Two Down

Came home Friday night and turned on the Braves. I was reading about Christian Yelich’s injury when Johan Carmago (who’d slugged a home run the night before) fouled a ball off his chin just like Yelich, cracking the bone. Not sure if he’ll be back for any of the playoffs. Tough loss – Camargo has been hot, he switch-hits, and can play every infield position plus the two corner outfield spots.

 

Saturday afternoon I received a notification on my phone that Charlie Culbertson had been carried off from the 4 pm game, but it took me awhile to grasp what happened. Tie game: one all. Charlie squared to bunt. The 93 MPH fastball bore in on Culbertson. As the pitch approached, Charlie forgot all about bunting and went into survivor mode. The ball hit him in the face, and Culbertson went down in pain, bleeding and writhing. As the Braves staff attended to Charlie and as a cart was summoned, Nationals manager Dave Martinez asked the umpires if Culbertson had offered at the bench – i.e. attempted to get the bat on the ball. With the Nats fighting for a playoff spot, the team that pays Martinez hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, it was Martinez’ job to ask the question. It was the umpire’s job to make the call. They blew it.

 

The plate umpire deferred to the first base umpire. Common sense would make it apparent that as the pitch closed in, Culbertson was doing nothing but trying not to get hit. Will Charlie say he froze? The bat was not moving forward or toward the ball. If anything the bat moved backward. But inexplicably the first base umpire ruled that Culbertson had indeed offered at the pitch. Instead of a hit by pitch, runner on first, the pitch that nearly killed Charlie Culbertson was called a strike.

 

Braves manager Brian Snitker raced out to argue the call. The umpires wouldn’t have it. Instead they threw Snitker out of the game. Speaking of Charlie after the game, Snit was in tears. He had to stop to compose himself. Other Braves had only good things to say about Charlie. Folty lauded Culbertson’s example as a father, noting that Sunday was the birthday for one of Charlie’s three kids. Culbertson had ridden off the field in the cart, sitting up instead of laying down. As the crowd gave him a standing ovation, Charlie had given the thumbs’ up gesture. After the game the Braves wanted to go to the hospital to visit. But Culbertson had been allowed to leave the hospital and sleep in his hotel. On Sunday he was allowed to fly home for further examination. Broken cheekbone. Out of the playoffs.

 

Charlie “Clutch” was even more versatile than Camargo: he can play the same six spots AND served as the emergency catcher and pitcher. With Culbertson and Camargo out the only middle infield backup for the playoffs is the weak-hitting shortstop whose name I hadn’t bothered to learn: Adeiny Hechavarria. With Matt Joyce starting, the once-strong bench is completely depleted: hitting defensive replacement Billy Hamilton, Tyler Flowers, Ender Inciarte, young Austin Riley, Rafael Ortega, and third-catcher Francisco Cervelli – weak hitters all. Only Gwinnett Stripers MVP Adam Duvall poses as a threat.

Decent weekend. Thursday night was our anniversary, so we back to King+Duke. Last time it was dark because it was November later in the evening. With rush hour from the house I took Johnson Ferry across the river to Sandy Springs, then Lake Forrest past Chastain Park to Roswell Road to Buckhead. With just the two of us we were seated at a smaller table, but it was fine. Our menus were stamped HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. No salmon and C wasn’t sure about the Alaskan Halibut so she ordered the half chicken (which was really a whole chicken). I ordered the burger, which again was tremendous. Fries were good too, better than the new potatoes Ceil had ordered. We also split an appetizer salad.

 

Friday night Ceil needed to go to Perimeter Mall. Also Costco, so we both got the all-beef hot dog and soda for $1.50 each at the Costco snack bar. Ceil even got Mountain Dew. We visited Anna at the mall.

Saturday morning small group. Then I mailed a bobblehead, ran to Office Depot, ate lunch, met a guy who bought a bobblehead, did the dishes, watched GA/ARKST and GT/Citadel. Later SC/AL came on but I put together my new mower. It cranked on its first try. Cut the grass and blew the drive. Then supper: BBQ pork loin with homemade sauce, and jalapeno cole slaw – all in a burrito. Watched Clemson/Syracuse.

 

The day before the East Cobb Fall Parade ended at JFBC, where a carnival was set up in the parking lot. The new pastor and his family were there. Since the parade involves the entire community, including several high school marching bands, this carnival better reached out than the community than the well-attended Labor Day Carnival or Fall Festival formerly held on Halloween weekend.          

 

Sunday School and Worship. In between while waiting on Ceil the new pastor Clay Smith came down the hall, making eye contact, smiling, saying hello, stopping to speak with folk. Not long afterward his wife came through doing the same thing. Clay had on his microphone headed to the gym, where the 11:15 service is held. But when it came time for preaching it was a tape of him preaching the 9 am service. Perhaps his voice had given out. I can understand why this may be done (Andy Stanley and Louie Giglio sometimes do the same thing). But on his third time preaching? Good sermon though. I took notes.

 

After lunch (tossed salad, rice, chicken in a sauce) we cleaned up. Braves were on, but I took a nap. Anna had attended Grace Midtown, then drove to Lawrenceville to meet Christian.

At 4:45 pm we drove over to Roswell for Molly & Cole’s wedding at Primrose Cottage. Very nice. About 120 guests from what I could tell. Ceil broke my rule, snapping a few photos during the ceremony, though others did as well. Caught up with several folk we hadn’t seen in a while. Sit down dinner at the reception in the same room where Charles Norman had his. Roast beef, breaded chicken, noodles, salad, wedding cake, and a chocolate groom’s cake. Got home at 9 pm.

Monday was going okay. Had everything set up to celebrate my boss’s birthday, then he had a flat tire. His 60’s aren’t starting well. Took a guy from Minnesota on a plant tour, then spent 22 minutes on a call with Texas. All that talking wore out my voice.  

 

LDS players who played in the LDS (League Division Series)…

Roy Halladay: 5th to win the Cy Young in both leagues.

Dennis Eckersley surrendered the HR that ended his team’s dynasty.

Bryce Harper once walked 6 times & HBP in one game.

Jeff Kent hit most HR for a 2nd-baseman. 

Jacoby Ellsbury was 1st native Navajo Indian to reach majors.

Rick Aguilera: 1st pitcher to pinch hit in World Series since Drysdale.  

Wally Joyner played at BYU with Rick Aguilera & Cory Snyder.  

Shawn Estes won more games than any other BRTL pitcher.

John Buck tied Bench for most HR hit in April.

Not Vern Law, Harmon Killebrew, or Dale Murphy.