Braves; Believing stories; Region Tourney softball

60 wins, 60 losses and the Braves

As they say up North, “Enough already.” I have listened to adverse comments about our Braves all year long. It is true the Braves are experiencing one of the worst seasons any of us can remember. Questionable fans are coming out of the woodwork and with a scathing tone express their feelings about how sorry the Braves are.

Several years ago it was noted in this column that the best team in the major leagues will lose 60 games and the worst team in the majors would win 60 games. That observation was not original with this writer. I don’t know where I read it. I do know that the late sports writer, Wayne Minshew, told me he had never thought of that before. It was a new revelation to both of us.

All rules have exceptions. I will take a look at this year’s performances. For a long time it appeared the Braves would not win 60 games – but they have. The Minnesota Twins appear to be the team to finish with the worst record in the majors; it does not appear they will win 60 games. At the same time the Chicago Cubs have, at this writing, the best record in the majors, and it appears they will not lose 60 games. As a personal note let me say I am happy for both the Twins and the Cubs. It is obvious I like the Cubs but don’t care for the Twins. There is a story beyond both of those feelings.

This writer will pull for the Cubs to go to the Word Series. At the same time, there are the LA Dodgers for whom Calhoun’s own Charlie Culberson plays. Culberson thrilled the hearts at the Smith household when he hit his walk-off homer for the Dodgers in the 10th inning of Sunday’s game against his old team, the Colorado Rockies.

“Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see”

These were words of advice often offered to me in my young days by my Grandmother Foster. Pages could be written to illustrate the wisdom of both aspects of that statement.

A treatment of this theme might be out of place in a sports column. Not so. Read on and you will see the great connection.

On the matter of what you see: Back in 1980, Coach David Cox and I were standing at the front of my car in my parking space at Red Bud High where we both taught and coached. We have arrived there a short time earlier to begin our work day. A friend drove by on the road and waved at us. It was a friendly gesture. At the end of the school day Coach Cox and I were again standing at the front of my car as we concluded the observations of the day. Coincidentally, the same fellow passed by going in the opposite direction from his morning trip. Again we waved. A couple of days later someone said to me that it was being reported that all Coach Cox and I did was stand outside the school building all day long. Now, I will let you deduce how that story came about.

Recently stories have been told and accusations made about a young athlete formerly associated with a local school. Is the story true? I don’t know. I am going to borrow a principle from the Bible we all need to recognize. When the Apostle Paul wrote the young preacher in I Timothy he set forth the principle that we were not to admit a charge against a person except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. The point is the testimony of one witness might or might not be reliable. I watch enough episodes of the old “Cheyenne” TV program to learn that when it boils down to one person’s word against another’s, a person cannot be declared guilty. This is a point we all should greatly contemplate. It is believed here that what we believe and charges embraced and passed on tells much more about the character of the one hearing and telling than it does about the one charged. I choose not to believe the reports and the often state versions spoken out of ignorance (a lack of knowledge).

In the meantime my position is the concluding sentence in all reports: “[The young man] has not had any charges filed against him nor has he been arrested.” Any position different from that is a matter of gross and possible presumption.

Region Softball tournament time

Before the first pitch is thrown way back in August, the hope and aim of every softball team is to go to Columbus. At this writing, Coach Diane Smith’s Lady Jackets and Coach Chad Hayes’ Lady Phoenix had first round games of the Region 6-AAA Tournament scheduled at home for Tuesday.

Here is wishing both teams the best. Coach Hayes led his girls to Columbus and an impressive showing last year in the state tournament. As I write, I am conscious of how much I would like to see Coach Hayes and his girls make the trip again. The young man is to be commended for the outstanding job he has done since taking over as head of the Phoenix program. For all those who affirm all my affection is for Calhoun, let me tell you how glad I am to see or hear that Coach Hayes had captured another victory. Of course the exception is when he defeats Calhoun.

May both the Lady Jackets and Lady Phoenix have set their journey to the “big dance” well on the way with victories on Tuesday.