Scattershooting / Bagwell Finally Gets The Hall Call

Gather around your neighborhood blog page, everybody, because it's time once again to do the here, there, and everywhere. It's time for Scattershooting, where you get things you won't get (well, probably won't) on the main City-Data forums or any other forum page. So, let's get some more wood to throw on our computer campfire; we don't want it getting too cold for you....

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This past week, I came across something on MLB.com that I've never spotted before. There's a link to a site where you can view the latest numbers of how this year's Hall of Fame candidates are doing in terms of votes from writers and other sources who contribute to this. Several former major leaguers are getting a lot of votes after just two players received at least 75 percent of writers' votes in last year's class. This year, we could see a serious haul.

At the top are two notables, former Houston Astro outfielder Jeff Bagwell and former outfielder Tim Raines. Bagwell and Raines are both way over the threshold needed to get in to the shrine in Cooperstown, as Bagwell, so far, has 90 percent of the votes, while Raines has 91 percent. Also in on the mix is former catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez at 80 percent. Then you've got two others, former reliever Trevor Hoffman and former infielder Vladimir Guerrero, both just barely under 75 percent.

Jeff Bagwell has a special place for me, since he's a former Astro and a franchise leader in many categories. You may already know about his home runs, his batting average, and his fielding, but you may not know that he was also a good baserunner and harbored good instinct around the basepads. Did you know that he stole home on three occasions? Yep. Sure did. Bagwell is in his seventh year on the ballot, and I would love to see him finally get inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and join his former teammate Craig Biggio. The latter was inducted two years ago. With as many votes as Bagwell has, he's sure to be in this year. That revelation will take place this coming Wednesday night, and MLB Network will have the coverage.

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Your writer just got an implant put in his lower bridge. In case you haven't read about it, I had to get a tooth extracted last fall, and now I've got to pave the way for a new crown. It's expected that I'll get it put in in about a few months.

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Say it ain't so. The San Diego Chargers are announcing that they're packing their bags and leaving for Los Angeles to begin the 2017 NFL season. I'm sure the people in L.A. are loving this, if they can stand having two losing franchises in their city. But are the people in San Diego digging this?

I'll tell you that one fan isn't, and this franchise move has drawn the ire of '60s on 6 deejay Pat St John. It was reported that he took a vacation last week, but colleague Phlash Phelps leaked out details that Pat was not happy about his Chargers leaving that he actually was looking around the L.A. area for a new place to live. This after his big move from New York to San Diego just a year and a half ago. Real nice.

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More deejay news: KOKE-FM (99.3, 98.5, and 1490) Austin jock Eric Raines was on a trip with some musicians to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this past week. Upon leaving there to return home, his vehicle was stuck on Interstate 70 as some avalanches and strong snow storms had traffic grind to a halt. He'd been stranded for a day or so.

I turned on KOKE this morning via streamlining and, sure enough, there was Eric, on the air doing the Sunday Morning Gospel Show. So, he's safe and sound. Austin's busiest deejay is back in the fold and doing just fine.

Now, if he can just get out of playing the same fifteen songs over and over on the Country Gold Show and dig deeper into that vast playlist....

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North Texas is getting some much-needed rain as I write this. Thought I saw a report online about drought in the region. If my eyes didn't deceive me flipping through the websites, then we've got ourselves a mild drought in some of the northern areas.

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Maybe Bob Knight really was right. The former Texas Tech basketball coach once told a press conference group years ago about young news reporters that the profession that they chose to be in is "one or two steps above prostitution". Even though that group consisted mainly of sportswriters and sportscasters, that phrase may as well be addressed to our nation's news media, most of which has become so corrupt that their news is not watchable anymore.

We are about to inaugurate Donald Trump in what could be the greatest inauguration ceremony since a fellow named Reagan took office, and there will be plenty of people in attendance for the historic event. Guest singers include Paul Anka and Marie Osmond, but many more should be announced soon, though some of this is under wraps. Conservatives shouldn't have anything to hide or be ashamed of. After all, the liberals are putting up a pretty big (and unnecessary) fight to stop the celebration. Much of the mainstream media is not reporting the news, and they're not even going to be fair with Trump in covering the news. That's the problem with the media; and whatever happened to reporting the news? That idea is all but long gone now. Today, people are just spinning and cherry-picking to fit a liberal narrative. Some members got what they deserved last week from Mr Trump during his first press conference.

It's refreshing to see truth take a stand. America must get back to business, and newscasters need to start taking care of theirs, not abuse it.

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Ol' Case has to put in the largest work order he's ever put in to the apartment office. Maintenance will need to fix my toilet, get me a new shower head, replace some light bulbs, and get my bathroom sink stopper repaired.

Sounds like a lot, but that's apartments for you.

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Speaking of the subject at hand, we've had more than our lion's share of solicitations from different entities. Some are restaurants, while others are moving services or churches or area businesses needing customers.

Sorry, but solicitations get no felicitations. Flyers placed in the crack of my door will just fall and blow off when I open same. Even if it's a lease renewal notice from my apartment, or anyone else with important stuff, the box with my apartment number has a slot at the top. People haven't noticed that, but it's designed for things like quick mail.

Or, perhaps, solicitations....

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"The Greatest Show On Earth" is lowering the curtain. Talk about the end of a legendary era. We bid goodbye to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...ears/96606820/

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Other than my planned trip to Corpus Christi in February, I'm tentatively planning a short trip to San Antonio in April. Fiesta is going on there, but I haven't been able to go the last few years. My plan will be simple: Plan ahead, and not go on a Friday or a Saturday. Hey, hotels will have same spots, and I found one with a good price for a one-night's stay.

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Have a wonderful week wherever you might be. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

And there you are.