Friday

Fried may be pitcher of the month. Or maybe Sale (it was both). Or that rookie for the Pirates.

Wednesday I left work at noon and drove thru Taco Bell. Took until almost 1 pm to get home. Then worked until almost 8 pm. So much to do.

Supper was eggs and sausage and grits and toast. After supper I went back and played on my laptop in the dining room, since I had it hooked up to the big screens. Looked liked the Fever were in it until the end. Caitlin set the record for most 20 point road games to start a career.

Thursday: up early to hit the gym. Treadmill. Wednesday was weights. Worked past 6 pm. Ceil stayed late babysitting. I walked and fed Winnie, made me quesadillas for supper, and watched Jerry Seinfeld’s new movie “Toasted”. Silly but good. Ceil got home in time for the season finale of Elsbeth.

Up early this AM to lift weights. Trying to get stuff done at work before heading out on vacation. Got my in box down to 12 emails, the lowest all week. Still too many. Need to cut the grass tonight.

LEO DUROCHER  [SABR Bio] is the only manager to win 500 games with each of three different teams in the same league. Durocher won 738 with Brooklyn, 637 with the NY Giants, and 535 with the Cubs. When he retired, his total of 2,008 wins was second only to John McGraw’s 2,763 in NL wins. Durocher has since been passed in NL wins by Walter Alston and Bobby Cox. He was the first player to wear uniform #7 for the NYY in 1929, the first season the team put numbers on all uniforms, the first team to do so. Durocher played shortstop for the Reds from 1930-33. He appeared as himself on numerous television shows….

- hosted the TV series “Double Play” with his wife in 1953.

- a mystery guest on “What's My Line” on 31-May-1951.*

- was himself on “The Beverly Hillbillies” on 10-Apr-1963.

- was himself on “Mr. Ed” on 29-Sep-1963.

- was himself on “The Munsters” on 08-Apr-1965.

- Etc.

*His wife Laraine Day was on the celebrity panel that day.

George Carlin discusses the Beatles vs The Rolling Stones. 

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-great-debate-george-carlin-on-the-beatles-vs-the-rollingstones/__;!!AE29DT8V!SzhiUGZIZY-rj8qAprUCCGzE18RpnKHwpJu95jbOaDDSZ0pRnbtX31HEsnfbWpQjwdzf0aNUjq-CVetht60$

On Rucking

Finished the book “Outlive: the Science & Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia. Too long and scientific. Hard for the common person to understand and follow a good chunk of it. Had to be a scientist to make the connection from all the scientific mumbo jumbo to practical steps I should make. He did say not to get so engrossed in which specific diet you eat. Instead focus on eating less. Sodas and even fruit drinks pump too much sugar into your body. Better to eat fruit. You can’t eat enough protein.

Attia championed what I am just now learning: the best exercise is broken down into four parts: weight training, high intensity interval training, stability exercises, and longer, slower, “stage 2” cardio – hiking or walking / running at a pace where you can have a conversation, though you’d rather not. Perhaps “rucking”  which is walking/hiking with a weighted vest or backpack. In addition to eating right and physical exercise, another key is emotional health and well-being. No reason to live to one hundred when you’re miserable.

The author called for the leap from the current state of medicine (“2.0” – waiting until symptoms, sickness, and disease appears to address it) to medicine 3.0 – a more preventative approach…starting decades early to prevent cancer, cardiac disease, dementia, and diabetes. These hour horsemen account for a majority of non-accidental deaths in the US.

Article: walking with a weighted vest or backpack is the hip new workout in silicon valley and Hollywood.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.businessinsider.com/guy-fieri-weight-loss-healthy-aging-fat-burning-rucking-workouts-2024-5__;!!AE29DT8V!RqG1WPRIgKGGUu5DBwZ9BeP0hgPHfRbO1hBDq-sJDrzlSDGPSl4rWAmQVW2hvhckudGdkKa65SuD29Oxrxo$

This Hank Aaron statue was unveiled in the lobby of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY. 

Back before 1969 only the one team from the NL and AL with the best record went to the World Series, so winning every game mattered more. Snitker plays to win every game, but he doesn’t play his catcher all 162 games. Only catches one game of doubleheaders, and takes off the day games after night games. Braves position players rarely take off, and play many more games than most other teams.

Nowadays with so many teams making the playoffs, it’s the team playing the hottest in October that wins the World Series. The season is for fine tuning and getting everyone in a groove. Last two seasons in October the Braves pitchers were worn out. Different issues. Fried had a blister. Morton, Elder, Strider had other issues.

See where Christian Yelich of the Brewers was safe on a delayed steal of home plate?

I saw where Brianna set a hard pick and knocked Caitlin to the ground. Kate Martin blocked the shot of a 6’7” opponent. Both she and Gabbie were good shot blockers. Martin and Caitlin are both 6’0” as I recall.

Tuesday morning I forgot to leave my glasses in the car, so on the treadmill I was able to actually read the ESPN SportsCenter info for a change. With Shane and Eric and Angie and Vanessa out of the office today, I didn’t feel like wearing my golf shirt. Wore a t-shirt to the office instead. Born to be wild.

NOMAR GARCIAPARRA [SABR Bio] was the first Red Sox player to hit fifty or more doubles in a season more than once. In 2000, Garciaparra hit 51 2B, in 2002, 56. Garciaparra’s 30-game hitting streak in 1997 (setting the AL record for rookies) tied Tris Speaker’s 1912 streak. They both trail Dom DiMaggio’s 34-gamer in 1949. In his 14 years in the majors Nomar hit .300 or more nine times, twice winning the batting title. His career stretched from 1996 to 2009. In 1999 he hit .357, in 2000, .372. He spent his final season with OAK.

R.I.P. Jim Otto

Former Raiders HOF center Jim Otto passed away. Interesting article about his career. Played in every one of the Raiders’ AFL games. Had 40+ surgeries, including 28 on his knees, yet never missed a game.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://talkoffametwo.com/nfl/hall-mourns-jim-otto-death__;!!AE29DT8V!ToDVmNgEaW-MyVrtXN8XXHk1mnmirTt2Ph_SrVCtdnI-tPF97bQmTKS4lsbcyavr3t1vOAamGAhXDwp3rj0$

Sunday night on the CBS show 60 Minutes interviewed Pope Francis, who said “We are all fundamentally good. Yes, there are some rouges and sinners, but the heart itself is good”. Then 60 Minutes sent that quote out on social media. Generated several good replies.

Were you able to watch the Braves game on TBS? It was blacked out at our house. I saw on my TV that TBS had their baseball pregame show on, to be followed by the Braves game. I was able to watch the pregame show but at 730 the channel went blank.

I won’t say it’s busy at work, but it is. This morning coworker Brad asked our team meet, so Angie and I followed him into our boss’ office and closed the door. We didn’t know what was going to happen. Brad had woken up early with a song on his heart, and he shared it with us, singing “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place”. Then he prayed for us. We were kinda shocked, though Brad is a strong Christian.

We are having a “built in” cabinet installed in our living room in June, which means we need to get rid of our two large IKEA bookcases. Which means we have to do something with all the books and bobbleheads in the bookshelves.

Man I have a ton of stuff to do before Saturday morning. Laundry. Pack. Cut the grass. Gotta track down a pair of shorts that are missing. Lots of work as well. At the end of the day I’m too worn out and just want to crash when I get home. I have four paperbacks set aside to read. Blog posts may be a little scatterbrained for the next few days.

Might take Winnie to the minor league baseball game. Next Wednesday night is bring your dog night.

R.I.P. Martha Rollings

We attended the funeral of Martha Rollings yesterday in Jefferson, along with at least 160 others at the town cemetery. Mother of Teresa, Phil’s wife. My nephew Zane and niece Victoria spoke. Both did excellent jobs. 

Hard to know who’s who in Jefferson without a scorecard. Martha was the wife of Honey, who ran the gas station. They would occasionally make appearances down on the beach over the years. In addition to Teresa’s family, Martha was also close with Larry & Susan, Monte & Lynn, and all their kids.

Saw so many people at the funeral. Rusty Ingram and wife drove up from Moultrie. Dic Dac and Debbie were up from Mt. Pleasant. Sunday night Dic organized a late night card game (I passed). Beau wrote a nice tribute. Ann. Rusty and his family. Brett and Donna. JayBuck and Martha, and daughter Bettina. Waylon. Richard. Lots of other familiar faces.

Earlier Rusty and Ben had grilled thick burgers for lunch. Kelly cooked bacon and baked beans. Very good. Spent the rest of the day working, from 648 am to 330 pm.

Winnie got to hang out with all the Miller dogs. She got to run out in the fields with Corrine’s dogs, and observe Lennie’s cats. Wore her out pretty good, but she loved it. She was moving slow last night.

Someone shared old football photos from back in the early 1970’s – Dic Dac, Richard, and Steve Jackson. Good stuff.

The funeral was at 4 pm. We were back at Ceil’s parent’s house by five, and on the road back shortly thereafter. Stopped in Lugoff for Chickfila, then drove straight through home. Trouble on 285, so the GPS routed us downtown then up 75 north. Arrived home shortly after 10 pm. Averaged 39 mpg.

This morning I forgot to leave my glasses in the car, so on the treadmill I was able to actually read the ESPN SportsCenter info for a change. With Shane and Eric and Angie and Vanessa out of the office today, I didn’t feel like wearing my golf shirt. Wore a t-shirt to the office instead. Born to be wild.

NOMAR GARCIAPARRA [SABR Bio] was the first Red Sox player to hit fifty or more doubles in a season more than once. In 2000, Garciaparra hit 51 2B, in 2002, 56. Garciaparra’s 30-game hitting streak in 1997 (setting the AL record for rookies) tied Tris Speaker’s 1912 streak. They both trail Dom DiMaggio’s 34-gamer in 1949. In his 14 years in the majors Nomar hit .300 or more nine times, twice winning the batting title. His career stretched from 1996 to 2009. In 1999 he hit .357, in 2000, .372. He spent his final season with OAK.

Weekend on the Go

Friday: worked until 6 pm. Ceil fixed homemade pizza. Watched Elsbeth.

Saturday: teed off at 620 am. The rain had ended. Nice and cool. Candler Park was deserted. Hit 3 or 4 balls on each hole.

1. Two good drives, plus one that was just fair. Skidded several approach shots, and hit one over the green. One of my chips stuck on the fringe. Several good lag putts. "Bogey".

2. Two 6 irons faded left, then I hit a great shot a foot off the green. Two putt for "par".

3. Hooked several 8 irons left. Attempted several tough uphill chips. One stuck. Missed two 36 foot putts, then sank the third. “Par”.

4. Hooked two 6 irons left and one right, then hit a better one to the right fringe. Two putt for "par".

5. Same as the previous hole. Hit a great 6 iron onto the green. Two putt for "par".

6. Hit all four tee shots well, with my hybrid. Only hit one good fairway shot. Hit a few okay chips. Two putt for "bogey".

7. First drive faded right, but got a good roll. Second drive didn't go as far, but rolled up to the last tree. Then I crushed a drive even further. Then two 6 irons pulled left, but I crushed the third onto the green. Shot of the day. Three good lag putts. A rare "par".

8. Two good drives. Flubbed my approach shots. Chipped one onto the green. Good lags. "Bogey".

9. Okay 3 wood, second try went right, then I crushed perhaps my best drive ever on this hole. Had one good chip out of three. Two putt for "bogey".

After golf me and Ceil took Winnie on a 2-1/2 mile walk. Leftover Cue BBQ for lunch. I was able to watch some of the Fever vs Liberty. Saw where Kate Martin is getting into some games, and Aces star point guard Kelsey Plum had good things to say about her.

Saturday night we ate over at the Earhart’s house, with the Halls. Lee grilled Korean BBQ chicken. Salad, Brussels sprouts, Ceil made scalloped potatoes. Fruit, ice cream, cookies. Matthew made an appearance, picking up some golf clubs. He’s playing on Monday.

Drove to SC on Sunday. Got 41 mpg on the trip over. Visited at Rusty’s and Lennie’s. Drove to Pageland. While C was in Food Lion I was able to hit up Taco Bell and Dollar Tree, and gas up the car.

Working 7-3 today, then attend the 4 pm funeral. Ceil’s cousin Phil’s wife Teresa’s mother passed away. After tomorrow’s funeral we’ll drive back home, arriving late.

Last Thursday evening Anna & Caleb arrived from dinner out in Roswell to pick up Goose during the Young Sheldon series finale. Only then did I learn they are binge watching the show, so I couldn’t comment on what was happening. Article: tidbits from the final episode, including the complicated logistics to arrange Reba’s cameo.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/young-sheldon-series-finale-reba-george-funeral-1236003059/__;!!AE29DT8V!TyF8FDo-W-Xd_W5y5bMml9RpUmgr436lX6doRsQ68lCJ3BluhgHOCtH5ZXb4bMMSizrpANeS9z4rkDcPLEA$

At first Meg Ryan didn’t want to accept the role in “You’ve Got Mail” because she’d done so many romantic comedies. That and more behind the scenes details about “You’ve Got Mail”. I’ve probably posted this before.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a46011743/14-behind-the-scenes-facts-you-never-knew-about-youve-got-mail/__;!!AE29DT8V!VBvAj9kkX052ZUynNdRhCHK3haNg_roFGBMAIjUQSZVeH_vUTkWFUymVPDYiXfpheBj1M_Mv1PFghgl1ncA$

Non-Hall of Famers who played in the majors in 4 different calendar decades and pitched at least once.

Player       MLB career WAR

Altrock.......1898-1933... 9.1

Dempsey...1969-1992...25.1

Gleason.....1888-1912...41.8

McGuire.....1884-1912..24.5

Morgan.......1978-2002..26.2

Moyer.........1986-2012..49.8

Newsom.....1929-1963..47.8

Orosco.......1979-2003..23.2

Quinn.........1909-1933..58.7

Reuss.........1969-1990..35.1

DENISON: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash Sunday in northwestern Iran. His death is likely to set off what the Atlantic is calling “a fierce scramble for power” in the Islamic nation.

Denison on Scottie Scheffler: Golf Digest has an in-depth account of what happened and what happens next; most observers seem to think this was a misunderstanding. According to the Wall Street Journal, other golfers at the scene “described a rare level of pandemonium.” One said of Scheffler’s arrest, “That could have been any one of us.” After he was booked and released, Scheffler stated, “There was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.” One commentator observed: “Of all the things Scheffler could have said, you know what he didn’t say? He didn’t tell the officer, ‘Do you know who I am?’ He’s the world’s No. 1 golfer, but he didn’t try to use his status. That’s what I admire the most.”

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/the-death-of-irans-president-and-the-arrest-of-scottie-scheffler/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Iranian%20president%20s%20death%20and%20Scottie%20Scheffler%20s%20arrest&utm_campaign=5-20-24%20DA%20-%20The%20death%20of%20Iran%20s%20president%20and%20the%20arrest%20of%20Scottie%20Scheffler

NFL Denounces Rouge Player

 

Speaking at a Catholic College commencement, former GT kicker Harrison Butker (who is Catholic) encouraged the Catholic graduates to follow Catholic family values - drawing widespread backlash from the media and even the NFL, who usually is slow to denounce players arrested for spousal abuse and weapons violations. Quite the contrast to teammate Travis Kelce’s beer-chugging behavior when accepting a belated diploma (and girlfriend Taylor Swift’s anti-Christian lyrics on her new album). 

Several of Butker’s statements were taken out of context, many of which were his own personal experiences. The Sam Ponder headline was misleading: she actually agreed with most of Butker's comments, only knit-picking one thing in the entire speech. In fact, Ponder called those disagreeing with Butker as 'un-American".

Also a groundswell of support for the current Chiefs kicker, from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, the wife of the Chiefs owner, teammates, and players from around the league. Butker’s Chiefs jersey is currently the top selling NFL jersey. More thoughts about Butker's speech later this week.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.foxnews.com/sports/chiefs-harrison-butker-jersey-ranked-among-nfls-best-sellers-amid-kickers-faith-based-commencement-address__;!!AE29DT8V!SKycFQSE-JVNodsHxcA2s37jGvVKp55mQ-uJKX2lGlPvPFJQ4tmqtGD6bPI2WEGzXnjDbvu9G4n27MqOe7s$

In other NFL news, the New York football Giants unveiled throwback 100th anniversary uniforms to be worn this season.  

In conjunction with the anniversary, the Yankees are giving away Eli Manning bobbleheads. Speaking of Eli, he was the last QB taken in the first round to win a Super Bowl for the team that drafted him. Since Eli there have been 17 first round QB's who haven't been able to do the same. Only five are still with their original team.

For me 47 years ago, I was graduating from high school. The ceremony was held in the Macon Coliseum. White caps and gowns. I would have rather worn black. Graduating class of around 500 as I recall. Among the boys, I finished 33rd in my class. Was working at Baskin Robbins. I would spend the summer as assistant manager, depositing the cash at the bank down the street, filling out reports, scheduling employees, ordering supplies and ice cream. I was dating a redhead named Cathy. At the time I had not applied to any colleges. I figured I might go to Macon Junior College. It wasn’t until June that my dad talked me in to going to Georgia Tech. He didn’t want me hanging around Macon. Changed my life.

DENISON: Jerry Seinfeld was in the news after a group of students walked out of their commencement ceremonies at Duke in protest to the comedian’s support of Israel in its war against Hamas. There was a lot in Seinfeld’s address they needed to hear. He encouraged graduates to “Find something where you love the good parts, and don’t mind the bad parts. The torture you’re comfortable with. This is the golden path to victory in life. Work, exercise, relationships, they all have a solid component of pure torture, and they are all 1000% worth it.”

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/the-chosen-passes-baywatch-as-most-translated-show/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The%20Chosen%20passes%20Baywatch%20as%20most%20translated%20show&utm_campaign=5-17-24%20DA%20-%20The%20Chosen%20passes%20Baywatch%20as%20most%20translated%20show 

R.I.P. actor Dabney Coleman, part of the Fox Books empire in the movie classic You've Got Mail. Also in many other great films, like Tootsie.

JERRY REUSS  [SABR Bio] was the first left-handed pitcher to win 200 games without ever winning 20 games in a season. From 1969 to 1990, Reuss amassed 220 wins. His highest total for a single season was 18, in 1975, 1980, and  1982. He led the majors in shutouts in 1980, and received the only Cy Young Award votes of his 22 year career, finishing 2nd to Steve Carlton in the CYA voting. Reuss was the only pitcher to play for all four 2005 LCS teams before 2005: for STL in 1969-71; HOU in 1972-73; CAL in 1987; & CHW in 1988-89.

PGA Championship Police Blotter

 

Sounds like Scottie continues to follow in Tiger’s footsteps. Scheffler was arrested this morning, for disobeying police, trying to drive past an accident on the median of the highway. The second round has been delayed due to the fatal accident. Scheffler was able to be released quickly enough to make his tee time.      

Thursday lunch: the chicken bacon ranch fries from Arbys.  Just okay. More fries than chicken or bacon.

Friday lunch: Cue, the BBQ place up the street. Very good. Last month the vendor took us to Duluth Diner. They were sponsoring a hole at the Nucor charity golf tournament in Charleston. I’m trying to weasel my way into a spot in the tourney next year. This year one of the participants was Bill Murray, who owns the minor league baseball team in Charleston.

Bad news: despite being shorthanded due to all the extra work SAP requires us to do, one of our four team members was laid off yesterday – meaning we’ll have to do even more work. Many other departments added extra employees due to the increased SAP demands (who then walk around and and talk and sit around as if they don't have enough to do), but we’re still a person short from where we were before covid. I already can’t handle everything I need to get done to keep our large customer going, so more things will be falling through the cracks. So much extra work so our people can receive parts – the delays can cause parts to get lost. I just hope we don’t forget to order some oddball part that takes 6 months to make.

BOBO NEWSOM [SABR Bio] is the only pitcher besides Walter Johnson to win a season strikeout title for the Washington Senators. In a tie with Boston’s Tex Hughson, Newsom had 113 K. Johnson led the AL 12 times, including 8 in a row from 1912-19. Four times in a row Newsom led the majors in Games Started. In four different seasons, he led his league in pitching losses. Newsom led the majors in GS in 1936 with 38; in 1937 with 37; in 1938 with 40; and in 1939 with 37. He led the AL in losses in 1934 with 20; in 1935 with 18; in 1941 with 20; and in 1945 with 20. He is the only pitcher with a season of an ERA above 5.00 and a strikeout total above 225. In 1938 for the next-to-last place St. Louis Browns, Newsom struck out 226 and had an ERA of 5.08.

DENISON: Christ followers are facing increasing intolerance in the UK; an article in the Telegraph was headlined, “Britain is no country for Christians.” US Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. is warning that freedom of religion is “imperiled” in the US as well. Speaking at a commencement ceremony, he told the graduates: “When you venture out into the world, you may find yourself in a job or a community or a social setting when you will be pressured to endorse ideas you don’t believe or to abandon core beliefs. It will be up to you to stand firm.”

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/a-statue-of-billy-graham-will-be-displayed-in-washington-dc/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A%20statue%20of%20Billy%20Graham%20will%20be%20displayed%20in%20Washington%2C%20DC&utm_campaign=5-16-24%20DA%20-%20A%20statue%20of%20Billy%20Graham%20will%20be%20displayed%20in%20Washington%2C%20DC