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Sunday, February 28, 2021

Fun Facts: Augusta National

Masters 2020: 12 facts you probably don't know about Augusta National

Last night's Hallmark Channel movie. 

Will and I signed up to be volunteers this coming July for the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park. Won't get up in the game or home run derby, but it could be a unique experience.
Why do so many high school and college basketball players look like this guy?
When people talk about the greatest third baseman in history,
you hear about Mike Schmidt and George Brett and too much David Wright. Rarely Chipper Jones or Eddie Mathews. Maybe some Brooks Robinson. Kids today have never heard of Pie Traynor.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Life Lessons From Steve Norman

When Will was young, we were eating over at the Norman's one night. Steve had six young kids running around. It was a madhouse. Things would break. Yet the atmosphere wasn't tense. Sitting there taking in all the chaos, I realized I didn't have to assign blame for every little thing that didn't go the way I wanted it to. Instead there could be love, compassion, teaching, and listening.  I think about that night quite often.

That night I learned everyone didn't grow up like me. Like my family members, my inclination was to attack. It's been a constant struggle to behave differently. If I want my children to continue to visit me as the years go by, I must love and accept, not criticize, blame, and tear down. I can't treat friends and coworkers one way (nice), and family members another (mean). Sometimes it's hard not to lower myself to the level of an attacker. I often fail. It's good to surround myself with good examples, and try to avoid negative people as much as possible. When I'm forced to, I try to communicate as clearly as possible, to do my best, and leave it at that.

Romans 12:18 says: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take your own revenge, my friends, but leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord

Dad's in hospital with pneumonia. Today I learned my Aunt Martha is in home hospice with cancer. I lived with Martha my freshman year at Tech, in the basement of her house in Sandy Springs. Her husband, my Uncle John Wayt, was the outdoorsman cartoon character Mark Trail was modeled after. Uncle John helped found the Atlanta Steeplechase, which  used to be held on his Seven Branches farm in Roswell.  

Moxie Burger tonight, to split a chicken sandwich and fries.

Below: from the fifth floor of Coliseum Hospital you can see Fort Hawkins up the street. 

This week I saw the episode of Happy Days where the Fonz impersonated Elvis, singing Heartbreak Hotel. The Fonz brought along two friends as backup dancers - the first appearance of Laverne & Shirley. later I saw this photo of Tom Hanks on Happy Days. Evidently the Fonz won the fight.  
Columbia usually comes out with some sorry looking sneakers.
But these blue babies don't look too bad.
After rushing into my purchase of the high topped Puma RSX running shoes, I realized I hasn't considered other brands. Hoka makes a few pair of high tops, kinda off road trail sneakers. These were the best looking of the Hokas. Good looking, but kinda extreme. I like my Pumas.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Catching Flies


I am no fan of soccer, but this penalty kick was unique. 
As soccer players often do on penalty kicks, this player approaches the ball to make an adjustment before his kick.
Then just as he reaches down to adjust the ball,
he deftly kicks the ball past the unsuspecting goalie.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Big Sky

 

Will and Mary-Clayton in Montana.

Good article about when Hank Aaron batted against Satchel Paige, and the 1968 Atlanta Braves. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/satchel-paige-pitches-to-hank-aaron

SCOTT BROSIUS  [SABR Bio] is the only World Series MVP to be traded for a pitcher who threw a perfect game. Brosius was WS MVP in 1998 when NYY swept SDP. He had been traded the year before for Kenny Rogers whose perfect game was 28-Jul-1994. He grew up in Milwaukie, but lived in Oregon. Milwaukie (note spelling) is in Oregon, a suburb south of Portland. The first time he was ever in a major league stadium was as a major leaguer. Debut 07-Aug-1991. Had simply never attended an MLB game. He replaced Monday’s answer as a manager. Brosius replaced Girardi as manager of Team USA attempting to qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo.

Had to drive down to Macon last night. Drove my dad to the hospital. Double pneumonia. Was in a room at the ER until they moved him to a room at 4 am.

Denison: Amazon is no longer selling a valuable book. Censorship?

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/amazon-cancels-evangelical-book-on-the-transgender-issue-a-digital-book-burning-and-the-power-of-holiness/

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

More on The Masters

Bobby Jones always wanted an amateur to win the Masters. To this day the tournament places special emphasis on amateurs, inviting the top amateurs from Georgia, the US, and from around the world. The amateurs get to stay on site, upstairs in the Crow’s Nest. The high amateur in honored in the Butler Cabin on live  TV.

The first amateur to finish second at the Masters was Frank Stranahan, son of a wealthy businessman. Went to Byron Nelson for lessons. Kept prodding nelson to play rounds with him. Nelson didn’t want to. Frank chided his older teacher, saying he didn’t want to lose. That did it. Nelson went out ant shot a 63, the course record. Stranahan remained an amateur because his father was so rich, he didn’t need the money.  Traveled with weights, so he could work out. A ladies man. His demeanor ruffled Clifford Roberts’ feathers. Rumor was Frank had vied for the attention of Robert’s secretary. The year after finishing second, Roberts kicked Stranahan out of the tournament, supposedly for hitting two approach shots during practice rounds. The other players were shocked, but didn’t come to his defense. Neither did Jones. Later Stranahan turned pro. Later still he entered and won seniors bodybuilding contests. Frank vowed to live to 130, but passed away at ninety.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stranahan

Pretty sure that at least in the practice rounds, the amateurs still play with the big shots. For the first several years of the Masters, in the first round the defending champion would play with Bobby Jones. Later on the amateurs and the defending champion would play with Walter Hagen or Byron Nelson.

The membership roll of Augusta National is supposedly a secret, but some names are known. A few years ago after the Masters I compiled a list of Augusta National members, using various sources on the internet. I posted it to my humble blog, which gets very few views. But I noticed that of all my posts, the membership list is regularly viewed, especially in April. While reading this book, I am adding the names of founding members and other members, including Ike and Robert Woodruff.

I never knew who Jimmy Demaret was. A colorful character. Won three Masters, more than Nelson, Hogan, or Sarazen – who got bridges named for them. When Demaret quipped “I can’t get an outhouse built with my name on it” Roberts made him apologize before inviting him back.

Once Fred Haas was putting at the Masters when a player from the group behind him hit a shot that landed on the green. After putting out Haas shouted to the player, telling him how dangerous that had been. Haas had to apologize to Roberts and Jones for raising his voice in front of the patrons.

Was thinking about Steve Little, one of  the greatest college kickers in history. Recruited to Arkansas by Frank Broyles to play QB. Broke the college record with a 67 yard field goal, which stands to this day. Struggled as the St Louis Cardinals first round draft choice, the third highest drafted kicker in history. After three years Little was released. Hours later he was involved in a high speed auto accident, losing the use of his arms and legs. He died in his 40’s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Little_(American_football)

Podcasts are the big thing now. All of a sudden everyone on sports talk 680 has one, even several of the behind the scenes guys. Paul Lukas at Uni Watch has one. Johnsons Ferry church has several. A few professionals have been podcasting for years. For some in the media, its part of their job. I suppose people listen to podcasts in their cars. Guess podcasts are taking the place of radio. You can listen to whatever your specific interest is. But to me a podcast is still just two guys talking. Rambling. Do they have scripts? I would rather read a book, so that’s what I do in the car – listen to audiobooks instead of people talking. Seems more permanent.

I’ve been going more actual reading as well, perhaps as an escape from reality. Less social media and TV. When things are overwhelming I find too much comfort in food. Plus I want to crash on the couch.

Tuesdays are different with Ceil at her ministry. Gives me a chance to catch up on a project or help around the house. Not yesterday. I was trying to find out when my dad’s doctor’s appointment was, but I couldn’t find out. If it had been today I would’ve missed work. Since I didn’t know, I had to stay late at work to complete as much of tomorrow’s work as possible. Worked until 7:30. I was a zombie on the drive home. As usual, I had left the house at 7 am. Was after 8 pm before I got home, the same time as Ceil. Then I got tied up on a 33 minute phone call.

I am feeling pretty old today. The VP announced his retirement. He’s about my age. Our GM Eric will be taking his place. Eric sits near me, and he’s pumped. This leaves me as pretty much the oldest office employee here in Atlanta. Hopefully these shakeups won’t effect the team I’m on, but you never know. Just yesterday I was plotting out what I would do with my time after I retired.

Denison: when we claim that Christianity changes Christians, we must answer this question: Why do so many Christians act in such sinful ways? Three biblical responses: Separate the message from the messenger. When doctors fail us, we don’t reject medicine. Christianity never promised that Christians would be perfect. Our hope is not in the preacher but in the One being preached. We are saved not by man but by Jesus (Acts 4:12). Hold each other to the standards of Christ. Our message changes the messenger if the messenger is willing to be changed. God will not force us into repentance and godliness. But him, his Spirit can and will make us the kind of people our Father intends us to be (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Balance grace and consequences. We do not want to offer what Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace” that ignores accountability and the consequences of sin. If I drive a nail into a piece of wood, you could remove the nail but the hole remains. C. S. Lewis observed in Mere Christianity: “What Satan put into the heads of our ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/tiger-woods-is-recovering-from-surgery-the-uniqueness-of-christian-hope-and-three-responses-when-christians-fail/

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Major Bobby Jones

Bobby Jones wanted to serve in WW2 but had trouble getting in the action. He was first assigned to stateside duties, training volunteers how to spot airplanes. Even when he transferred overseas, he had light duty interviewing bomber pilots about their flights. Finally he landed in a foxhole at Normandy the day after D-Day, and later served near the front, experiencing firsthand being shot at. 

Augusta National was closed after the 1942 Masters, and cows grazed on the golf course. The superintendent raised turkeys, and Roberts sent them to members, taking a loss.

Speaking of golf, sounds like after this morning’s crash, Tiger Woods will never break Jack Nicklaus’ records. Prayers for a full recovery.

Worked past 5:30, then a good small group discussion on John 12, after the triumphant entry but before the Last Supper – Jesus’ final public sermons. And what was the result? 

I can’t remember sermons, so I take notes. Then when I read back over them, I remember the sermon. Once in small group one of the guys was talking. He looked at me and asked what I was writing. I was taking notes. Or on my phone I will peck out an email with notes, or take a picture of the Bible verse. That’s what I did last night for those verses in John. Then I might post the notes here on my blog. Some preachers structure their sermons “better” than others, so it’s easier to take notes. Louie Giglio preaches great sermons, but it’s hard to take notes.

Stayed up late to watch a Hallmark Channel movie “Bottled With Love” kind of a cross between “You’ve Got Mail” and “Message in a Bottle.”

Freddie Freeman’s wife gave birth to twins.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30947236/twins-twist-how-freddie-chelsea-freeman-grew-their-family-five

Wilt Chamberlain said he was an 80% free throw shooter in high school. What happened?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8fn1IaTMQM&feature=youtu.be

Denison: Abraham Lincoln said: “Character is essential to democracy. A free people can govern each other only if they can govern themselves.” George Washington stated in 1796, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” What God said to the children of Israel he says to us today: “If you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish” (Deuteronomy 8:19).

JOE GIRARDI [SABR Bio] was the catcher for David Cone's perfect game. Cone’s perfecto 18-Jul-1899. When Girardi played for the Cubs, Sammy Sosa was famous for blasting his music in the Cubs’ old cramped Wrigley Field clubhouse. Most teammates just tolerated it. However, one day in 2002 Girardi turned down the volume on Sosa’s boombox and raised the volume on the main clubhouse stereo. There were reports that the two then had to be separated.  But later they said there was no trouble and Girardi said they have a “fine” relationship. Girardi was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, a city long held by marketing executives to best represent and, in a sense, speak for, the American consumer (“Will it play in Peoria?”). Girardi attended high school at Spalding Catholic, to date, its only MLB alum.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Bugs on the Windshield

My boss had to step away from our conference call this morning. I discussed a quality problem. When we finished I confessed I was worried I would take up all the time when the boss was away. It reminded me of my fifth grade oral book report on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. As I began the teacher had to leave the room. I went on and on, about how the kids had cleaned the bugs off the windshield after their drive. I hadn’t written the report, was just talking from memory. Eventually I wrapped it up. The teacher returned and asked who all she’d missed. Only me, my classmates tattled. “He was talking about cleaning bugs off the windshield!” Lisa Long complained. I learned a lesson that day that I would never forget.

My coworkers enjoyed the story. My boss had heard it, and said it was almost as good as the story I told about getting hit by a car in second grade.

Started a new book about the formation and history of Augusta National. At the formation meeting it was sportswriter Grantland Rice who suggested the club be run by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, instead of committees (this may have been pre-arranged by Roberts). The founding members, brought in on a special train from New York, agreed. Before purchasing the nursery north of downtown Augusta, Jones and Roberts had considered locations in Cobb County. Construction of the course began in March. Seed was sown in May. Mowing began in June. Jones played the first round in August, shooting an even par 72. Years later when the 12th green was being renovated, an Indian burial ground was discovered. Roberts mother was related to Francis Scott Key.

Jones set the course record several times, but never during the tournament. Out of practice, Jones really didn’t want to play in the first few Masters. Roberts insisted, as the publicity was needed. By then Jones’ health was in decline. Perhaps embarrassed by all the members from New York, at first Jones didn’t invite many Atlantans.

Jones and Roberts earned millions as Coca Cola bottlers, opening plants around the world, particularly in South America. After a few years Robert Woodruff joined Augusta National, though he had little interest. General Eisenhauer loved Coke, and worked a deal for Woodruff to supply the military with millions of bottles. In return the military paid for construction of bottling plants all over Europe, which Woodruff would own. Woodruff helped groom Ike for the presidency, helping to arrange Ike’s job running Columbia Pictures, to get Hollywood on board. At first Woodruff didn’t know if Ike would run as a Democrat or Republican. Woodruff had always voted Democrat, but voted Republican for Ike. When Jones came off the green for the last time as an amateur, he handed his ball to Woodruff.


Drove back from Macon Friday night. Got home at 9:30. Rough week. The dog we were sitting took five minutes to warm up to me.

Saturday: cleaned some upstairs. C fixed a breakfast burrito. Later she went to the grocery. My new sneakers delivered, so I wore them the rest of the day. High-top running shoes. Did some laundry and cleaned the kitchen. Pizza for supper. Hallmark-type movie. Might’ve been Up TV. Then the award winning remake of Little Women.

Sunday: on line worship. Spent the day reading. I watched some of the golf, but missed the playoff.

Good thing you filled up with gas. Going to be over $3.00 per gallon by Memorial Day. A 33% increase. Can’t wait until Trump leaves office.

Jailed Canadian Pastor James Coates’s Lawyer interviewed: “Speak up, it’s not going to end.”

https://the-end-time.org/2021/02/19/jailed-canadian-pastor-james-coatess-lawyer-interviewed-speak-up-its-not-going-to-end/

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Looks at Books

 
After a rough week, all I've wanted to do has been to read. Finished the baseball book and started on a history of the Augusta National Club, warts and all. I've already knocked out over 25 percent. 

Saturday breakfast burrito.

Saturday supper homemade pizza and salad.
Then belated Valentines apple pie.
A late 70's celebrity all-star game: Gabe Kaplan, Sally Struthers, Bernadette Peters, Steve Martin. The gloves look like they're from the 50's or 60's. Mr. Kotter rolled up his jeans. Is that Farrah in the back?
The renovated Carrier Dome hosts an ACC clash.
Wore my new sneaks all day yesterday,
and plan on wearing them to work tomorrow.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Barney Look-Alike

Ceil has been dog-sitting this week.
Renee gave me World Series tickets. 
My new sneakers delivered today, and they feel good. High-topped running shoes. Fit better than the low cuts. I like the blue toes. Gonna be hard to pull on and off.
Photo below must've been taken in the fall of 1982, my last at Tech. I'm at the lower right, next to Yearwood, in front of Billy Brundage and Greg Travis. I see Mike Jackson, Tommy Sweet, David Conley, Al Boyd, Chip Brown, Al Rahn, Leuze, Bobby 4-O, Darrell Frahm, Phillip Stallcup, Kim Walter, Jim Johnson, and others. Is that Brett Freemon?  
Above: Norm Van Brocklin sets his charges. Linebacker Chuck Bednarik, the last of the 60 minute men, is the center. Marquis Grissom's son is playing for Georgia Tech. Chip off the old block. The stirrups they're wearing in games have the adidas logo in the front. Horrific.
Instead of defunding the police, maybe what we really need is less Barney and more Andy and Gomer. Well, maybe just Andy.
Like the baseball stadium in downtown Charlotte,

Chandler Stadium on the Tech campus has a scenic view.

W&MC are in Montana.

Friday, February 19, 2021

One Shot at Forever

Reading my new book “One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season” by Sports Illustrated writer Chris Ballard, about the tiny Macon Illinois High baseball team in the early 70’s. The young hippie English teacher was coerced into coaching the team, despite having never coached anything before. He was the third coach in three years. The rightfielder was a good hit / no field bispeckled, slow-footed freshman named Brian Snitker. He batted .379 for the season but in one regional playoff game, on a hunch the coach replaced him in the late innings with a speedier upperclassman. Like in Hoosiers, back then all teams large and small competed against each other for just one state championship.

Had a dream we lived in a house with animals roaming around. The kids were young. Will and Anna had run around to the back of the house. An elephant lumbered around from the front yard, toward the far side of the house. Behind it pounced what I finally figured out was the black dragon from the How to Train Your Dragon movie. The dragon hopped the fence and wanted to play with me and Matthew, who was very young. M had his tiny toys spread all over the place. Ceil reminded me that M had a report to present in school, one that sounded far beyond his age range. The dragon snuck inside my convertible and snuggled up to us. We came upon a wreck, and had to take a detour through an old lady’s carport. The lady was hosing off her driveway, and the dragon hopped out and played in the water, cooling off.

The poor voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their job just keeps getting tougher. This articles says Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher got elected years earlier than they should have – because them being on TV helped create a great TV moment. Several other more deserving coaches and players have waited longer.    

https://fansided.com/2021/02/19/pro-football-hall-of-fame-voting-2022-class/

An old article about Dean Gardens, built by a computer zillionaire, sold to Usher – now torn down. Near the corner of Peachtree Parkway and Old Alabama, on the river not far from the Atlanta Athletic Club.

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/us/22house.html?fbclid=IwAR09VAt5S_wJBWSPwsu9QBI91oHdg8qX0iFVUuaQVlgpmRxlG0-LhE7bPug

Denison: Satan offered to give Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” in exchange for his worship (Matthew 4:8–9). Jesus chose instead to make his Father his King through the suffering of the cross. Jesus’ temptation is ours. Rather than serving God through the way of suffering, we want God to eliminate all suffering. When he does not, we reject him in anger for what he will not do, rather than serving him in gratitude for all he has done.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Thursday


Christopher Walken and Drew Barrimore wearing Nike Air Mocs, a shoe that's been around for decades.
Bubba Watson wearing Air Jordan golf shoes during a practice round of the Phoenix Open. Not sure what happened to his shoe contract from last year.
Good thing I worked today. Lots going on.

Not the greatest article on which player each NFL team has the best shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nobis for the Falcons. No Herschel, though he’s more deserving than most of the hackers on this list, like Tiki Barber and Ottis Anderson.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-best-player-on-each-team-who-deserves-enshrinement-in-canton/

The Padres signed Fernando Tatis to a 14 year contract. Some say wise, some say crazy. Much more expensive than the Acuna contract, which some say was wise, some said crazy. Bobby Bonilla wasn’t the only player to sign a super long term deal. So did Bruce Sutter and others.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/bobby_bonilla_and_the_other_strangest_deferred_money_contracts_in_sports/s1__32279624

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Blockade Billy

Read a short baseball book by Stephen King: Blockade Billy, about a rookie catcher for a fictional American League team. A good read, that got a little bloody near the end. 

Stumbled across an old photo of Steve Norman, before I knew him. Before the beard. Also young Frank Gudger and Bill Heyser, and Walter Teem.

Baseball is changing the configuration of MLB baseballs for 2021, so they won't be quite as juicy. Fewer home runs. Just as many strikeouts, if not more. Mike Trout recognizes the problem.

Took my dad to the doctor today. It warmed up this afternoon. The doctor Donald Robinson had played linebacker at Tech in the early 70's.

Started "One Shot at Forever" about Brian Snitker's hometown high school baseball championship team from back in the 70's.

Climate change and global warming – the science, and a Christian perspective. A 14,000 word article. Since 1880 the earth's temperature has risen about 0.4 degrees. Today's scientists ignore worldwide evidence of the flood, which created the earth's coal supply and brought on an ice age. Pre-flood carbon dioxide levels were significantly higher than current levels, yet plants, animals, and humans thrived, contrary to what climate change experts say could happen in the future. Shared by my Living Science teacher friend David Cain, who knows his stuff. 

The only known 1933 Boston Redskins jersey was discovered in a storage locker that sold for five dollars - The Washington Post

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.washingtonpost.com_sports_2021_02_16_boston-2Dredskins-2Djersey-2Dauction_&d=DwIFAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=l8DUauAvzYhdeoseUFyBYVW3AFlGd5lBW-WAdna-wMU&s=8KTNV2jLQjdBm3xWbKVl9j0bcC7DOqA8gnKuS7nzeGY&e=    

Some kid at Yahoo can't understand why the Cleveland Indians would deep dive into demographics when researching fan attitudes about a possible name change.

https://sports.yahoo.com/indians-name-search-turns-carefully-105534669.html 

Godlessness in the Last Days,

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Some years ago a newly elected politician proclaimed, "We are the children of the modern age!" A good question for us to ask is, "What has the modern age given us?" The answers are disheartening: crack cocaine, satanic cults, instructions on safe sex, misdirected individuals who would rather save a spotted owl than an innocent baby inside a mother's womb.

The modern age has given us a liberal media that paints Bible-believing Christians as right-wing zealots and fanatics. Difficulties like these should not surprise us. Paul told Timothy that in the last days:

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, . . . lovers of pleasure rather than loversf God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)


Then he cautions us, "Have nothing to do with such people" (2 Timothy 3:5). Despite the wickedness of the world, we serve a mighty God who provides the wisdom we need for every situation. It is often hardship and difficulty that provide the right atmosphere for spiritual growth.