Football Facts

 

Saban probably hates it that Bama is back at number one. Will make the UGA players play better as number two.

330 Auburn@UGA

400 Duke@GT

730 Clemson@BostonCollege

800 TexasA&M@Alabama

With homecoming festivities kicking off at 8:30 am Saturday, by the time Tech kicks off at 4 pm I wonder how long the fair-weathered alumni will stick around for much of the game. Sun is gonna set behind the Coke Tower and Grant Field will get chilly.

Man ever since we ditched cable we haven’t been able to watch local high school games on TV, I don’t think.

I signed up for this deal where if Georgia State wins their football game, you get a free Checkers hamburger. This past Sunday morning I received a notification for my first free burger, good that day only. Since I was headed out of town, I missed out on the deal.

Former SPdL youth Brandon Howard has a son in the SC Gamecock marching band. Had a coworker with a son in the Georgia State marching band. Now Susan and Big Larry in Jefferson SC have a son in the Clemson marching band.

Ran three "fast" miles Friday morning. Usually people skip a treadmill to space out in the gym, but a lady was on the machine next to my usual spot. I tried a different treadmill but it made too much noise, so I hopped on right next to the lady. I knew she wouldn’t be there for long, and I was right. ESPN of course was talking about the Mets on SportsCenter this morning.

CLAYTON KERSHAW [B-R Bio] is the only pitcher with the best ERA in the majors for four straight seasons. He had pitched for five minor league teams since his major league debut. When injured, he rehabbed in the Dodgers’ farm system. He led MLB in ERA from 2011-2014 with 2.28, 2.53, 1.83 & 1.77 respectively. He struck out 15 Rockies during his no-hitter on 18-Jun-2014 (would have been a perfect game but for a Hanley Ramirez error).

DENISON: each day’s news provides more proof that we are fallen people living in a fallen world. Why, then, is it hard to convince secular people that they need more than secular society can provide? For the first time in American history, a majority of Americans reject biblical truth on a wide range of moral issues. For many, “morality” is defined as “doing whatever you want to do that doesn’t harm someone else.” This is a logic trap: for me to disagree causes you harm and thus crosses this line. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers”.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/why-hurricane-ian-caught-so-many-in-florida-off-guard/

Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest has his definition of sin as “my claim to my right to myself.” Chambers observed: “The disposition of sin is not immorality and wrong-doing, but the disposition of self-realization—I am my own god”. This claim is at the foundation of everything that is wrong with our culture.

 

From Watchman Nee’s The Normal Christian Life: “A day must come in our lives when we give up all right to ourselves and submit to the absolute lordship of Jesus Christ. We are no longer our own masters, but only stewards.

Why Tech Fired Collins?

One of the reasons GT fired head coach Geoff Collins: his devotion to kicker Jude Kelley (#87 above). Kelley ranks dead last among 136 college kickers, making a woeful one third of his attempts. As a former kicker I can sympathize. Amazingly Kelley’s field goal percentage has actually increased this year. In 2020 he went 1-5, missing both attempts under 30 yards. Last year Kelley missed his only attempt. This year 3 of his 4 misses were from less than 40 yards. I hate to rag on a college kid, but perhaps a transfer would help him get his mojo back.

Kelley’s replacement Gavin Stewart has made all four attempts this year, tying him for first among all college kickers. Last year he missed his only try, which was over 50 yards. Stewart went 2-3 in 2020. Stewart (#88 below) was named ACC special teams player of the week for his performance at Pitt.

Saints kicker Will Lutz went to Georgia State. He’s one of the best in the biz. Sunday he tried a game tying 61 yard field goal. It had plenty of distance but doinked off the goal post. Pretty bad when Georgia State has a better kicker than Tech.

Braves: I heard Dansby batted leadoff, swung at the first pitch, then was pulled from the game. Must’ve wanted it to be counted as a game played. He and Olson played all 162 games, and Riley 159. Before the game Snitker said he didn’t have enough backups to give everyone a day off. Last year Dansby and Riley played 160. Not sure how long Dansby’s streak is.

Last Friday night Will went to the Braves Mets game with Joel and Charles Norman. Tracy Taylor was there with her husband.

The good 680 guys were wondering if the Cardinals would get later game times since Pujols is such a big story. Usually the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers get prime slots, forcing the Braves play weekday day games in the playoffs, and everyone wonders why it’s not a sellout. But since the Braves moved to Truist Park they’ve sold out every playoff game regardless of game time. The Braves had 42 regular season sellouts this year, over half their games.

JOE DiMAGGIO  [SABR Bio] was the first professional athlete to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, receiving the honor in 1977. He is the only right-handed Yankee to hit more than 40 home runs in a season. He hit 46 his second year and never reached 40 again. He won the AL MVP in 1939, 1941 & 1947. He finished second in 1937 & 1948 then third in 1940.

From Christopher Kamka: this year the White Sox have been

1-1

6-6

13-13

14-14

15-15

16-16

17-17

18-18

19-19

20-20

21-21

22-22

23-23

33-33

45-45

46-46

48-48

49-49

50-50

51-51

56-56

63-63

66-66

67-67

68-68

76-76

80-80

81-81

Busy at work. Others are behind so I’m doing things I’d normally delegate. One coworker is off tomorrow, and another pretty much all next week. Gonna be rough. Not much else to report. Last night Ceil cooked her comfort food: meatloaf, English peas, and mashed potatoes.

W&MC took Shivonne out to Colorado.

Denison on current events: a senior member of the British parliament says the Church of England must embrace same-sex marriage or face mounting pressure from the government. Samford University, a Baptist school in Alabama, is facing protests and criticism for affirming its commitment to biblical sexuality and marriage. A New York trial judge ruled polyamorous relationships are entitled to the same legal protections given to two-person relationships. Each illustrates the conviction that I have a right to what I want, no matter the consequences for those who disagree. LGBTQ ideology must be embraced by every segment of society even at the cost of First Amendment religious freedoms. If you disagree, you are dangerous to society and undeserving of legal or cultural protections.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/is-the-threat-of-nuclear-war-at-least-equal-magnitude-to-the-cuban-missile-crisis/ 

YOUSSEF: will it be possible for Satan to deceive genuine Christians into following and worshiping the Antichrist? Scripture provides the answer.

READ NOW

Youssef gave a favorable review to a new book by a guy I follow on Twitter, Eric Metaxas titled “Letter to the American Church” where he calls the church to battle, instead of standing silent. Here’s the Amazon link:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ericmetaxas.com/books/letter/__;!!AE29DT8V!W2BcmSpLwTZtaBkmAPA2ut1tI3Z6ArncdxxEnkIwQChDOxr39RUAIEnRvJiUcXVotXHYvKEgvWWfrsw0mZU$ 

Five Straight Division Championships

Braves clinched the NL East for the fifth straight year. Few predicted they’d win any of those five. Great to snatch the pennant at the last minute from the heavily favored Mets, as this chart indicates.

Few are predicting they’ll win the World Series, much less advance past the mighty Dodgers. Strider should be back, perhaps Albies as well. Last night the Braves executed their first sacrifice bunt of the year, missing out on the chance to be the first team in history to go all 162 without one. Teams are bunting less and less. Soon it will be gone for good.

Hard to go from three sold out home crowds to play in an almost empty stadium in Miami, with your 5th starter on the mound. On the pregame show the announcers kept talking about what a letdown it would be. I heard that 70% of the crowd that did show up were Braves fans. This past weekend the Marlins were showing advertisements that Mets fans in south Florida should come to cheer against the Braves. Didn’t work.

A rare weekend when the Braves, Tech, UGA, Clemson, and the Falcons won all their games.

Judge hit HR # 62, which was great. Man ESPN sure thought so. I had SportsCenter on for the 50 minutes I was on the treadmill this morning (on mute, while also listening to my book). SportsCenter had four or five bits about Judge. I saw Dodger and Mets recaps before anything about the Braves clinching the division. Of course I may have tuned in just after they’d covered the Braves, you never know. ESPN covers college football less than any other sport. It’s NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and soccer squeezing out CFB. Why I don’t watch SportsCenter.

The thinking in baseball these days is that once the opposition has seen a pitcher 2 or 3 times through the order, the batters will hit the pitcher better in at bat number 3 and 4. That’s why they put in relievers, so the batters have to face someone new.

Based on what is discussed on sports talk radio and social media, they are a lot of people that know little about how decisions are made by managers, coaches, and teams. I’m certainly not talking about Lang, but those bozos on the 680 morning show don’t have a clue. Speaking of, didn’t realize I had a pal who is big buds with Ben Ingram from Braves Radio. Might have to call in a favor to get Ingram to come out to see the old men at hot stove this winter.

Set another sales record at work for September. On track for a record year. We’re setting up a Christmas dinner at Frankie’s Steak House, near the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth. Supposed to be a good place.

Worked from home today and it was constant. Got a couple of hot parts going.

Made BBQ quesadillas for supper last night. For lunch today I made ham & cheese sliders on toasted English muffins.

Video of Peyton and Eli’s call of a streaker “running a post pattern” during the Monday Night Rams@49ers game. “How do you tackle a streaker? Do you hit him high or low?”

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/peyton-eli-manning-hilariously-analyze-bobby-wagners-tackle-protester__;!!AE29DT8V!VMTLfVwBQeMd_Z7sG27jGgugwr5ANG5EceOc91ywf-Vo80WNeXyh0VOYD7Lzi8CdK7Nu7OKvLEZ_IgjiGR8$ 

Jim Denison shared an article by cultural commentator Dr. Michael Brown titled “If you’re a Christian, you should have a target on your back.” He offers specific examples:

• “If you speak up for the unborn, you will be targeted.
• “If you uphold marriage and family as God intended, you will be targeted.
• “If you claim salvation is only through Jesus, you will be targeted.
• “If you resist LGBT activism in the schools, you will be targeted.
• “If you preach the word of God with brokenness and humility but without compromise or dilution, you will be targeted.”

He cites 2 Timothy 3:12: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

LOU GEHRIG  [SABR Bio] scored more than 100 runs and recorded at least 100 RBI for 13 straight seasons, from 1926-1938. Growing up close to Hilltop Park influenced his career choice. Hilltop Park, in the Washington Heights neighborhood, was the original New York City home of the Yankee’s franchise, beginning in 1903. The team was called The Highlanders then but sometimes they were referred to as The Hilltoppers, among others. No American League player has ever had more RBI in one season. Gehrig had 185 RBI in 1931. Of the six highest single-season RBI totals in history, Gehrig owns three of them—the AL record of 185 in 1931 and 173 in 1927 and 1930 (5th). National Leaguer Hack Wilson’s 191 RBI in 1930 is the all-Time record, a record Babe Ruth said would never be broken.  

Competitive Golf

Monday AM golf tourney in Aiken SC. Teed off at 8:30 am and didn’t finish until like 1:30 pm. Had a good time with Angela (above), Carey, and Brad. Nice cool fall weather. Had some good shots, some bad. Made three putts of a decent distance early on. Hit the green on a par three. Snapped a picture.

Kept slicing my driver off the tee, but finally straightened it out late in the round. We made a birdie and several pars. With our handicaps we shot 65, which kept us out of last place (also out of next to last place). 

The GPS on the cart showed us over an hour behind schedule. We let two groups play through. Despite riding in carts, I got in over 13000 steps. By the time we arrived back at the clubhouse, lunch was over.

On my drive home I stopped by Zaxbys and later Baskin Robbins. Did a little work when I got home, then headed to small group. Later I watched some of the Manningcast. Winnie had gone to Shivonne’s with C, so the pup was tired from playing with Okie. Skipped the gym and came in to work a little early to start back getting caught up.

Last Friday C and I split a chicken sandwich and fries at Moxie Burger. Kids were cheering the Braves on TV.

Saturday AM golf at Candler Park. Home to watch ESPN College GameDay. Housework throughout the afternoon. Caught bits of KY@OleMiss and Bama@Arkansas. Are to Pizzeria Lucca just west of the Roswell Square. Watched NCState@Clemson on the TV and UGA@Mizzou on Ceil’s phone, and followed GT@Pitt on my phone. Got to watch the last 4 minutes of the Tech upset. They benched the starting kicker, and the backup boots four field goals. Okay, if Tech can beat Pitt, Tech can beat Duke. I trod almost 16000 steps for the day.

Sunday school and worship. C fixed a quesadilla for lunch, then I packed and drove to Augusta. Stopped at Baskin Robbins on the way for a snack. Not much open in downtown Augusta, but we found a soul food spot and ate a nice juicy burger.

Tips on giving a speech. I became a worse actor / speech giver after watching years of the low key David Letterman shows.

1. Commit to the speech. Go all in. Be confident and fearless. Act like you know what you’re doing.

2. Don’t be offensive or inappropriate. Those are sure to bomb. Better safe than sorry.

3. Don’t speak too quickly or softly.

4. Have a good opening. Set the tone. Define what you’re talking about. Avoid cliches.

5. Be prepared. Practice delivering your speech.

6. Play to your audience. Taylor your energy and content to the occasion and audience.

7. When using powerpoint, don’t read the entire slide. Your audience can do that.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lifehacker.com/the-7-deadly-sins-of-giving-a-speech-1849576442__;!!AE29DT8V!VzcP9-kmSPi2n-DHiDouA_k8Dtt0ywy5CS76rzMbNc-c_HJtBAB6SeDcIZGXB0M-2YoOGocn_3udbhBX_e4$

Most popular states to move to.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/most-popular-states-to-move-to-report__;!!AE29DT8V!VDygWxkdwFSxU8kw3M-M1_iUxx1_2k2L1zyTO_os8goIHIatpwt_tq2YPpRccqc1cqpmzS5fA64mFYnHgoA$

The life and career of Moe Drabowsky. A quick read.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.royalsreview.com/2019/3/10/18256044/moe-drabowsky__;!!AE29DT8V!TpPJ0yY3rN2uvKOeU6zIkxE3XsVjrvlrWbAzBR7M7X4vcEr4YS59ni39ugXuiLQQa4wKLUZ54tPsF6QcuSU$

According to scientists, the Big Bang didn’t happen. Another scientific theory dispelled.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://iai.tv/articles/the-big-bang-didnt-happen-auid-2215__;!!AE29DT8V!Qny93pdQrfrunB1o2XI-GON-Yf528VMryd01NeUktIR0WHRGsJpq0fn7SLSAIHalei-dqeCBvM2VlONLfVQ$

Scientists discovered a massive “Ocean” near Earth’s core, confirming the Book of Genesis.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://endtimeheadlines.org/2022/10/scientists-discover-massive-ocean-near-earths-core-confirming-the-book-of-genesis/__;!!AE29DT8V!RAJoLU_rfqiY83c77D85XOnhVCulQv-YheqY3jtMcxnRAHZOh8OyrEzYPRZYSJi_koLKmxMsjhJ2rrcpgMw$

Denison with the latest on the culture wars in America.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/new-california-law-blocks-parents-who-oppose-gender-affirming-therapies-for-their-children/ 

DON SUTTON [SABR Bio] is the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers’ franchise all-time career leader in innings pitched, wins, starts and shutouts. He finished with 3,816-1/3 IP, 533 games started, 233 wins, and 52 Shutouts for LA. Don Drysdale is second behind Sutton in each of these. One of Sutton’s managers went on to become the first manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. Roy Hartsfield managed Sutton in AA Albuquerque in 1965. Hartfield was at the field helm of TOR for their first three years of existence 1977-1979. In the last of his four All-Star games, he was voted the game’s MVP - in 1977 at new Yankee Stadium. Sutton was never scored on in an ASG. In five different seasons, he received votes for the Cy Young Award, and every time finished in the top five votes for the award. He f#3 Finished 5^th (T), 5^th, 4^th, 5^th(T) & 3^rd in CYA voting 1972-1976.

The Brave Falcon

What did I tell you about the Falcons? Some say they have a chance to win the division.  I checked into the hotel Sunday night in Augusta expecting to watch the Braves, but they have Dish Network, which dropped espn yesterday in a contract dispute. No Braves.

Watch the GT game? That was something. Talked about it yesterday am at JFBC walking in with Scott Condra. His youngest son is at GT. One obvious change was the change in kickers. Jude What's-His-Face was inconsistent all last year as well as this year. With Collins gone the change was made to Stewart, who delivered four field goals - like last week against UCF, the difference between winning and losing.

Later I saw David Hall. Also Clark Davie. And Margaret Dudley. Today I saw a rare black squirrel.

Sunday the Cardinals manager (still Mike Matheny?) took out Yadi, Wainwright, and Pujols at the same time, to let the fans show their appreciation. Tonight Pujols hit 703, if I'm not mistaken. He's hit 17 HR since August - more that the White Sox team HR leader has hit all year.

Four Winners

UGA, GT, Clemson, and the Braves all played at the same time Saturday night. They all won. Big Darnell Washington had a few receptions.

Clemson edged NC State. QB DJU remains hesitant.

Tech fired their coach, and suddenly figured out how to kick field goals. Up 19-7 with 4:40 remaining, they held on to win 26-21.

Braves beat Sherzer and DeGrom to take the division lead. 

Heisman winner / NIL millionaire Bryce Young was injured in Bama's win over Arkansas.

Booker T. Washington observed, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”

BOBBY THOMSON [SABR Bio] as an 18-year-old is said to have homered on the first pitch he saw with his new team in just his sixth professional baseball game. Thomson homered for the Class D 1942 Rocky Mount Rocks, located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He had debuted professionally 5 games earlier with the Bristol Twins in Bristol, Virginia. He is the only Glaswegian to play more than ten seasons in the majors, from Glasgow, Scotland where Thomson was born. Thomson once said, “Sometimes it’s like that ball never came down.” His 03-Oct-1951, home run ranked number one on The Sporting News’s “Greatest Baseball Moments”. The “Shot Heard ’Round The World” would forever, in his words, define his career and life.

WALTER JOHNSON  [SABR Bio] is the only pitcher whose career was entirely in the Modern Era, to hit more than 200 batters. He had 205 HBP. He was the first pitcher to strike out ten batters in a World Series game, twice: 1924 G 1 (12 K) and 1925 G1 (10 K). Johnson won league strikeout crowns for eight consecutive seasons, from 1912-1919 with 12 overall, seven of those leading the majors. Nolan Ryan came close with eleven.

Why They Call It the Swamp

People divided over political issues grieves me so. Brings out the worst in people. Today's media, social media, and the politicians themselves do more to divide than unite. What follows are some rambling thoughts about what's going on these days.

Would you rather have a candidate who speaks his mind, who is open and shares what he thinks (right or wrong), or a politician who answers direct questions with nonspeak, avoiding the question and instead pontificating on a different subject? Dealing in half truths and outright lies? Yes both parties are guilty. Do you watch the news? Are you listening to what's being said? Really? I hear people responding with talking points, and attacking instead of legitimately discussing. Do people think about the things they're saying and posting? I hate all this political crap. Just another way the media and social media drives us apart.

I've long been a fan of Herschel Walker. Greatest college football player ever. Gained more yards than any other pro football player. Competed against Olympians in track and bobsled. Bold Christian. Successful businessman. Overcame mental illness and shared his struggles in an effort to help others (should this be used against him by a political opponent? Cheap shot, if you ask me). The Republican Party asked Herschel to run to represent the citizens of Georgia in the US Senate. When you get right down to it, I wish he'd said no. He has opened himself to scrutiny and abuse, having his words and actions twisted. I do not agree with everything Herschel says and does, but if most people are honest, the same can be said about his opponent, the Reverend Rafael Warnock, and many other candidates.

The Braves accept an invitation to visit the White House in recognition of their World Championship season, and the White House and press corps use it as an opportunity to call for the Braves to change their name. How should politicians elected to represent the citizens of Georgia respond?

Walker was quick to take a stand against the Braves name change. He challenged Rev Warnock to do the same. Reverend Warnock's response: "I am aware that the Braves organization is having conversations with the Native American community. I trust them to work through that process and comes to a conclusion that makes sense."

Rev Warnock's statement on the Braves discussions with Indian groups is inaccurate. Several years ago the Braves formed an alliance with the Cherokee Indian nation, and since then have sponsored numerous events, like the recent baseball game in Truist Park. There have been no reported conversations about changing the name of the team. In fact the team's stance has been to keep the name. Meanwhile Walker may have opened up a rabbit hole by saying "I've asked some Native Americans, and they were okay with it." People are going to want details. 

Reverend Warnock's stance on abortion lines up with the prevailing opinion in the country today. His response was more political than preacher: "I have a profound reverence for life. And I also have a deep respect for choice." There are so many other issues besides abortion and the name of the baseball team. Unlike Rev Warnock's inflammatory advertisements, Herschel has not attacked Rev Warnock personally for Warnock's family issues or finance matters. While Reverend Warnock may be the better politician, I'm not convinced he is the best representative for the citizens of Georgia.

So many politicians say they're going to change things when they get to Washington, then spend their time in office working to stay elected. Politicians say they want to unite, but so many of their words and actions only divide. Campaign ads are filled with lies and slander, appealing to the lowest common denominator. Why would I want to vote for someone who acts like that? I see people picking candidates that are the least mean, rather than who will represent our state and country the best. Following the crowd instead of determining who is really the most qualified to run the country. Then attacking others for voicing opinions different than theirs.      

Perhaps I'm just as bad. I'm trying not to attack but present facts.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.foxnews.com/politics/georgia-senate-showdown-warnock-walker-disagree-whether-atlanta-braves-should-change-name__;!!AE29DT8V!Wt0iC88QsFEy2t-pu0GBQxCw-dViUTQIYr6nhOYp5Tn_uQiQvj8cy2QyxepORmHqEx_8Yr9eVWfgPn84v3Q$ 

I stumbled across an interesting hashtag: #agenda2030. Something to look into. Some may say this is the next Tea Party, the next Qanon. Are you sure?

Related: On Writing, from Elizabeth's The End Time Blog. Like Elizabeth, writing helps me sort out my thoughts and feelings.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://the-end-time.org/2022/09/28/on-writing-and-on-writing-for-the-lord/__;!!AE29DT8V!XQ_EU4yDqE5YvLKECgE8-2H-K7dzf2-JtiJCJy7UKjKlCWMQrQCbWVjoA0nHfqy4MIJQDAM_WoS9_jnY6oQ$ 

James 3:1 – Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.