As the Braves Turn

In June the Braves won 25 of 29. No one keeps up that pace. Now lost 5 of 7. That's 27-9 in their last 36 games. Still have a 9-1/2 game lead. Phillies lost last night as well. Will be getting back a Cy Young candidate (Fried) and 20 game winner (Wright) as well as two relievers. Last night Riley and Ozuna homered, which is a good sign.

Spencer Strider struck out 13 today, setting yet another record: most K's in the first 40 starts since the mound was moved back to 60 feet 6 inches.

This ESPN book is endless – 28 hours. Good stories. I had been listening to books at 1.25 speed, but dialed it back to regular speed, which I've been enjoying. But for this ESPN book I had to crank it back to 1.25 speed or I'll never finish. Gotta pay attention, which isn't too hard since its relatively interesting. Founded in the late 70's / early 80's. Now I'm up to 1994 and the invention of the X Games on ESPN2. Also the advent of the internet.

DUSTY BAKER [SABR Bio] was the first player to be named League Championship Series MVP. He had a 1.029 OPS in the 1977 NLCS. Dusty is reputed to be the co-inventor of the High-Five. He and Glenn Burke are said to have invented the gesture simultaneously and spontaneously on 02-Oct-1977. Baker was the last batter of Nolan Ryan's fifth no-hitter, on 26-Sep-1981 when he grounded out for the 27th out.

Two big newspapers were scaling back their sports sections – the Los Angeles paper and one in NYC. No more box scores. The end of a very long era. 

Blast from the past: taking the field in 1976: me (#21), Belote (#85), and Ken Herndon (#50).

Not sure if I mentioned it but last Tuesday week I was in Augusta for work and the group of coworkers all went to a Mexican place. I looked around and everyone was finishing up, and I still had a bunch to eat. Same thing at the work lunch before that at Longhorn. Even this past Sunday at Moxie Burger C finished before me, though she didn't eat as many fries. I ate some fries while they were still hot, then my chicken sandwich, then finished the fries.

Now I have eaten French fries 4 of the past 5 days. Angie gave me leftovers from Medlock Tavern – two big juicy chicken tenders and fries. Haven't gained weight, but haven't lost any. With C out of town I'm going to try to eat up leftovers in the fridge and freezer, but McDonalds gives away a free large fries and drink every time the Braves hit a double. Might have to stop on the way home.

I hate it when I get slaw as a side, and they bring out a tiny little cup.

The White Sox put up a bell in their stadium for fans to ring whenever they saw someone putting ketchup on a hot dog. Like it's a bad thing. I like my ketchup on my dog. Also mustard, relish, and / or chili. Load it up.

DENISON: 69% of Americans said things are going pretty or very badly in our country. Factors cited: the economy, partisanship and political divides, violence, and immigration. in the last year, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline answered nearly 5 million contacts, nearly 2 million more than in the previous 12 months. Anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the US. High psychological distress is especially widespread among young adults – 62% reported experiencing some degree of anxiety.

Good news: I finally took 30 seconds and figured out how to imbed links, so going forward the web addresses won't be cluttering up these posts. If I can only remember how.