1952 world series

We had been out this evening but about 12:30 am I had a big water and settled in at my desk to enjoy a few moments. I noticed a post from a league bud named Dennis VanLangen that told of a free baseball channel at http://www.3liveTV.com where one could watch baseball in its entirety. I immediately tuned in used the drop down menu and sat back. I was rewarded with the 7th game of the 1952 world series now in the last of the 6th inning with NewYork leading Brookly 3-2. Allie Reynolds was pitching but laboring. Now this is every pitch one camera, maybe 2 and the commentary was all Mel Allen but he kept talking to his side kick Red Barber. Wow they had me after a couple of pitches. Vic Raschi relieved in the 7th but did not fare well and then Bob Kuzava came in. The bases were loaded Furillo on 3rd, Cox on 2nd and Reese at first. Allen kept telling about how tense the game was. In fact he said it was "past tense yet up to date".Kuzava retired Snider, then Robinson, and Hodges I think hit a tall wind blown pop up that at the last moment Billy Martin lunged for and caught. In the 7th McDougald was on 2nd and a young 20 year old Mickey Mantle became a hero with a sharp single to score McDougald score 4-2. Meanwhile Kuzava kept retiring players. Meanwhile Erskine had relievd for the Brooks. No one scored and when Kuzava retired the last batter Yogi Berra ran to the mound and leaped into Kuzava arms. Mel Allen said it was the best, most dramatic, and exciting World Series ever. I chuckled about that one since it has been 56 years since that game which until now I had never even paid any attention to. And at least for 3 or 4 innings it was that good. I won't forget that neat game.

WICK

As far as I'm concerned many government programs are marginal at best. They just seem to be ways of making something harder. However in these tough economic times they are probably necessary. One program is very good. That is wick which is a government help program for families. Now Shawn has a steady job with Indiana Mentor but he doesn't pull down a big salary. So he qualifies for assistance under the wick program because of his low salary. they provide food for families especially new borns. So Tiffany and Shawn get food like Milk and Cheese, and things like that. OOH Tom remember the Government cheese give away in the 70s.Shawn says nursing moms pretty much get tuna and carrots. Yech! Anyway little Austin gets free formula. Now up until yesterday he was on soy based formulas. Wick provides them with Enfamil Gentleeze. Which is formula that closely resembles nursing milk. It is specifically designed for gassy fussy babies which is Austins middle name. So not only are we hopeful for Mr. "Big Johnson" but it saves money. Shawn tells me that a 23oz can of powder can cost $25. WICK just gave Austin 10 cans of 15oz Enfamil. You do the math.

Fantasy Baseball Picks

One of my favorite hobbies is playing a cards n dice baseball game called Strat-o-matic. I have been enjoying this game since 1964 when I found some of school chums playing it. Over the years this hobby has evolved into a computer hobby and draft leagues. A draft league is a group of guys, sort of like my old school chums. Who also play this game and live across the country from
California to New York. I am in 2 of these leagues and they are in two different eras. The first has entered the 50s and is preparing for 1952, while the other is going thru expansion and getting ready for 1969. Now both teams that I own are not what you'd call good. In fact I had the 3rd pick of the draft in one and the 4th in the other. That means that I am near the bottom in the standings. Well I am excited to announce that my picks have rewarded me with 2 hall of fame baseball players. First is (pictured) Hoyt Wilhelm relief pitcher elected to the HOF in 1985. He won 144 game and saved 227 others in his 22 year career. Al Oliver is not in the hall yet but has over 2700 hits and a career .303 BA in his 18 year career. Those gus are the corner stones of teams building to be great. Well enough comercial. My grandson Austin was over last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He brought with him is brother and sister Jonathan and Lauren. By the way Lauren is a play for blood Old Maid card sharp. She kept saying "please don't let me get the old lady". Jonathan is a TV hound, he never say a program he didn't like. Austin is a gruntin, moaning,farting,cutie. He is a ringer for his dad at that age, and we have been to the video. He rips them with the best of em. He also can push his paci back in with one hand. He is good natured only fusses a little like when wet, or hungry, and sleeps sometimes 4 hours at a time. I have seen many moms but Tiffany Tidrow has the best bond with her baby of any I have ever seen. Shawn is experienced and that is a big help to this first time Mom. They are a great team. Now if only we could get the other kids a stable, safe home. They are currently without a permanent home and stay where ever they can, which is why Susan and I have had them 4 or 5 days in the last couple of weeks. My nephew Cory Cronk is a tackle on the St. Francis football team. They finished their season 10-0 and will have home field advantage in the NAIA playoffs. Cory is the starter and has been lineman of the week at least 2 times.

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day. It is a good time to recognize those people who fought for their country. At the top of my list is Mike Ebert. Mike was the fb on our Tiger teams when I played. He was a tought guy. He was Killed in Vietnam, and yes I have visited his name on the wall of the Vietman Memorial. Next is Ernest G. Tidrow Lt.JG. He was an officer aboard LST 719 during WWII. Quinn Dobbins Petty Officer USN, who served twice in Iraq. Looks like I will be able to include Timothy Stone, who is due to leave 11/24/08. Robert C Spillman served aboard ship in WWI. He is my Grandfather on my mothers side. The story goes he was on leave when WWI ended and by the time he returned to his ship all his stuff was stolen. He was forced to serve an extra 6 mos to pay for the things he lost. To these men and the millions more thank you for your service, we appreciate it.

What do we do now?

This not really a political commentary. In fact I bought the attached issue,and I will put it with my JFK issue of US News. However the real question is when all the celebration settles down, and the press turns bored again, and Osami makes his usual threats ( oh wait he already did). Then what do we do now. It is my contention that Obama, McCain, Bush, Clinton, Palin, or Pelosi will not be alble to solve all that is now expected of the new leader. He is supposed to settle several conflicts in the world, solve our economy( now in the throws of a mini depression), and deliver all that he promised and more. He has a favorable Congress, but gee whiz thats a task even Superman would blanche at. Oh and don't forget health care, gun control, and the car makers. I just dont think anyone can fix all this and when he can't, what do we do now? Well I know the answer just do one thing at a time. However will all the other folks be patient enough to wait????
In the home news nothing much going on. Austin, Tiffany and Shawn are at home at Castle Greyskull. Mike is enjoying his new "WORLD AT WAR" game. Tim is hoping to be sworn in on Friday. Pat says his father is Anakin Skywalker, and Tom is going to Las Vegas sometime soon. I would reveal the date but then it would negate my $1million dollar agreement. I just wanted to mention his name for my sister who is stalking him. The doctor said my palpitations were rare meaning they happen not very often and require no medication or treatment. My BP was 126/74, and I have had my flu shot. I am in last place 4-6 in the family fantasy league. I also finished last in the 1952 league and in the 1968 league. See a pattern here. Maybe Mike was right I am the father of a loser family. Oh well, fiddle de dee, I'll just think about that tomorrow.

Exhaustin Austin Arrives

First the picture to the right is of Susan holding Vanessa as we dont have pics of Austin yet. True to his name "Exhaustin" Austin Joseph Tidrow kept his mom waiting for 24 hours, then demanded a c-section delivery. However he is fine as is his mom and dad. Austin's Mom was dialated to 9, which is next door to go time, but AJ's heartrate dropped which necessitated an emergency c-section. So he was born at 1:52pm 11-04-08 on election day. Big Austin is 8lbs, and 15oz, 20.5"inches long. At the moment he is at Comunity North hospital (which is very nice) in room 4113. Shawn just told me that Tiffany was in recovery, and he had just given AJ 20z of formula. Not bad this is Shawns 3rd, while Tims has 2, and Pat 1. Mike has 0 and thats also good since he is still 18. Susan and I feel pretty good with 6 grandkids. We also heard today that Tim has joined the Army and leaves for basic training in 3 weeks. It is 13 weeks long and technical school is 19 weeks long. We are not sure but rumor has it that he is going to become a combat medic. Pat says the doctors told him that pretty soon Vanessa (15mos) will need to have tubes in her ears. I remember both Pat and Shawn needing them. One thing about being a grandfather with 4 sons and 6 grandkids, there is never a dull moment. I kinda like it that way.