#sullivan stadium

[jt1674]

[aeiouwhy]

Before the internet, you had to spend the night outside a place that sold concert tickets if you wanted a shot at getting the hot ones. This was nowhere near the stage but I got to see Bowie for $25!

[beatleshistoryblog]

LECTURE 14: HELP!/BEATLEMANIA AT HIGH TIDE: The year 1965 saw no letup in the Beatles’ crazy-busy-hectic schedule. The summer tour proved especially exhausting. Their biggest concert of the year, in terms of sheer numbers, occurred on August 15 at Shea Stadium (where the Mets played baseball), in the borough of Queens, New York, which drew over 55,000 screaming fans. The noise coming from the audience was so loud, The Beatles often couldn’t hear their own music. Ed Sullivan’s production company, Sullivan Productions Inc, filmed the concert in colour. It was later shown on television, attracting millions of viewers. Sullivan introduces the band in this footage, and they run out onto the stage to play a 30-minute concert. The event revealed the hugely profitable potential of outdoor stadium concerts, which had become the norm in the world of rock music by the 1970s. 

[meazalykov]

one shot with one heart

lena oberdorf x uswnt!reader

summary: what if germany and the united states made it to the semi-finals of the 2023 world cup? how would the two lovers handle it?

disclaimer/warnings: guilt, longer fic, i took real life events from the uswnt vs sweden match, and mallory never got injured before the world cup in this fic.

to you, the stadium could’ve stretched for miles filled with red, white, and blue colors– also white, red, orange, and black colors. 

one of the semi-finals of the 2023 women's world cup came down to germany and the united states. the other game involves australia and spain. 

you didn’t care so much about the oceania country and spanish country going head-to-head. at least for now. the world cup has taken over your mind for the last few months.

back in your home in munich, you pushed yourself during your games in the bundesliga. you’ve been with bayern munich since 2021, after a transfer from manchester city. at first, it took some months for you to settle in a new place. you’ve been away from your hometown of washington dc for many years, so readjusting wasn’t new to you. 

then, you’ve made friends with your entire team. your closest friends being lea, sydney, and giulia– until georgia and sam tagged along in the later seasons. 

lea schuller, your bestest friend, threw a small gathering at her apartment on a winter night in 2022. at first, you didn’t want to go. you had many chores that needed to be finished in your apartment– laundry, dishes, vacuuming– you name it. however, you suffered from a tiny case of FOMO. you decided to go at the last minute. 

as you were walking into lea’s apartment, you saw two girls that you knew from wolfsburg. being the only non-german in the room you were surprised. lea introduced you to jule and lena– since you’ve never talked to them before. except for clashes during the rivalry games. 

lena and you hit it off right away. everyone noticed how neither of you could leave the other alone. a month after talking- which happened to be a week after your birthday– lena came to visit you from wolfsburg and asked you to be her girlfriend. you said yes– and you guys have been happy since. 

the long-distance between wolfsburg and munich hasn’t been as hard as you guys have suspected. you both hoped that you will be closer together someday. 

now the game between germany and the united states ended in a 3-3. lea scoring a brace and alex popp with a goal for germany— sophia smith, lynn williams, and you scoring one goal for the united states. 

the semi-finals needed a winner. so after no goals for both sides in extra time, the game came down to penalty kicks.

andi sullivan, number 17, takes the first shot in the penalty match. you look ahead, not wanting to blink in case you missed something big. 

she scores! you let your arms wrapped behind mallory and sophia go as you clapped in support. you didn’t want to celebrate too much, since this penalty match can go either way. 

you turn your head to see your bayern teammate, giulia, stand at the penalty spot. you swallow in nervousness as you hated to wish that she missed. 

giulia scores! you hear all of the german girls, just 20 feet to your left– support your club teammate as she runs back to her line with a light smile. 

you look down at the grass before seeing your national team captain, lindsey, go up to kick. 

in your heart, you knew that lindsey wouldn’t miss. after her swift kick, you clapped in support knowing that you were right. 

alexandra popp took a shot and didn’t miss, which caused your breathing to slow a tiny bit. you were nervous. even though you won the world cup at the age of 18 in 2019– you are ambitious and want your second by 22.

as kristie stepped up, you had a faint smile. the mewis sisters were the older sisters you wished you had as the older sibling of your own family. a small amount of hope shined through your fears as you saw the back of kristies head look forward at berger. 

kristie scores! you pump your fists into the air as she runs back to the run with you. this time, she high-fives your hands before falling back into line. now, she is beside you on your right– with mallory to your left side. 

you were distracted at the thought of kristies penalty kick– so your eyes widened when you saw your bestfriend at bayern– sydney– go and take the penalty shot next. again, you felt guilty about wanting her to miss the goal.

and then she did. sydney’s foot launched the ball far into the crowd which made you relieved. the germans in the crowd sigh as the americans cheered. in your heart, you wanted to comfort her– in your mind, you were relieved that she missed. 

mallory’s right arm slowly leaves your waist as she heads towards the penalty spot. she was next. 

“you got this swanson!” you yelled, hoping that she heard you over the loud crowd. she is one of your best friends on the national team and you knew a goal would lift her nervous spirit. 

she didn’t get it, she missed. your heart dropped to your stomach as mallory walked back into line beside you. the ball she kicked was successfully blocked by berger on the right corner.

klara, one of your bayern teammates you love, goes to take a penalty kick. she missed which caused the german crowd to sigh in disappointment. 

all of your fans, friends, and family knew that you weren't enjoying this. in fact, you would’ve preferred a 90 minute game with a clear winner over this climactic scene. 

lena’s parents saw you briefly before the semi-final game and wished you luck. they’ve looked and loved you like one of their own. obi’s mother saw the nervous look in your eyes and reminded you that they would still love you even if you beat germany. 

you have the same nervous eyes looking ahead at sophia smith going to take the penalty. your stomach turns and your eyes widen at the realization of her kick. 

if sophia scores, the uswnt goes to the world cup finals. the entire country is looking at sophia on their tv screens. you can’t imagine how that would feel on the girl who's months older than you. 

when the ball goes above the goalpost, you frown as sophia covers her face with her hands. at first, you thought she started crying. you weren’t too far off. sophia tried to cover her sad looks with a poker face that wasn’t working. 

after she got back in line– on the opposite side of mallory from you– you reached your arm from behind and patted on sophia’s back. you wished you could’ve done more in that moment. 

your heart beats hard as you look ahead at your lover jog to take the kick for germany. you find yourself glued to your spot, a knot of nervousness tightening in your stomach. 

you want to cheer for your girlfriend, to hope she scores, but the conflict within you is undeniable. a small part of your mind, the part driven by the fierce desire and competitiveness to see your team advance, wishes for her to miss. 

the guilt that accompanies that thought is overwhelming, making it hard to breathe. some of your teammates tilt their heads through the line to try and look at you– seeing a nervous and guilty look plastered on your face. 

kristie and mallory, standing beside you on both sides, notice your inner turmoil through your clenched jaw. 

kristie glances at you, her eyes filled with understanding. she knew the feeling after facing australia in the olympics against sam. however, she couldn’t imagine a scenario where penalty kicks were involved.  

she already had her arm wrapped around your back, so she takes her hand and squeezes your shoulder gently, a silent gesture of support that steadies you momentarily. you’re reminded that your teammates do acknowledge you and the significance of lena being on the opposite team from you. 

lena is your rival on the club level, but that is nothing compared to a world cup semi-final.

on the other side of your body, mallory does the same thing kristie did, her hand resting reassuringly on your lower back.

you stare at lena’s body the entire time, refusing to blink. lena takes a deep breath, and you do the same, feeling the tension grow tighter within you. 

obi steps forward, striking the ball cleanly. for a fleeting moment, you hope, and you fear— you feel everything all at once.

when the ball passes alyssa’s fingers, going into the back of the net– lena jumps and yells in celebration as she jogs back to her teammates. you look at her the entire time with a straight face, but your eyes showed your small happiness for her. 

you love her so much. seeing her happy makes you happy, even with these circumstances. 

alyssa removes herself from the goal-post line and goes to the penalty spot. the older woman told you about her love for taking penalties before. the woman in green gave you a sense of confidence. 

“come on alyssa!” you yell as your teammates yell in encouragement for her. 

as her shot sprints past ann’s fingers, going into the net, you pump your fists into the air knowing that you trusted your goalkeeper to score.

now the penalties are 4-3. this terrified you. 

on the lineup, you were the penalty kicker that went after alyssa. as an attacking midfielder, you were good at penalty kicks. if the next kicker, which looks to be svenja huth walking to the penalty spot, misses— the fate of the uswnt going to the world cup final depends on you. 

you silently curse at the scriptwriters who could make this shit up. y/n, the american girl who plays in a german club and has a bunch of friends on the german national team along with the love of her life, might have to crush their dreams of being in a world cup final.

svenja’s shot was blocked by alyssa. the ball slammed right into alyssa’s gloved fingers. your heart sunk to your stomach and suddenly, your legs felt like lead that could snap in one wrong move. 

the weight of the semi-final settles on your shoulders. it's your turn, and the realization hits you— if you score, the uswnt will advance to the world cup finals, possibly leading to their fifth win ever. 

your entire team on the pitch yells words of encouragement at you. 

“you got this, y/l/n!!!” you hear julie ertz’s voice. 

“we love you!” naomi gave you reassurance. 

all of your german teammates felt fear in their bodies as they saw you walk up to position the ball on the penalty spot. out of anyone that could take the deciding shot, they were shocked that it was you. you can handle pressure, but not as much as others can. 

lena swallowed on nothing as she stared at you, the same way you stared at her taking the shot. instead, she knows that you will win the game if you make the goal. 

she knows what's at stake, both for her team and for yours. the wolfsburg midfielder is questioning how you’re handling the pressure. the tension in the stadium is suffocating, and she can feel every heartbeat echoing in her chest. 

her teammates notice her tension, offering silent pats on the back the same way the uswnt did for you with her kick, but lena barely registers them.

she bites her lip, her hands clenched tightly together, her gaze fixed solely on you as if you were the only one in the stadium. 

the stadium is a cauldron of noise. the german supporters are trying to distract y/n while the american supports hold their breaths due to the intensity of the situation. 

you managed to block it all out, focusing on ann-katrin berger, germany's goalkeeper. her eyes lock onto yours as she gives you an intimidating look, a silent challenge passing between you.

"this could be it, folks. it all comes down to y/n l/n. one goal to send the united states to the world cup finals for the fifth time." a male commentator speaks to the tv audience, where millions of people have their eyes watching your every move.

"y/n has been phenomenal this tournament. her goal from outside the box earlier could be nominated for goal of the tournament, but can she handle this pressure? this is the moment where the legends are made." the female commentator speaks up alongside the man. 

“she was just 18 years old when she assisted rose lavelle’s goal in the last world cup final against the netherlands, she has the quality that can send the united states to another win.” the male commentator defends you. 

"that's true– but we know that ann-katrin berger has been solid for germany. will she rise to the occasion or will y/n find a way through?" the woman responds. 

the world seems to slow down as you take your steps back, your mind focused solely on the goal ahead. the stadium seems to stop as you begin your run-up, each step is measured, and your heart pounds in your chest.

“y/l/nnn!” the commentator drags your last name as your foot strikes the ball cleanly, watching as it sails toward the goal. 

ann dives, her fingers brushing the ball as it was stopped over the goal-line. from your eyes, it looks like the ball went over the line. however, you know you’re biased. 

your heart stops for a quick second—did she save it? the ball did hit the ground just behind the line, and the stadium erupts in a series of shock.

your shaky hands cover your dropped jaw as you stare at the ball that lays behind the net. 

ann and you run to the assistant ref who stands closeby, ready to protest your sides. 

"was it in? did it cross the line?" you begged through for shaky hands. your lungs force itself to take deep breaths as you felt tortured, 

"the referee is checking var now, wait!"

you stand frozen as your eyes couldn’t even blink, your heart in your throat. 

the referee waits for confirmation as her fingers hold onto her ear-piece, the seconds stretching into what feels like an eternity. 

the first thing you do is turn to look at your coach, who nods his head in support. he knew you made it, but the refs made the final call. 

suddenly, you look back to see the ref staring at you. at the same second she blows the whistle and points to the center circle—- FINAL GOAL! 

all of the nervousness in your body was replaced with an overwhelming rush of relief. your teammates on the pitch and benches sprint towards you in excitement after hearing the whistle. 

some of them tackle you to the ground and they all start a pile in excitement. their cheers echoing in your ears as they embrace you. all you could do was giggle and tear up in excitement, the nerves overwhelming your tired body.

on the other side of the pitch, the germans stand in shock–. their faces are a mix of shock and sorrow, the dream of reaching the world cup final snatched away in that single moment by their bestfriend and girlfriend for lena. 

your closest national teammates, trinity, tierna, and mallory, are the first to reach you after, their faces alight with joy. this is ten minutes after the VAR call, so you calmed down from the excitement that took over your body. 

they embrace you tightly in a group hug, shouting praises, songs and congratulations. 

as they pull back from your warm body, they notice the fake smile on your face. through your eyes they can see the guilt and sadness etched on your face. also, they reflected the inner turmoil you’re struggling to hide throughout this happy moment.

"y/n, we're going to the fuckinggggg final thanks to you!" trinity exclaims, hoping that she misunderstood the look on your face. her smile fades slightly as she sees your smile come and go in the same moment.

tierna places a comforting arm around your shoulder. "are you okay? you don't look happy for someone who just sent us to the world cup finals."

mallory, always perceptive, follows your gaze to the german benches, where lena sits in denial– beside laura freigang who has tears in her eyes. 

“you're sad about lena?"

you nod, your heart felt heavy. your national teammates knew how in love you were with lena. they’ve heard about her throughout your international breaks. there is never a day where you aren’t on facetime with lena when you’re back in the states for camp. they’ve met lena once and love how much you both care for each other. 

"i– i just know how much this meant to her— i feel like i just snatched something important from her." you say as your eyes wander around the german benches. you see many of your bayern teammates sad, you hope they didn’t hate you. 

 

“i’m scared too– you guys might be my teammates here but most of the girls over there are my club teammates in germany. I don't know what to do.” you confess.

the washington spirit forward pulls you into a side hug. "awhh sweetie it's okay to feel that way. your feelings are valid but thi is just the nature of the game. they all know that– lena understands that, even if it's hard for them right now."

you bite your nails out of bad habit as you stare at tierna’s cleats unintentionally, “i might give obi space for a few days– i don’t want to poke into the wound.” you mumble. 

"no no no! you need to go to her. lena needs you right now more than ever even if you think that she doesn’t. she loves you."

mallory nods her head in agreement after taking a sip from her water bottle. 

"obviously it's going to be tough for her to move on from this loss, but she knows you're not her enemy. she knows that you might feel guilty as much as she feels hurt. she needs her love right now, not her american opponent."

after a few more minutes of girl talk, your heart pounds as your feet carries you to the german benches, fear taking over your insides. 

what if she resents you for this? what if the loss drives a wedge between you?

you gripped onto your black windbreaker jacket as you step closer to the benches. before you could reach lena, you feel a tap on your shoulder. 

“good goal, y/n.” alexandra says. you pull her into a hug as you breathe deeply. she wasn’t your teammate at bayern, but she knows you due to lena. she is the captain so she knows how much importance you have in lena’s life– just as much as lena has in yours.

“thank you– i’m so sorry.” you mumble as you pull away from your body. 

“don’t apologize. you deserve the win.” alex gives you a faint smile and pats your back.  

“yeah but–” you cut yourself off as you turn your head to look at lena, who had her head in her hands. 

“obi needs you– go talk to her.” alex says before stepping away from you. 

you play with the zipper on your windbreaker as you approach your girlfriend. she sits on the bench and can’t see you with her hands on her eyes, so you kneel down to be eye-level with her. 

“obi baby..." you place your hands on her shoulders, rubbing them back and forth as you pull her attention.

in a quick motion, she reaches out and pulls you into a tight embrace, her body shaking with disappointment. she wasn’t crying with tears, but you know she would’ve if she wasn’t in public. lena didn’t want another euros 2022 aftermath to happen to her.

"lena, you don’t understand how much i hated doing that to you, i’m sorry" you whisper, your own tears starting to fall. 

"i know. I know. it just... it hurts so much right now." lena clings to you, her grip firm yet trembling. she hasn’t felt this way since the EURO 2022 finals. you give mini kisses on the side of her head, hoping to comfort her in some way after taking away her chance to go into the world cup finals.

“i'm here for you baby, always. i’ll stay with your for a few weeks once we are back in germany before the pre-season– i am so sorry." you mumbled the last part a few times.

as the minutes pass, neither of you broke away from the hug. the noise of the stadium fades into the background. 

all of the german and american players give you both space, understanding the delicate situation between you both.

trinity, tierna, mallory, savannah, sophia  watch from a distance, their support unwavering. they didn’t know lena much, but everyone knows that lena would never hate you over this.

“you played so good y/n. i am so happy for you, please don’t believe otherwise. it's just... hard to accept the loss right now."

you nod, understanding her pain. you place your hands on the side of her face as you gave her a hopeful smile.

“i love you obi baby, i’m sorry.” 

“stop apologizing— and i love you more liebe.” 

<3

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Wagging a few signals that mean "My team'll win," bat boys Tim Sullivan, left, of the Yanks and Jack Bodner of the Dodgers try to hex each other, October 1, 1941, as the World Series opened at Yankee Stadium.

Photo: Tom Sande for the AP

[the-olympics-olympics]

Three days before the closing ceremonies of the Melbourne 1956 Olympics, 17 year old John Ian Wing wrote a letter to the organizers. In that letter he suggested that the athletes enter the stadium together, as one nation, instead of divided by country as they had during the opening ceremony. The suggestion was well-received, and plans were changed to create the boy's vision. This created a tradition that carries on in the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games today.

With temperatures and humidity both in the 90s, staying hydrated that day was difficult enough. James E. Sullivan, a chief organizer of the games, made it his mission to further complicate that. Sullivan was a fervent believer in the theory of "purposeful dehydration", which held that eating and drinking during a race were not beneficial to an athlete’s performance. As a result, he ensured that there were only two water sources along the entire route.

[25000yearcycle]

Ebbets Field, a legendary sports landmark in Brooklyn, opened its gates in 1913 and became the heart and home of the Brooklyn Dodgers for over four decades. Located at 55 Sullivan Place, it was a beacon for baseball fans during an era of growing passion for the sport. The stadium’s classic design and cozy atmosphere made it one of the most beloved ballparks in the country. For many, it was more than just a place to watch baseball—it was a gathering spot for the Brooklyn community, where memories were made, and dreams were realized.

The Brooklyn Dodgers were the soul of Ebbets Field, and the stadium witnessed numerous unforgettable moments in baseball history. Some of the most iconic events occurred here, such as the 1947 debut of Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball and forever changing the game. The Dodgers’ success on the field and their close relationship with the local community made Ebbets Field an enduring symbol of Brooklyn pride.

However, in 1957, after the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles, Ebbets Field's days as a baseball venue came to an end. The loss of the team was a blow to the Brooklyn community, and the ballpark’s demolition in 1960 left a void. In its place, the Ebbets Field Apartments were built in 1962, a transformation that erased much of the ballpark’s physical presence but not its significance in the hearts of those who had experienced it.

Today, Ebbets Field lives on in the memories of fans and in the pages of baseball history. It’s a reminder of the golden age of sports in Brooklyn and the enduring spirit of the Dodgers. Despite the demolition, the legacy of Ebbets Field remains integral to both the history of baseball and the cultural fabric of New York City.

#EbbetsField#BrooklynDodgers#BaseballHistory#NewYorkCity#DodgersLegacy#HistoricalLandmarks#OldBrooklyn#SportsHistory#BaseballMemories#BrooklynHistory#MajorLeagueBaseball#VintageNewYork#NYCHistory#SportsFans

[mydaroga]

Fest for Beatles Fans 2024 Write-Up

In case anyone wants to know what goes on at these things, I can at least give you a run-down of what I did at this one, though as always there was far more going down than any one person could see. I tend to favor panels and discussions over bands, so I am sure I missed a lot of great music. Because the bands were great.

It was held this year at the TWA Hotel, which is part of JFK International Airport and has retained a lot of the features of when it used to be a terminal. I posted photos of it last year when I was there on a layover, and I still love it to death. They did NOT let me ride on the baggage thingy though. In addition, I was unable to secure a room at the hotel, though if they hold it here again I will be snagging one because, like I said, the place is bonkers.

Friday

I entered my cross-stitch in the art contest, because why not? While there ran into several people whom I had met last August at the Fest in Chicago.

Beatles Biography panel with Vivek Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle graphic novel) and Madeline Bocaro (In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono). Vivek comes off very passionate and sweet, very respectful of Brian Epstein and cognizant of the importance of telling his story right. Bocaro is also very passionate, but I'm afraid some of us present her personal Ono pendulum has swung too far to admit any human fault in her subject. I later bought the Brian book, but not the Ono.

First Generation Fan Panel was mostly Leslie Healy recounting her adventures, which are legion: she was at the Ed Sullivan dress rehearsal, and at Shea Stadium, and she's *also* the one who got that audio at Paul's house when she visited all four Beatles in 1967. Also, she had a Bearded Collie, which I also had growing up, so that gave me a thrill.

I entered the 60s dress up contest -- second time as Twiggy was the charm, and I won! And then there was a lot of dancing. Gogo boots, ironically, not so much made for such activities.

Saturday

Chatted with some folks because it was more interesting that listening to the speakers, oops. The guy from the Ranking the Beatles podcast is lovely and we've already been in touch since. Also Terry Crain who wrote a great coffee table book about NEMS Beatles merch, which I bought last year.

Went to the dealer's room and bought silly buttons, like TO HELL WITH THE 'BEATLES' and I ❤️ PAUL. There were butcher covers and all that jazz, and horrid dolls, and all the lovely awful things, none of which I could ever afford. But I can buy buttons!

Lovely friends entered the talent contest and proceeded to the finals, and they kicked so much ass and I am so proud of them.

Academic panel with Ken Womack, Christine Feldmman-Barrett, and Andy Nichols was pretty good, a lot of talk about how subsequent generations get hooked and sort of the state of Beatles fandom/academia today. Which feels fairly positive, in the sense that all present felt there is more respect now than there was--though still room to improve on that score.

As a side note, all of my interactions with Womack convince me he's a great guy, very passionate in his love for the Beatles and very devoted not only to doing this right but in elevating lesser-heard voices. He's a very likable man.

Speaking of, next he interviewed Laurie Kaye, who did the radio interview with John on his last day. Her story was very moving.

Tried to dance again this evening after the talent show but unlike the previous night, everyone thought we were weird and stared forbiddingly at us from their seated positions.

But my PAUL IS DEAD / IF YOU WANT IT / HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM JOHN & YOKO shirt was a hit. Finally.

Sunday

Saw Jude Southerland-Kessler talk about the "birth of the beatles" but sadly it was NOT about the tv film of the same name. So I went to chat with Adrian Sinclair and Allen Kozinn instead, which they later tweeted about.

Beatlemania in the 21st Century panel was about, well, what it says. Next was Women's History of the Beatles which was also interesting and involved various writers, teachers, fans, podcasters, etc. I got to meet Erika from BC the Beatles which was very cool.

Then came the Laurence Juber and Steve Holley panel which I have mentioned elsewhere.

Jenny Boyd talked about fashion and the Apple Boutique, hosted by a lady who wrote a book about Beatles and fashion I would like to read.

Fantastic band with great additional harmonies, which I knew who they were.

I did not win the art contest. I did get a participation ribbon. I'm not even a millennial.

We then found a quiet place to chat, of which which the hotel had many, and then I needed to go to bed so I could be bad in like five hours for my flight.

I've probably forgotten lots of things but that is the general run down. There was also a video room, two stages for bands, more art, authors and guests at tables all weekend, and Mickey Dolenz, whom I did not meet but it's cool he was there.

[imaustintopham]

What Happened to Jimmy Hoffa?

Jimmy Hoffa was last seen in the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on July 30th, 1975. He was lured to the restaurant under the guise of a business meeting between him, Anthony Giacalone & Tony Provenzano. A witness reportedly spotted Jimmy getting into a maroon-colored Lincoln or Mercury that was occupied by 3 men, who proceeded to drive away down Telegraph Road. From that day forward, Hoffa was never seen again and the mystery surrounding his death keeps his name alive and well today. 

There are many theories as to what happened to him – the most popular one being that he was killed by his best-friend Frank Sheeran in a suburban home in Detroit before being cremated at a local sanitation center. This theory was written about by Charles Brandt in his book I Heard You Paint Houses, which was eventually dramatized in the 2019 Martin Scorsese film The Irishman. The film & book are largely based on Frank Sheeran’s deathbed confession, but has been faced with much scrutiny & many disputes as others claim he is lying. 

Dan Moldea, author of the The Hoffa Wars, claims that Sheeran had nothing to do with the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Moldeas theory is that Hoffa was lured away from the Machus Red Fox, stuffed into a 50-gallon drum, and then shipped to a landfill in New Jersey. He was then buried in a pre-dug hole and had about 15-30 drums filled with chemical waste stacked on top of him. This information came from a sworn affidavit that was signed by Frank Cappola, whose Father, Paul, was a partner in the dump at the time of Hoffa’s disappearance. This theory is supported in the book called The Iceman written by Philip Carlo, which details Richard Kuklinski’s account of what happened that day, albeit a little different. According to Richard, he used a hunting knife to take Hoffa out shortly after he was picked up from the Machus Red Fox. He was then placed in a 50-gallon drum, set on fire, then placed in a car compacter and sold to Japan as scrap metal. 

Another popular theory of what happened to Hoffa is that he was buried beneath the Giants stadium in New Jersey. According to Donald Frankos, a Mafia boss named Jimmy Coonan took Hoffa out with a silenced .22 pistol at a house in Mt Clemens, Michigan, before he and John Sullivan sawed him up and stored his bagged-up body parts in a freezer for months. Sometime later, during the construction of the Giants stadium, the bags were driven to the construction site and mixed into the concrete foundation under what became section 107. 

Despite all the rumors and speculation that surround Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance, we will most likely never know the full truth. When former Mafia caporegime Michael Franzese is asked about the whereabouts of Hoffas remains, he vaguely answers that he knows the real shooter is currently in prison and that Jimmy Hoffa is somewhere “very wet.” This has sparked another theory where Hoffa was either supposedly thrown into the Detroit river or fed to the fishes. Despite knowing that we’ll never get the full story, it’s still fun to speculate and theorize over what really happened to the infamous, hot-headed Labor Union Leader. 

Rest in peace, Jimmy Hoffa.

[youthchronical]

What a potential Harris administration could actually do to protect abortion access

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, Oct. 25, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris has made abortion a central issue in her bid for the White House, pledging that if elected she will expand and protect women’s ability to terminate a pregnancy. The vice president’s…

[atlantasoccernews-mktg]

In the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, Cavan Sullivan leads the East Team to a thrilling comeback win At Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, the East team overcame a two-goal deficit to triumph 4-2 versus the West. https://atlantasoccer.news/in-the-mls-next-all-star-game-cavan-sullivan-leads-the-east-team-to-a-thrilling-comeback-win/?utm_source=panorama&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=panorama

[cruelestpoetryever]

Simple. I think that because its my opinion. My opinion is that taylor swifts music is bad. And youre right. Many people do disagree. That doesnt mean my opinion is invalid or incorrect.

I personally am not a beatles fan- but im going to use them as an example because then were on the same page. The beatles were huge. Absolutely massive, with an insane amount of fans. To the point they have a wikipedia page dedicated not to the band itself, but to the craze they caused- dubbed 'Beatlemania'. Theres a reason so many people still know about them, despite the peak of their popularity being in the 60s. Some highlights from the 'Beatlemania' page:

"By 22 February 1964, the Beatles held both the number one and number two spots on the Billboard Hot 100, with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You", respectively. Their world tours were characterised by the same levels of hysteria and high-pitched screaming by female fans, both at concerts and during the group's travels between venues."

"In February 1964, the Beatles arrived in the United States and their televised performances on The Ed Sullivan Show were viewed by approximately 73 million people. There, the band's instant popularity established their international stature, and their unprecedented domination of the national sales charts was mirrored in numerous other countries."

"Their August 1965 concert at New York's Shea Stadium marked the first time that a large outdoor stadium was used for such a purpose, and with an audience of 55,000, set records for attendance and revenue generation. To protect them from their fans, the Beatles typically travelled to these concerts by armoured car."

These come from the beginning of the page. Its actually a genuinely interesting read and i would definitely recommend it for that reason: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatlemania

This doesnt mean youre in the wrong for NOT liking them- but it does mean that claiming they simply arent popular is false. And while these numbers may be lower than some of taylor swkfts, keep in mind this is before the internet, which meant their audiences were limited only to radio and like... live shows. Youre allowed to dislike them, but denying how popular they were/are is false. Just like im allowed to dislike taylor, but i wont deny that she's popular, whether i believe she deserves it or not.

- M

I don't even care if there popular I just hate them

[dailyrugbytoday]

Hurricanes team to face Moana Pasifika

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/hurricanes-team-to-face-moana-pasifika/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/hurricanes-team-to-face-moana-pasifika/

Hurricanes team to face Moana Pasifika

The Hurricanes will meet Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium on Friday night, with 11 alterations to the starting XV.

Brad Shields (blindside flanker), Kini Naholo (left wing), Bailyn Sullivan (centre), and Justin Sangster (lock) are the only four starters from last weekend’s squad, with Raymond Tuputupu (hooker) and Siale Lauaki (tighthead prop) making their Hurricanes debuts. James O’Reilly (hooker), Jordi Viljoen (halfback), and Salesi Rayasi (outside back) will all return to the bench. Jordie Barrett, T.J. Perenara, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, and Brett Cameron are all out of the team, while Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, James Tucker, Caleb Delany, and Billy Proctor are still unavailable for selection.

Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika Kickoff at Sky Stadium is at 7.05 p.m. on Friday.

Julian Savea returns to Moana Pasifika’s starting lineup for Friday night’s match against his former squad in Wellington.

Savea has played 153 games with the Hurricanes but will be facing them for the first time. His comeback is one of several changes made by the team, including Samiuela Moli beginning at hooker and Sione Mafielo (tighthead) and Abraham Pole (loosehead) as props.

Tom Savage returns to the starting line-up at lock, while Jacob Norris and Sione Havili Talitui rejoin the loose three at blindside and openside, respectively.

[bongaboi]

Iowa Western: 2023 NJCAA Division I Football National Champions

Call it 'Council Rock', call it 'Little Bluffs', just don't call it anything but home for Iowa Western Football.

2 Iowa Western rolled to the 2023 NJCAA D1 Football National Championship on Wednesday night, topping #4 East Mississippi, 61-14, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Reivers (12-1) fought back from an early one-point deficit to batter the Lions (10-3) over four quarters of football to become the first back-to-back title winner since EMCC did it five years ago.

As they've done all season long, the 'Darkside' defense set the tone of the game early, forcing heralded Lions' QB Ty Keyes into a pair of hurried throws in a three-and-out on the game's opening possession.

Head Coach Scott Strohmeier's offense tested the waters on their first possession, rushing for three short gains before kicking the ball away on a Max Bartachek punt.

The Lion offense appeared to have their feet underneath them on their second drive, converting three first downs to get into Reiver territory before a holding penalty set them behind the chains. The Reivers took advantage coming up with their first QB sack of the game on 3rd and long as Jaylen Pettus took down Keyes for an eight-yard loss to force another EMCC punt.

After a trio of runs on drive number one, Hunter Watson delivered with his arm on drive two, finding LJ Fitzpatrick for a short gain from the 25-yard line and Latrell Bonner for 17-yards and a first down on the drive. A surprised offensive lineman even got involved as Caleb Jones caught a deflection for a two-yard gain, his first catch as a Reiver. A 15-yard facemask followed by a Jonathan Humpal 23-yard run gave the ball to the Reivers inside the redzone before Watson delivered a perfect strike to Bryant Williams in the endzone from 19-yards out for the game's first score. Bartachek's PAT banged off the right upright to leave the score at a 6-0 Reivers' advantage.

EMCC struck right back when Jaylon York returned the ensuing kickoff 91-yards for the score as the Lions' took a 7-6 lead on the extra point.

Special teams coach Eric Finney immediately dialed up a trick play on the return with Fitzpatrick handing off to Jack Wattier who flipped to Joshua Pierre-Louis to set the Reivers up just shy of midfield.

Strong running by Humpal, a first down pass to Nate Sullivan and a long reverse run by Louis Brooks set the Reivers up inside the Lion's redzone again. Watson surged into the endzone from one yard out to give the Reivers back the lead for good at the end of the first quarter. Lane Feierfeil was successful on the point after, forced into duty due to an injury by Bartacheck on EMCC's kickoff return score.

After both teams exchanged punts, EMCC earned a first down on a long run by Keyes, but were forced into another punting situation just inside Reivers' territory. Jaylen Pettus, one of the few returners from last season's championship team, added to his numbers on the day, blowing by his blocker to stuff the kick of Trace Beard and then raced out to cover the loose ball himself.

Bryant Williams converted a first down on his first positive carry of the day and then found the endzone on his second catch of the day, catching and spinning in the air, before sprinting in for the score untouched. Max Bartachek, back in for place kicks, was true on the PAT to increase the lead to 13, at 20-7, with 9:29 to play in the half.

A tackle for loss by Nathan Hale started the next EMCC drive and Capri Wilson took care of the rest, tipping away Keyes pass on 2nd down and picking up his second sack of the season on third to force another punt by the Lions and the Reivers went back to work on offense.

Watson showed off his speed with a 29-yard gain into East Mississippi territory before rushing for another 1st down on the following play. After an incompletion and a negative rush, Watson found LJ Fitzpatrick for a big first down to the EMCC 7-yard line. After a three-yard gain by Shawn Gary, Jr. it was Jonathan Humpal finding the endzone as the lead ballooned to 20 points before halftime.

"We've made them one-dimensional, we're playing really good," said Head Coach Scott Strohmeier at the break, "it's 30 minutes, we've got 30 more to do."

The Lions were fortunate the lead didn't increase even more after turning the ball over inside their own 30. Head Coach Buddy Stephens elected to go for it on 4th and 1, but running back Jaylen Jennings fell down at the line of scrimmage and IWCC took over at the visitor's 28-yard line. The Reivers were unable to capitalize on the gaff, with EMCC getting the ball back before missing a long field goal before the end of the first half.

The second half started with another pair of punts and the Reivers setting up at their own 25-yard line for their second offensive drive, the same place they took over from in the first half on their first scoring series. As the series proved, it would be their first scoring series of the half once more. After Watson led the Reivers to the EMCC 45-yard line, he did the rest on his own, nearly losing his pants on his second TD run of the day.

Defensively, the Reivers continued to give the Lions fits. Ahmad Johnson turned in back-to-back tackles on East Mississippi's next possession before Keyes threw incomplete on third down and EMCC punted the ball away again.

After missing numerious games this season due to injury, LJ Fitzpatrick took over for the Reivers, grabbing three balls from Watson for 47 of his 89 yards on the day, including a 10-yard score to build the lead to 41-7. The lone EMCC score of the game cut the lead to 41-14 with one quarter to play.

In the fourth, backup quarterback Chad Kearns tossed his first Reiver touchdown, a beautiful throw to Latrell Bonner for his fifth touchdown of the year, holding the ball with one hand while breaking his fall with the other as he got both feet in for the catch.

Jonathan Humpal cruised for his second score of the game, going 45-yards for the score with 9:52 still to go in the contest as the Reivers inched closer to the NJCAA Championship game record 66 points.

EMCC's lone offensive turnover of the day came with five minutes to go as Walt Gray turned in a strip sack of Ty Keyes. Dominic Wiseman recovered the football to help IWCC finish the season at plus 20 in turnover ratio.

Trevor Burnett ran three times on the final scoring drive of the game for IWCC, picking up a pair of 20-yard gains before racing 26-yards for the final score of the night.

The Reivers outgained EMCC on the day 553-317, holding Lions' QB Ty Keyes to 270 total yards and allowing only 56 total rushing yards on the day.

The IWCC rushing attack gained 335 yards of the 553 total yards in the game and posted not one, but two rushers above the 100-yard mark. QB Hunter Watson carried 14 times for 108 yards, equaling the rushing output of teammate Jonathan Humpal on the day. Watson also turned in his first plus 200-yard passing game of the season tossing three scores and rushing for a pair of IWCC's five rushing touchdowns.

"He's been locked in all week, he's focused, he's competitive and he made some great throws today." said Strohmeier of his starting quarterback.

Defensively the Reivers picked up four more quarterback sacks to add to the season total, a program record 62 on the year. The team also recorded 139 tackles for loss, including 11 in their dominating championship game performance. Pettus had a pair of those QB sacks to go along with his blocked punt, while Ahmad Johnson chipped in a game high seven tackles. Joshua Pierre-Louis, Clem McCullough and Clev Lubin finished with five tackles apiece.

The game capped several notable performances for IWCC. Hunter Watson becomes the only QB to start 13 games in a season as the Reivers have never played more than 12 games in a single season before this year. The QB also moved inside the Top 10 in total passing yards in a career, with 1904 passing yards this season, his 22 TD passes rank sixth for a single season with the all-time mark of 39 held by Jake Waters set during the 2012 season.

Bryant Williams moved into second place on the all-time rushing list, his two-year total of 1,454 yards moved him past Mekhi Sargent, who posted his total of 1,449 in a spectacular 2017 season.

ALL-TIME CAREER RUSHING YARDS

2011-12 Aaron Wimberley 2,037 2022-23 Bryant Williams 1,454 2017 Mekhi Sargent 1,449 2013 Akise Teague 1,343 2018-21 Milton Sargbah 1,225

Jonathan Humpal, from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, surged in to the Top 10 on the single season rushing list, his 808 yards moved him past Williams and Kevis Streeter who rushed for 751 yards in the inaugural season of IWCC football.

ALL-TIME SINGLE SEASON RUSHING YARDS

2017 Mekhi Sargent 1,449 2013 Akise Teague 1,343 2012 Aaron Wimberley 1,150 2010 Jalen Singleton 939 2011 Aaron Wimberley 887 2019 Zaquandre White 876 2014 Devon Paye 819 2023 Jonathan Humpal 808 2009 Kevis Streeter 751 2022 Bryant Williams 749

Watson's 717 rushing yards this season puts him just outside the single season Top 10 in 12th place, it's the second most rushing yards by a Reiver QB in a single season and with his effort, he pushes James Graham, this season's QB Coach, outside of the Top 5 for QB single season rushing yards.

SINGLE SEASON RUSHING YARDS - QB

2017 Kai Locksley 723 2023 Hunter Watson 717 2013 Tay Bender 566 2009 Dominique Corder 509 2018 T.J. Starks 498

LJ Fitzpatrick also finds himself among the all-time leaders, even after an injury marred 2023 season, Fitzpatrick's numbers are good enough for a Top 10 finish in all-time career yards.

ALL-TIME CAREER RECEIVING YARDS

2012 Deon Long 1,626 2014-15 Taj Williams 1,597 2010-11 Matt Waters 1,544 2012-13 Geronimo Allison 1,300 2011-12 Andrew Stone 1,173 2017-18 Nick Singleton 1,155 2015-16 Nick Easley 1,125 2018-19 Marcell Barbee 1,052 2013-14 Alex Reed 916 2022-23 LJ Fitzpatrick 883

Williams matched his 2022 title game TD total with a pair of catches, those two scores moved him from a tie for 10th in career TD's into a tie for sixth for career, non-kicker, scoring.

ALL-TIME CAREER SCORING (non-kickers)

2011-12 Aaron Wimberley 28 2012 Deon Long 25 2017 Kai Locksley 20 2014-15 Taj Williams 20 2010-12 Jake Waters 18 2018-21 Milton Sargbah 17 2017 Mekhi Sargent 16 2022-23 Bryant Williams 16 2010-11 Matt Waters 15 2011-12 Andrew Stone 14

The 61 total points finished just shy of the 66 that Northwest Mississippi posted in the 2015 NJCAA National Championship against D3's Rochester Community & Technical College, the only time in the last 30 years that voters put an NJCAA D3 team in the title game. The Yellowjackets lost to the Rangers, 66-13, in the 2015 Mississippi Bowl.

Defensively, the Reivers, led by Defensive Coordinator Mike Blackbourn, continued to wreak havoc on even the most potent offenses. The Reivers allowed just 239 yards per game and just over 70 yards rushing per contest. The 2023 'Darkside' averaged nearly 11 tackles for loss per game and set the program mark for sacks in a season with 62. The previous high mark was 56 set just last season, a huge source of pride for defensive line coach Aaron Terry.

"Ultimately, it's the stability that we're able to have as a staff," said Coach Strohmeier, "Black (Mike Blackbourn), AT (Aaron Terry), Finney (defensive backs coach Eric Finney), Monthei (asst. defensive lin coach Jeff Monthei) just go to work and take care of the 'D' and that allows me to just focus on the offensive side, this year we added a key piece in Tristan (offensive coordinator Tristan Speer), Brant's back (running back coach Brant Anderson) and we're able to add some former players to the staff in James (2022 QB James Graham) and Kendrick (former O-lineman Kendrick Davis). Throw in the managers and filmers and of course all of the thankless work that Reese (dir. of football operations Reese Baumgartner) does off the field and it's an unbelievable staff. I'm very fortunate with that and the fact that the administration is one hundred percent behind what we're doing."

The 2022 & 2023 Football teams joins Women's Soccer (2022 & 2023), Volleyball (2020/Spring '21 & 2021), and Indoor Track & Field (2021 & 2022) as teams to go back-to-back as champions in Iowa Western Athletics' history.

Overall, it's the third championship in five tries for Coach Strohmeier and his staff in 15 seasons of football. In addition to shutting out Hutchinson, 31-0, last year in Little Rock, the Reivers topped Butler in the 2012 Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The defense of the Reivers' national titles will begin in the Reivers' 16th season of football and is tentatively scheduled to start with a home game against Hutchinson Community College in week one of the '24 slate. The official schedule will be released in 2024.

The annual Blue-White Spring game is also tentatively scheduled for May 3rd, 2024 at Titan Stadium at Lewis Central High School.

[ramakantthinks]

Timeless Moments In Music History

In the vast symphony of human existence, music resonates as a universal language, transcending borders and eras. Join me on a melodious journey through iconic moments in music history that have left an indelible mark on our hearts and souls.

The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel"

In the mid-1950s, a young man with a voice that could set the world on fire burst onto the music scene. Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" not only marked the birth of rock 'n' roll but also catapulted him into superstardom. The raw energy, rebellious spirit, and hip-shaking charisma of Elvis transformed the music landscape forever.

Also Read: Create Personalized Playlists With These Music Apps

Beatlemania Takes Over: The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show

February 9, 1964, witnessed a cultural phenomenon that would echo through the decades. The Beatles, a British sensation, made their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. With their mop-top haircuts, infectious melodies, and charisma, the Fab Four ignited a craze known as Beatlemania, captivating the hearts of millions and reshaping the global music scene.

Woodstock 1969: A Peaceful Revolution

In the summer of '69, half a million free spirits gathered on a farm in Bethel, New York, for the Woodstock Music & Art Fair. This iconic festival became a symbol of the counterculture movement, promoting peace and love through the power of music. Performances by legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin solidified Woodstock as a pinnacle moment in music history.

Also Read: The Impact Of Music On Our Emotions

Queen's Live Aid Triumph: A Show for the Ages

Fast forward to 1985, when the world witnessed one of the greatest live performances in history. Queen, led by the incomparable Freddie Mercury, took the stage at Wembley Stadium for the Live Aid concert. Their electrifying set, including "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You," showcased not only musical prowess but also a commitment to making a difference.

Thriller's Global Domination: Michael Jackson's Masterpiece

Released in 1982, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" wasn't just an album; it was a cultural phenomenon. With hits like "Billie Jean" and the iconic title track, Jackson revolutionized music videos and set new standards for pop excellence. "Thriller" remains the best-selling album of all time, a testament to the King of Pop's unparalleled influence.

Nirvana Redefines Sound: "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

The early '90s saw the rise of grunge, and Nirvana led the charge with their groundbreaking single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Released in 1991, this anthem became the voice of a generation, encapsulating the angst and disillusionment of youth. Kurt Cobain's raw vocals and the band's unconventional sound marked a seismic shift in the music landscape.

The Rise of Hip-Hop: Tupac Shakur vs. The Notorious B.I.G.

In the '90s, the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry dominated headlines. Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., two titans of the genre, engaged in a fierce musical duel that tragically spilled into real-life violence. Despite the controversies, their impact on hip-hop culture remains immeasurable, shaping the genre into the global powerhouse it is today.

Also Read: Top Music Apps To Find Indie Songs

Conclusion

As we traverse the annals of music history, these iconic moments stand as pillars, supporting the vast tapestry of musical expression. From the birth of rock 'n' roll to the global triumph of "Thriller" and the revolutionary sounds of Nirvana, each chapter has left an enduring legacy. These moments, etched in the collective memory of music enthusiasts, remind us of the transformative power of a simple melody, capable of echoing through time and resonating across generations.