Carl Yastrzemski is ill. A triple bypass was performed earlier in the week. Yaz was always a favorite of mine. We were Cardinal fans at our house and in those pre-cable TV days, we didn't see other teams much, just whoever was on NBC Game of the Week on Saturday afternoon. But somehow I knew about him. Maybe it was his fascinating, consonant-laden surname. He had a 'z' for cryin' out loud!
This article from the Boston Herald says that Yaz is the founder of Red Sox Nation. No disagreement here, though, Ted Williams certainly must have given the hopeful a glimpse of what could be.
The article says: “Forty-one years ago last night, on Aug. 19, 1967, he went 4-for-5 with four runs scored, two RBI, a double and a homer. The very next day, he hit a three-run homer in both ends of a doubleheader sweep over the then-California Angels to continue a historic one-man assault on the American League.
Back then, especially, Carl Yastrzemski seemed immortal.
What we know now, of course, is that Yaz is a 68-year-old man who needed triple bypass heart surgery last night at Massachusetts General Hospital, all while the redefined Red Sox of this era were continuing a late-season run toward the playoffs against the Baltimore Orioles.
Camden Yards once again was overrun with Red Sox fans, and you could not help but remember that Yastrzemski and that cataclysmic summer of 1967 was most responsible for starting all of this.”
World Series games were not played at night until 1971, I think. And in those days my dad would take some vacation so he could be home to watch the Fall Classic. In 1967 the Cardinals were pitted against Yastrzemski and his Red Sox in the World Series. I remember being in our living room when the Series ended with another title for St. Louis. As I watched, the Fenway crowd flooded the field and carried Yaz off the field on their shoulders. I was nine and I didn't understand this. I asked my dad, “Didn’t the Cardinals win the World Series?” He said that, yes, they did. “Then why,” I asked, “are they carrying that guy off the field?” My dad, in his characteristically understated way, simply said, “Because he had a good year.”
A good year? I guess so! It was a very good year, indeed. Yaz won the Triple Crown in ’67, leading the American League in batting average, home runs and runs batted in. Nobody, in either league, has won a Triple Crown since.
So the Triple Crown winner required a triple bypass this week. Here's hoping good things do come in threes.
8.21.2008
8.20.2008
Wednesday the 101st
According to the dashboard of Blogger, I have made 100 posts at "Central Standard". Some sort celebration should be in order, I suppose. But I just had a birthday and maybe celebrations should be strung out if possible. Or not. In any case, welcome to number 101.
I have Olympic spirit, yes I do. I have Olympic spirit, how 'bout you? I was at the park across the street yesterday, walking on the trail when I met a young boy riding his bike. He appeared to me to be in the 6-8 year-old-range. I smiled and nodded as we passed each other and I noted he was of Asian heritage. My next thought was, "OK, kid! You and me, on the rings, right now! Let's go!
Me on the rings, that's good. Imagine what a potato would do swaying at the end of two strands of dental floss - that's what I would look like.
What will Hillary do? Nobody has written this, but I get the creepy feeling that Obama has let the fox into the hen house by letting Clinton's name be put into nomination at the Democratic Convention. I know they said there would be safeguards and there is no way she would garner enough votes at the convention. Still. Obama's dropping like a rock in the polls. If things continue, he'll lose the election handily.
The Clintons do not suffer fools or defeats easily. Is it just me or does anyone else think she's working some of the delegates over? Is it just me or is anyone else not going to be surprised if things go down differently than expected during the rollcall? Will Hillary just stand by and let the Democrat be defeated in November? Or maybe she'll try to get on the ticket. She would only be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
One measly heartbeat.
I have Olympic spirit, yes I do. I have Olympic spirit, how 'bout you? I was at the park across the street yesterday, walking on the trail when I met a young boy riding his bike. He appeared to me to be in the 6-8 year-old-range. I smiled and nodded as we passed each other and I noted he was of Asian heritage. My next thought was, "OK, kid! You and me, on the rings, right now! Let's go!
Me on the rings, that's good. Imagine what a potato would do swaying at the end of two strands of dental floss - that's what I would look like.
What will Hillary do? Nobody has written this, but I get the creepy feeling that Obama has let the fox into the hen house by letting Clinton's name be put into nomination at the Democratic Convention. I know they said there would be safeguards and there is no way she would garner enough votes at the convention. Still. Obama's dropping like a rock in the polls. If things continue, he'll lose the election handily.
The Clintons do not suffer fools or defeats easily. Is it just me or does anyone else think she's working some of the delegates over? Is it just me or is anyone else not going to be surprised if things go down differently than expected during the rollcall? Will Hillary just stand by and let the Democrat be defeated in November? Or maybe she'll try to get on the ticket. She would only be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
One measly heartbeat.
8.19.2008
Two Scoop Tuesday
Politics, you say? Certainly! One scoop, or two? Two it is! No, no! My thoughts are still just a penny.
Georgia is on our minds. I believe it is important to stand with our ally and help them defend themselves from invasion. This from a Hugh Hewitt post a few days ago:
And, as late as today, there is no clear indication that Russia is pulling out of Georgia.
There is much more to post, but I am out of time.
Until next time, so long.
Georgia is on our minds. I believe it is important to stand with our ally and help them defend themselves from invasion. This from a Hugh Hewitt post a few days ago:
“The U.S. needs to rush relief to Georgia and to continue the blunt condemnationAnd then there was this. I tried to find a quote to pull from this article which posted at Powerline, but the whole thing needs to be read. These are dangerous times we live in, probably more dangerous than 9/11. Look at the list of ‘hot spots’ : Iraq, Iran, Georgia, Israel, Afghanistan, North Korea, China come to my mind and undoubtedly there are more. How about Venezuela and Cuba? All of these trouble spots are skirmishes in a wider world war and it is the same war we have been fighting for ages and why wars will never cease until Christ returns. It is the war wherein free peoples defend their right to be free against the powers that would enslave, dominate, even obliterate them. Even more scary is the possibility that I may have understated the case and that far too many of the free people are asleep at the wheel.
of the Russians. It has taken the weekend for the MSM to figure out that Russia
is attempting to turn an ill-advised effort by Georgia to reassert control over
its land into a strategic thrust against the West, but the butchery and the
bombing has clarified the picture. Russia is killing many innocent
civilians far from the area where Georgia attempted --rightfully if not
prudently-- to move its forces. That's the bottom line.”
And, as late as today, there is no clear indication that Russia is pulling out of Georgia.
There is much more to post, but I am out of time.
Until next time, so long.
8.18.2008
Monday A Week
One of the most touching things that happened to me during all the birthday celebrating happened a few days before. I got a comment about one of my blog posts – from my own son! He just commented to say he likes the logos I have on my site and wrote to tell me so. Thanks buddy!
Then later, on my birthday, my wife wrote a touching post on her blog and I hope I live up to the nice things she said about me. Without her I am half a person, at best, and I thank God for her and I want to give her the tender care she deserves.
And finally, my daughter chimed in with greetings and she was nice to remember me in her post about their anniversary. If I get 50 more, I'll be here for your golden anniversary!
I am thankful, very thankful, for the family the Lord has graced me with. I love you all!
8.10.2008
Monday the 50th
Today is the fiftieth anniversary of me.
Fifty seems like such a very large number. I am not that many, am I? I don't feel like it. Yeah, I know, that's what everybody says. Nobody feels fifty. But what I mean is, I also don't "think" fifty, either. I think I still act like that college-aged guy I was just a few years ago. Shouldn't a fifty-year-old be mature? Responsible? Wise? Stable? Unkidlike?
Fifty seems like such a very large number. I am not that many, am I? I don't feel like it. Yeah, I know, that's what everybody says. Nobody feels fifty. But what I mean is, I also don't "think" fifty, either. I think I still act like that college-aged guy I was just a few years ago. Shouldn't a fifty-year-old be mature? Responsible? Wise? Stable? Unkidlike?
I still feel like a kid in so many ways, like I haven't really grown up yet. And I have no idea if this is good or not. What does a fifty-year-old feel like, anyway? Does anyone know? And if they do, why don't they tell us? Shouldn't this information be sent to you with the AARP card? "If you feel like this, you are 50. If you feel like that, you are not 50," or something.
Maybe feelings are not the primary thing here, and many times, they are not.
I guess what I would hope for is to be doing what I am supposed to be doing - be what I am supposed to be - and let the feeling part fall out however it wants. I know one thing about this time of my life is that it is harder to do stuff like exercise. It's not as easy to read for long periods of time, I don't concentrate like I used to, I lose interest in things quicker. I don't like that at all.
I guess what I would hope for is to be doing what I am supposed to be doing - be what I am supposed to be - and let the feeling part fall out however it wants. I know one thing about this time of my life is that it is harder to do stuff like exercise. It's not as easy to read for long periods of time, I don't concentrate like I used to, I lose interest in things quicker. I don't like that at all.
But there is no reason not to keep on pushing, to exercise, to read and study, to think. I'm still kickin'. I don't want to coast. In some ways I feel like I am just now figuring out how a "grown-up" is supposed to handle things.
I have much to be thankful to God for, more than I can list (and I'd lose interest after awhile anyway, remember?), but I will name two. I am most grateful for God's salvation extended to me in His Son, Jesus. I am undeserving, yet He commanded me to live in Christ and gave me resurrection power to obey. I am amazed to think of it - it's an old story that never gets old.
I have much to be thankful to God for, more than I can list (and I'd lose interest after awhile anyway, remember?), but I will name two. I am most grateful for God's salvation extended to me in His Son, Jesus. I am undeserving, yet He commanded me to live in Christ and gave me resurrection power to obey. I am amazed to think of it - it's an old story that never gets old.
For my wife and children I am most grateful. God's provision for my maturity and joy. A very brief description of an eternal blessing.
I am very aware that my life is in God's hands and I don't know what the future will bring. For now, I am glad to be here.
And, friendly reader, I am glad you are here, too.
Without further ado, here's some other stuff that's 50 -
Sweet N Low
Jolly Green Giant
Rice A Roni
Cocoa Krispies
The Skateboard
The Air Force Academy
Chevy Impala
Legos
Dodgers and Giants on the Left Coast
NASA
8.07.2008
Thursday of Open Windows
The heat has relented for the next few days what with a shipment of cooler and drier air having hit the stoop today. I've opened the windows and the attic fan is rumbling over my head.
The logo farming continues apace today. This is so much fun finding these things. There aren't really any rules here, except digging up stuff I like. I do notice a trend, though. It's heavy on 1960s and 70s items, which makes sense. I was a kid then and had time to look at ballcards and sports sections.
I seem to favor circular logos as well. Hmm.
Everything Is Significant - or so my wife thinks, anyway. And that is the title of her blog. She gave me the go-ahead to link there today. I suppose it is sufficiently populated now to suit her. However many words are there, I can say, with some satisfaction, they will be graceful, yet relentless, words.
Finally! Some common sense about Big Oil! And, may I say, I despise the term Big Oil. But it is typical of liberal politicians. Instead of telling you the truth, or stating the facts, they resort to hyperbolic and emotionally-charged descriptors designed make you hate their opponents and love them. It's called propoganda.
Why engage in a debate you will lose, after all, if you can make 43% of the electorate despise your opponent. Anyway read this about some really big profit margins.
Taking on Iran now is becoming increasingly important. Everything I read says that there is a point after which a shooting war with them will be disasterous because of the size of their nuclear arsenal. They don't have one, yet.
Better hit them before they do. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that their dictator will use them if he gets them? Is there any doubt he will funnel some to Hamas and Hezbollah?
The job will probably fall to Israel.
The logo farming continues apace today. This is so much fun finding these things. There aren't really any rules here, except digging up stuff I like. I do notice a trend, though. It's heavy on 1960s and 70s items, which makes sense. I was a kid then and had time to look at ballcards and sports sections.
I seem to favor circular logos as well. Hmm.
Everything Is Significant - or so my wife thinks, anyway. And that is the title of her blog. She gave me the go-ahead to link there today. I suppose it is sufficiently populated now to suit her. However many words are there, I can say, with some satisfaction, they will be graceful, yet relentless, words.
Finally! Some common sense about Big Oil! And, may I say, I despise the term Big Oil. But it is typical of liberal politicians. Instead of telling you the truth, or stating the facts, they resort to hyperbolic and emotionally-charged descriptors designed make you hate their opponents and love them. It's called propoganda.
Why engage in a debate you will lose, after all, if you can make 43% of the electorate despise your opponent. Anyway read this about some really big profit margins.
Taking on Iran now is becoming increasingly important. Everything I read says that there is a point after which a shooting war with them will be disasterous because of the size of their nuclear arsenal. They don't have one, yet.
Better hit them before they do. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that their dictator will use them if he gets them? Is there any doubt he will funnel some to Hamas and Hezbollah?
The job will probably fall to Israel.
8.05.2008
Tuesday, Primarily
I went and cast a ballot in the primary election today. Honestly, I had no idea how to pick between Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshoff in the gubernatorial race. I voted for Steelman basically because of her desire to end the ethanol mandate, but I don't think either of them stand a chance against Jay Nixon in November.
Obama is dropping like a rock and I wonder if there has been a presidential candidate who was more easily ridiculed than him in my lifetime. He is approaching, maybe surpassing, Michael Dukakis levels. A few weeks ago I speculated to my wife that if Barack were truly known by the electorate, he wouldn’t win 10 states in November. Is it possible that is where we are headed? Oh, my! It doesn't seem to me that he realized much of a return on his Resume Safari to the Mideast and Europe.
Disclaimer time - of course it’s way too early to know. A lot can, and undoubtedly will happen between now and November. But if something doesn’t begin to happen to effectively change the courses of these two campaigns, there’s no way Obama can win. And that would be an Almighty Mercy.
As for the images posted in the column on the right, I was just looking for a way to collect designs and logos that impress me or that I otherwise like. I have always been interested in art and looking back on it, my collections of baseball cards, comic books, Doc Savage books and beer cans were probably all functions of looking at graphic design. Here, I’m thinking old sports logos will be the primary interest. My son gets some of the credit for this. As his interest and desire for graphic design has grown, I’ve become interested again. If we get some of his work scanned, I will post some of it - he's pretty good, if I do say so myself. I don’t know if I’ll ever draw much again, like I did as a kid, but I do like to look at images that are, in some way, interesting to me. And I am probably just anal retentive enough to rank them in some way. How dramatic!!
Speaking of my number one son, he has now set up a blog at Blogspot. It's called The Hive. The reference is to a comic character that he and I developed. Mostly him.
Obama is dropping like a rock and I wonder if there has been a presidential candidate who was more easily ridiculed than him in my lifetime. He is approaching, maybe surpassing, Michael Dukakis levels. A few weeks ago I speculated to my wife that if Barack were truly known by the electorate, he wouldn’t win 10 states in November. Is it possible that is where we are headed? Oh, my! It doesn't seem to me that he realized much of a return on his Resume Safari to the Mideast and Europe.
Disclaimer time - of course it’s way too early to know. A lot can, and undoubtedly will happen between now and November. But if something doesn’t begin to happen to effectively change the courses of these two campaigns, there’s no way Obama can win. And that would be an Almighty Mercy.
As for the images posted in the column on the right, I was just looking for a way to collect designs and logos that impress me or that I otherwise like. I have always been interested in art and looking back on it, my collections of baseball cards, comic books, Doc Savage books and beer cans were probably all functions of looking at graphic design. Here, I’m thinking old sports logos will be the primary interest. My son gets some of the credit for this. As his interest and desire for graphic design has grown, I’ve become interested again. If we get some of his work scanned, I will post some of it - he's pretty good, if I do say so myself. I don’t know if I’ll ever draw much again, like I did as a kid, but I do like to look at images that are, in some way, interesting to me. And I am probably just anal retentive enough to rank them in some way. How dramatic!!
Speaking of my number one son, he has now set up a blog at Blogspot. It's called The Hive. The reference is to a comic character that he and I developed. Mostly him.
8.04.2008
Monday A Week
It has been a while since I posted anything - I have been bogged down with some other project.
I am very happy in God today and glad to say so. He is a treasure and life and breath today in a more vital way than I have sensed in the recent past and I am grateful for it. It is typical, in my life at least, for these mini-revivals to fade in a few days and I wish it were not so. But I think now in these more 'mature' years I am not so dependent on trying to work up a feeling and know the Lord never leaves nor forsakes any of His children. The point is, to be gratefully looking to Him for all things each day.
Hey! Take a look at this! My daughter and son-in-law have begun a blog and I saw it for the first time today and I highly recommend it. Looks like Peter wrote the first post about their fish. This would be a opportune time to mention my wife's blog, however, I don't think she wants me to until she has more posts. I will update you as events warrant.
Hot? Why, yes! And thanks for asking! My air conditioner has been running since I got home at 5:30 today. It just shut off at 9:46. It's set on 80. Hurry, October!
I had a great visit with my brother-in-law from St. Louis today and as is always the case when we talk, the conversation turned to the Cardinals. He often watches them and catches the post-game shows and tonight he told me about how frustrated the Gateway City has become with Tony LaRussa.
Well, we've all felt it from time-to-time concerning LaRussa. You'd like to give him his due and then he does something that, at best, makes you want to go remodel your bathroom with the largest toilet on earth so you can flush the TV down it. He does things like taking out a .308 batter for a pinch-hitter hitting .230 because it gives him more 'options'. There's more to the story but writing it would make my head hurt. Basically, thanks, Tony for 12+ very good years. I think I hear the Bay Area calling.
Matt 13:44. I mentioned at the top that God was like a treasure and it is true because Jesus said He was. For me, this is perhaps the most vital thing I can think when I think of God.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Consider this:
1) We all want joy
2) It can be found in God's kingdom, through Christ
3) The kingdom is so far more valuable than anything you have that, if you could get it by trading all your stuff, you would and the resulting joy would be so great you'd never miss any of the stuff you swapped.
That'll preach.
Maybe it just did.
I am very happy in God today and glad to say so. He is a treasure and life and breath today in a more vital way than I have sensed in the recent past and I am grateful for it. It is typical, in my life at least, for these mini-revivals to fade in a few days and I wish it were not so. But I think now in these more 'mature' years I am not so dependent on trying to work up a feeling and know the Lord never leaves nor forsakes any of His children. The point is, to be gratefully looking to Him for all things each day.
Hey! Take a look at this! My daughter and son-in-law have begun a blog and I saw it for the first time today and I highly recommend it. Looks like Peter wrote the first post about their fish. This would be a opportune time to mention my wife's blog, however, I don't think she wants me to until she has more posts. I will update you as events warrant.
Hot? Why, yes! And thanks for asking! My air conditioner has been running since I got home at 5:30 today. It just shut off at 9:46. It's set on 80. Hurry, October!
I had a great visit with my brother-in-law from St. Louis today and as is always the case when we talk, the conversation turned to the Cardinals. He often watches them and catches the post-game shows and tonight he told me about how frustrated the Gateway City has become with Tony LaRussa.
Well, we've all felt it from time-to-time concerning LaRussa. You'd like to give him his due and then he does something that, at best, makes you want to go remodel your bathroom with the largest toilet on earth so you can flush the TV down it. He does things like taking out a .308 batter for a pinch-hitter hitting .230 because it gives him more 'options'. There's more to the story but writing it would make my head hurt. Basically, thanks, Tony for 12+ very good years. I think I hear the Bay Area calling.
Matt 13:44. I mentioned at the top that God was like a treasure and it is true because Jesus said He was. For me, this is perhaps the most vital thing I can think when I think of God.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Consider this:
1) We all want joy
2) It can be found in God's kingdom, through Christ
3) The kingdom is so far more valuable than anything you have that, if you could get it by trading all your stuff, you would and the resulting joy would be so great you'd never miss any of the stuff you swapped.
That'll preach.
Maybe it just did.
7.27.2008
Sunday
BASEBALL HALL. Former Yankee and Padre reliever Goose Gossage will be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame today. What kind of player was he? I will let Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tell you:
Gossage didn't just send hitters back to the dugout, he demoralized them.
Former big league outfielder Ken Singleton, now a TV analyst for the YES Network, fared better against Gossage than most, with 12 hits in 35 at-bats for a .343 career average. But Singleton recalls how the mere sight of Gossage could alter the mood in the dugout. "At Yankee Stadium in those days, they used to bring in relievers in a bullpen car,'' Singleton said. "The car would drop the reliever off in front of the dugout and he'd go to the mound. "Well, when Goose came out of the car, it's like he was shot out of a cannon. We'd look at each other and say, 'We've really messed up now.' He had that Fu Manchu, and when he'd throw that first warmup pitch, you'd think, 'He's sure throwing harder than the last guy that was out there.' ''
"If the game was on the line, you knew he was going to throw you fastballs, and every one got harder,'' (Hall of Famer Robin)Yount said. "And more smoke came out of his ears, and more stuff came out of his mouth. He was just grunting like a wild bull out there, ready to charge.''
"The one word that comes to mind is 'intimidation,' '' (HOFer Wade)Boggs said. "When you looked out at Goose, you thought he was going to walk off the mound and beat you up. I never really had that feeling with anybody other than Nolan Ryan.
Two and three decades after sending these guys to bed without any supper, Gossage now joins them on the stage in Cooperstown. For all the grief and discomfort he brought them, the consensus is that it's about time.
"The day has come,'' Boggs said. "This is a guy whose presence exemplifies what pitchers are all about. If there were more Goose Gossages, there would be fewer hitters in the Hall of Fame.''
And then there was this little revelation in the middle of Crasnick's column: A few years ago, Yount went golfing with Gossage and a mutual buddy, Bob McClure, and was surprised to find that Gossage was one of the nicest people he's ever met. Through the many years the two players competed against each other, they had barely shared a word.
Without going into a big, long story, I can say from personal experience that Mr. Gossage is a nicer man than the "wild bull" persona he exhibited on the mound.
When we lived in Ft. Worth I had landed a job as an assistant to the sports director at a local radio station. My job was to go get local sports personalities to say stuff on tape and then bring it back to the station and write a little copy to set it up and give it all to the sports guy to read.
One day I had gone to the old Arlington Stadium to try to find some Texas Ranger to say something into my microphone.
First let me say I was ecstatic to be "working in sports". Secondly, these pro athletes intimidated the fire out of me. Sometimes I didn't know what to say or ask so that I didn't sound like the scared kid from the Ozarks that I really was.
So, I was in the Rangers locker room looking for someone to talk to and, lo and behold, I wound up talking to Goose Gossage, whom Texas had signed as a free agent.
I don't remember what we talked about and I do remember being cautious as I approached him. But I found, as did Robin Yount above and others I am sure, that he was a nice guy to talk to and he treated me like a pro.
It's good that he's in the Hall of Fame.
It's better that he treats people right.
Gossage didn't just send hitters back to the dugout, he demoralized them.
Former big league outfielder Ken Singleton, now a TV analyst for the YES Network, fared better against Gossage than most, with 12 hits in 35 at-bats for a .343 career average. But Singleton recalls how the mere sight of Gossage could alter the mood in the dugout. "At Yankee Stadium in those days, they used to bring in relievers in a bullpen car,'' Singleton said. "The car would drop the reliever off in front of the dugout and he'd go to the mound. "Well, when Goose came out of the car, it's like he was shot out of a cannon. We'd look at each other and say, 'We've really messed up now.' He had that Fu Manchu, and when he'd throw that first warmup pitch, you'd think, 'He's sure throwing harder than the last guy that was out there.' ''
"If the game was on the line, you knew he was going to throw you fastballs, and every one got harder,'' (Hall of Famer Robin)Yount said. "And more smoke came out of his ears, and more stuff came out of his mouth. He was just grunting like a wild bull out there, ready to charge.''
"The one word that comes to mind is 'intimidation,' '' (HOFer Wade)Boggs said. "When you looked out at Goose, you thought he was going to walk off the mound and beat you up. I never really had that feeling with anybody other than Nolan Ryan.
Two and three decades after sending these guys to bed without any supper, Gossage now joins them on the stage in Cooperstown. For all the grief and discomfort he brought them, the consensus is that it's about time.
"The day has come,'' Boggs said. "This is a guy whose presence exemplifies what pitchers are all about. If there were more Goose Gossages, there would be fewer hitters in the Hall of Fame.''
And then there was this little revelation in the middle of Crasnick's column: A few years ago, Yount went golfing with Gossage and a mutual buddy, Bob McClure, and was surprised to find that Gossage was one of the nicest people he's ever met. Through the many years the two players competed against each other, they had barely shared a word.
Without going into a big, long story, I can say from personal experience that Mr. Gossage is a nicer man than the "wild bull" persona he exhibited on the mound.
When we lived in Ft. Worth I had landed a job as an assistant to the sports director at a local radio station. My job was to go get local sports personalities to say stuff on tape and then bring it back to the station and write a little copy to set it up and give it all to the sports guy to read.
One day I had gone to the old Arlington Stadium to try to find some Texas Ranger to say something into my microphone.
First let me say I was ecstatic to be "working in sports". Secondly, these pro athletes intimidated the fire out of me. Sometimes I didn't know what to say or ask so that I didn't sound like the scared kid from the Ozarks that I really was.
So, I was in the Rangers locker room looking for someone to talk to and, lo and behold, I wound up talking to Goose Gossage, whom Texas had signed as a free agent.
I don't remember what we talked about and I do remember being cautious as I approached him. But I found, as did Robin Yount above and others I am sure, that he was a nice guy to talk to and he treated me like a pro.
It's good that he's in the Hall of Fame.
It's better that he treats people right.
7.26.2008
Saturday
DEMOCRATS? JUST SAY 'NO'. In the past I have tried to focus on candidates in races for political office, but national Democrats are so blinded by their rage at Bush and Rove that they are killing us.
Here's an example: Yesterday the Republicans put that principle into action, blocking the Democrats' silly "anti-speculation" legislation because the Democrats would not permit votes on amendments that would expand drilling for oil and gas. The cloture vote was almost perfectly party-line, highlighting the fact that the Republicans want to expand domestic energy supplies, but the Democrats don't. (HT:Powerline)
The Democrats are killing us. I urge people everywhere to not cast a single vote for a Dem in November. Reid and Pelosi are incorrigible, Schumer is a snake, Obama is clueless.
Well, you say, Mike, that's the national party. There's some qualified state and local Democrats. I am sure there are, but to elect these reinforces their majorities and gives the party a "deeper bench" of personnel to move up the ladder. Do not encourage them.
Incidentally, they are wrong, generally, about taxes, the war on terror, siezure of private property, abortion, and censorship of talk radio (free speech), just to mention a few.
Here's an example: Yesterday the Republicans put that principle into action, blocking the Democrats' silly "anti-speculation" legislation because the Democrats would not permit votes on amendments that would expand drilling for oil and gas. The cloture vote was almost perfectly party-line, highlighting the fact that the Republicans want to expand domestic energy supplies, but the Democrats don't. (HT:Powerline)
The Democrats are killing us. I urge people everywhere to not cast a single vote for a Dem in November. Reid and Pelosi are incorrigible, Schumer is a snake, Obama is clueless.
Well, you say, Mike, that's the national party. There's some qualified state and local Democrats. I am sure there are, but to elect these reinforces their majorities and gives the party a "deeper bench" of personnel to move up the ladder. Do not encourage them.
Incidentally, they are wrong, generally, about taxes, the war on terror, siezure of private property, abortion, and censorship of talk radio (free speech), just to mention a few.
7.25.2008
Friday
THE PRODIGAL GOD. This quote from Tim Keller about The Prodigal God, his new book: “First, the elder brother is offended by the father's extravagant and (to him) irresponsible welcome of his younger brother. The father, of course, represents God, and legalists are always offended by the gospel of free grace.”
And my response was, “Yes, sometimes, God is portrayed as far too lavish, like He’d let just anyone into heaven!” What do I mean when I say God is TOO lavish! I am like the older brother! Honestly, sometimes it bugs me who discovers our little Christian clique. It is shameful to admit that. The truth is that a world ruled by a generous, loving, merciful, lavish Father REQUIRES that wanton souls like the younger brother will be received, praise God! Wanton souls like me!
But it gets worse. My aggravation moderated when I thought, “However, only a few will actually take Him up on the offer.” That's what I thought. It's bad enough that the undeserving get into heaven, but at least not too many will. What a wicked thought! And immediately I thought, “How wicked of me to begrudge God His generosity, grace and mercy.”
Wretched man that I am. I do not deserve His mercy, yet He gives it to me. I am a great sinner and should, for joy, rejoice when any sinner finds salvation from our Father!
"And should not I (the Sovereign Lord) pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”Jonah 4:11.
WEARY PARENT, TAKE HEART. Tim Challies can feel your pain - here.
PRESIDENT-ELECT McCAIN. Wow. That's going to leave a mark.
Read the whole thing. File it away for future reference.
If any one cares one whit about America's national security, Obama's campaign is a non-starter.
WHAT'S THIS? Do you forget what you put in your own refrigerator?
I pulled a Key Lime Pie-flavored whipped yogurt out of my fridge today and looked at the foil top. It said ’20 AUG’.
My first response was, “This year?”
DON'T FEED THE CUBS. Jay Mariotti suggests in this article that to be human you must feel for a particular Cubs pitcher: "You have no heart, no human touch, if you don't feel sorry for Kerry Wood."
I’m agnostic about Wood, whether he's healthy or not, but I hope the Cubs sink like a stone.
Meanwhile, the Cards lose again.
And my response was, “Yes, sometimes, God is portrayed as far too lavish, like He’d let just anyone into heaven!” What do I mean when I say God is TOO lavish! I am like the older brother! Honestly, sometimes it bugs me who discovers our little Christian clique. It is shameful to admit that. The truth is that a world ruled by a generous, loving, merciful, lavish Father REQUIRES that wanton souls like the younger brother will be received, praise God! Wanton souls like me!
But it gets worse. My aggravation moderated when I thought, “However, only a few will actually take Him up on the offer.” That's what I thought. It's bad enough that the undeserving get into heaven, but at least not too many will. What a wicked thought! And immediately I thought, “How wicked of me to begrudge God His generosity, grace and mercy.”
Wretched man that I am. I do not deserve His mercy, yet He gives it to me. I am a great sinner and should, for joy, rejoice when any sinner finds salvation from our Father!
"And should not I (the Sovereign Lord) pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”Jonah 4:11.
WEARY PARENT, TAKE HEART. Tim Challies can feel your pain - here.
PRESIDENT-ELECT McCAIN. Wow. That's going to leave a mark.
Read the whole thing. File it away for future reference.
If any one cares one whit about America's national security, Obama's campaign is a non-starter.
WHAT'S THIS? Do you forget what you put in your own refrigerator?
I pulled a Key Lime Pie-flavored whipped yogurt out of my fridge today and looked at the foil top. It said ’20 AUG’.
My first response was, “This year?”
DON'T FEED THE CUBS. Jay Mariotti suggests in this article that to be human you must feel for a particular Cubs pitcher: "You have no heart, no human touch, if you don't feel sorry for Kerry Wood."
I’m agnostic about Wood, whether he's healthy or not, but I hope the Cubs sink like a stone.
Meanwhile, the Cards lose again.
7.22.2008
Tuesday
JOKER STEALS THE SHOW. Number One Son and I went to see the new Batman film tonight and it is everything it is cracked up to be. It is extremely grim, dark, or violent. So much so that, frankly, I was beginning to wonder if I could look at it. But, in retrospect, that is probably more a function of not knowing what was coming.
The portrayal of Joker by Heath Ledger was perfect. I'm not qualified to opine on all the talk of Ledger being nominated for an Oscar. But his Joker was perfect.
The film makes me uncomfortable in some ways and I don't feel as excited as I thought I might. I think the uncertainties the film leaves you with are a big part of my feeling here.
FROM HUGH HEWITT. "The Bush Administration has done everything a superpower can do except use military action. Iran's mullahs come to the conclusion that the U.S. and Israel either will not or cannot stop their nuclear ambitions. If strikes are launched against the mullahs' nuclear facilities, the U.S. will have tried every avenue to stop the program without resort to bombing. but Iran is an outlaw regime and it does not care a bit what the world demands of it."
Some nation needs to take Iran firmly in hand before it's too late. That is, destroy their nuclear capability.
USE YOUR BIBLE. This article from Justin Taylor's blog is very encouraging. There is some hand-wringing in the comments section, but I think most of it is over-reaction. I don't think Ryle had eternal security in mind when he wrote this. I think it is simply about the nourishment and refreshment the Bible brings to a believer's soul.
NOT YET. This article wonders how much the Cubs value might be diminished should they win the World Series.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not August yet and two other baseball teams are right on the Cubs tail in the NL Central, one of them picked to finish last. And are they better than the Red Sox or the Angels?
We've a ways to go yet.
The portrayal of Joker by Heath Ledger was perfect. I'm not qualified to opine on all the talk of Ledger being nominated for an Oscar. But his Joker was perfect.
The film makes me uncomfortable in some ways and I don't feel as excited as I thought I might. I think the uncertainties the film leaves you with are a big part of my feeling here.
FROM HUGH HEWITT. "The Bush Administration has done everything a superpower can do except use military action. Iran's mullahs come to the conclusion that the U.S. and Israel either will not or cannot stop their nuclear ambitions. If strikes are launched against the mullahs' nuclear facilities, the U.S. will have tried every avenue to stop the program without resort to bombing. but Iran is an outlaw regime and it does not care a bit what the world demands of it."
Some nation needs to take Iran firmly in hand before it's too late. That is, destroy their nuclear capability.
USE YOUR BIBLE. This article from Justin Taylor's blog is very encouraging. There is some hand-wringing in the comments section, but I think most of it is over-reaction. I don't think Ryle had eternal security in mind when he wrote this. I think it is simply about the nourishment and refreshment the Bible brings to a believer's soul.
NOT YET. This article wonders how much the Cubs value might be diminished should they win the World Series.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but it's not August yet and two other baseball teams are right on the Cubs tail in the NL Central, one of them picked to finish last. And are they better than the Red Sox or the Angels?
We've a ways to go yet.
7.19.2008
Saturday
C.S. LEWIS wrote that the problem with our desires is not that they are too strong, but rather, they are too weak. He said it this way: "If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
This quote is from the book Desiring God which has been the most influential book in my life other than the Bible. And what Lewis is telling us, telling me, is to not settle for lesser things when the one thing which will make you most happy, God Himself, is being held out for you.
This notion strikes a chord deep within me for I struggle with desires for lesser things. I am constantly tempted to abandon what should be for something irrelevant. TV instead of Bible, fiction instead of prayer, cheeseburger instead of lean chicken or salad, second cheeseburger instead of saying 'no', spending instead of saving, staying up late instead of sleeping, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Honestly, I have friends who cannot relate to this. Likewise, I cannot relate to the person who doesn't struggle with this, though I know many who do not.
To be clear, I am not tempted to abandon God and become an atheist or a follower of some lesser joy. But I am tempted to fill my life with so much lesser stuff that there is little time for Him.
And this principle applies, I think, in other areas of my life because this bias for the trivial runs so deep within me. Today I went for a walk at the local nature center and a young man ran past me. Shirt off, sweat glistening on his fit torso, I saw him pass and felt a pang. I want so very much to run, like him, on the trail with no apparent difficulty. And I realize I want it so much that I want it more than iced mocha, more than other food that would hinder, more than staying up late, more than sleeping in.
Someone is probably snickering. OK, that's fine. Like I said, some don't get it. They think the answer is simply discipline. Well, I think they are fooled, it's not discipline. It's desire. They may have better, stronger, more mature desires, but it's desire, nonetheless. They are doing what they really want. So am I.
And what I want right now is to improve my wanting.
This quote is from the book Desiring God which has been the most influential book in my life other than the Bible. And what Lewis is telling us, telling me, is to not settle for lesser things when the one thing which will make you most happy, God Himself, is being held out for you.
This notion strikes a chord deep within me for I struggle with desires for lesser things. I am constantly tempted to abandon what should be for something irrelevant. TV instead of Bible, fiction instead of prayer, cheeseburger instead of lean chicken or salad, second cheeseburger instead of saying 'no', spending instead of saving, staying up late instead of sleeping, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Honestly, I have friends who cannot relate to this. Likewise, I cannot relate to the person who doesn't struggle with this, though I know many who do not.
To be clear, I am not tempted to abandon God and become an atheist or a follower of some lesser joy. But I am tempted to fill my life with so much lesser stuff that there is little time for Him.
And this principle applies, I think, in other areas of my life because this bias for the trivial runs so deep within me. Today I went for a walk at the local nature center and a young man ran past me. Shirt off, sweat glistening on his fit torso, I saw him pass and felt a pang. I want so very much to run, like him, on the trail with no apparent difficulty. And I realize I want it so much that I want it more than iced mocha, more than other food that would hinder, more than staying up late, more than sleeping in.
Someone is probably snickering. OK, that's fine. Like I said, some don't get it. They think the answer is simply discipline. Well, I think they are fooled, it's not discipline. It's desire. They may have better, stronger, more mature desires, but it's desire, nonetheless. They are doing what they really want. So am I.
And what I want right now is to improve my wanting.
7.18.2008
Friday
HAPPY Batman Day! My son, now at the work program at College of the Ozarks, got invited by some school chums to go see The Dark Knight last night at midnight. He did. He said it was great and he can't wait to see it again.
But, you would have guessed that.
TODAY I got to do some voice work which is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I can not say much about it now, but maybe later.
I will let you know.
AT lunch today I heard Limbaugh's guest host (Mark Davis?) anticipate the media frenzy over Obama's upcoming trip abroad: "They will cover it like it was the Pope going to Mars!"
I laughed for five minutes. Imagine a Popemobile for space. A mitre-shaped helmet. Maybe you will laugh for five minutes.
FROM Charles Krauthammer:
"Americans are beginning to notice Obama's elevated opinion of himself. There's nothing new about narcissism in politics. Every senator looks in the mirror and sees a president. Nonetheless, has there ever been a presidential nominee with a wider gap between his estimation of himself and the sum total of his lifetime achievements? Obama is a three-year senator without a single important legislative achievement to his name, a former Illinois state senator who voted "present" nearly 130 times."
Why would a State Senator represent his constituents by merely voting "present"?
Either he has no opinion, in which case, it doesn't matter who the Senator from Illinois is. It could be anybody. Or anything. Just cover the chair with ivy from Wrigley Field. Or he doesn't want his opinion on the record. Oh, it couldn't be that, could it?
Barack Obama lacked the courage of his convictions 130 times.
Or he lacked conviction.
Or he lacked courage.
But, you would have guessed that.
TODAY I got to do some voice work which is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I can not say much about it now, but maybe later.
I will let you know.
AT lunch today I heard Limbaugh's guest host (Mark Davis?) anticipate the media frenzy over Obama's upcoming trip abroad: "They will cover it like it was the Pope going to Mars!"
I laughed for five minutes. Imagine a Popemobile for space. A mitre-shaped helmet. Maybe you will laugh for five minutes.
FROM Charles Krauthammer:
"Americans are beginning to notice Obama's elevated opinion of himself. There's nothing new about narcissism in politics. Every senator looks in the mirror and sees a president. Nonetheless, has there ever been a presidential nominee with a wider gap between his estimation of himself and the sum total of his lifetime achievements? Obama is a three-year senator without a single important legislative achievement to his name, a former Illinois state senator who voted "present" nearly 130 times."
Why would a State Senator represent his constituents by merely voting "present"?
Either he has no opinion, in which case, it doesn't matter who the Senator from Illinois is. It could be anybody. Or anything. Just cover the chair with ivy from Wrigley Field. Or he doesn't want his opinion on the record. Oh, it couldn't be that, could it?
Barack Obama lacked the courage of his convictions 130 times.
Or he lacked conviction.
Or he lacked courage.
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