Tag Archives: pop culture

MLB All-Star Willie Stargell & . . . Sister Sledge?

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Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell was a unifying force, bringing together a diverse group of teammates. In fact, the 1979 Pirates were nicknamed “The Family” and adopted the Sister Sledge disco hit “We Are Family” as their unofficial anthem.

“It’s a miracle,” Sister Sledge lead singer Kathy Sledge told People magazine at the time. “We thought the song had made as much noise as it ever would. Then the Pirates came along. It shows how God can act in mysterious ways.”

Stargell is one of four players who will be honored on the Major League Baseball All-Stars stamps to be issued July 20 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. A separate ceremony for the Willie Stargell stamp will take place July 21 in Pittsburgh. Visit to pre-order stamps and philatelic products.

Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.

Our Favorite Extraterrestrial Turns 30

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E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, one of the most beloved films of all time, turns 30 today. This warm tale of friendship between a lonely boy and a lost extraterrestrial instantly became a universally appealing story line after its release on June 11, 1982, grossing $200 million during its first 66 days alone.

With his four famous syllables—”E.T. phone home”—the wrinkly, Reese’s Piece-loving alien captured our hearts. His wide-eyed innocence and quest to return home made E.T. the perfect hero. The shenanigans that ensue as he and Elliot outrun the authorities to safely return E.T. to his mother ship have made this movie an American classic.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T. won four Academy Awards and held the record as the top-grossing film for 15 years. We can certainly understand why. Just look at that face!

When was the last time you saw “E.T. phone home”?

“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” is a trademark and copyright of Universal City Studios, Inc. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing, Inc. All rights reserved.