There's a little Irish in everything. I drive my friends a bit crazy, with my “Just a dab will do yah,” interjections. Someone mentions Derek Jeter, and I say “his mother is Irish” (Dorothy Connor.) Mariah Carey wins an award, I say, “I have a nice note from her on being named a Top 100 Irish American. Her mother is Patricia Hickey.” It goes on, and on.
The … [Read more...] about First WordJune 27, 2020
First Word
Remembering the Champ
By Marilyn Cole Lownes
May / June 1998
The history of boxing must be rewritten. It is officially recorded that the legendary Jack Dempsey, Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1919-1926, was KO'ed just once in his great career. He was knocked out in the first round in 1917 by fireman Jim Flynn. The truth is that he actually suffered two KO's. The second one was outside the ring in 1956 when he first laid eyes on … [Read more...] about Remembering the Champ
John McCarthy: The Father of Artificial Intelligence
By Ray Cavanaugh
Summer 2021
Artificial intelligence is impacting the future of virtually every industry and every human being, and we owe it all to an Irishman named McCarthy. Few phrases evoke the rapid hi-tech acceleration of our era like “artificial intelligence” (also known by the somewhat less-threatening acronym of “AI”). Until very recently, this world, for better or worse, was ours. But, … [Read more...] about John McCarthy: The Father of Artificial Intelligence
Smiling Mickey Welch:
Hall-of-Fame Pitcher • Occasional Poet • Lifelong Fan of the Game
By Ray Cavanaugh
It was surprising that Mickey Welch had such a successful pitching career: He didn't have much size (the Society for American Baseball Research describes him as “generously listed” at 5-feet-8 and 160 pounds); his fastball was nothing special; and he also had control issues (at times leading the National League in walks surrendered).
However, he … [Read more...] about Smiling Mickey Welch: Hall-of-Fame Pitcher • Occasional Poet • Lifelong Fan of the Game
Passages
June 27, 2020
BIRTHDAY
Storied world heavyweight boxing champion William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was born June 24, 1895 in Manassa, Colorado.
Dempsey, an icon of the 1920's whose professional career ran from 1914-1927, reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1919-1926. He was an inaugural member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and is ranked tenth on The Ring … [Read more...] about PassagesJune 27, 2020