June 18th

Worldwide about 16½ million people have their birthday today, among them …

Lou Brock, who’s 68.

Recognized as one of the most gifted base runners in baseball, Lou Brock helped to revolutionize the art and science of this element of the game as he totaled 938 stolen bases during his 19-year career. A six-time All-Star selection, Brock also accumulated more than 3,000 hits to help lead the St. Louis Cardinals to three National League pennants and two World Series championships. Although his stolen base records have been eclipsed, the National League honors each year’s stolen base leader with the Lou Brock Award.

National Baseball Hall of Fame

Paul McCartney. He’s 65.

So’s Roger Ebert.

Best actress Oscar nominee Carol Kane is 55.

Not eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2009, Bruce Smith is 44 today. Smith was Virginia Tech’s first great football player.

George Mikan was born on June 18 in 1924. At 6-10 Mikan was the first “big man” in basketball leading the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA titles in six years. The widening of the lane, the NBA shot clock and the rule against defensive goaltending were brought about by Mikan’s dominance. He was named one of the 50 best ever in the NBA in 1996. George Mikan died in 2005.

That’s Mikan with Abdul-Jabbar and Shaq.

Emmy-award winning actor E.G. Marshall was born on June 18 in 1914. Marshall appeared in more than 100 television programs, most famously for The Defenders.

The famed oil firefighter Red Adair was born on June 18 in 1915. A generation ago Adair’s feats were well-known enough to inspire a John Wayne movie, Hellfighters.

Bud Collyer was born on June 18 in 1908. Collyer was the voice of Superman on the radio 1940-1951, but known better now as one of the first TV game show hosts, in particular for Beat the Clock.

And last, where and when will you meet your Waterloo? Napoleon met his Waterloo at Waterloo (Belgium) on June 18, 1815.