Tourist Traps

Worst tourist trap in every state. How can any state park be a tourist trap? Someone has no sense of adventure / no sense of humor. One of those clickbait things taking every chance to blast Christianity. Some of the highlights:

Alabama: McDonalds visited by Ronald Reagan

California Fisherman’s Wharf

Connecticut Pez welcome center

Florida: skunk ape research center (sounds interesting)

Georgia: World of Coke. What’s wrong with that?

Illinois Navy Pier

Indiana largest ball of paint

Kansas largest ball of twine

Kentucky Ark Encounter “too pricy”

Louisiana Bourbon Street

Maine Land's End gift shop

Maryland God’s Ark of Safety still under construction

Nebraska: Carhinge

Nevada Area 51 Alien travel center & brothel

New Jersey Atlantic City Boardwalk

New Mexico international UFO museum

North Carolina High Point largest chest of drawers

Rhode Island big blue bug

South Carolina South of the Border

Tennessee: Graceland

Virginia Foamhenge

West Virginia Farnham Colossi

At least the Boll Weevil Monument didn't make the list. It sits in the middle of beautiful downtown Enterprise Alabama. Dr. marsh used to mention it in his sermons, and former roomate Mike Kirkland took me to see it when I went home with him to Enterprise.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/cheesy-overpriced-boring-the-worst-tourist-trap-in-every-state/ss-AA1bJT8O?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=941d8f13686545f8bf32c78d2d60a2e3&ei=38#image=51

WES WESTRUM  [SABR Bio] replaced Casey Stengel as manager of the Mets. Halfway through the 1965 season Stengel had to retire after his hip operation. Westrum took over on 24-Jul as NY beat Philadelphia 8-1 at Shea. Westrum managed the team through the end of the 1967 season with a 142-237 record, at .375, an improvement over Casey’s .302 there. Wes is the masked catcher gracing the cover of the first issue of Sport Illustrated, on 16-Aug-1954, with Eddie Mathews at the plate and umpire Augie Donatelli.  More here. Westrum was traded for another team’s coach, completing the only coach-for-coach swap in major league history. He was traded from SF to NY for coach Cookie Lavagetto. After the 1963 season, Mets 1B coach Cookie Lavagetto was recovering from an operation & asked to be moved closer to his home near Oakland, California. He and Westrum agreed to the trade that accommodated Lavagetto, who went to the cross-bay San Francisco Giants. That brought Westrum back to New York with the Mets after he had played his entire 11-year MLB career with the New York Giants.

DENISON quoting Clayton Kershaw: “we felt the best thing to do in response was, instead of making a statement condemning, would be instead show what we do support, as opposed to maybe what we don’t. And that was Jesus. Kershaw disagreed with the Dodgers: “I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions. I don’t think that, no matter what religion you are, you should make fun of somebody else’s religion.” 

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/clayton-kershaw-statement-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=How+Clayton+Kershaw+responded+to+the+Sisters+of+Perpetual+Indulgence&utm_campaign=05-31-23+How+Clayton+Kershaw+responded+to+the+Sisters+of+Perpetual+Indulgence%3A+Using+our+influence+for+Christ

QB Kisses Cheerleader

ARTICLE: this photo of Dallas QB Danny White kissing a Cowboys cheerleader stayed hidden for over 20 years. No photo of Staubach, who hugged a cheerleader after Dallas beat Denver in the Super Bowl.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-photo-the-dallas-cowboys-never-wanted-the-public-to-see/__;!!AE29DT8V!XbRSlT1eFgkFdhQr0s57h4y6F1NioNlyPL9FvNrURu7v2qSUfvkDNPXY93gxxWW7O_sIFm5GvuJzOV54rDM$

Our office closed early on Friday. Three team members were off anyway. Left at 4:30 and stopped by two thrift stores on the way home. Watched the movie Prairie Fever, which was okay.

Saturday morning golf. Home by 8:45 am for a 9 am zoom call with friends from overseas. Then met four buddies at noon for lunch at Taqueria Tsnami. I got the bowl with chicken, rice, beans, etc. Then back home to do housework and such. Watched some of the Colonial. That night we went over to the Chiles with two other couples. Rob grilled steaks. Later ice cream and brownees out on the back deck, before a time of sharing and prayer.

Sunday school and worship. Afterwards e ate up at the Forum at Superica. Didn’t get home until after 3 pm. More of the Colonial. Braves were on a channel we could watch. Also watched Dr. Cha.

Up early on Monday for more golf. Took my other friend Reid. He hit the green on four straight par threes. I played okay. Home by 9;30 am. A day of working around the house. Swapped winter clothes out for summer. Cleaned upstairs for several hours. Vacuumed. Got a few bags ready for Goodwill, including some clothes that are too big for me (I will sell others). C made a chicken dish and collard greens. M ate with us. W&MC were out on Lake Arrowhead with her parents.     

Up early to lift weights. Too sore and tired to run. My feet aren’t the prettiest to look at, because I have bunions. They hardly ever hurt, but last Thursday I was on my feet walking / standing from 1 pm to 6 pm – five straight hours. Then after the game I had to walk the 1-1/2 miles back to the car. My foot has hurt since then. Played golf twice – both times a 2+ mile hike up and down hills. Not bad pain but worse than usual. My friend Rob had his bunions surgically “fixed”. Said one went well, but the second had some issues. Recommended to avoid the surgery unless my pain was bad. I am trying to not let little aches and pains bother me.

After an active Memorial Day I was sitting to work on Tuesday with my shoes kicked off. Angie went home sick. Renee on vacation. Rodney and Shane and Brad are working remote today, so it’s just me and Rachel and Sherryl in my area. Think I’ll sneak in a morning round of golf on Thursday.

DENISON: in cultural conflicts, our opponents are not our enemies. Satan is the enemy; those who reject biblical truth are his victims: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4).  “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). This is why “speaking the truth in love” should be our daily aspiration and mantra (Ephesians 4:15).

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, died in 1912. His prophetic prediction for the 20th century: “The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, heaven without hell.”

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/target-loses-10-billion-over-pride-themed-kids-clothing/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Target+loses+%2410+billion+over+Pride-themed+kids+clothing&utm_campaign=05-30-23+Target+loses+%2410+billion+over+Pride-themed+kids+clothing%3A+Should+Christians+boycott+%22woke%22+companies%3F

One of Fordham College’s finest all-around athletes, FRANKIE FRISCH [SABR Bio] was a slashing half-back in football, named a College All-American his senior year. Derived from his complaints as a manager, one of his signature lines as a radio broadcaster was, “Oh, those bases on balls!” A player-manager for St. Louis, Frisch then skippered the Pirates and finally the Chicago Cubs. The only World Series champion team Frisch managed were led in 1934 by the pitching brothers Dizzy and Daffy Dean. Frisch is the only non-Yankee to appear in 50 pre-Expansion Era World Series games. The slick-fielding Frisch never committed more than one error in any World Series game. Christened Frank Francis Frisch, his nickname was The Fordham Flash. His rough-and-tumble 1934 World Champion Cardinals were dubbed The Gashouse Gang.

Nice Guys

I’d like to be well liked. They say you shouldn’t care what other people think (those people are usually assholes). But I do care, probably too much.

Not sure if it’s the middle child in me, but I’ve tried to be compliant and helpful. Makes me well-suited to what I do at work – basically customer service. Since I helped develop the software for both our order entry system as well as the work order system, for the past 30 years people across the southeast call me to help resolve problems. Highly satisfactory. Hard to say no, even though my main full-time job is to serve our largest customer.

I used to listen to Clark Howard on the radio. He is always cheerful and helpful to the people calling in. I’ve tried to use him as an example, but often fall far short. When I get stressed I can snap at family and coworkers, but almost never a customer. I always try to be pleasant and helpful to our customer, without talking back about unreasonable demands or dumb or repetitive questions. Sometimes I do have to say no, what they’re asking cannot be done – but I try to not do it in a condescending manner. Telling a $50 million customer they are wrong should be done tactfully – not like a bull in a china shop.

Just because I am right about something, and the other person is wrong, doesn’t mean I should lord it over them, or remind them of their error. The relationship is more important than being right about something. Why I liked the movie “A Man Called Otto”. Still, in life there are some people that remain unreasonable. I make an effort to cross paths with them is little as possible, and pray to God about our relationship.

DENISON on artificial intelligence and social media: the Reboot Foundation asked young people whether they’d choose losing TikTok for a year or losing the right to vote for a year: 59% of young people—and 64% of teens—would rather keep the app than cast a vote. TikTok currently has more than 1 billion users and passed Google as the most popular website around the globe. 38% of US teens say it's their favorite social media platform, and 1/3 of American users are minors. Given the ability of all social media platforms—and TikTok in particular—to use algorithms to keep people hooked, it is no surprise. The Surgeon General has found these recent trends troubling. As Mark Legg writes, "Kids who spend over 3 hours daily on social media face 'double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety.' Eighth to 10th graders spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on social media. Average social media use essentially doubles troubled mental health symptoms in teens."

ME: reminds me of an episode of Star Trek: Next Generation when Riker inadvertently gets the entire ship so hooked on an addictive game (including Captain Picard). The game was designed by an enemy to take over the ship. Only Data (the android) is immune, and saves the ship by himself. Fun fact: actress Ashley Judd appears in this episode.

The Game (Star Trek: The Next Generation) - Wikipedia 

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/ai-read-your-mind-help-paralyzed-walk/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AI+can+read+your+mind+and+help+the+paralyzed+walk&utm_campaign=05-26-23+Ryan+Denison+-+AI+can+read+your+mind+and+help+the+paralyzed+walk%3A+Should+we+be+afraid%3F

Makes me think: Data is a robot who looks and acts male. What are “his” pronouns? He? It?

CESAR TOVAR  [SABR Bio] played at least 200 games at each of 5 different positions during his MLB career - at each outfield position, plus 200+ more each at 3B and 2B. Although he was never named an All-Star, he did receive MVP votes in five straight seasons, from 1967-1971. In one game, he played all nine positions, starting on the mound. The first batter he faced had played all nine positions in one game three years earlier. Tovar did his on 22-Sep-1968 and got Bert Campaneris to pop out for the game’s first out. Campy played all 9 on 08-Sep-1965.

Worship

Privileges of Worship
Hebrews 12:18-29
Clay Smith JFBC

Worship: responding to who God is.

Some disagree about how to worship. In the third century some didn’t like music in worship. Some today agree. Gregorian chants, harmonies.  Martin Luther wrote hymns.  John Calvin said only psalms were appropriate to sing. John Wesley and his brother wrote hymns. The Jesus Movement.

Should not anything that brings a person closer to Jesus be appropriate? Around the world cultures use all kinds of types of music to worship God.

The original debate over worship: the new covenant took the place of the old covenant. Contrast between Mt Sinai v 18 and Mt Zion v 22
i
Exodus worship.  19-20. Moses rescues his people and leads them to the promised land. Only he can climb to the top of the mountain. But all can climb Mt Zion v 22. Zion equals heaven. Jesus says come, all are welcome, with love. Come to my presence, forever. Through the saving power of the cross.

Worship is a privilege. Worth ship. All around the world people worship different things. Teams, work, beauty, looks. We say God is worth being worshipped. Best to worship in spirit and trust- true worship.

Worship reveals the fruit of the spirit…the response to worship.

Two privileges of worship:

1. We receive an unshakable kingdom. Do not refuse God, don’t turn away. When shaken, things get blurry. What remains after empire after empire pass away is the kingdom of God.

2. We serve God with gratitude. Our God is a consuming fire. We worship out of service and awe, not so we can get things from him. Our worship is about God, not about me ( Clay sings a Journey song).

Learning about God is education, not worship. Let that truth strike you in the center of your being.

ARTICLE: who is/was the best kick returner in NFL history? Sayers? Hester? Or a current Atlanta Falcon? Cordarrelle Patterson. As usual, no mention of Herschel, who had more kickoff return yards (5000+) than any other player with as many yards rushing and receiving (13000+).

Speaking of the Falcons, head coach Arthur Smith revealed the team wouldn't be wearing their gradient jerseys (above) in 2023 - but would wear their throwback unis the maximim three times. Good news.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://talkoffametwo.com/judge-and-jury/best-nfl-kick-returners__;!!AE29DT8V!QTcL9aBL73geivJlzgIN8J3hYY4fopQj5uQdpjsJy1oJJM-RWbUxK2kSdlwCxmL7-ooc7JEuclhA7wuPBAk$

DON BAYLOR [SABR Bio] was the first player to appear as the DH in a World Series game for two different teams: for Boston in 1986 and Minnesota in 1987. He hit the first double in the history of Seattle’s Kingdome, on 07-Apr-1977, as the fifth batter. It was also that stadium’s first hit of any kind. He was once thrown out stealing twice in the same inning. In the 9th inning on 15-Jun-1974 in Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, playing for the Orioles, Baylor was put in to pinch run. He was thrown out attempting to steal second. He was called out, but Ron Santo dropped the ball, and Baylor was safe. Baylor promptly stole third. Then Baylor foolishly broke for home - and was thrown out again. Research found no other parallel instance.

Will made MC a nice handmade birthday card, but had one small cutout left over.

Winnie Escapes

The other night I was taking Winnie outside before going to bed. We had forgotten to turn on the front lights, so the yard was dark. Lately Winnie likes to hurry outside in an effort to catch a squirrel or bug. She heads straight to the first tree and looks up (but she never checks any other tree). This time she somehow knew something was in the front yard, because when we came out of the garage she bolted left down the walkway to the front yard. I didn’t have a good grip on her leash, and couldn’t hang on. Winnie disappeared into the darkness. I couldn’t see anything. I called for Winnie. Then I saw a deer dart across the street from out yard.

Great I thought. If Winnie chases the deer, we’ll never see her again. I hadn’t brought my phone with me, but I tried to call Ceil on my Apple Watch. Couldn’t get a connection. I was calling out for Winnie. A second deer crossed the street. Finally Winnie returned to me. Looked like she was scared of the deer – they’re bigger than squirrels and bugs.

Wednesday: left work shortly after five. Ceil made homemade pizza for supper. Very good. Lots of sauce. So many pizzas these days don’t have enough sauce. I say the more sauce the better. Watched The Neighborhood. Still have several unwatched episodes to catch up on. Calvin was wearing a nice blue pair of Pumas that I’ve had my eye on. Also watched Jeopardy and Chicago Med. 

Thursday: up early to lift weights. Need to run, but put two hilly miles on my legs yesterday.

Etiquette rules that still should be followed. I added the last five. 

1. RSVP in a timely manner.

2. Take off your sunglasses indoors, and when greeting someone (also hats).

3. Returning phone calls.

4. Waiting in line, taking your turn, and not breaking in line.

5. Holding the elevator for someone.

6. Being on time.

7. Opening doors for others.

8. Saying please, thank you, may I, etc.

9. Asking permission before doing something.

10. mailing thank you notes.

11. Minding your own business.

12. Making introductions.

13. Standing to shake hands, and when meeting someone new.

14. Apologizing, sincerely, in person.

15. Not taking off your shoes in public.

16. Using good table manners. Not woofing down your food.

17. Pulling out the good china.

18. Remembering names. I am terrible at this.

19. Handwriting and mailing letters.

20. If someone has you over for dinner, later have them over to your house. We are terrible about this.

21. Don’t take coffee, water bottles, snacks, etc into church.

22. Clean up after yourself. Leave a place nicer than how you found it.

ME: I take the time to type things like this to better internalize them. 

https://www.rd.com/list/etiquette-rules-should-never-abandon/?fbclid=IwAR2DAlON1A738vmOAuE1CHH2pK0FqUEkwfFI5gD6D0_58LjXOjxAXeDjtu0&trkid=soc-rd-facebook&mibextid=Zxz2cZ  

Shivonne watches runners pass by on the Atlanta Beltline.

JOE DiMAGGIO [SABR Bio] coached the A’s in hitting for two seasons, in 1968-69. He was on the Orioles board of directors during the ownership period of Edward Bennett Williams, 1977-88. Joe  beat Al Simmons’ record for the most RBI in a major leaguer’s first ten seasons. From 1936 through 1948 DiMaggio racked up 1,277 RBI (he missed three years due to military service - 1943-45). Simmons had 1,276 RBI from 1924-1933. Joe led the majors in triples as a rookie, but never again. He had 15 triples in 1936. He averaged double figures per season, but never led again. He wore number 9 as a rookie, then 5 for the rest of his career.

Braves OutKast Night

Left work about 12:15 and stopped by Taco Bell on the way to the ballpark. Wasn’t happy about waiting in line over 9 minutes, though I knew I had plenty of time. Of course traffic was jammed on 285 west. Made it to my parking spot just after 1 pm. The nice uphill walk to the ballpark took 30 minutes. Only a few fans arriving and milling about.

No one at the first three gates I passed. Only ten at the Right Field Gate, but perhaps 50 down at the Chop House Gate.

I browsed through the team store, then walked down the street to Threads, the new team store that sells all sorts of special Braves gear. Saw the new All Star Game cap, and a green Braves “golf” cap. Not super crazy about either.

Walked back and became the first in line at the First Base Gate, though soon a few others joined me. Still a few minutes before 2 pm. I’d just rather arrive early then be all worried about traffic and being far back in line. I had plenty to keep me busy: responding to a few work emails, checking social media, entering a few sweepstakes, talking to Ceil, texting Matthew, and cleaning out over 550 emails from my personal accounts. Chatted with two fans, one who’d brought his son and mother up from Panama City.

I wore my royal Hokas and matching royal Braves socks, a new pair of navy Tommy Bahama dri-fit shorts, and blue dri-fit t-shirt. Old school 1974 Braves cap to match my royal 1974 Braves road jersey, similar to the one rapper Big Boi would wear to throw out the first pitch. I brought my 10” x 10” clear plastic zipper bag, filled with my jersey, a phone charger, a second bag, and a cap for my friend Chris.

As a security guard passed by, he looked at my bag and said it was too big. Had to be 5” x 9”. A new policy I hadn’t seen anywhere. Later the Braves posted the policy on social media. Great. I wanted the bag so I wouldn’t have to carry the bobblehead around all night. Later I asked a second security guard, and he said it was too big as well. But by 5 pm I’d given Chris his cap. Had the smaller bag folded up in one pocket. Charger in a pocket. Wallet and keys in a pocket. Phone in the fourth pocket. I was wearing my jersey. The clear plastic bag now empty, folded up and stuffed behind me.

By five there were fans everywhere. Long lines. Great people watching. All sorts of Braves gear. Just a few Phillies fans. Several ATLiens jerseys. I would consider getting one, but I’m too old to pull it off. Saw other middle-aged white guys in such gear, but they looked more foolish than cool. Like me.              

At 5:30 the gates opened. I was first inside. First to get a bobblehead (except all the fans with special tickets who entered early to watch batting practice). Went over to grab my designated driver coke, then headed upstair to my seat above the press box. Saw announcer Ben Ingram. So nice to sit in the shade. More people-watching. Saw friends Eric Newman, Norman, and Darrell. Chris had his young son and brother-in-law.

The OutKast Night promotion was a smart idea. Drew in lots of fans that might not normally come to a game. Third biggest crowd in ballpark history. Maybe they meant regular season. Sold lots of standing room only tickets, but I saw plenty of empty seats.

The OutKast bobblehead is becoming one of the most popular ever. Not really my genre, though it is cool.

Finally the game. Lots of offense. I paid close attention to Ozuna. When he misses is when his bat swings far back close to the catcher. Nice that he’s hitting better.

Later I went downstairs for a closer view. Fans like to stand in the mezzanine behind the lower stands, and those spaces were jammed. I wedged my way in.

I think all the booing just fires Bryce Harper up. Hit a home run, then bunted for a hit that sparked a rally. Nice comeback by the Braves.

The game ended around 10 pm. Walked back to the car and drove home. C was still up.

Lifted weights for a second straight morning. My legs and feet are sore from all the walking. Wore my Nike KD7’s to the gym and to work. Can't believe they are 9 years old. Not sure the khakis make them cooler. On the way home I was walking through a parking lot, and a guy driving past hollered "Those KD's are HARD, sir!" Made me smile.

Favorite items at the team store:

52.00 Black Nike Braves shorts XL

45.00 New Era 5950 city connect cap 7-3/4

25.00 Stance city connect crew socks

Visit www.braves.com/yanmar to win an $18,000.00 utility vehicle, in the strikeout the side inning. Similar to what EZGo makes.

The Good Old Days

SPdL memories: chapel choir, the volleyball games between Sunday School classes, and mighty mites. Church softball at Northside Drive Baptist Church (more on that later). Camp SPdL and the three choir tours (Colorado twice, NY once) I went on. John Condra was just talking about my contributions to those. The secret prayer partners on tour and at camp. Switching roommates on tour, like the one time with Scott Atchison. They asked him what he wanted for breakfast. He replied “quiche lorrane!”.

The Whitakers would wear the matching outfits for cruises, and wear them to the “Family Fun Night” at SPdL in the fellowship hall. Those were good times for me, back during college especially and later in my single days. I came on the scene too late for most of the SPdL picnics at Chastain Park.

More memories: being in children’s choir at Northminster Presbyterian in Macon, and later youth group and Six Flags trips with director Jim McNaul. Church camp, once in west Georgia, once in east Georgia. High school football and Baskin Robbins.

GT BSU and spring and fall BSU conventions at Rock Eagle. Earlier tips to Rock Eagle on church retreats. Years later I went back to Rock Eagle to chaperone Condra’s junior high choir. State science fair in 9th grade, road tripping to Athens with classmates. College road trips to Athens and Knoxville and Dalonegah. BSU squaredances. Family road trips to NW Missouri. BSU mission trips to Elmira NY, Terri Haute Indiana, and Gatlinburg / Seviereville. Singles retreats to Ridgecrest and Gulf Shores.

Trips with Ceil: Bermuda, NYC, Richmond, Chicago, LA, Destin, Hilton Head, Virginia, the outer banks, Boston, and Maine. Myrtle Beach with the extended Miller family. School trips with the kids to Jekyll, St Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Gulf Shores, Tybee, and St. Georges Island. Trips with Anna to the zoo. Baseball trips with Will to Cooperstown, Nashville, Knoxville, and Panama City. Anna's zoo trip. Concert trips with Matthew to Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Marietta. Family trips to Washington, San Francisco, Destin.

Work trips to Houston, Little Rock, Greensboro, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Tulsa, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Memphis, Richmond, Ft. Smith, Jacksonville, Shreveport. I usually turn them into adventures.

And now, playing with Shivonne. W&MCs wedding. A&C's wedding. Spending time with the kids. These are the good old days.

DENISON: C. S. Lewis was adamant that we should embrace Christianity not because it happens to work in practice but because it is truth. Otherwise we are in danger of what he identified in The Screwtape Letters as the “Christianity and” heresy. If we make our faith a means to another end, then God is no longer our Lord but rather an object we use for our purposes. John Stonestreet is right: Ideas have consequences, and bad ideas have victims. However long and hard the struggle might be, truth wins. Biblical morality is right because it is true. Christianity’s long-term legacy in mainstream culture depends on how current legal and cultural debates evolve.” So does the larger place of evangelicals in our post-Christian culture. If, as current trends indicate, we are increasingly identified with KKK members and other racists as bigoted and dangerous to society, our future in American society is unclear at best.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/homeless-man-rescues-family-apartment-fire/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Homeless+man+rescues+family+from+apartment+fire&utm_campaign=05-25-23+Homeless+man+rescues+family+from+apartment+fire%3A+The+courage+to+trust+the+truth

JOE DiMAGGIO [SABR Bio] coached the A’s in hitting for two seasons, in 1968-69. He was on the Orioles board of directors during the ownership period of Edward Bennett Williams, 1977-88. Joe  beat Al Simmons’ record for the most RBI in a major leaguer’s first ten seasons. From 1936 through 1948 DiMaggio racked up 1,277 RBI (he missed three years due to military service - 1943-45). Simmons had 1,276 RBI from 1924-1933. Joe led the majors in triples as a rookie, but never again. He had 15 triples in 1936. He averaged double figures per season, but never led again. He wore number 9 as a rookie, then 5 for the rest of his career.