Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Top 5 Braves Catchers

Braves beat-writer Mark Bowman ranked the top five catchers in Braves history.
 
1. Brian McCann: his 43.6 fWAR leads all Braves catchers and ranks 6th most among all players in franchise history.
 
2. Javy Lopez owns MLB record for most home runs by a catcher (42).
 
3. Joe Torre led all MLB catchers in fWAR (34.9) and wRC+ (131) between 1961-1968.
 
4. Del Crandall: won 4 of the first 5 NL Gold Glove Awards.
 
5. Eddie Perez: owns a franchise-best 1.250 OPS in NLCS games. Hit a grand slam in the playoffs.
Honorable mention: Bruce Benedict logged the 4th most innings in franchise history. Greg Olson was the catcher on the 1991 World Series team. And not list is complete without at least mentioning Biff Pocoroba.
 
My additions: As a rookie Bob Didier played an Olson-like role for the 1969 Western Division champions. And if Biff Pocoroba is mentioned, so should Bob Uecker. Top bullpen catcher: Bobby Dews.
Next week Bowman ranks the first basemen. My take: (1) Freddie Freeman (2) Chris Chambliss (3) Orlando Cepeda (4) Bob Horner (5) Andres Galarraga (HM) Willie Montanez and a surprise player.    
 
 
NFL QB’s: one take on where Cam Newton will land: Patriots (wrong), Chargers (maybe), Jaguars, Dolphins, or Redskins. Any team signing Newton will eventually wigh they hadn’t. Another rumor: the Colts Jacoby Brissett to the Patriots. Probably not.
 
 
Just heard a good anagram to remember when making decisions: HALT…decision making is harder when you are facing Hunger, Anger, Loneliness, and Tiredness. Don’t make decisions when you haven’t slept, are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Most of the population doesn’t get enough sleep, including more than a few people I know. Takes years off your life.
 
I’m reading Kristin Hannah’s “Home Front” about a mom who is a helicopter pilot, who gets shot down in Iraq. Finally finished Hannah’s “The Great Alone” about rural Alaska. Next up: Bill O’Reilly’s “Legends & Lies: The Real West.” I don’t read much Patterson, but the one he wrote with Bill Clinton is real good – “The President is Missing.” The President meets the bad guys in the stands during a Washington Nationals game. Also the three he wrote about golf: (1) Miracle on the 17th Green (2) Miracle at St. Andrews, and (3) Miracle at Augusta.
 
One of these days I guess I’ll have to start drinking coffee. Don’t like it black and don’t need the sugar. Did I tell you about my new drink? Every day I add Hawaiian Punch fruit punch mix to my 32 ounce water bottle. Lately when I drink down the bottle halfway, I will pour in a 12 ounce can of Diet Mtn Dew. Gives it a kick, and makes the Dew last longer.
 
I’m seeing more walkers on my street. Barney has plenty to bark at these days.
 
Any news? Not much going on. Left work Tuesday shortly after five. Straight home. Calls with father, sister, brother about moving mom to assisted living. While talking I kicked all the gumballs from the driveway off to the natural area. Cleans the driveway, and relieves stress.
 
Ceil made chicken soup and tossed a salad. Made me a ham & cheese sandwich on the panini press. Cleaned up. Not much on TV besides a Hallmark movie rerun. Bed at ten.
This morning Azalea Road was closed down by the river. Took Oxbo instead, and boy that “creek” alongside was bursting at the seams. 
  
HARMON KILLEBREW  [SABR Bio] is the only member of the 500 home run club to hit a grand slam as a teenager - GS 21-Jun-1956 at age 19 yrs 358 days. He is the only player to drive in at least 125 RBI while batting below .250 that same season - 1962 = 126 RBI/.243. He hit more home runs in the 1960s than any other major leaguer - 393 HR 1960-69. (H. Aaron was next w/375).
My sister recently posted these Bible verses on Facebook.
Wise words to follow as we endeavor to transition our mother
from rehab to assisted living.
Hasn't been an easy time, but the rewards we seek won't be given on this earth, if we are confident in our faith in Christ.   

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