Articles written by David Hornestay
All 62 articles written by David Hornestay
Winning the White House: Decisive Moments in Presidential Elections
Category: US Elections
Many U.S. Presidential elections have turned on a single phrase or theme that resonated with the voting public. Some were calculated; others surprised even the winners. more...
Baseball's Greatest Outfielders: The Best of The Hard-Hitting Flychasers
Category: Major League Baseball
The most storied baseball players have been outstanding run-producers who played the outfield. Some also contributed significantly with their range and throwing arms. more...
Baseball's Greatest Shortstops: The Best at The Key Position
Category: Major League Baseball
Great shortstops have been key to many baseball championships. They have done it with the bat, the glove, spirit, or leadership. The best have done it with all of them. more...
Baseball's Greatest Catchers: The All-Time Best Behind the Bat
Category: Baseball History
Although many catchers labor almost anonymously behind their masks, the contributions of the best of them have long been hailed. Some are among baseball's immortals. more...
The Long Pennant Race: Thrills to the End in '48
Category: Baseball History
Two teams finished the 1948 American League season in a tie, with a third team eliminated only one day before. The thrills continued in a first-ever one-game playoff. more...
Baseball's Biggest Blows: The Most Dramatic and Decisive Home Runs
Category: Major League Baseball
Home runs have provided some of the highest drama in baseball history. They are at their best when they provide a sudden end to an important game. more...
The Inconvenient Palestine Facts: What the Media Don't Know or Never Tell
Category: Middle Eastern History (general)
Understandably emotional arguments about Israel and Palestine ignore or obscure indisputable facts. Acceptance of the truth might promote accommodation. more...
Turning the Tide in World War II: El Alamein, Stalingrad, and the Atlantic
Category: WW II History
Six decades after World War II, historians still debate which battles really stopped the Germans and gave victory in europe to the Allies. more...
Koufax or Gibson?: Who Was the Best Pitcher of the 60's?
Category: Major League Baseball
Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson were the consistently dominant pitchers of the 1960s. Koufax was more spectacular for a few years, but Gibson stayed great much longer. more...
Will U.S.Voters Turn Out in 2008?: They've Responded to Candidates and Issues in the Past
Category: US Elections
Voter turnout in presidential elections has fluctuated widely in the last half century. It takes vital issues or appealing candidates to get them to the polls. more...
Should the U.S. Have Taken Berlin?: Second Guessing FDR and Ike
Category: Modern US History
The Soviet capture of Berlin led to decades of Cold War tension and near-hostilities. Did our political and military decisions make that inevitable? more...
Two No-Hitters in a Row: VanderMeer's Unique Baseball Feat
Category: Major League Baseball
A Cincinnati Reds pitcher of modest attainments performed a feat never equalled before or since: he pitched two consecutive no-hit games in 1938. more...
Getting Ahead in Your Government Career: Succeed by Understanding the System
Category: Public Sector Careers
Advancing in government requires understanding some of the differences in public service employment and how to make the most of the opportunities they present. more...
Baseball Survives World War II: 1945 Victory Revives Game
Category: Major League Baseball
The quality of big league ball almost hit bottom in 1945. V-E and V-J Days started the return of the stars just in time. more...
Great Baseball Movies: From Gehrig to The Natural
Category: Action Films
Although baseball has provided the subject matter for some fine movies, there's no sure-fire formula. Some big names have flopped and some have become controversial. more...
Great World War II Movies: From Patriotism to Realism
Category: Classic Films (general)
The movies made during the war, even the classics, emphasized patriotism. The perspective of time introduced more realism. more...
Baseball's Greatest Records: Which All Time Mark Will Fall Next?
Category: Major League Baseball
Recent years have seen the shattering of some of baseball's most admired records. Can any truly stand the test of time? more...
Cubs Are '08 Baseball Champs: First to Win Two World Series
Category: Major League Baseball
Winning the 1907 and 1908 World Series made the Chicago Cubs the first team to win two of the Fall Classics. more...
World Series Flops: Ruth, Cobb, Williams Had October Stumbles
Category: Major League Baseball
Some of baseball's greatest stars have flopped in the limelight of the World series. more...
A Shortstop to Remember: Rizzuto, the Yankees' Scooter
Category: Major League Baseball
The on-field exploits and special contributions of one of the all-time Yankee stars. more...
For the Duration: Kids on the World War II Home Front
Category: Modern US History
The war intruded into children's lives with excitement, confusion, and fear. But there was plenty of time and space for normal routine. more...
Improving Your Interviewing: Proven Tips for Making Those Crucial Face-to-Face Judgements
Category: Human Resources Management
Careful study and analysis are needed to prepare for interviewing job applicants. A comfortable atmosphere and attentive listening are essential for conducting them. more...
Cubs Are '07 Baseball Champs: A Bulletin from A Century Ago
Category: Major League Baseball
The Chicago Cubs, one of the most successful baseball teams of the first decade of the twentieth century, won their first World Series in 1907--and their last in 1908. more...
World Series Perfection: Don Larsen's Unique October Masterpiece
Category: Major League Baseball
A mediocre Yankees righthander, in full view of America's baseball fans, makes history by retiring every batter in a World Series game. more...
Return to the Holy Land: The Right That Frustrates The Peacemakers
Category: Israel
The most outspoken advocates of a right to return to pre-1948 homes in the Holy Land do not recognize the right of others to return to their pre-70 home. more...
The Rise of The Relief Pitcher: The Evolution of Baseball's Closers
Category: Major League Baseball
Relief pitchers were once failed starters. Now they're acclaimed specialists and "closers" are most valuable player candidates. more...
Category: Baseball (general)
Understanding managers' strategy and players' out-of-the-ordinary performance enable new and old fans to appreciate the national pastime. more...
Working for the Government: Is Uncle Sam the Right Employer for You?
Category: Choosing Careers
The challenge and mission of a federal agency can be exciting; the politics and bureaucracy can be frustrating. Placement and preparation have to be right. more...
Baseball and Autumn in New York: Hosting the World Series 10 Years in a Row
Category: Major League Baseball
For ten straight years the World Series was played in New York City, usually between two New York teams. DiMaggio, Robinson, Mays and Mantle were among the heroes. more...
The First TV World Series: The First Televised Fall Classic Was One of the Greatest
Category: Major League Baseball
The 1947 World Series was the first to be televised. Batting, pitching, and fielding feats and high drama made it one of the greatest ever. more...
Vital Career Check: Do You Stay or Do You Switch?
Category: Career Advice (general)
If the world is your oyster when it comes to career opportunities, how do you weigh the benefits of your current employment against opportunities elsewhere? more...
Prince Valiant, Knight of the Round Table: The Longest Historical Novel Goes On
Category: Classic Comics
With seven decades of ongoing narrative, the comic strip Prince Valiant continues to delight its readers with romance and action in a somewhat altered Arthurian setting. more...
Getting Real About Retirement Planning: Figuring Out What to Do and How to Pay for It
Category: Retirement Planning (general)
Retirement planning has two vital aspects: activity and finances. Preparation for both should be deliberate and serious, but above all it must be realistic. more...
The Sacrifice of the Chaplains: A World War II Lesson in Brotherhood
Category: Modern US History
A doomed troopship provided the backdrop as four chaplains crafted one of World War II's most enduring and poignant lessons in brotherhood and self-sacrifice. more...
A Holocaust Refuge in France: How A Protestant Village saved 5,000 Jews
Category: French History
A Protestant town in southeastern France became an avowed refuge for Jews fleeing from the Holocaust. Tthey saved approximately 5,000 men, women, and children. more...
Be A More Valued Employee: How to Make Contributions Your Organization Will Appreciate
Category: Career Advice (general)
Doing your job well is paramount. But most organizations can benefit from constructive suggestions on how to do things better. more...
Qualified To Be President: How Much Does Experience Help?
Category: US Elections
Some of the great US presidents have entered office with great resumes. So have some of the failures and mediocre ones. Does experience matter and, if so, what kind? more...
Honesty And Career Success: Using Tact To Make Sure the Truth Doesn't Hurt
Category: Career Advice (general)
Honesty at work, as elsewhere, is the best policy. But tact and judgment are needed to prevent the truth from hurting others--or yourself. more...
Do Managers Win Baseball Games?: The Best Can Make A Difference
Category: Major League Baseball
Managers of winning baseball teams are often hailed as geniuses. History suggests that ballplayer talent counts for more, but that good managers can make a difference. more...
Baseball Bounces Back From War: The National Pastime in 1946
Category: Major League Baseball
High expectations, surprising achievements, and baffling disappointments marked the return of baseball's top stars from the war. more...
Security Vs. Civil Liberties: Can We Have Both Under the Threat of Terrorism?
Category: American Affairs (general)
The U.S. government has honored its people's civil liberties through most of its history, allowing some serious infringements in time of actual or perceived peril. more...
Could Hitler Have Won?: Keeping America Out of World War II
Category: Modern US History
American public opinion opposed intervention in world War II. A little more patience by Hitler could have given him the time to complete his conquests. more...
Was It Really 'The Good War?': World War II Reconsidered
Category: Modern US History
Movies, TV, and later anti-war activists have glamorized, if not glorified, World War II. Can it really be called "good." more...
Loyalty in Baseball: Ted Williams and His Friends for Life
Category: Major League Baseball
Four Red Sox stars of the 40's and 50's forged a lifelong friendship that gave new meaning to the concept of team. more...
Israel's Risky Choices: Peace, Security, or Neither
Category: Israel
Israel is often told it must yield some security to achieve peace. A wrong choice could leave it with neither. more...
The Legend of Joe DiMaggio: The Yankee Clipper's Enduring Fame
Category: Major League Baseball
Although Joe DiMaggio's excellent stats fell short of baseball's greatest, he won and retains a special hold on fans. A lot of it had to do with unmeasurables. more...
Do Presidential Elections Matter?: Results Have Changed History
Category: American History (general)
Despite decades of low voter turnout and apathy, many far-reaching changes in American history hinged on who was elected President. more...
Surviving a Government Career: Tips for Those Contemplating Public Service
Category: Career Advice (general)
An analysis of some of the obstacles and frustrations encountered in government employment. more...
Asking For Career Success: The Right Questions Can Be More Important Than the Right Answers
Category: Career Advice (general)
In a rapidly changing work environment, asking the right questions can be more important than knowing yesterday's right answers. more...
Walter Johnson's World Series: The Pride of Washington Gets A Belated Chance
Category: Major League Baseball
Eighteen years into baseball's greatest pitching career, Walter Johnson is in his first World Series, loses twice, and gets an unexpected final chance. more...
Historical Fiction Plain But Tasty: Duggan, Holland, and How It Really Was
Category: History/Philosophy Books (general)
Alfred Duggan and Cecelia Holland give history lessons that are relatively brief and down-to-earth, but never dull. more...
The Sacrifice of Shoeless Joe: Saving Baseball from the Black Sox Scandal
Category: Major League Baseball
Banning eight "Black Sox," including the immortal Joe Jackson, helped save baseball regardless of the still disputed innocence or guilt of the accused. more...
Does Government Efficiency Matter?: Why Taxpayers Should Care About Their Bureaucracy
Category: American Affairs (general)
Quadrennial pledges to make government smaller and more efficient are rarely fulfilled. Taxpayers need to pay more attention to why there is little real change. more...
Bias in International News: The Underdog Is (Amost) Always Right
Category: Media Bias
Reporting of international conflicts often seems one-sided. The benefit of the doubt seems to go to the underdogs--unless they get too violent. more...
Mighty Ruth (Et Al) Struck Out: Carl Hubbell Puts The All Star Game on The Map
Category: Major League Baseball
Carl Hubbell's pitching feat against five future Hall of Famers beginning with Ruth and Gehrig helped make the All Star game the midsummer classic. more...
Best Season Anyone Ever Had?: Player-Manager Lou Boudreau's MVP/World Series Year
Category: Major League Baseball
Lou Boudreau's 1948 season was unique in baseball history. He batted and fielded his way to his league's MVP award and managed the Indians to the world championship. more...
Looking for A Career Mentor: Learn from the Best in Performance and Character
Category: Career Advice (general)
To be the best you can be, learn job performance and personal skills from admirable models. more...
The Autumn of '49: Red Sox-Yankee Mystique Begins
Category: Major League Baseball
The '49 American League season came down to one game between the Yankees and Red Sox. The contest was a portent of epic battles to come. more...
Is Bible History Accurate?: Solid Evidence for Some; Faith for the Rest
Category: Jewish History
Archaeological evidence supports the accuracy of Biblical accounts almost to King David's time. Why is the rest in doubt? more...
Succeed in Job Interviews: Making Your Best Case for the Job You Want
Category: Job Interview Skills
Advice and detailed guidance on preparing for and navigating through the job interview. more...
Whose Temple Mount?: Or Is It The Noble Sanctuary?
Category: Middle Eastern History (general)
There are generally accepted historical and archaeological facts about a Jerusalem location which has become the subject of another dangerous Arab-Israeli dispute. more...
Baseball's All-Time Greatest: The Best Players on the Diamond in the 20th Century
Category: Major League Baseball
A fan's picks for greatest baseball players of the 1900s in the National and American Leagues - Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, Cy Young, Lou Gehrig, Nolan Ryan and more more...
