EC
#0
Thought I\'d try something a little different here. I will give a short bio with a few little-known facts about a famous person (and a few clues to offset the little-known ones) and you have to guess who it is. The person who gets the right answer then picks another famous person (sports star, actor, politician, historic figure, saint, etc. etc.). So here goes:
My family was from Ireland, but I was born in Newfoundland and later moved to New York City. I went to Seton Hall University but dropped out during WW II and joined the Army. After the war, I joined the Boston Celtics and played with them briefly, but I am noted for being the first professional basketball player to break a backboard. I left the Celtics to play baseball with the Dodgers but only got into one game with them. With the Chicago Cubs, however, I got into a lot of games at first base. (I am one of the very few to play baseball and basketball at the major league level.) In 1952 I traded in my baseball bat for an acting career, getting into several films but am best known for my television work in a show that ran for six seasons and also was big in syndication. Anyone who grew up in the late \'50s and all the \'60s would recognize my face with my tall good looks, big cowboy hat, and a rifle by my side. Who am I?
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CB
#10
chris_papadopoulos wrote:
Justinian II of the Roman Empire.
What's funny is that I read an article on Leontios (the rebellious general turned usurper) earlier today...
Correct! And...can I have a link to that article? I have somewhat of a fascination with Justinian II. It takes guts to come back and reclaim a throne with a slit nose.
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Paul Barrera
#2
Is this St Justinian, or who? And when was Justinian II alive?
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CP
#3
Well, Justinian II wasn\'t exactly a saint - as far as I can discern anyway. His golden nose must have been grand though.
He reigned in the late 7th century A.D., then again a few years later in the early 8th century.
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CP
#4
As for the article on Leontios, one can get the boilerplate info piece replicated on a number of infosites.
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CP
#5
Manny, ??? ?????; :)
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BW
#6
James Dean, The Rebel w/o a cause.
Bob
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EC
#7
Not Justinian I (the Great, ruled 527-565) who was the hymnographer and codifier of Roman law. Justinian II was of the Heraclean dynasty and ruled from 685 to 695 and again from 705 to 711. He was nicknamed \"Rhinotmetus\". His father was Constantine IV Pogonatus. Phillipicus Bardanes was the usurper who murdered him.
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EC
#8
Speaking of Byzantine emperors with unusual nicknames, how about Constantinre V Copronymus (ruled 741-775), so nicknamed because he defecated in the baptismal font?
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CP
#9
Which brings up something interesting: I remember picking up on an unspoken thing where, during a baptism, something about the baby\'s fate or disposition can be determined by whether he/she cried or not upon being immersed. I was too young to discern it well. Is that something anyone\'s experienced?
(I know, off-topic)...
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CB
#1
authio wrote:
Is this St Justinian, or who? And when was Justinian II alive?
Justinian I was the Imperial Justinian who has been canonized as a saint.
Justinian II reigned from 685 to 695, and then again from 705 to 711.
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EC
#24
chris_papadopoulos wrote:
Which brings up something interesting: I remember picking up on an unspoken thing where, during a baptism, something about the baby's fate or disposition can be determined by whether he/she cried or not upon being immersed. I was too young to discern it well. Is that something anyone's experienced?
(I know, off-topic)...
I\'ve never heard of that, but if it means anything, my daughter (who is now almost 17) laughed when she was dipped into the font. I think the water temperature may have a lot to do with it. In the Didache, cold water is recommended if possible--don\'t know why. But anyway, Chris, you get the next \"who am I\".
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CP
#25
I\'ve just begun taking my written comprhensive exams, so my brain is utterly incapable of any such exercise. I pass the baton to someone else (heh) but will come up with a good one as soon as I can.
Oh, and about the baptismal thing - just a cultural thing I suppose. Some might say superstition even. Moving right along....
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EC
#20
Oh well, I guess I\'ll provide another puzzle. Another sports figure, fairly easy if you know your baseball.
I was one of those multi-talented, 2-sport athletes. In fact, I am the only man to ever play and manage/head coach at the major league level in both baseball and basketball. One of my pro basketball teammates was the great John Wooden. My baseball team wanted me to quit basketball for fear of injury. I am perhaps best known for my baseball exploits, having won an MVP award and a World Series ring as a player and manager. There is also a baseball defensive strategy that for many years bore my name. I also had a son-in-law who for awhile was the best pitcher in baseball until he got into trouble with the bottle and the law. WHO AM I???
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EC
#27
Maybe it\'s too difficult??? Anyway, the answer for my last post is Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau. His ex-son-in-law was former Tiger and Senator pitcher Denny McLain.
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CP
#26
You\'re going WAY back now....:)
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