Don't Let the Turkeys Get You Down

Saw a flock of wild turkeys across the street yesterday.

Sammy Baugh played a season of profession baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. While in the American Association, Baugh played against a young Ted Williams.

Above: interesting facemask on Jim Tyrer.Below: Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry in 1959

Above: the Cleveland Browns announced that for their 75th anniversary they'll be wearing throwback uniforms for at least one game. Not sure which throwback it will be. Could be white helmets and shadow drop numbers.Below: last week Hank Aaron visited the site of his 715th home run one last time.

Above: Hank Aaron in the winter leagues.Below: I'm not sure who the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner will be, but I'm pretty sure it won't be Sam Howell. Should Georgia win their season opener against Clemson, JT Daniels could become the frontrunner.

Above: never releazed the bolts on the Chargers jerseys ran both forward and backward.Below: why didn't Pressley Harvin punt in the Senior Bowl?

2021 Football Schedules

This week the SEC and ACC announced their 2021 football schedules, which are always fun to put on the calendar. Let’s hope all the games will be able to be played, with fans in the stands. The season opener in Charlotte should be the toughest game of the season for both the Dawgs and Tigers. Georgia returns all their skill position players on offense. Clemson must replace both QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne.

For the first time in many years ESPN did not bestow a Thursday or Friday night home game to Georgia Tech, surely due to the Jackets’ lackluster performances of late. Perhaps they’ll land a Saturday night game on the ACC Network.  

9.04 UGA @ Clemson in Charlotte

9.04 Northern Illinois @ GT

9.11 Kennesaw State @ GT

9.11 SC State @ Clemson

9.11 UAB @ UGA

9.18 GT @ Clemson

9.18 South Carolina @ UGA

9.25 Clemson @ NC State

9.25 UNC @ GT

9.25 UGA @ Vandy

10.02 Boston College @ Clemson

10.02 Pittsburgh @ GT

10.02 Arkansas @ UGA

10.09 GT @ Duke

10.09 Arkansas @ UGA

10.15 Clemson @ Syracuse

10.16 Kentucky @ UGA

10.23 Clemson @ Pittsburgh

10.23 GT @ Virginia

10.30 FSU @ Clemson

10.30 Virginia Tech @ GT

10.30 UGA @ Florida

11.06 Clemson @ Louisville

11.06 GT @ Miami

11.06 Missouri @ UGA

11.13 UConn @ Clemson

11.13 Boston College @ GT

11.13 UGA @ Tennessee

11.20 Wake Forest @  Clemson

11.20 GT @ Notre Dame

11.20 CSU @ UGA

11.27 Clemson @ South Carolina

11.27 UGA @ GT

12.04 ACC & SEC Championship Games

I've been collecting several interesting pictures of Pete Maravich. I'd forgotten he'd worn the original light blue Atlanta Hawks uniform.

Socrates Says

Socrates said “The secret of change is not built on fighting the old, but building the new.” Mentioned in our monthly sales meeting today. Our country could stand to listen to this advice right now. Unfortunately, those fighting for power think they know what’s best.

Denison: These are challenging days for the gospel. Pastor Francis Chan and his family have been forced to leave Hong Kong after Chinese authorities rejected their visas. A German ministry founded in 1972 that places Bible verses on public advertising is facing opposition from those who want “more neutrality in the worldviews” of organizations that buy advertising space. No other religious group or worldview is facing such restrictions. The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ activism group, is urging the Biden administration to require that faith-based schools adopt its positions or lose their accreditation. As I noted yesterday, the so-called Equality Act poses an unprecedented danger to religious freedom for evangelical Christians in America. 

Left out early Thursday afternoon. Drove thru Chickfila to get C lunch. I had made myself turkey quesadillas for my lunch back at the house. Speaking of CFA, allegedly there is a CFA inside a Kroger a few miles west of the Marietta Square.

I was thinking C was wanting to stop at her favorite store in Augusta, so I didn’t get gas until we made it there. Was running low. Gassed up for $2.299 on Washington Road, where usually gas is cheaper. Then we had to go to Costco, where gas was $2.069. Oh well. At Costco I grabbed a hot dog and Mtn Dew.

Picked up C supper from The Golden Nugget, one of two restaurants in town. Seafood. I ate a few of her hushpuppies, which were delicious. Watched Jeopardy and a Hallmark movie, See Jane Date.

Ceil’s mom gets her vaccine tomorrow. Today C took her to the doctor.

Duke Snider, in 1952 & 1955, is the only player to twice hit four home runs in a World Series.

WALTER JOHNSON [SABR Bio] his reputation for “gentlemanly conduct” is belied by the fact that he hit more than 200 batters in his career. Johnson hit 205 batters, a total exceed only by three pitchers whose careers began in the 1800s: Gus Weyhing (277), Chick Fraser (219), and Pink Hawley (210). At age 35, he led the league in strikeouts and batters hit. In 1923, led AL with 130 strikeouts and led the majors with 20 HBP. One run was frequently enough to win the game when he pitched. Johnson holds the record for wins (38) and losses (26) by a score of 1-0.

MAX SCHERZER [B-R Bio] string of seven consecutive top-five finishes in Cy Young Award voting ended in 2020. From 2013-2019, he finished 1^st, 5^th, 5^th, 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd. He recently ended of string of ten consecutive years with 30 or more starts. Had 30+ GS 2009-2018, leading the league in that category with 33 in 2015 & 34 in 2016. He is the sixth pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay, and Scherzer have won the award in each league.

R.I.P. Don Sutton

Former Braves broadcaster Don Sutton passed away earlier this week (from cancer, not covid). I loved him as an announcer, his knowledge of baseball and pitching, coupled with homespun stories and his obvious love of fan interaction. I was fortunate enough to meet Don on January 27, 2018 at the Braves ChopFest.

What follows is the SABR tribute.

https://tomahawktake.com/2021/01/19/atlanta-braves-remembering-don-sutton/

DON SUTTON  [SABR Bio] has more career victories (233), shutouts (52), games stated (533), strikeouts (2697), innings pitched, and batters faced (15567) than any other pitcher in Los Angeles Dodger history. These records hold for all Dodger history going back to Brooklyn, beginning in 1884. He is the only pitcher to start thirty games in a season twenty times. He had two additional seasons with 27 & 29 GS. He was also the first pitcher to strike out 100 batters in 20 consecutive seasons, in each of his 1st 21 seasons (1966-1986) and then 99 in 1987.

He was the first pitcher to earn 300 wins while only winning twenty games in a season once. Had a career record of 324-256 and won 21 games in 1976 for LAD. He famously surrendered the first of Fergie Jenkins’ thirteen home runs in the majors, on 23-Apr-1966. Sutton also surrendered the first of Nolan Ryan’s and half of Ryan’s career total. Ryan HR 12-Apr-1980. Ryan hit one more, seven years later. Don is the only player for whom the Dodgers have retired a uniform number who did not play in Brooklyn. Number 20 was retired 14-Jul-1998. His only Dodger connection during childhood was his mother, whose favorite player was Duke Snider.

Sutton was a broadcaster for major league postseason games even before his playing career finished. Sutton started his broadcasting career in 1987 working the League Championship Series for NBC before his 1988 retirement. He then split his time in 1989 between the Dodgers Z Channel and the Braves. He then joined the well-known broadcast team of Van Wieren, Skip Caray & Ernie Johnson, Sr. spending 18 years with Atlanta, calling the action on TBS.

His strikeout total of 209 was the most by a National League rookie since Grover Cleveland Alexander. Sutton had 206 K in his rookie year, 1966. Alexander had 227 K in 1911. Sutton rooted for the Yankees as a boy and was the All-Star Game MVP when it was held in Yankee Stadium.in 1977, his fourth and final ASG. His 1,000th career strikeout victim was Willie Mays, on 27-May-1971. 

Sutton holds the major league record for career at-bats by a pitcher without a home run - 1,354 AB. He holds an unusual MLB record for pitching the most games of at least nine innings where he received no decision - 17 games of nine innings or more without a decision in any of those games.

I had two Sutton bobbleheads. Sold the LA bobble, but still have the Brewers mini bobble.

He's No Damon

Remember Damon Bailey? Bobby Knight’s favorite recruit. Knight saw him play as a 8th grader and offered him a scholarship. Then Knight went back to Bloomington and berated his players in practice, saying they weren’t as good as Damon. I got to be a joke with the Indiana players: “Yeah, but he’s no Damon.” Bailey did go on to play for Knight at Indiana, and was an All-American. Now Damon's son is a small college prospect, a tough Matt Harpring type. 

NCAA basketball: Indiana and Keith Smart and Alford beat Syracuse in 1987. I had traveled to Sidney Ohio to teach people about Mr. Suggs’ old company, which he had sold to the people in Ohio. A few years later when Villanova upset Georgetown, I was spending that night at a homeless shelter at Morningside Baptist Church with fellow deacon David Deeter.

Before joining the Redskins, after TCU Sammy Baugh played in a semi-pro baseball tournament against a team of Negro League all-stars, including Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. Trying to stretch a single into a triple, Cool Papa Bell slid into to third base and spiked future major leaguer Sammy West. A fight ensued, and the tournament was cancelled. Baugh did manage to get one hit off Paige. 

Tuesday night Anna was up for a burger. I looked back at the list of top burgers in Atlanta. She suggested Grindhouse on Piedmont, but for some reason they’re closed on Tuesdays.

We decided on Bocado at Howell Mill & 8th. Fancy place. Excellent burger and fries. When we arrived at 6:25 we were the only diners in the place. A few more arrived, but there was plenty of spacing. Too bad I didn't take a good photo.

Matthew ate with W&MC. Steak. Later Will pierced both MC’s and Anna’s ears.

I bought another pair of sneakers. Got the senior discount. Another grey pair. Lots of cushioning for a pair of Nikes. Nike Epic React Flyknit Gunsmoke Crimson Dark Green Wolf Grey. That’s a mouthful.

Back home C was working on an art project. I turned on the Aaron memorial service so she could watch. So good to hear the former players talk about looking up to Hank.

Man that was terrible about Sekou Smith dying from Covid. 48 years old. We gotta be careful. I could’ve scored free tickets to the January 11 Hawks game at State Farm Arena, but with covid and the national championship football game (and my small group meeting) – I didn’t bother.

 

Q. Which was the first team in the Modern Era to win 100 games but not go to the World Series?

A: 1904 Giants had no postseason because their manager, John McGraw, after winning 106 games, declared any AL representative an inferior opponent and so refused to play a World Series.

 

Q. Which four players played 3,000 games for a major league franchise?

A. Carl Yastrzemski (3,308 for BOS); Hank Aaron (3,076 for MLN + ATL); Stan Musial (3,026 for STL); and Cal Ripken (3,001 for BAL)

 

Q: Name the original New York Mets who were also with the team in its first championship season of 1969.

A. Ed Kranepool, Al Jackson, Gil Hodges, Joe Pignatano  

 

Q: Who were the only batters with 200 hits in the year of the pitcher, 1968?

A. Felipe Alou and Pete Rose each had 210 hits.

 

Article: things that make you sound naïve. Here’s what you should do & say instead. When you make mistakes like these, don’t expect people to be lining up to be your friend.

1. “I’m so busy.” Everyone is busy. Respect other people’s time. Get to the point, say what you have to say, then move on.

2. “I don’t know how to do that.” Don’t think that you’re supposed to know how to do everything. That’s not your job. There are ways to learn new things. Ask someone who does know. Delegate the task to someone whose job it is to do that.

3. “I could be wrong, but…” Instead just share your idea without qualification.

4. Talking too much. The more you say, email, or text, the harder it is for others to understand you. Make one point, then make sure the person understands before moving on to something else. Make sure what you have to say is relevant. Don’t repeat something you’ve already said.

5. Unclear communication. If you want an answer or feedback, make sure what you’re asking is easy to understand. Before sending an email or text, read over it to make sure it is clear and understandable. Only make one point per paragraph or text. Keep sentences short. Start a new sentence instead of using “and” or “but”. Skip a line between subjects/paragraphs.

6. Making unreasonable demands. Is what you’re asking for really necessary? Remember Jesus’ Golden Rule.

https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/3-phrases-that-are-making-you-sound-naive-and-what-to-say-instead?ltm=pUjxc6wO9FqIEbFVrAcv9oWx0HVcrp6FMXwUiNsrbiPzrVnNdf8trxHuoYip6FOa&subscriber_type=member&utm_content=dnl-2021-1-23&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter&utm_source=member&utm_medium=email

The Atlanta Hammers?

Just because there’s been a smattering of social media posts calling for the Braves to change their name to the Hammers, don’t think it will happen. It’s just two different people are selling t-shirts, fighting over who had the idea first.

I’ll tell you who had the idea first – me. Back in the 80’s and 90’s I was one of the creative geniuses who came up with the Camp SPdL team names (along with Don and Lang and Rich Morris). Shovels. Rakes. Hammers. Hedge Clippers. Lima Beans. Mexican Jumping Beans. Laredo’s, Cherokees, Wranglers, Roswell Roadsters. Peachtree Battlers. Downtown Connectors. Buford Highway Patrol. I guess some aren’t politically correct any more.

I am all for honoring Aaron – but to rename the team the Hammers? I'm not so sure. I can think of several better names. Like one of those old Camp SPdL team names. Or maybe the Braves.

A great idea would be to wear the 1974 feather uniforms all year, or at least every weekend home and away. But since the team needs to sell more jerseys to pay for all those free agents the fans think they need, Wearing the throwbacks would be a great way to distance themselves from the tomahawk, if the team is so inclined.

This weekend’s Senior Bowl, based in Aaron’s hometown of Mobile AL, will honor Hank by wearing jersey patches. The Falcons, Hawks, and Jackets will retire Hank’s 44 for the 2021 season. The Dream has a star player they’re trying to resign, who wears 44.

With Aaron and Niekro gone, Dale Murphy and Chipper are now the face of the Braves. Chipper is perfect for Braves Country, with his good ole boy mannerisms and perfect Southern way of talking. Glavine is too stoic, and Smoltz too much of a national figure. One day Freddie Freeman will join them. We might start seeing more of Marquis Grissom, since he is so active in the community. Perhaps McCann and Francoeur.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__apnews.com_c0fada6b4b79ffcf07c0cb052e487ad4&d=DwICAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=n9IedLcx-rd9S6ARBfRAl9-w-0h5j-F-i5Z8Lm7SxwY&s=8R6og7b70A0nx1dO5MAe83TaotexuABknMYIntWkLmw&e=

Hank Aaron and his brother, Tommie, combined for 768 homers. The most by any brothers in baseball. More than the Alou’s. More than the DiMaggio’s.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__usat.ly_1gEIpm6&d=DwIFAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=YHeVbP7JXZ6hjxQfVxZDVTUr4NgzASdDc8eMH2Nh3jk&s=Avec3TTu88RdsOX4tp6-Brtzs081fH7szM04hhpAo4w&e=

Hank took rookies Dusty Baker and Ralph Garr under his wing. It’s one of the reasons Baker signed with the Braves instead of going to college. Dusty and the Roadrunner were roommates back then.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.mlb.com_news_dusty-2Dbaker-2Dhank-2Daaron-2Dmentor&d=DwICAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=42YMRfC7rREyXZGYF3QkTAISt9PVKTu7SPAAJI-LfpA&s=mkyTa0tD6wLbIoEcPcxwcZSPuYbNfA2AL5QmAS7YAnc&e= 

_{A private memorial service for Aaron was held at Truist Park today, live streamed on AJC.com. Speakers included McGuirk, Manfred, Glavine, Smoltz, Snitker, Freeman, Dusty, Murphy, Grissom, and Chipper. At the end tenor Timothy Miller sang Amazing Grace. You can watch here.}

https://www.youtube.com/braves?partnerId=zh-20210126-278481-ATL&bt_ee=In%2FpLsPTYPJXCO5Q9CQjE%2BFc0JTbGwnkyDVFD5jpbKQqbb2dp%2FRzMYP5U6X%2BDSXX&bt_ts=1611675053015

_{Private funeral tomorrow at Friendship Baptist Church, down near Mercedes Benz Stadium. Bill Clinton and Bud Selig expected to attend.}

_{https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/honoring-hank-aaron-funeral-arrangements-set/VPZ7XJ64HRFBJFBRKD73FGNPLI/}

_{Great Aaron article by Lang, recounting the time he met the Home Run King. Don Head got to meet him as well. I’ve met several Braves both past and present, but never Aaron.}

_{https://www.grindcitymedia.com/2021/01/25/langs-world-saying-farewell-to-henry-aaron-who-changed-baseball-and-the-south-210125/}

_{Uni Watch focused on Aaron yesterday. Interesting tidbits.} 

_{https://uni-watch.com/2021/01/25/a-uni-watch-look-at-hammerin-hank/}

TERRY MULHOLLAND  [B-R Bio] one-time Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher had three separate stints with the San Francisco Giants. Pitched in 22 games for PIT in 2001. Played for SFG in 1986 88, 89 and again in 1995 and finally in 1997. He once earned an assist by throwing his glove to first base. On 03-Sep-1986, in the bottom of the 3rd, when NYM’s Keith Hernandez led off with a grounder to the pitcher, the ball got stuck in the webbing of his glove. Mulholland threw his glove with the ball in it, to first-baseman Bob Brenly who caught both for the putout. Orlando Hernandez (1999) & Darryl Kile (2001) have also been recorded making almost the same play. 

Mulholland has recorded at least one pitching victory against every existing major league team. Since 1998 when MLB grew to 30 teams, Mulholland and 18 others pitchers have beaten each one.  Mulholland’s favorites to face were WSN (17-5, 3.11 ERA) and LAD (9-7, 2.25 ERA). In his twenty seasons in the majors, he made the All-Star team just once, but he made it as the starting pitcher. Named starting pitcher to the 1993 ASG by ATL manager Bobby Cox. He pitched two innings, surrendering a solo HR by Kirby Puckett.

Article: things to do after 6 pm that will enrich your life.

1. Read for pleasure.

2. Pursue your favorite passion: writing, art, cooking, learning a new language or skill.

3. Learn more about a topic you are interested about.

4. Take a course in a completely different domain. Mainly online college courses are free, especially for those 62 and older. Try Yale’s The Science of Well Being.

5. Pick up an unusual artistic hobby. Painting. Photography. Music.

6. Build more authentic and deeper relationships.

7. Exercise. Beats watching TV.

8. Get plenty of sleep.

https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/6-better-things-to-do-after-6-p-m-thatll-enrich-your-life?ltm=pUjxc6wO9FqIEbFVrAcv9oWx0HVcrp6FMXwUiNsrbiPzrVnNdf8trxHuoYip6FOa&subscriber_type=member&utm_content=dnl-2021-1-23&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter&utm_source=member&utm_medium=email

_{Stopped by Wendy’s on the way to small group. Good session on John 10:22-41. We think we have it bad. Jesus was constantly being harassed by the Pharisees and other Jews, who were more inclined to believe the fake news of the Pharisees than believe that Jesus was the son of God. The Pharisees wanted to keep their power, which was threatened by Jesus. The more things change, the more they stay the same.}

Were you awakened at 2 am by the storm sirens? We were. Ceil went downstairs but didn’t turn on the TV. I stayed in bed because there was zero wind, zero rain. Finally I went downstairs and turned on Glenn Burns. None of the other channels had broken into regular programming. The storm was headed right toward us, then Burns said the tornado warning was cancelled, and they went back to Kelly & Ryan talking about Hank Aaron. We got a little rain, but we went back to bed.