1977-1995

1977-1978 lived with Aunt Martha in Sandy Springs

Summer 1978 worked at Baskin Robbins?

1987-1979 lived with Don Sells, Wayne Smith, Mike Kirkland off 85 Shallowford Road

Summer of 1979 worked at Betz Chemical south of Macon.

When I went off to GT after the first two summers in Macon, I stayed in Atlanta permanently after that, living in the GT BSU and going to summer school, from fall 1979 through Dec 1982, except for a short time when I lived in the Peachtree Park Apartments behind Benihana, with Yearwood and Eddie Parker. 

During my college and SPdL days. Would be at SPdL Sunday AM & PM and Wednesday nights. Also other times for special events. Also Mighty Mites and church basketball and softball. At GT BSU we’d have our big meeting on Thursday nights plus a weekly discipleship group, plus intramural football, basketball, and softball. Also a lunchtime Bible Study (no wonder I flunked out).

Then when I moved to the singles dept (and from chapel choir to adult choir) we had singles supper every Monday night at the Huberts, and I think visitation was on Tuesday. Gym night once a month on Fridays. I was in Sanctuary choir for a few years, during my single days around 1983-1987-ish. In 1982-1983 I was an “actor” in several of Condra’s Easter and Christmas productions. One time I played the disciple Thomas in Living Pictures, and various other roles.

After GT, I lived near Grady High on Greenwood Ave, with a series of roommates. When my grandfather died on Thanksgiving 1986, I moved into his house on Hillpine. Bought the house and lived there until 1994 or 1995.

Got married and still was involved in youth dept and Camp SPdL and church softball. Still fellowshipped with those families, and people in the choir. When we started having kids and dialed back, we started going to young married adult Sunday School class. It just wasn’t the same. Hard to fit in with that group. We did like our small group with the Ewings, Hurts, Stephens, Normans. That was our Super Bowl party reunion every year for over 20-30 years.

Loved the preaching at North Point, and now at JFBC with Clay Smith. With Marsh I focused on his content and less his preaching style, which was tops. With Clay and Andy I marvel at the way they can so easily communicate. Louie would preach from the heart, which Ceil loved, but he was all over the place when he spoke – not organized where you could take good notes.

Wednesday: worked past 6 pm. Ceil was home, and had baked sourdough bread. Made me a chicken sandwich. After supper I washed my car and did some laundry, so I didn’t sit down until 9 pm. Earlier we watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Thursday: up early to run at the gym. Slowing down at work, but there’s still catching up to do. Cleaned up a few old orders, Reviewing inventory. Got plenty to do while my customer is shut down. The number of emails in my in box has ballooned to over 30. Almost 40. Every one a time-consuming project I will have to figure out. Hopefully while things are slow I can whittle that down – hopefully to ten or less. Finished the week with 29.

For lunch I got the Wends deal: a big burger and small chicken sandwich for two bucks, and then next door to Arbys for fries for a dollar. Today Wendys has a special: a $1 single with purchase. Arbys has a dollar fries deal. Then Rachel gave me a CFA cookie, so I was stuffed. Worked past 530.

C had the girls at home. They’re used to supper at 6 and bedtime at 8, but C took them around the corner to see a friend, so supper wasn’t over until 8 pm. The organic grass fed taco meat was too spicy for the girls (and me).

C had promised Shivvy ice cream, so we had to load them in the car for a trip to Chickfila. Saw my friend Matt, who like me hadn’t shaved since Sunday. Both girls feasted on ice cream, then Shivvy wanted to explore the playhouse. She was a little small for it.

Then the girls needed baths, so they were just getting to bed at 10 pm. I had to walk Winnie and wash the dishes, so it was after 1030 before I crashed for the night on the living room sofa. I was exhausted from the long day, so I slept real good. Skipped the gym and got almost 8 hours of sleep.

 

Did you see any of the SF Giants vs StL Cardinals game last night at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field? Old time uniforms and scoreboards. Nice.

At RaceTrac Friday morning I mixed frozen Mtn Dew with Diet Mtn Dew, but it was a little too sugary for my tastes. Chickfila at lunch for a free sandwich in their app, the new maple pepper bacon sandwich. Comes with lettuce and tomato, and choice of grilled or fried. Dinner Friday night with the Halls, Rices, and Hongs. Braves visiting the Yankees this weekend. Saturday game on Fox. 

Top Hall of Famers by WAR (100.0+) who were not elected on the first ballot.

Player          Eligible   Elected  WAR)-Rank

Alexander.1936-37....1938..119.6...15th

Collins......1936-38....1939..124.3... 13th

Grove........1944-46...1947...106.8... 26th

Hornsby....1938-41...1942...127.0...12th

Lajoie........1936........ 1937...106.9...24th

Ott.............1949-50... 1951...110.9...20th

Speaker.....1936....... 1937...134.9.... 9th

Young........1936....... 1937...163.6.... 3rd

Denison is always good at explaining world events.

Are Hezbollah and Israel on the brink of all-out war? (denisonforum.org)

The Say Hey Kid

As a kid growing up in the 60’s, Willie Mays was the face of professional baseball. Long before ESPN and social media, the Say Hey Kid would appear on the cover of The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and SPORT magazine. Mays in the National League, and Mickey Mantle in the American. The Mick had dropped off the radar screen by the time I was old enough to be a fan.

As a Braves fan my allegiance was to Hank Aaron, so all the attention bestowed on Mays made me dislike him. Willie was more of a showboat. His cap would fall off as he made his leaping and diving catches. My middle child personality sided with the steady Aaron, who would make the same catch without leaving his feet or losing his cap.

But Willie Mays was the icon. Mays and Mantle, and later Mays, Aaron, and Clemente. I was fortunate to have seen him play.

WILLIE MAYS [SABR Bio] [NYT Obit] is the only player to win four home run titles and four stolen base titles. He led the NL in HR in 1954, 1962, 1964 & 1965. He led the NL in SB in 1956, 1957,1958 & 1959.

Willie, a junior to his father “Willie Howard Mays”, whose name was a tribute to then President William Howard Taft.

He once held the record for winning MVP awards with the most years between, in 1954 then in 1965. He led the National League in WAR ten times, in 1954 (10.5), ‘55 (9.2), ’57 (8.3), ’58 (10.2), ’60 (9.5), ’62 (10.5), 63 (10.6), ’64 (11.0), ’65 (11.2), & ’66 (9.0). He led the majors in WAR eight of those times.

He appeared and played in 24 All-Star games: five ASG 1954-73, plus an extra played in each of 1959-62. Ted Williams said “They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays”. Willie’s career All-Star Game records include most games, most at-bats, most plate appearances, most runs scored, hits, total bases, triples, singles and stolen bases. See his ASG records here.

He is tied for the single-game All-Star records for stolen bases,  with Kelly Gruber, Roberto Alomar, Kenny Lofton, and Starlin Castro with two. Mays was the first player to be a two-time All-Star Game MVP award winner, in 1963 and 1968.

He played in four World Series, winning once, in 1951, 1954, 1962, and 1973. He also played in the 1948 Negro League WS. Mays made his iconic catch in the 1954 World Series off the bat of Vic Wertz (above).

He twice played in tie-breaking, season-ending three-game series (winning both): in 1951 three extra games against Brooklyn (Mays was on deck when Thompson homered) and the 1962 extra three games vs. LA where his 9th-inning single in game 3 began the series winning rally.

He twice played in an NLCS, winning once: in 1971 NLCS for SF and the 1973 NLCS for the Mets.

He is the only player to have triples three times in a game and homered four times in another. Three triples on 15-Sep-1960. Hit 4 HR on 30-Apr-1961.

Mays’s offensive WAR of 8.4 in 1954 led MLB. His defensive WAR of 2.0, led the NL the same season.

Mays hit a record 22 home runs in extra innings. Here’s the list. Only Mays has hit at least one home run each in innings one through sixteen. Check here.

He was the first player in Giants’ franchise history to win a league Rookie of the Year Award. He was named 1951 NL ROY. He and Willie McCovey homered in the same game 68 times. He and Orlando Cepeda homered fifty times in the same game.

Mays was the first player with back-to-back 30/30 seasons. In 1956 and 1957, Mays had 36 HR + 40 SB, then 35 HR & 38 SB respectively. He was the founding member of the 300/300 club. Mays combined his 660 HR with his 339 SB. Seven other players have now reached the 300/300 level.

It was his fly ball that led Mickey Mantle to famously gave chase and step on an exposed sprinkler head, tearing up his knee.

Mays was professional at age seventeen, when he played for the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons who won the NAL Championship Series over the Kansas City Monarchs (4-3-1), but lost to the Homestead Grays in the subsequent WS. The 1948 BBB of the Negro American League. Signed by the Giants, Mays had a cup of coffee with their minor league affiliate in Minnesota.

Alex Rodriguez, a 3-time MVP said of him “There's absolutely no comparisons to me or anyone else to (him). (He), he's the greatest baseball player of all time.” Indeed, with Mays’ passing the debate is on for who is now the greatest living ballplayer. Griffey? ARpd? Maddux? Schmidt? Nolan Ryan?

UniWatch also paid tribute to Mays.

https://uni-watch.com/2024/06/20/a-uni-watch-look-at-willie-mays/

On Sunrise Golf

Why I play golf at sunrise, in no particular order:

1. It’s cooler.

2. Less traffic driving downtown.

3. Don’t have to wait on golfers ahead of me.

4. Can hit 2-3 balls if I want to.

5. Beautiful sunrises.

6. Find balls left behind from the day before.

7. Can be alone with my thoughts.

8. Takes 1-1/2 hours instead of four.

9. Weekends: I have the rest of the day to do other stuff.

10. Weekdays: can get to work shortly after 8 am.

11. Sundays: finish in time for Sunday School and church.

Up extra early this morning to golf. Beautiful sunrise. Teed off at 6:10 am. Tried to relax and not overswing, instead cutting down on my swing. Paid off for the most part.

1. Two decent tee shots with my hybrid. Cranked a 6 iron to the greenside bunker. Three chips, but only one landed on the green. Good long lag putt to within inches. “Bogey”.

2. Hit a good long 6 iron that drew back to the green, but rolled off the back. Three chips, two decent. Sank my second attempt. “Par”.

3. Hit a good straight 9 iron, that rolled to the back fringe. Three decent lag putts. Par.

4. Hit three 7 irons off the tee. Two weren’t terrible. Three putted from far off the green. “Bogey”.

5. Hit a good 6 iron to the left fringe, pin high (also pulled one left, and another to the right. My misses weren’t as bad. Found two balls so I putted five, all close. “Par”.

6. Hit a good hybrid that drew into the brush. Hit a great mulligan that drew left of the 150 yard marker. Hit three 6 irons, none good. Then I hit a fourth too well, that soared just past the hole. Decent chip onto the green. Two putt for “bogey”.

7. Flubbed three hybrids off the tee. Was back to trying too hard. Hit two more from the fairway only slightly better. Chipped four balls: one too long, two too far right, and one onto the green. Lag putt rolled close for a tap in for a “double”.

8. Hit two decent hybrids off the tee, both too high and not as long. Hit a good wedge shot onto the green (then a second way right). Good lag putt close. A good “par”.

9. Decent tee shot that pulled left. Good chip to the back fringe. Hit three decent lag putts, considering the bumpy sandy “green”. Then I rammed in the bogey putt from 15 feet – then sank a second 15 footer putt for good measure.

Finished at 725. Had to pull over on the way to work to dig out a work email. Then my usual RaceTrac stop. Arrived at work at 830.

We had the college world series on the TVs at work – Florida vs Kentucky and Tenn vs FSU. Need to cut the grass and wash the car. I started making a to do list for when I’m off work in July.

Tuesday: worked until 615, then drove to my other friend Reid’s for our Sunday School class’s men’s summer Bible Study in his shady backyard. Tommy, a retired financial planner, spoke on possessions, reading from the Bible and Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship”. I almost shared a pertinent example from a recent Hallmark Channel movie, but thought better of it. Ten in attendance, including four Davids. Also Bryan, Ryan, Lee, and Rob.

Came close to sharing a pertinent example gleaned from a recent Hallmark Channel movie at the men's Bible study, then thought better of it. The cheesemaker had a reverse bucket list, constantly working to simplify his life by cutting out excess things on his list. Get it?

Ugh on the heat. Lows next week of 73-74. Sweltering. Wasn’t too hot down at Candler Park this AM.

There are some potentially scandalous questions in that book Anna gave me. Will have to tread lightly or not answer. Perhaps when I am finished I will gift the book back to Anna.

ROGER MARIS [SABR Bio] played in the most postseason games in the 1960s: 41 WS games from 1960-64 and 1967-68. No other player won more World Series rings or MVPs. He is the only player who was on 3 WS winners, 1961, 1962 & 1967. Few remember that Maris was the AL MVP in 1960. He was the reigning MVP when he broke Ruth’s HR record and earned a second MVP

Pastor Greg Laurie once quipped, “You are the only Bible some people are ever going to read. They’re going to form an opinion about God based on what they think of you.” Denison: when we think about our witness and the impact our statements, posts, and responses can have on the way people see Christianity.

Lenox Square 1.0

When’s the last time you went to Lenox Square? Man that place has changed. I remember going to Lenox as a boy, when it was open air, with the fountains in the walkways. Used to have to go to an allergy doctor there. Wasn’t there also a grocery store on the lower level, a Colonial? Wasn’t the theater on the lower level, kinda in the back?

For Father’s Day Anna got me the “Family Keepsake Journal” entitled “Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love” by Jeffrey Mason – 90 questions about all sorts of subjects, for me to fill in for the kids to have info about my life. Childhood memories, facts, trivia, favorite foods, music, sports info, TV, movies, religious beliefs. Some thought-provoking questions that will take time to answer. Some answers could be borderline scandalous.

Yesterday Will went to play golf with M and his friends.

I worked past 7 pm. Ceil had a conference call with other moms. I ate a leftover burger, plus some of a sausage pasta dish. Later I remembered the homemade strawberry ice cream, and fixed myself a bowl. C was watching a Hallmark movie. I played on my laptop.

Last night I was thinking about the temperature all night. 72 degrees is plenty cool for me, but I was sleeping in a tight cotton shirt that had me warm. Back in wintertime we turn down the thermostat to like 64 degrees, and bundle up.

Up early to lift weights at the gym. I try to count all the people coming and going at the gym. At least 37 while I was there, a decent crowd.  Had some Dreamland BBQ for lunch. Stuffed. Should’ve took a picture.

Researchers discovered proof of a Bible story that took place 2700 years ago, regarding angels killing 185,000 soldiers in a single night.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://endtimeheadlines.org/2024/06/researchers-discover-proof-of-bible-story-that-took-place-2700-years-ago-regarding-angels-killing-185000-soldiers-in-a-single-night/__;!!AE29DT8V!UA3V0Q08ucVDw-xelb26lrInwtae3vM8Ai_jStITGdji_viiZaw9m4NaZ8J5ugZSguAjxFgmQHglsOJQeCc$

DENISON: Bryson DeChambeau’s faith has been making headlines since he won the US Open on Sunday. The same is true for Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla after his team won the NBA Finals last night for an unprecedented eighteenth time.

The Crack of a Bat By Dick Roraback

Away on this side of the ocean

When the chestnuts are hinting of green

And the first of the café commandos

Are moving outside for a fine

 

And the sound of spring beats a bolero

As Paree sheds her coat and her hat

The sound that is missed more than any

Is the sound of the crack of a bat. 

 

There's an animal kind of a feeling

There's a stirring down at Vincennes Zoo

And the kid down the hall's getting restless

Taking stairs like a young kangaroo.

 

Now the dandy is walking his poodle

And the concierge sunning her cat

But the heart's with the Cubs and the Tigers

And the sound of the crack of a bat. 

 

In the park on the corner run schoolboys

With a couple of cartons for props

Kicking goals à la Fontaine or Kopa

While a little guy chickies for cops.

 

''Goal for us,'' ''No it's not,'' ''You're a liar,''

Then the classical shrieks of a spat,

But it's not like a rhubarb at home plate

Or the sound of the crack of a bat. 

 

Here the stadia thrill to the scrumdowns

And the soccer fans flock to the games

And the chic punt the nags out at Longchamp

Where the women are dames and not dames.

 

But it's different at Forbes and at Griffith

The homes of the Buc and the Nat

Where the hotdog and peanut share laurels

With the sound of the crack of a bat.

 

No, a Yank can't describe to a Frenchman

The rasp of an umpire's call

The continuing charms of statistics

Changing hist'ry with each strike and ball.

 

Nor the self-conscious jog of the slugger

Rounding third with the tip of his hat

Nor the half-smothered grace of a hook slide

Nor the sound of the crack of a bat. 

 

Now the golfer is buffing his niblick

And the tennis buff's tightening his strings

And the fisherman's flexing his flyrod

Like a thousand and one other springs.

 

Oh, the sports on both sides of the ocean

Have a great deal in common, at that

But the thing that's not HERE

At this time of the year

Is the sound of the crack of a bat.

Cat Fights

Caitlin is obviously the best thing that's happened to the WNBA in years. Probably ever. Not saying she is the best player ever, but she's bringing a huge new audience to the W. The WNBA has lost money every year since like 1998, and will lose money this year as well. 

Did I see where Clark was named to the Olympic team after all, replacing an injured player. Now the Olympic coach will have to make amends for the negative comments she made about Clark. The Fever have won 3 of 4, and Clark tied Diana T's rookie mark with five games of 20-5-5. Caitlin only needs 3 more 20-5-5 games to break Tameka Catchings all time rookie record.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://athlonsports.com/wnba/caitlin-clark-historic-wnba-feat-catch-diana-taurasis-attention-fever-sky__;!!AE29DT8V!RtDxyAT6_cPcKtypYCic-Y93cOKvEmByBysrqKSHjcPzZp3FY-b68Z7iuHn3wGF3hSqor20H4hPwKV_acoA$

See where Caitlin got  clobbered? Then Angel complained that the refs are protecting Clark. If so, why is Caitlin always getting knocked down? I bet all those players and coaches making negative comments about Clark wish she was on their team. Charles Barkley called out the WNBA players for being petty. Saw where Bill Laimbeer was trending on Twitter – because Angel Reese was being compared to him. I went to a boxing match and a WNBA game broke out. I'm here all week.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://babylonbee.com/news/no-foul-called-after-caitlin-clark-crushed-by-anvil__;!!AE29DT8V!SJwlPMVxsUeeL8pM7CpyyJisIUkuuqca9Umj2zHbr9Tk5uZMMBNGT7bmInZe4FqRirS9YMfntAHF-Bdrh5E$

Braves took 2 of 3 from the Rays. Jared Kelenic took over for Harris in CF and started hitting bombs. Braves keep calling up players from Gwinnett. Man Stripers games are every bit as expensive as Braves games. No wonder they play in front of empty seats.

After golf Saturday morning we met A&C for lunch at Lucky's. A very good burger. Then Anna and Ceil went shopping. The heat is tough. Saturday morning it was 73 degrees at 6 am. I took 2-1/2 showers on Saturday. Glad to be inside all day at work. To set the AC at 66 degrees - man that would freeze me. Every day at work I have to wear long sleeves and a t-shirt due to the chilly AC. My desk is in a chilly spot. Other parts of the office are warmer. C likes it chilly at home as well, but 72 is as low as we crank it. I think the trees around the house help keep our house cooler. I do hear that it is healthier to sleep in a chilly, dark room.

Went to a Thai restaurant on Windward Parkway on Saturday night. It shared a parking lot with four other exotic restaurants. Not usually my cup of tea, but the pineapple chicken dish I ordered was good. They brought out a chocolate gelato dish in honor of Nancy's birthday.

Then we went over to the Halls for birthday cake. Anna had Ceil's car, so she brought it over to the Halls. Caleb and Goose stopped by as well.

37 in Sunday School. I took notes on the lesson. Prayed with Tommy Wilkerson, a good guy. After worship we saw David Hall in the parking lot. Thai leftovers for lunch. Also a ham sandwich.

Watched some of the Fever and later the US Open. C was a busybody. She went to the grocery and made homemade strawberry ice cream with almond milk and organic strawberries. Was good. 

Smash burgers, fries, and spinach as well. After the US Open ended we left it on NBC for the game show The Wall, and then the US Olympic swimming trials. Opening ceremony still a month away and I am already tired of announcer Rowdy Gaines. He sure earns his nickname.

Went to bed at 9 pm. Up early to run at the gym.

ROGERS HORNSBY  [SABR Bio] was the first batter to lead his league in hits and walks in the same season. Playing for STL in 1924, Hornsby led the majors with 227 hits and led the NL with 89 BB. It has since been done by Phillies Richie Ashburn in 1958 and Lenny Dykstra in 1993. No American Leaguer has even done it. No National League right-handed batter ever had more hits in a season than Hornsby. In 1922 he racked up 250. Only Willie Mays has as many National League seasons with a WAR of 10.0 or more. Hornsby's top WAR seasons = 10.8 in 1921; 10.1 in 1922; 12.1 in 1924; 10.2 in 1925; 10.2 in 1927; & 10.6 in 1929. Mays did it in 1954, 58, 62-65.  In the AL, Walter Johnson has seven. The all-time leader is Babe Ruth with nine.

Saturday

Saturday morning golf. Had to wait on Paul, and by the time we teed off Robert had joined us. Happy to have him, but with playing partners it meant I only played one ball.

1. Bad struggle to tee off. After several duds I finally advanced a shot into the front rough. Flub, then a decent 6 left of the green. Dud, then a decent chip. Two putt. "Triple".

2. Flub, then pulled a 7 left. Chip right, then a decent chip onto the green. Two putt. Triple.

3. My 9 iron to the fringe bettered Robert and Paul's tee shots. Good lag, then missed my short par putt. Robert noticed. Bogey.

4. My tee shot stayed right but got a good bounce toward the green, but I never found it in the high US Open-like rough. Chipped a Callaway we found on the hill. Twice. Then two putts. Double.

5. Once more my tee shot bettered Robert and Paul's - a 6 iron that rolled off the green into the left fringe, pin high. While my partners looked for their balls I made a decent chip, but missed the par putt again. Bogey.

6. Hit a good hybrid off the tee, then pulled a 6 left. Then made a great long poke under the tree branches to the front fringe. Chip and 2 putt for a double.

7. Another good tee shot with my hybrid, but poked my second shot way right into the 8th fairway. Aimed at the tree trunk, knowing I'd miss what I was aiming at either left or right. Almost hit the tree trunk. The shot didn't go as far as I would've liked. Flub, then my chip bounced just off the green down into the woods. Give me a snowman.  

8. Hit a worm burner, but got a good roll. Then a 9 iron down the hill to the fringe. Chip onto the green. Three putt for a double.

9. Flubbed my tee shot, then pulled a 6 iron left. Great low chip onto the sandy, bumpy green. Two putt for another double.

Finished at 750. Stopped at RaceTrac, then decided to top off my tank at BP. Was home before 9 am.

Wonderful lunch at Luckys in Roswell. Caleb and I got the loaded burger, with a fried egg and bacon. Good stuff. 

Hadn't had a favorite car for the longest time. At my age I probably need to be up high in a Honda CRV or Passport. But I miss my zippy little Corolla, which sat up higher than my old Civic. I think the new Prius looks badass.

Only two players have led their league in OPS and defensive WAR in the same season: Willie Mays in 1954 and SNUFFY STIRNWEISS [SABR Bio] in 1945. Stirnweiss led the AL with a .862 OPS. His defensive WAR was a sterling 2.8. Snuffy was the last New York Yankee to have at least twenty triples in a season. Stirnweiss led the majors with 22 3B in 1945. He led the AL in 1944 with 16. When drafted high by the NFL's Cardinals, he instead chose baseball, partly because his high school was located less than five miles from Yankee Stadium. He starred in three sports at Fordham Preparatory School, a known alma mater of baseball talent. He was a football phenom in college at UNC, where he stood out in both football and baseball.  As a football player, he played quarterback, halfback, and punter.