I assume everyone here knows the Heather Braswell and Sunflower Saturday story. Terri Braswell, Heather's mother, has given me permission to post this here. It is a great cause and a great shirt. All of the proceeds, every cent, goes to St. Jude's. Sunflower Saturday T-Shirts
I realize this is OT. But Dizzy Dean was always one of my favorites over my growing-up years. He and Pee Wee Reese were on the MLB broadcasts and were a hoot. Here are some of his quotes: Anybody who's ever had the privilege of seeing me play knows that I am the greatest pitcher in the world." "He (Branch Rickey) must think I went to the Massachesetts Constitution of Technology." Source: The Sporting News (March 26, 1936) "I ain't what I used to be, but who the hell is?" "I can't tell you why there's a delay, but stick your head out of the window and you'll know why." "If Satch (Paige) and I were pitching on the same team, we would clinch the pennant by July fourth and go fishing until World Series time." "It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." "It puzzles me how they know what corners are good for filling stations. Just how did they know gas and oil was under there?" "Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." "Well what's wrong with ain't? And as for saying (Phil) Rizzuto slud into second' it just ain't natural. Sounds silly to me. Slud is something more than slid. It means sliding with great effort." And one of my favorites, he always called Yankee reliever, wild and 'blind' Ryne Duren Ryne Narn. There used to be a satellite golf tournament in Hattiesburg, MS, called The Magnolia Classic. Dizzy, at that time, lived in Bond, MS, about 30 miles south of Hattiesburg. I saw him play at the Pro-Am a couple of times. That was an interesting tournament. The Pro-AM had a lot of celebrities come. Clint Eastwood, Phil Harris, Robert Stack, Glen Campbell, and Bobby Goldsboro made the tournament an instant attraction for patrons unaccustomed to rubbing shoulders with movie stars. Dean Martin's golf clubs showed up one year; Dean didn't make it. Something about a subpoena just before takeoff. FBI agents met the flight in Hattiesburg. Singer Pat Boone joined the fun another year after being promised $7,500 to entertain at the pro-am party. He sang one song. "Most expensive song," Morgan said, "I've ever heard. Some of the world’s greatest players, such as Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, and Paul Azinger have walked the hills of Hattiesburg Country Club at some point in their careers. Some of the more notable champions include Craig Stadler, Roger Maltbie, Russ Cochran, Jim Gallagher Jr., and the late Payne Stewart, who won his first Tour event here in 1982. Dizzy retired to Bond. He died on July 17, 1974, due to a heart attack in Reno, Nevada. Pat and his brother Paul survived him.
I am trying to buy one via Venmo. They will only let me proceed with the last 4 digits of her cell number. Do you know it? What is the status of Hartley Georges? I wish we could celebrate her in person if her health allows it.
I, too, grew up watching & listening to Dean and Reese. Falstaff beer was a primary advertiser and Dizzy would drink a few while commenting on the games and by the end you could tell he was feeling good. They were awesome and made watching baseball fun.
No. 3 Florida Posts Sixth Run-Rule Victory with Win Over Huskies - Florida Gators Hightower's ERA after 3 starts - 0.00
UF softball didn't play well today, but managed to win both games to stay undefeated. After blowing a 4 run lead and then a 6-4 lead to Bowling Green in this morning's game, they rallied late to win 10-7. Olivia Gigante started in the circle and have up 4 runs in the 3rd inning after shutting them out the first 2. UF tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd, but after neither team scored in the 4th, Samantha Bender gave up 3 runs in the top of the 5th, to put BG ahead 7-6. Elizabeth Hightower came in with 1 out and shut them out the rest of the way and the offense got 3 in the bottom of the 5th an 1 more in the bottom of the 6th for the margin of victory. Charla Echols had 2 hits and 5 RBI, Avery Goelz went 2-3 with an RBI and Skylar Wallace went 2-4 with an RBI and 3 runs scored to pace the Gators. In the 2nd game, Rylee Trlicek got roughed up by UConn, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in 3.1 innings and the UF bats just couldn't get a clutch hit most of the game. Again, Elizabeth Hightower shut down the Huskies the rest of the way and picked up her 5th win of the season, still with an ERA of 0.00. Florida cut the 3-0 deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the 4th on a 2-run double from Avery Goelz, who went 2-2 with a walk for the game. Sam Roe, who went 2-3 with 2 RBI won the game in the bottom of the 7th with a 2-out, 2 run single to end the game 4-3. Gators are 8-0 with games Sunday against Central Michigan and Delaware State.
One of the game threads had an interesting discussion of Longley vs. Wilkie as catcher and what each brings to the table. Coach Walton today made his feelings known. In a clutch batting situation with the game on the line, he pulled Longley and substituted Wilkie. In a base running situation when we needed a run, he pulled Wilkie off second and substituted Longley. Behind the plate each had a couple of passed balls, a wash today but I think Wilkie tops Longley there. Wilke fired a pick-off rocket to first that got a gasp from the crowd, although the runner made it back just barely. Wilkie's major strength over Longley seems to be situational awareness. Knowing what to do and then executing quickly. Longley's major strength over Wilkie seems to be heart and an inside track with CTW.
Gators played much better today and blew out Central Michigan & Delaware St. Lexie Delbrey got her 1st start and threw 3 solid innings. Tons of hitting. Things get tougher later this week as they head to Palm Springs, CA for 5 games against much tougher competition. StatBroadcast Live Stat Feed StatBroadcast Live Stat Feed
The exhibition season is now over and these girls have to start playing quality teams. That being said, they are 10 & 0 and run ruled 8 of the 10 teams they played which is very impressive. Pat yourselves on your backs ladies. Job well don
Just some stats after the 1st 10 games. Offense: Team batting average .435, OBP .570, slugging .737, 14 HR, 113 RBI, 30-32 in stolen bases, 101 hits and 73 walks. Avery Goelz .560, Skylar Wallace .545, Charla Echols .500, Kendra Falby .483, Sam Roe .433, Katie Kistler .368, Reagan Walsh .345, Sarah Longley .308, Goddard .333, Pollard .444. Echols 16 RBI, Wallace 14, Walsh 13, Roe 12, Goelz 11. Pitching: Team ERA 2.33, WHIP 1.13, 54 innings, 42 hits, 16 runs, 14 ER, 38 K's, 19 BB, 0 HR. Elizabeth Hightower, 5-0, 20.1 innings, WHIP 0.64, ERA 0.00, 7 hits, 23 K's, 6 walks, .106 batting average against. Rylee Trlicek 4-0, 21.0 innings, WHIP 1.29, ERA 2.14, 21 hits, 6 K's, 6 BB, .250 BA against. Olivia Gigante 0-0, 7.0 innings, WHIP 1.71, ERA 5.14, 9 hits, 4 K's, 3 BB, .310 BA against. Samantha Bender 0-0, 2.2 innings, WHIP 2.63, ERA 16.874 hits, 2 K's, 3 BB, .333 BA against. Lexie Delbrey 1-0, 3.0 innings, WHIP 0.67, ERA 0.00, 1 hit, 3 K's, 1 BB, .111 BA against. Defense: .987 fielding % - 3 errors in 228 chances. 63 assists, 3 double plays, 2 passed balls, 3 stolen base attempts, 1 caught stealing.
I just saw where Baylor defeated Oklahoma. I guess our game this weekend against UCLA could be 1 vs. 2.
I just watched Alabama beat FSU 2-1 in a Fouts vs. Sandercock duel. Great game. Noles now have 3 losses, although they've played a bunch of ranked teams. That Clearwater tournament was loaded.
Would be nice if UF was in the Clearwater tournament one year. Seems like FSU gets to be in it most years. This year most of our non-conference games are against not high quality teams until next weekend against UCLA and Oregon.
