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Monday, August 7, 2017

The Writer's Life 8/7 - Hardball

The story about VP Mike Pence secretly preparing to run for president during the next national election sounds bogus. Although it seems the Democrats lack any viable candidates, the only way the majority of voters will opt for a conservative is if the economy takes off and he can ride in on its coattails - and that would be in 2024, not 2020. Republican hopes of retaining the White House are tied to Trump's economic agenda, whether they like it or not. Of course, all bets are off if the special counsel finds info that will damage the president irreparably. It is a stacked deck of Clinton and Obama supporters doing the investigating. They will leave no stone unturned. The scope will likely go way beyond the alleged Russia collusion, of which there is no evidence so far. It's not fair, but it's the way these things always go. Politics remains the ultimate hardball.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio is proposing a tax on millionaires to finance the repairs the subway system needs. Of course, he's merely playing partisan, divisive politics, as he has no power to institute such a measure. I suggest he tax everyone involved in city government. In a racket rife with phonies, he's in the top tier.

MLB has lost two stalwarts. RIP Don Baylor, 68, who spent nearly 50 years in baseball, and was a member of 14 teams as a player, manager or coach. His playing career ended after the 1988 season. Overall, he hit .260 and socked 338 homers. In 1979 as a California Angel, he played all 162 games and hit .296 and had 36 home runs and 139 RBI. He made the All-Star team and was voted the AL MVP. He was traded to the Twins late in the 1987 season, and was a member of that unlikely championship team, batting .385 in 15 at-bats in the World Series. His most surprising career stat, considering his size, is his 285 stolen bases. He is ranked fourth all-time in being hit by a pitch, 267 times. After a few years as a hitting coach, he became the first manager of the Colorado Rockies. He led them in their first six years of existence. In 1995, the team’s very first winning season, it advanced to the post-season as the wild-card team. Baylor was named NL Manager of the Year. He also managed the Chicago Cubs from 2000 to 2002... RIP Darren Daulton, 55, longtime Phillies catcher who succumbed to a five-year battle with brain cancer. In his 14-year career, the three-time all-star hit .245 and socked 137 homers. He was acknowledged as the team's leader, its steadying influence in the clubhouse. The organization did him a great service in trading him late in the 1997 season to the Florida Marlins, who won the World Series, in which he hit .389 in 18 at-bats. Well done, gentlemen. (Info from Yahoo Sports and baseball-reference.com)




The floating book shop was rained out today.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

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