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Thank You Covington

Posted by Jeff White on July 26, 2012 in Life

Recently I had the privilege of going down to Louisiana with a good friend, Mike Rohman, to team lead with EFCA touchglobal during their summer workgroups. There is still work to be done rehabbing houses affected by hurricane Katrina.  Mike did more of the leading, but I think I was a pretty good second in charge.  I blame Katie Hooks for this last trip and that is a good thing.

This was my third trip to Louisiana to work on rehabbing house affected by Katrina.  During the first two trips we worked and stayed in and around downtown New Orleans.  You were a two block walk away from a trolley that took you to the French Quarter.  This trip we stayed in Covington, Louisiana and drove the 50 minutes to the house we were working on.

Mike and I talked on the drives to the worksite each day, and this allowed for us to have time to take care of some things at home, and not take us away from one of the purposes of touchglobal and that is to show the love of Christ to those in need.

Back of my work shirt

Covington showed me this trip that we all need that love.  We need it from other Christians to raise us up and support us.  We need the touch of each other to remind us how joyous it is to be Christians working in unity in support of God’s mission for us.

I met some great people in Covington.  From Raleigh International Church that was part of our work team at the house to the short term missionaries who were down there for the summer in relational support.  Some of those down there said it was a very social week for them.  I think both they and I needed that.  I got to experience the food and friends I missed from previous Louisiana trips, while meeting new ones and experiencing new foods.  I highly recommend chargrilled oysters with smoked Tabasco.  Shelby made that happen and he and I shared an order.  Cam and Eric followed and got the same thing.  Apparently they trusted my judgment after recommending to them the best BBQ shrimp ever the night before from Mulate’s. (1)

Part of group at Acme Oyster House in Covington

This trip was really a different experience for me.  I think I found a couple places if I was ever traveling across the country that I would have places to stay.  From Michigan to North Carolina to Pennsylvania and points in between, people have come together to work in Covington for touchglobal.  Thank you to all the people involved.  I can’t wait for the days in heaven where we are not a nine hour drive apart.

For more information on what touchglobal is doing in Louisiana, Haiti, and elsewhere, go to www.touchglobal.org (2)

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All-Star Roster Thoughts

Posted by Jeff White on July 2, 2012 in Baseball

With the All-Star Game rosters being revealed Sunday, I thought this would be a good time to share who I voted for and maybe some insight.  I am a bit of a homer at times.

Let’s start in the National League:

C-Buster Posey-San Francisco Giants.  Yadier Molina-St. Louis Cardinals.  Yadi is having a career year.  He deserves to be the starter.  They would both be going either way, but Buster is fighting for Comeback Player of the Year.  Yadi throws out more runners and may be the Cardinals Co-MVP.

1B-Joey Votto-Cincinnati Reds.  My choice also.  1B may be the National League’s weakest position this year.  Heck, St.Louis Cardinals own Allen Craig has more RBIs at 1B than back up Bryan LaHair of the Cubs and Craig was hurt for a few weeks and wasn’t even supposed to play first base this year.

2B-Dan Uggla-Atlanta Braves.  Aaron Hill-Arizona Diamondbacks.  Hill is the heart and soul of the D’Backs.  Fans did not know what they were doing here, but it’s not the only time.  Hill is in the final 5 vote. Was good to see Jose Altuve from the Astros get a reserve spot.  He is becoming a Cardinals Killer.

SS-Rafael Furcal-St. Louis Cardinals.  My choice also.  Rafael is having a great season and there was only a little competition at this spot.

3B-Pablo Sandoval-San Francisco Giants.  David Freese-St. Louis Cardinals.  This is a bit of a homer pic for me but Kung Fu Panda really?  I am glad David Wright made it at least, but he probably should deserve to be the starter here.

OF-Melky Cabrera-San Francisco Giants, Carlos Beltran-St. Louis Cardinals, and Matt Kemp-Los AngelesDodgers.  Beltran, Matt Holliday-St. Louis Cardinals, and Carlos Gonzalez-Colorado Rockies.  Another ballot stuffer for Giants fans here.  Holliday didn’t make it because there needed to be a selection from every team.  CarGo made it as a reserve.  My side note is that Ryan Braun should not have been allowed to play for 50 games this season, let alone make an All-Star team.

American League:

C-Mike Napoli-Texas Rangers.  A. J. Pierzynski-Chicago White Sox.  I have no issue with Napoli winning.  I am a huge A.J. fan and he had the best batting average among AL Catchers when I checked.

1B-Prince Fielder-Detroit Tigers.  My choice also.  He has made an outstanding transition in the American League and may have this spot for years to come.  Good to see Paul Konerko gets a reserve nod.

2B-Robinson Cano-New YorkYankees.  My choice also.  To me he is the best Yankee player at this moment.  Mizzou alum Ian Kinsler from the Texas Rangers gets a reserve spot.

SS-Derek Jeter-New York Yankees.  Asdrubal Cabrera-Cleveland Indians.  Jeter is of course the popular choice but I just enjoy watching Cabrera play.  Great part of the foundation for years to come in Cleveland.  He did make it as a reserve.

3B-Adrian Beltre-TexasRangers.  Miguel Cabrera-Detroit Tigers.  Rangers fans stuffing ballots.  I looked at the numbers last Monday for all AL third baseman without their names and Cabrera’s looked better.  I based my choice on numbers.  He will be a reserve.

DH-David Ortiz-Boston Red Sox.  My choice also.  I was impressed the AL has three DH’s on their All-Star roster.

OF-Josh Hamilton-Texas Rangers, Jose Bautista-Toronto Blue Jays, Curtis Granderson-New YorkYankees.  Hamilton, Bautista, Adam Jones-Baltimore Orioles.  I really like Jones and I do not like Granderson.  Jones made it as a reserve.

I don’t believe there should be a player from every team on the All-Star team except for the team hosting the game.  Since they made the game ‘count’, the best players should go, period.

I will be watching the All-Star game from either a Seattle bar or in my hotel room.  I still don’t like to miss the game.

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My Royals and Marlins Thoughts

Posted by Jeff White on June 26, 2012 in Baseball

I was lucky enough to go to the Friday and Saturday games of the St. Louis Cardinals sweep of the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City at Kaufmann Stadium.  It is a nice park.  Not sure if it’s nice enough to host an All-Star game, but they didn’t ask my opinion.

On Friday night, my wife, son, and I climbed to our seats in section 420 row XX.  It only goes to ZZ so you know how high we were.  I knew it was fireworks night and seats apparently are harder to come by for this event, so I took what I could get.  We were witness to Joe Kelly’s first Major league win.  One issue with the stadium is that for these large sections there is only one way out.  Everybody left at the same time after the fireworks so it took a while to get out of our seats.  I do appreciate the onsite parking, though.

Saturday we got there early as we could and my son raced to the side of the visitor’s dugout with his bag of balls to get autographs.  The Cardinals did not take batting practice on Saturday and only pitchers came out to stretch and Skip Schumaker came out to sign autographs.  Both my wife and son got Skip’s autographs while I stood lonely in the left field bleachers waiting for balls to come my way that never happened.

It was another nice victory for the Cardinals as Adam Wainwright pitched well and the Cardinals hit well again.  Luckily, we weren’t as high for this game.  We stayed until the end of the game to come home after vacation.

The Cardinals finished the sweep on Sunday and flew to Miami to take on the Marlins.  Last night’s game was definitely a different and yet exciting game.  The Cardinals were down 6-1 after the 7th inning and with one in the 8th and 4 in the ninth capped off by Yadier Molina’s game tying homerun, the Cardinals went on to win in the tenth.

Victor Marte came in the 9th inning as part of a double switch.  Cardinals Manager told the umpire that he was coming in for position 5 and the umpire thought he meant position 5 in the lineup not defensively.  After the first batter, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen noted that Allen Craig who was batting in position 5 was still on the field.  Umpire Bob Davidson said he shouldn’t be and after Matheny said that is not what he told him, he still had to replace Craig because what the umpire had written is law.  Luckily Tony Cruz was available to take over at first so the Cardinals finished the inning holding the Marlins.

On to the 10th.  Tyler Greene gets a one out single and scores on Rafael Furcal’s double.  Tyler Greene flew around the bases and scored easily on the hit.  After getting the bases loaded, Victor Marte’s spot in the lineup came up.  Pitcher Joe Kelly was called to pinch hit.  He grounds a ball up the middle and beats out the throw at first to score another run.  I immediately nicknamed him ‘Joltin’ Joe Kelly.  He was flying down the first base line.

Jason Motte got three outs allowing one run in the bottom of the tenth and that Joe Kelly single ended up being the difference in the game.  What an ending to the game.  The St. Louis Cardinals reminded us why they are who they are, defending World Series Champs.  The never give up and believe they can win it all again.  What a great team and a great time to be a fan!

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What Jack and Darryl Did For Cardinals Nation and America

Posted by Jeff White on June 14, 2012 in Baseball, Life

Next week will be the 10 year anniversaries of the deaths of Jack Buck and Darryl Kile.

10 years.  Wow.  I remember these events better than some things I did last week.  It took the Angels coming to town for the first time in their history to take Jack Buck up to heaven.  I remember Joe Buck calling the Darryl Kile pitched game calmly and quietly while reflecting a bit on his father.  I barely remember that the Cardinals won that night.  They went into first place that night and held on to it for the rest of the season.  Then right after that Tuesday game, Jack passed.  I went to Busch Stadium for that visitation.  What a quiet and somber event.

Just four days after Jack Buck passed away, the Cardinals were in Chicago to play the Cubs.  I remember seeing Joe Girardi come on screen and said due to a tragedy in the Cardinals family, the commissioner cancelled the game.  Thirty minutes or so later, it was announced that Darryl Kile had died in his hotel room.  Someone knew that Joe would play for the Cardinals at a later date.  He earned my respect that day.  Another sad visitation occurred.

I will never forget Matt Morris with DK 57 on his hands at the All-Star game.  The Cardinals team was hurt by the losses of Jack and Darryl.  I can remember Tony LaRussa saying it was his hardest year ever as a manager.  Darryl Kile’s number now hangs in black in the back of the Cardinals bullpen and in Houston and Colorado also.  Darryl touched many players and fans during his years.  In 2003, the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award was established and is presented annually to the Cardinals and Astros player who best exemplify Kile as “a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man.” The first two recipients were Jeff Bagwell and Mike Matheny.

I can feel sadness in me as I reflect on these events.  I was raised listening to Jack Back call my St. Louis Cardinals games.  He told me about every game.  He is known for telling me and Cardinals Nation to ‘Go Crazy’ and to ‘Stand up and applaud’ among other things.  His poem after 9/11 was a great exclamation point on his career and calmed a nation as they went back to play baseball on 9/17.  This was his final public appearance.  I will always remember the chills I felt when he asked ‘Should we be here?’ and answered immediately ‘Yes!’  He spoke to Cardinals Nation and the world that night like no other person could.  This to me is one of my proudest Jack Buck memories.

For America:

Since this nation was founded under

God, more than 200 years ago,

We’ve been the bastion of

Freedom…

The light which keeps the free world

Aglow.

We do not covet the possessions of

Others, we are blessed with the

Bounty we share.

We have rushed to help other

Nations…anything…anytime…

Anywhere.

War is just not our nature…we

Won’t start, but we will end the fight.

If we are involved we shall be

Resolved to protect what we know is

Right.

We’ve been challenged by a

Cowardly foe, who strikes and then

Hides from our view.

With one voice we say there’s no

Choice today, there is only one

Thing to do.

Everyone is saying the same thing

And praying that we end these

Senseless moments we are living.

As our fathers did before, we shall

Win this unwanted war.

And our children will enjoy the

Future, we’ll be giving.

These two great members of Cardinals Nation were great people, friends, parents and role models for generations to come.  They showed everyone, not just Cardinals Nation.

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Is Cardinals Nation Spoiled?

Posted by Jeff White on June 5, 2012 in Baseball

Recently, a few of us have noticed that on Twitter, people are whining about the St. Louis Cardinals.  I mean not just your Tyler Greene haters, but the people who are saying we should overhaul this whole team now.  Sheesh people, it’s just the start of June.  Injuries have hit this team pretty hard and we all knew that there was not a whole lot of help sitting in Memphis.  Adron Chambers makes Jon Jay look like an All Star.

But seriously, I decided to look into some other teams in the National League Central to try to put things in perspective.  Let’s start with the Cincinnati Reds.  The Reds were established in 1881.  They have won the World Series 5 times.  They have won nine National League Pennants and nine division titles, with two of those being since the NL Central was formed.  Two!  1995 and 2010.  No Wild Card, just two times in the postseason since the last time they won a World Series in 1990.  They haven’t even been to the World Series since then.

‘We Are Family’ was a battle cry in Pittsburgh in the late 70’s and early 80’s, but what has happened to the Pirates since then?  The Pirates started a year after the Reds in 1882 and they have won the World Series 5 times and the National League 9, but none since 1979.  They had a three year run of National League East titles from 1990-92 but haven’t seen the postseason since then.  They would be happy in Pittsburgh to get a competitive team and an owner to spend some money wisely.  Finishing the season above .500 is a goal inPittsburgh.

Journey up to Milwaukee and see beautiful Miller Park and there at least has been a bit of excitement up there recently.  The Brewers have only been around since 1969 and the only time they have been to a World Series was when they were in the American League and your St. Louis Cardinals beat them in 1982.  They are the defending Central division champions so things should be good there.  Last year was only their third trip to the postseason.  They went from 1983-2007 with nothing.  Good fans getting nothing but a new stadium and the hope of a few players to carry their hopes.

The Houston Astros are in so much of a funk that to keep fan interest they decided as a stipulation of the new ownership, the Astros would move to the American League in 2013.  The franchise was established in 1962 and they have only been to the World Series once in 2005.  Haven’t done much of anything since then though.  Cardinals Nation remembers the Astros and Cardinals battling year after year in the early 2000’s.  But they have been cellar dwellers quite a few times since.  And the Cardinals have never had to try to get orange in their uniforms.

I won’t even go there with the Chicago Cubs…

Your St. Louis Cardinals were established in 1882.  They have won the World Series 11 times, and the National League Pennant 18 times.  Three wins in the National League East in the 80’s and 8 Central division titles.  Add the two Wild Card berths we have had and you cannot compare the Cardinals to any other team in the Central Division.  If I add right, the Cardinals have been to the postseason 12 times in my 41 years of life.  That is pretty impressive.

People in Cardinals Nation need to realize that they have it good.  Too good.  Winning tradition is something that is engrained in us all here.  Please remember what it could be.  Be proud or your franchise, cheer for them, question things maybe, but watch what you say.  Whine to yourself, because you are making the rest of us look bad…

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Grateful Dad

Posted by Jeff White on May 25, 2012 in Life

I have to say I am a pretty lucky guy.  My son Josh is a good kid.  He’s smart, athletic, a leader, and a good example for other kids.  What worries me are the times ahead.  I remember my difficult teenage years.  I know that me and my wife have given Josh a better foundation than I had growing up.  I had no father figure active in my life except for a fantastic Grandfather who did his best.  I know that I struggle sometimes on how to deal with him but it comforts me when I know that others struggle, and I actually get what my son is trying to pull or get away with most of the time before my wife because I tried the same things many years ago.

I remember thinking with Lyn before we had kids how we thought a girl would fit us better.  Oh, thank you God for providing us with a son!  I get how boys react because I am one.  My wife is much smarter than me so she is learning.  You never know how girls react.  Don’t get me wrong, I know many great young ladies out there, but I know that God blessed us with our son for reasons that include God does not give us more than we can handle.

Josh plays select baseball.  He switches age levels every year.  Girls’ softball does it every two years.  Josh just probably wrapped up his club level soccer career.  I was told by many parents and coaches that there is a lot more drama involved in girls soccer.  I did see a few girls game and most of the time the girls were meaner players.  Josh will be doing football this fall for the first time.  He is a great team sports player.  Let’s just say I have been to a few dance recitals and am grateful to God for my son and his gifts.

I know I would have survived with a girl.  Heck, life may have been a blast, but I am quite happy and satisfied with my son.  He is a great young man.  Whether he is getting recognition in school or getting a hit in baseball.  I am a proud dad.

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41

Posted by Jeff White on May 18, 2012 in Life, Whatever

You ever get to the point where you need to reflect?  I am there.  Today I am turning 41.  Not some magical birthday, but just another year older.  I decided that it would be fun to do a little research and see if I could come up with some interesting things about the number 41.

41 is currently being worn by Mitchell Boggs of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Do you remember Yadier Molina wore it his first year in the big leagues?  I still see a few of those shirts still around.  Tom Seaver is probably the most famous baseball player to wear the number unless you talk to Atlanta Braves fans who think it’s Eddie Matthews.  Dirk Nowitzki is probably the most famous basketball player wearing that number today.  I remember Glen Rice sporting that big 4 1 on his back.  Mel Blount or Brian Piccolo may be the most famous football players with that number.  Roger Banister was wearing 41 on his chest when he broke the 4 minute mile barrier in 1954.  Of course St. Louis Blues fans know that Jaroslav Halak wear 41 on his sweater.

41 is a song by the Dave Matthews Band.  There is a band called Sum 41.  Symphony Number 41 was Mozart’s last.  I also learned that Paul McCartney sings the phrase ‘Let It Be’ 41 times in the Beatles hit.  Montana is the 41st state.  George H. W. Bush was the 41st President of theUnited States.  I found out that most women are actually pregnant for 41 weeks.  I remember an arcade game called 1941 where I shot a bunch of bad guys with my plane.

So I guess there are a lot of cool things that have to do with the number 41.  I hope that the upcoming year will be a good one for me and all people that I know.

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Matheny Era is Alive and Well

Posted by Jeff White on May 14, 2012 in Baseball

If there is any doubt that the St. Louis Cardinals have moved on from Tony LaRussa to a new style with Mike Matheny, today’s move of DFAing J.C. Romero and calling up Eduardo ‘Nasty’ Sanchez proves it.  Fresh off of a weekend that included honoring LaRussa by retiring his number, being swept by the Atlanta Braves, and giving away tons of goodies at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals continue to make moves.

Matheny is fully in the process of giving his players rest as he works to give as many At-Bats for the MVP of this team so far, Carlos Beltran, and rising stars Allen Craig and Jon Jay, as he does the regular All Stars Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman.  Some say this is a good problem to have (which it can be) if the stars are aligned when you sit the right player and the others perform.  I just think that there is another move to come for the Cardinals.  Something tells me that Tyler Greene will be traded for a lefty out of the pen of some other team that needs infield depth and has a reliever that could use a change of scenery and coaches.  I also think this depends on whether the Cardinals try to see if Allen Craig can play 2B.  Will Jose Oquendo take extra time to see if he can actually handle the position?  The Braves and Dan Uggla show that the glove will develop if the bat is there.  We shall see. To me, this would be only a short term solution.  Do you look at trading Jon Jay while he is peaking to make room for Craig in right field if Beltran shows he can play CF every day?  I doubt it.  But this is part of what makes baseball so much fun.  Fans can be the General Manager in their own heads.

There is no doubt that the performances at the plate of Beltran and Jay have exceeded everyone’s expectations.  Add in Lance Lynn being 6-1 in place of injured Chris Carpenter, Jake Westbrook and Kyle Lohse performing at above average standards, and a defense that is the best in the National League with a .988 fielding percentage and you should be happy the Cardinals are in first place.  The Cardinals lead the NL in Batting Average at .283, home runs at 46, RBIs at 181, hits at 340, triples at 13, On Base Percentage at .355, slugging at .468, walk allowed at 86, and are in the top 5 in many other categories.

Matheny has led this team.  Along with pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, bench coach Mike Aldrete, and hitting coach Mark McGwire being more free, this team is blossoming.  Of course there will be bumps in the road.  Of course we will not win every game, and players will struggle because they are human.  Whether you’re a 13 year old kid or a 30 year old professional, you will make mistakes.  It happens.  Don’t let this stuff get you down and continue to root root root for the Cardinals.

Mike Matheny

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What’s In My Head Right Now

Posted by Jeff White on May 7, 2012 in Life, Whatever

I am wondering a few things this week.  These are things that have kind of been on my mind for a bit.  Who actually reads my blog?  I mean I know I am getting site visits and some new followers here and there but are people actually reading this?  I know my blog has only been around since September of 2011 and I got lucky that the St. Louis Cardinals were on a roll into the postseason as they were a subject of a good amount of my writing.

I am thankful to be a member of the United Cardinal Bloggers.  I am what they call a hitters member as I do not have the time to be fully involved like I normally would in something.  I have noticed that most of the other bloggers do a lot of reporting and actually a little less creative writing.  I have no problem with this.  I am not a reporter.  I am not a journalist.  I am a blogger.

I am here to give you my opinions, to share about things that mean something to me.  I know that I need to blog more, read many more different blogs, and finishing moving over to my own web page but this has kind of been nagging at me.

I have always had a passion for writing.  People in my life and work have told me that I can write better than I can talk at times.  Those of you that knew me in high school may remember thehigh pointof my poetry writing.  There are probably over 120 poems and lyrics sitting in a drawer or a hard drive collecting dust.  I have never played an instrument well enough to put some of them to music but some of them have tunes in my head I can sing.

Anyway, thanks to one of my wife’s friends, I got into reading blogs.  I saw that some of them are reporting but most of them are opinion.  I realized this is a place where I could fit in at and this can keep my creative juices working.  Please take a moment and visit Aimee at www.everydayepistle.com

As I am writing this, yes it bothers me that people who call me friend may never have read my blog.  I get that I don’t have all the same interest as people I know.  It’s not about that, it’s about support.  But then again, people I may never meet in person read it.  I get a lot of views based on the topics and titles of my blogs.  You would be amazed what some people search for on the internet.  The more I think about it, it doesn’t really matter to me who reads this blog, as it is done for me.  I use this as an outlet.  If you want to read it, great.  Comment if you like.  But in the end, I am just a guy with a blog.

I challenge everyone to look into themselves, go tell a friend that what they are doing is appreciative and also go discover something new.  Tell a complete stranger that they are doing something that affects you.  Follow their blog, see what they have to say on Twitter, or friend them on Facebook.  You never know what might happen.

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Bleeding Blue

Posted by Jeff White on April 23, 2012 in Whatever

Even though I was born bleeding Cardinals Red, I still have a bit of Blue in my blood.  That is St. Louis Blues Blue.

I remember going to the Checkerdome back when I was young and seeing Blues greats like the Cavallinis, Sutters, and Bernie.  I have the Gretzky/Hull Sports Illustrated Poster.  I was upset when Mike Keenan drove Brett Hull out of St. Louis.  I would use jersey numbers 24 and 16 if 20 was not available.  I have seen the Blues play in Anaheim because I am a home team guy and I was raised on the Blues.  ‘Oh baby’ used to be one of my favorite sayings.  I moved back to St. Louis to see the President’s Cup Season.  I miss Keith Tkachuk’s toothless grin.

Now I consider myself a better than average hockey fan.  I don’t go to a lot of the games.  Think I made it to three this past season.  I do however watch as much I can on television.  I have turned my wife and son into hockey fans.  I am a huge fan of David Backes.  I love what he has done to bring leadership to this team.  He is not necessarily the best scorer on the ice, but he is the smartest, grittiest, and most hard working all-around player on the ice.  T. J. Oshie and Alex Steen help with the grittiness while David Perron and Andy McDonald help with scoring.  With Barrett Jackman and Alex Pietroangelo leading the defense, this team finished 2nd in the Western Conference and beat the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the NHL playoffs.  Bring on the Kings.

I am also a huge Brian Elliott fan.  I wish no ill will on Jaroslav Halak, who himself is an accomplished playoff goalie.  There is just something about Elliott that reminds me of what a goaltender should play like and be.  I have not watched every minute of every game but he had the best Goals Against Average in the NHL this past regular season.  That has to mean something.  He has been outstanding against San Jose and I hope he can continue against the Kings.

Let’s Go Blues!!!

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