April Bobbleheads & SGAs

Back by popular (?) demand, my humble list of bobblehead & other interesting major & minor league SGAs. A work in progress. What did I miss?

The April bobble of the month is a three way tie: Chris Sale Triple Crown, the Rome Schwellenbach, and the Angels Big A Millennium Falcon. Wow.

QUESTION: the Rome Schwellenbach is the first bobblehead for the young pitcher, right? Will that make it hold a high value should he fulfill his promise, kind of like a rookie baseball card? Discuss. Talk amongst yourselves.

Man isn’t it great that teams just give away all these bobbleheads, just for the price of a ticket? For most minor league teams trying to break even, bobbleheads are a loss leader. I try to remember that teams don’t have to give away anything, so I try to not complain when every SGA isn’t a never seen before talking race car triple bobble with real wheels and a motor. Sure the giveaway is an effort to attract fans who may normally not attend, but for us collectors, it’s a treasure (or a money-maker). For instance, this year the Braves have at least 45 promotions in 81 games, and they continue to add. #THANKFUL   

3.27 THU Predators Jelly Roll BH

3.28 FRI UGA t-shirts students only

3.29 SAT UGA Charlie Condon BH

3.30 SUN UGA Charlie Condon sherseys 

4.01 TUE SEA Julio Rodriguez BH

4.01 TUE SEA Woodstock BH special ticket

4.04 FRI WSH 20th anniversary rings

4.05 SAT WSH 2005 replica jerseys 

4.05 SAT Daytona Elly De La Cruz BH

4.05 SAT Rome blanket

4.06 SUN ATL deaf awareness spec tix

4.06 SUN ATL chris sale triple crown 3000 kids

4.07 MON BOS Jarren Duran ASG MVP BH 

4.08 TUE WSH Hello Kitty BH special ticket

4.08 TUE ATL los bravos cap spec tix

4.09 WED ATL chris sale cy young BH  15000

4.10 THU ATL hello kitty figure spec tix

4.11 FRI UGA throwback hats students only 

4.11 FRI Balt clear stadium bags

4.12 SAT Balt Cedric Mullins t-shirts

4.12 SAT CIN Elly De La Cruz switch hitter BH

4.12 SAT Inland Empire Angels hoodie

4.13 SUN UGA throwback sherseys 

4.13 SUN Balt Oriole bird plushie kids only

4.14 MON SD Padres aloha shirts 

4.17 THU Rich stadium figurine 

4.18 FRI Balt hockey jerseys 

4.19 SAT Balt Davis Rubenstein BH

4.19 SAT Rome Spencer Schwellenbach BH

4.19 SAT Gwinnett Chopper BH & rare Dave Murphy appearance

4.19 Angels Big A Millennium Falcon BH

419 SAT ATL girls night out cap spec tix

4.20 SUN ATL los bravos cap spec tix

4.20 SUN ATL mascot security t shirt 3000 kids

4.21 MON ATL los bravos cap spec tix 

4.22 TUE WSH James Wood BH

4.22 TUE ATL los bravos cap spec tix

4.22 TUE ATL Chipper Jones BH 15000

4.23 WED ATL los bravos cap spec tix 

4.23 WED WSH James Wood BH

4.24 THU UGA sherseys

4.25 FRI UGA beer bats students only

4.26 SAT UGA cowboy hats  

4.26 SAT WSH 20th anniversary hats

4.26 SAT Inland Empire Sugar Skull BH 

4.27 SUN WSH t-shirts kids only

4.27 SUN ATL Peachtree Street Festival

4.29 TUE Gwinnett Black Crackers XL shersey 500

Sermon Notes

Stephen Bonham JFBC

Romans 6:1-14, a blend of position and practice. Don't let what's already been paid for go to waste.

Know your position, rely on Gods power, and take your part seriously. We are surrounded by sin. Today people don't even believe in the concept of sin.

Jerry Bridges book Respectable Sins. So often we think about the sins of others, but not our own.

It's not that we should aim to live a sinless life. This is more of a call to take sin seriously.

1. as you sin, grace will abound. My position in Christ is one who has died, been buried, and now living a new life, justified, as part of the body of Christ.

v 3-4 we can be buried in baptism. At JF we talk about baptism a lot. Should this not be talked about a lot in a Baptist church? We emphasize baptism because it is a result of our position in Christ: dead to our former life, now living a new life in Christ.

Already 20 will be baptized on Easter Sunday. JFBC senior pastor Clay Smith was in attendance but did not preach.

Many don't like to watch scary movies. Vampires are dead but come back to life. Living in sin means we are constantly dying over and over again each time we sin. v 9-10 Being in Christ means never having to die again.

v 6-7 we old self is crucified with Christ, so our position is living a new life in Christ.

2. God's Spirit gives us the power to say no to sin - one of the all-inclusive benefits of living in Christ.

Romans 8:13-14 all who are being led by the Spirit of God...who is like an usher that shows you where your seat is. How reassuring to be led by the Spirit.

Things we can do: use unhurried time to spend time with God. Logan prays Lord, broaden my shoulders to withstand what's coming my way.

3. As I participate with God, my part matters. When I die I will become glorified, receiving our new heavenly body. Until then God sanctifies us, growing closer to God each day. He who became a good work in Christ will perfect it.

We play our part. Jesus is the main character. We seek to shine glory on him, by confessing our sins, being accountable, erecting guardrails against sin, seeking help when needed. God is concerned about our hearts. We need to do our part.

v 12-13 sin is not to reign in our bodies. Be mindful of how I spend my time. We talk about sin a lot. Jesus has something better for us.

25 in Sunday School.

What a Day of Rejoicing That Will Be

My job is like Newman’s – it never stops. It just keeps coming and coming. Why they call me the Assassin - they’re worried that I’ll come in and shoot up the place (for the record, I don’t own a gun). And then the SIOP requests get rejected, and…

I have been wondering about what my routine will be once I retire, should that day ever come. I want to sleep later into the morning, like until 7 or 8 instead of waking up at 530 am. I want to work out for an hour at the gym, and then get in the sauna for 30 minutes. Wondering if I want to walk / run to the gym. Not sure. I’ll want to have computer time, work on selling my bobbleheads and sneakers a little each day, and work on other projects around the house.

Not sure if my boss will want me to stay on as a “consultant” for 10-20 hours per week after retirement, like a few other retirees have done. The money will would be nice, but it would cut in to all the other things I’d like to do. Might be fun to try working at Truist Park, but working 70-75 nights might turn into a chore. We’ll see. Also sign up for mission trips. I’d like to go on a mission trip to NYC and Alaska, and maybe other spots in the US. Would be good to go see friends in India and Pakistan and Spain.

Play golf 2 or 3 times a week. I hate driving downtown during the week. Traffic bad even super early with all the dang high achievers speeding downtown at breakneck speed. Its not like they don’t see you up ahead of them, they drive fast until they’re right behind you, and then slam on their brakes and look to change lanes. Why not see the slower car ahead and change lanes earlier? So dumb. So perhaps I will continue to play early on Saturday mornings.

I used to think I’d like to take road trips when I retire, but with all the crazies out there, I’m not a big fan of driving any more. Used to think I’d like to visit other MLB ballparks, but that’s not as much a thing for me. I would like to see a Packers game in Lambeau Field.

For a while I was going to baseball games downtown and in Rome, Chattanooga, Gwinnett, Macon, and Augusta. I’ve pretty much gotten those out of my system. Might be fun to plan some “adventures” from time to time. The old Hot Stove guys will occasionally take trips for games, and it might b fun to tag along with them once or twice. They usually go to Birmingham, and to Thursday day games at Gwinnett and Rome. 

I want to dial back my phone use in retirement, as opposed to increasing it. I see some retired guys who spend all day on social media. I don’t need that to be me. Work on unsubscribing from junk emails. Ceil would want me to drive her places. Would finally have time to better manage out finances and bills and insurance, etc. Take Anna to lunch, and spend more time with Will and Matthew and the grand-girls.

I do want to try and write a book in retirement, about our 1975 state championship season. Would need to spend time talking to teammates and classmates. Would go game by game, plus have info on what they guys have done after high school. Sections on the marching band, plus the seasons before and after 1975. How I came to be a kicker. Memories of classes and teachers. Considering teaming up with noted Macon sportswriter Bill Shanks. He may be too busy to deal with a nobody like me, but it wouldn’t be too much work for him.   

Nothing is written in stone. I learned long ago to be flexible. Would be nice to go to Pawley’s Island more than once a year. And eat pizza, like we did last night.

Golfing Among the Azaleas

Thursday morning I lifted weights at the gym. This morning I drove down to Chandler Park to golf. I’m in the middle of “working out” 29 of 31 days. Should’ve left out earlier, then traffic on the downtown connector was heavier than usual. Didn’t tee off until 720 am. Beautiful sunrise. Hit several good shots.

1. Hit a regular ball off the tee (not a lightup ball). Felt good, but didn’t see where it went. Found it on the left side of the fairway. Good distance. Switched to lightup balls and hit the first of several wormburners. Got a good roll, but my subsequent chips were poor. Lag putts weren’t great. Double.

2. Pulled a 6 iron left. Chip hit a tree. Mulligan to fringe. Double.

3. Pulled two 8 irons left. Great chip up to the green. Three putt for another double.

4. After pulling so many shots left, I decided to concentrate. Hit a great 6 iron straight as an arrow. Good distance for a lightup ball, to the front fringe. Lag putts were just fair. Couldn’t sink a par putt.

5. Since I never hit the ball very far, when I play by myself I usually play from the front tees. On five I hit two great 6 irons past the hole, the mulligan further than the first, which had bounced left to the back right fringe. Poor lag putts. Bogey.

6. Hybrid tailed off right, and was knocked down by a tree branch. Would've carried further. Great 5 iron stayed straight. Hit three great wedges – all bounced off the back of the green. Hit a nice long putt to save a double bogey.

7. Not sure where my mulligan went. Hit a great 5 iron from the fairway, then hit 2 of 3 wedges onto the green (though none were pretty). Bogey.

8. Hit a pretty good drive. Then hit 3 of 4 wedges onto the green. Hit a great long lag putt to inches. “Par”.

9. Hybrid off the tee felt good, but I couldn’t find it. Greenskeeper yielded the green, but I almost hit him anyway. From the left rough I hit a great uphill chip up onto the green, with the greenskeeper watching – and then sank the bogey putt.   

Finished at 825 am. Noticed the azaleas were blooming, though it was a far cry from Augusta National.

Since I arrived late to work, I went out and grabbed a chicken sandwich at Wendys. Free Fry Friday. Shared with coworker Angie - so great will my reward be in heaven, right?

Well we aren’t going to SC this weekend. Found out at 815 last night. C has been on the go, so she cancelled the trip. OK by me. My all day long Zoom calls with guys shadowing me are over, so I’m trying to catch up on odds and ends at work today. It’s been a rough week for me and C, with her stressed from being so busy, and me tied up on those calls all week.

Tuesday the 25th was A&C’s second anniversary. Not sure how they celebrated.

Just learned former UGA QB Buck Belue’s father played baseball for my alma mater in Macon, the Lanier Poets.  The AM 680 sports talk radio station is broadcasting live today from Walkons Sports Bar out in West Cobb.

Denison: VP JD Vance is not a “yes” man. Full article here.

Opening Day

Opening day of the 2025 MLB season. Braves led, but the Padres got to the Braves bullpen, and won 7-4. 161 more to go.

Today was my last all day long Zoom call with Patrick, Bob, and Eric. Explained what I do, as I did it. Sure time consuming tools can be developed that would make my wife easier. I just don't have time to develop them. Too busy feeding the beast that is SAP.

DENNY NEAGLE [B-R Bio] collected his first MLB hit off Pedro Martinez, an inning after Pedro tripled off him, a single in the 5th on 22-May-1994. Martinez had tripled in the 4th. For soliciting & consorting with a prostitute, Neagle was released by the Rockies and his $51,000,000 contract, one of the largest at the time. Neagle was an All Star in 1995 with the Pirates, and in 1997 with the Braves. The 1997 CYA voting had him solidly in he bronze position, behind Pedro and Maddux.

TOMMY BYRNE [SABR Bio] is the only pitcher to walk 13 or more batters more than one. Byrne did it 3 X:  08-Jun-1949; 22-Aug-1951; 28-Aug-1951; In these games, Dom DiMaggio, Gil McDougald, and Don Kolloway walked four times in one game.  each in the games above. NYY'S Byrne hit MLN's Nippy Jones in the foot, prompting the "shoe-shine" HBP in the 10th inning of game 4 in the 1957 WS.

Back to the Burger Bar

Boss took our team to the Norcross Burger Bar for lunch. Very good.

On my call again today from 8 am – 1130 and 100-200 and from 3 pm – 555. I am talked out. Then straight to small group.

Small group tonite. Wait, I already said that.

Busy busy busy.

Luke 19:28-40 the triumphal entry.

28. After Jesus said these things, he went on ahead to Jerusalem. 29. When he drew near to Bethpage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. 30. Jesus told them “Go into the village and you will find a colt tied up, on which no one has yet to sit. Untie it and bring it here. 31. If anyone asks why, say The Lord has need of it. 32. They went and found the donkey just as Jesus had said. 33. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked Why are you untying the colt? 34. They said the Lord has need of it. 35. They brought the colt to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they sat Jesus on it. 36. As Jesus rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37. As he was drawing near, already on the way down from the Mount of Olives, the multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. 38. saying “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace be in heaven and glory in the highest! 39. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him “Teacher, rebuke your disciples”. 40. Jesus answered “I tell you, if they were silent, the very rocks would cry out”.

Luke 19:41-44 Jesus cries over Jerusalem

41. When Jesus drew near and saw the city, he wept over it. 42. saying “Would that you had known on this day the things that make for peace? But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, and surround you and hem you in on every side. 44. and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. They will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.

Pitchers who hit more than one career grand slam.

Pitcher / WAR 

Bumgarner 37.2 SFO 11-Apr-2014 off COL Jorge De La Rosa 

                            SFO 13-Jul-2014 off ARI Matt Stites

Byrne 11.0 SLB 18-Sep-1951(1) off WSN Sid Hudson 

                     CHW 15-May-1953 off NYY Ewell Blackwell

Cloninger 5.0 ATL 03-Jul-1966 off SFO Bob Priddy  

                       ATL 03-Jul-1966 off SFO Ray Sadecki

Gibson 89.1 STL 29-Sep-1965 off SFO Gaylord Perry  

                     STL 26-Jul-1973 off NYM John Strohmayer

Neagle 4.24 PIT 27-Jun-1995 off CHC Jim Bullinger     

                     COL 29-Sep-2001 off MIL Jimmy Haynes

Pascual 40.8 WSH 14-Aug-1960 off NYY Bob Turley     

                      MIN 27-Apr-1965 off CLE Stan Williams

Rowe 42.5 PHA 22-Jul-1939(2) off DET Nels Potter   

                  PHI 02-May-1932(2) off BSN Al Javery

Trout 49.9 DET 28-Jul-1949 off WSN Al Gettel           

                  DET 23-Jun-1950 off NYY Tommy Byrne

Wise 36.3 PHI 28-AUG 1971(2) off SFO Don McMahon

                 STL 21-Aug-1973 off ATL Roric Harrison

Worth noting: (1) One each of Byrne’s and Rowe’s were hit when they were pinch-hitting and not pitching in that game. (2) The only HOF on the list hit one of his off an HOF. (3) Byrne both hit one and surrendered one. (4) All but Rowe’s took place after WII. (5) Rowe changed leagues but not cities

Looks at Books

Currently reading the novel "The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, by Helen Simonson. Set in postwar England. Someone in my reading club read it, I added it to my list, and it finally popped up. Getting better as I go along.

Monday I worked until 6 pm. We went to Moxie Burger for supper, so it was 8 pm before I was able to plop on the couch. Then I had to make some calls about our taxes. Not much rest for the weary.

Up early to lift weights at the gym. Then back on the teams call from 8 am – 245 pm. Hopefully this is helpful. Along the way they are teaching this old dog a few new tricks. 

Supper tonight: grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, and steamed broccoli.

JIMMIE FOXX [SABR Bio] was the first to hit pinch-hit grand slams in both leagues…for PHA in the 7th off DET’s Tommy Bridges on 21-Sep-1931 pinch-hitting for catcher Joe Palmisano. Fourteen years later, for PHI in the 8th off STL’s Ken Burkhart on 18-May-1945 pinch-hitting for pitcher Andy Karl. Foxx led the majors in home runs four times and led his league in strikeouts seven times. Led MLB in HR 1932 (58); 1933 (48); 1935 (36); & 1939 (35). Led AL in Ks in 1929 (70); 1930 (66); 1931 (84); 1933 (93); 1935 (99); 1936 (119); 1941 (103). He has the fifth-highest WAR for any player born in the state of Maryland: (1) Babe Ruth 162.2, (2) Lefty Gove 113.2, (3) Cal Ripken 95.9, (4) Al Kaline 92.7, (5) Foxx 92.2. 

Braves open the day after tomorrow. This could be the year. Mookie has a mysterious illness, and has lost 25+ pounds in the past few weeks.

The one complaint Jack Nicklaus had about Augusta National: the sand.

Denison: 10,000 UK teenagers gathered at Wembley Arena for a day of worship. Among the speakers was Bear Grylls, who shared his journey to faith. Bible sales are booming in the UK, what one commentator calls a “broader cultural change pointing to an awakening in society.” Bible sales are up 22 percent in the US as well. Vanity Fair tells us Christianity is the “new religion” of Silicon Valley. The New York Times agrees.

Denison: China’s deep-sea cable cutter that “could reset the world order.” The device is capable of severing the world’s most fortified underwater communication or power lines, which could disrupt billions. The US military relies heavily on these undersea data flows. Some call the undersea conflict the “soft underbelly of American power.”

Denison: R. R. Reno is an American theologian and editor of First Things (a resource Denison highly recommends). His latest article is titled “The Return of Strong Religion.” It begins: “The wind has shifted. People want hard religion, not easy. They seek out communities that are demanding rather than permissive. They want truth-based theologies, not outlooks softened with talk of “meaning” and “dialogue.” Dialogue, a buzzword for the Baby Boomers, is out. Emphasis falls on conviction and commitment.”  Baby Boomers came of age when clergy sought “relevance” and churches tried to make the faith more “contemporary.” But “at present, young people find such accommodations disappointing.” 

Question of the day: with the Sweet 16 this week, who's your favorite 16? My answer: