A Special Day For Music

 Today's a special personal day for music, as it is both Billy Ray Cyrus and Rob Halford's birthday.  Halford was born in 1950 on this day, BRC was born in 1961.  Other important people whose birthday is today include Sean Connery, Regis Philbin, Tim Burton and my late Uncle on my Mother's side.  In honor of the fantastic music of Billy Ray Cyrus and the projects of Rob Halford, this year, I made a 50-song playlist in Spotify:

1.)    Achy Breaky Heart-Billy Ray Cyrus

2.)    Folsom Prison Blues-Billy Ray Cyrus

3.)    Hey Elvis-Billy Ray Cyrus, Bryan Adams, Glenn Hughes

4.)    Ready, Set, Don’t Go-Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus

5.)    Stand-Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus

6.)    Tulsa Time-Billy Ray Cyrus and Joe Perry

7.)    You’ve Got A Friend-Billy Ray Cyrus and Emily Osment

8.)    Brown Eyed Girl-Billy Ray Cyrus

9.)    Over the Rainbow-Billy Ray Cyrus

10.) I Love You This Much-Billy Ray Cyrus

11.) Enough is Enough-Billy Ray Cyrus

12.) The Past-Billy Ray Cyrus

13.) Some Gave All-Billy Ray Cyrus

14.) Never Thought I’d Fall In Love With You-Billy Ray Cyrus

15.) The Freebird Fell-Billy Ray Cyrus

16.) Thrillbilly-Billy Ray Cyrus

17.) Somebody Said A Prayer-Billy Ray Cyrus

18.) Face of God-Billy Ray Cyrus

19.) I’m American-Billy Ray Cyrus

20.) Nineteen-Billy Ray Cyrus

21.) Chevys and Fords-Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny McGuire

22.) Old Town Road-Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus

23.) Climb to Glory-Billy Ray Cyrus, Eddie Raven, Mark Plummer, Lee Roy Parnell

24.) Killing The Blues-Billy Ray Cyrus and Shooter Jennings

25.) We The People-Billy Ray Cyrus, Montgomery Gentry, Waylon Jennings and Others

26.) Starbreaker-Judas Priest

27.) Diamonds and Rust-Judas Priest

28.) The Green Manalishi with the Two Pronged Crown (Live)-Judas Priest

29.) Living After Midnight-Judas Priest

30.) Never The Heroes-Judas Priest

31.) Breaking the Law (Live)-Judas Priest

32.) Halls of Valhalla (Live)-Judas Priest

33.) Victim of Changes (Live 2015)-Judas Priest

34.) March of the Damned-Judas Priest

35.) Love Bites-Judas Priest

36.) Jawbreaker-Judas Priest

37.) Hell Bent For Leather (Live 1979)-Judas Priest

38.) Victim of Changes (Live 1979)-Judas Priest

39.) Running Wild (Live)-Judas Priest

40.) Breaking the Law-Judas Priest

41.) Hell Bent For Leather (Live 2015)-Judas Priest

42.) Black Wedding-In This Moment, Rob Halford

43.) Man on the Silver Mountain-Rob Halford, Doug Aldrich, Scott Warren, Jeff Pilson and Vinny Appice

44.) Breaking the Law (Live)-Halford

45.) Blackout (Live)-Halford

46.) Straight Up-Phil Campbell, Rob Halford

47.) Protected By The Light-Rob Halford

48.) Joy To The World-Rob Halford

49.) Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing-Rob Halford

50.) Away In A Manger-Rob Halford

I hope you can listen to some enjoyable music today and do some community outreach.  Sunday night sadly saw another senseless Police Brutality Murder, this time in Wisconsin.  I was encouraged by the words of Brewers Manager Craig Counsell (he was a player for the Marlins among other teams when I was a kid) that it was a needless violent act and he would be checking with his players to make sure they were okay.  I'm already doing the best I feel I can do at this point, but if I ever falter, I would like someone to point out my shortcomings.

My First MLB Game by Myself

 

               Five years ago today, I saw my first Major League Baseball game completely by myself.  I went to Seattle the previous day on the BoltBus and stayed overnight in the Hostel, because it was a Sunday afternoon game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox.  This was done intentionally because the Mariners had revealed at the start of the 2015 season, they would be wearing special uniforms for Home Sunday games, cream-colored uniforms with a blue and gold color scheme and no last names on the back, creating a faux-retro look.  My Dad said, when seeing them on TV, that the uniforms resembled the ones the Mariners wore from 1987-1992.  The White Sox also wore alternate uniforms, black tops with white lettering.  I had seen this on them almost twenty years prior, when my family took a trip to South California and we saw the Chicago White Sox at the then California Angels.

 

               The Mariners were entering a period of transition, as General Manager Jack Zdurencik had recently been fired and Jerry DiPoto, a former starting pitcher, had been hired to take his place.  Taijuan Walker, who rejoined the Mariners this year, started for them this game, doing a masterful job if I recall correctly.  John Danks was on the mound for the White Sox.  The thing I remember most was Robinson Cano smacking a home run to center field, which the White Sox’ Jose Abreu also did the next half-inning.  Mark Trumbo also got the start as the first baseman, but handed it over to Logan Morrison in the ninth.  Tom Wilhelmsen got the save, but didn’t come out to “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)” by Jimi Hendrix as I’ve heard is the norm.  I never saw that combination, in 2012, when he came out to close against the Giants, they played AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” and in 2014’s Turn Back the Clock Game to 1979 against the Astros, they played Heart’s “Barracuda.”  (I do think that was an acceptable time-period substitute, since both Hendrix and Heart are from Seattle) The Mariners ultimately won the game 8-6, promising some good times ahead.  And let’s be honest, from 2016-2018, they were competitive and these last two years are more about getting the young players’ feet wet than trying to get to first.  Consider these the 1989-1993 before the 1995-2001.

                 I am hopeful when this pandemic is over I can once again go to Mariner games by myself, it gives me a feeling of strength and independence.

Update

Hey guys.
Well, I've got a little anxiety still, Men of Faith on Facebook likes to link to that guy who believes that homosexuality is something to repent or die with.  I'd quit them, but they're pretty great otherwise.  Beyond that, Miley's older sister Brandi kind of shook me up by saying "don't let anyone fool you, every single person in the music business industry is only out for themselves."  Which to me says, the supergroup of Miley, Demi, Brandi and Hayley is unlikely (though Twitter and interviews show them to be pretty much the best of friends), but I really want to see it, even if it means flying to Los Angeles with very little money.  I'd like you guys to pray for my dreams and the Japanese, since God is Almighty and gave me this heart for these things.
The Mariners took Opening Day in Oakland, which makes me happy.  I'm really looking forward to seeing these two teams lock horns in three weeks with my Dad's family.  Hopefully, the Mariners will keep performing this well (knock on wood).  I've got a record six games to see this year, with the M's playing the A's, Phillies, Marlins, Padres, Rangers and Rays.  I'm so excited for it!

Future Baseball

The games of the future are

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 2011, to be seen by Mom, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and I

Philadelphia Phillies @ Seattle Mariners 2011, to be seen by Mom, Cousins and I

Seattle Mariners @ Florida Marlins 2011, to be seen by Mom, Cousins and I

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners “1983” (2011), to be seen by Mom, Cousins and I

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 2011, to be seen by Mom, Cousins and I

Tampa Bay Rays @ Seattle Mariners 2011, to be seen by Mom, Cousins and I

Baseball log

Here is a list of all the Major League Baseball games my family has seen.  It may not be finished and it doesn't list the upcoming games I want to see.

1920s

Washington Senators @ Cleveland Indians, seen by Great-Uncle, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather

New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians, seen by Great-Uncle, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather

1930s

National League @ American League All-Star Game 1935, seen by Great-Uncle

1940s

Boston Braves @ Cleveland Indians World Series 1948, seen by Great-Uncle

Unknown @ Chicago White Sox, seen by Grandma’s family

1950s

Washington Senators @ New York Yankees 1951, seen by Grandma

Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Cardinals 1952, seen by Grandma

1960s

Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets, seen by Dad

Detroit Tigers @ Seattle Pilots 1969, seen by Grandma

Baltimore Orioles @ Seattle Pilots 1969, seen by Grandma

Washington Senators @ Seattle Pilots 1969, seen by Mom, Grandma, Uncles

1970s

Philadelphia Phillies @ Cincinnati Reds 1971, seen by Grandma

Cincinnati Reds @ Philadelphia Phillies 1971, seen by Dad

California Angels @ Seattle Mariners 1977, seen by Uncle

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners 1978, seen by Grandma

Milwaukee Brewers @ Seattle Mariners 1978, seen by Grandma

1980s

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 1981, seen by Grandma

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 1981, seen by Grandma

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners 1985, seen by Grandma

Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners 1986, seen by Grandma

California Angels @ Seattle Mariners 1986, seen by Grandma

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners 1987, seen by Grandma, Mom, Dad, Brother

1990s

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 1991, seen by Dad, Mom, Grandma

Detroit Tigers @ Seattle Mariners 1992, seen by Mom, Brother, Grandma

Kansas City Royals @ Seattle Mariners 1992, seen by Grandma, Dad, Mom

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 1992, seen by Grandma, Dad, Mom

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners 1993, seen by Grandma, Dad, Mom, Uncle, Cousin and I

Baltimore Orioles @ Seattle Mariners 1993, seen by Grandma, Dad, Mom, Uncle, Cousin and I

“Oakland Oaks” @ “Seattle Rainiers” “1955” (1994) Turn-Back the Clock Game, seen by Grandma, Dad, Mom, Brother and I

New York Yankees @ California Angels 1994, seen by Uncle

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Los Angeles Dodgers 1994, seen by Uncle

Boston Red Sox @ Cleveland Indians post-1994, seen by Great-Uncle

Baltimore Orioles @ Seattle Mariners 1995, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 1995, seen by Grandma, Brother

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 1995, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 1995 Playoff Game, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Los Angeles Dodgers @ California Angels 1995 Old-Timers game, seen by Mom and Dad

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners 1996 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Seattle Mariners @ California Angels 1996 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 1996, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Chicago White Sox @ California Angels 1996, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

California Angels @ Seattle Mariners 1996, seen by Mom, Grandma, Cousin and I

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners 1996, seen by Mom, Dad, Uncles, Cousins, Brother and I

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 1996, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

New York Mets @ Florida Marlins 1996, seen by Uncle and Cousins

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Chicago Cubs @ Seattle Mariners 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Anaheim Angels @ Seattle Mariners 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Milwaukee Brewers @ Seattle Mariners 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Seattle Mariners @ Anaheim Angels 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Seattle Mariners @ San Francisco Giants 1997 Spring Training game, seen by Grandma

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners 1997, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Baltimore Orioles @ Seattle Mariners 1997, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Detroit Tigers @ Seattle Mariners 1997, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 1997, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother, Grandma and I

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 1997, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Seattle Mariners @ Kansas City Royals, seen by Uncle

Unknown @ Tampa Bay Devil Rays, seen by Dad’s Cousin

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Seattle Mariners 1998, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Anaheim Angels @ Seattle Mariners 1998, seen by Dad

Kansas City Royals @ Seattle Mariners “2027” (1998) Turn-ahead-the-clock game, seen by Mom, Uncle, Cousin and I

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 1998, seen by Mom, Dad, Grandma, Uncles, Brother and I

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners 1999, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 1999, seen by Uncle, Cousin and Brother

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners 1999, seen by Uncle and Cousin

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Seattle Mariners 1999, seen by Mom, Dad, Brother and I

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners 1999, seen by Dad

2000s

Philadelphia Phillies @ Seattle Mariners 2000, seen by Dad, Brother and I

Texas Rangers @ Oakland Athletics 2000, seen by Dad, Mom, Brother and I

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 2000, seen by Dad

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 2001 Playoff Games, seen by Grandma

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners 2002, seen by Grandma, Brother and I

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 2002, seen by Mom, Cousin, Brother and I

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Seattle Mariners 2003, seen by Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Brother and I

Baltimore Orioles @ Seattle Mariners 2003, seen by Dad, Brother and I

Montreal Expos @ Seattle Mariners 2003, seen by Uncle and Cousins

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners 2004, seen by cousin

Houston Astros @ Seattle Mariners 2004, seen by Uncle and Cousins

San Diego Padres @ San Francisco Giants 2004, seen by Uncle and Cousins

Chicago White Sox @ Seattle Mariners 2005, seen by Dad, Brother and I

Seattle Mariners @ Tacoma Rainiers 2006, seen by Aunt and Uncle

Anaheim Angels @ Seattle Mariners 2006, seen by Brother and Cousin

Detroit Tigers @ Seattle Mariners 2006, seen by Uncle

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners 2006, seen by Uncle

Detroit Tigers @ “Seattle Pilots” “1969” (2006) Turn Back the Clock game, seen by Mom, Brother and I

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Minnesota Twins 2006, seen by Dad

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners 2007, seen by Brother and Brother’s Girlfriend

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 2007, seen by Mom, Brother and I

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners “1977” (2007) Turn Back the Clock Game, seen by Mom, Brother and I

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners 2007, seen by Aunt and Uncle

Seattle Mariners @ Minnesota Twins 2007, seen by Dad

Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins 2007, seen by Dad and Uncle

Washington Nationals @ Minnesota Twins 2008, seen by Dad, Brother and I

Cleveland Indians @ Seattle Mariners “1989” (2008) Turn Back the Clock Game, seen by Mom, Brother, Brother’s girlfriend and I

“Oakland Oaks” @ “Seattle Rainiers” “1939” (2009) Turn Back the Clock Game, seen by Mom, Brother and I

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners 2009, seen by Mom, Brother, Brother’s girlfriend and I

Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals 2009, seen by Uncle

2010s

San Francisco Giants @ Oakland Athletics 2010, seen by Brother and Brother’s girlfriend

San Diego Padres @ Seattle Mariners 2010, seen by Uncle, Aunt, Mom and I

“California Angels” @ Seattle Mariners “1995” (2010) Turn Back the Clock Game, seen by Mom, Bellingham Covenant Church and I

Cincinnati Reds @ Seattle Mariners 2010, seen by Dad, Brother and I

New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners 2010 seen by cousin

Florida Marlins @ San Francisco Giants 2010, seen by Mom, my brother and I

“New York Cubans” @ “Pittsburgh Crawfords” “1930s” (2010) Turn Back the Clock Game, seen by Dad, brother and I