New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.

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Type	Privately held company
Industry	Footwear
Founded	1906 as New Balance Arch Support Company
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Key people	William J. Riley, founder Jim Davis, Chairman Robert T. DeMartini, CEO & President John Withee, Exec. Vice President and CFO
Products	Athletic shoes, shoes, apparel
Revenue	US$1.55 billion (2006)[1]
Employees	4,180 worldwide (October 2008)[1]
Website	newbalance.com

New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. (NBAS), best known as simply New Balance, is an American footwear manufacturer based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. It was founded in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company. Eschewing expensive advertising campaigns, it has, nevertheless, grown to be one of the largest makers of sports footwear in the world.

New Balance has continued to maintain a manufacturing presence in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom for the European market, where they produce some of their popular models such as the 990 model, in contrast to its competitors in the same market space who do not manufacture in the USA or UK. The result of this is that New Balance shoes tend to be more expensive than those of many other manufacturers. To offset this pricing difference, New Balance claims to differentiate their products with technical features, such as a blend of gel inserts, heel counters, and a greater selection of sizes, particularly for very narrow and/or very wide widths.

History[link]

In 1906, William J. Riley, a 33-year old British emigrant, founded the New Balance Arch Support Company manufacturing arch supports and other accessories designed to improve shoe fit in Boston, Massachusetts. His first product, a flexible arch support, was designed with three support points (a triangle) to provide greater balance and comfort in the shoe. It is believed that Riley came up with the name "New Balance" by observing chickens in his yard and demonstrated the way his arch supports worked by keeping a chicken foot on his office desk. He explained to customers that the chicken's three-clawed foot resulted in perfect balance. In 1927, Riley hired Arthur Hall to be a salesman. In 1934, Hall became a business partner and found his niche by marketing to people whose jobs required them to spend much time standing.^[2] In 1956, Hall sold the business to his daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd.

Eleanor and Paul Kidd continued to sell mainly arch supports until 1960, when they designed and manufactured the "Trackster," the world's first running shoe made with a ripple sole. It was also the first running shoe to come in varying widths. The "Trackster" was given a big boost through the YMCA programs in which it became the unofficial shoe. College track teams such as MIT, Tufts University and Boston University adopted the New Balance Trackster for their cross-country teams, soon to be followed by other colleges and private high schools around the country.^[2]

Marketing was mostly word-of-mouth or local sports fairs. Sales languished until 1972 when current Chairman Jim Davis bought the company on the day of the Boston Marathon. At the time, the company consisted of just six people making 30 pairs of shoes daily and selling products mostly through mail-order with a few U.S. retailers. Jim committed himself to uphold the company's traditional commitment to individual preferences, customer service and quality products. His future wife Anne, who joined the company in 1978, focused on building a distinct culture for New Balance employees and customers. Their timing was perfect, as the Boston area became a center for the running boom that struck the U.S. in the 1970s. Their product line expanded and sales grew rapidly. The company prospered, and the Davises looked to expand New Balance into a global company. The company is now run by Rob DeMartini. DeMartini's background includes Procter & Gamble and Gillette Shave Company. Today, 30% of the New Balance shoes sold in the European market are manufactured at the New Balance facility in England.

Shoes[link]

A New Balance running shoe

New Balance headquarters

New Balance is one of few shoe manufacturers to offer the majority of its shoes in a wide range of widths, typically men's range from B to 6E with 3 other widths in between (D, 2E, 4E) and one narrower offering (2A). Women's range from 4A to 4E with four widths to choose from in between (2A, B, D, 2E).

New Balance does not give names to the shoes it sells, instead referring to them by a 2, 3, or 4 digit model number. This is done to "place an emphasis on the New Balance philosophy, not any one particular shoe".^[3] When a shoe is redesigned, the model number is increased by one. The numbering system originated from the price. The Tracker 320 was $32, the 990 was $99, etc. However, now the model number reflects the category of the shoe such as stability, neutral, lightweight, and motion control. The numbering system allows customers to identify which shoes are in the categories that best fit their needs.

Made in USA (and UK) stance[link]

New Balance is one of several shoe companies that makes some of their products in the United States. Green America states in the New Balance Responsible Shopper company information page that around one quarter of NB's shoes are made in the United States.^[4] New Balance owns six factories in the United States: two in Massachusetts (Boston and Lawrence), three in Maine (Norridgewock, Skowhegan, and Norway), and one in California. ^[5][6]

In 1994, New Balance manufactured 70% of its shoes in the United States.^[7] In 2006, New Balance stated on it's customer help site that "approximately 25% of the New Balance shoes sold in North America are Made in the USA and we will continue domestic manufacturing." ^[8] According to Fortune Magazine in 2006, "about 70 percent of its shoes are now made in China and the other 5 percent in Vietnam." ^[9]

The New Balance production facility in the United Kingdom has been, since 1982, at Flimby, Cumbria in North West England, where 28,000 pairs of shoes are produced each week.

Toning footwear[link]

A class action lawsuit against New Balance filed in 2011 alleges that the company's toning footwear touts unproven benefits. In support of its claim of false advertising, it cites a University of Wisconsin – La Crosse research study on Toning Shoes that has been funded and published by the American Council on Exercise.^[10]

Researchers reported that there were no “statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation” as a result of wearing the Toning Shoes. There was no statistically significant difference between participants wearing special "Toning shoes" and controls wearing normal sneakers. The researchers concluded that there is "simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.” However, it was noted that “These shoes may be encouraging a fair number of people who probably wouldn’t put on a normal pair of walking shoes and go out and walk." ^[11]

Sponsorships[link]

A member key for the New Balance Hubway system in Boston.

New Balance is the apparel partner for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League. It also has one endorsement deal in the NBA with Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs. New Balance also sponsors the Boston Cannons major league lacrosse team (MLL). New Balance is also the primary sponsor of Boston's bike share system, the New Balance Hubway.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Sneakerset.com sneakerpedia
• FTC "Complying with the Made In the USA Standard" site
• Info on New Balance UK manufacturing

Raekwon
Raekwon performing in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Corey Woods
Also known as	The Chef, Shallah, Lex Diamonds
Born	(1970-01-12) January 12, 1970 (age 42)
Origin	New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Loud/Universal Aftermath/Interscope Ice H2O/EMI
Associated acts	Wu-Tang Clan, Ice Water Inc., Fat Joe, Mobb Deep, Kool G Rap, Nas, Capone-N-Noreaga, Game, Jadakiss, OutKast,
Website	www.raekwonchronicles.com

Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970),^[1][2] better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded numerous solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with other hip hop artists.

Raekwon is often cited as one of the pioneers of the Mafioso rap sub-genre.^[3] In 2007, The editors of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).^[4] The Miami New Times described Raekwon's music as being "street epics" that are "straightforward yet linguistically rich universes not unlike a gangsta Iliad."^[5]

Music career[link]

Wu-Tang Clan[link]

Corey Woods joined the Wu-Tang Clan, a nine-member hip hop group based in the Staten Island borough of New York City, in 1992. He went under the stage name Raekwon the Chef and aliases Raekwon, Shallah Raekwon, and Lex Diamonds.^[6] Wu-Tang Clan debuted one year later with Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. Singles from the album included "Protect Ya Neck" and "C.R.E.A.M.", the latter of which reached #8 on the Billboard rap chart.^[7] Wu-Tang Forever followed in 1997 and was certified four times platinum by the RIAA, quadruple the certification given Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).^[8] Alongside other solo albums by its members, Wu-Tang continued recording as a group, releasing The W in 2000, Iron Flag in 2001, and 8 Diagrams in 2007.^[6]

[edit] Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

In 1994, Raekwon signed a solo deal with Loud Records and released his debut single "Heaven & Hell" for the soundtrack to the movie Fresh. His first solo LP, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., was released in 1995 to rave reviews, though not to as much commercial success as fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man's Tical.^[9] According to Steve Huey of allmusic, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... contained a narrative album format revolving around cocaine trafficking, criminal activity, and a rise through the ranks of the illegal industry." Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah appeared on over half of the album's tracks, with Wu-Tang member RZA producing the album in its entirety.^[10]

[edit] Immobilarity and The Lex Diamond Story

After Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., Raekwon appeared on a track by the R&B group Allure from the group's self-titled debut in 1997.^[11] He also appeared on Fat Joe's song "John Blaze" alongside Nas, Jadakiss, and Big Pun; "John Blaze" also had a music video.^[12] Raekwon's next effort, Immobilarity, came out in 1999 to mixed reviews, which were mainly attributed to the absence of RZA and Ghostface Killah.^[9] The Lex Diamond Story followed in 2003 on Universal Records, to mixed reviews as well (generally lukewarm critical reviews and wildly varying public reviews) and moderate success. Raekwon later voiced his dis-taste for the albums lack of promotion and budget and vowed that future releases would not suffer the same fate.^[13]

[edit] Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II

Raekwon planned to release the long-delayed sequel to his debut, entitled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II in 2007 through Aftermath Entertainment. The album was informally executively produced by Busta Rhymes, whom Raekwon cited as getting him in the "Cuban Linx mindset",^[14] and RZA, with RZA handling most of the production. Dr. Dre, Scram Jones, and J Dilla were other producers that were announced early on as working on the album. RZA explained the collaboration between him and Dr. Dre as "yin and yang" when it came to their styles.^[15]

Raekwon and EMI both confirmed at one point that Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt. II would be released in the summer of 2009 with EMI serving as the distribution label^[16] for the album, which was officially released on Raekwon's ICEH2O label.^[17] However, Raekwon and EMI later announced that the album would be pushed back to September 8, 2009 due to sample clearance issues, and the leak of a song from the album entitled "Surgical Gloves."^[18] On September 8, 2009, Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt. II was released after many delays. The album features many Wu-Tang members and affiliates, as well as Slick Rick, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Beanie Sigel and more. On September 28, 2009 Raekwon was named the #10 Hottest MC in the game by MTV. He also converted to Islam in 2009.^[19]

In December 2009, major hip hop site HipHopDx released their 2009 Awards, with Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt. II being chosen as 'Album of the Year'. Dx described it as "...the Hip Hop equivalent to The Godfather 2, with Rae as revitalized as Marlon was...". In addition, Raekwon was selected as 'Emcee of the Year' (fellow New Yorker Nas had won in 2008). Their staff justified this pick with this description of Raekwon's career in 2009:

Raekwon brought it back to lyrical, dope rap. He released an album that spoke to teens, twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, and beyond. Without compromising, the Chef made an edgy Hip Hop record that refused to bastardize the catalog he laid down 15 years ago. On top of that, Rae (along with Ghostface) was a go-to for numerous rappers making albums, ranging from the Playaz Circle to Jadakiss to BK One. That's beyond real, as was a year filled with performing in arenas, clubs and even churches. When it came to mastering the ceremony, Rae had 'em all following the leader.^[20]

—HipHopDX

[edit] Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang

After the critical and relative commercial success of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Raekwon collaborated with Method Man and Ghostface Killah for Wu-Massacre, a short trio album designed to showcase unity within the group. Following this release, Raekwon resurrected talk of Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, a project announced in 2007, originally planned as a Wu-Tang album, minus RZA, due to his response to the previous group album 8 Diagrams. Raekwon forwarded his projects continuously thru his growing label Icewater. He both worked on his own project while signing other underground artists. Raekwon's son is rumored to be heavily involved in his father's label.

Though not a Wu-Tang Clan project, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang was released in March 2011, serving as Raekwon's fifth solo LP. As originally planned, RZA did not participate on the project,^[21] however, several other Wu-Tang members made appearances, as well as Black Thought, Nas and Rick Ross,^[22] among others. Shortly after Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang was completed, Raekwon revealed that he intends on eventually releasing a third installment to the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… albums.^[23]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Collaboration albums[link]

Mixtapes[link]

• 2006: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.1 hosted by DJ Riddler
• 2006: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.2 The DaVinci Code
• 2006: Heroin Only hosted by DJ Thoro
• 2007: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.3 House of Wax
• 2009: Cuban Revolution - Blend Tape remixed by Memory Man
• 2009: Blood on Chef's Apron hosted by DJ Absolut
• 2009: Staten Go Hard Vol.1 hosted by Brinks Boys
• 2010: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.4 hosted by DJ Riddler
• 2010: Cocainism Vol.2 hosted by Brinks Boys
• 2010: Coke Up in da Dollar Bill hosted by DJ Whoo Kid & DJ Scream
• 2011: Trouble Makers hosted by DJ Love Killed Kurt
• 2012: Unexpected Victory

Compilations[link]

• 2009: Raekwon Babygrande Recordings (with Ice Water Inc.)

Singles[link]

As featured performer[link]

Other appearances[link]

• 1993 Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
• 1994 "Meth vs Chef" (from the Method Man album Tical)
• 1995 "Raw Hide" (from the Ol' Dirty Bastard album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version)
• 1995 "Right Back At You" & "Eye For An Eye" (from the Mobb Deep album The Infamous)
• 1995 "Investigative Reports" (from the GZA album Liquid Swords)
• 1995 "Respect Mine" (from the Fat Joe album Jealous One's Envy)
• 1996 "Iron Maiden", "The Faster Blade", "260", "Assassination Day", "Winter Warz", "Box in Hand", "Fish", "Camay", "Daytona 500", "Motherless Child", "Black Jesus", & "After the Smoke Is Clear" (from the Ghostface Killah album Ironman)
• 1996 "Nighttime Vultures" (from the Mobb Deep album Hell on Earth)
• 1997 Wu-Tang Forever (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
• 1997 "Give You All I Got" (from the Allure album by Allure)
• 1997 "Nasty Immigrants" (from the Nutty Professor soundtrack)
• 1998 "Dart Throwing" (from the Cappadonna album The Pillage)
• 1998 "Intellectuals" (from the Sunz Of Man album The Last Shall Be First)
• 1998 "Skew It On The Bar-B" (from the Outkast album Aquemini)
• 1998 "John Blaze" (from the Fat Joe album Don Cartagena)
• 1998 "Spring Water" & "As The World Turnz" (from the La the Darkman album Heist Of The Century)
• 1998 "Black Trump" (from the Cocoa Brovaz album Rude Awakening)
• 1998 "Spazzola" (from the Method Man album Tical 2000: Judgement Day)
• 1998 "Movin' On (Remix)" (from the Mya album Mya)
• 1998 "The Game" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor)
• 1999 "Frozen" (from the Slick Rick album The Art of Storytelling)
• 1999 "Can't Fuck Wit" (from the Mobb Deep album Murda Muzik)
• 1999 "Shell Shock" (from the U-God album Golden Arms Redemption)
• 2000 "Money Talks" (from the Sticky Fingaz album Black Trash: The Autobiography Of Kirk Jones)
• 2000 "Apollo Kids" & "Wu Banga 101" (from the Ghostface Killah album Supreme Clientele)
• 2000 "The Heist" (from the Busta Rhymes album Anarchy)
• 2000 The W (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
• 2001 "Love Is The Message" (from the Cappadonna album The Yin & The Yang)
• 2001 "Maxine", "Flowers", "The Forest" & "The Hilton" (from the Ghostface Killah album Bulletproof Wallets)
• 2001 Iron Flag (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
• 2003 "Respect Mine" (from the Mathematics album Love, Hell Or Right)
• 2003 "What's Fuckin With Us" (from the CHOPS album Virtuosity)
• 2004 "The Turn" (from the Method Man album Tical 0: The Prequel)
• 2004 "D.T.D." (from the Masta Killa album No Said Date)
• 2005 "Real Nillaz" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
• 2005 "Advanced Pawns", "Destruction Of A Guard" (from the DJ Muggs and GZA album Grandmasters)
• 2005 "So Long (feat. Mashonda)" (from the Cassidy album I'm A Hustla)
• 2005 "New York (feat. Ghostface Killah)" (from the AZ album A.W.O.L)
• 2005 "Black Opera" (from the Supernatural album S.P.I.T.)
• 2005 "The Watch" (from the Ghostface Killah and Trife Da God album Put It on the Line)
• 2006 "Kilo", "R.A.G.U.", "9 Milli Bros." "Dogs of War" & "Three Bricks" (from the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale)
• 2006 "Goldmine" (from the Busta Rhymes album The Big Bang)
• 2006 "It's What It Is" (from the Masta Killa album Made in Brooklyn)
• 2006 "The Glide" & "Presidential MC" (from the Method Man album 4:21...The Day After)
• 2006 "Brazil", "Enemy (Remix)", "Cocaine World", "Thousands To M's" (from the Ill Bill album Ill Bill Is The Future Vol.2: I'm A Goon)
• 2007 "Yolanda's House", "Rec-Room Therapy", "Paisley Darts" and "Shakey Dog Starring Lolita" (from the Ghostface Killah album The Big Doe Rehab)
• 2008 "The PJ's" (from the Pete Rock album NY's Finest)
• 2008 "Bulletproof Diaries" (from the Game album LAX)
• 2008 "Royal Flush" (Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 and Raekwon)
• 2008 "Coka Moshiach" (from the Ill Bill album The Hour Of Reprisal)
• 2009 "Puttin' Work In" (from the EPMD album We Mean Business)
• 2009 "Four Minutes to Lock Down" (from the Method Man & Redman album Blackout! 2)
• 2009 "Ice Cream" (from the Fat Joe album Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2))
• 2009 "100 Miles and Runnin'" (from the Warren G album The G Files)
• 2009 "Cartel Gathering" (from the Jadakiss album The Last Kiss)
• 2009 "Legacy" (Ninja Assassin Soundtrack) feat. Ceazar, Xzibit, and M.U.R.S.
• 2009 "Coke" (from the U-God album Dopium)
• 2009 "Stay Off the Fuckin' Flowers" (from Blakroc, a hip-hop/rap collaboration album with the The Black Keys)
• 2009 "Something to say" (from the Slalom printre cretini album by Parazitii)
• 2010 "I Wish" (from the Yelawolf album Trunk Muzik 0-60
• 2010 "Time Will Tell" (from the Styles P & DJ Green Lantern album The Green Ghost Project)
• 2010 "The Big Game" (from the Inspectah Deck album Manifesto)
• 2010 "One Thing" (from the Freeway & Jake One album The Stimulus Package)
• 2010 "Audio Meth" (bonus track on the Rick Ross album Teflon Don)
• 2010 "Dutch Masters vs. Phillies vs. Bamboo", "The Reserves", & "The Oath" (from the Capone-N-Noreaga album The War Report 2: Report the War)
• 2010 "Runaway Love Remix" (Justin Bieber feat. Kanye West & Raekwon)
• 2010 "Lord Lord Lord" (Kanye West feat. Mos Def, Raekwon, Swizz Beatz & Charlie Wilson)^[34]
• 2010 "Everyday Struggle" (from the Faith Evans album Something About Faith) feat. Raekwon
• 2010 "Chase Manhattan" (from the Ill Bill & DJ Muggs album Kill Devil Hills)
• 2010 "Gorgeous" (from the Kanye West album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy)
• 2010 "Sooner or Later (Die 1 Day)" (from the Lloyd Banks album The Hunger for More 2)
• 2010 "The Heat" (from the Twista album The Perfect Storm)
• 2010 "Gutter Water" (from the Gangrene album Gutter Water)
• 2010 "Live It" (from the Paul Wall album Heart of a Champion)
• 2010 "Superhero Music" (From the Diggy Simmons Mixtape Airborne)
• 2010 "Michael Knight (Remix)" (From the Currensy album Pilot Talk II)
• 2011 "Pushing Keys" (From the Fat Joe album The Darkside Vol. 2)
• 2011 "Drops Is Out" (From the Jim Jones album Capo)
• 2011 "Combat Jazz" (From the Limp Bizkit album Gold Cobra)
• 2011 "Prevail" (From the Smif-N-Wessun & Pete Rock album Monumental)
• 2011 "No Pretending" (From the 9th Wonder album The Wonder Years)
• 2011 "Letter To Da Rap Game" (From the 2 Chainz album T.R.U.REALigion)
• 2011 "The Red Carpet" (From the Evidence album Cats & Dogs)
• 2011 "Runaway Love (Kanye West Remix)" (From the Never Say Never: The Remixes album)

Music videos[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Raekwon on Myspace
• Raekwon at MTV
• Raekwon at the Internet Movie Database

Matlock is an American television legal drama that ran from September 23, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC, then from November 5, 1992 to May 7, 1995 on ABC. A total of 195 episodes were produced.

Seasons[link]

Season 1: 1986-1987[link]

• Linda Purl who portrayed Charlene Matlock departed the cast at the end of the first season.

Season 2 (1987-1988)[link]

1. "The Billionaire: Part 1" (first appearance of Michelle Thomas)
2. "The Billionaire: Part 2"
3. "Blind Justice"
4. "The Annihilator"
5. "The Husband"
6. "The Power Brokers: Part 1"
7. "The Power Brokers: Part 2"
8. "The Network" - Matlock defends a television executive accused of murdering his boss. Guest appearance of ALF.
9. "The Best Friend"
10. "The Country Boy"
11. "The Gift" - Matlock defends a Santa accused of murder - Brian Emerson. Maggie Crowley, Brian's ex-wife, was murdered at 5 minutes past 10:00. She was hosting a Christmas party populated by Santa Clauses. Matlock also plays father Christmas to Wendy Crowley, Maggie and Brian's daughter, and spreads some Christmas Cheer on a judge who has lost his Christmas spirit.
12. "The Gambler" - Matlock defends a police Lieutenant against a murder charge in Las Vegas. Laura Norwood, the victim, was killed on the evening of the 19th, between 10:30 and 11:30. She was staying on the 6th floor of a hotel run by Lewis Devlin, in the Princess Suite.
13. "The Body"
14. "The Reunion"
15. "The Gigolo"
16. "The Umpire" - Matlock defends a Insurance Salesman (Richard Kline) accused of killing his boss after a disputed play during a softball game in which the boss was the umpire.
17. "The Investigation: Part 1"
18. "The Investigation: Part 2"
19. "The Hucksters"
20. "The Lovelorn"
21. "The Genius"
22. "The Magician"
23. "The Fisherman"
24. "The Heiress"

Season 3 (1988-1989)[link]

1. "The Lemon" (first appearance of Les Calhoun)
2. "The Ambassador: Part 1"
3. "The Ambassador: Part 2"
4. "The Mistress"
5. "The D.J."
6. "The Captain"
7. "The Vendetta"
8. "The Mayor: Part 1"
9. "The Mayor: Part 2"
10. "The Black Widow"
11. "The Other Woman"
12. "The Starlet"
13. "The Psychic"
14. "The Thief: Part 1"
15. "The Thief: Part 2"
16. "The Thoroughbred"
17. "The Model"
18. "The Cult"
19. "The Blues Singer"
20. "The Priest"

Season 4 (1989-1990)[link]

1. "The Hunting Party: Part 1" (first appearance of Conrad McMasters)
2. "The Hunting Party: Part 2"
3. "The Good Boy"
4. "The Best Seller"
5. "The Ex"
6. "The Clown"
7. "The Star"
8. "The Con Man"
9. "The Prisoner: Part 1"
10. "The Prisoner: Part 2"
11. "The Fugitive"
12. "The Buddies"
13. "The Scrooge"
14. "The Witness"
15. "The Student"
16. "The Talk Show"
17. "The Victim"
18. "The Kidnapper"
19. "The Pro"
20. "The Informer: Part 1"
21. "The Informer: Part 2"
22. "The D.A."
23. "The Blackmailer"
24. "The Cookie Monster"

Season 5 (1990-1991)[link]

1. "The Mother"
2. "No Where To Turn: Part 1"
3. "No Where To Turn: Part 2"
4. "The Madam"
5. "The Personal Trainer"
6. "The Narc"
7. "The Secret: Part 1"
8. "The Secret: Part 2"
9. "The Brothers"
10. "The Cover Girl"
11. "The Biker"
12. "The Broker"
13. "The Fighter"
14. "The Critic"
15. "The Parents"
16. "The Man Of The Year"
17. "The Arsonist"
18. "The Formula"
19. "The Trial: Part 1"
20. "The Trial: Part 2"
21. "The Accident"
22. "The Celebrity"

Season 6 (1991-1992)[link]

1. "The Witness Killings: Part 1"
2. "The Witness Killings: Part 2"
3. "The Strangler"
4. "The Nightmare"
5. "The Marriage Counselor"
6. "The Dame"
7. "The Suspect: Part 1"
8. "The Suspect: Part 2"
9. "The Defense"
10. "The Game Show"
11. "The Foursome"
12. "The Picture: Part 1"
13. "The Picture: Part 2"
14. "The Outcast: Part 1"
15. "The Outcast: Part 2"
16. "The Big Payoff"
17. "The Abduction"
18. "Mr. Awesome"
19. "The Evening News: Part 1"
20. "The Evening News: Part 2"
21. "The Assassination: Part 1" (first appearance of Leanne MacIntyre)
22. "The Assassination: Part 2"

Season 7 (1992-1993)[link]

1. "The Vacation: Part 1" (first appearance of Cliff Lewis)
2. "The Vacation: Part 2"
3. "The Legacy: Part 1"
4. "The Legacy: Part 2"
5. "The Ghost" - A murder victim returns from the dead as a ghost and asks Matlock to defend his wife, who is charged with his death.
6. "The Class"
7. "The Singer"
8. "The Mark"
9. "The Juror"
10. "The Fortune: Part 1"
11. "The Fortune: Part 2"
12. "The Debt"
13. "The Revenge"
14. "The Obsession"
15. "The Divorce"
16. "The Final Affair: Part 1"
17. "The Final Affair: Part 2"
18. "The Competition"

Season 8 (1993-1994)[link]

1. "The Play"
2. "The Fatal Seduction: Part 1"
3. "The Fatal Seduction: Part 2"
4. "The Diner"
5. "The View"
6. "The Last Laugh"
7. "The Capital Offense"
8. "The Haunted: Part 1"
9. "The Haunted: Part 2"
10. "The Conspiracy"
11. "Matlock’s Bad, Bad,Dream"
12. "The Defendant"
13. "The Kidnapping: Part 1"
14. "The Kidnapping: Part 2"
15. "The Temptation"
16. "The Crook"
17. "The Murder Game"
18. "Brennen"
19. "The P.I."-- a backdoor pilot...after Ben briefly meets Jesse Morgan (Tracy Nelson) in the teaser,the remainder is set in Los Angeles and centered entirely on Jesse and her father (George Peppard) with no Matlock characters even mentioned.
20. "The Godfather"
21. "The Idol: Part 1"
22. "The Idol: Part 2"

Season 9 (1994-1995)[link]

1. "The Accused: Part 1" (first appearance of Jerri Stone)
2. "The Accused: Part 2"
3. "The Scandal"
4. "The Dare" - A millionaire bent on revenge murders one of Matlock's closest friends and dares the lawyer to prove he did it.
5. "The Tabloid" - Matlock defends a senatorial candidate accused of murdering a tabloid paper editor. Senatorial candidate Carol Davis has a photo taken of her which embarrasses her, and when she confronts Ross Buckley, the editor-in-chief of the National Informer, she finds him dead. The murder weapon turns up at her house, and she is accused of his murder. The real killer was Chet Sellers, a photographer at the paper and a high school dropout, who discovered that Ross and Reverend Wesley Masters were conspiring together concerning a picture he had taken, and he killed him.
6. "The Coach"
7. "The Dating Game"
8. "The Confession"
9. "Dead Air"
10. "The Getaway"
11. "The Verdict"
12. "The Deadly Dose"
13. "The Target"
14. "The Assault"
15. "The Heist Part: 1"
16. "The Heist Part: 2"
17. "The Scam: Part 1"
18. "The Scam: Part 2"

See also[link]

• List of characters in Matlock

External links[link]

• Complete Episode Guide at tagsrwc.com
• Matlock at tv.com
• Episodes for "Matlock" at the Internet Movie Database
• www.tv.com

Dustin Pedroia
The Laser Show getting ready to bat.
Boston Red Sox – No. 15
Second baseman
Born: August 17, 1983 (Age 28) Woodland, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 22, 2006 for the Boston Red Sox
Career statistics (through May 25, 2012)
Batting average	.304
Home runs	80
Runs batted in	364
On-base percentage	.372
Runs	509
Hits	917
Teams
Boston Red Sox (2006–present)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star selection (2008, 2009, 2010) Silver Slugger Award winner at second base (2008) World Series Champion (2007) 2007 AL Rookie of the Year 2008 American League MVP Fielding Bible Award (2011) 2× Gold Glove Award Winner (2008, 2011) AL player of the month Winner (July 2011)

Medal record
Baseball
Competitor for  United States
Pan American Games
Silver	Santo Domingo 2003	National team

Dustin Luis Pedroia (born August 17, 1983, in Woodland, California) is an American professional baseball second baseman. Pedroia has won several awards in Major League Baseball, including the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award. He also won a Silver Slugger as a second baseman and a Gold Glove in 2008 and 2011. He finished second overall in the AL in batting average in 2008. In addition to his offensive performance, Pedroia has been a major defensive contributor to the Red Sox.

Pedroia is listed by Major League Baseball and the Red Sox as 5' 8" (173 cm) and 165 pounds. In 2003 a USA Today article gave his height as 5' 7" (170 cm),^[1] and when he was in college the NCAA and Arizona State University gave his height as 5' 8".^[2]

Early baseball career[link]

High school and college[link]

Pedroia attended Woodland Senior High School in Woodland, California. Pedroia batted .445 his senior year and was chosen as his league's most valuable player. Good childhood friend and high school teamate Frankie Vartuli gave him some inspirational words before he started his college season. What was said on the rainy Thursday night during the phone conversation was, "In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this." Vartuli used the famous quote from Willie Mays to inspire the 5 foot 7 phenom to excel in college.

Pedroia attended Arizona State University, where he was teammates with current Seattle Mariners left fielder Chandler Jennings and current Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier. Jennings and Pedroia competed for the shortstop position. Ultimately, Pedroia stayed at shortstop, while Jennings ended up at second base before transferring to the University of Washington, where he set numerous record in homeruns and stolen bases. In three years at ASU, Pedroia never hit below .347, and had a career average of .384, starting all 185 games. Furthermore, to help ASU recruit better pitchers, Pedroia relinquished the last two years of his athletic scholarship.^[3] He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player; other winners have included Ike Davis, Willie Bloomquist, Paul Lo Duca, and Barry Bonds.^[4]

Minor leagues[link]

Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, with the 65th pick overall. Pedroia, the eighth shortstop drafted, received a $575,000 signing bonus.^[3]

In two years in the minors (2004–06), Pedroia batted .308 while playing second base and shortstop.

Major leagues[link]

2007 season[link]

Pedroia became the regular second baseman for the Red Sox in 2007 replacing Mark Loretta. His defense in 2007 was solid, with six errors and a fielding percentage of .990. Early in the season, though, his batting average was as low as .172 (on May 1); that average, combined with the hitting of teammate Alex Cora, hitting .316 through the end of May, left Pedroia in a platoon role. Pedroia's batting improved quickly, however: by June 18, his average was .322, aided by a 13-game hitting streak, and a five-hit game against the San Francisco Giants on June 15, 2007. Because of that production, he was named American League Player of the Week for May 28 – June 3, 2007, and AL Rookie of the Month for May 2007.^[5] His most notable play of the season, though, may have been a diving stop in the seventh inning of fellow rookie Clay Buchholz's September 1, 2007 no-hitter.^[6]

Pedroia won the AL Rookie of the Year award,^[7] and was selected to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.^[8]

2007 American League Playoffs[link]

Pedroia entered the 2007 American League Division Series batting .317 with 8 home runs and 50 RBI in 139 regular season games with the Red Sox. In the ALDS, Pedroia struggled, getting only 2 hits in 3 games against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Though Pedroia struggled in the lead-off spot for the Red Sox, Boston cruised past the Angels 3 games to 0 to advance to the American League Championship Series, where they met the Cleveland Indians.

In the ALCS, Pedroia heated up, batting .395. In the 7th game, Pedroia hit a 2-run homer into the Green Monster seats in the 7th inning and had 5 RBI. He then hit a 3-run double in the bottom of the 8th to help the Red Sox secure the series and a spot in the World Series.

In the World Series against the Colorado Rockies, Pedroia was one of two rookies (with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury) starting for the Red Sox. These two rookies jump-started the Red Sox offense. In the Series' first at-bat, Pedroia hit the first pitch from Rockies ace Jeff Francis over the Green Monster, making him only the second player (after Baltimore's Don Buford in 1969), and the first rookie, to lead off the Series with a home run. In Game 3, with the Red Sox up 2-0, Ellsbury and Pedroia combined for 7 hits, 3 runs, and 4 RBI in a 10-5 Boston win. The Red Sox won Game 4 and swept the series for their seventh World Series title. Pedroia hit .278 with 5 hits, 1 home run and 4 RBI in the Series.

2008: An MVP season[link]

Pedroia ended the season with a .326 average with 17 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. He was tied for the MLB lead in hits with 213 and led the league in doubles (54), while leading the AL in runs scored (118), making him the first player to lead all three of those categories in the same season since Cal Ripken in 1983. Pedroia came in second in the AL in batting average (.326) behind Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.328), fourth in the AL in total bases (322), and seventh in the AL in extra-base hits (73). His 20 stolen bases in 21 attempts helped Pedroia lead MLB in stolen base percentage (.952). With only 6 errors following the season, Pedroia won the 2008 AL MVP (the first by an American League second baseman since Nellie Fox in 1959)^[9] as well as the AL Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award for second base. He is the 10th player in the history of the Red Sox to capture the AL MVP and the 8th player in AL history to win the MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger awards in the same season. Pedroia became only the third player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in consecutive seasons joining Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryan Howard. Fred Lynn (1975) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001) are the only players to win both awards in the same season.

2008 playoffs[link]

Pedroia was hitless through the first three games of the 2008 ALDS. His sole hit was an RBI double that drove in Jason Varitek in the 5th inning of game 4. He batted 2nd in all 4 games in the series, behind Jacoby Ellsbury. Pedroia made one of the best defensive plays of the series with a diving throw to first base to retire Vladimir Guerrero in the third inning of game 4. The Red Sox went on to win in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4 again knocking the Angels out of the playoffs.

The Angels contained Pedroia in the Division Series, but in the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays, Pedroia was red hot. In 26 trips to the plate in the ALCS, Pedroia collected 9 hits including three home runs and a double. However, his impressive line that included a .346 batting average and .731 slugging percentage wasn't enough to propel the Red Sox into the World Series as the rest of the team struggled to a .234 batting average against the impressive Tampa pitching staff.

2009 season[link]

Pedroia bats in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles.

On December 3, 2008, Pedroia signed a six-year contract extension worth $40.5 million, in addition to a team option for 2015 worth $11 million.^[10] Pedroia announced on December 15, 2008 that he would play for the United States team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

He also recorded the first Major League hit in Citi Field history when he hit a bloop double down the right field line in an April 3 exhibition game against the New York Mets. He hit a home run in his first at bat of the 2009 season. Pedroia was selected to the 2009 All Star Game on July 5.

Pedroia was selected to be the starting second baseman for the 2009 AL All Star Team. The weekend prior to the game, however, he withdrew from the team. Pedroia stated that he wanted to stay with his wife, Kelli, who was experiencing pregnancy complications with the couple's first child. The same issue had caused him to miss a regular season game prior to the All Star break.

Pedroia achieved his first multi-home run game on September 9, 2009, against the Baltimore Orioles.

For the second consecutive year, Pedroia led the American League in Runs Scored with 115 (2nd in MLB behind Albert Pujols who had 124 runs scored). He finished third in the AL / MLB with 48 doubles.

2010 season[link]

After MLB umpire Joe West made controversial statements regarding the speed of play between the Red Sox and Yankees, Pedroia responded by saying, "What he doesn't understand is that when we don't do well in these games against the Yankees, we get killed. If he doesn't want to do Red Sox and Yankee games, he should tell the umpires' union. Then when we're in the World Series, he'll be out of that assignment, too."^[11]

On June 24, 2010, Pedroia went 5 for 5, with 5 RBI, and hit three home runs in a game against the Colorado Rockies that the Red Sox won, 13–11, in the tenth inning.^[12] The next day, Pedroia fouled a ball off his foot in an at-bat versus the San Francisco Giants. MRI results the next day confirmed that he had a broken bone in his foot, and later was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List. Pedroia was so concerned about his fielding skills getting rusty (he was on doctors' orders not to put weight on his foot for two weeks) that he practiced fielding ground balls on his knees.^[13] On July 4, 2010, Pedroia was named to be a reserve player on the American League All Star team, but did not participate due to this injury, and had former Arizona State teammate Ian Kinsler replace him on the roster.

Pedroia returned to the lineup on August 17 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, only to be put back on the DL after playing 2 games.

2011 season[link]

On June 29, 2011, Pedroia started a 25 game hitting streak, the most for a Boston Red Sox second baseman.^[14] On August 16, 2011, Pedroia was involved in throwing a triple play, started by Jed Lowrie. He won a Fielding Bible Award in 2011 as the best fielding second baseman in MLB.^[15]

Controversies[link]

In an interview given to Boston, Pedroia criticized his home town of Woodland, California, calling it a "dump" and a city which never embraced him.^[16] This generated backlash from his hometown and his family received death threats.^[17] Pedroia later clarified his comments saying he was only joking and his comments were taken out of context.^[18]

Awards and distinctions[link]

• 2004 Golden Spikes Award Finalist
• 2004 First-Team Baseball America and USA Today All-American
• 2003 Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year
• 2003 NCAA Defensive Player of the Year
• Red Sox ML Base Runner of the Month (April 2005)
• Red Sox Minor League "Quality Plate Appearances" Award (June 2005)
• 2005 Post-Season Eastern League All-Star
• 2005 Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year
• 2005 Minor League News MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 – No. 45
• 2006 Minor League News MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 – No. 23
• 2007 American League Rookie of the Month-May
• 2007 American League Player of the Week (May 28 – June 3)
• 2007 Players Choice American League Outstanding Rookie
• 2007 World Series Champion (Boston Red Sox)
• 2007 American League Rookie of the Year
• 2008 All-Star Starter
• 2008 AL Gold Glove Winner
• 2008 AL Silver Slugger award
• 2008 American League Most Valuable Player Award
• 2009 AL All-Star Starter
• 2010 AL All-Star Reserve
• 2011 Fielding Bible Award
• 2011 AL Gold Glove Winner

Personal life[link]

Pedroia is of Portuguese and Swiss (Maggia) heritage. Pedroia is the nephew of Eastern Michigan University defensive coordinator Phil Snow.^[3]

On January 9, 2009, Pedroia was named as the cover athlete of the baseball video game MLB 09: The Show, and appeared in several commercials for the game.

On August 18, 2009 Dustin's wife Kelli gave birth to the couple's first child, a boy named Dylan.^[19]

Dustin Pedroia is a fan of the NBA team, the Sacramento Kings, and NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers.

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Verducci, Tom (August 15, 2011). "The Muddy Chicken Hits It Big: Loud swing, louder mouth, even louder results: That's the story of Dustin Pedroia writ small. In a lineup of stars, nobody has played a larger role in the success of the Red Sox—or inspired better nicknames—than their 5' 8" second baseman". Sports Illustrated. p. 29. 

Born to Play: My Life in the Game by Dustin Pedroia with Edward J. Pelaney

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dustin Pedroia

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Minor League Splits and Situational Stats
• No. 45 – MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 – Minor League News – Situational Stats
• No. 23 – MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 – Minor League News