Pinch Hitting

At Gheorghe, like everywhere else in the 'sphere, we often pause to acknowledge the passing of those folks whom we have enjoyed for whatever reason.  The G:TB roster is filled with cinema enthusiasts, and so we tip our caps to recent departees Richard Dawson, Andy Griffith, and Ernest Borgnine.  Even people who weren't necessarily onscreen but brought us love stories that generated interest for Shlara or Rob (Nora Ephron) or interesting stories of degenerates the rest of us love (Henry Hill). 

Somewhere in our diligent pursuit of such acknowledgment, however, we missed one.  (I blame the interns here at Gheorgherica.)  Someone who contributed directly to comedy film greatness, if just once . . . and if very indirectly.

Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbón . . . Manny Mota (Mota . . . Mota . . . Mota)

Pedro Borbón closed out his final inning on June 4.  Here's to Pedro, a damn fine reliever in the Big Red Machine years, and here's to Manny Mota (who's alive and well), for reasons that are obvious.

One thing that always bothered me, though: Pedro Borbón and Manny Mota were never teammates, not once.  I thought perhaps that they might have played on the same NL All-Star team, but Borbón never made one.  Manny Mota never could have been called upon to pinch-hit for Pedro Borbón.  I mean, do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked... in the head... with an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. Sorry, that's a dumb question... skip that.

Just. Too. Easy. To. Resist.

Headline: "Local Air Traffic Controller Suspended for Watching Movie"

In its release, the FAA said the following:
"During the early morning hours of April 17, 2011, an air traffic controller at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center was watching a movie on a portable electronic device while working a radar position. For a little more than three minutes, the controllers microphone was inadvertently activated, transmitting the soundtrack of the movie over the radio frequency for that airspace. The problem was brought to air traffic controls attention by the pilot of a military aircraft using an alternate frequency. The controller has been suspended from operational duties pending an investigation. FAA policy prohibits the use of portable DVD players and other devices from being used on the floor of the radar room."

Hmmmm, what ever could he have been watching?

Sometimes the filler just writes itself...

I first saw this story on twitter last night. I mean, can a story be any better set up for a clip than this one?

U.S. investigators are examining whether two airline flights landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport today without tower guidance because the lone controller on duty was asleep.

Caption This

A few housekeeping items, before I let you jackals have at it. Yes, that is a functioning telephone booth. And no, I do not fit at all.

"Alright, give me Hamm on 5, hold the Mayo."