An Unparalleled Debut

Joshua Baez has done something no other Major League player has ever accomplished, not Babe Ruth or Barry Bonds, or anyone else. He slammed three homeruns in his first game in the Bigs. He may never hit another dinger, but Baez has already etched his name in the record books. (Incidentally, I believe he will send many more out of the ballpark.) The Cardinals found a gem in Joshua, and he has the talent to be mentioned alongside Stan Musial and Bob Gibson, if he remains healthy. 

Unjustified Early Optimism

"Wow", say some delusional die-hards, the Titans won their first game of what will be a brilliant new era. Indeed, my hometown team under a new coach went out and won a road game, but what these Pollyanna fanatics fail to notice is that it was a preseason game that will NOT count in the standings, and that while the Titans played many starters including quarterback Cam Ward, San Francisco used mostly bench players and others who will not make their or any NFL roster. So, yes, a victory is preferable to a loss, but this "win" means next to nothing. 

A Guilty Plea

The murderer of the United Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson has entered a guilty plea. That does not mean the gunman is in any way remorseful. I think the assassin still believes he was in the right. The disgusting aspect is so many people have expressed support not for the slaughtered executive but for his killer. I doubt the criminal will ever see the light of day again as a free man, but that will not bring the father and husband back, a man who was committed to delivering healthcare efficiently and did not deserve to be shot in the back. 

No New Normal

My daughter has missed her first week of sixth grade, which in and of itself is not good, but after the untimely death of one of her aunts, was inevitable. It is vastly worse of course for the poor lady's husband and must be almost unendurable for the children of someone who was simply attempting to cross a street and had her life taken. Please keep Andrew and the boys in your prayers, along with my eleven year old. 

"With the Band"

The end of the happy REM story was delayed by sad "family" events, Holly Sue being struck by the car and cousin Leslie's husband Jim passing. So, here goes. The Rem boys told Cantrell's staff Gary and yours truly were "with the band" to open the proverbial taps for us. I have often wondered if Michael Stipe has any recollection of performing in Nashville at Cantrell's. As many people with whom he has met and interacted, I seriously doubt he remembers me. If I ever had occasion to run into him, I would ask if he recalled performing at a club near the Vanderbilt campus in the mid-eighties. 

A Somber Season

The end of summer has become more bleak than the simple coming of Autumn. Fall is considered by some the "dying season", but this year the loss came early with the passing of Holly Sue Engelman. I never had the opportunity to meet her, but from all reports she was a giver of unsurpassed generosity. My former brother-in-law eulogized her beautifully, and I know he will never be the same after such an unexpected severing of what Hashem had so recently joined. May the memories of happier times bring comfort to the many who loved Holly. 

Please Be Careful

A tragedy has befallen my circle of relations. The wife of my former brother-in-law (my daughter's aunt) was walking to synagogue on the Sabbath when she was struck by a car in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Drivers please remember you must maintain control of your several thousand pound vehicle and avoid distractions like looking at your cell phone (which I am in no way alleging happened here). If you are a pedestrian, please remember to look both ways and never chance thinking you will be able to beat a car as you rush to cross a street.