Jim Leeke
@jimleeke.bsky.social
Writer, researcher, SABR member — sports, aviation and military history. Current book: Big Loosh (University of Nebraska Press). Previously: The Gas and Flame Men; The Turtle and the Dreamboat (Potomac Books).
Pinned
Jim Leeke
@jimleeke.bsky.social
· Jul 1
PUB DAY! “Big Loosh” is now available everywhere. My thanks to @univnebpress.bsky.social for all the good work. Play ball!
Long ago and far away.
November 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Long ago and far away.
Central Ohio this morning.
November 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Central Ohio this morning.
Reposted by Jim Leeke
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Jim Leeke
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Colorful walk this afternoon.
November 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Colorful walk this afternoon.
Profile of aviator Frank Hawks, from a series on popular pilots by writer/illustrator Ace Brady. (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, March 10, 1935.) — #avgeeks
![Illustration of glider Eaglet towed by Waco biplane Texaco 7, Northrop Gamma monoplane Sky Chief in flight, and head-and-shoulders portrait of Frank Hawks. Text: "COMMANDER FRANK M. HAWKS. HOLDER OF MORE INTER-CITY SPEED RECORDS THAN ANY OTHER PILOT IN THE WORLD, STARTED AS A BARNSTORMER’S 'ASSISTANT,' BECAME AVIATION INSTRUCTOR DURING THE WAR,—LATER BECAME A GYPSY FLYER AND SERVED SIX YEARS AS AN AIR SOLDIER IN MEXICO, BUT QUIT DURING THE DE LA HUERTA REVOLU TION BECAUSE HE HAD FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES. HE FLEW FROM SAN DIEGO TO NEW YORK IN A GLIDER. (TOWED, BY AM AIRPLANE)" [signed] Ace Brady](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7f4vpvbsqyptuj73gqldy2zz/bafkreie23obo4i6laubjs6ktbffwheevrv2r6mhspuljdycfcvqs4gfrje@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Profile of aviator Frank Hawks, from a series on popular pilots by writer/illustrator Ace Brady. (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, March 10, 1935.) — #avgeeks
@newyorker.com cartoon, November 2019 — #NoKings
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
@newyorker.com cartoon, November 2019 — #NoKings
Strong turnout in central Ohio during an off-year election with no earthshaking issue on the ballot here. People are voting because they still can and they’re furious. #NoKings
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Strong turnout in central Ohio during an off-year election with no earthshaking issue on the ballot here. People are voting because they still can and they’re furious. #NoKings
Reposted by Jim Leeke
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
Reposted by Jim Leeke
The brilliant Will Rogers, vaudevillian, actor, humorist, was born on November 4, 1879 #botd
“There are men running the government who shouldn’t be allowed to play with matches.”
“There are men running the government who shouldn’t be allowed to play with matches.”
November 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The brilliant Will Rogers, vaudevillian, actor, humorist, was born on November 4, 1879 #botd
“There are men running the government who shouldn’t be allowed to play with matches.”
“There are men running the government who shouldn’t be allowed to play with matches.”
Reposted by Jim Leeke
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:14 PM
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
They were gas guzzlers … but they were beautiful.
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
They were gas guzzlers … but they were beautiful.
Reposted by Jim Leeke
Did not expect one of the best paragraphs I’d read about baseball would come from an Irish newspaper
www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
November 2, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Did not expect one of the best paragraphs I’d read about baseball would come from an Irish newspaper
www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
Mood as the gray months begin. At least we had an insanely great World Series!
November 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Mood as the gray months begin. At least we had an insanely great World Series!
Although a famous speed pilot during the 1920-30s, Frank Hawks was perhaps best known for flying the red glider Texaco Eaglet behind a tow plane from San Diego to New York. Eaglet was believed to be the first cabin (enclosed) glider ever built. (US National Archives photo) — #avgeeks
November 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Although a famous speed pilot during the 1920-30s, Frank Hawks was perhaps best known for flying the red glider Texaco Eaglet behind a tow plane from San Diego to New York. Eaglet was believed to be the first cabin (enclosed) glider ever built. (US National Archives photo) — #avgeeks
Best two words in sports: Game Seven.
November 1, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Best two words in sports: Game Seven.
Perfection.
And if we’re acclaiming masterpieces: Charles Addams’ marvellous cover for the Halloween 1963 cover of The New Yorker. (At first glance, I took that hunter’s expression for bafflement, but now I’m pretty sure he’s terrified. As he darn well should be.)
October 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Perfection.
Reposted by Jim Leeke
Man Wouldn't Have Worn Costume To Work If He'd Known He Was Getting Laid Off
October 31, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Man Wouldn't Have Worn Costume To Work If He'd Known He Was Getting Laid Off
EC-121, squadron VQ-2, at naval base Rota, Spain, circa 1971 — note the radomes top and bottom — a beautiful aircraft made ugly but versatile — #avgeeks
October 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
EC-121, squadron VQ-2, at naval base Rota, Spain, circa 1971 — note the radomes top and bottom — a beautiful aircraft made ugly but versatile — #avgeeks
Frank Hawks in New Orleans, after setting a speed record from Dallas in Texaco 13. "It was quickly explained by one man in the crowd that it was Hawks’ daily business to establish new records." (Times-Picayune, September 30, 1931)
October 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Frank Hawks in New Orleans, after setting a speed record from Dallas in Texaco 13. "It was quickly explained by one man in the crowd that it was Hawks’ daily business to establish new records." (Times-Picayune, September 30, 1931)
Don’t tell me you went to bed during Game 3 …
October 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Don’t tell me you went to bed during Game 3 …
So there are four WS games in LA this year.
October 28, 2025 at 6:30 AM
So there are four WS games in LA this year.