Michael Phelps and Larisa Latynina

Between 1956 and 1964, Larisa Latynina from the Soviet Union won 18 Olympic medals in gymnastics. Today, when we think about women’s gymnastics, we think of Olga Korbut, Nadia Comaneci or Mary Lou Retton. Most people today have never heard of Larisa Latynina. But until yesterday, Ms. Latynina held the record for the most Olympic medals. That was until Michael Phelps won two medals, the second of which being his 19th medal, making him the record holder for the most medals. Ms. Latynina held the record for 48 years.

She was 29 in 1964 when she won her 18th medal. These days, most female gymnasts retire while still in their teens. Quite a difference.

For more Olympics coverage, go to http://www.iweblists.com/sports/olympics/index.html. For a list of the medals Michael Phelps has won, look here and here.

Supreme Court Justices – Republicans and Democrats

There is an interesting article in today’s NY Times about how the Supreme Court’s approval rating is down to just 44%, lower than President Obama’s, partly due to the ideologically divided 5-to-4 decisions in Bush v. Gore, which determined the 2000 presidential election, and Citizens United, the 2010 decision allowing unlimited campaign spending by corporations and unions.

Not long ago, there were several justices appointed by Republican presidents that were in the “liberal” camp, such as John Paul Stevens and David Souter. These days, other than Anthony Kennedy, it seems that all the justices nominated by Republicans are staunchly Conservative, and all justices nominated by Democrats are staunchly Liberal, matching what seems to be happening with the US Congress.

Here’s a listing of Supreme Court Justices through history.

What is causing all this divisiveness? I believe it’s in part fueled by people’s increased ability to access news with their own slant, instead of news that’s reasonably unbiased. Conservatives can listen to Rush Limbaugh to continually validate their own opinions, for example.

Republicans – Nixon & Bush

I read an interesting fact recently. The last time the Republicans won an election without either Richard Nixon or a Bush as president or vice president was 1928, when Herbert Hoover beat Alfred Smith. (Hoover lost to FDR in 1932.) Here is a list of presidential tickets.

Albert Pujols – is he worth it?

On Thursday, Albert Pujols signed a 10-year contract for $254 million with the Los Angeles Angels. Is he worth it? Looking at records, maybe he is, when it comes to getting hits. He has the best career batting average of any player active today, 33rd on the all-time list, at .3284. With 445 home runs, he is 37th on the all-time list with one season in the top 50, 2006, with 49 home runs (tied for 43rd place). Find more baseball statistics at iWeblists.

World Series Game 7

Tonight will be the first time the World Series had a game 7 since 2002 when the Anaheim Angels beat the San Francisco Giants four games to three (4-3). In the last 10 years, including 2011, there have been seven games twice, six games twice, five games three times and a sweep of four games three times.

For more on World Series history, view iWeblists‘ History of World Series Games.

Apple surpasses WalMart in Market Capitalization

Today Apple become the third largest US company in market capitalization, after Exxon Mobil and Microsoft, surpassing WalMart. Much of this is due to hype about the iPad, as well as mention today that a new iPhone will be coming out soon on Verizon’s network.

A year ago, Apple had the 14th largest US Market Cap at $94 billion. Today Apple is 3rd, with $214 billion.

Here is a list of the 50 largest American companies by market capitalization.

Here is a list of the 50 largest companies on March 31st, 2009.

Chris Johnson – 2,000 Yards Rushing in a Season

This past weekend, Chris Johnson, of the Tennessee Titans, became the sixth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. He finished the season with 2,006 rushing yards. He joins Eric Dickerson, the record holder with 2,105 yards in 1984, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and, do you remember, OJ Simpson? He rushed for 2,003 yards in 1973.

Here’s a list of the top 50 NFL Season Rushing Yards records.

Supreme Court Religions

The Supreme Court formally begins its session on October 5th. Due to a special session, Justice Sonia Sotomayor has already taken her place as the 112th Supreme Court Justice. Of the nine Justices, six are Catholic, two are Jewish and one is Protestant. In fact, the Protestant Justice, John Paul Stevens, is also the oldest, and is rumored to be ready to step down, so it’s possible a year from now the Supreme Court could consist of only Catholic and Jewish Justices.

For a list of Supreme Court Justices through history and more, visit the iWeblists website.

Longest Serving Senators

With the death of Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, it’s interesting to note that he was the third longest serving senator. It’s also interesting to note that the two serving longer are both recent senators, one still serving.

Robert Byrd of West Virginia is still serving. He joined the senate in 1959 and has been serving for over 50 years.

Strom Thurmond of South Carolina served in the senate for almost 47 1/2 years, serving until January, 2003. He was 100 years old when he retired. He died later that year.

Ted Kennedy became a senator in 1962 and had been a senator for just under 47 years.

Here are more facts about the current senate, including each senator’s first year in office.

Longest Running Broadway Shows

The longest running Broadway show is still running: The Phantom of the Opera has been running since January 26, 1988 and has produced an incredible 9,003 shows. The second longest running show is Cats, at 7485 shows.

In addition to The Phantom of the Opera, playing at the Majestic Theatre, there are five other shows still playing that are in the top 50:

• Chicago is #7 with 5332 shows
• The Lion King is #9 with 4917 shows
• Mamma Mia! is #13 with 3280 shows
• Wicked is #22 with 2438 shows
• Jersey Boys is #43 with 1595 shows

Jersey Boys will move up the list quickly, since it’s less than 300 shows away from #32.

Here’s a list of the longest running Broadway shows, and here’s a list of currently running Broadway shows.