Dodgers team historian MARK LANGILL had surgery to remove two brain tumors. Now, nearly two months after he was rushed to the hospital after behaving unsteadily at Dodger Stadium, Langill is out of the hospital and fighting to beat brain cancer with the "staunchest of allies." Langill has spent the last 22 years as baseball’s first official team historian, a role which puts him at the “forefront of the team’s powerful connection between its present and past.” He returned to work on June 17 (L.A. TIMES, 6/23).
A CELEBRATION: Last Thursday, the N.Y. Giants held a celebration of the teams’ upcoming 100th season. Many memories were shared at “Giants 100: A Night with Legends,” a nearly three-hour event filled with "laughs, insight and appreciation" from the more than 20 franchise icons who took the stage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden (
N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/21).
HONORABLE MENTION: The S.F Chronicle will honor the great
WILLIE MAYS in a new hardcover collector’s book titled
“WILLIE MAYS: A TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME”. The Chronicle began work on the book this spring to "align with" MLB’s tribute to the Negro Leagues." The 160-page fan keepsake will cost $44.95 (
S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/22).
NAMES: Trackhouse Racing driver
DANIEL SUAREZ became a U.S. citizen last week. Suarez said, “It’s really funny how my parents, they had that thought before I was born, about being born in the United States, I guess to have more opportunities. They didn’t do it. And now, I guess I did it my way.” He added he “came to this country to race and compete.” Suarez: “In a blink of an eye, I’ve been already here 12 years” (
USA TODAY, 6/23)....NHRA driver
JOHN FORCE was hospitalized after a fiery crash during the NHRA Virginia Nationals yesterday. The 75-year-old racing legend was extricated from his car after an engine explosion caused his Funny Car to make multiple impacts with the outside retaining walls. John Force Racing released a statement saying that Force was "injured" in the crash, but “did not specify his injuries other than saying he was conscious and communicating with NHRA safety team members after the crash” (
YAHOO SPORTS, 6/23).
IN MEMORY:
JAMIE KELLNER, who made his name as the only exec ever to create two broadcast networks -- Fox and The WB -- died Friday at his home in Montecito, Calif., at 77. Kellner had a “tremendous impact” on the television business in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and was considered an entrepreneur at heart. Kellner for a time ran Turner Broadcasting as Chair and CEO. The exec's look was “iconic,” as he wore the exact “same outfit to work every day, without fail.” Blue shirt, Khaki pants (
VARIETY, 6/22).
