Masters 2020: 12 facts you probably don't know about Augusta National
Last night's Hallmark Channel movie.
When Will was young, we were eating over at the Norman's one night. Steve had six young kids running around. It was a madhouse. Things would break. Yet the atmosphere wasn't tense. Sitting there taking in all the chaos, I realized I didn't have to assign blame for every little thing that didn't go the way I wanted it to. Instead there could be love, compassion, teaching, and listening. I think about that night quite often.
That night I learned everyone didn't grow up like me. Like my family members, my inclination was to attack. It's been a constant struggle to behave differently. If I want my children to continue to visit me as the years go by, I must love and accept, not criticize, blame, and tear down. I can't treat friends and coworkers one way (nice), and family members another (mean). Sometimes it's hard not to lower myself to the level of an attacker. I often fail. It's good to surround myself with good examples, and try to avoid negative people as much as possible. When I'm forced to, I try to communicate as clearly as possible, to do my best, and leave it at that.
Romans 12:18 says: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take your own revenge, my friends, but leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord.
Dad's in hospital with pneumonia. Today I learned my Aunt Martha is in home hospice with cancer. I lived with Martha my freshman year at Tech, in the basement of her house in Sandy Springs. Her husband, my Uncle John Wayt, was the outdoorsman cartoon character Mark Trail was modeled after. Uncle John helped found the Atlanta Steeplechase, which used to be held on his Seven Branches farm in Roswell.
Below: from the fifth floor of Coliseum Hospital you can see Fort Hawkins up the street.
Good article about when Hank Aaron batted against Satchel Paige, and the 1968 Atlanta Braves.
https://www.mlb.com/news/satchel-paige-pitches-to-hank-aaron
SCOTT BROSIUS [SABR Bio] is the only World Series MVP to be traded for a pitcher who threw a perfect game. Brosius was WS MVP in 1998 when NYY swept SDP. He had been traded the year before for Kenny Rogers whose perfect game was 28-Jul-1994. He grew up in Milwaukie, but lived in Oregon. Milwaukie (note spelling) is in Oregon, a suburb south of Portland. The first time he was ever in a major league stadium was as a major leaguer. Debut 07-Aug-1991. Had simply never attended an MLB game. He replaced Monday’s answer as a manager. Brosius replaced Girardi as manager of Team USA attempting to qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo.
Had to drive down to Macon last night. Drove my dad to the hospital. Double pneumonia. Was in a room at the ER until they moved him to a room at 4 am.
Denison: Amazon is no longer selling a valuable book. Censorship?
Bobby Jones always wanted an amateur to win the Masters. To this day the tournament places special emphasis on amateurs, inviting the top amateurs from Georgia, the US, and from around the world. The amateurs get to stay on site, upstairs in the Crow’s Nest. The high amateur in honored in the Butler Cabin on live TV.
The first amateur to finish second at the Masters was Frank Stranahan, son of a wealthy businessman. Went to Byron Nelson for lessons. Kept prodding nelson to play rounds with him. Nelson didn’t want to. Frank chided his older teacher, saying he didn’t want to lose. That did it. Nelson went out ant shot a 63, the course record. Stranahan remained an amateur because his father was so rich, he didn’t need the money. Traveled with weights, so he could work out. A ladies man. His demeanor ruffled Clifford Roberts’ feathers. Rumor was Frank had vied for the attention of Robert’s secretary. The year after finishing second, Roberts kicked Stranahan out of the tournament, supposedly for hitting two approach shots during practice rounds. The other players were shocked, but didn’t come to his defense. Neither did Jones. Later Stranahan turned pro. Later still he entered and won seniors bodybuilding contests. Frank vowed to live to 130, but passed away at ninety.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stranahan
Pretty sure that at least in the practice rounds, the amateurs still play with the big shots. For the first several years of the Masters, in the first round the defending champion would play with Bobby Jones. Later on the amateurs and the defending champion would play with Walter Hagen or Byron Nelson.
The membership roll of Augusta National is supposedly a secret, but some names are known. A few years ago after the Masters I compiled a list of Augusta National members, using various sources on the internet. I posted it to my humble blog, which gets very few views. But I noticed that of all my posts, the membership list is regularly viewed, especially in April. While reading this book, I am adding the names of founding members and other members, including Ike and Robert Woodruff.
I never knew who Jimmy Demaret was. A colorful character. Won three Masters, more than Nelson, Hogan, or Sarazen – who got bridges named for them. When Demaret quipped “I can’t get an outhouse built with my name on it” Roberts made him apologize before inviting him back.
Once Fred Haas was putting at the Masters when a player from the group behind him hit a shot that landed on the green. After putting out Haas shouted to the player, telling him how dangerous that had been. Haas had to apologize to Roberts and Jones for raising his voice in front of the patrons.
Was thinking about Steve Little, one of the greatest college kickers in history. Recruited to Arkansas by Frank Broyles to play QB. Broke the college record with a 67 yard field goal, which stands to this day. Struggled as the St Louis Cardinals first round draft choice, the third highest drafted kicker in history. After three years Little was released. Hours later he was involved in a high speed auto accident, losing the use of his arms and legs. He died in his 40’s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Little_(American_football)
Podcasts are the big thing now. All of a sudden everyone on sports talk 680 has one, even several of the behind the scenes guys. Paul Lukas at Uni Watch has one. Johnsons Ferry church has several. A few professionals have been podcasting for years. For some in the media, its part of their job. I suppose people listen to podcasts in their cars. Guess podcasts are taking the place of radio. You can listen to whatever your specific interest is. But to me a podcast is still just two guys talking. Rambling. Do they have scripts? I would rather read a book, so that’s what I do in the car – listen to audiobooks instead of people talking. Seems more permanent.
I’ve been going more actual reading as well, perhaps as an escape from reality. Less social media and TV. When things are overwhelming I find too much comfort in food. Plus I want to crash on the couch.
Tuesdays are different with Ceil at her ministry. Gives me a chance to catch up on a project or help around the house. Not yesterday. I was trying to find out when my dad’s doctor’s appointment was, but I couldn’t find out. If it had been today I would’ve missed work. Since I didn’t know, I had to stay late at work to complete as much of tomorrow’s work as possible. Worked until 7:30. I was a zombie on the drive home. As usual, I had left the house at 7 am. Was after 8 pm before I got home, the same time as Ceil. Then I got tied up on a 33 minute phone call.
I am feeling pretty old today. The VP announced his retirement. He’s about my age. Our GM Eric will be taking his place. Eric sits near me, and he’s pumped. This leaves me as pretty much the oldest office employee here in Atlanta. Hopefully these shakeups won’t effect the team I’m on, but you never know. Just yesterday I was plotting out what I would do with my time after I retired.
Denison: when we claim that Christianity changes Christians, we must answer this question: Why do so many Christians act in such sinful ways? Three biblical responses: Separate the message from the messenger. When doctors fail us, we don’t reject medicine. Christianity never promised that Christians would be perfect. Our hope is not in the preacher but in the One being preached. We are saved not by man but by Jesus (Acts 4:12). Hold each other to the standards of Christ. Our message changes the messenger if the messenger is willing to be changed. God will not force us into repentance and godliness. But him, his Spirit can and will make us the kind of people our Father intends us to be (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Balance grace and consequences. We do not want to offer what Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace” that ignores accountability and the consequences of sin. If I drive a nail into a piece of wood, you could remove the nail but the hole remains. C. S. Lewis observed in Mere Christianity: “What Satan put into the heads of our ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”
Speaking of golf, sounds like after this morning’s crash, Tiger Woods will never break Jack Nicklaus’ records. Prayers for a full recovery.
Worked past 5:30, then a good small group discussion on John 12, after the triumphant entry but before the Last Supper – Jesus’ final public sermons. And what was the result?
Freddie Freeman’s wife gave birth to twins.
Wilt Chamberlain said he was an 80% free throw shooter in high school. What happened?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8fn1IaTMQM&feature=youtu.be
Denison: Abraham Lincoln said: “Character is essential to democracy. A free people can govern each other only if they can govern themselves.” George Washington stated in 1796, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” What God said to the children of Israel he says to us today: “If you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish” (Deuteronomy 8:19).
JOE GIRARDI [SABR Bio] was the catcher for David Cone's perfect game. Cone’s perfecto 18-Jul-1899. When Girardi played for the Cubs, Sammy Sosa was famous for blasting his music in the Cubs’ old cramped Wrigley Field clubhouse. Most teammates just tolerated it. However, one day in 2002 Girardi turned down the volume on Sosa’s boombox and raised the volume on the main clubhouse stereo. There were reports that the two then had to be separated. But later they said there was no trouble and Girardi said they have a “fine” relationship. Girardi was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, a city long held by marketing executives to best represent and, in a sense, speak for, the American consumer (“Will it play in Peoria?”). Girardi attended high school at Spalding Catholic, to date, its only MLB alum.
My boss had to step away from our conference call this morning. I discussed a quality problem. When we finished I confessed I was worried I would take up all the time when the boss was away. It reminded me of my fifth grade oral book report on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. As I began the teacher had to leave the room. I went on and on, about how the kids had cleaned the bugs off the windshield after their drive. I hadn’t written the report, was just talking from memory. Eventually I wrapped it up. The teacher returned and asked who all she’d missed. Only me, my classmates tattled. “He was talking about cleaning bugs off the windshield!” Lisa Long complained. I learned a lesson that day that I would never forget.
My coworkers enjoyed the story. My boss had heard it, and said it was almost as good as the story I told about getting hit by a car in second grade.
Jones set the course record several times, but never during the tournament. Out of practice, Jones really didn’t want to play in the first few Masters. Roberts insisted, as the publicity was needed. By then Jones’ health was in decline. Perhaps embarrassed by all the members from New York, at first Jones didn’t invite many Atlantans.
Jones and Roberts earned millions as Coca Cola bottlers, opening plants around the world, particularly in South America. After a few years Robert Woodruff joined Augusta National, though he had little interest. General Eisenhauer loved Coke, and worked a deal for Woodruff to supply the military with millions of bottles. In return the military paid for construction of bottling plants all over Europe, which Woodruff would own. Woodruff helped groom Ike for the presidency, helping to arrange Ike’s job running Columbia Pictures, to get Hollywood on board. At first Woodruff didn’t know if Ike would run as a Democrat or Republican. Woodruff had always voted Democrat, but voted Republican for Ike. When Jones came off the green for the last time as an amateur, he handed his ball to Woodruff.
Drove back from Macon Friday night. Got home at 9:30. Rough week. The dog we were sitting took five minutes to warm up to me.
Saturday: cleaned some upstairs. C fixed a breakfast burrito. Later she went to the grocery. My new sneakers delivered, so I wore them the rest of the day. High-top running shoes. Did some laundry and cleaned the kitchen. Pizza for supper. Hallmark-type movie. Might’ve been Up TV. Then the award winning remake of Little Women.
Sunday: on line worship. Spent the day reading. I watched some of the golf, but missed the playoff.
Good thing you filled up with gas. Going to be over $3.00 per gallon by Memorial Day. A 33% increase. Can’t wait until Trump leaves office.
Jailed Canadian Pastor James Coates’s Lawyer interviewed: “Speak up, it’s not going to end.”
After a rough week, all I've wanted to do has been to read. Finished the baseball book and started on a history of the Augusta National Club, warts and all. I've already knocked out over 25 percent.
Saturday breakfast burrito.
Chandler Stadium on the Tech campus has a scenic view.
Had a dream we lived in a house with animals roaming around. The kids were young. Will and Anna had run around to the back of the house. An elephant lumbered around from the front yard, toward the far side of the house. Behind it pounced what I finally figured out was the black dragon from the How to Train Your Dragon movie. The dragon hopped the fence and wanted to play with me and Matthew, who was very young. M had his tiny toys spread all over the place. Ceil reminded me that M had a report to present in school, one that sounded far beyond his age range. The dragon snuck inside my convertible and snuggled up to us. We came upon a wreck, and had to take a detour through an old lady’s carport. The lady was hosing off her driveway, and the dragon hopped out and played in the water, cooling off.
The poor voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their job just keeps getting tougher. This articles says Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher got elected years earlier than they should have – because them being on TV helped create a great TV moment. Several other more deserving coaches and players have waited longer.
https://fansided.com/2021/02/19/pro-football-hall-of-fame-voting-2022-class/
An old article about Dean Gardens, built by a computer zillionaire, sold to Usher – now torn down. Near the corner of Peachtree Parkway and Old Alabama, on the river not far from the Atlanta Athletic Club.
Denison: Satan offered to give Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” in exchange for his worship (Matthew 4:8–9). Jesus chose instead to make his Father his King through the suffering of the cross. Jesus’ temptation is ours. Rather than serving God through the way of suffering, we want God to eliminate all suffering. When he does not, we reject him in anger for what he will not do, rather than serving him in gratitude for all he has done.
Not the greatest article on which player each NFL team has the best shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nobis for the Falcons. No Herschel, though he’s more deserving than most of the hackers on this list, like Tiki Barber and Ottis Anderson.
The Padres signed Fernando Tatis to a 14 year contract. Some say wise, some say crazy. Much more expensive than the Acuna contract, which some say was wise, some said crazy. Bobby Bonilla wasn’t the only player to sign a super long term deal. So did Bruce Sutter and others.
Stumbled across an old photo of Steve Norman, before I knew him. Before the beard. Also young Frank Gudger and Bill Heyser, and Walter Teem.
Took my dad to the doctor today. It warmed up this afternoon. The doctor Donald Robinson had played linebacker at Tech in the early 70's.
Started "One Shot at Forever" about Brian Snitker's hometown high school baseball championship team from back in the 70's.
Climate change and global warming – the science, and a Christian perspective. A 14,000 word article. Since 1880 the earth's temperature has risen about 0.4 degrees. Today's scientists ignore worldwide evidence of the flood, which created the earth's coal supply and brought on an ice age. Pre-flood carbon dioxide levels were significantly higher than current levels, yet plants, animals, and humans thrived, contrary to what climate change experts say could happen in the future. Shared by my Living Science teacher friend David Cain, who knows his stuff.
The only known 1933 Boston Redskins jersey was discovered in a storage locker that sold for five dollars - The Washington Post
Some kid at Yahoo can't understand why the Cleveland Indians would deep dive into demographics when researching fan attitudes about a possible name change.
https://sports.yahoo.com/indians-name-search-turns-carefully-105534669.html
Godlessness in the Last Days,
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Some years ago a newly elected politician proclaimed, "We are the children of the modern age!" A good question for us to ask is, "What has the modern age given us?" The answers are disheartening: crack cocaine, satanic cults, instructions on safe sex, misdirected individuals who would rather save a spotted owl than an innocent baby inside a mother's womb.
The modern age has given us a liberal media that paints Bible-believing Christians as right-wing zealots and fanatics. Difficulties like these should not surprise us. Paul told Timothy that in the last days:People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, . . . lovers of pleasure rather than loversf God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)
Then he cautions us, "Have nothing to do with such people" (2 Timothy 3:5). Despite the wickedness of the world, we serve a mighty God who provides the wisdom we need for every situation. It is often hardship and difficulty that provide the right atmosphere for spiritual growth.