Copyright © 1999

Porsche Club of America Hysterical Rambings August, 1999 Howard Wasserman HWasser@ix.netcom.com

George Hackenschmidt, The Russian Lion," was a bodybuilder and championship wrestler around the turn of the century.  He was eventually defeated in 1908 by Frank Gotch, whom some consider to be a "dirty wrestler."  George was also an author, who wrote a combination training manual and biography called "The Way to Live." It was first published in 1908 and by 1940 after 21 editions, was considered to be one of the largest selling books on physical culture ever.  George passed away in England in 1968 at the age of 90.
 
The only connection I could find between George and baseball was that Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson, who played for the Giants, Cubs and Dodgers (and 7 games with the Phils) from 1923 through 1934, might have gotten his nickname because of his resemblance to George Hackenschmidt.  Wilson was also very strong and once considered becoming a boxer.  Apparently, he also liked to drink as this story relates: "One day Cubs manager, Joe McCarthy, tried to teach Wilson a lesson.  "If I drop a worm in a glass of water, it swims around," he told Wilson.  "If I drop it in a glass of whiskey, the worm dies.  What does this prove?"  "If you drink whisky, you'll never get worms," Wilson responded."

Joe is right: Wilson was very short (5'6"), stocky (190 lbs.) and very, very strong. He resembled Hackenschmidt in physique and attributes. His best years were with the Chicago Cubs from 1926-1930. Hack held the National League record for most home runs in a season (56) until last year when it was broken by Mark McGwire (70) and Sammy Sosa (66). Hack did it in 1930 when the baseball was juiced up for the second time and Mark and Sammy eclipsed Hack under similar circumstances.
 
How juiced was the ball? The last time a NLer hit .400 was 1930 - Bill Terry of the N. Y. Giants (booo!!) hit .401. All you Northeasters know that Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, the only person to do it since Terry. Need more convincing about the juiced ball. The entire National league hit 610 homer runs in 1928, 892 In 1930! The batting average for the whole league was .281 in 1928, an incredible .303 in 1930. The Giants team batting average in 1930 was .319. Run production was up two full runs per game.
 
As impressive as Hack's 56 homers were, establishing a NL record that lasted 68 years, he outdid himself in runs batted in. Totaling 190 RBI, he set a major league record that still stands. An outstanding power hitter, he drank himself into oblivion. As a final aside, in this era of baseball statistical research, it has been determined that Hack actually drove in 191 runs in 1930, the missing RBI coming in the second game of a doubleheader between Wilson's Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds on July 28, 1930. So, I guess it took Hack to break his own record. I'll drink to that! .
 
1999 Standings after Eight Months
National PCA (Natpucker) Trivia Championship

Bruce Corwin          320 points
Carl Bessone           260 points
Davis Pan                230 points
Darice Wareham     180 points
Chris Weber            170 points
Randy Robinson        90 points
Don Johnson              55 points
Joe Morency              50 points
P. J. Nudo                  50 points
Paul Young                50 points
Ted Ohland                40 points
Pete Ciccarrelli           5 points

PILLSBURY DOUGH BOY DEAD AT 71
Veteran Pillsbury spokesman, Pop N. Fresh, died yesterday of a severe yeast infection. He was 71.
 
Fresh was buried in one of the largest funeral ceremonies in recent years. Dozens of celebrities turned out, including Mrs. Butterworth, The California Raisins, Hungry Jack, Betty Crocker, and The Hostess Twinkies. The graveside was piled high with flours as longtime friend Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy, describing Fresh as a man who "never knew how much he was kneaded". Fresh rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with many turnovers.
 
He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Still, even as a crusty old man, he was a roll model for millions.
 
Fresh is survived by his second wife. They have two children and one in the oven. The funeral was held at 4:50 for about 20 minutes.
 

                                                                August's Question

This month's question: The year is 1908. The location is Montana. The place is a hotel. Montana is not know for many firsts but it can claim at least one. For 30 points, what is it? And, as a bonus, if you can find the answer to this on the Internet, I'll give you an extra 10 points if you tell me how you did it.

Please send your trivia answers to me at 6930 N. Woodridge Drive, Parkland, FL 33067 or, if you prefer Email: HWasser@ix.netcom.com or 73764.3363@compuserve.com. They must be postmarked or emailed by the 14th of the month of publication.