Crazy Eights

Tweet Today marks a date that happens once every one hundred years (08/08/08), so it's only natural to feature: the number 8 in this here post. In Chinese numerology, the number 8 has superior meaning, as in some dialects the words for "fortune" and "eight" are one in the same. The Beijing Olympics will get their start today at 08:08:08 pm in China (am in America) in the 91,000 seat Olympic Stadium.

Some thoughts and figures on the number 8:

- 100 years ago today, Wilbur Wright, the eldest brother, made the first flight in public in front of a small crowd of about 30 people at the Hunaudieres racetrack near Le Mans, France. After many delays, Wilbur at last took off and handled his Flyer with such skill that he left his audience breathless.

- Some famous number 8's in sport: Cal Ripken, Jr., Kobe Bryant (early years), Dale Earnhardt (early years), Gennaro Gattuso (Italian soccer star), Carl Yastrzemski, Yogi Berra and Cam Neeley. (Can you think of any others...I know I'm missing a major one)

- Eight pints make a gallon (think Parting Glass).

- The Greek and Roman weeks were once eight days long, starting and ending on Sunday. (Makes for a long weekend)

- Eight is the third number that stays the same when written upside down.

- A $1 Pick 3 with two horses in each leg costs 8 dollars.

- According to Indian mythology, the Earth is supported on the backs of eight white elephants. (I have nothing to add here)

- The expression "being behind the eight ball" means to be in a difficult or baffling situation.

- In 2006, the three Triple Crown winners all wore the number 8 (Barbaro, Bernardini and Jazil). (This is a horse racing blog for goodness sakes.)

- The chemical element Oxygen has an atomic number of 8.

- The number 8 encourages financial security. Some old wives tales say you should write the number 8 on a piece of paper, put it in your wallet or purse and forget about it, and allegedly it will give you good luck financially.

- Big point available in my Toga contest today for the picker of the number of winners at the Spa today adorned with the number 8. (I guessed 2). There are six #8 entries on today's ten race card and one MTO in the feature Waya Stakes (Race 8 of course).

- The telephone number 8888-8888 famously sold for nearly $300,000 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, and license plates with the number 8 in them are also considered valuable. (Famously idiotic)

- Ever see eight maids a milking? (Bet you're humming it to yourself right now)

- Rob Bironas of the Tennessee Titans holds the NFL record kicking 8 field goals in one game versus the Houston Texans in October 2007.

- RIP Eight Belles