Rosie the Riveter on the $10 Bill: Adding to the Discussion

In January, the U.S. Mint announced that it would “feature a notable woman” on a newly designed $10 bill (set for release in 2020).  As a part of the vetting process, Jacob Lew, the U.S. treasury secretary, has asked the public to chime in with suggested candidates for this honor.  In an Asbury Park Press article, Gerald Thomas argues that the U.S. Mint should place an image of Rosie the Riveter on the $10 bill.

Thomas makes a number of good points in advocating that the U.S. Mint replace Alexander Hamilton with this World War II era image.  He is spot on when he states that Rosie the Riveter, “demonstrates the perseverance, fortitude and strength of the nation, exemplifying the wartime contributions of women coast to coast.”  He also makes a valid point when notes that the picture speaks not only to the accomplishments of women, but to the perseverance of Americans in general (military veterans and others) during times of war and strife.

Thomas does an excellent job in advocating for Rosie’s inclusion on the $10 bill; however, I think that an individual, by delineating a few other key points, can strengthen the case for her inclusion on the currency note. With that in mind, here are my thoughts on the matter:

• The Person Who Portrayed Rosie the Riveter is Deceased: The U.S. Mint will not place a living person on a currency bill.  Mary Keefe, the model who portrayed Rosie the Riveter on the government billboards and posters, passed away in April of this year (2015).  Hence, the government could place Rosie on its $10 bill.

• Excellent Way to Transmit Values/Ideals: I would imagine that almost every American will use these new $10 bills and thus view the portrait, located on this note.  Most of these people will see the image numerous times.  As a result, the federal government has an opportunity to use the currency to convey important values and beliefs regarding women.  I think that it can more clearly and effectively transmit these messages by using the image of Rosie the Riveter than it could via utilizing the portrait of a notable American woman.  In the former case, a viewer, even one who does not know anything about American history, will clearly understand that Rosie the Riveter is a symbol of empowerment for working class women (and indeed all women).  The image conveys this message through her rolled up sleeves, her flexed biceps, the serious face, the work shirt, etc.  I do not think that a portrait of Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, or any other woman would convey such clear, symbolic messages. 

• Add a Little Flair: I also think that the government could add a little flair to its overly staid paper currency by opting for Rosie the Riveter over a formal portrait.  Perhaps the U.S. government could follow in the footsteps of Canada (and other countries) and even add a little color to the bill.

-- Anthony Hopper (author of Using Data Management Techniques to Modernize Healthcare)

#TheNew10 #money #politics #womensrights #history

Top 10 Most Memorable Seasons by MLB Teams En Route to the Playoffs (Written in 2012)

Abstract: Major League Baseball has a rich and storied history. Here are the top 10 most memorable regular season performances by baseball clubs en route to the playoffs.

Major League Baseball can point to its rich and storied history, which dates to before the first World Series in 1903. Over the years, a number of baseball clubs have gained fame for their memorable regular-season performances en route to the playoffs. Some of these teams made history because they overcame long odds to reach the postseason. Other squads are remembered because they dominated the competition on their way to the playoffs.

Here are the top 10 most memorable regular-season performances by baseball clubs en route to playoff appearances:

1. New York Yankees, 1998: The Yankees set an American League record by winning 114 games in the regular season. Yankees fans had much to be proud of that year, as their team would go on to win the World Series.

2. Tampa Bay Rays, 2011: The Rays were nine games behind the American League wild-card leader--the Boston Red Sox--as late as September and looked to be out of the postseason hunt. Instead, the Rays became the first club in Major League Baseball's history to overcome a nine-game deficit in September to reach the playoffs. The Rays clinched the wild-card berth on the final day of the season. The team did it in grand fashion by coming back from seven runs down to beat the New York Yankees 8-7 in extra innings.

3. Chicago Cubs, 1906: The Cubs finished the 1906 regular season with 116 wins and 36 losses. No major league team since that time has topped the Cubs' .763 winning percentage. Unfortunately, the Cubs could not parlay that tremendous regular season record into postseason success. The club lost the World Series to its crosstown rival, the Chicago White Sox.

4. St. Louis Cardinals, 2011: Most people who took a look at the major league standings on Aug. 25, 2011, probably thought that the Cardinals' season was over. At that time, the team was 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the National League's wild-card spot. Amazingly, the Cardinals would go on to win 23 of their last 31 games and secure a ticket to the playoffs (and eventually win the World Series).

5. Seattle Mariners, 2001: The Oakland Athletics capped off a superb year in 2001 by winning 102 games. However, the team finished an amazing 14 games behind the first-place Seattle Mariners. The Mariners set an American League record by winning 116 games.

6. Boston Braves, 1914: The Braves had finished 31.5 games behind the league winner in 1913. The team seemed to be heading for a similar fate in mid-July 1914. The club was ranked dead last in the National League. The Braves would go on an amazing run during the latter part of the season to win both the league pennant and the World Series.

7. Colorado Rockies, 1995: The club played its first major league game in 1993. The Rockies made it to the playoffs in the 1995 season. No other expansion club up to that point had reached the playoffs in such a short time span.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1999: Under manager Buck Showalter, the Diamondbacks made history by reaching the playoffs in only the club's second year in existence.

9. New York Mets, 1969: In previous seasons, the Mets had been the epitome of a bad team. Few people expected the club to do anything of note in 1969. The Mets surprised everyone by winning 100 games and making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The squad was not done. It went on to win the World Series in that year.

10. Montreal Expos, 1981: Fans of the Expos were ecstatic when the team made its first and only appearance in the playoffs in 1981. Perhaps the club, now called the Washington Nationals, will secure its second postseason berth ever in 2012.

Sources:

Major League Baseball's official website
Baseball Reference

The author has been following Major League Baseball since he was a child and is a fan of the Atlanta Braves.

-- Anthony Hopper

#baseball #MLB #history #sports #sportshistory #baseballhistory #Braves #Mets #Expos #Mariners #playoffs #Cardinals #Cubs #Rays #Yankees

NFL Stadium Guide: Carolina Panthers (Written in 2012/2013)

Abstract: This stadium guide provides fans of the Carolina Panthers with pertinent information on Bank of America Stadium.

The Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (1)

The Carolina Panthers are my second most favorite team behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have visited Bank of America Stadium on several occasions to watch the Panthers play football. The stadium is only about a three and half hour drive from my current residence. I love the stadium's design. Regardless of where I sit, I always feel like I have a great view of the field.

I have created a stadium guide for fans of the Carolina Panthers. The guide contains pertinent information on a range of topics related to the team's home stadium.

Stadium Name: Bank of America Stadium
Location: Charlotte, NC (located in downtown Charlotte)
Stadium Dimensions: Bank of America Stadium is approximately a half mile in circumference and 180 feet high from the field to the top of the scoreboard. It is an open air stadium and is divided into three tiers.
Maximum Capacity: 73,778 people
Wheelchair Seating: 1394 wheelchair ready spots located throughout the stadium.
Year Built: 1996
Parking: Fans attending the game can park at a variety of lots and parking garages located near the stadium. The parking fees vary by lot. There are over 30,000 parking spaces located within a mile or so of the stadium.
Handicap Parking: Bank of America Stadium does not have handicapped parking spaces. However, disabled individuals can park in Lot B at the Carolinas Medical Center, located at 1000 Blythe Boulevard. They can then take a shuttle to and from the game. This service costs $20.00 per vehicle.
Rail Service: Fans can park at several locations in Charlotte and ride the LYNX rail service into downtown. At least three of the train stops are within a few blocks of the stadium.
Food: 429 fixed concession stands, located throughout the stadium, offer the standard ballpark foods, including hotdogs, hamburgers, and pizza. I can state from personal experience that the food is pretty good.
Alcohol: The stadium does serve beer. However, the park's vendors will stop selling alcohol at the end of the third quarter.
Prohibited Items: The list is long. It includes, among other things, video cameras, large bags, alcohol, umbrellas, laptops, beach balls, balloons, strollers, and pets. The Panthers also reserve the right to prohibit patrons from bringing banners and signs into the stadium at the team's discretion.
ATM Machines: 8 machines located at various places within the stadium.
Traffic: From experience, I can say that traffic heading to the stadium will be heavy on game days. People need to take this fact into consideration when planning a trip to a Panthers' game.

Sources:

1. Capps, Wayne. (September, 10, 2006). The Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. as seen 
          from the flight deck of a C-17 Globemaster III. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.  The
          photographer/author's photo is in the public domain because it is the work of a U.S. serviceman
          taken or made as part of that person's official duties.

The Carolina Panthers' official website
PSL Source

The author's second most favorite team is the Carolina Panthers. He has traveled to Bank of America Stadium several times to watch the Panthers play.

-- Anthony Hopper

#football #NFL #CarolinaPanthers #Carolina #Panthers #stadiums #guide #sports

Top 25 Worst Looking Uniforms Worn by Pro Sports Teams in Years Past (Written in 2012)

Abstract: This article provides a brief description of 25 of the worst looking uniforms that have been worn by professional sports teams in baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. All of these outfits have been retired.

I have had the chance to view countless sports uniforms in person, on television, and on news sites. Most of the time, I like what I see. However, I occasionally espy an outfit that should never have made it out of the drawing room.

Here are 25 of the worst uniforms ever created for a professional sports team (in baseball, basketball, football, and hockey).

Thankfully, many of these outfits have not seen the light of day in decades.

1. Green Bay Packers' Blue and Yellow, 1929: I have to agree with the masses on this one. The blue uniform with the yellow circle in its middle is downright ugly.

2. Minnesota North Stars' Green, Gold, and White, 1967: The version of this uniform with a tie-up collar is truly hideous.

3. Houston Astros' Multi-color, 1975-1979: The team struck out when it created this monstrosity. The color scheme is awful.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates' Yellow with Black Lines, 1925-1928: The hockey jersey's color and design are both atrocious.

5. Chicago Staleys' Blue and Yellow, 1921: The uniform that the Staleys (now the Chicago Bears) wore for the 1921 season does the vertical stripe an injustice.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers' Red and Gold, 1981-1984: This uniform is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

7. Vancouver Canucks' Yellow, Red, and Black, 1978-1985: The "V" on this uniform does not stand for victory. The color scheme is atrocious.

8. Providence Steam Roller's Black and Orange, 1928: This football team did not last long and neither did its uniform.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates' Gold with Black Stripes, 1933-1934: The Pirates were the forerunners of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. This is one uniform that does not look good in stripes.

10. Seattle Mariners' Blue and White, 1977-1981: This home uniform gets two thumbs down from me. The color scheme is bad, but the logo is even worse.

11. Chicago Blackhawks' Tan, Red, and Chocolate, 1935-1937: The pattern and colors might be great for a throw rug but not for a hockey uniform.

12. Chicago White Sox's Red, White, and Blue, 1984: This uniform is great--for laughs.

13. Philadelphia 76ers' Blue with White Lettering, 1966-1970: Some uniforms achieve perfection by keeping things simple, but not this one.

14. Iowa Barnstormers' Black and Gold, 1995-2000: Some people might be fond of the various logos imprinted on the Arena League team's uniform. I find them to be kind of tacky. The organization apparently agrees with me. It removed the wings and helicopter propeller from the outfit in 2008.

15. Montreal Maroons' White and Maroon, 1935-1938: This hockey uniform may have been stylish in the 1930s, but it receives a poor grade from me.

16. Boston Red Sox's Red and White, 1907-1910: The color scheme is OK. However, the stocking in the chest area is an epic fail.

17. Hamilton Tigers' Yellow and Black Stripes, 1920-1921: Yet another team that commits a uniform faux passé by choosing a poorly considered striped pattern.

18. Washington Redskins' Red, White, and Brown, 1948: The reddish top does not go well with the yellowish-brown pants.

19. Chicago Cardinals' Brown and Red, 1921-1922: This uniform's red and brown color scheme is drab and unimaginative. The pants come up a bit too high as well.

20. St. Louis Blues' Red and Blue, 1995-1998: Blue and red do not always go well together.

21. Washington Nationals' White, 1924: Where are the colors?

22. Washington (Bullets) Wizards' Blue, Red, and White, mid-1980s: This one is a dud.

23. Colorado Rockies' Blue, Yellow, and Red, 1977-1982: Colorado was once home to an NHL team called the Rockies (now the New Jersey Devils). The squad's home uniform leaves something to be desired.

24. Montreal Allouettes' Red and White, 1946-1969: This uniform does not score many style points with me.

25. Toronto Argonauts' White with a Touch of Blue and Black, 1976-1988: The Argonauts' away uniform is a yawner.

Sources:

The Grid Iron Uniform Database
NBA.com
The Hockey Uniform Database

The author is an avid sports fan. His favorite teams are the Pittsburgh Steelers (in football) and the Atlanta Braves (in baseball).

-- Anthony Hopper

#sports #sportshistory #history #baseball #MLB #football #NFL #basketball #AFL #NBA #hockey #NHL