More Scattershooting / Strange Ninth Inning Happenings

Looks like you've found your way back to Case's Column, where we all gather around the computer campfire and kick a little can around, here and there, to and fro. And then another can, and another one, and another one. It's called Scattershooting. Look at it this way: You can come in from the heat of late spring into some cool air conditioning and read some tidbits of life from the hallways of City-Data.

At least, you now have something useful to do with your time.

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Sometimes, getting the final out of a baseball game in which you have a lead is as hard as pulling teeth. That was the scenario yesterday (as of this writing) as the Houston Astros' Ryan Pressly was ejected by one of the umpires upon what may be an overreaction by the crew over two inside pitches thrown to Michael A. Taylor of the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the ninth inning at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium. Earlier in that game, three Astros hitters were struck by pitches, so it was the umpires' impression that Pressly was seeking revenge when it was clear that he had no intention of throwing at Taylor or any other hitter. Oh, and there were two outs in that inning with the Royals down to just their final out.

After a brief huddle by the umpires, warnings were given to both benches. This, of course, raised objections from Pressly, who was then ejected from the game.

When it looked like the umps were trying to influence the outcome of the game, such would not eventually be so. The Astros had to go through two more relief pitchers before finally, mercifully, getting that third out. Kansas City looked for a few minutes like they would start a rally after starting that half-inning four runs down (it was Houston 7, KC 3 when it began), but Rafael Montero saved the day when Phil Maton, in a pinch, could not. Astros win, 7-4. Thank goodness for some insurance runs in the top of that same inning so Houston could ensure themselves of a victory.

Wild, to say the least. But it wasn't really necessary. Ryan Pressly will be back and things will be better, as if nothing happened at all.

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Need a new twist in combining chicken and lasagna? I've spotted a link for you to expose an exciting new recipe that involves pasta shells. Take a look here:

https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/c...-shells-recipe

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Who do you think is the next Hollywood figure to possibly reach 100 years of age now that we've lost Betty White? Next in line is none other than Larry Storch. Yep, that one. You know, from "F Troop", as he was Corporal Agarn in the old ABC-TV series from many moons ago. It won't be until January 8 of next year, but it bears watching.

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Dinesh D'Souza's powerful documentary, 2000 Mules, is already a hot seller, grossing $2 million. By far, it's one of the highest-grossing documentaries ever. As you've heard by now, the film delves into personal accounts behind the rigged and stolen 2020 presidential election. Much was captured, what with shocking camera footage and the galoots who helped swing a sure Donald J. Trump re-election victory into a Joe Biden* trespassing nightmare, and the things shared here will certainly make your blood boil. Every Patriot and every concerned American should see this.

This, ladies and gentlemen, was what COVID-19 brought to America.

Here's more from Dr. Steve Turley, who, as always, has brilliant perspective on this:

https://rumble.com/v17iqkx-2000-mule...-the-year.html

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More Interstate 69 work is going to be taking place in Nacogdoches, Texas, but not for a while in regards to visible construction. The Texas Department of Transportation is putting together a proposal to reconfigure the U.S. Highway 59 interchange with Business U.S. 59 and U.S. 259 on that city's north side. Virtual meetings are scheduled for the public in just a few days.

Construction does continue on the south side of town, where new future mainlanes are being built to accommodate I-69. The interchange with South Loop 224 and Business U.S. 59 was coming along great on my visit there a few months ago; so now, even more progress has been made.

In the not-too-distant future, we could see around fifty additional miles signed and added to the network on both ends of Houston, not to mention fifteen additional miles between Corpus Christi and Kingsville. Be sure to keep an eye out for my future posts as I continue to give I-69 updates for all road enthusiasts.

And as for the highway in Nacogdoches between the north junction and south junction reconstruction, I cannot wait to see what becomes of that segment when TXDOT finally gets around to it.

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I had no idea that John Lennon of The Beatles had ever professed to be a Christian at any time in his life. Who would have thought? California pastor Greg Laurie just revealed some details that, only now, are getting out about the late British Invasion great.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/pa...nnon-god-today

Can you just imagine if Lennon would ever have rewritten the song, "Imagine", had he lived longer? Would his solo career have involved gospel music? We will never know the answer some forty-two years after his death.

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We just had National Donut Day this past week. Want to meet the fellow who invented the donut?? You do?? Well, below is a link with some incredible stuff. Our colleague Hunterseat may want to gladly check this out.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/me...invented-donut

Remember, sports fans, it's the first Friday of June each year for National Donut Day. You'll want to share this experience with everyone you hang out with.

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Joe Biden* still has not united my great America like he said he was going to.

I'm not holding my breath, either.

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How often does one wander into a desert and spot an alligator? Well, one was just discovered in the Permian Basin of Texas, and rumor has it that he was probably hitching a ride.

https://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoo...r-texas-desert

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Driving around this morning, passing through The Colony, Texas, I spotted a rotating electronic billboard, and on one slide, it had a message telling folks to put a stop to human trafficking, and that it is a crime.

Funny how a public service announcement aimed at civilians can't somehow be applied to a group of people who gather in Washington, D.C., to supposedly do business. We do need to stop human trafficking. It's called the Border Crisis along the U.S.-Mexico line.

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Newsmax just compiled a Top 10 list of best Olympic-themed films, and you might not be surprised which one gets first mention.

https://www.newsmax.com/bestlists/mu...28/id/1063211/

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Pride Month, eh?? I'll tell you about pride.

The only pride this writer has is the patriotic love he has for his country, not to mention some for my home state of Texas. Old Glory reigns in the greatest country in the history of the world. And that's the most significant kind of pride there is.

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At this writing, today (June 6) is National Drive-In Movie Day. I learned something this morning on Phlash Phelps' radio show that I could not believe. There are two states in America which have never had a drive-in movie theater. Can you name them?

You won't believe this. Those two states are North Dakota and Louisiana. They have never had a drive-in movie theater, so neither of them have had that unique experience. Hey, if you've got one in your area, and you don't have anything else going on, then go check it out. Just be careful with the buttered popcorn....

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I'm still in utter disbelief wondering why Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson wants to get a new National Football League team in the city of Dallas. Good grief, we have the Cowboys already, and they are still the hottest commodity among NFL properties in all forms of commerce and merch. So what if they play their home games in Arlington? Dallas blew whatever chance it had years ago, and they will have to live with it now. We don't need another NFL team in Texas, unless it's in San Antonio, perhaps. Certainly not in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where you'll be stepping on too many toes.

These big cities (well, most of them) need new mayors.

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Alright, folks, this will wrap up another excursion into the here and there. Stay cool out wherever you may be. Put your air conditioner on 40 degrees.

And there you are.