reach the 40-mark.
– He retired with 573 homers, more than 2,000 hits, 1,500 RBI and 1,500 walks.
– He ranks 5th in the category of “Most times walked intentionally with no one on base.”
– Killebrew exhibited a calm demeanor and professional attitude. He was never, not even once, ejected from a game.
– Killebrew reportedly hit several balls over 500 feet, and is credited with one of the longest home runs in Tiger Stadium history (May 2, 1964), as well as one of the longest blasts in Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium… Hit three homers in September 21, 1963 in the first game of a doubleheader.
(via The Baseball Page)

13 Crazy Facts About Friday the 13th

friday-13th
1. Infamous murderers Charles Manson, Harold Shipman, Frederick West, Saddam Hussein, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and Jack the Ripper each have 13 letters in their names.

2. The fear of Friday the 13th is called Friggatriskaidekaphobia, and more than 60 million people worldwide claim to be affected by it. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were said to be sufferers.

3. In Formula 1, there is no car with the number 13. The number has been removed after two drivers were killed in crashes — both driving cars numbered 13.

4. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal.

5. Sean Cunningham (Director) started advertising the movie Friday the 13th before the script was even finished.

6. Black Sabbath’s eponymous debut album was released in the UK on Friday, February 13, 1970.

7. The independent horror flick Friday the 13th was released in May 1980 and despite only having a budget of $550,000 it grossed $39.7 million at the box office in the United States.

6. Harry Manfredini (Film Composer) came up with the sound “ki ki ki, ma ma ma”, based on the line “Kill her mommy!” The creepiness of it was done by speaking the line and running it through a an echo reverberation machine.

7. The remake of the original Friday the 13th film was released on Friday, February 13, 2009.

8. Notable people born on Friday the 13th include Fidel Castro, notorious American train and bank robber Butch Cassidy, and Steve Buscemi (13 December 1957).

9. Tupac Shakur died on Friday, September 13, 1996.

10. The Uruguayan rugby team’s plane crashed in the Andes mountain range on Friday, 13 October, 1972.

11. Many hospitals and hotels have no room or floor 13, while airports don’t have a Gate 13.

12. Months with a Friday the 13th always begin on a Sunday.

13. Judas was the 13th guest at the last supper and that dinner party didn’t have the luckiest consequences. The idea that having 13 guests at a gathering is unlucky is not uncommon.

Terrorist hostage-taker photo backdrop

Dutch artist Helmut Smits art installations are usually controversial, but ‘Photo Tip’ definitely pushes takes it to the next level. ‘Photo Tip’ is a new art installation that lets people take a photo in front of a terrorist hostage-taker backdrop.

Would it be in bad taste to do this as a Christmas card? Jusk asking.
(via Helmut Smits)
Dutch artist Helmut Smits’Source: Trend Central

Source: Trend Central

Inspirational graffiti


(via The Meta Picture)

Bohemian Rhapsody on the ukulele

The ukulele is a beautiful instrument and Jake Shimabukuro proves that with his stirring rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” I realize this song is overexposed and tire by now, but I promise you this version will move you.


(via One Cool Thing a Day)

Bizarre Google Street Views

Jon Rafman is not necessarily an artist or a photographer, but he does have a knack for finding the strangest and scariest pictures one might find when browsing streets on Google Street View. Check out his collection of Bizarre Google Street Views. (via Trend Hunter)

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So dog, what did you do while I was at work all day?

So dog, what did you do while I was at work all day?…………SONOFABI*%$#!


(via The Whatever)

The story of Tom Brusko

I am a firm believer that a good percentage of the homeless people in America choose to stay on the streets rather than take the help that is out there for them. I also know that mental illness, addiction, and any criminal record basically ruins any chances of getting a job or qualifying for a place to live if you ae trying to do it all by yourself. This can be a life sentence for those who truly want to right their wrongs and contribute to society again.

I think we as Americans need to look more at helping those in need on our own streets before cutting a check to help those in other countries. You don’t have to give cash to a guy like Vietnam vet Tom Brusko (shown in video below). Sometimes a hamburger, some toiletries, or pair of tennis shoes can give them the hope that someone cares and that they should keep going. I don’t care what political party you are part of, helping people without judging should just happen once in awhile.

Watch this story about a homeless Vietnam vet named Tom Brusko (a.k.a., Epic Beard Man)  in Oakland. He may have done this to himself, but he’s hurting and that sucks. There are millions like him across the U.S. Maybe this will encourage you to not look away next time you see someone like him.

(via)

Green Day and a parent exchange words

Back in December of 1996, worried about the influence of Green Day’s “explicit” fourth album, Insomniac, on her 8-year-old son, a mother decided to write a slightly aggressive letter of complaint to the band. It clearly hit a nerve, and she soon received a handwritten response from then-24-year-old frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Both letters can be seen below.

Frankly, I kinda of agree with the parent here, but not for the same reasons. I just think Green Day music is “rubbish.” Still, you gotta appreciate Billie Joe’s response.

Green Day writes letter to angry parent
(via Letters of Note)

Happy 70th Birthday, Bob!

Minnesotans love to claim Dylan as one of their own. He is, after all, one of our most successful exports. Anyway, Bob Dylan turns 70 years old on May 24th. Rolling Stone has a nice write-up in honor of Dylan and his music. Check it out here.

Bob Dylan's First-Ever China Concert

Source: LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Bob Dylan's First-Ever China Concert