Tuesday, June 13, 2023

The Mosquito Bowl

Finished “The Mosquito Bowl” - a profile of several of the college football players who became WW2 Marines. Several were killed in the battle of Okinawa in April/May 1945. More about the men and the battle with a chapter on the football game they played on Christmas Eve 1944, broadcast on Armed Forces Radio. Excellent book. Currently listening to a compilation of three Grisham novellas. 

Tough loss for the Braves, who were the first National League team to reach 40 wins. As a reminder, the Braves have won five straight NL East championships, the next to last World Series, and are playing well despite having their top two starters on the disabled list.

Also: since Snitker took over the Braves he is the 4th winningest manager in baseball.

Yesterday C attended a lunch to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and then picked up Winnie from the kennel. C gave Winnie a summer haircut. C likes Winnie with short hair. I like Winnie’s hair to be a little shaggier. Last night C drove down to see baby Millie and Shivonne.

I left work just before 5:30. Stopped at Dollar Tree and Taco Bell. Made it to the Bible Study just as John and Reid arrived. Matt and Dan joined me and Dave. A good time. I have to be on my toes with these guys, who are sharp. Dave is 69 and looking to sell his business, so he can spend more time in service to God. John is in a similar position, as are my friends Rob and Lee (who weren’t there last night).

Was after 9 pm when I got home. C arrived later than me. I didn’t get to bed until after 10:30. Up early to run at the gym this morning.

ARTICLE: The Age-Defying, Happiness-Generating Power of True Male Friendships.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a43280592/true-friendships/__;!!AE29DT8V!Xf15-amjKWoCDbq4FfrF2kaJhEFFvPRr5uiBJlI1QXlXnnPMqOTJh2DxbRljjM7CIByD__DF4QgXk89FmaM$ 

Tim Keller explained, “The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me.” No person is any worse or better than I am. No person is loved by God any less or more than I am.

DENISON noted this moment in America. Consider two plausible scenarios.

A: Mr. Trump is exonerated of the charges against him, but many of his opponents consider the verdict a miscarriage of justice. If he is reelected next year, they refuse to recognize the authority of the presidency, leading to unprecedented consequences for our democracy.

B: Mr. Trump is convicted of the charges against him, but many of his supporters consider the verdict a miscarriage of justice. If he is defeated next year, they refuse to recognize the authority of the presidency, leading to unprecedented consequences for our democracy.

 

When a significant number of citizens believe their government to be illegitimate, then democracy is imperiled. Such a government could then be forced to use force to compel its citizens’ obedience to its dictates. I have seen such autocracy at work in Cuba. We are watching the same story unfolding in China under Xi Jinping and in Russia under Putin.


https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/donald-trump-arraigned-today-democracy-danger-collapse/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Donald+Trump+to+be+arraigned+today&utm_campaign=06-13-23+Donald+Trump+to+be+arraigned+today%3A+Is+democracy+%22in+danger+of+collapse%22%3F 

In 1926, ROGERS HORNSBY [SABR Bio] was player/manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. They beat the Yankees four games to three, with the last out of the seventh game ending with Babe Ruth attempting to steal second base with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth. Hornby, playing second, took the throw from catcher Bob O’Farrell, tagged Ruth well in time and began to celebrate. No NL team has won more World Series than St. Louis, but this was their first. In all Hornsby managed six MLB teams:  STL (2 yrs.), NYG (1), Boston (1), the Cubs (3), Browns (6), and Reds (3). Hall of Famers that Hornsby managed include Richie Ashburn, Ernie Banks,  Burleigh Grimes, Chick Hafey, Gabby Hartnett, Gil Hodges,  Satchel Paige, Edd Roush, George Sisler, Billy Southworth, Bill Terry, Billy Williams, and Hack Wilson. Hornsby played with Dizzy Dean, Leo Durocher Billy Herman, Miller Huggins, Mel Ott, Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel & Bobby Wallace. He is the only NL player to hit .400 three times in the 20th century, hitting .401 in 1922; .403 in 1925, and .424 in 1924.

Today was Rodrigo Blankenship's first practice with the Buccaneers. He was greeted by QB Baker Mayfield, who still had hard feelings about their Rose Bowl meeting.

No comments: