My Masters Pick

My Masters pick…

1. Justin Thomas 7 eight top 10s in past 12 w/ 5 straight.

2. Scottie Scheffler 1 has won 3 of past 5

3. Collin Morikawa 3 fastest to win 2 majors

4. Jon Rahm 2 straight Masters top 10s

5. Will Zalatoris 29 runner-up last year

6. Cameron Smith 6 won the Players, shot 4 straight rounds in 60s

7. Matt Fitzpatrick 24 four of 5 top 10’s in 2022

8. Brooks Koepka 17

9. Xander Schauffle 10

10. Viktor Hovland 4 good driver / poor chipper

11. Sam Burns 11

12. Patrick Cantlay 5 won FedEx Cup but missed 2 Masters cuts

13. Rory McIlroy 9

14. Paul Casey 25

15. Shane Lowry 35

16. Billy Horschel 13

17. Tony Finau 23

18. Jordan Spieth 18 last 3 finishes were poor.

19. Louis Oosthuizen 14

20. Dustin Johnson 8 missed cut last year.

Dustin usually disappoints, but hard to leave off the #8 player in the world. Similar thoughts about Rory and Spieth. Finau and Oosthuisen weren’t rated as high this year, but they usually compete in Augusta.

Will Bryson surprise everyone? Wanted to add Bubba and Tiger (top, on the 18 tee this morning), though both are long-shots. I added the player’s world ranking, as well as my notes.

Cool article about Tiger’s tee shot on 13 during the 2019 final round. He slipped, but still managed a shot that helped him win the tourney. Interesting for two reasons Tiger mentioned: (1) the grass doesn’t get much sun, so players often slip in the sandy patch, and (2) the tee box locations are set up by club member Jefferson Knox, who often plays as a marker so a player won’t have to play alone.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://golf.com/news/tiger-woods-tee-shot-unsolved-masters-mystery/__;!!AE29DT8V!X0F-mS9HR3Ejshw8Ylka5RML5aas_MxWkJzXUJoqeFJfs3BE1hY00yDv69boY5PucJ9MN909VE8ZeULkFSo$

Masters Invitations Endure as a Signature Detail for the Tournament.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/05/sports/golf/masters-invitations.html__;!!AE29DT8V!S4xmMbjufDbwrIkrvuJFS0UXl6J9UD8O86hgrqeDh0z7tS5BGVftUkF29psq5KChTEFbt-IIFqSGZzRUSuU$

The Masters Champions Dinner: this year it’s Japanese. Interesting footwear, and "slacks". After Tiger won in 2019, his caddie was invited to the Winners Dinner immediately after the awards ceremony. All the caddie had to wear was a bright blue (and sweaty) t-shirt. 

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://golf.com/lifestyle/food/masters-champions-dinner-everything-to-know/__;!!AE29DT8V!QY6kaDDLElFisJyrdUBmLLrwme7eml8v-iIhZ-IO4WNwc9qDk5TymJ8UlCd2OSALOdCm1BV6o03_27HEG1Q$

Everyone loves the Braves special gold-trimmed World Champions uniforms – except me. I was expecting more gold. Perhaps a gold wordmark, like several champions wore. A gold tomahawk, and gold numbers with red or navy trim. Heck a gold jersey would be better. With gold pants. Go all out. I looked at the video and didn’t see any gold. Thumbs down.

I have been on board with all players wearing 42 to honor Jackie Robinson for years and years, since the beginning 25 years ago. Perhaps now it’s time to change things up. American League teams could wear Larry Doby’s number. Or players could honor the player that broke the color barrier for their team. Hank Aaron wasn’t the first African American Brave, but the team should be able to wear his 44 once a year.

That said, I am not a fan of MLB forcing every team to wear 42 in Dodger blue font. MLB loves them some Dodgers, don’t they? What would be cool if every player a red Dodger 42 on the front of their jersey. Might have to send in that idea.

Things to never search for on Google.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.komando.com/privacy/risky-google-searches/782263/__;!!AE29DT8V!DnJoO4Mch-rrUS385CeoFDtgnAxgHzcswiljVEVJczScXPtv5TES6yF746PxDNmUV-U$

Vehicles with the most markup over the suggested retail price: Jeep Wrangler, Ford Maverick Hybrid, Porsche Macan SUV, Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Gladiator pickup (my favorite), Ford Maverick EcoBoost, Lexus RX 450h, Ford Bronco, Genesis GV70, Mercedes GLB, Corvette, Mustang, MINI Countryman, Lexus RX 350L, Mercedes GLA.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.powernationtv.com/post/the-top-15-most-marked-up-vehicles-of-2022__;!!AE29DT8V!CLwEQEYNdiWK8E-HjqQDPrbt3fXYgWf2H5IBERwtT8oaR8eObrCjrhEg9aiRsfX5vDc$

Modern era players who stole home twice in a single game.

Barrett........CHW....01-May-1924

Collins........PHA.....06-Sep-1913

Doyle..........NYG.....18-Sep-1911

Gautreau....BOS.....03-Sep-1927(1)

Jackson.....CLE......11-Aug-1912

Konetchy...STL......30-Sep-1907

Magee.........PHI......20-Jul-1912

Power.........CLE.....14-Aug-1958i

Tinker.........CHC....28-Jun-1910

Wagner.......PIT..... 20-Jun-1901

Zinn.............NYY...15-Aug-1912

Masters 411

 

This weekend W&MC are attending both the Saturday and Sundays rounds of the Masters, the lucky ducks. Will wanted to take Shivonne, but I’m not sure if he can.

Why the Par Three Tournament is the best non-event in sports, better than the slam dunk contest or home run derby.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2018-8-reasons-why-the-par-3-contest-is-the-best-non-event-event-in-sports__;!!AE29DT8V!FBW5aPxPDD54C3d3wtvQreNVjMxl5QDrAze7NeGyTpz53kTBZ0jaJ1bSlA4ioEQVWJg$

Like many in the real world, Augusta National has supply chain issues. None of the beloved peach ice cream sandwiches. The price of a beer has increased to five dollars – still cheap for a major sporting event. The plastic Masters logo cup alone is worth that investment. New on the menu this year: a tasty three dollar breakfast sandwich with bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://golf.com/lifestyle/food/masters-food-menu-surprising-changes/__;!!AE29DT8V!HGgMpC0WIy7_feu9Q9IO2uTO1RxEB4rddKrdtUEAyFO6PdN0QhKt8kVC7bwnZAkuGxQ$

Golf Digest’s best bets to win the Masters.

1. 12/1 Justin Thomas 8 top 10s in past 12 w/ 5 straight.

2. 16/1 Scottie Scheffler has won 3 of past 5

3. 18/1 Viktor Hovland good driver / poor chipper

4. 12/1 Collin Morikawa fastest to win 2 majors

5. 16/1 Cameron Smith won the Players, shot 4 straight rounds in 60s

6. 16/1 Dustin Johnson missed cut last year

7. 14/1 Rory McIlroy

8. 35/1 Will Zalatoris runnerup last year

9. 16/1 Patrick Cantlay won FedEx Cup, missed 2 Masters cuts

10. 50/1 Matt Fitzpatrick 4 of 5 top 10’s in 2022

11. 8/1 Jon Rahm 4 straight Masters top 10s

12. 25/1 Hideki Matsuyama has a sore back

13. 12/1 Jordan Spieth last 3 finishes were poor.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2022-picks-the-13-best-bets-to-win-at-augusta-national__;!!AE29DT8V!AxmfrEWfX8hzo5C-98sUOIg-gqCGaaM7TxQ-T5O4yc9Q8CcatcJ456_bPNWTyxZ_VUE$

Golf Digest ranked the entire Masters field, from bottom to top. Here’s their top 20, plus a few others of note. I’ve added their world rank.

1. Justin Thomas 7.

2. Brooks Koepka 17.

3. Scottie Scheffler 1.

4. Dustin Johnson 8.

5. Cameron Smith 6.

6. Jon Rahm 2.

7. Collin Morikawa 3.

8. Viktor Hovland 4.

9. Xander Schauffele 10.

10. Will Zalatoris 29.

11. Sam Burns 11.

12. Matt Fitzpatrick 24.

13. Jordan Spieth 18.

14. Shane Lowry 35

15. Patrick Cantlay 5.

16. Rory McIlroy 9.

17. Paul Casey 25

18. Billy Horschel 13.

19. Cameron Young 46

20. Daniel Berger 21   

22. Tyrrell Hatton 16

24. Louis Oosthuizen 14

25. Tony Finau 23

30. Adam Scott 36

36. Hideki Matsuyama 12

40. Bubba Watson 68

45. Tiger Woods 973

46. Matthew Wolff 45

48. Bryson DeChambeau 19

57. Patrick Reed 31

58. Kevin Na 30

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2022-augusta-national-players-field-ranking__;!!AE29DT8V!Dnv2lQAJTn4vzPE2pewBmDovsWyEC_PVNkp1UqEphzILvNfvwQi1Zns2zTa61c5AmEA$

My Monday: could’ve gone outside after work and hit golf balls, but I was sore from the morning workout, and tired from being on the go the past several days, so I crashed on the couch. C had something at church, so I fixed a ham & cheese quesadilla for supper. Caught up on emails.

C couldn’t get Winnie from the kennel until about noon yesterday. She was happy to be home, but tired from the weekend.

Still sore this morning, but I drug myself to the gym anyway. Didn’t try to set any speed records but still knocked out three pretty decent miles, then stayed at it for another half mile. Time to start increasing my mileage. My third mile was the fastest.

JOE TINKER  [SABR Bio] his inside-the-park home run off Christy Mathewson is often overlooked because of Fred Merkle’s base-running gaffe. In the 5th inning on 23-Sep-1908, Tinker, known for his speed, circled the bases scoring the Cubs’only run, but the events that followed are what history remembers. Tinker and Craig Counsel each collected three sacrifices in a single World Series. Tinker in 1906, Craig Counsell in 2001. Tinker managed two different Chicago-based major league teams: CHI (FL) 1914-15 and CHC NL (1916).

DENISON: Secularism continues to grow in the US. According to Pew Research, 30% have no religious affiliation of any kind. Younger generations are less engaged in church than parents; many Christians are not active in a local congregation. Consider King David's admonition in Psalm 14:1: "The fool says in his heart 'There is no God.'" Our secular culture insists that personal authenticity is the path to flourishing, defining authenticity as "a feeling that people interpret as a sign that what they are doing in the moment aligns with their true self." Historian Carl Trueman calls this "expressive individualism." It enables a person to believe they are "a woman trapped in a man's body" or that an unborn child is an organism encroaching on a woman's life she is therefore free to remove. Denison notes in The Coming Tsunami, Christians who disagree are stigmatized as outdated, intolerant, oppressive, and even dangerous to society. How is this radical secularism working? A Wall Street Journal statement: "The world is entering the most dangerous period since the Soviet Union collapsed, and perhaps since the 1930s." Geopolitical dangers, the opioid epidemic and other "deaths of despair," deepening political sectarianism that threatens democracy, the escalating crime rate.

But Josh Selig, a ten-time Emmy Award-winning television producer/director writes: “I'm an atheist, but between COVID and nuclear weapons, I'm ready to give God a try. It feels like we're pretending. Pretending to live. Our jobs no longer seem important. Not much does. He then tells God: "Although I check daily, there are no answers in my newsfeed, my inbox, or phone. So, I've come to you. I think we are ready to listen." Contrary to secularism, religion is growing dramatically around the world. Secular writers agree "religious people are happier, healthier, and live longer" and "religious people are more likely to feel they belong to a community." Numerous studies show religious engagement is vital to flourishing. The health benefits of religion are clear: a comprehensive Harvard study found that people who attend religious services weekly are 16% less likely to become depressed, show a 29% reduction in smoking, and 34% reduction in heavy drinking.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/atheist-is-ready-to-give-god-a-try-an-april-fools-day-reflection/

Lewis BBQ, Frannie & The Fox

We had a decent trip to Charleston. Had plenty of errands to run on Thursday evening. Target. Post office. Gas for the car. Had Winnie dropped off at the kennel by 9 am Friday, and we were on our way. Matthew provided the soundtrack. Anna worked her phone and napped. Stopped by a different Chickfila in Augusta, which worked out well. 

Made it to Summerville by 2:30, giving us time to unpack and visit with Ceil’s mother, aunt, uncle. W&MC arrived with Shivonne, so we visited with them as well.

C drove her mother and her two helpers to the rehearsal dinner in Monks Corner. I chauffeured Uncle Lennie and Aunt Corrine. Plenty of time to visit with family, like Grant (above). On the menu: Low Country Boil (shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn on the cobb). Also brisket, green beans, potatoes, biscuits, brownies, and ice cream.

Saturday morning I went with the kids to Downtown Charleston for brunch at Frannie & The Fox, the restaurant inside The Emeline, a four star hotel. MC and I had the pancakes. Anna had an everything bagel with locks. M had sausage, eggs and potatoes. Will had a large bowl of oatmeal. Afterwards we walked around the downtown area, pushing Shivonne in her buggy. Saw a huge cruise ship docked nearby. C went with her mother to Cracker Barrell.

Drove back downtown for the 4 pm wedding. Then to the reception 15-20 miles up Ashley River Road, at the site of an ancient rice plantation. Aunt Corinne was saying how Lennie and Joan are related to the people who ran those plantations. Eleven of the twelve cousins were there. Phil & Teresa. Dic and Deb. Doris, Ragan, and Rod. Billy Hogge. Richard. Steve Jackson.

Dinner was served from tables at the four corners of the pavilion. I went with Ceil to first get shrimp and grits. I figured two shrimp weren’t going to kill me. Since the lines were long I hit the corner with the cookies and brownies next. Different people had contributed homemade sweets, including Matthew. I brought a couple of his pinwheel sage cookies for my nephews to taste. Then to the corner with the salads. I was scared I would be full before I got to the main course: BBQ. Also slaw and macaroni and cheese. After the speeches were finished the music was turned up, and the dancing began. Lennie, Corinne, and Joan were worn out, so we had to leave early to chauffeur them back to the hotel. Got to the room at halftime of the Duke/UNC game.

Shivonne was perfectly behaved the entire evening, at the wedding and reception. Sunday morning we packed up. Ceil hadn’t gotten to do anything Saturday, so we drove the 20+ miles downtown again. M picked a delicious place: Lewis BBQ. We arrived at 11:15 and there was already a long line. The sandwiches has almost a half pound of delicious meat. Very good. Then to an art store before heading back.

Lifted weights at the gym this AM, then back home to work.

Masters: Jack is not playing in the Par Three Tournament this year. More on the Par Three Tourney tomorrow.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters2022-jack-nicklaus-done-playing-in-par-3-contest-at-augusta-grandson-hole-in-one__;!!AE29DT8V!CMZkZ2hv7v8xKRvsNgThawe5orXvYXd5XpyZmbLuYC9BKOr1BOZSHxI82TyLTDTMjzk$

After 26 years of wearing Nike golf shoes, Tiger showed up at Augusta National yesterday in FootJoys.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://golf.com/gear/golf-apparel/tiger-woods-surprising-masters-gear-change/__;!!AE29DT8V!FZ2qeH9-fS1KqqYIlwSZkvXdxkrVPmugjL98_XuhRinkhdbq4LWPXroaJx2gFjWPzQs$

VIC POWER  [SABR Bio] a one-time Phillie, he was the last first baseman to lead the American League in triples, with ten in 1958 while playing for KCA & CLE. Vic played 18 games for PHI in 1964. He won Gold Gloves at first base for four different teams: for KCA (1955, 56, 58); for Cleveland (1959, 60, 61); for the Twins (1962, 63); and LA (1964). He once to hit a leadoff and walk-off home run in the same game, on 07-May-1957, both off the Orioles’ Hal Brown

Denison: Denzel Washington spoke about his reaction when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards last week. Washington went immediately to speak with Smith, and said “the only solution was prayer, the way I see it." When Hubert Davis, UNC's first-year coach, was introduced last April, he told a press conference that his faith "is the most important thing to me. My faith and foundation is firmly in my relationship with Jesus." An Atlantic headline: "Why People Are Acting So Weird" - acting more rudely and violently due to heightened stress, the increased use of alcohol and drugs, and isolation enforced by the pandemic. In a recent Gallup poll, only 17% were satisfied with the direction of the country.

There are more than two billion Muslims in the world, each of whom rejects the divinity of Jesus and is therefore without true hope of eternal life (cf. Romans 8:9). Tom Doyle wrote Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? tells story after story of ways God is "awakening" the Muslim world by his Spirit. David Garrison wrote A Wind in the House of Islam: How God is drawing Muslims around the world to faith in Jesus Christ documenting statistically the fact that "Muslim movements to Jesus Christ are taking place in numbers we've never seen before." He identifies 82 movements to Christ in "what appears to be a historic spread of the gospel across the Muslim world."

Example: Sheikh Hakim is a hafez. He has memorized the Qur'an. He said "If someone said Jesus was God, we would kill him. When I was a Muslim, I burned churches for Islam." Then an evangelist gave him a New Testament. "That night Jesus came to me in a dream," he says. He saw himself chopping down a mosque's minaret. When Hakim came to faith in Christ, his father tried to murder him. He has led 400 Muslim sheikhs to Christ.

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/denzel-washington-on-will-smith-slapping-chris-rock-the-only-solution-was-prayer/

Did you see the baby?

Good to catch up with Grant, Deb, Dic Dac, and Chase.

Zane and Laura.

As usual Ceil looked great. With Kelly, Jackie, and Teresa. 

Before leaving Charleston Sunday morning we drove downtown to eat lunch. Matthew picked Lewis Barbeque, an excellent choice.

Charles and Joel running the cart

at Bellwood Coffee's Bolton Road location.

Saturday Morning in Charleston

Saturday morning after brunch we walked around downtown Charleston. These pictures came out in reverse chronological order. We ended up at Anthropologie. 

Found a garden alleyway in downtown Charleston that opened up into a hidden graveyard.

A cruise ship was docked nearby, looming over the buildings.

Shivonne kept an eye on her daddy.

We walked through a market in an old warehouse.

Started with brunch at a fancy place in downtown.

MC and I had the pancakes.

April MLB MiLB SGAs

MLB and MiLB promotions and giveaways of note, for April. Nice the Braves have several weekday giveaways this year. I know there are other lists like these, but it’s fun to see what’s out there. Seems like the Cardinals, Giants, and Dodgers have a giveaway at every game. Some good, some bad, but you gotta look at them all to make sure you don’t miss a bobblehead.

What have I missed? There’s a giveaway for every day except two: the 21st and 25th. Take your wife out to dinner. Believe it or not I didn’t include every giveaway and special ticket deal I unearthed. Every home Tuesday Pensacola has a special ticket cap deal. Every home Sunday the Chattanooga Lookouts give away a used car to one lucky fan in attendance. A deal so good it makes my list. Bucket hat giveaways are gaining in popularity. I approve. Wish there were more Hawaiian shirt giveaways.

Several Jackie Robinson giveaways. The Mariners are giving away Griffey Jr “42” bobbleheads. It was Junior’s idea for players to wear 42 in honor of Jackie - 25 years ago. And the 75th anniversary of Jackie breaking the color barrier.

The caps given away at Gwinnett are usually too small for my huge melonhead. Would be nice to add that black Xolos cap. Might find one at a thrift store. I do want to get me one of them Stripers green World Champions t-shirts. Sweet. Blurry.

Teams I have yet to check: Marlins, Greenville, Augusta, Pearl, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Indianapolis, Columbia, Charleston, Ft Wayne TinCaps, Kannapolis, MB Pelicans, Norfolk, Memphis, Durham, Reading, Harrisburg Senators, Erie Seawolves, Quad City River Bandits, Peoria Chiefs, Bowie BaySox, Lehigh Valley, Somerset Patriots, Lake County, New Hampshire, Fisher Cats.

4.02 SAT NYM Tom Seaver statue

4.03 SUN Cleveland Cavaliers Machine Gun Kelly BH

4.03 SUN Nats Victor Robles BH

4.04 MON NCAA Championship UNC vs Kansas

4.06 WED Masters Par Three Tournament

4.06 WED Utica Comets Brodeur BH

4.07 THU Augusta Masters 1st round

4.08 FRI WSH Strasburg WS MVP BH 20000

4.08 FRI LAA Shohei Ohtani BH

4.08 FRI Pensacola caps 1000

4.08 FRI Sacramento Solons BH 2500

4.09 SAT TOR George Springer BH 15000

4.09 SAT STL Molina/Wainwright jerseys 25000

4.09 SAT SF captain’s hats 20000

4.09 SAT Jax t-shirts 2000

4.10 SUN Charlotte Checkers mascot Chubbie BH 1500

4.10 SUN Reading Zack Hample BH

4.10 SUN STL Mike Shannon BH 25000

4.11 MON STL Linus BH special ticket

4.11 MON ATL World Series rings 40000

4.12 TUE ATL Austin Riley BH 15000

4.12 TUE Akron t-shirt Tuesday 1000

4.13 WED ATL world champs koozies

4.14 THU NYY Elston Howard BH 18000

4.14 THU Montgomery cap tee 1000

4.14 THU ATL Steep Canyon Rangers Variety Playhouse

4.15 FRI LAD Jackie Robinson jersey

4.15 FRI TEX Charley Pride BH

4.15 FRI Montgomery bucket hat 1000

4.15 FRI Richmond Jackie Robinson t-shirt 1000

4.15 FRI Gwinnett ABC Crackers jersey auction (no giveaway)

4.16 SAT STL Keith Hernandez BH spec ticket

4.16 SAT LAD Maury Wills BH

4.16 SAT TOR Hello Kitty special ticket

4.16 SAT SEA Ken Griffey Jr “42” BH 20000

4.16 SAT CWS Liam Hendricks BH 20000

4.16 SAT Chattanooga used car giveaway 1

4.16 SAT Akron championship ring giveaway

4.16 SAT Gwinnett world champs tee 1000

4.17 SUN Easter

4.17 Charlotte giveaway 1500

4.18 MON HOU Yordan Alvarez ALCS BH 10000

4.18 MON LAD Will Smith BH

4.19 TUE LAD hoodie

4.19 TUE Jax Ray Charles BH 1000

4.20 WED LAD Freddie Freeman BH

4.21 THU

4.22 FRI ATL Jackie Robinson figurine 15000

4.22 FRI Pensacola t-shirts 2000

4.22 FRI Altoona free shirt Friday 1000

4.23 SAT PHIL Jackie Robinson statue 

4.23 SAT TB Randy Arozarena

4.23 SAT Nashville RA Dickey shersey 1000

4.23 SAT JAX mascot socks 2000

4.23 SAT ATL Jay Leno Cobb Energy Center

4.24 SUN HOU Orbit mascot BH 10000

4.24 SUN NYY Scooby Doo 5000 kids

4.25 MON

4.26 TUE ATL Maddux BH 15000

4.26 TUE Akron t-shirt Tuesday 1000

4.26 TUE STL Keith Hernandez BH special ticket

4.27 WED Richmond wine glasses 1000

4.28 THU Huntsville Reid Detmers BH 2000

4.28 THU Montgomery beer tee 1000

4.29 FRI Montgomery Kimchi cap 1000

4.29 FRI STL navy puffy vest 25000

4.29 FRI STL Grateful Dead jersey special ticket

4.29 FRI Charlotte tumbler giveaway 1000

4.29 FRI Richmond bandanas 1000

4.29 FRI TOR Bo Flow BH 15000

4.30 SAT TOR Snoopy Woodstock Doghouse spec ticket

4.30 SAT NYM Francisco Lindor bobble gnome

4.30 SAT TEX Jim Sundberg 50th Ann 15000  

4.30 SAT STL Nolan Arenado & pup BH 25000 

4.30 SAT LAD Kirk Gibson BH

4.30 SAT Rome mascot Roman BH 1000

4.30 SAT Gwinnett Xolos black cap 1000

4.30 SAT Chatt used car giveaway 1

4.30 SAT Akron tighty whities giveaway 1000

Just kidding about the April 20 Freddie Freeman bobblehead. But please return for more jokes and blog posts. New content every day.