Memories Of The Braves

My favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, just clinched the National League East for the first time since 2013! This got me to thinking about some of my favorite Atlanta Braves baseball players throughout my lifetime and some of the great memories that I have about this team.

1) Hank Aaron hitting his 715 home run to break Babe Ruth's all-time home run record in Atlanta Fulton County stadium on April 8th, 1974. I remember a couple of things about this historic game, the first was hoping that he would break the record in Atlanta. This was the fourth game of the 1974 baseball season but the first home game of the new season. In the fourth inning he hit a home run which drove in Darrell Evans and tied the game with the Dodgers (who would go on to win the National League pennant that year). Another interesting fact is that the manager of the Braves was Eddie Matthews who is the only Braves player to play in all three of the Braves cities (Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta) as well as teaming up with Hank Aaron to hit the most home runs (863)  of any two teammates in baseball history (they surpassed the record held by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig).

How Quickly I Forget

In the gospel of Matthew, Chapters 14 through 16, we read an astounding account of Jesus feeding over five thousand men. (Just the men are counted in this story but most scholars put that number at twelve thousand plus when figuring the women and children) He performs this miracle with five loaves of bread and two fish and over the objection of his followers.

It was late in the afternoon and the disciples were tired, hungry, and looking forward to a night of rest. Check out what they said to Jesus in chapter 14:15 ". . . just send the crowd away so they can go back to their villages and buy their own food." Can you hear all the undertones of their request? "Jesus this crowd is standing between us and our dinner and rest so can't we just ask them to leave?" How many times do other people's needs get in the way of our own desires? Plenty, for me if I'm being honest.

No Words Necessary

It's a southern thing.

Top Twenty Six Songs

At this point in my life these are my top twenty-six songs that I can press play and enjoy anytime, anywhere. You know, those songs that the within the first few beats and notes you are hooked. These are the songs that I will immediately stop when scanning on the radio dial.

(I did notice after I reviewed this list that most of the songs I picked include a lot of horns and lead keyboard parts, which is probably not a surprise to anyone who knows me. Shout out to all you former trombone and keyboard players!)

I also can't help thinking about how many of these songs unlock nostalgic events in my past. (For instance: "Saturday In The Park" reminds me of playing this song in our band in High School marching down the streets of Gatlinburg, TN.)

One song that didn't make the cut but always invokes a strong memory is "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. (Always reminds me of driving the coast of California during the late 70's) The Jackson Five song, "I Want You Back" was off of the first cassette tape I received from a favorite uncle for Christmas. Elton John's song, "Your Song" was a favorite song to play during my high school years. And so on . . . enjoy!