Birthday: Mickey Rooney

Born Joe Yule Jr., Mickey Rooney was one of the first child stars. And his stage presence came before he was two years old. At the age of 17 months he was in a tuxedo and on stage with his father. Years later, after failing to land a role in "Our Gang" Mickey landed his first film role at the age of six. But his real fame would come as a teenager in movies such as "Boys Town", "Babes in Arms", and the "Andy Hardy" series.

As an adult Mickey continued to work in both movies and television. He appeared in such movies as Breakfast at Tiffany's and It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He also lent his voice to numerous animated shows including Santa Claus is Coming to Town and The Fox and the Hound. In all, Mickey has appeared in over 200 films.

Although Mickey has been married 8 times, he has been with his current wife since 1978. They are currently on tour together performing a stage production called "Let's Put on a Show".

If Mickey Rooney died today he would be worth 15 points for Izzy.

Birthday: Tommy Lasorda

After a brief career as a pitcher Lasorda made his fame as manager of the Dodgers. He took over the team in 1976 and took them to the World Series in 1977 and 1978. But it wasn't until his third appearance in the fall classic in 1981 that he won the title.

Lasorda was known for arguing with the umpires and his unwavering faith for the Dodgers. He is quoted as saying he bleeds "Dodger Blue."

After retiring from managing in 1996 he took a position as an executive in the Los Angeles organization - one he still holds today.

If Tommy Lasorda died today he would be worth 22 points for Jim.

Birthday: Red Auerbach

Born Arnold Auerbach in 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, Red would go on to be one of the most respected men in the history of the NBA. He played college basketball for George Washington and had a brief stint in professional ball with the Harrisburg Senators. In 1944 he joined the Navy to do his part in World War II.

In 1946 he joined the upstart NBA coaching the Washington Capitols for 3 years. His big break came in 1950 when he was hired to coach the Boston Celtics. As the head of the Celtics from 1950 to 1966, Auerbach won 938 games and 9 championships, including 8 in a row. Beginning in 1967 Auerbach concentrated on his job as General Manager. Boston won 2 more titles in 1968 and 1969 before slumping through most of the 1970's. However, he made a bold move, selecting Larry Bird in the 1978 draft. Behind Bird the Celtics won again in 1981. Aueurbach then made more moves adding such players as Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Bill Walton. Those players helped Boston win two more titles in the 80's.

Red Auerbach was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968. He was named coach of the year in 1965, a trophy which now bears his name. In 1980 he was named Executive of the year.

Red Auerbach has been in and out of the hospital the past few months. However, his family has requested that his health status not be disclosed.

If Red were to die today he would be worth 12 points for Izzy.

Birthday: B.B. King

Born on a plantation in Mississippi in 1925, Riley B. King began performing at a very young age. As a child he played guitar on streetcorners, traveling from town to town every night. In 1947 he hitchhiked to Memphis to pursue his music career. His first break came in 1948 when he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio show. It was on the radio that he changed his name from Riley to Beale Street Blues Boy to Blues Boy King to finally, B.B. King.

With his first hit "Three O'Clock Blues" King hit the road. He made a national tour in 1956 playing 342 one-night stands. It was in Arkansas where he ran back into a burning club to retreive his guitar. It turns out the fire was started during a fight over a girl named Lucille. From that point he has always named his guitar Lucille to remind him not to do something so stupid as to run into a burning building for a $30 guitar.

In the late 60's King played at the Fillmore West, introducing the blues to a young, white audience. In 1969 he toured with the Rolling Stones. His fame grew from there and in 1987 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. B.B. continues to tour today.

If B.B. King died today he would be worth 20 points for Dave.

Birthday: George Jones

Country legend George Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas. As a child he sang for tips on street corners in nearby Beaumont. At the age age 24 he recorded his first songs and in 1959 had his first #1 hit, "White Lightning." In 1969 Jones married Tammy Wynette and the two began making songs together. While they were a fan favorite on the stage, their marriage was a disaster. Alcohlism led to abuse and the two were divorced in 1976.

In 1980 Jones had perhaps his biggest hit "He Stopped Loving Her Today." The song won him a Grammy Award and was CMA's Single of the Year for both 1980 and 1981.

Jones nearly died in 1998 in an auto accident. He suffered a collapsed lung and a torn liver along with numerous other internal injuries. After several months, Jones recovered and hit the road again.

If George Jones died today he would be worth 26 points for Jim.

Jim Will Do Him Justice

Until then let me say that Chief Justice William Rehnquist passed away tonight, giving Jim 20 more points and moving him into 2nd place.

Take it away, Jim.

Birthday: Kitty Carlisle

Born Catherine Conn in 1910 in the city of New Orleans, Kitty Carlisle has been acting for over 70 years. She first appeared on the silver screen in 1934 in the movie Murder at the Vanities. One year later she appeared in the Marx Brothers production A Night at the Opera. Her most recent film credit was a small part in the 1993 movie Six Degrees of Separation.
Ms. Carlisle is probably best known for her numerous appearances on television games shows. She served as a celebrity panelist numerous times on both What's My Line? and To Tell The Truth.
Kitty Carlisle currently lives in New York City where she is active in supporting the Arts.

If Kitty Carlisle died today, she would be worth 5 points for Jim.