Daily Dirt: 38 million copies later, Eagles still flying high

Daily Dirt for Sept. 28, 2021

I am not, nor have I ever been, a fan of the Eagles, but personal bias will never stand in the way of sharing news. Welcome to Vo. 81 of the Daily Dirt.

1. The Recording Industry Association of America has updated its list of the top-selling albums of all-time. The Eagles’ greatest hits compilation has widened its lead over Michael Jackson’s legendary “Thriller”, according to businessinsider.com.

The Eagles’ No. 1 effort has now sold more than 38 million copies. “Thriller” is 4 million behind. No. 3 is another Eagles offering, “Hotel California.” It earns the bronze medal but with “only” 26 million.

• 1. “Their Greatest Hits (1971-75),” the Eagles.
• 2. “Thriller,” Michael Jackson.
• 3. “Hotel California,” the Eagles.
• 4. “Back in Black,” AC/DC.
• 5. “The Beatles (White Album),” the Beatles.
• 6. “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2,” Billy Joel.
• 7. “Led Zeppelin IV,” Led Zeppelin.
• 8. “The Wall,” Pink Floyd.
• 9. “Double Live,” Garth Brooks.
• 10. “Cracked Rear View,” Hootie and the Blowfish.

For bean counters, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Garth Brooks all have three entries in the top 50.

2. Are you a fan of “The Voice,” the NBC program that looks for the next singing superstar? You might find it interesting that this season’s judges — Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Ariana Grande — will be paid a combined $60 million-plus for their services. Grande will earn $20-$25 million, Clarkson $15 million, Shelton $13 million and Legend $13 million. For those who keep track of such things, Shelton has coached a series-record eight champions, Clarkson three and Legend one. Grande is a rookie coach.

3. Here’s the fourth edition of the best MLB players who have worn certain numbers, thanks to sportingnews.com. We resume today with No. 31.

• 31. Greg Maddux. Honorable mention: Fergie Jenkins, Dave Winfield, Mike Piazza.
• 32. Sandy Koufax. Honorable mentions: Steve Carlton, Roy Halladay. (Koufax’s numbers from 1962 to 1966 are staggering: Three Cy Youngs, a 113-34 record, five straight ERA titles and three seasons of more than 300 strikeouts. He became the youngest person ever elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972. He was 36.)
• 33. Eddie Murray. Honorable mentions: Clayton Kershaw, Larry Walker, Luis Tiant.
• 34. Nolan Ryan. Honorable mentions: Kirby Puckett, David Ortiz, Felix Hernandez, Fernando Valenzuela.
• 35. Frank Thomas. Honorable mentions: Phil Niekro, Mike Mussina, Cole Hamels. (The Big Hurt is one of my all-time faves.)
• 36. Gaylord Perry. Honorable mentions: Robin Roberts, Jim Kaat. (Perry, a Hall of Famer, won the Cy Young Award in both leagues, registered 314 wins and struck out 3,534 batters. And Jim Kaat also belongs in the Hall of Fame.)
• 37. Dave Stieb. Honorable mention: Keith Hernandez. 
• 38. Curt Schilling. Honorable mentions: None.
• 39. Dave Parker. Honorable mentions: Hoyt Wilhelm.
• 40. Bartolo Colon. Honorable mentions: Andy Benes, Bud Black.

Steve Fact O’ The Day
I was once a teen idol.

Rumor has it that Steve was the last person eliminated from consideration to be a judge on “The Voice.”