All Rise

Aaron Judge broke the American League HR record, previously held by Roger Maris. Also the single-season record for the Yankees, the most storied franchise in baseball. It’s the highest single season HR total in over 20 years (see below). Many consider the numbers put up by Bonds, McGwire, ARod, and Sosa to be tainted due to the steroids they took. UGA beat writer Seth Emerson writes for The Athletic, and is far from being an old codger. He spoke out yesterday in support of Judge. The same people consider Hank Aaron to still be the true all-time home run king.

2022 61 A Judge

2021 46 Ohtani

2019 53 P Alonso

2018 48 Chris Davis

2017 59 G Stanton

2016 47 M Trumbo

2015 44 Nelson Cruz

2014 40 Nelson Cruz

2013 53 Chris Davis

2012 44 M Cabrera

2011 43 J Bautista

2010 54 J Bautista

2009 47 A Pujols

2008 48 Ryan Howard

2007 54 ARod

2006 54 D Ortiz

2005 51 Andruw Jones

2004 46 Adam Dunn

2003 45 Bonds

2002 57 ARod

2001 73 Bonds

2000 50 Sosa

1999 65 McGwire

1998 70 McGwire

1997 58 McGwire

1996 52 McGwire 

Shivonne isn't really talking yet, but she's singing. In church.

Hurricane Ian: our Tampa warehouse was not damaged. Our Jacksonville facility is working to reopen this morning. The storm hit down near Naples/Ft.Myers, right wear retired coworker Randy Michalski just built a house down there at Cape Coral. Looks like the storm is headed toward Jefferson SC. Hopefully it will be much weaker then. Guess that’s why SCState@SC played last night.

The media keeps saying how hurricanes are increasing in frequency. It’s simply not true. According to the scientific data, over the past hundred years the number of hurricanes has remained level. In fact, the number of hurricanes making landfall has actually dropped. Over the same period, deaths from natural disasters like hurricanes has dropped 90 percent.

Government scientists at the NOAA and IPCC say the frequency of hurricanes will drop 25% over the next 75 years. Death tolls will continue to drop as well. Many of the deaths these days are preventable: people failing to heed warnings, etc. But does the media report this? Does the media back up their claims of gloom and doom with actual data? No.

If hurricanes are so bad, why are more people moving to Florida than almost any other state? Kinda like how supposedly the sea levels are rising, but the world’s powerbrokers are buying up seafront property.

https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2022/09/29/we-have-the-data-tucker-calls-out-media-liberals-over-hurricane-claims/

Denison’s five ways to pray effectively: be specific, be bold, be honest, be persistent, be childlike.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/the-latest-on-hurricane-ian-did-a-native-american-blessing-protect-tampa-bay/

Thursday: worked past 5:45. Special baked chicken burritos for supper, with black beans and rice. Watched Jeopardy and Young Sheldon. Only ran 2-1/8 miles this morning. Last day of the month, so plenty to do.

Money Magazine named Atlanta the best place to live. I only scanned the article, but they seemed to focus only on the Atlanta proper, ignoring the suburbs.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://money.com/atlanta-georgia-best-places-to-live-2022/__;!!AE29DT8V!XZ18NJ-T3BfluEEeLwSoIUUpzapyE06CmpM2LXgTrg9nY3VoaxHKFmvxKb-7imPfGYl-2S7Yk6zHAQ_UZhs$

DANSBY SWANSON [B-R Bio] was chosen 1,158th in the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft. When the Rockies selected him the 10th pick of the 38^th Round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft, he decided to accept a scholarship and play ball for Vanderbilt University. Dansby was on the NL’s 2022 AS team. He was chosen first overall in 2015 by Arizona. Two Commodore teammates (Carson Fulmer & Walker Buehler) were also taken in the first round. In 2014, Vanderbilt won the College World Series. Swanson was voted the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Swanson proposed to professional soccer player Mallory Pugh after the Braves’ World Series victory.

If Russia uses nuclear weapons, that's probably not going to be good for the planet's environment / climate change / global warming. You'd think since climate change is allegedly such a big priority, our government would be doing everything possible to avoid such a catastrophe. Why does it seem like they're doing the opposite?

NFLQBR

I know so much more goes into winning games in the NFL, but QBR is a key indicator in a team’s success. The media and Bears fans are continuing to berate QB Justin Fields for yet another poor performance – 8-17 for only 106 yards, 2 interceptions, and sacked 4 times. A QBR lower than all but one QB’s. Meanwhile Jalen Hurts has turned the Eagles into a Super Bowl contender, and Tua leads the NFL in QBR.

Good to make this list to familiarize myself with who is quarterbacking these days. It’s still early in the season, so expect this list to change as the season progresses.

1. Tua Tagovailoa MIA

2. Lamar Jackson Balt

3. Cooper Rush DAL who?

4. Josh Allen BUF

5. P Mahomes KC

6. Jalen Hurts PHIL

7. Trevor Lawrence JAX

8. Jared Goff DET

9. Jacoby Brissett CLE

10. Geno Smith SEA

11. Justin Hebert SD

12. Marcus Mariota ATL

13. Matt Stafford LAR

14. Kyler Murray ARIZ

15. Aaron Rodgers GB

16. Derek Carr Raiders

17. Ryan Tannehill TENN

18..Tom Brady TB

19 .Joe Burrow CIN

20. Kirk Cousins MINN

21. Russell Wilson DEN

22. Mitch Trubisky PITT

23. Matt Ryan IND

24. Carson Wentz WASH

25. Mac Jones NE (INJURED)

26. Jameis Winston NO

27. Daniel Jones NYG

28. Joe Flacco NYJ

29. Jimmy Garoppolo SF

30. Davis Mills HOU who?

31. Justin Fields CHI

32. Baker Mayfield DAL 

The Windy City is far from thrilled with their starting QB.

I read Lang’s article about GT. Good stuff. Bill O’Brien had been at Tech in the past, as well as at New England, head coach of the Texans when they were good, and now he’s Nick Saban’s top assistant at Alabama. Not sure he would take the GT job, as he may be holding out for something better. Kinda like when the Gamecocks wanted Kirby Smart to be their coach. Saban told Kirby to wait and take the UGA job. Lang makes a good point about GT hiring Deion Sanders. You’d think Deion would rather be in the ATL then Tallahassee. I just don’t know what good coach would take the GT job. I really thing Tech has enough non-engineering majors these days. No reason a coach couldn’t win as much as Paul Johnson, if not more. Should be able to beat Duke, Syracuse, Virginia, and compete against UNC, Miami, and Virginia Tech. If Stanford can do it, why not Tech?

Winnie hogs my side of the bed.

Not much news to report. M cooked supper last night and it was delicious: chicken parmesan over spaghetti noodles, and a chopped salad with a special dressing.

Watched Jeopardy and the latest episode of Eli’s Places, with guests Matt Leinart and Vince Young.

Up early today to golf. 54 degrees but the wind was blowing, so it was chilly. I teed off first, later followed by Professor Chee and Anthony, whom I hadn’t seen in months. Then to the office. Looks like the hurricane may bypass Atlanta, so I will be able to play Saturday morning as well.

STEVE CARLTON  [SABR Bio] was the last pitcher to win 20 games for the Phillies, before Roy Halladay in 2010. Carlton’s record in 1982 was 23-11. Halladay was the next in 2010 with his record of 21-10. Carlton pitched for the White Sox in 1986. He held the MLB career record for most strikeouts for a very brief time. He and Nolan Ryan jockeyed for the lead after passing Walter Johnson’s career total of 3,509 in 1983. Carlton took a vow of silence toward the media that lasted for most of his 24-year career. There are those who believe that this approach served him well, having found out later some of the radical conspiracy theories he held.

BOB GIBSON  [SABR Bio] was the first pitcher to strike out 3000 NL batters. His career total of 3,117 K were all done for St. Louis, passing the 3,000 mark in his last season, 1974. He was eventually passed, by Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz. Gibson was the last 20th century NL pitcher to win ten consecutive road games. In all, he won 12 straight in 1970, from 18-May- to 16-Sep-1970. The next year  he was the first to toss a no-hitter in Three Rivers Stadium, on 14-Aug-971, the only one of his career.

C. S. Lewis: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” 

Tonight: season premiere of Young Sheldon.

R.I.P. the Sacrifice Bunt

Braves: last night they won their 97th game of the year, with seven games left in the season. Tonight they go for the sweep against a team with 100 losses – the Nationals.

Complete game shutout by Bryce Elder for the big club. Six strikeouts and six hits allowed.  

I’ve never heard of an outfielder wearing a light on his head. Maybe since the lighting in minor league outfields isn’t good, he was wearing a flashlight on his head like coal miners wear. Lots of outdoor hikers and campers and even mechanics wear headlights on their heads like that, so they can see and not have to hold the flashlight. Not sure.

These days players are carrying little cards in their back pockets with how to position themselves defensively against certain hitters. That guy might’ve needed a penlight to read the card, and forgot to turn it off? Or maybe that outfielder was using the light as an accessory, like players wear sweatbands and sunglasses (even at night) and elbow pads and extra stuff just to look cool.

I don’t terribly mind attending games by myself: I can come and go as I please. No one else wants to leave for the park when I want to, or park where I want to park, or do things at the ballpark that I want to do. But remember it’s nice to have company sometimes. 

Are minor league games going faster? I know they have that clock counting down, but I’ve never seen anyone make a fuss about it. I think they have the clocks set up in the big league parks, but I can’t remember whether they have them turned on. 

Speaking of chicken tenders, at lunch yesterday I went to Cheeseburger Bobby’s for their chicken tender deal. I didn’t want it to take all day. I go in and there’s a line. Wait 5 min to order. While waiting I see signs posted: (1) no cash, credit card only, and (2) no ice cream. I go to order, but they say they’re out of chicken tenders. I leave. Should’ve gone to McDonalds, but Taco Bell was closer. Taco Bell menu has changed. Oh well.  

After work I stopped by the driving range, but it was too crowded. Should’ve hit off the matts. At lunch today I hit balls here at the house. Matthew hit a few as well.

Last night C was at The Table. I watched Modern Family and Jeopardy. Later C turned on a movie on the PixL Channel: “Always and Forever”. Barbara Eden played the mother. Pretty sure we'd seen it before. They all run together. Kinda like a real old Hallmark movie. They've gotten "better" over the years.

Had a long weightlifting session at the gym this morning. Worked from home today.

The Steelers may have to sign a punter if Pressley Harvin can't go due to an injury. He better look out. Rodrigo got hurt and pretty much never got his job back.

Tiger "caddied" for Charlie in a junior tournament this past weekend, riding along in a cart. Observers said Tiger was still hobbled. Charlie shot a career best score. 

PHIL NIEKRO [SABR Bio] is the most recent pitcher to win 300 games without ever playing in a World Series. Niekro won his 300th on 06-Oct-1985.  He won 18 more before retiring.  The only other 300-game winners who never made it to the World Series are Pud Galvin (365 W) and Gaylord (314).  Perry did play on a World Series team, the 1962 SFG , but was not on their postseason roster. Niekro  won 300 at the most advanced age of any member of the 300-win club, at 46. He credited his specialty pitch, the knuckleball, with his longevity, saying that its stress on his pitching arm was more favorable than any other delivery. He did throw other pitches, but the knuckler was really his calling card. He was born in Blaine, Ohio, named after Senator James G. Blaine who served as Secretary of State under presidents Benjamin Harrison, James A. Garfield & Chester A. Arthur.

The craziest drivers on Peachtree Industrial are the parents pulling out of the daycare center.

Shivonne wearing a dress made by her great grandmother.

The Mark Twain account I follow on Twitter often recycles the same Twain quotes over and over. Adam Grant's tweet above may be a repeat, not sure. But it was a goodie. I deal with bad listeners every day.

Moving the Goalposts

Did you see the end of the Arkansas / Texas A&M game late Saturday night? Arkansas kicker hit the top of the goal post upright. On AM 680 Dimino mentioned how NFL goal post uprights have to be 35 feet high. College posts only have to be 30 feet high. College and pro widths are the same:18-1/2 feet. Since the game was played in Jerry World, the Cowboys goal posts were used. Had it been a college goal post, the kick would’ve sailed over the top of the post, making the referee standing under the post make the judgement call.

Reminds me of years ago in an NFL playoff game the Lombardi Packers were credited with a field goal that was obviously wide right, because back them referees were not stationed under each goal post.  Packers vs Colts in a 1965 playoff game in Green Bay. With QB’s Unitas and Cuozzo injured, head coach Don Shula had RB Tom Matte fill in (wearing the first wristband with play calls on it - above).

Don Chandler’s game-tying attempt from 22 yards was ruled good, though later film showed the kick to be wide. Note Chandler in the photo below reacting negatively to his miss, as the ball sails to the right of the right upright. One of the greatest officials in NFL history was the lone official standing under the middle of the post. Back then the uprights only stood ten feet high, and the kick sailed far higher. The next year the NFL raised the uprights to 18 feet, and station an official underneath each upright.

Anyway because Arkansas lost, ESPN’s prestigious College Gameday show will not broadcast from Fayetteville this week for the ARK/AL game. Instead GameDay will travel to SC for NCState@Clemson. If the hurricane doesn't wash it out.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-11-03-1996308165-story.html__;!!AE29DT8V!X3X6Nc3gaiJBweRmq5hhag8lNhuSxZJ5QyPncbTpxl7Bi-TYwRzB2GJaBgagPGQ8-0Bv3QKg0Ev5W6vqerw$ 

Friday: home by 7 pm. Homemade pizza for supper. Watched a movie.

Up early Saturday for golf, with regular early-bird Robert. He had hit a poor tee short on the fourth hole, then chipped in from 60 yards for birdie. You don’t see a shot like that every day. Stopped by McDonalds on the way home. Did a little housework and laundry while watching College GameDay, then Clemson@WakeForest and GT@UCF. Washed two cars. More football. Ceil went to the airport to welcome a family returning from overseas. Leftover chili for supper. Watched the Julia Roberts movie Duplicity.

Sunday morning the entire family met at the Atlanta Botanical Garden for a late Mother’s Day celebration for Ceil. Arrived shortly after ten and walked around until almost 1 pm. So much to see. The place is overwhelming. Will and Matthew had to go to work, but the rest of us ate at Little Rey. I had the Huevos Rancheros, a dish I’d been wanting to try at a Mexican restaurant for years. Good but of course too spicy for my taste.

Home to crash on the couch, to watch UGA QB Stetson Bennett’s appearance on Eli’s Places. Learned Stetson worked this summer at The Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana.

Later we watched the movie “Amish Wedding Plus One” starring The Middle's Graladriel Stineman. Not her first Amish movie, either.

My hip was bothering just a tad from all the walking this weekend, so I lifted weights this morning at the gym instead of running. Work is always a fire drill, and a coworker is already stressed out. Boss is on vacation and the other team member is out with a sick daughter.

Monday: worked until almost 6 pm. Ceil was on a prayer call so I fixed a quesadilla for supper. Ran two miles at the gym this morning.

During the Pro Bowl one year, Brett Favre committed two fouls on the same play when he threw an interception – one as an offensive player and the second as a defensive player.

ROGER MARIS [SABR Bio] played in more World Series games in the 1960s than any other player. He won a Gold Glove in 1960. Played in 41 World Series games from 1960-1968, 28 with the Yankees and 13 with the Cardinals. He won rings in 61, 62 & 67. He went 3-5 in his MLB debut, then hit an extra-inning grand slam to help his team to victory in his second game. He debuted 16-Apr-1957 then hit the slam on 18-Apr-1957. Two Hall of Famers grew up in the same small town in Saint Louis County where he was born. Maris was born in Hibbing, MN, also the birthplace of Kevin McHale. Robert Zimmerman (a/k/a Bob Dylan) not born in Hibbing, but grew up there. McHale  and Dylan were inducted, respectively, into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Maris wore #3 while playing for the Kansas City A’s in 1959.

Denison on staying faithful to Biblical thinking in these unbiblical times.

2 Corinthians 10:5: We must “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/the-problem-with-vanna-whites-marriage-advice/ 

When the Braves are forced to change their name, what should they change it to?

Yellow Jacket Insider

Considering this to be a rebuilding year for the Falcons, I have zero expectations for them to win. That said, they've been in position to win all three games into the final minute.

Much better than Tech, who failed to score on 5 trips to the red zone Saturday. Kick four field goals and don't have a punt blocked for a TD (GT's 4th blocked punt in 4 games) and Tech wins. Just because Tech doesn't have as good players means the coaching and execution needs to be better. So many dumb penalties, game after game. As I've said, I don't mind Tech losing as long as they don't make so many mistakes.

UCF's first possession was for like 20 plays, over half the 1st quarter. No energy from GT but UCF could only manage a field goal.

I called the 80 yard loss hustle play the play of the year for GT. No much later announcer Hutson Mason also called it the play of the year. Sims fumbled - though it looked like an incomplete pass to me. UCF picks up ball and rumbles down the field with three teammates serving as escorts. They fail to see GT's Nate McCollum streaking down the field. Nate snuck in from the right and knocked the ball loose on the one yard line. The ball went into the end zone and out of bounds for a touchback. Play of the year.

GT drove down the field and kicked a 42 yard field goal. 16-10 UCF. GT kicker had missed his first two field goals, both chip shots. Kills me that a major college school can't recruit a decent kicker. There are so many good kickers out there.

Last week a writer at the Rumble Seat website called the UCF game a sure win for Tech. Not sure what koolade he was drinking.

Plenty of rumors about who will be GT's new head coach. Gonna be hard to get someone good. Deion Sanders would be a big name, and would improve recruiting. Former GT QB George Godsey has served as an assistant for the Patriots, and might come cheap. I would like Bill O'Brien, who's been at GT before. Offensive genius. He's also been at NE, Texans, and under Saban at Bama. He might be holding out for a better school.

Since Tech is so bad, and Geoff Collins gone, the Jackets should give up the different uniform in every game nonsense. Instead wear the traditional gold helmet / white jersey / and gold britches in every game. Okay to wear white helmets against opponents with gold helmets, like FSU. Here's a game by game plan for the rest of the season. When players can quit jumping offsides, maybe then they can wear fancy uniforms. Perhaps they need to be proud to be able to wear Tech's uniform.

10.01 at Pitt – wear W/W/W

10.08 vs Duke – wear G/W/G  

10.20 vs UVA – wear G/W/G

10.29 at FSU – wear W/W/W

11.05 at Va Tech – wear G/W/G

11.12 vs Miami – wear G/W/G

11.17 at UNC – wear G/W/G

11.24 at UGA – wear G/W/G

Clemson's supposed elite defense allowed Sam Hartman to have a record day. Tiger DB's couldn't cover Wake receivers. Clemson super lucky to win. Gonna be real hard to compete against UGA or Bama. Wouldn't be surprised if Tigers lose in South Bend. Looks like Wake is for real.

Miami fell behind early to Middle Tennessee. And lost. 

Not feeling making the effort to post another Tech photo. Instead:

KIRK GIBSON [SABR Bio] a former Pittsburgh Pirate who signed five times for five separate stints with the major league team that originally drafted him. He was taken 12th overall by Detroit in the 1978 June Amateur Draft, Gibson was re-signed four times by the Tigers as a free agent in his 17-year MLB career. He won a World Series ring and a full postseason share even though his contribution there was a single plate appearance. His single plate appearance for the Dodgers in the 1988 World Series resulted in one of the most (deservedly) famous home runs in the history of baseball. He was named MVP in his first ever postseason series, the 1984 ALCS.

Pujols: some of the Dodgers were applauding as he ran around the bases. If he couldn't have hit 700 in St Louis I guess it was cool he hit it in LA.

Today Jim Denison lays out the reasons why Putin is serious about his threat to use nuclear weapons.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/the-latest-on-ukraine-putins-threat-of-nuclear-escalation-could-be-a-reality/

I am not a fan of Panera Bread. Ceil doesn't like them either.

Saw reporter Jim Gray on TV last night. He's written a book "Talking to GOATS" that looks good. Jordan, Ali, Tiger, Brady, Mayweather, Gorbachev, G W Bush, Phelps, Tyson, Kobe, LeBron. Gray said he's spoken with the last ten presidents: Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, and Nixon.

Female kicker at Glendale High. Daughter of former NFL player Grant Wistrom, garnered the following article. Father Grant is pictured, as is the team's star QB – but not daughter Charlie. Her specialty is the onside kick – her team recovered two in her first game. Charlie kicked a 23 yard field goal, but admits she needs to work on getting her kicks up in the air. A story to follow throughout the season.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/09/24/glendale-kicker-charlie-wistrom-daughter-of-grant-has-good-debut/69515850007/__;!!AE29DT8V!TIbnEZz07Od_clBvFQ6bJpEPPmSBrHoA6Pt9biLkCU3IhozL3lT7NEZStMK4EPuoPSqBSHcQUOPfzVSuhYU$ 

A spacecraft was sent to crash into an asteroid, to change its path so it wouldn't crash into earth. Not sure it was a good idea to name it after the Falcons.

Flower Child

Spent the day at the Atlanta Botanical Garden with the fam.

One of our favorite sculptures was the tortoise and hare working together. 

Will pointed out the Japanese Maple that ten years ago he had pruned and planted in our yard.

Venus flytraps.

We were all carrying around flowers because the Botanical Garden had them left over from an event from last night, and they were giving them away.

Afterward we ate up the street at Little Rey, at the corner of Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge.

OZZIE SMITH [SABR Bio] was a teammate of Eddie Murray at Locke HS in the Watts section of L.A. Smith then played for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California and Murray stayed home, attending Cal State L.A. Ozzie is the first shortstop to be named MVP of a postseason series other than the World Series, the NLCS in 1985. In his final All-Star game, he replaced the eventual Hall of Famer who had idolized him. In 1996, Smith replaced Barry Larkin at SS for the NL.

Players who won the Roberto Clemente Award in years when their WARs were negative.

Honoree     Team Year   WAR Career WAR

Biggio*........HOU...2007.....-2.1....65.5

Carter*........NYM...1989.....-0.3....70.2

Konerko......CHW...2014....-0.7....28.1

Maddox......PHI......1986....-0.1....36.8

Martinez*....SEA.... 2004... -0.3... 68.4

Smith*........STL..... 1995... -0.7... 76.9

Wakefield...BOS.... 2010... -0.7.. .34.4 

BREAKING NEWS: Tech has fired head coach Geoff Collins. Athletic Director Todd Stansbury is rumored to be the next to be let go. As disastrous as Collins' record was, his five year guaranteed contract will continue to burden Tech for years to come.