Wednesday, August 23, 2023

R.I.P Maxie Baughan

Former all pro linebacker Maxie Baughan passed away this weekend. After a stellar two way career at Georgia Tech, Baughan reached the Pro Bowl 9 times, for the Eagles and Rams, then came out of retirement to be a player coach for the Redskins.

Maxie cut a distinctive figure on the sidelines first as a player then coach, playing tribute to his alma mater by wearing an engineers cap.

50 years ago – Tech basketball’s road to San Francisco, led by guard Bobby Dews. Ol’Dewsy was Ron Washington 1.0.

Nicknames of teams: recently Uni Watch did a feature of various slang names some teams are called, but of course left out Atlanta. I shared several in the comments.

Back when they were an all male institution, Georgia Tech became the Yellow Jackets after local Agnes Scott coeds took to wearing gold coats to chilly games at Grant Field. One great team was dubbed “The Golden Tornado”. Other Tech nicknames over the years include the Engineers, Ramblin Wrecks, and of course Jackets. One late 70’s defense was named the Black Watch.

Auburn: any true fan of the Tigers would point out that Auburn is most certainly not the “War Eagles”. Instead “War Eagle!” is more of a battle cry – perhaps controversial in some circles. In addition to Tigers, I believe Auburn has been known in the past as the Plainsmen.

The Georgia Bulldogs are known as “them Dawgs” or the Junkyard Dawgs – a moniker that has stuck around after a particular scappy defense from the 1970’s was given that name. The Redcoat Band still plays Jim Croce’s refrain during games. UGA has also been known as the Silver Britches, a name dating back to the 50’s or early 60’s.

When the Atlanta Falcons went to the Super Bowl in the late 90’s, the name Dirty Birds has stuck with the team. Also often referred to as the Birds. Sometimes a marketing slogan will stick with the fans, sometimes as a joke. The Atlanta Hawks during the Dominique years were called “Atlanta’s Air Force”.

The expansion Atlanta Flames first head coach was hall of famer Boom Boom Geoffrion. In his heavy accent he would refer to his team as “the Atlanta Flame” – a name that caught on with local fans. Probably didn’t transfer to Calgary.

When owner Ted Turner put his baseball team on his cable “Superstation” he proclaimed the Braves to be “America’s Team”. When asked what they’d be doing after work, around Atlanta folk would reply “watching America’s Team”.

All the all so called experts say the Braves need more starting pitchers, then they try out a new pitcher and the experts blast the team if he flops. (1) You gotta kiss a lot of toads to find your prince. (2) Smoltz and Glavine weren’t lights out their first year or two, they had to get experience at the major league level. (3) There aren’t a bunch of Verlanders out on the trade block the Braves can make deals for. (4) Nice to be able to work on the weak spots with the big lead in the division. (5) Better than throwing a bullpen game, though the relievers have been lights out as of late.

What Rece Davis told David Pollack after ESPN laid off the former UGA All-American.

Pitchers who hit home runs in World Series their team won.

Pitcher      Team WS       G# / Date   Opp/Team                    WAR

Bagby.......CLE...1920......5/10-Oct....Burleigh Grimes/BRO....30.9

Blanton.....PHI....2008.....4.............   Edwin Jackson/TBR.......11.8

Gibson**...STL...1967......7/12-Oct....Jim Lonborg/BOS..........89.1

..................STL...1968......4/06-Oct....Joe Sparma/DET

Walters.....CIN....1940.....6/07-Oct....Fred Hutchinson/DET....53.5

Lolich.......DET...1968.....2/03-Oct.....Nelson Briles/STL.........48.0

Haines**...STL....1926....3/05-Oct.....Dutch Ruether/NYY..........32.6

Holtzman.OAK...1974.....4/16-Oct.....Andy Messersmith/LAD.27.3

McNally....BAL....1970 (g3/13-Oct.....Wayne Granger/CIN......25.5

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