Thursday, May 31, 2018
Thursday Orioles Update
The season is largely over. The Orioles are miserable. They are not the worst team in baseball, but they are the second worst, by one game.
Amazingly, three have been no major changes to the coaching staff. Given the line-up of hitters the team possesses, one would expect the hitting coach to be out the door soon.
The Orioles are 17-39 .304 and have no where to go but up. They are potentially on track to set a franchise record for losses at and might finish as bad as 51-111.
The team has the third worst batting average in the American League at .233, which is 15 points lower than the league average. But what really hurts is they'll have the worst on base percentage at .295 which is 23 points below the league average. One of the few brighter spots is that the team sits at the league average for home runs at 64.
Base running situation awareness is also a problem. For instance, last evening, with the team losing 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, the Orioles got two men on with no outs and Manny Machado coming to the plate. During Machado's at bat, one of the base runners decided, for some obtuse reason, to attempt to steal third and was caught stealing in a run down. Suddenly, the opportunity to win the game with one swing of the bat was gone. After the base running mistake, both Machado and Scoop, the next batter, failed to get a hit and the O's lost 2-0.
The fan base is unhappy and eroding and we hear nothing but crickets from the Orioles front office. I have tickets for tonight's game against the Yankees and I will likely not bother to go. Who wants to see a complete baseball team deliver another crushing blow to my favorite team in our home park. I do expect lots of homers tonight.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Another Dodger Loss
Jax Hoping for Better Fortunes |
The season is coming to a rapid close. The team has one more practice and one more regular season game before the playoffs.
At least the weather has moderated and we are actually playing some of the games.
Despite the loss, the boys played hard and made some good plays in the field. It was fun to coach a close game and we knew that every run would count. Sadly, they wound up with one more than our guys. But, it was a learning experience.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Next Stop -- Summer
Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. To celebrate the beginning of the best season, yesterday was an especially cool day, following days in the high 80's and low 90's.
But, we are poised for the run at summer with the fireflies cued and the smells and sounds of the season ramping up to make an imminent appearance.
The pool is open and I've been in it a couple of times. It was too cold yesterday, but Saturday and Sunday were definitely pool days.
The days of summer are upon us. Baseball is getting deeper into the season and tonight the GORC Dodgers take the field again and hope to reverse the poor play they displayed during their last game.
Summer sports and vacations. The time has finally arrived. School is ending soon and the vacation season will be in full swing.
Bring on the sun and season!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, May 28, 2018
Monday Musings - May 28, 2018
1. Happy Memorial Day 2018.
Rain Falling |
Enjoying Big Cork Vineyards |
3. Chris and I accompanied by two friends spent a wonderful afternoon at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, MD. We enjoyed music and some nice wines in a beautiful setting.
4. Our prayers and support go out for the people of Ellicott City who yesterday experienced a second devastating flood in less than two years as as a result of the torrential rains.
5. Memorial Day isn't just about honoring veterans, its honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that's a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it. - Pete Hegseth
6. It is tough to play baseball after being off for two weeks. The GORC Dodgers lost in a blow-out on Friday night. There are two games remaining in the regular season and then the playoffs begin next week.
7. I am glad that I mowed the lawn yesterday before the rains turned the yard into a soggy mess.
Headlines
U.S. and North Korean Officials Race to Resurrect Trump-Kim Meeting - The New York Times
What happens when a soldier dies - The Washington Post
Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week
- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week
"The character of the American people is our country's most precious asset, and, like any asset, it should never be taken for granted."
— Remarks at the annual foundation luncheon of the YMCA of Metro Chicago Illinois,
— Remarks at the annual foundation luncheon of the YMCA of Metro Chicago Illinois,
May 10, 1982
- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Memorial Day Weekend 2018
The Family around the Pool May 26, 2018 |
Ready for Memorial Day 2018 Radio Flyer |
The day was pleasantly hot, with the temperature hitting 91 degrees. It was a perfect unofficial beginning to the summer season. The day was hot, the water in the pool was warm, and the family was mostly gathered for some fun and interaction.
Radio Flyer got to fly and observe the scene.
It had been a week since my drone had flown. Last week it was in Ithaca and I did not take it with me on my trip this past week, although it will likely accompany me in the future.
Enjoy your Memorial Weekend. Remember the sacrifice of our military members of the past and present how have helped to secure our freedom.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Old Cars at the Airport
Schacht Model K Runabout |
Schacht Model K Runabout |
The Cincinnati airport advertises the local museum. One exhibit that displayed as I passed through yesterday contained older automobiles spanning a few decades made by companies in the Cincinnati area. It was very interesting to observe the development of the car. The Model K Runabout has the driver sitting right behind the radiator. While the license plate suggests it is a 1911 auto, the model dates from at least 1910.
Vehicle Dated from 1925 |
There were many other exhibits from the museum in the airport and I actually look forward to heading back through the airport sometime to view other displays.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, May 25, 2018
Watch What You Write
I went to dinner last evening. It was a nice beer garden type restaurant and I enjoyed a couple of nice beers while I was there. It was the sign I passed on my way inside that caught my eye, however.
I guess someone should have thought about what to write to get the message out in a more grammatically correct fashion.
Sunset Springfield, OH May 24, 2018 |
In addition ot the fun dinner, I was treated to a beautiful sunset out my hotel window which provided an exclamation point to a full and busy day. The clear sky was beautiful and the sinking sun, even behind the Bob Evans from my hotel room, was an enjoyable sight.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Out the Hotel Window - Springfield, OH
Springfield, Ohio May 24, 2018 |
It is very different being in a hotel on an interstate than it is being in a plush downtown location. The view out my window is a rugged criss section of middle-America. Even the Bob Evans! The early morning, just before sunrise shot captures the essence of the area.
Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport Delta Boarding Area May 23, 2018 |
It was much nicer than that chaos associated with boarding the aircraft in Atlanta. I fly Southwest frequently. I can assure you that the line-up in groups concept that Delta uses is vastly inferior to Southwest's. It was total chaos in a very busy airport with stanchions that did not allow enough room for everyone to line up. They really need to take a look at the way they execute the boarding process.
It was a crazy, long day.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Stairs
I went for a walk last evening. The idea was to walk to dinner and then back, but due to the drenching rains that started during the walk to dinner, I only walked to and not from the eating establishment.
I walked along a canal/creek for most of the way. At the end of the park was a climb up some stairs to get to the city level. I had intended to take a picture of the canal and part from the higher street level, however, the trees were full with leaves and blocked the good vantage points. Since it was raining, I was not too motivated to find a clear shot of the park below, hoping that I would find one during the return trip.
Since there was no return trip through the park I lost my opportunity and am left with only a memory and this image of the stairs at the end of the park.
I need to remember to be more aggressive in taking the images that I see in my mind when they are happening on the first occasion.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Out the Hotel Window - Huntsville, AL, May 2018
Out the Hotel Window Huntsville, AL May 21, 2018 |
The view out my window is very exciting. There is a lot happening. I enjoyed watching the parking garage in the distance fill and then empty yesterday during and after the commencement.
It was good to get to blue skies with white puffy clouds!
The trip was uneventful and I look forward it a good week of work away from home-base. As an important note, since this is a work trip, I did NOT bring Radio Flyer with me, so there will be no drone images to share.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL
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