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7 Comments Posted on July 9, 2015September 12, 2015 #TBT Year in Review

#TBT Year in Review: 1999

As we waited to see what would happen when Y2K hit…

The Sopranos debuted on HBO.
President Bill Clinton was acquitted in impeachment proceedings.
Sega Dreamcast was released in North America,
George Harrison was attacked at his home in Friar Park.
Wilt Chamberlain passed away at the age of 63.

And here’s what happened in the worlds of Movies, Music, and Sports…

Movies

Comedy

American Pie, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, 10 Things I Hate About You, Notting Hill, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Being John Malkovich, She’s All That, Big Daddy, Galaxy Quest, South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, Never Been Kissed, Dogma, Stuart Little, Blue Streak, Analyze This, Jawbreaker, Bowfinger, Dick, Idle Hands, Mystery Men, Life, Drive Me Crazy, EDtv, Detroit Rock City, The Bachelor, Superstar, AND…

Office Space

Action/Thriller

The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, Three Kings, The Boondock Saints, End of Days, Deep Blue Sea, The Insider, Universal Soldier: The Return, A Murder of Crows, 8mm, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Double Jeopardy, Instinct, The Bone Collector, The World is Not Enough, The Ninth Gate, Arlington Road, Chill Factor, True Crime, Payback, Resurrection, Stigmata, The Mod Squad, Entrapment, The Astronaut’s Wife, The Rage: Carrie 2, AND…

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Drama

Fight Club, American Beauty, Eyes Wide Shut, Bicentennial Man, Boys Don’t Cry, Anna and the King, Girl Interrupted, Animal Farm, 200 Cigarettes, The Virgin Suicides, October Sky, Great Expectations, Onegin, Flawless, The Hurricane, Brokedown Palace, Magnolia, Cruel Intentions, Random Hearts, All About My Mother, The Winslow Boy, Varsity Blues, The Cider House Rules, The Deep End of the Ocean, Tuesdays with Morrie, Black and White, AND…

The Green Mile

The 72nd Academy Awards

Best Actor

Russell Crowe, The Insider
Richard Farnsworth, The Straight Story
Sean Penn, Sweet and Lowdown
Denzel Washington, The Hurricane
Kevin Spacey, American Beauty – Winner

(Spacey’s 2nd Oscar. First was Best Supporting Actor in 1996 for The Usual Suspects)

Best Supporting Actor

Michael Clarke Duncan, The Green Mile
Jude Law, The Talented Mr. Ripley
Haley Joel Osment, The Sixth Sense
Tom Cruise, Magnolia
Michael Caine, The Cider House Rules – Winner

(Caine’s 2nd win out of 6 nominations.)

Best Actress

Annette Benning, American Beauty
Janet McTeer, Tumbleweeds
Julianne Moore, The End of the Affair
Meryl Streep, Music of the Heart
Hilary Swank, Boys Don’t Cry – Winner

(This was Swank’s first of two Oscar nominations and awards.)

Best Supporting Actress

Toni Collette, The Sixth Sense
Catherine Keener, Being John Malkovich
Samantha Morton, Sweet and Lowdown
Chloe Sevigny, Boys Don’t Cry
Angelina Jolie, Girl Interrupted – Winner

(Jolie has also won the Humanitarian Academy Award in 2014)

Best Picture

The Cider House Rules
The Green Mile
The Insider
The Sixth Sense
American Beauty – Winner

(American Beauty won 5 of the 8 Oscars it was nominated for.)

Music

Rock Albums

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Hip Hop Albums

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Pop Albums

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Billboard Year-End Top 25

01. “Believe” – Cher

02. “No Scrubs” – TLC

03. “Angel of Mine” – Monica

04. “Heartbreak Hotel” – Whitney Houston featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price

05. “…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears

06. “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None the Richer

07. “Genie in a Bottle” – Christina Aguilera

08. “Every Morning” – Sugar Ray

09. “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” – Deborah Cox

10. “Livin’ la Vida Loca” – Ricky Martin

11. “Where My Girls At?” – 702

12. “If You Had My Love” – Jennifer Lopez

13. “Slide” – Goo Goo Dolls

14. “Have You Ever?” – Brandy

15. “I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys

16. “I’m Your Angel” – Celine Dion and R. Kelly

17. “All Star” – Smash Mouth

18. “Angel” – Sarah McLachlan

19. “Smooth” – Santana featuring Rob Thomas

20. “Unpretty” – TLC

21. “Bills, Bills, Bills” – Destiny’s Child

22. “Save Tonight” – Eagle-Eye Cherry

23. “Last Kiss” – Pearl Jam

24. “Fortunate” – Maxwell

25. “All I Have to Give” – Backstreet Boys

Sports

Baseball

League Leaders:

Offensive

Average: Larry Walker (COL) – .379

Hits: Derek Jeter (NYY) – 219

Home Runs: Mark McGwire (STL) – 65

RBI: Manny Ramirez (CLE) – 165

OPS: Larry Walker (COL) – 1.168

Stolen Bases: Tony Womack (AZ)

Pitching

Wins: Pedro Martinez (BOS) – 23

ERA: Pedro Martinez (BOS) – 2.07

Strikeouts: Randy Johnson (AZ) – 364

Complete Games: Randy Johnson (AZ) – 12

Shutouts: Scott Erickson (BAL) & Andy Ashby (SD) – 3

Saves: Mariano Rivera (NYY) – 45

MVP

AL – Ivan Rodriguez (TEX)

NL – Chipper Jones (ATL)

CY Young

AL – Pedro Martinez (BOS)

NL – Randy Johnson (AZ)

Rookie of the Year

AL – Carlos Beltran (KC)

NL – Scott Williamson (CIN)

World Series

New York Yankees sweep Atlanta Braves (4-0)

Basketball

NCAA

Final Four:

(1) Duke, (1) Michigan State, (4) Ohio State and (1) UConn

National Championship:

(1) UConn over (1) Duke 77-74

NBA

League Leaders

Points Per Game: Allen Iverson (PHI) – 26.8

Rebounds Per Game: Chris Webber (SAC) – 13.0

Assists Per Game: Jason Kidd (PHX) – 10.8

All-NBA Team

Tim Duncan (SA)

Allen Iverson (PHI)

Jason Kidd (PHX)

Karl Malone (UTAH)

Alonzo Mourning (MIA)

MVP – Karl Malone (UTAH)

Rookie of the Year – Vince Carter (TOR)

NBA Finals

San Antonio Spurs over New York Knicks (4-1)

Football

NCAA

Heisman Trophy:

Ron Dayne (Wisconsin)

National Championship

(1) Florida State over (2) Virginia Tech 46-29 in the Sugar Bowl

NFL

League Leaders

Passing Yards: Steve Beuerlein (CAR) – 4,436

Passing Touchdowns: Kurt Warner (STL) – 41

Passer Rating: Kurt Warner (STL) – 109.2

Rushing Yards: Edgerrin James (IND) – 1,553

Rushing Touchdowns: Stephen Davis (WAS) – 17

Receiving Yards: Marvin Harrison (IND) – 1,663

Receiving Touchdowns: Cris Carter (MIN) – 13

Receptions: Jimmy Smith (JAX) – 116

AP MVP: Kurt Warner (STL)

Super Bowl XXXIV

St. Louis Rams over Tennessee Titans 23-16

Hockey

League Leaders

Goals: Teemu Selanne (ANA) – 47

Assists: Jaromir Jagr (PIT) – 83

Points: Jaromir Jagr (PIT) – 127

Hart Memorial Trophy: Jaromir Jagr (PIT)

Stanley Cup

Dallas Stars over Buffalo Sabres (4-2)

Did I miss anything? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.

Also checkout past #TBT Years in Review.

2011

2006

2005

1998

1992

1989

1987

1 Comment Posted on June 30, 2015September 12, 2015 Musc, sports

When Sports and Music Collide

Monday morning, the Chicago Cubs announced the “secret” headliner for the fourth annual Hot Stove Cool Music charity concert, July 9th at the Metro. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder will be performing alongside Cubs President Theo Epstein, Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons, 670 The Score sports talk radio host Matt Spiegel, members of Wilco, Cheap Trick, Umphrey’s McGee, Tributosaurus, and more. The concert benefits Cubs Charities and Foundation To Be Named Later, which helps aid disadvantaged youth and adults.

Vedder has a long history with his beloved Cubs, having grown up just north of the city in Evanston, IL. Fans recall multiple renditions of the 7th inning stretch, but he also recorded his own anthem for the Cubs. Pearl Jam and Cubs fans alike were treated to a “double header” in 2013 as the band played before and after a storm at Wrigley Field. The late Ernie Banks even came out to yell, “Let’s Play Two!”

We all have our interests and it’s always cool when we see those interests overlap. The fan in me always seems to geek out especially when music and sports come together. I recently had the pleasure of seeing Niklas Hjalmarsson and the Chicago Blackhawks crash a Mumford and Sons concert at Montrose Beach. I made involuntary noises as Hjalmarrson commanded the band to drink beer from the Stanley Cup…then mention he should’ve told them where the Cup had been beforehand.

Just the other day, JJ Watt played concert security for the Zac Brown Band and squared up on an “intruder”.

Nobody messes with @zacbrownband pic.twitter.com/bS3Rat13xP

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 29, 2015

(Might’ve been staged)

Following Hall of Fame basketball player and entertaining broadcaster Bill Walton on the Grateful Dead “Fare Thee Well” Tour has been a treat beyond words.

Part of the allure is seeing our favorite musicians or athletes come back to Earth in a way that we can relate. They are the best at what they do but can be so humbled and excited to be around someone of another profession. They’re fans like we are.

The other part is seeing someone offer you another dynamic that you weren’t aware of. When you hear about a professional athlete releasing an album, you’re interested to hear how it sounds (except for Shaq). When you see an artist or musician signed up to play in a celebrity All-Star game, you want to tune in and see how they fair.

Here are are some examples of worlds colliding in music and sports.

Athletes in Music

Bernie Williams

5-time Yankees All-Star centerfielder, 1998 AL batting title winner, and 4-time World Series champion Bernie Williams is also a Latin Grammy nominated guitarist. Williams recorded 2,336 hits and a .297 batting average in his baseball career, and 2 jazz albums in 2003 and 2009.

Williams also recorded a single with former NBA forward Wayman Tisdale.

Chris Kluwe

Former Vikings punter, gamer and excellent Twitter follow Chris Kluwe also started a band called Tripping Icarus. They have an EP and full length LP to their credit, all spawned from Kluwe’s love for “Guitar Hero”.

Jack McDowell

Former White Sox pitcher and 1993 CY Young winner, Jack “Blackjack” McDowell had a 12 year long baseball career, and a music career that has lasted for much longer. The alternative rocker recorded 6 albums with bands V.I.E.W. and stickfigure, and is still playing in clubs today.

The 1985 Chicago Bears

The ’85 Chicago Bears went 15-1, won a Super Bowl, had 4 players go to the Hall of Fame, and became the first sports team to be nominated for a Grammy. “The Super Bowl Shuffle” was organized by wide receiver Willie Gault, and performed by 24 members of the roster. This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release, a single that went to #41 on the Billboard charts and went Gold for selling half a million copies.

Sorry you had to hear Steve Fuller attempt rapping again.

Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson and Ben Crane – Golf Boys

Losing the collared t-shirts and khakis, these golfers decided to have some fun for charity. Producing 2 viral music videos, $1,000 is donated by State Farm per 100,000 views to charity.

It’s no “Super Bowl Shuffle”, but they still deserve a “good job, good effort.”

Musicians in Sports

Alice Cooper

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper is best known for heavy metal and live shows that feature guillotines, boa constrictors, electric chairs and fake blood. He also has a golf handicap of 5.3 and titled his memoirs “Alice Cooper: Golf Monster – A Rock ’n’ Roller’s 12 Steps To Becoming a Golf Addict.”

WE’RE NOT WORTHY!

Bruce Dickinson

Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson is one of the world’s most interesting individuals. He is a military veteran, a licensed commercial pilot, melter of rock and roll faces…and a WORLD CLASS FENCER! At one point he ranked 7th in all the UK. Dickinson also sponsors youth soccer teams.

Garth Brooks

Country superstar Garth Brook has sold over 70 million records in his career, but his dream was to be a Major League baseball player. Brooks made that dream come true when the San Diego Padres signed him to play in Spring training in 1998. He also had Spring training stints with the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals, ending his baseball “career” with a hit off pitcher Mike Myers in 2004.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is one of the best entertainers of our era. Singer, dancer, actor…and a 6 handicap golfer. Timberlake once said he would be a pro golfer by the age of 30. That has yet to happen, but he is minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies…so there’s that.

MTV Rock N’ Jock

Back when MTV was actually “Music Television” and played music videos, there was also a series where musicians, athletes and movie stars would come together to compete in basketball, football and bowling. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, Brett Michaels and Queen Latifah would play alongside Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Rick Mahorn, George Clooney, and yes…Leonardo DiCaprio (That’s him on the bottom left). It was truly incredible television.

Do any other Sports and Music crossovers come to mind? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.

13 Comments Posted on April 23, 2015September 12, 2015 #TBT Year in Review

#TBT Year in Review: 1998

Two years before Y2K, yet everyone was talking about it…and these things.

Bill Clinton dominated the headlines and SNL for his “off the field” issues.
Before teaching you how to survive EVERYTHING, Bear Grylls became the youngest person to scale Mount Everest at 23.
Microsoft released Windows 98…some of you still use it.
The Winter Olympics were held in Nagano, Japan.
Will Smith’s son Jaden was born and former Hall of Fame Bears quarterback Sid Luckman passed away at the age of 81.

And this is what we saw in the worlds of Movies, Music and Sports!

Movies

Comedy

The Truman Show, There’s Something About Mary, Rushmore, Can’t Hardly Wait, Patch Adams, You’ve Got Mail, Dr. Dolittle, The Waterboy, The Wedding Singer, Baseketball, Night at the Roxbury, Almost Heroes, Waking Ned Devine, Bulworth, Sliding Doors, Blues Brothers 2000, How Stella Got Her Groove Back AND…

The Big Lebowski

Action/Thriller

Ronin, Enemy of the State, Fallen, U.S. Marshals, The Negotiator, Mercury Rising, Lethal Weapon 4, Wild Things, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Godzilla, Rush Hour, The Siege, Psycho, Snake Eyes, The Faculty, A Perfect Murder, Out of Sight, The X-Files, Hard Rain, Lost in Space, The Mask of Zorro, Dark City, Sphere, Small Soldiers, John Carpenter’s Vampires, The Big Hit, Phantoms, Black Dog, Halloween: H20, Desperate Measures, Blade, Deep Impact AND…

Armageddon

Drama

Saving Private Ryan, American History X, Meet Joe Black, What Dreams May Come, Elizabeth, A Civil Action, The Thin Red Line, City of Angels, Shakespeare In Love, Ever After, Another Day in Paradise, 54, Rounders, He Got Game, Stepmom, Les Miserables, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, Great Expectations AND…

Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Animated

Mulan, The Prince of Egypt, The Rugrats Movie, Antz, AND…

A Bug’s Life

The 71st Oscars Nominees/Winners

Best Actor

Nick Nolte, Affliction

Edward Norton, American History X

Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan

Ian McKellen, Gods and Monsters

Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful – Winner

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Robert Duvall, A Civil Action

Ed Harris, The Truman Show

Geoffery Rush, Shakespeare in Love

Billy Bob Thornton, A Simple Plan

James Coburn, Affliction – Winner

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth

Fernanda Montenegro, Central Station

Meryl Streep, One True Thing

Emily Watson, Hilary and Jackie

Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love – Winner

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Lynn, Redgrave, Gods and Monsters

Kathy Bates, Primary Colors

Brenda Blethyn, Little Voice

Rachel Griffiths, Hilary and Jackie

Judie Dench, Shakespeare in Love – Winner

Best Picture

Elizabeth

Life is Beautiful

Saving Private Ryan

The Thin Red Line

Shakespeare in Love – Winner

Music

Rock Albums

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Hip-Hop

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Pop Albums

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Billboard Year-End Hot 100

“Too Close” – Next
“The Boy Is Mine” – Brandy and Monica
“You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
“Truly Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden
“How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes
“Together Again” – Janet
“All My Life” – K-Ci & JoJo
“Candle in the Wind 1997” – Elton John
“Nice and Slow” – Usher
“I Don’t Wait to Wait” – Paula Cole
“How’s It Going to Be” – Third Eye Blind
“No, No, No” – Destiny’s Child
“My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
“Getting’ Jiggy wit It” – Will Smith
“You Make Me Wanna” – Usher
“My Way” – Usher
“My All” – Mariah Carey
“The First Night” – Monica
“Been Around the World” – Puff Daddy feat. Mase and Notorious B.I.G
“Adia” – Sarah McLachlan

Sports

Baseball

Offensive Leaders:

Average: Larry Walker (COL) – .363

Hits: Dante Bichette (COL) – 219

Home Runs: Mark McGwire (STL) – 70

RBI: Sammy Sosa (CHC) – 158

OPS: Mark McGwire (STL) – 1.222

Stolen Bases: Rickey Henderson (OAK) – 66

Pitching:

Wins: Roger Clemens (TOR), Rick Helling (TEX), David Cone (NYY), Tom Glavine (ATL) – 20

ERA: Greg Maddux (ATL) – 2.22

Strikeouts: Randy Johnson (SEA/HOU) – 329

Complete Games: Curt Schilling (PHI) – 15

Shutouts: Randy Johnson – 6

Saves: Trevor Hoffman (SD) – 53

MVP:

AL: Juan Gonzalez (TEX)

NL: Sammy Sosa (CHC)

CY Young:

AL: Roger Clemens (TOR)

NL: Tom Glavine (ATL)

Rookie of the Year:

AL: Ben Grieve (OAK)

NL: Kerry Wood (CHC)

World Series: New York Yankees over San Diego Padres (4-0)

Basketball

NCAA

Final Four:

(2) Kentucky, (3) Utah, (3) Stanford, and (1) North Carolina

National Championship:

(2) Kentucky over (3) Utah 78-69

NBA

League Leaders:

Points Per Game: Michael Jordan (CHI) – 28.7

Rebounds Per Game: Dennis Rodman (CHI) – 15.0

Assists Per Game: Rod Strickland (WAS) – 10.5

All-NBA Team:

Tim Duncan (SA)

Michael Jordan (CHI)

Karl Malone (UTAH)

Shaquille O’Neal (LAL)

Gary Payton (SEA)

MVP: Michael Jordan (CHI)

Rookie of the Year: Tim Duncan (SA)

NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls over Utah Jazz (4-2)

Football

NCAA

Heisman Trophy Winner:

Ricky Williams, University of Texas

National Championship:

Tennessee over Florida State (23-16) in the Fiesta Bowl

NFL

League Leaders:

Passing Yards: Brett Favre (GB) – 4,212

Passing Touchdowns: Steve Young (SF) – 36

Passer Rating: Randall Cunningham (MIN) – 106.0

Rushing Yards: Terrell Davis (DEN) – 2,008

Rushing Touchdowns: Terrell Davis (DEN) – 21

Receptions: O.J. McDuffie (MIA) – 90

Receiving Yards: Antonio Freeman (GB) – 1,424

Receiving Touchdowns: Randy Moss (MIN) – 17

AP MVP:

Terrell Davis (DEN)

Super Bowl:

Denver Broncos over Atlanta Falcons (34-19)

Super Bowl MVP:

John Elway

Hockey

League Leaders:

Goals: Peter Bondra (WSH) & Teemu Selanne (ANA) – 52

Assists: Wayne Gretzky (NYR) & Jaromir Jagr (PIT) – 67

Points: Jaromir Jagr (PIT) – 102

Hart Memorial Trophy:

Dominik Hasek (BUF)

Stanley Cup:

Detroit Redwings over Washington Capitals (4-0)