Song of the Day: Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball? (performed by Count Basie And His Orchestra)


Happy Jackie Robinson Day!

Lyrics (by Woodrow Buddy Johnson):

Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
It went zoomin cross the left field wall.
Yeah boy, yes, yes. Jackie hit that ball.

And when he swung his bat,
the crowd went wild,
because he knocked that ball a solid mile.
Yeah boy, yes, yes. Jackie hit that ball.

Satchel Paige is mellow,
so is Campanella,
Newcombe and Doby, too.
But it’s a natural fact,
when Jackie comes to bat,
the other team is through.

Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
Did he hit it? Yeah, and that ain’t all.
He stole home.
Yes, yes, Jackie’s real gone.

Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
Did he hit it? Yeah, and that ain’t all.
He stole home.
Yes, yes, Jackie’s real gone.
Jackie’s is a real gone guy.

As a bonus, here’s Jackie Robinson stealing home plate at the 1955 world series!  Yogi Berra said Jackie was out.  The umpire disagreed.

Artist Profile: Darrel Millsap (1931 — 2012)


When I was searching for information on illustrator Darrel Millsap, I came across the following obituary from the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

“Darrel passed away on April 11, 2012, due to complications of stroke, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Ontario, CA, on May 9, 1931, to Poley and Isabelle Millsap. He was known as “Bunky” to all and in the years prior to his stroke, he was quite the character, with a loving heart and a smile on his face.
Darrel served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1953, where he immediately attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in Commercial Illustration. He later became a mentor to many graduates of Art Center and was an inspiration to many aspiring artists in the years to come.
He began his illustration career in Los Angeles, working for Fred Kopp Studios under Hector Huerta. Within a few years, he moved to San Diego and began working for Frye and Smith, then ventured out on his own with his partner Robert Kinyon, creating Millsap/Kinyon Illustration. They thrived for years until Robert lost his battle with cancer. Darrel continued his artistic legacy by going solo under Darrel Millsap Illustration, and worked with his many friends and acquaintances in the art business until he retired in 1999. Darrel was truly on of San Diego’s best known “unknown” artists.”

Here’s a few examples of his work:

Balcony of ShameNude in OrbitPlatypussyPlaygirl PadSwap CircuitThe Case of the Naked DiverThe Posh SinnersTo Swap A WantonWell Hung Up