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Time and place being the one mystery that stumps me without fail, I must label this story as having taken place, “some years ago.” I can’t even remember where I came across the news clipping, although my guess would be an edition of The Sporting News from the mid-70’s. The puzzle in question dates back to that time period, so I feel safe in placing our crime scene somewhere in that timeline.

You’ll see an image of the clipping below. I had the original for a number of years, but it was lost over time. It may in fact be in that elusive shoebox that holds my copy of the January 1976 Reader’s Digest, the home of my introduction to the mystery of Oak Island. The clipping is a challenging riddle, built from a baseball boxscore; I know not the writer who composed the questions… neither do I possess a copy of the official solution.

Continue reading ‘AN EXERCISE IN RECONSTRUCTION’ »

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Last night the twelve of us held our annual ancient scholars meeting. If you’re keeping score, last night was Friday and the meeting of the minds was scheduled for primetime on the east coast. The timing of the meeting may lend credence to the accusation that the overall membership has indeed acquired that state of life-development where we might reasonably conclude that all wild seeds have long since been sown.

Although we do not maintain, nor publish, any specific demographic data, I’m fairly certain that everyone in the group is at least in their mid-40’s or beyond. Knowing the age of some of the members as a matter of conjecture tips the balance of the scale. It’s a good bet, that on the whole, the group skews somewhere near, or slightly past, the given parameter for mature.

Continue reading ‘DIVIDE AND CONQUER’ »

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The new season is just around the corner and as a fan of the game, I’m excited. I grew up playing baseball and it’s always been my favorite sport to watch, both in person and on TV. You read that right; for me, baseball trumps football… every time.

Even though I’m a fan, and a big fan as my confession above would so indicate, I think watching a baseball game these days is somewhat painful. I still watch it, but I don’t enjoy it nearly as much and I’m trying to figure out why.

Continue reading ‘WHY BASEBALL’S A DRAG’ »

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“Momentum is
the next day’s
starting pitcher.”

Earl Weaver, Manager
Baltimore Orioles

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The four word headline is sacred gospel in baseball circles:

“pitchers and catchers, report!”

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Excuse me for dismissing the annual “Did he? Or Didn’t he?” dance that Punxsutawney Phil has each February with his shadow, but these four words are the true herald of spring.

Continue reading ‘MOMENTUM SWING’ »

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This post was taken on by assignment. Okay, it was self-assignment on the heels of a Facebook discussion. Nonetheless, I made promise to all those involved in the discussion to fix college football with my next Saturday Morning Ramble and here we are. (There were 3 of us, if you count me.)

The issue that launched last Thursday’s round robin of ideas was the University of Central Florida’s victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl and they’re subsequent celebration of National Championship status. The fly in this ointment was a claim to the throne based in simplistic “we beat the team that beat the team” logic. UCF had beaten Auburn, who beat both National Championship Game participants, Alabama and Georgia, during the regular season.

Continue reading ‘FIXIN’ COLLEGE FOOTBALL’ »