The above graphic is inaccurate in several ways: that's not how the ballparks look, and it leaves out several old ballparks. Rickwood is said to be the oldest professional ballpark in the USA.
Sac Fly
Ramblings about faith, family, baseball, etc.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Old Ballparks: The Definitive List
The above graphic is inaccurate in several ways: that's not how the ballparks look, and it leaves out several old ballparks. Rickwood is said to be the oldest professional ballpark in the USA.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Ice Men Cometh?
Hard to tell, but it looks like either a MARTA rail station immediately west of the arena, or perhaps new off / on ramps to GA400.
Back when I was in college and later as a single adult, Noel was part of the pickup basketball games we'd play in the old SPdL gym after church on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Noel played point guard, and would always holler "Give me a wing!" Noel, Hurt, Norman, Stuart Condra, Jerome, Lee Acheson, maybe Craig MacKenzie. Wayne Smith grew up in Kentucky playing basketball. Charles "Tall" Vaughn, Don Sells. Val Robinson, or David McKeithen. Fred O.
SAM McDOWELL [SABR Bio] his ERA was 2.176 in 1965. Three pitchers in the NL posted even lower ERAs in 1968, the Year of the Pitcher. Sandy Koufax 2.038, Juan Marichal 2.133, and Vern Law 2.153. In 1965 McDowell also led in WAR, strikeouts, and ERA+. He made the All-Star team, striking out Pete Rose & Frank Robinson and inducing Joe Torre to hit into an inning ending double-play. He only finished 17th in the MVP voting, finishing behind four other pitchers. The 1965 AL MVP voting. He was listed as the 1965 ASG’s losing pitcher. McDowell’s league-leading numbers were WAR 8.3, 325 K & an ERA+ of 161. In November 1971, he was traded to the Giants in exchange for future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry & Frank Duffy.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Bracketology
In honor of strikeout king JAY BUHNER [SABR Bio], 3,436 fans (including 46 women) shaved their heads. The “Bald-In” honored Buhner on 17-Jul-1997. It was his only All-Star season, but he also led everybody in K’s with 175, a total that would not placed him in the Top Ten in 2025. He hit more home runs than all but two other major leaguers 1995-1997. Here are the top 5: Marl McGwire 149, Albert Belle 128, Buhner 124, Griffey 122, Galarraga 119. Frank Costanza felt that Buhner never should have been traded. See “Seinfeld”, “The Caddy” Season 7, Episode 12. George’s farther was in high dudgeon over the Buhner trade.
Denison on the Oscars: only half of Americans went to a movie theater in 2025, while 75 % told surveyors they recently opted to stream a movie at home instead of watching it in the theater.
Article: things that aren't worth your time.
1. Being Offended.
2. Thinking your ideas are unique. Same for jokes.
3. Letting work occupy your brain all the time.
4. Getting worked up over a social media comment. Especially if it by someone you don't know.
5. People who will never be impressed by you.
6. Corporate Fame.
7. A luxury car that you have to think about all the time. Where should I park? Did I scratch my wheels? It's bad enough driving an 11 year old car.
8. Hating someone. Love is the answer.
9. Waiting for the right time to do something. Go ahead and knock it out.
10. Political debates. Same for religious debates.
11. Partying every night. Or just being busy every day.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Flat Tire Fiasco
Friday morning as usual I went out early to move the cars out of the driveway, to allow space for the workers. I wasn't surprised to see that my tire was flat. Pulled it off and discovered a long screw driven into the inside wall of the tire. Not sure how that happened. Man yesterday I was driving on 75 north. Could've been killed. Made a 1 pm appointment at Firestone. Checked and noted that the tires were like 7 years old, with over 40,000 miles. I knew the treads on the front tires were wearing thin.
Arrived at Firestone before 1 pm and selected the tires to buy. Big bucks. Good thing for that focus group yesterday, to offset some of the cost.
Since I had an appointment, I assumed it wouldn't take too long. I was wrong. They didn't finish up until after 5 pm. Not happy. On the way home three of the tire pressure monitor sensors kicked in - but the fourth never did. They always worked before. Not happy. Called Firestone and had to wait on hold several minutes. Not happy. Then was given the brush off by the employee. Not happy. Now I have to go back on Monday. Not happy.
The workers were working late - until 7 pm. They finished up just about everything upstairs except for a few minor details, plus the stairs. Friday night I picked up a pizza from Pizzeria Lucca, up on the Roswell Square.
Saturday afternoon I made an appointment with Firestone for Monday morning, stating the problem and voicing my frustration and displeasure. I received an immediate call, asking that I bring in the car immediately.
Supper Thursday night: Mexican. Doesn't make for a good photo op.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
All About Baptism
Do I Really Need to Be Baptized? Seven Questions.
Acts 2:36-41
Hymns:
It's So Sweet To trust in Jesus
Amazing Grace
Jesus Paid It All
Before baptism: the first part is accepting Jesus as Lord, repenting from sin and self. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, having our sins forgiven.
v 41 it's for everyone, both Jew and Gentiles…3000 in one day.
1. What is the meaning of baptism? Christian baptism is the emersion of a believer in water express saving faith in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
2. Why Should I Be Baptized? Baptism is an act of obedience that testifies to the believer's genuine faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ.
Jesus himself was baptized. He walked 60 miles to be baptised. Baptism is the public declaration of your faith. No need to be baptized a second time.
Romans 6
Baptism should be a public celebration.
3. Who should be baptized? Anyone who gives a believable professional of faith in Jesus Christ and is committing to following His ways as a part of His church.
You don't have to be perfect to be baptized. There should be visible evidence of God working in your life, so no babies. Want to see in kids the knowledge of what sin in, and the need of a Savior. Better to wait than to rush. Every child is different.
4. Where should I be baptized?
Baptism should take place within the context of the local church, if possible.
As a Baptist church, baptism is an ordinance like the Lord's Supper, not a sacrament. It's not just about you and Jesus, but also connecting with the body of Christ. Best to wait after salvation, with exceptions - like the Lord's Supper for shutins
5. When should I be baptized? Soon after one is both saved, and committed to being a disciple of Jesus
Mark 16:16
Would be damaging to baptizing someone who isn't a believer. Would cause this to think they were a Christian when they really weren't
6. How should I be baptized? By emersion. Baptism means to dunk. There are exceptions, like for someone bedridden.
Acts 8:38-39
Who should do the baptizing? Like the great commission says, all should go out, so any Christian could baptize. It's an ordinance, not a sacrament - which should be preformed by a pastor.
7. What is my next step? This is for everyone to decide for themselves.
Brian Fox
Psalm 110 a psalm of David
Genesis 14:13 - Melchizedek was king of Salem (Jerusalem), a priest. He blessed Abram, who submitted to the king and gave him a tenth of his goods.
Psalm 110:1 - A good reminder in these times of conflict that the world is God's footstool.
What does verse one mean? We don't know. Is David talking about God's son Jesus? How did he know?
Hebrews 6:20 Jesus is a high priest.
7:1-3 was Melchizedek a heavenly being? Pre-incarnate? Probably not, but he was like the Son of God. Not the point.
v 4-8 Abraham was blessed by the King. The Levitical priesthood was not enough. Another priest was needed.
v 23 Melchizedek was a great man, but some of the words were figurative. The point is to ask: was he a type of Christ? Yes. He was an Old Testament figure who pointed toward Jesus. Like Moses. Like David taking on Goliath. A foreshadowing of He is to come.
Psalm 110:4 Jesus is forever our priest. His priesthood is…
1. Superior to the law.
2. Sufficient to save "It is finished".
3. Satisfactory. God's wrath has been satisfied.
4. Ceaseless, it continues even right now - seated at the right hand of God.
Three responses, for when we understand Jesus' priesthood…
1. Should result in worship.
2. Should reinforce in our minds how Jesus is the only way to salvation. No one else did what Jesus accomplished.
3. May this news refuel our zeal to share this news with others.
Johnson Ferry is a good church, but could certainly improve in the erasable marker department.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Why Believe the Bible?
2 Peter 1:16 we are always to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you.
Why do we believe the Bible? Not because we were raised that way. Not because I tried it and it worked for me.
Because it is a reliable collection of ancient writings from the eyewitnesses of these events. Not myths or legends. Investigated carefully and reported the exact truth. No mystery.
I Cor 15 after Jesus was resurrected there were 300+ eyewitnesses he appeared before. The scriptures were copied over 6000 times, and all match. So many more than other stories like Julius Caesar and Homer.
Then the scriptures were translated into different languages. Then commentaries were written about the scriptures. Hard to make changes to all this.
v 17 stories of instant healings, etc. Jesus walked on the water. Friday Christ died. Sunday he rose. All reported by eyewitnesses
Psalm 22:15 16 prophecy written 1000 years before Jesus was born, before crucifixion was invented.
Some ask if these men were fallible and trustworthy, but don't question other historical writings that weren't nearly as collaborated. Some want scientific proof. The scientific method can't be used on historical events. In a courtroom the judge asks for eyewitnesses.
Choose to believe the reports of supernatural events.
Observation: we can't be more creative than God and the Bible. Preach like you believe in the sufficiency of scripture.
Challenge: we must teach others that the Bible has the answers, and how to learn it, and give it. Then we won't have to give lame answers to those who question the Bible.
Friday, March 13, 2026
Dinner With Vampires
We studied Genesis 40 & 41, where Joseph interprets the dreams, and is chosen by Pharaoh to run the country. After so many years down in the prison (at least nine) Joseph is not bitter, instead giving credit and glory to God every step of the way.
Might have to make the trip to Hartford in June for this bad boy. Adding this to my bobblehead list for June.
Question of the Day: who was the strangest movie character? Besides Serge in Beverly Hills Cop, I responded with Dennis Rodman.JOE MEDWICK [SABR Bio] hit a NL record 64 2B in 1936, in 677 plate appearances. He was the first player to hit home runs in the All-Star game and World Series in the same season. In the first of his 10 All-Star appearances, 1934, Medwick homered in the third inning off Lefty Gomez. On 03-Oct, he homered in the 5th inning of the first game off Detroit’s General Crowder. When advised to lay off bad pitches, Berra replied, “Joe Medwick's still my hero.” Yogi grew up in St. Louis in the heyday of the Cardinal’s Gas House Gang.
Entered a sweepstakes for a two night stay in San Antonio, but no flight to there. Usually I'd pass on such a sweepstakes, but it was an easy enter. Watch me win.