The Braves Lose a Game

Braves beat Boston, thanks to an Austin Riley 3 run homer. Yaz homered as well. Braves take two of three to go 6-4 in their last ten. Phillies went 7-3 against easier competition, but didn't gain much ground. But...

...the Marlins always seem to play the Braves tough. Our nemesis. A tough low line drive hit right at RF Yaz, who charged the ball and tried to make the catch. The ball was most probably knuckling back and forth - making the catch all the tougher. The ball caroomed off Yaz's glove and bounced toward center field. But CF Michael Harris was standing there in center watching the play, instead of moving to back up the play. Sure the line drive play happened quickly, but Harris could at least have been moving that way. People hate it when people bring up guys who hustle: Pete Rose, Larry Bird, Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan - but they made plays because they never stopped moving.

Bummer walked the bases loaded, then walked the next batter to force in a run. Already down 6-0, Weiss let Bummer stay in to try to work things out. Didn't work: the next batter hit a grand slam. 11-0 Marlins. Then another HR. 12-0. Not pretty. After the game the Braves gave Bummer his unconditional release.   

Years ago, Braves manager Walt Weiss used to babysit the young manager of the Marlins.

Acuna was activated from the disabled list. Drake Baldwin was placed on the 10 day injured list. Many fans will panic. 

You’d think that on a Bark In The Park game, the stadium would hold back on all the loud music for one night.GT head coach Brent Key indicated that transfer QB Mendoza is the leading candidate to start this fall. 

Ceil’s sinuses have been draining for like three weeks now. She’s been taking all sorts of medicines: NyQuil, DayQuil, Motrin, Sudafed, Advil, Tylenol, but nothing seems to work. 

After church Sunday we ate lunch at the Moxie Burger down off Paper Mill Road. Not our usual Moxie across from the Roswell Square. Ordered a chicken sandwich for C and a burger for me. They brought me a turkey burger, so I thought I’d eat it instead of sending it back. It wasn’t good at all. Ugh. The fries were excellent. 

Walking out of the service, C mentioned that she hadn’t been able to sit out in the sun. So we ate at a table out in the sunshine, no shade. Nice to be warm, but I wish I’d had a ball cap to block the sun. I need to keep one in Ceil’s car. 

After Sunday School the guys were talking about getting back to climbing Kennesaw Mountain on Saturday mornings. I was standing there, so I received a personal invitation. Guess I’ll be going with them next Saturday. I’ve only climbed Kennesaw once before, several years ago. 

Monday: treadmill and sauna. A sandwich for lunch. C had brunch with MC in Buckhead at La Bon Nosh. Matthew stopped by to visit.  Supper was grilled chicken tenders, kale salad, black eyed peas, steamed rice, and grilled vegetables: broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets.

Anna & Caleb haven't really been attending any church regularly, but it looks like that may be changing soon. They'd been waiting on a church plant to start up in Marietta - Gem City Church. Passion City Church is helping them with finances and resources, though once the church gets off the ground, they will be autonomous. Gem City already has over 1400 followers on Instagram.

Theo was the most popular boy name in 2026 and 2025. In 2024 Theo ranked fourth, and seventh in 2023. 

Denison: I feel a special urgency to think with you about Nicholas Kristof’s recent article in the New York Times. The transcendent issues it raises are crucial for the Jewish people and especially relevant to Christian cultural engagement. Kristof’s May 11 column focuses on allegations of “widespread Israeli sexual violence by soldiers, settlers, interrogators in the Shin Bet internal security agency and prison guards.” 

Top career home run totals among players who only played for one major league team.

 

Player                 HR   Team   WAR

Ernie Banks........512....CHC... 67.8

Lou Gehrig..........493...NYY....113.7

Chipper Jones.....468...ATL......85.3

Mickey Mantle.....535...NYY....110.3

Stan Musial.........475...STL....128.6

Cal Ripken..........431...BAL..... 95.9

Mike Schmidt......536...PHI.....106.9

Willie Stargell......475...PITT......57.7

Mike Trout...........415...ANA......89.5

Ted Williams.......521...BOS....121.8

Carl Yastrzemski.452...BOS..... 96.5

Mel Ott................511...NYG....111.0

Jeff Bagwell........449...HOU.... 79.9