Hot Stove: Amazing Stories

Hot Stove met several weeks ago, and four hearty men braved the elements to attend (plus me). No special speaker, but as usual several special stories were shared. Tom Curren is a regular attender, usually sharing heartfelt stories. He's looking forward to taking his young grandson to ballgames. Tom told several matter of fact, run of the mill stories that were in fact amazing.

In 1956 Tom was in 10th grade in Chestatee High in Baltimore. One day One of Tom's teammates was Edward Malloy, who went on to become president of Notre Dame. Malloy told Tom that the principal was letting the boys stay after lunch to watch the World Series. That's how Tom got to see Don Larsen's perfect game. Back then Tom and his friends "all wanted to be like Jackie" Robinson. Tom may have gone to school with Art Garfunkel.

Tom was in 6th grade and on the school patrol, but when he abandoned his post to walk his girlfriend the last two blocks to school the nun kicked him off. Later the school patrol got to attend a Washington Senators game at Griffith Park. The Yankees were playing that afternoon, and Mickey mantle hit a ball that cleared the flagpole – the longest home run ever hit. And Tom missed it.

Other Hot Stove notes

Johnny Tallant wore a Florida White Sox cap from the 1980's, when the ChiSox almost left the windy city. 

Johnny's granddaughter Ruth made the West Forsyth JV team as a kicker. Like the girl and Vanderbilt, several varsity kickers ahead of Ruth got sick, and she may have a chance to kick for the varsity.

When Johnny was in the hospital he won the "Neapolitan Challenge" by coercing the nurse to give him chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream all in one day. 

The Hudson Grille in Sandy Springs closed. 

Damon Berryhill is no longer the manager of the Gwinnett Stripers. Like many teams, the Braves are going with younger coaches, like Manny T in Rome. 

Several Forsyth County players made the roster at the alternate training camps, including Dakota Chalmers and Bier. 

Hugh Tinsley's wife passed away.

How Augusta National's Par-3 Course became a little piece of perfection

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__golf.com_news_features_augusta-2Dnational-2Dmasters-2Dpar-2D3-2Dcourse-2Dperfection_-3Futm-5Fcampaign-3Dforecast&d=DwIFAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=c6wt8qK1dG-6PW1tKCEv80olW2MGVU8Jzwyla69ClJc&s=eSd-7jg4JsTgjCyPi4VPL5-Xwtk9jVgH1tXEifVUZGM&e= 

TREVOR BAUER [B-R Bio] one-time Arizona Diamondback was the first ever Cincinnati Reds pitcher to win the National League Cy Young Award - CYA 2020; Debuted and played 1 year for ARI in 2012. All the games he completed that year were shutouts, with both stats leading the majors: 2 CG; 2 SHO in 2020 Playing at UCLA, he followed in the footsteps of Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey. Won the Golden Spikes Award in 2011. Lincecum (2006) and Posey (2008) were previous winners. 

Hall of Famers who played on more than seven major league teams.

Player…No. of Teams…WAR

Henderson...9................ 111.2

Perry............8.................. 93.0

Brouthers...11.................. 79.8

O'Rourke.... 8.................. 52.1

Wilhelm...... 9.................. 49.7

White.......... 9.................. 45.7

Gossage..... 9.................. 41.6

Smith.......... 8.................. 29.3