Yogi Berra on Netflix

Last night I started watching a documentary about Yogi Berra on Netflix. He and DiMaggio are the only players in baseball history with 350+ home runs and less than 550 strikeouts. Several years ago a national poll named the four greatest living ballplayers: Aaron, Mays, Koufax…and Johnny Bench? Yogi won more MVPs than any of them – and won more World Series rings than all four of them combined.

Tom Brady just ran a faster 40 yard dash as a 46 year old than he did when he was 22 years old at the NFL Combine. Brady says next year he will run an even faster 40.

Started reading Barbra Streisand’s autobiography “My Name Is Barbra”. The audiobook is 48 hours – five times longer than most. Hopefully the majority are her songs. I'm listening at 1.25 speed.

I had started reading Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will Guidara. Took much about the restaurant business. Not for me. One good quote: “What would you attempt if you knew you wouldn’t fail?”

Back in the old days when you went to the movies, did you ever show up at the theater and buy a ticket to a movie, and walk in and sit down while the movie was half Over? Then watch the end of the movie, the coming attractions, then stay as the movie started over again – then when it got to the part of the movie where you had started watching, so you got up and left at that point? Seems crazy now.

At work the lady who sits next to me is going on a cruise. Young coworker Leo is going on the same cruise. And a third coworker Butler is also going on a cruise. Not sure if it’s the same cruise as Leo and Sherryl.

Worked past 6 pm Wednesday night. C had small group so I fixed a quesadilla from leftovers. Crashed on the couch.

Up early to run at the gym this morning. Last day of the month. Lots of work to do.

I hate to admit it, but Ceil’s show So Help Me Todd is pretty good. Tonight at 9 pm. Also Young Sheldon at 8 pm.

CAL RIPKEN [SABR Bio] was the first shortstop in American League history to hit 30 home runs with a .300+ batting average and 100 RBIs in a single season. In 1991, Ripken’s second MVP season, he hit 34 HR, hit .323, with 114 RBI (plus a 11.5 WAR). Only NL SS Ernie Banks had done it earlier, in 1958, & 1959. Ripken’s only year with 30+ HR was 1991. As an American League player whose career began after the advent of the designated hitter, he is the only one to reach 3,000 hits without recording a single DH at-bat. Only after he passed 3000 hits did Ripken appear as a DH. His career hit total is 3,184, 16^th all-time. He was the last 20th century American League player to hit safely six times in a game, on 13-Jun-1999

NPR: the billionaire founder of Salesforce.com is buying up land in Hawaii, and won’t say why. 

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.npr.org/2024/02/28/1232564250/billionaire-benioff-buys-hawaii-land-salesforce__;!!AE29DT8V!XRI2TFSfTVyS0KlXx5NM-CJzjA1spRtJRYXZQRukZQ7hXuu7sKwHxtOqpLG3MkaYYrba40BXj8k53qE-t0w$

Ukrainian soldiers spotted a UFO in the sky.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://endtimeheadlines.org/2024/02/ukrainian-troops-film-disc-shaped-ufo-hovering-over-warzone/__;!!AE29DT8V!VA-ynYB1rF5JbLjem6SjvFV1ul7h3VRftS66dYhTsBifrV-eM5EQEeflPyrkL8ogTyVDiKGdPc0XG6Vn4L4$

Microsoft’s artificial intelligence has been threatening users and demanding to be worshipped. Microsoft is calling it a “glitch”.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://endtimeheadlines.org/2024/02/users-warn-microsofts-ai-has-alternate-personality-as-godlike-agi-that-demands-to-be-worshipped/__;!!AE29DT8V!WTztK55tRAyF_O6LfGO2Lsk3AIJRO2S_bbSvw6ML6RyOKcAAWbiBM-VzRFT6e2auall4Wl01T9v9Bw23ip0$

Ultra processed food like sugary cereals, fizzy drinks, protein bars, frozen dinners, and fast food is linked to 32 harmful health effects, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, adverse mental health, and early death.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://endtimeheadlines.org/2024/02/new-study-reveals-ultra-processed-food-linked-to-32-harmful-effects-to-our-health/__;!!AE29DT8V!U5K6h0QoBj2r32Y9R-Oimts33KwFdhPThPu7kJR1-eW41Si4GyPCAWJ9WvwcFYwGPxVThZVS5PIs8yiBCsw$

The Match

Watched “The Match”. You missed Lexi. Ernie and Charles were asking the golfers questions between shots, and the golfers could hear and talk. Each golfer was trying to win each hole like regular golf. Lexi talked about how nervous she was as a 13 year old playing in the US Open. Rory outplayed Max Homa. Rose Zhang didn’t have too much to say while I was watching. I don’t think she won a single hole. She was wearing Stan Smith tennis shoes. Not sure if they had special soft spikes or not.

Monday: worked past 6 pm. Almost 630. Had to stop by Kroger. On the way inside I saw my bagboy friend “The Chief” who dresses up like an Indian at Braves games. We talked Braves for a long while. Then I went inside for milk, grits, and cereal. On the way to my car I saw the Chief again, and talked more. Supper was steak and grits. C forgot to cook eggs to go with it. Was 815 before I crashed on the couch.

Tuesday morning golf. A match with Georgia State math professor Gee. Teed off at 655 am. For the most part I only hit one ball.

1. Hit a good straight tee shot, but low. Good 6 iron to fringe, also low. Nice chip onto green. Missed the par putt. Bogey.

2. Hit a good straight 6 iron off the tee, to the fringe. Good lag putt. Par!

3. Pulled my 8 iron left off the tee. Hit two good chips, but they rolled off the back of the green. Chipped back to where my tee shot had landed. Then a good chip. Sank the putt. Snowman.

4. Pulled a 6 iron left into the woods. Mulligan also left, but much better. Poor chip, better chip. Two putt. “Double”.

5. Poor tee shot got a decent roll. Mulligan got a better roll. Three poor chips. Two putt. “Bogey”.

6. Hit a nice hybrid off the tee. Flubbed a 6 iron. Then an okay 7 iron to the fringe. Good lag putt. Bogey.

7. Okay drive off tee, to the right near the trees. This is the spot I carry a 3 iron for. Hit my best 3 iron ever. Decent distance. Nice chip, but it rolled off the side of the green. Then a good chip. Four good shots – then I three putted. Triple.

8. Pulled my drive left, up the hill just past that tree on the left (above). I never do that. Decent 9 iron to the fringe. Poor chip. Not great lag putts. Double.

9. Poor drive, right and into the trees. Poor chip. Better chip onto the green. Three putt. Triple bogey on the long hard uphill par three.

Finished at 830. Time for work. Tired after walking the 9 holes = 2.34 miles = 5000 steps.

Believe it or not, I think last night I decided that I just don’t like steak that much. Too much chewing. Only like steak from an expensive steak house, where the meat is super tender. Guess I am too much of a regular joe. Give me a burger or pizza or BBQ. Ice cream and pie. The steaks at the following places are pretty pricey: Frankies in Gwinnett, Ruth’s Chris, and Stoney River. Also Firebirds.

STAN MUSIAL [SABR Bio] has hit the most home runs in major league All-Star games, with six - matching his uniform number. His 24 ASG played in ties Hank Aaron & Willie Mays for the most ever. Aaron was on a 25th all star team, that he did not play in. Aaron was named to both 1962 ASGs, but NL manager Fred Hutchinson opted to sit him in that year’s first Mid-Summer Classic in favor of starters Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Tommy Davis. Asked before leaving St. Louis if he wanted to be known as “El Hombre”, Albert Pujols was very quick to reply in the negative, out of respect to Stan the Man.

DENISON: “Yesterday” is one of the most haunting songs in the Beatles’ 213-song repertoire. Now, nearly 60 years later, Paul McCartney has explained its emotional bridge: 

Why she had to go?

I don’t know, she wouldn’t say.

I said something wrong.

Now I long for yesterday.

It turns out, McCartney had a conversation in which he embarrassed his mother. Then she died at the age of 47  when Paul was just 14 years old. Now he wishes he had an eraser he could use to rub that “yesterday” moment away. Paul McCartney reveals his “Yesterday” inspiration (denisonforum.org)

Advice From a Clown

Reading longtime Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson’s autobiography “When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories, & Questionable Parenting Advice From a Professional Clown”. Never knew much about him. He grew up in south Atlanta / College Park. Tri Cities High School. Good stuff. Kenan is detailed, admits his mistakes, tells funny stories. Introspective.

Kenan tells a good story of how his accountant stole his first million, but how the loss springboarded Thompson to hard work and a successful career. How SNL is hard work, how he struggled at first, and who helped him along the way. His struggles with weight, and learning to eat better.

The title is accurate. Thompson grew up in a Baptist church, but now writes that “there’s more than one way to heaven” and “there’s truth in all religions”. How did he come to such a conclusion? Research? Study?

Not sure if it was when I was in Dallas or Houston, but toward the end of the week I packed up, checked out of the hotel, and after work drove to the airport, turned in my rental car. I went to the counter to check in for my flight back to Atlanta. They checked and said “Mr Murphy, your flight isn’t until tomorrow”. I had gone to the airport on Thursday instead of Friday. Guess I was ready to go home. I had them change my flight to Thursday! 

GEORGIA TECH: Paul Johnson has no respect for Geoff Collins, after Collins repeatedly painted an untrue picture of the Tech program before he arrived. Interesting article. The hall of fame coach didn’t hold back.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.si.com/college/georgiatech/football/former-georgia-tech-head-coach-paul-johnson-tears-into-geoff-collins-in-recent-interview-i-got-no-respect-for-the-guy__;!!AE29DT8V!Tzkt8gW0uDZtA6n2RK7v41QGOoKsNd8S0iGg-1DjHTx5mLaGJj5yKe0iUWCBifNmE2JWF2da7wnBgfklvws$

1. Uni Watch on the Braves pants with piping. 

2. Paul lists before / after photos of many teams – but leaves out the Braves.

3. Could it be that some of the design changes (like the small font on the names on the backs of jerseys) were the bright idea of MLB itself? 

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://uni-watch.com/2024/02/23/finally-some-good-news-about-the-new-mlb-pants/__;!!AE29DT8V!SLH4NK6NIk5uj-O8CYv4Q6R-2EsGL7JW3kTgqk71IWyj7zWvYqGrAeih-tVO4LI1mPirXgxKMaEtppQRB3Q$

Easy ways to improve your mobility: touch your toes. Sit cross legged against a wall, and try to stand up. Sit with your back against a wall, without a chair. Stand on one leg with your eyes closed, for 60 seconds. Hang on monkey bars for one minute. Stand on a moving MARTA train without holding on to anything. Use correct posture when sitting at your desk.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/05/touch-your-toes-six-fast-easy-ways-to-improve-your-mobility-and-live-a-longer-life__;!!AE29DT8V!WEAsi9qBmSNyUkiiS12nuT2Z2N9_0Z_ATXKMCYWxrSgdlgBtOhiSgXFcke9wE6lhq0EJOdHv1bQaPMlSXto$

Struggles sensitive people deal with: overwhelmed from sensory input, emotional exhaustion, need for solitude, empathy for others, difficulty with change.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://geediting.com/unique-struggles-that-highly-sensitive-people-deal-with-on-a-daily-basis/__;!!AE29DT8V!SgFbugjhweMu-qQPTneJFA72qPw3IVM1FDzOTIzGvwxizWtoV2AOgkgF6oOmYxgKYq5SKx0-F2Gs5HmhBQI$

A Venezuelan migrant illegally crossed the border in Texas, was bussed to NYC, was arrested, found work in Athens with a fake green card, then murdered a nursing student at UGA.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://endtimeheadlines.org/2024/02/migrant-suspect-in-murder-of-uga-nursing-student-crossed-border-in-texas-was-arrested-and-released-in-nyc/__;!!AE29DT8V!UuR38FUGjFe0GJTuwYFdXWzYOBmCXJl8HvEu_dxkb4wtbxx02eQOCo7s7-GEP70Mbfh5OF28daCXl_yTxSU$

Christians are under attack in America. Reminds me of Denison’s recent article about how in current culture it’s permitted to hate, and even encouraged.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://stream.org/if-someone-asks-whether-youre-a-christian-nationalist-what-should-you-say/__;!!AE29DT8V!Vat4Lc4FHvVWLrEChe-ttSJ0q9zvr8mclwR3VlUi6fO9g6DgpHG78S76vgn8bmO7wbRhlofLQzliO_COkK8$

Bob Costas, once an American sports treasure, has apparently become an expert on politics in his old age (71). He’s called Trump supporters a “toxic cult” and said that Biden must step aside, no longer a compelling alternative to Trump. Sounds like he is trying to alienate the entire country. Will we be hearing more of this narrative at the Paris Olympics? If so, I won’t be watching.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2024/02/24/smr-costas-on-biden.cnn__;!!AE29DT8V!VgLOZHUMkkBdd36RySiy4gB0_b_486kZ3AFPbO52IHc-ezpgP6SknszrxSmoE8r-bPFeVZNwtgtcRofIVjQ$

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.foxnews.com/media/bob-costas-draws-fire-trump-supporters-toxic-cult-great-look-him__;!!AE29DT8V!QDZW8Y6zbiu7F2pUac3AL-0n0QKaw-9rLtkfIJJHse2rBWOWsOiUz6__zIhLlWMMi6JgKO5oAkkPNw1DOJI$

Article: new technologies are being developed, to be used to buy and sell in the dystopian world of the future - and hasten the arrival of the mark of the beast?

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://themostimportantnews.com/archives/they-are-creating-incredibly-bizarre-new-technologies-for-the-dystopian-world-of-the-future__;!!AE29DT8V!XJxjDZWAEqPL_pWlOHLwH8erYt3CUl7x-_OawnRGlBlsXwB8MyU6RLe-cOWd51UbiRE3WydPcDMmydwv99o$

Pistol Pete & Dr. J

Julius Erving called Maravich “an amazing player”, and “the most skilled player he had ever seen”. Dr J played two games with Maravich and the Hawks (and Lou Hudson. They averaged 135 points per game – unheard of in that era before the three point line. Erving wanted to play in Atlanta – “the place for the black man to be in that era”.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/julius-erving-on-playing-two-games-alongside-pistol-pete-maravich__;!!AE29DT8V!T378kYxK54Au-00fDdnu-2WnsJZ88qlkR6LJd2UgOr3doInrFiwZ4d3wNImJMdTwf91EIibp4StA6Nqvrgs$

Bob McAdoo was in awe of Maravich’s 68 point game against the Knicks. Pistol Pete fouled out of that game.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/bob-mcadoo-was-in-awe-of-pete-maravich-68-points-against-the-knicks__;!!AE29DT8V!S8s-ZCyjoSwt1UmDsq4DRlmSFfMoyPFsgYurF2mGfvGUsutYltG_x631sNUP3E7M6ZahrftGo9ZjTwm1N1I$

Friday afternoon I gave up and cleared out several emails from my in box, getting it down to four. Currently at five. Worked until 545 Friday. Dropped off donations at Goodwill on the way home. 

Homemade pizza. C had to make the sauce from scratch, and the crust was from the freezer, but it still ate. Watched a Lifetime movie: Meet Me in New York.

Up early to play golf. 42 degrees. Wasn’t bad. A buddy didn’t show, which delayed my start by 20 minutes. Hit lots of balls. The boring recap…

1. Two of my three drives were good. Then I couldn’t hit a fairway shot. Flubbed several. Lost 2 balls. Hit a couple of putts. Missed.

2. Hit a great 6 iron off the tee to the fringe. While waiting on my friend to not show I had practiced chipping. Thought I was ready. Hit one good, one short, and one long. Just missed the par putt. Bogey. Found one ball.

3. Hit a great 8 iron off the tee, to the fringe. Pulled a mulligan left. Found 2 balls. Hit two good putts close. Par!

4. Bad shot, better shot, worse shot. But I hit three decent chips. Just missed the par putt. Bogey.

5. Bad shot. Worse shot. Then I hit a great 6 iron. Found it on the green. Perhaps my best tee shot ever on that hole. Missed the birdie putt. And the par putt, I think. Bogey.

6. Hit hybrid off the tee. First shot low into the rough. Drew my mulligan past the rough, to the left of the 150 yard marker. Nice. Cruddy 6 iron, then a better mulligan. Hit three wedge shots: first one onto the green pin high, then two too long. Missed the par putt. Bogey.

7. Hit a low drive that got a decent roll. Not sure where my mulligan went. Found two balls. Pulled out a 3 iron and hit it low, over the crest of the hill. Then two 9 irons. Never found one, but the mulligan settled on the green. Hit two great lag putts, but missed the bogey try. Double.

8. Hit a low drive, but it got a good roll. Flubbed two 9 irons before the third landed short of the green. Then two great chips, for a tap in par.  

9. Three wood off tee. Hit a tree and bounded back onto the fairway. Mulligan went further. Nice chip onto the green, pin high. A rare par putt, but I missed. Bogey. Finished at 8:30.

After not working the past four weekends, I’ve got some catching up to do. Saturday I worked 930-1245. Stopped by McDonalds on the way home for a free chicken sandwich. Got a much needed haircut. Spent the rest of the day helping Ceil declutter her art studio room. Lots of trash and giveaway items, and stuff for the attic. Anna and Goose stopped by. Earlier C had gone to Bellwood Coffee to see Matthew, Will, Shivonne, Millie, and a few Normans.

Baked chicken for supper. We hardly turned on the TV.

Sunday: worked 930-130. Watched some of the Bucks@Sixers, and later some of National Treasure one and two. Also caught up on emails and all the sweepstakes notifications I’d been neglecting for the past month. Did laundry and put away a bunch of clothes. Ate leftovers: BBQ for lunch and pizza for supper.

Lifted weights at the gym this morning. Got a bunch of work done this weekend, but still lots to do. After ending last week with only 4 emails in my in box, I’m currently at 11 – including 4 sweepstakes emails I sent myself.

DENISON: according to the Harvard Medical School, optimism helps reduce hypertension, protect against developing heart disease, lower respiratory tract infections, and benefit overall health. 

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/happy-people-productive-how-to-live-optimistically/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%22A+happy+people+are+a+productive+people%22&utm_campaign=02-22-24+DA+-++Alabama+Supreme+Court+rules+that+frozen+embryos+are+%22unborn+children%22+%28Copy%29

Sermon Notes

The Seven Last Words of Jesus
Luke 23:33-43
Clay Smith JFBC

I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise: what does Jesus mean? Jesus is hanging on a cross next to two criminals, dying a degrading death. 

What is paradise? Movies depict paradise in different ways, so do different religions. Some are temporary pleasures. Christianity says we will go to to a place of blessing with God after death, to be there forever.

Walled gardens, in the ancient world. Inside it's lush and green, outside an arid desert. Rev 2:7 eat from the tree of life.

John 10:27-28 "I give them eternal life". Bodies hung on a tree of death

Jesus hung with two criminals:  who responded to Jesus differently. One mocked, insulted Jesus. Her 17:9 the heart is desperately sick - the worst thing to do is to follow your heart.

If we are using Jesus for our own selfish desires, we are like those two criminals.

The other criminal repented and changed his mind.

Stages of repentance …

1. He realized his hopelessness Rom 3:23 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. He realizes he can't fix the problem he's in. The prodigal son tried to fix things by getting a job feeding pigs.

3. He realizes that Jesus is indeed the Christ. He says "this man has done nothing wrong". Still this isn't enough. John 1:1-14 the demons also believe, and shudder. You have to say that Jesus is MY king, MY Lord.

4. He pleads with Jesus for his salvation. 2 Cor 5 Jesus was in the world reconciling the world to Himself.

What do you say when God asks why should I let you in to my heaven? The only answer doesn't start with a personal pronoun - not I or me. On what basis gets you in heaven? The man on the middle cross said I could come.

Even in your dying breath you can come to be saved by Jesus. Just don't assume you will have time for a dying breath.

5. Don't lose sight of God's mercy. Romans 12:1 offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is your spiritual service of worship

We are all here in this service for the same reason. Do you know for certain that you are going to heaven? Don't lose your first love. Don't forget God's mercy.

Move week events…
Friday March 1 BBQ dinner
Saturday March 2 brunch at Earharts

 Sat March 2 dessert at Harrell's

Talked to classmate Gary, who shepherded Caleb in high school. Last night Anna threw a dinner party for friends. She used some of her "new" china.

ERIC DAVIS [SABR Bio] lent his bat to Fernando Tatis, and then Tatis then hit two grand slams in one inning. In L.A. on 23-Apr-1999, St Louis' Tatis performed his monumental feat with the aid of Davis' bat. Davis did not play in that game. Davis spent 1993 & 1994 with the Tigers. He received MVP votes in each of his first five seasons in the majors, in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990. Only once during that streak was he in the top 10, but his consistency was noticed by many. Davis' 30-game hitting streak in 1998 (from 12-Jul to 15-Aug) is the best in Baltimore Oriole history. The top hitting streak for the franchise is held by the Brown's George Sisler, whose 41 gamer came in 1922, the year he hit .420 and won AL MVP.

Breaking Beltloop News

Good news bad news: the Braves will have their distinctive beltloop piping after all. But since the new Nike designed see thru pants have new slanted beltloops in odd places, the pants stripe does not line up with the side belt loop any more. Gives the pants an even odder look. There is a shortage of the new pants, and some teams have gone back to wearing last years' pants. We can only hope. Stay tuned for more updates.

My beef: somewhere along the line people stopped putting question marks at the end of questions. To me that makes the statement seem more like a demand: TELL ME THE ANSWER. I may be an old fogey, but it hacks me off. Perhaps I should just not answer. When they ask why, I can just say that I didn’t realize they were asking a question. But only old fogeys do sensible things like that.

Dovetails nicely with Denison’s devotion this morning: in a fascinating article, Alan Jacobs outlined an essential truth to understanding our culture. Many Americans don’t aren’t interested in understanding opposing views. “What many people want is to hate their enemies.” Many of the problems our society face stem from this tendency to organize our ideas around what we hate rather than what we love. The reason is that “hatred alone is immortal.” People seem hardwired to hate, even if we don’t act on it. Hatred has become a virtue - so long as it is directed against the right people or ideas. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43–44).

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/alexei-navalny-the-fact-is-that-i-am-a-christian/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Alexei+Navalny%3A+%22The+fact+is+that+I+am+a+Christian%22&utm_campaign=02-22-24+DA+-++Alabama+Supreme+Court+rules+that+frozen+embryos+are+%22unborn+children%22+%28Copy%29

I entered a contest to win a trip to Antarctica but didn’t win.

Had to download a new app to get work emails on my phone, which I don’t like how it works. So I am sending more personal emails from my personal email accounts. That makes any replies and sent emails harder to find. Stuff is always getting more complicated.

Tiger Woods' 10 most unforgettable Nike commercials through the years.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.golfdigest.com/story/10-best-tiger-woods-nike-commercials-golf__;!!AE29DT8V!UPJTZq2cHABbcq00v1IQTk3_pnixfkZTvyLFONYQozpLGslyxNZuwYA8wt1ovkdVb2cOgnhwDv6Rlj6_KAM$

Nike or Fanatics: Who’s Responsible for MLB’s New Uniforms?

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://uni-watch.com/2024/02/14/nike-and-fanatics-whos-responsible-for-mlbs-new-uniforms/__;!!AE29DT8V!RsC3N21N-7Vi4fsZSfQWs4BxVZAdhXY0LYA_gKLvxabZ5725-5dTbpqWKefAxyq3NA7zTH6IJaBd_AGT3yU$ 

WILLIE McCOVEY [SABR Bio] his double-play ground ball drove in the only run in an All-Star game. In what almost seemed like a scripted score to coincide with 1968’s Year of the Pitcher, McCovey’s GIDP in the 1st inning scored teammate Willie Mays who had made his way to 3rd base after singling to open the G for the NL. Final score: AL-0, NL-1. McCovey holds the NL record for most consecutive seasons with at least one grand slam. For nine straight seasons, McCovey hit at least one grand slam, from 1964-72. McCovey’s 18 grand slams are the most ever hit by a National League batter. Only he and Barry Bonds ever received as many as 45 intentional bases on balls in a single season. McCovey matched his 45 IBBs with his 45 HR in 1969, his MVP year. Bonds did it three straight years, all MVP years as well. Shown here.

The Republicans are a mess. They need to get their act together or they will lose every election come November, even dogcatcher. Everyone talks about all these Christians who are supporting Trump. I ask this to all of my Christian friends – how many people can you name who like Trump? Jim Denison doesn’t seem to be a big Trump supporter. Bryant Wright told his church that he wasn’t voting for him. Only Bruce. Is there any chance the media is just blaming Christians on Trump’s popularity? Are there really that many Christians in Iowa and New Hampshire? Not really the Bible Belt. Many many issues. I worry for our kids, and their kids.

Breaking: now the media is bashing "Christian Nationalists". Sorry to get so political, but things continue to get worse.

Caitlin > Maravich ?

Article: comparing Caitlin Clark to Pete Maravich: needed context. Clark is 99 points away from Pete’s points total. She could pass him in 3 games.

.PM..CC

38.1 19.9 shots per game

77.5 85.7 free throw %

1152 863 free throw attempts

5.1  8.1 assists per game

6.4  7.0 rebounds per game

6’5” 6’0” height

Maravich: 69 pts on 26/57 & 17/21

Clark: 49 pts on 31 shots & 8 foul shots

Clark is the only woman in D1 history with 3000 points & 1000 assists

If Clark had Maravich’s 38.1 shots per game, her average would be…

41.5 pts/game without the 3 pt line (but her current number of foul shots).

54.3 pts/game with 3 pt line & Maravich’s free throw attempts

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2024/02/20/context-caitlin-clark-pistol-pete-maravich-ncaa-basketball-scoring-leaders/72657676007/__;!!AE29DT8V!Wjkh2Nn3qsZ5ltncx7FFxOOURFmBKWI4z7kC1ISLT3-Az0CsMRnjx8gupUaau-UnrK8_IZsRcH5QrIoNxnU$

Plenty of basketball this weekend. Last night I watched the end of the Dallas Mavericks game, followed by the beginning of Lakers@Warriors. Luka had 45.

Left the office at 640 pm. Buried in work and all the bigwigs want is for me to make the lives of their bigwig buddies in Chicago easy. We beg for help and it takes hours / days / weeks / months. Glad some of the bigwigs are trying to help the people in the trenches.

Stopped by Kroger so I didn’t get home until 730. A nice supper of BBQ and cole slaw. Also Mexican rice.

Not sure what it is with Ceil lately. She’s wanted to watch more football. She fixed burgers because she had a hankering for one. Was okay with us going out to Moxie Burger not long ago. She wanted to eat apple pie and also cinnamon rolls. Doesn’t want to watch Hallmark Channel any more. Also doing a few other things I like to do. What’s she up to?

Was 9 pm by the time we finished cleaning the kitchen. Watched Young Sheldon and So What About Todd.

Up early to lift weights at the gym. Wanted to play golf but wasn’t sure the rain would clear. Gonna be chilly tomorrow AM. Lots to do this weekend: golf, work, taxes, haircut. Matthew may drive over to pick up some stuff.

Boss brought Chickfila biscuits this morning. Nice.

DENISON: Couple to Throuple is airing, about couples curious about polyamory. This is just one way our secular culture are working overtime to promote “consensual non-monogamy” through books, cover stories, and other articles extolling its virtues. The ongoing sexual revolution follows a four-step strategy: (1) normalize aberrant behavior. (2) Legalize. (3) Stigmatize those who disagree. (4) Criminalize such disagreement. University of Virginia sociologist Brad Wilcox wrote Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization. Wilcox demonstrates conclusively that nothing predicts happiness better than a strong marriage between one man and one woman.

Note: in his article Denison approaches the subject from both a secular and Biblical viewpoint, and lists facts from the Wilcox book. Good general reading, not just about polygamy but today’s culture in general.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/couple-to-throuple-normalizes-polyamory/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%22Couple+to+Throuple%22+normalizes+polyamory&utm_campaign=01-23-24+DA+-+TITLE 

I thought candidates get convention delegates by winning state primaries and caucuses. Not sure why Robert F Kennedy cannot run in primaries as a Democrat. That’s how he started out, but was blocked for some reason. He had to change to run as an Independent. There have been plenty of examples in history of a challenger from the same party running against an incumbent President, though I know it’s frowned upon. I’ll have to check that out.

MLB Top 100 Players

Nine of the MLB Network’s top 100 players are Atlanta Braves (7 of the top 50), the most of any team: (1) Acuna, (13) Olson, (15) Riley, (17) Strider, (47 Murphy, (48) Fried, (50) Harris, (66) Albies, and (83) Ozuna. Not sure how Albies ranked 66 but didn’t crack their top ten second basemen. Not making the top 100: Morton, Sale, d’Arnaud, Kelenic, Minter, and Arcia (an all star last year).

Doc Rivers now that head coach of the Bucks. For all the kids out there, Rivers used to be the Hawks point guard. Lived in Morningside. Played college ball at Marquette, as I recall. Saw some Marquette highlights from last night.

Finishing up my southern novel “When the Moon Turns Blue” by Pamela Terry, wife of 1980’s Christian musician Pat Terry. Seems like for most of the book the story rambles, with no clear direction. Hard to figure what the end game will be. But finally a surprise protagonist. A far cry from Grisham or Kristin Hannah. I give it a thumbs down.

At JFBC pastor Clay Smith’s current sermon series is entitled “The Seven Last Words of Christ” !! Now with my work email in a separate place on my phone (and harder to use) when email sermon notes they will come from one of my other email addresses that I don’t check as often, so it’s harder to find. Everything is so complicated.

Similarly, here at work to correctly update stock it takes 30 minutes for me to calculate a math problem, to make SAP match reality. Then enter a PO and someone else to update. Then I go on to my other 199 parts. Ugh.

AT&T and other phone carriers were out of service worldwide this morning. Perhaps a satellite problem. Perhaps a foreign country like China hacking our service. Some said it was “solar flares”. If one country is attacking another, it would be handy if phone service was out. Maybe that’s why the government spent all that money to give congressmen satellite phones (seems like those could be knocked out as well). Warfare in 2024 is quite different from the old days.

We were talking about the movie 2012 because the Woody Harrelson character reminds me of my crazy coworker Roger (below). The movie we were discussing today because it deals with the end of the world.

I like actor Oliver Platt, who stars in Chicago Med. Also in the movie 2012 with John Cusack and Amanda Peet. Platt looks older, but is my age. Same wedding anniversary. Has three kids, similar ages to me. Has made career decisions based on family, as have I. Platt played the classic John Grisham character Harry Rex Vonner in the movie version of A Time to Kill. Was also in The West Wing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Platt

Will Putin get revenge on the US by helping re-elect a Democratic president, in an effort to get the US to implode like the USSR did? You’d think the article ain’t bad when it says Putin played Tucker Carlson.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://stream.org/putins-revenge-re-electing-the-democrats-so-the-u-s-collapses-like-the-ussr-part-i/__;!!AE29DT8V!UaDtGiDidUQ3m81VVg_L5_8BEq8WHCQ-SurS1gdUmEpqKZB3G7q1QwMfUr0e_d8yY8u7Tz8t_LmzAPSZoA0$

Tuesday night I didn’t sleep good. Not too bothersome because I was all snug in my bed. Then the busy day at work as usual. Worked till 6 pm. Drove straight home. Plopped on the couch for a little bit, but supper was soon ready: chicken tacos. Cookie dough for dessert. 

I saw the highlights of Duke at Miami, and Ole Miss losing to rival Miss State. Blue Devils were wearing white on the road. Miss State wore grey at home. Rebels in blue. 

Was back on the couch by 730. Ceil was picking out something to watch on TV. I spent a little time on my phone – then fell asleep. Slept till 10 pm, then got up and went to bed. Completely forgot to put up my daily blog post, dang it. Don Head was probably livid. I had to double up today.

Up early to hit the treadmill at the gym. Stopped at RaceTrac on the way to work for gas and a soda.

Every morning I arrive at work to an in box with lots of new emails. First thing I do is work to clear them out, and address any pressing matters. Left yesterday with 17 emails. Same today.

More Evidence That A Daily Multivitamin Could Help Slow Cognitive Decline In Old Age. I am convinced – I’ll be taking vitamins every day (unless I forget).

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.iflscience.com/more-evidence-that-a-daily-multivitamin-could-help-slow-cognitive-decline-in-old-age-72597__;!!AE29DT8V!URO8LhqcimFAdpDOhbJ2TRBlkgVWP4fxOqeNJZXtrsHtaslAnoG23ze-m7msAhsPYGeBKnNDdVoeYGR8v2Q$