makepeac

Never heard that story before. Fredericksburg is my birthplace and the school bus every morning took me past Ferry Farm where George was born and across that same Rappahannock River.

Halos seems a tad better than the 1975 nickname of the Angels' fleet footed outfield led by Mickey Rivers, "The Seraph Streakers." (paging AO, AO to the white courtesy phone...)

Never heard that story before. Fredericksburg is my birthplace and the school bus every morning took me past Ferry Farm where George was born and across that same Rappahannock River.

Never heard that story before. Fredericksburg is my birthplace and the school bus every morning took me past Ferry Farm where George was born and across that same Rappahannock River.

In honor of George Washington, whose birthday is today.
February 22, 1936: In celebration of George Washington's 204th birthday, Walter Johnson hurls a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River, estimated to be a 386-foot toss. The spectacle—it took place near Washington's childhood home in Fredericksburg, Virginia—was one of several events staged by townspeople in celebration of all things Washington, especially the mythological tales of Parson Weems. Congressman Sol Bloom of New York, who donated a 1796 silver dollar for the occasion, declared the feat impossible, putting the odds at 20 to 1 against it. (The Chamber of Commerce wagered $5,000; Bloom refused to pay up, claiming that the river was wider in colonial times.) 

A few days before the event, the 48-year-old Johnson sent a lighthearted telegram to city leaders: "I am practicing with a dollar against my barn door. Arm getting stronger, barn door weaker." On February 20, The Associated Press reported: "Unable to wait until Saturday, when Walter Johnson tries his arm against the legendary prowess of George Washington . . . citizens are trying to settle the matter among themselves—but with iron washers, not silver coins. All tries have fallen short." 

After hearing exaggerated tales about the width of the Rappahannock, Johnson expressed doubts as to whether he could make good. Big Train's old battery-mate, Gabby Street, wasn't worried. "After working so closely for so many years with such a brilliant performer as Walter Johnson," he explained, "one is inclined to back him in any reasonable throwing feat he might undertake, even now." 

Despite the frigid conditions (27°F), around 4,000 people gathered along the snowy river bank on the morning of the 22nd. "It looks like a mile across," exclaimed Johnson, as he cast aside his overcoat. "The Big Train" took a moment to stretch his much-celebrated right arm before giving the all-clear to the photographers on hand. He was allowed two practice throws before being presented a third coin, inscribed with his name and the date, for the official attempt. Johnson's first toss fell short, splashing down six feet short of the bank (a man in a boat attempted to recover it); his second throw barely cleared the water. Determined to impress on his final attempt, he heaved the "pay dollar" across the river, some 20 feet onto the bank. Over 2,000 boisterous souvenir seekers scrambled for the prize. 

"Well, I guess I made it," Johnson sighed, sounding more relieved than triumphant. 

It was official, Washington's seemingly apocryphal childhood feat was "possible," though silver dollars weren't minted until the time of his presidency. As for the much-coveted coin, it was recovered by a man named Peter Yon, who turned out to be quite a card. "What are you going to do with the dollar," asked a reporter. "I'm gonna put 'em in the bank," said Yon, smiling mischievously. "That's what the picture men said I should do. But if you ask me again, I should have to say: 'I cannot tell a lie, I'm gonna sell it to the highest bidder!' " 

✍️ Bobby King II . (from Facebook page, Baseball Americana)
 

Halos seems a tad better than the 1975 nickname of the Angels' fleet footed outfield led by Mickey Rivers, "The Seraph Streakers." (paging AO, AO to the white courtesy phone...)

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

I remember Dave Collins as a Red, forgot he was a Tiger.
Google doesn't return any mention of The Seraph Streakers but my old high school friends also remember the reference being made that summer by Enberg/Drysdale so it's not just me losing my mind in advancing age. Tommy Harper was also in that OF that year until traded to Oakland late in the season. Four very fleet footed though light hitting OFers. A preclude to a later generation of Angels featuring the tandem of Gary Pettis and Devon White, then later with Mike Trout , Peter Bourjos and Torii Hunter.

Halos seems a tad better than the 1975 nickname of the Angels' fleet footed outfield led by Mickey Rivers, "The Seraph Streakers." (paging AO, AO to the white courtesy phone...)

Halos seems a tad better than the 1975 nickname of the Angels' fleet footed outfield led by Mickey Rivers, "The Seraph Streakers." (paging AO, AO to the white courtesy phone...)

Eppler will also be working with a new manager this season and they need to see how that relationship plays out. Maddon intimated that his relationship with Theo Epstein and his philosophies changed over time in Chicago which led to his departure there. With Maddon signed longer term, no need to prematurely extend Eppler so quickly without seeing how this season and their relationship (old school vs analytics) plays out.

March 15 is The Ides of March. Per Shakespeare's Julius Caeser, "Beware the Ides of March" as you might get stabbed in the back.

With Maddon at the helm it could get quite interesting. Fletcher could become the next Zobrist/Taylor/Kike swing player to help fill current lack of OF bench depth, LaStella could move around the IF, Renigfo fill in when they move. Unfortunately, none of them can pitch at the major league level every 5-6 days but it's a start.
 

There are a lot of “makes no sense” comments about this trade.  But:
1). The team is better today than it was yesterday. 
2). This takes all the pressure off Adell to be ready and productive immediately.
3). If the Angels think their best way to get a stud starter is to trade for one at the deadline, then they need to be in the race at the deadline, and this trade helps accomplish that (as described above).
4). When Adell “arrives” Pederson’s bat will have to be in the lineup at 1B over Pujols.
5). I really doubt not having Rengifo specifically is going to prevent the Angels from making a deal for a starter at the deadline.
6). This pushes Goodwin to 4th OF, where he is a big plus in that role versus being “passable” as a temporary fill in until Adell arrives.
So I see how this works in a plan to be better now so that the team is in it at the deadline.

Buttrey?

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

Sedale Threatt.

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

Have worked with RPG and 4th generation SYNON tool for many years.    Also took C# and JAVA classes a decade back, but have never actually used them on the job yet. 
I go so far back, that I even worked with COBOL for the first 5 years in the software field.  

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

My high school biology teacher (and baseball card avatar here) George "Red" Witt pitched in relief in a couple of the Yankee blow out wins in this series. He also pitched for the 1962 Los Angeles Angels before calling it a day and going into teaching.

Speaking of Sandoval, you all know how high I am on him. I'm really hoping that we can land a Kluber type without dealing him. I'd much rather they take Suarez and Barria. 
Just a reminder of what this kid can do. He reminds me of Cole Hamels.
 

So the Detroit born brother of drummer Sad Elvin and pianist Sad Hank? Why didn’t you say so? 😎