Rogers Hornsby & the Horses

Hot Stove story: Rogers Hornsby loved to bet the horses. Before games he would stop in to talk to the pharmacist across the street from Wrigley Field, asking which trainers from the nearby horse track had come in lately. That’s how Hornsby knew which horses were in bad shape, and didn’t bet on them.   

ROGERS HORNSBY  [SABR Bio] has the highest career batting average among National League players. His career average of .358 trails only Ty Cobb’s. Hornsby was the only player elected to the Hall of Fame between 1940 and 1944 - HOF 1942. He was the first position player to win a second MVP - MVPs in 1925 w/STL & in 1929 w/CHC.  

C went to the grocery late yesterday to pick up stuff for Thanksgiving. She cooked hamburgers with onions, broccoli, baked potato, and tossed salad. Rusty and his family stopped by. Watched a rerun of The Weakest Link.

Up early this AM to work. Plenty to do today. At some point this weekend I’m supposed to run the virtual Peachtree Road Race. Working out details with Will. 

Had an idea for a great 2020 Christmas card. Even Anna liked it. We’re working to get it made up. Gotta write my Christmas letter at some point.

Denison: “if we choose to be an optimist, studies show that we are likely to live better and longer. Researchers have discovered direct links between optimism and better cardiac health, a stronger immune system, better lung function, mindfulness, compassion, kindness, and having a strong sense of purpose in life. Now a new study reports men and women with the highest levels of optimism had an 11-15% longer lifespan on average than those who practiced little positive thinking. The highest-scoring optimists also had the greatest odds of living to the age of 85 and beyond. So, how can we be more optimistic? Psychologists encourage us to imagine our best possible self, keep a journal of positives, take a few minutes to practice gratitude, and bring to mind people who have helped us. I'd like to suggest an additional approach that is especially relevant for this Thanksgiving week. Writing for Christianity Today, pastor Jay Y. Kim notes Christian hope is based not on us but on God. More specifically, on what God has done and on what he will do.”